Chapter 849 - 788: False Flag Operation

"He can't possibly bring just this few people. The latest intelligence indicates that this guy has recruited two hundred elite members, many of whom are former Special Forces. And given how cunning he is, knowing we're all hunting him, he wouldn't go to Darfur with just twenty people."

Pence was still very clear-headed.

He sniffed out something unusual.

"This is definitely a trap!"

Kael Jenkins, head of the African Department, slid his tablet to pull up a series of analytical data: "Satellite and drone reconnaissance confirm that aside from these twenty people, there are no other 'Musician' defense military personnel within fifty kilometers. Our signal interceptions also show they're only in contact with three small teams, each with no more than five people."

"Too clean." Pence shook his head, "Song Heping is no rookie. He previously cost us an entire 'Watcher' shadow squad. This man always has a backup plan, and wouldn't act rashly, there's something fishy here."

He bowed his head in thought for a moment, then said very cautiously to Jenkins, "Have all operational groups remain in observation mode, do not act for now, wait for my order. All technical teams and surveillance teams continue to monitor Song Heping, intercept all signal sources, capture every frame, and analyze what the guy is up to!"

"Yes, sir!"

Darfur region, 'Musician' defense convoy.

"Boss, they don't seem to be making any moves, the surrounding signals are very clean, and no suspicious personnel have been found."

In the car, a member of the technical team reported to Song Heping.

"They seem very cautious."

"Hmm..."

At this moment, Song Heping felt a bit amused and exasperated internally.

Since when did the mighty CIA, Mossad, and MI6 become so timid?

It seems I've really given them a painful blow.

Fish not biting the bait means the bait isn't attractive enough.

It needs a bit more spice.

He turned to Henry and asked, "The fish are too quiet, not biting. How's your preparation over there?"

"All ready."

"Good, then spice it up a bit to provoke them."

"Alright, I'll handle it."

The conversation ended, and Song Heping looked out the window.

"How long until the destination?"

He asked the driver.

The driver replied, "The roads here are terrible, it's estimated to take another 8 hours."

"Hmm, time should be enough."

Song Heping thought.

If baiting, you also need to give the CIA time to deploy.

Once Henry's 'bait' is out, Pence will definitely get riled up.

I need to give him some time to analyze and verify.

Ten minutes later, at Langley Headquarters, in the corner of a conference room, technical analysis director Lisa suddenly looked up to report to Pence: "Sir, we just intercepted an encrypted communication from the Darfur region. The conversation is in Persian."

All eyes turned to her.

"Persian!?"

Pence felt the hairs on his arm stand up.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, recorded."

Lisa was very confident in her professional skills.

"Content?"

Pence walked over quickly.

"Still deciphering, but keyword recognition mentioned 'technology transfer' and 'timeline'." Lisa's fingers flew over the keyboard.

"The transmission's location... right at the Darfur border, less than twenty kilometers from Song Heping's destination!"

"Less than twenty kilometers?!"

Pence was lost in thought, his eyes narrowing like a cunning fox.

How are there Persians near the Darfur border?

Wasn't Song Heping going to the Darfur region to inspect the site for his future base construction this time?

How did Persians show up?

Could it be...

He recalled a briefing he had seen.

Song Heping was suspected of having close relations with Avanti, a leader of the Persian Revolutionary Guard, ever since setting up a PMC company in Illigo, there had been contact.

The oil fields in the northwest region Song Heping was responsible for never suffered harassment from border armed organizations. The Persian-supported armed organizations that loved to attack the oil fields in the northwest of Illigo never caused trouble there.

Many suspect there might be deals between Song Heping and the Persians.

But there has never been evidence.

Previously, the head of the Illigo Station, Simon, had relentlessly pursued Song Heping, investigating for more than a year, even using force to detain Song Heping, subjected him to waterboarding, but didn't get any useful information from him.

Despite that, Pence now seemed to believe that Song Heping probably did have ties with the Persians, and might even know Avanti.

Once Persians become involved, things become sensitive.

These years, relations between the United States and Persia have been very tense, and there's still a state of sanctions against each other. Song Heping is a smart man, if he's against the CIA, MI6, and Mossad now, the best partner he could choose would be the Persian Revolutionary Guard.

Thinking of this, Pence's expression suddenly changed: "Contact London and Daishe Bird immediately, I need to have a video call with Lady M and Levin."

Northern Darfur, Sulji.

The convoy was stopped at a checkpoint on the highway.

The jolt from the off-road vehicle's braking caused Song Heping, who was resting his eyes, to open them.

"What's the matter?"

"Military checkpoint, it's routine here."

The driver was quite familiar with the process.

"Boss, let me handle this."

He stopped the car, opened the door, and got out.

Song Heping's hand lightly pushed open the HK416 short-barreled assault rifle placed beside the car door.

The driver approached the soldiers at the checkpoint with the documents.

After reviewing the documents, both sides communicated rapidly.

The driver returned to the car.

"Boss, they need to inspect our convoy."

"Let them inspect, we have legal documents and can carry weapons."

Song Heping's lips curled slightly.

He seemed to have guessed what was happening.

The leading lieutenant at the checkpoint approached and nodded at Song Heping in the car, "Mr. Song, even though you're a guest of our government, this is a sensitive area, so I must conduct a routine check, please cooperate."

The words were very polite.

In Africa, especially in war-torn regions, such courteous soldiers aren't common. At checkpoints in places like Somalia, if you dawdle for a moment, they'll happily serve you peanuts without a word.

"No problem, I'm very willing to cooperate."

He asked again before it ended, "Do I need to get out? We have weapons."

"No, no, no, no need to get out." The lieutenant remained very polite: "We're just conducting a scan check of the vehicle to ensure your safety. You see, you're a guest here, and the military is also responsible for your safety."

"Okay, alright, please go ahead."

Saying this, Song Heping leaned back in his seat, watching the lieutenant perform.

The lieutenant led a few soldiers to start checking the car thoroughly. Through the rearview mirror, Song Heping saw these guys suddenly take out a handheld device from a bag and start approaching the two cars behind, checking each one, even looking under the vehicles.

All the focus was on that device.

Song Heping saw through these tricks.

That was a Geiger counter.

This thing is used to scan radiation intensity, and even if there's a minor amount of radiation, as long as it's within a safe limit, it'll be detected.

Sure enough, next to the third car, the lieutenant suddenly stopped, staring at the device in his hand.

"Got hooked after all..."

Inside the third car, Song Heping had placed a metal ball containing Thorium-232.

Heh heh.

These guys...

Really came to verify.

The lieutenant quickly completed the check and returned to Song Heping's side.

"Mr. Song, we've completed the inspection, no problems, you can go now."

"Alright, goodbye!"

Song Heping waved at him with a smile.

The convoy continued forward.

The lieutenant watched the convoy disappear in the dust before quickly running back into the checkpoint, entered his room, closed the door, and pulled out his phone to dial a number.

"It's me."

"How was the inspection result?"

"Detected radiation, while within safe limits, it clearly exists."

"Are you sure?"

"Scanned three times, very sure!"

The other end of the call fell silent.

After a while, a voice said, "You did well, don't worry, you'll be rewarded."

With that, the call ended.