"How is this a coincidence?"
Niki quickly walked over to the computer, retrieved the data collected by the electronic reconnaissance aircraft during its mission along the western border of Afghanistan, and compared it with the insider intelligence they had just received.
After reviewing it, she seemed to understand something.
"It was not the skirmish caused by the trio; it was the Persian Army and the Revolutionary Brigade engaging in combat..."
She walked around the command center holding the two pieces of intelligence, circling a few times before suddenly stopping.
"Thom, issue the order for the quick reaction squad to suspend the evacuation mission, and remain on standby in the Hanix region!"
"Yes, Major."
Thom put down his coffee in front of Niki and immediately returned to his computer to put on his headset, then began to relay the orders to the ISA quick reaction squad.
The operation had already been nearing its end.
Most people in the command center believed that the trio had no hope of surviving, and the quick response squads, responsible for rendezvous and support, were ready to evacuate the Hanix region and return to Kandahar before nightfall.
Now, Niki saw hope in the new intelligence.
Perhaps there really was a miracle.
Reality did not disappoint her.
Ten minutes later, Niki's satellite phone rang. When she saw the number light up on the screen, even the tough Major couldn't help but exclaim, "They're still alive!"
The call was from Mist.
The first thing he said was—
"Major, have you missed me these past few days?"
Niki looked around, quietly relieved that she wasn't using the radio channel, or else everyone would have heard.
"Mist, how are you guys doing? Where are you now?"
"We're in good shape, no casualties. Song's Defense Company sent a combat squad to rescue us from the Persian Plateau..."
Mist said, "Let me see here... we are in the Peishan Zhan region of Afghanistan. I will send you our coordinates, get the quick reaction team moving, I can't wait to get back to Kandahar for a hot shower."
"Stay there, be careful, I'm sending a helicopter to pick you up, it will arrive within an hour!"
"Great, by the way, you still haven't answered my question, did you miss me these past few days..."
Beep, beep, beep—
A busy tone sounded.
Mist moved the satellite phone away from his ear and glanced at the screen.
"Heartless woman..."
Song Heping took the phone back from the cook and then teased, "You need feelings to accuse someone of being heartless. Do you have them?"
Mist replied, "Brother, have you ever been in love?"
Song Heping shook his head, "No."
Wearing an inscrutable expression, Mist said, "You'll understand someday, for people like us, love is a luxury. So don't expect your future love to be an oath of eternal devotion. All we have is fast-food love, you know?"
...
When they returned to Kandahar, it was already 8:40 p.m.
The sky had completely darkened.
Niki at the command center prepared a hearty dinner for Song Heping and the others and also had someone come over to treat their wounds.
Surviving on naan, water, and a limited amount of dried meat over the past few days, the three-man team was famished.
At the dinner table, Niki asked them how they had survived the last four days on the Persian Plateau.
Song Heping's account was as always plain and simple. He briefly mentioned some details, deliberately omitting the relationship with the Persians, and attributed the key point of their rescue to the cooks and their team.
On the other hand, Mist talked non-stop, embellishing the narrative, turning their four days of escape into a Hollywood-style American blockbuster of individual heroism.
Song Heping couldn't be bothered to correct him; after all, it was all minor details, so he let him weave his tale.
Essentially, even Mist didn't notice the affair between himself and the Persians, which was the most crucial aspect.
As for how to write the operation report and such, he left that up to Mist; it had nothing to do with him.
What Song Heping cared about most now was the agreement with Deputy Commander Peter after returning to the Green Zone in Illiguo.
As long as he secured the logistics transport contract, the financial and operational strength of "Musician" Defense would leap remarkably.
What is called opportunity?
This is opportunity.
Seizing the opportunity allows the strong to grow stronger.
It is said that those who do great things are more or less obsessive.
Song Heping was no exception to this rule.
Either don't do it, or do it the best.