Chapter 868 - 806: The Cautious Pence

The reconnaissance module under the nose of the MQ-9 drone began to rotate.

Click, click, click, click—

After a faint shutter sound, all the buildings and people next to them on the ground were captured by the high-definition camera, and the images were immediately transmitted to the drone control room at the Air Force base.

The flight controller continued to maneuver the drone, while the weapons operator took on the task of enlarging and editing the images.

The enlarged images and high-definition facial photos were quickly sent back to Langley Headquarters.

Jasper browsed through the faces on the screen one by one.

In the end, he shook his head in disappointment.

"It's not him..."

He would recognize Song Heping even if he was turned to ashes.

However, he wasn't too disappointed, given that the discovery of newly constructed buildings in the Atlon Oasis area gave the impression of a base.

It seemed that Simon's intelligence wasn't entirely baseless and definitely not unfounded; there was indeed something fishy here.

Atlon Oasis is located in the Northern Darfur region.

The situation here is very chaotic.

No company dares to invest and set up a factory here.

Even the government army doesn't dare to establish a camp here.

Anyone daring to set foot here is no ordinary person.

Moreover, besides some workers around the buildings, some armed personnel were also seen.

By enlarging the images, it was clear that these guys were mercenaries.

"Continue circling, keep an eye on this place."

After giving the order, Jasper returned to his chair and poured himself another cup of coffee.

At this moment, all his sleepiness was gone.

At least there was a discovery today.

Recently, despite the CIA mobilizing so many resources to find Song Heping, they returned without success and without any news; discovering a suspicious location was already not bad.

He had a premonition.

There's a big fish here.

It might just be Song Heping!

Pence hasn't been home these days.

His work is very busy.

The officers of the intelligence agencies, especially the leadership, need to have strong mental and physical endurance.

After receiving Simon's intelligence, Jasper had already led a joint task force to conduct reconnaissance of the Atlon Oasis.

Today was the day the drone was to enter Sudanese airspace to reconnoiter the area, and Pence felt he should be in the office waiting for good news to come.

Until dusk, when the golden light of the sunset shone through the bullet-proof glass, painting the office yellow, Pence finally finished the last brief, signing his name on it.

He rubbed his eyes and checked his watch.

It was five o'clock.

"Why isn't there any news yet?"

The deputy director murmured to himself as he removed his glasses and took out eye drops, tilting his head back to apply a drop in each eye.

Knock, knock, knock—

The urgent knocking interrupted Pence's eye-care process.

"Come in."

"Sir! There's a major discovery!"

Jasper rushed in as if he had won the lottery jackpot, sweeping to the desk like a whirlwind.

"We found Song Heping! We found him!"

Jasper's voice had a slight tremor.

Clearly, he was excited.

"The drone flew there for an entire afternoon and finally found Song Heping!"

He handed over a stack of photos.

Pence quickly put on his glasses and picked up the photos, frowning as he flipped through them.

One photo after another passed through his hands.

Different faces, different buildings.

Jasper eagerly explained next to him: "This is Ferrari, the administrative director and financial director of Song Heping's PMC company. And this woman, see? Nura, the one Mossad is after. And this one..."

He introduced them one by one, but Pence could roughly tell who they were even without his explanations. Nonetheless, such a description at least showed Pence that Jasper had indeed carefully examined all the images.

Finally, Pence's hand suddenly stopped, and his eyes behind the glasses lit up, staring intently at the image—

Song Heping standing in front of a makeshift tent, stretching lazily, looking tired and worn out.

Standing beside him were the White Bear and Hunter.

Several mercenaries were also on guard nearby.

Fearful of seeing incorrectly, he brought the image closer.

In the high-resolution image, Song Heping's appearance was unmistakably revealed.

"It's him! It really is him!"

Pence was also excited.

The prey was right in front of him.

Finally found it!

This cunning Chinese fox!

This madman who has frustrated me so many times!

The murderous intent filled his heart with courage, his eyes fierce.

"SIR, should we make a move now?"

Jasper sensed the killing intent emanating from Pence.

"Right now, I can order Prince Base's drone to take off with offensive weapons; it can reach Atlon Oasis around nine o'clock at night."

Pence suddenly shook his head, "No, even though I want to kill him right now, we need to stay calm..."

He took off his glasses, his gaze turning to the window, seemingly pondering something.

A moment later, he turned and said, "Continue surveillance, figure out his daily routine, and which tent he sleeps in at night. Once everything is completely certain, assess the operational plan again. Be cautious; the flight path needs to be more covert to avoid all UN Peacekeeping Forces' radar air defense zones. Fly several times in the next few days to ensure there's no issue. Act in 3 days!"

"No problem, I'll arrange it immediately."

Jasper was about to turn and leave but was stopped by Pence.

"Wait."

"SIR, what is it?"

Jasper thought Pence had other instructions regarding the operation, but unexpectedly, the latter opened the drawer, took out the list, and pointed to Simon's name: "I think we can rule Simon out. If he were the mole, he wouldn't have reported this intelligence to me."

Jasper instinctively wanted to rebut, but held back after considering.

Firstly, not wanting to contradict the deputy director.

Secondly, since the operation was in his hands now, Simon's attempt to get involved was rejected by the deputy director, it would be too obvious to continue targeting him.

"Hmm, I also think we can rule him out."

Jasper nodded in agreement, "He indeed can't be the mole."

Pence said, "Alright then, let's put the investigation aside; Song Heping is the focus. Activate the surveillance plan immediately. From now on, for 3 days, I want drones keeping an eye over Atlon Oasis 24 hours. If Song Heping tries to run, initiate the execution plan right away!"

"YES SIR!"

Jasper responded crisply and swiftly turned and left.

"Song Heping..."

After Jasper left, Pence sank himself into the giant office chair.

Lately, he hadn't felt this relaxed and pleasant for a long time.

Now, hope was rising again on the edge of the horizon.

"Let's see how you escape this time..."

While Jasper was reporting the good news in Pence's office, in the temporary base at Atlon Oasis, Song Heping was also looking at his watch.

After checking the time, he looked up at the sky.

"Boss, are you sure the CIA will find us in these days?"

White Bear asked with confusion.

"If my arrangement is correct..."

Song Heping's lips curved into a smile.

"They should be flying in the sky today."

After saying that, he gestured towards the sky with his eyes.

White Bear naturally didn't know about the cooperation between Song Heping and Simon; he was just puzzled by how his boss could foresee things so accurately.

However, Song Heping's judgments had never been wrong.

Therefore, White Bear did not need to question him.

Song Heping turned to Hunter and said, "Notify Ferrari tomorrow to leave here for Khartoum, got it?"

"Got it." Hunter nodded.

Earlier, Song Heping had made arrangements; once the CIA discovered the base, core members must leave the place the next day, while he stays behind.

At the time, Song Heping explained that he was the ultimate target; others were secondary, and this trap plan was just a game, one he wasn't entirely confident he could control the outcome of.

Those few SAM-6 missile systems were already deployed behind hills and in woods near the base, with very meticulous camouflaging.

To avoid drone detection, even the mercenaries of the missile units ate, drank, and stayed there. They weren't allowed to leave or have meals delivered.

For this purpose, a large amount of water and food was reserved over there. According to Song Heping's estimate, within three to seven days, drones will surely come to attack.

Once the drones descend to five thousand and more than two appear at the same time, attacks should commence immediately.

Currently, although the drones were within the attack range of the SAM-6, most of the time they were at the reconnaissance position at seven to eight kilometers in the air, making it unlikely to hit with such outdated Soviet missiles.

Thus, the drones flying now were undoubtedly reconnaissance aircraft.

Also within the radar scanning range of the SAM-6.

While the MQ-9 was monitoring Song Heping's activities, little did they know Song Heping was also monitoring their flight paths—

From which direction they were coming and leaving.

The daily flight routes were recorded by the missile units and transmitted via radio to the camp.

"Waiting for you, Pence..."

The sunset finally fell, and night descended as Song Heping's lips curved into a smile.

"If you don't come, you're a coward!"