In their impression, this captain, known for his calm and iron-blooded demeanor, seldom showed anything other than a murderous expression during missions and a quiet demeanor on normal days…
With an expression that was almost "gleeful".
"Captain Lei?" Lao Zhao tentatively called out, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, "Looking at this Sena briefing, is there something… amusing?"
Lei Ming seemed to realize his loss of composure, he toned down his smile, but the radiance in his eyes did not diminish.
He pointed to the part of the screen concerning Song Heping, then pointed to the paragraphs about UN disputes and the US fleet patrols, with a tone filled with incredulous admiration and mockery:
"Lao Zhao, Lao Liu, take a look! Really look at what this kid has done!"
He pointed at the screen forcefully with his finger.
"Song Heping, remember him? That taciturn guy from the training selection team, the one who was the best in tactical command and geography, who would have thought? Who would have thought?!"
He leaned back against his chair, arms crossed over his chest, the smile on his face more pronounced, bearing the satisfaction and a hint of teasing of an instructor seeing his soldier succeed: "Here he is, stirring up the storm in West Africa as the 'African Ghost', single-handedly... no, with those desperados under his command, boldly ousted a country's president from his throne. Supported a new president to power! And that's not all!"
Pointing to the sections about the UN and US fleet patrols, his tone turned toward one of near voyeurism: "Look at that, he's got the British all riled up! Special forces are at the Darfur Region border, staring blankly because they can't get in! Now the UN is like a pot of stew, the French are jumping out to dismantle, the African Union is being tugged around by them! CIA, MI6, thoroughly bit the dust this time! Hahaha!"
Lei Ming's laughter echoed in the control room, carrying a sense of exuberant joy.
"Thrilling! Bloody thrilling! This kid, after being away for a few years, really grew strong wings! This move of using strength to play the fire, executed gracefully! Better looking than his infiltration during 'Snowfield' that time!"
The "Snowfield" he refers to was a highly secret overseas operation code name from the training selection team.
Lao Zhao and "Bayonet" Liu exchanged glances, caught off guard by Lei Ming's rare excitement.
But looking at the familiar name on the briefing (Song Heping) and the storms he stirred in Sena, combined with Lei Ming's words, the shock and a hint of realization gradually appeared in their eyes.
"Is... is it this kid?"
Lao Zhao adjusted his glasses, carefully examining the vague descriptions and operational style analysis of the "Ghost" in the briefing, finding more and more of a fit and finally his gaze fell on the photo.
"Well, well... it's really him! This kid... really caused such a big stir? Played the CIA and MI6?"
"Bayonet" Liu fixed on the tactics recap of the President Mansion raid in the briefing, with a gleam in his eyes: "Captain, this tactic... clean and swift, piercing straight to the heart, leaving no room... it's him! That determination and cunning, unmistakable! Shelling the apex of the President Mansion... this style, potent!"
"No doubt! It's him! Last time in Southeast Asia's operations, he was very helpful."
Lei Ming forcefully slapped the table with admiration on his face, "This kid didn't disgrace our 203 team! Cutting his teeth there, not only made a name but also made those high-nosed Western intelligence agencies take a big stumble! Satisfying!"
The atmosphere in the control room eased considerably with Lei Ming's excitement, Lao Zhao and "Bayonet" Liu also wore smiles of recognition and a bit of pride in their former comrade's fierce achievements.
However, Lei Ming's smile didn't last long.
The joyous laughter gradually subsided, with his sharp eyes refocusing on the screen, seeing through the map of Sena, observing the besieged struggle of Lumar rebels, the ongoing diplomatic tensions among England, France, and the US, finally settling on the assessment that the "African Union is unlikely to intervene".
The easy and teasing expression receded like a tide, replaced by a deeper, calmer contemplation.
His fingers unconsciously tapped rhythmically on the table.
"Thrilling it is…"
Lei Ming slowly began, his voice returns to its usual steadiness, even carrying a hint of seriousness, "But this kid, is now sitting on a volcano."
He pointed to Sena's map on the screen: "Du Er is down, Isis is up, on the surface it looks like a win. But will the British let off easily after taking such a loss? The African Union not deploying now doesn't mean they won't change that. The French supporting him now is for their benefit, once they're done or if Isis disobeys, they'll turn face faster than flipping a book. And that Lumar, a cornered beast, still holding several brigades' worth of troops, when pressed, anything can happen."
He paused, his gaze growing extremely serious: "He's now like a leopard freshly claimed its prey, surrounded by gluttonous hyenas and vultures. Unstable domestic foundation, surrounded by strong enemies. A slight mistake, everything gained now could vanish in an instant, he himself might get thrown in."
Lao Zhao and "Bayonet" Liu's smiles also disappeared, nodding gravely.
They understood Lei Ming's meaning.
In the mercenary world, it's always dancing on a knife's edge, there are no eternal allies, only eternal interests.
Song Heping played too big this time, placing himself under the spotlight of the entire Western intelligence system and international politics, becoming the eye of the storm.
"Captain, what do you mean...?" Lao Zhao tentatively asked.
Lei Ming did not immediately respond.
He was silent for a few seconds, eyes sharp as blades, seeming to pierce through the screen, seeing that familiar figure strategizing atop the ruins of the Sena President Mansion.
He abruptly stood, his voice firm and resolute:
"This kid has helped us before, he's our trained soldier, he struck with vigor, made those snooty guys suffer, brought us glory! Now he's in danger, we can't just watch!"
He turned to Lao Zhao, speaking rapidly: "Lao Zhao, immediately! With the highest priority, integrate all intelligence we have on the Sena situation, especially possible future actions by the UK and US, key divergences within the African Union, true intentions of France's DGSE, and detailed combat power assessment and psychological state analysis of Lumar rebels! Formulate a strategic situation assessment report! Be quick! Be precise! Be profound!"
"Understood!"
Lao Zhao sharpened his expression, immediately returning to his terminal, fingers flying on the keyboard.
Lei Ming looked at "Bayonet" Liu: "Lao Liu, from a tactical perspective, simulate several possibilities: if the UK and US bypass UN, pursue 'Volunteer Army' or large military aid to Lumar, how should we… or Sena New Government respond? If the pro-Western faction within the African Union pushes for intervention, how to divide and conquer? If Lumar cornered strikes back massively or launches a terror attack, what are the defensive key points? Preparations must be thorough!"
"Yes! Captain!"
"Bayonet" Liu immediately turned and rushed to the sand table and simulation system.
Lei Ming's final gaze returned to the central screen, fixed on the name "Song Heping/Ghost".
"It's time to utilize our influence over there." He picked up the internal phone, voice low and powerful: "Get me through to 'Wind Tunnel' (the supreme decision-making direct intelligence analysis department)! Secure line!"
Joking time was over.
The former king of soldiers sparking instability overseas now finds himself deep in crisis.
The 203 unit, the home he once belonged to, of course, can't and won't stand by idly.
A judgement report based on the most professional, coldest analysis quickly begins forming, about to be sent through the most covert channels to places where decisions influence the direction of the chessboard.
This isn't direct military intervention, but a beam of strong light piercing the fog, a strategic-level "assist" based on national interests and camaraderie.
The eastern resolve, like the currents beneath the deep sea, begins surging quietly.