9 pm, deep in the forest near Koma Village.
Song Heping lifted the blanket covering him and wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead.
He had to admit, spending ten-plus minutes under a blanket studying a map in this weather was really tough.
"How's it?"
"No good."
Song Heping folded the map and put it in his pocket.
This map was found on the armed forces' vehicle earlier.
It marked the direction and positions of the South Sudan rebels' attacks.
"Heading north won't work; it's full of rebel groups. Our target is too big. If we get spotted, it'll be hard to shake off their pursuit."
"So what's the plan now?" Maria asked anxiously from the side. "I have to get them to the north. Once we reach the UN peacekeeping zone, we'll be safe."
"Safe? Do you realize even the Peacekeeping Forces are retreating to establish a new buffer zone? They're not at the same position as before. To get to the safe area, we need to head north for at least eighty kilometers. Given the current pace of these elderly, sick and young, how many days do you think it'll take?"
"We have cars..."
Maria couldn't understand why Song Heping mentioned "walking."
Clearly, there were cars available!
Facing this utterly militarily naive girl, Song Heping had no choice but to patiently explain: "Cars? Do you think this is a school outing? A convoy carrying over two hundred people crossing a war zone, passing through the entire rebel front line along the road. Do you really think they'll not see you? Or do you plan to hand out invisibility cloaks to everyone?"
Maria's face turned red.
Right.
Such a simple concept.
How did she not think of it?
"Then..."
She asked with a red face, "What do you suggest?"
"Suggest?" Song Heping said, "You're the employer, you tell me what to do? If you say go north, I'll take you north. You aren't afraid of dying; do you think I am?"
But Song Heping wasn't actually letting her decide.
He was just teasing her because she looked cute.
Sure enough, Maria immediately softened, almost pleading: "You're the professional in military matters. I'm a professional in healing. I won't interfere with your command. Whatever you say, I will listen."
The last sentence made Song Heping feel quite comfortable.
Hmm...
Though Maria was a bit naive...
She was indeed compliant!
"Head southeast, to Ethiopia."
Song Heping said, "Right now, that's the safest route."
"To Ethiopia?" Maria looked slightly stunned. "I need to discuss this with the village chief."
"Discuss?" Song Heping couldn't help but mock her again: "At a time like this, with fire on your heels, you want to discuss? Time is more precious than gold now. You simply need to inform them that we are heading southeast. The road part is only about ten kilometers, then we enter the forest area and go another sixty kilometers to reach Ethiopia. No need to discuss. If they want to go, they can follow; if not, they can stay here and cross the northern fire line themselves. If they're bold enough, I'll give them guns to go by themselves."
Maria's face looked a bit troubled at his words.
Song Heping couldn't bear it anymore and spoke with a bit of anger: "What are you hesitating for?! Do you think they are your parents? If it weren't for you, they'd be dead by now! You owe them nothing, so why be so humble?"
"It's not being humble."
Maria defended, "It's just respect."
"Respect comes with life. Without life, everything is gone." Song Heping almost scolded: "You dared to come to Africa?! Your survival so far is already God's favor. Hurry up!"
He checked his watch: "You have one minute to tell them my plan: head southeast, to Ethiopia. If they want to follow, they can; if not, they can stay here as fodder!"
He then stood up and instructed Jiang Feng and others: "Get ready, we're leaving in one minute."
Then he took out a satellite phone and dialed Ferrari's number: "Ferrari, the situation's changed. Once you reach Ethiopia, cross the border towards Koma Village. Check the location on the map yourself. I will cross Machar Swamp and enter Ethiopia from the forest; I can't confirm the exact location now, maintain communication, I will inform you of my crossing point."
"Alright, don't worry. Henry found some military contacts here. We gave them a lot of money; they're willing to send people to the border to respond to your crossing. We will support you across the border."
"It's more complicated than you think."
Song Heping said, "I've got many people here..."
"Many?" Ferrari thought it was just Maria and her close acquaintances: "How many?"
"Over two hundred..."
Song Heping glanced towards the villagers.
Maria was talking to the village chief.
Villagers surrounded Maria, some seemed to doubt the decision.
"What!?"