Chapter 514 - 458: Explosive News

Colonel Lai De walked into his Pentagon office with a relaxed stride, the spring in his step.

With no recent issues from Illiguo and the Afghan battlefield unusually quiet, the routine press conferences had only simple updates. The atmosphere in the press room was more relaxed than ever before, and even he cracked a few jokes with the reporters, giving himself a more humorous image.

Sitting in his chair, Lai De had his secretary make him a cup of coffee, which he sipped slowly as he flipped through the day's newspapers.

Suddenly, a headline caught his eye.

Colonel Lai De nearly spat out his coffee.

"US Army intervenes in Colombian anti-bandit operations..."

The headline shocked Colonel Lai De. He put down his coffee cup and looked through some other newspapers.

"Experts claim that the US Army's involvement in Colombian military operations targets more than just drug cartels..."

"Involvement in joint Colombian military operations, suspicion of intervention in domestic affairs by the United States Government..."

The last newspaper made Colonel Lai De's blood pressure surge.

"DOD spokesperson publicly lies, claiming the US Army was not involved in Colombian military operations..."

"WTF!"

He felt his blood rush to his head.

Then, the phone on the desk rang.

"This is Lai De."

"Lai De, have you heard about the leak regarding our Colombian operation?"

It was his boss, the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

"SIR, I just got to the office and saw the newspapers. Oh, God! What the hell is going on?"

"For now, the intelligence department is investigating who leaked the information. You must prepare yourself mentally, as it's going to be a busy couple of days."

"God... Alright, I'll gather the staff for a meeting to discuss our strategy."

"Alright, try to keep this as low key as possible and remain silent externally if you can."

"Yes, sir."

After ending the call, Colonel Lai De hadn't even had time to look through the papers in detail when his secretary knocked and came in.

"Sir, you should really turn on the TV and take a look."

After finishing his sentence, he picked up the remote control from the desk, not even asking if Colonel Lai De agreed, and switched on the LCD TV.

The screen showed a CNN interview program.

Lai De's face darkened even more when he saw the guest.

"Fair! I should have guessed it was him! Damn it!"

On the TV, Fair was discussing with the host about the US Army's involvement in the Colombian military operation.

"...Clearly, according to years of data, the ELN Armed Organization is not a drug cartel. They seldom engage in drug trade, even though they do get their hands dirty with activities like kidnapping and extortion. But this left-wing armed group really detests drugs..."

"Are there still armed organizations in Colombia that do not participate in drug trafficking?"

"Definitely, like the ELN Armed Organization. They adhere to Marxism, isn't that surprising?"

Fair's eloquence was indeed impressive; he was a well-known commentator and journalist, speaking casually and humorously, his information seemingly coming effortlessly, demonstrating extensive knowledge.

"Because of their left-wing political stance, they often clash with the AUC Armed Organization, which profits from colluding with drug traffickers. These two organizations frequently engage in shootouts. If you go to Colombia and ask the locals if ELN is an accomplice of drug cartels, you would be laughed at."

The host was a blonde, and when Fair said this, she immediately burst into laughter, bending forward and backward.

"The question has arrived..."

Fair took out a photo from the materials on the table and showed it to the host before showing it to the camera.

In the photo, US Army advisor Colonel Lawrence and the deputy commander of the Colombian Government Army, as well as another person in camouflage, were eating together.

It seemed to be at a simple long table in some command post.

"Lena, do you know who these three people are?"

Fair was as gentle as a teacher asking students in a classroom.

However, Colonel Lai De, watching from outside the television, was terrified, his mind already a complete mess, continuously cursing "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"

"This one, do you see? Our military's Special Operations Forces Commander, Colonel Lawrence, who is currently also the senior military advisor for this operation in Colombia."

"I have gathered some intriguing information. The fact that Colonel Lawrence was dispatched to Colombia can be verified in the DOD's public information. Let me show you what the DOD says... ah, here it is..."

Saying this, he picked up another document.

"Assisting in fighting drug crimes in Colombia, cutting off smuggling routes of drugs to our country, providing strategies and tactical deployments to Colombian military and police forces to combat drug trafficking..."

He put down the document and smiled, "Lena, it doesn't mention here about helping Colombia win a civil war, essentially, the conflict between the ELN and government army is a military operation to eradicate anti-government armed forces—that isn't an anti-drug operation."

Blonde Lena asked, "Maybe it was at the invitation of the Colombian government..."

"Good question." Fair picked up the photo again, pointing to the two people other than Colonel Lawrence, "This one is the deputy commander of the Colombian Government Army, but this next one is the key—"

He looked at Lena.

"Do you know who this is?"

Lena curiously said, "He looks like a local Colombian."

"Exactly, Lena, you are always a bright girl," Fair pointed at the person with a pen, "He is a Major from the AUC Armed Organization and also the liaison involved in this operation."

"AUC Armed?" Lena pretended to be surprised for the sake of the show, "Really?! You mean this person is from the AUC Armed, the group most involved with drug trafficking gangs?"

"That's right," Fair said, "So this operation becomes very interesting. A senior advisor from our country's military, a deputy commander of the Colombian Government Army, and then an officer from an armed group that has been engaged in drug crimes for years; Lena, how do you think these three came together?"

"Could it be a networking event?" Lena sarcastically mocked.

Fair continued to push the interview program to its climax, "The information I've received indicates that the ACU Armed along with Colombian Army and Air Force units have launched a fierce offensive against the ELN armed forces in the northwest region of Colombia. If you've been following the news these past few days, you should know that fighting has broken out there."

"So, the question arises. Why would the US Army, Colombian Government Army, and an armed drug trafficking group collude to attack an armed group that isn't involved in drug trafficking? Why is that?!"

While speaking, he turned towards the camera.

Fair's gaze was filled with irony.

As if piercing through the television screen, he looked towards Colonel Lai De sitting in his office.

Colonel Lai De's fingers trembled slightly.

After all, being a DOD spokesperson, he was adept at controlling his emotions.

"Todd."

He picked up the phone on the desk and dialed a number.

"I'd like to meet Fair."

"Where? At the DOD?"

"No no no, it's not convenient here. Arrange a quiet place, ensure it's confidential, I want to meet him in person."

"OK, I'll arrange it right away."