Although he had confirmed the general attack mode and the retreat plan, Song Heping had to face a big trouble.
Where to find an airplane?
Where to find a landing site?
Where to find a pilot willing to risk his life with his team?
Let alone anything else, when it came to piloting helicopters, he had asked everyone in the company, and not a single one knew how.
By midnight, after several hours of discussion, everything was ready, except for a critical factor.
The problem was that this critical factor was difficult to find.
"Ferrari, do you know what's the most important thing in the 21st century?"
While having coffee during a break, Song Heping sat in the small courtyard in front of the company and expressed his feelings to Ferrari.
"What's the most important?"
Ferrari asked curiously.
"Talent." Song Heping gave a bitter smile. "Look at our company, there's not even a single person who can fly a helicopter."
"I've learned it."
Ferrari suddenly blurted out a sentence that shocked Song Heping.
"You've learned it!?" Song Heping was astonished.
"Really, I have. Many types of aircraft, helicopters, passenger planes, transport planes, fighter jets..."
Ferrari appeared very serious.
The more Song Heping listened, the more it seemed off: "Are you bullshitting me? If you could fly, why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Ferrari spread his hands: "I've only learned on simulators, on the PlayStation console."
Song Heping: "..."
The two fell into silence again.
Suddenly, Song Heping remembered what Chris Chen had said before leaving the café.
"Ferrari, contact Chen again."
"To do what?" Ferrari was somewhat puzzled. "Isn't the deal already settled?"
"No, I want to talk to him personally. Contact him on the Dark Web, and call me when you get through," Song Heping said. "Do it now."
"Alright..."
Ferrari dared not delay.
There was very little time left to waste.
The original plan was to finalize everything by tonight, and all operatives would fly to South America first thing in the morning.
If they continued to delay, the operation would become meaningless.
According to the style of the AUC armed group, if they didn't get the money within seven days, they would definitely execute their hostages.
He got up and went back to his room, while Song Heping sat in the chair at the doorway, looking up at the starry sky.
This operation made him realize what it meant to be weak.
This was weakness.
Never mind the company was about to secure a deal worth over two hundred million US dollars a year.
Yet, it was still worlds apart from the vision of a truly international defense company.
An international defense company must be able to deploy globally and undertake business in any corner.
That's what internationalization is.
Like Black Water and AAFES, these big companies.
By that standard, his own company didn't even reach the threshold.
A small South American operation and an evacuation plan left him completely at a loss.
Talent, capabilities, background, funds.
All were third-rate.
It seemed necessary to use this opportunity to establish an international base.
He faintly felt that Americans were unreliable.
In his line of work, having some backup plans early on was better for both himself and his brothers.
As the saying goes, those with a long-term perspective will have fewer immediate worries.
One must always remember to be prepared for danger in times of safety—the wisdom of the ancestors has been passed down and accumulated over thousands of years, and it's definitely not useless babble.
"Song! I've got through!"
Ferrari suddenly appeared at the company's entrance, shouting to Song Heping: "Chen wants to talk to you."