"A weather balloon wants to change the situation in the entire Africa? Don't kid me!"
In the May Meeting office, Houston roared angrily.
"Weather balloon! That kind of thing, one shot of the cheapest spike missile can blow it to pieces!"
"What do these Chinese people think? Do they actually plan to rely on this kind of thing to fight against us?"
After hearing his words, the assistant on the side sighed helplessly.
Then, he answered:
"This may sound absurd, but I have to say that their strategy is effective."
"The first batch of weather balloons has been transported to Khartoum and quickly released. This gives Khartoum officials the first opportunity to spy on the movements of the Revolutionary Front."
"You know, before this, their intelligence collection either relied on spies or bribes. 'Aerial reconnaissance' was like a dream to them."
"Now, the Revolutionary Front has made new demands on us. They require us to provide more high-altitude combat equipment to deal with the opponent's weather balloon reconnaissance."
"Otherwise, they will delay the combat operation scheduled for 10 days because they believe that fighting under the opponent's ever-present detection is doomed to fail."
"How is that possible! The equipment we gave them is the strongest not only in Sudan, but even in the whole of Africa!"
"What's more, we also provided them with intelligence support!"
Houston interrupted the assistant and continued angrily:
"This group of cowards, they want benefits, but they don't even want to pay the price!"
"How can there be such a good thing in this world? Even we are where we are today because of constant risk-taking and gambling!"
"Maybe our previous assistance gave them illusions."
The assistant sighed and said.
"In addition, this so-called 'weather balloon' strategy has a deeper meaning."
"With the current technological level in Africa, even a powerful country like Egypt does not have complete high-altitude radar monitoring methods."
"In other words, they don't know whether there is a balloon on their head, and they don't have the ability to counterattack."
"If you want to put yourself on the same starting line as the enemy, there is only one way: if the other party buys balloons, you should also buy them."
"If it continues to develop, the entire Africa will fall into a 'balance of terror' in the information field."
"In extreme cases, information about military activities on this continent may even become completely public."
"Then, war may become the last option - because no one can win a war with overwhelming strength without information superiority."
"I'm afraid it will be difficult to implement our strategy even if the Revolutionary Front really takes Khartoum."
Until then, Houston finally realized the seriousness of the problem.
He fell silent, the half-burned cigarette in his hand flickering with a dim red light, and he didn't even notice the ashes falling on the desk.
After a long time, he put out the cigarette in the ashtray.
Then, he said:
"Then our strategy is down to the last one."
"Continue to invest chips in Darfur and let the Revolutionary Front occupy Khartoum before China's weather balloon strategy takes shape!"
"The cost of doing that is high -- we would actually have to provide them with high-altitude drones."
"Then give it to them!"
Houston said firmly.
"Not just drones, even if they want real fighter jets, we can give them to them!"
"As long as we can capture Khartoum, it will all be worth it."
"Otherwise, not only will all the initial investment be in vain, but what awaits us in the future will be a complete collapse."
"We have no way out. We have lost too much at this gambling table."
"The only chance of a comeback is to gamble to the end."
Hearing Houston's words, the assistant subconsciously opened his mouth.
He keenly felt that Houston's current state was very wrong.
He was like one of those gamblers who lost their money in Las Vegas. Even if he only had the last chip left in his hand, he would still press on at all costs.
Doesn't he know that he will lose?
No, he knew the risks better than anyone.
After all, he had already lost so much before this.
But what can he do to a gambler who has reached a desperate situation?
No normal strategy can make up for the losses that have been caused.
Just keep betting. If you win, you can start over again.
If you lose, then go to the abyss calmly.
The assistant's eyes changed. He actually didn't want to gamble with Houston.
However, the interests of the two are too deeply bound, and if they leave at this time, they will not get any benefits.
Thinking of this, he said:
"Understood."
"I will formulate a detailed strategy to improve our chances of winning as much as possible."
"I hope we can win. If we lose, Mr. Houston, I hope you can bear the consequences of failure."
Houston applied and nodded solemnly.
He fully understood the seriousness of this so-called "consequence".
What were the consequences of his predecessor, Paine?
He is no longer in Texas.
——
No, he is still in Texas, just underground in Texas.
And the mistakes he had made were actually not worth mentioning in front of him.
It's just that it missed several opportunities and allowed China to develop several times.
And what about yourself?
If he fails again, it will be equivalent to feeding huge benefits to the Chinese people.
If someone really wants to target him, even if he is charged with treason, it is possible.
How did Paine die?
A shot of sleeping pills and he was gone in his sleep without any pain.
My next boss may not be so "gentle" to me.
Maybe, before getting rid of themselves, they would try their best to torture themselves, trying to force out the details of their "collusion" with China.
But the irony is that he was not betrayed at all.
Just plain stupidity.
Houston felt a sense of sadness in his heart.
He lit a cigarette again, and under the smoke, the expression on his face kept changing.
No matter what, this will be my last gamble.
If he wins, his achievements will be enough to be recorded in history.
At that time, I will take the initiative to resign, and then return to the farm to enjoy my retirement.
What should I plant?
Houston's thoughts couldn't help but wander.
Soybeans? corn? ——
These two things seem to be less profitable than in previous years, because the Chinese have also begun to operate the South American grain market.
Damn it, it’s Chinese again!
Houston vaguely felt that a shadow that could not be dispelled seemed to have fallen over his head.
This shadow will soon engulf you and even your country.
On the other side, after several days of preparation, Liu Guangyu finally found an opportunity to leave the base.
A new batch of equipment arrived, and the entire base was thrown into chaos. He also found a driver he was familiar with before and asked him to take him to Fasher Market to purchase some things he needed. daily necessities.
"Mohammed, you know, the shampoo I brought is gone and the toothpaste has been used up."
"I am a clean person - although the conditions here are difficult, this is just the most basic requirement."
"Do me a favor, I'm just going to buy something."
Hearing his words, Mohammad hesitated.
"But Khalifa's order is that no one is allowed to leave the base at will."
"That's just to prevent you from causing trouble - don't worry, if there is any problem, I will explain it to him."
"You know, I am Khalifa's friend. He won't blame you for this little thing."
Hearing Liu Guangyu's words, Mohammad nodded hesitantly.
In fact, he was not a guard monitoring Liu Guangyu, but just an ordinary driver.
For him, the order he received was just "not to leave the base at will" and there was no other content.
But what made him feel extremely contradictory was that despite this order, some officers still asked him to drive them out for various reasons, and Khalifa never blamed him for this.
Maybe, just as Liu Guangyu said, the essence of this order is that he doesn't want soldiers like him to cause trouble?
Looking at his expression, Liu Guangyu knew that his plan was more than half successful, so he continued to persuade:
"Didn't you tell me last time that you wanted a mobile phone? There are mobile phones for sale in that second-hand market. You can buy one just in time. Consider it a gift from me."
"Really?"
Mohammad asked in surprise.
You know, the price of a mobile phone is hundreds of dollars. For a big-headed soldier like him, it is impossible to make that much money unless there is a large-scale combat operation.
"of course it's true."
Liu Guangyu answered without hesitation, and then continued to add:
"It's just a small amount of money to me - you're my friend, a little gift is nothing."
At this point, Mohammad finally nodded.
Liu Guangyu was so energetic that he quickly urged Mohammad to get in the car, and then the two of them drove all the way to the outskirts of the base.
The Revolutionary Front organization's camp in Fasher is a large base. From the residential area to the outer city, you have to pass through a total of three gates, and identity checks are carried out at each gate.
This was originally a hurdle that he would never be able to overcome, but today was different.
The vehicles coming and going consumed the energy of the guards. In addition, Mohammad was driving a pickup truck for loading and unloading goods. The guards just glanced at him casually and let him go, without even noticing what was behind him. Liu Guangyu is sitting here.
Everything went extremely smoothly, and within half an hour, Liu Guangyu arrived at the chaotic market.
He asked Mohamed to park the car, and then the two walked into the market together.
He first found the mobile phone store, and the mobile phones placed casually on the counter immediately caught Mohamed's attention.
"How's it going? Is there anyone you like?"
Liu Guangyu asked.
In fact, the mobile phones that can flow into such places are not even close to the latest models. The best ones are Nokia's models from a few years ago.
Being able to make calls and play Snake is already considered powerful. If you add a color screen, it will be an absolute top-notch device.
But for Mohammed, that was enough.
His eyes kept wandering between the phones, and a greedy look gradually appeared in his eyes.
"Can I choose?"
He turned to Liu Guangyu and asked.
"Of course, either one is fine."
Liu Guangyu saw through his thoughts at a glance and answered without changing his expression.
"You can choose for a while while I go next door to buy some toothpaste. When I come back, I'll pay for it for you."
"no problem!"
Mohammad replied immediately.
This was exactly what he wanted.
After this Chinese man leaves, he can collude with the boss, raise the price, and give him a good deal of money
Hearing his answer, an imperceptible smile appeared on Liu Guangyu's face.
He turned around and left the "mobile phone store" and walked towards the "weapons black market" where the satellite phones were kept.
After walking into the store in a familiar manner, bypassing the front door and entering the yard of the real business area, Liu Guangyu took pictures of two things on the counter.
One, a wad of dollar bills.
The other item was a pass for the Revolutionary Front’s Fasher camp.
"I need to make a phone call."
he said to his boss.
The boss understood Liu Guangyu's identity as soon as he saw what was on the table. He took the money and put the satellite phone on the ground. Liu Guangyu didn't dare to waste a moment and immediately climbed up to the roof and dialed the contact number of the Blue Helmet camp.
It took a full two minutes for the call to be connected. After hearing the familiar voice, Liu Guangyu immediately said:
"I am Liu Guangyu, and I have important intelligence reports."
"Time is limited, let me speak first."
"First, the target of the Freedom Front organization is likely to be Khartoum, and there will be large-scale combat operations in the near future."
"Second, the US military assistance has been upgraded, and heavy weapons have arrived in North Darfur."
"Third, follow-up assistance will continue to be upgraded, and it is said that there may be fighter jets."
"Fourth, my target is suspected to be exposed and the situation is not safe. If contact is lost later"
"boom!"
Before Liu Guangyu finished speaking, a burst of gunshots suddenly sounded.
He lowered his head and looked down, and what came into view was Khalifa's half-smiling face.
"Liu, I have always regarded you as a friend."
He looked at Liu Guangyu and said.
"But you betrayed us. I think you should pay the price for your actions."
"Come down, don't make yourself look bad."
Liu Guangyu took a deep breath. He had already seen the dense muzzles behind Khalifa.
It's over.
Unexpectedly, even successfully leaving the base this time was a trap.
It seemed that the other party's work in the intelligence field was not as weak as he thought.
This time, I really failed.
After ten years in the battlefield, he had actually envisioned his own ending many times.
But when this moment actually arrived, he seemed a little dissatisfied.
——
This is too bland.
It didn't have the vigorous effect that I imagined.
Liu Guangyu let out a long sigh and carefully climbed off the roof.
Khalifa drew his pistol and pointed it at his forehead.
"This is my trial for you, Liu."
"I'll do it myself."
Liu Guangyu looked directly into his eyes, waiting for the moment when the trigger was pulled.
He was wondering, why wasn't he afraid?
Maybe it's numbness?
but not
It's like there is a strange intuition telling myself, "not today".
"not today".
Can't you die?
The next second, a man's voice came from the satellite phone that had not been hung up.
A man speaking in Arabic.
"Have the man across from you answer the phone."
At this moment, both Khalifa and Liu Guangyu were stunned subconsciously.
Later, Liu Guangyu handed over the phone to Khalifa.
The latter took the phone suspiciously and put it to his ear. The man's voice continued to ring in the receiver.
"This is the Chinese Blue Helmet camp."
"Put down your pistol."
"That's right, it's the golden pistol with the goshawk pattern in your hand."
"Very well done."
"Now, tell your men to put down their guns too."
"You are a general. Maybe you also heard some news from Hamidi?"
"You should know how."
"I just want you to remember this."
"We're watching you."
"all the time."
Khalifa's head jerked up.
He looked at the sky above his head, and there was nothing there.
However, unprecedented fear suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart.
(End of chapter)
