Chapter 1846 - 1391: Duke Is Dead (2)

Song Heping listened quietly, his face showing no change in expression.

But those familiar with him could see that his gaze had become sharper.

"And what about Major General Duke?" Song Heping asked. "What role does he play in this drama?"

A complex expression flickered across Blake's face.

"Duke... actually, he's an idealist, or rather, he used to be. By the way, have you talked to him?"

"I have." Song Heping did not hide it.

At this point, there seemed to be no need to conceal his relationship with Duke.

"He disclosed files, saying he wanted to stay out of the scandal, to retire safely."

"Ha." Blake suddenly laughed, with a hint of sarcasm. "You got played by him."

"Played?" Song Heping's heart stirred with unease.

Blake nodded. "'Seeder' plan was implemented in Siria while he was at the Pentagon. He is one of the insiders of this chemical weapons attack framing plan."

Song Heping paused, instinctively swearing, "Damn!"

Blake continued, "Of course, the initial reason he supported the 'Seeder' plan was the belief that through this, the violent overthrow of the Hafez Regime could be reduced, thus minimizing military bloodshed. But when he found the plan was being used for new biochemical weapon experiments, he began to question it."

"A conscience awakened?" Song Heping sneered. "That's why he leaked the files to me to expose, making me his pawn."

"Yes. Because he also sensed danger." Blake admitted. "Two weeks ago, parts of the 'Seeder' files appeared on a cryptic leak website. Although quickly removed, it had already alerted insiders. Director Ryan, who is head of the Witness Department, immediately launched an investigation. Everyone who might have accessed the files underwent scrutiny. Duke's access records showed that he reviewed the complete database three times within 48 hours before the leak."

Song Heping's fingers gently tapped the tabletop.

"So he told me he was in danger too. Seems he wasn't lying, unless Ryan and the forces behind collapse, he's also bound to perish."

"I'm afraid the danger has already arrived."

Blake's voice lowered, "Yesterday, prior to the action, I overheard Ryan and Lemont's conversation. They said 'Eagle needs to rest permanently'."

"'Eagle' is Duke's code name?" Song Heping was shocked.

Blake nodded.

A brief silence fell within the cave.

"Who's commanding the Witness Department now?" Song Heping asked.

"Ryan. Former Delta Force Commander, officially retired in 2002, then directly joined the 'Witness' department as the operations chief. He holds the highest security clearance, able to bypass routine command chains to directly connect with the White House Situation Room."

Song Heping inquired, "Where is he now?"

Blake shook his head, "Unclear. But according to standard procedures, if there's significant risk of a leak in action, he would personally attend to clean it up. I guess... he might already be on his way to Illiguo."

Song Heping stood up, pacing back and forth, then finally halted.

"Tell me everything about Ryan. His habits, his weaknesses, his operational patterns."

"Why?" Blake asked cautiously. "You plan to confront him?"

"I plan to survive." Song Heping turned around, his gaze sharp as an icy awl. "And you need to help me to stay alive. Now, start talking."

Blake closed his eyes, as if organizing his thoughts.

"Ryan... about fifty years old, approximately six feet one inch tall, slim but sturdy. Left pinky injured in a training accident, permanently bent. He smokes a meerschaum pipe, the old-fashioned type. His catchphrase is 'Chaos is an excuse for the weak.'"

Song Heping continued asking, "Psychological traits?"

"Control freak. OCD tendencies. Every operation has three backup plans. He mistrusts electronic communications; important orders are always delivered face-to-face. He despises bureaucratic procedures but skillfully exploits loopholes."

Blake paused, "He has one weakness—overconfidence. He thinks he's always a step ahead of his opponents."

"What about your team?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Witness was designed as a decentralized structure, teams isolated from each other. But I know there are at least two tactical teams stationed in the Middle East, one in Qatar, one in Kuwait. Each team has six to eight members, all retired Special Forces personnel with combat experience."

Song Heping nodded, heading towards the door.

"Joseph, take him to write a testimony. Record in detail everything he knows, the times, places, people, action specifics, including the complete framework of the 'Seeder' plan, all code names of informants he knows, and every illegal activity the Witness Department engaged in."

Joseph came over, glanced at Blake, then asked Song Heping, "Will he cooperate?"

"He has no choice now." Song Heping said, then turned to Blake: "After writing the testimony, I need you to provide all physical evidence you can get. Email records, communication screenshots, anything that proves what you're saying."

Blake gave a wry smile, "You think they'd leave such things? All records are verbal or transmitted via disposable encrypted devices then immediately destroyed."

"There will always be traces." Song Heping insisted, "Operation fund transfer records, travel documents, weapons procurement lists. Think."

Blake was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I left a backdoor for myself. I have a safehouse in Dubai. There are my personal records there, including the financial flow of several actions, and some encrypted meeting notes. But I need to retrieve them myself, the safe requires my retina and fingerprint."