"What news?"
Song Heping was somewhat surprised.
Samir knew well the importance of his conversation with Avanti, and wouldn't interrupt unless it was something significant.
"Do you still remember... Abu You?"
Samir cautiously mentioned a name, his eyes flickering with an uncontrollable shine.
"He wants to meet you."
"Abu You..."
Song Heping quickly searched his memory for that name.
The name seemed somewhat familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint who it was at the moment.
At his side, Avanti gently put down his teacup and with his eternally leisurely tone, reminded him, "Kurdistan 'Freedom Fighter,' a senior commander of the Peshmerga responsible for the western defense zone of Kirkuk. Known as a tough character and also a representative of the relatively pragmatic and radical faction within the Kurds."
"It's him!"
Song Heping instantly recalled.
Back in the days when he was active in Northern Illigo, he had a conflict with the armed forces supported by the Kurds, so he had secretly investigated his background.
He was a typical Kurd tough guy, with hard-line tactics and considerable political ambition.
"Did he contact us proactively?"
Song Heping looked towards Samir, his brow slightly raised.
"Yes! He sent a message through an unconventional emergency channel, requesting an urgent arrangement for a top-level secret meeting."
Samir's speech sped up, appearing very excited, "The tone was very urgent, and I judge there's a high probability that it is related to the current severe situation of my country's northern military affairs, likely seeking cooperation with us!"
The news brought by Samir was like a giant stone tossed into a calm lake, instantly stirring invisible ripples within the room.
Avanti maintained his calm demeanor, slowly sipping the remaining tea in his cup, as if merely listening to an irrelevant story. Yet in his bottomless eyes, a flash of understanding and amusement quickly passed.
Song Heping then fell into a brief silence, with only the subtle unconscious tapping of his fingers on his knee indicating his brain was racing, weighing every possible variable.
This was actually within his calculations.
But he didn't expect it to come so quickly!
Abu You...
A real power faction commander among the Kurd Armed, known for hard-line style, daring to take risks, and being practical.
He bypassed all conventional contact channels and instead urgently requested a meeting through Samir's relatively secret line, which communicated the signal unmistakably.
It seems...
the Kurds...
At least, the faction represented by Abu You indeed has been cornered by the manic offensive of the 1515 Armed in the north, encountering massive troubles.
And this trouble has likely grown so severe that they've felt the need to seek help even beyond their biggest ally, the Americans, potentially risking displeasure from Washington.
"What is the requested meeting time?"
Song Heping lifted his head to look at Samir.
"As soon as possible! Ideally... he said best tonight at midnight."
Samir's answer confirmed the urgency of the situation, "They proposed the location to be in a long-abandoned village southeast of Elbil, near our border. There the terrain is complex and desolate, currently on the edge of various force domains, relatively convenient for control and safe concealment."
Elbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region, being near the Persian Border means it is not too far from the camp, but ultimately it's delving into Northern Illigo, any action accompanied by unpredictable risks.
Especially since the Kurds themselves are the Americans' loyal dogs...
Cannot be let off guard...
"Tonight..."
Song Heping pondered for less than two seconds.
The timeframe was extremely tight, but this in itself also indicated the opponent's desperation.
He quickly glanced at Avanti, who made no indication, merely a slight nod, leaving the decision entirely to him.
"Reply to them, agree. Tonight at 12 o'clock sharp, the location will be the abandoned village as designated."
Song Heping decisively issued the command, his tone impervious to doubt, "Samir, personally select a team of the most elite personnel, equipped with long-range reconnaissance and counter-sniper gear, depart five hours in advance, and penetrate secretly around the meeting location. I want you to conduct a thorough reconnaissance of all terrain, vantage points, and possible passages within a five-kilometer radius, set up concealed observation posts and emergency evacuation points. If any suspicious sign is detected, even the slightest movement, no need for instructions, immediately cancel the meeting, and the entire team implements prearranged silent evacuation."
"Understood! I will ensure the completion of the task!"
Samir turned around immediately, like a gust of wind rushing out to arrange it.
Once again the room was left with only Song Heping and Avanti, the air tinged with a tension of impending storm.
"What do you think about this urgent night summons by the Kurd leader?" Avanti asked, seemingly casually, but the question directed right to the core.
"The pressure of 1515 in the Kirkuk direction, I fear, is even greater than we imagined."
Song Heping calmly analyzed, moving to the large military map on the wall, his fingers pointing at the surrounding area of Kirkuk.
"The government army's disastrous defeat in Samara effectively removed worries for the 1515, enabling them to confidently invest more resources and elite troops into the offensive against the Kurds. Oil is the black gold lifeline for 1515, and also the economic foundation for the Kurds' autonomy, neither side has a retreat. Abu You and they must have felt an unprecedented survival threat, or they would never dare to seek me out—knowing full well I've been labeled by the Americans as a 'terrorist' entity."