"Song, I'm really sorry."
As soon as Niki spoke, she actually started with an apology.
Song Heping smelled trouble.
"Looks like I've provoked some serious trouble?"
Niki's face was awkward, and her eyes didn't dare to meet Song Heping's. Instead, they wandered around as if she was contemplating how to explain.
"Well, sort of…"
Niki admitted it when pressed.
"Wait a second." Song Heping said with a mocking tone, "I work for the military, and then you come telling me, 'Ah... Song, you've got big trouble, but we can't help you, you have to sort it out yourself'?"
Niki seemed even more embarrassed.
Song Heping continued, "Who the hell came to find me at the beginning, asking me to help out of old friendship? Who the hell told me this operation was backed by the military? Who the hell kept from me the fact that we were supposed to kill Little Curtis, not rescue him, and in the end cut his head off and pretended it was the work of terrorists? Now there's trouble and just saying 'yes, you're in big trouble' counts as an explanation?"
Niki said, "The military will compensate for this incident."
Song Heping sneered in response, "How? By giving me their lives?"
Niki said, "About three months from now, the current British Army commander will step down. This is almost a done deal. He messed up this operation, and now within the Alliance Army, it's being discussed that General Miles will likely take over as the commander of the coalition forces. So, just imagine what you will get."
"What? A contract?" Song Heping asked.
"Right, didn't you accept some transportation contracts in Illiguo?" Niki replied, "You can do that here too. The coalition forces spend over 50 billion US dollars on transportation annually, a large portion of which is spent on moving between Kabul Airport and various forward military posts. Getting a slice of that pie would well compensate you for what you've sacrificed in this operation."
"Girl, you really think that's a joke." Song Heping continued sarcastically, "I'm being hunted by dark powers, you might be aware but can't help me, and then you offer me a contract, telling me to make money, isn't that bullshit? If I can't even be sure of keeping my life, what good is money?"
Niki said, "Sometimes the development of things is beyond our control."
Something suddenly occurred to Song Heping, so he asked, "By the way, something crossed my mind. Logically, I didn't even know about the order to take out Little Curtis at first, so who leaked the information?"
Niki said, "We have a mole inside."
"A mole?" Song Heping laughed, "Your ISA deals with intelligence, and you've been infiltrated too?"
Niki replied, "Technically, he doesn't exactly count as a mole, but he serves different masters. It was him who revealed the information to the Curtis family. The Curtis family is involved in the chemical industry and also dabbles in military affairs. They have connections with many military-industrial giants. It's not surprising that we have people in the army who serve them. After retiring, these people can take high-paying jobs in their corporate group; there are plenty of people willing to do that."
"Ah... it's a revolving door." Song Heping nodded and said, "So you're saying, I'm left to shoulder the consequences of your own mess? Why doesn't the Curtis family just off General Miles? Isn't he the main culprit?"
Niki helplessly said, "It's quite complex inside, and I can't explain it to you clearly. But what you need to remember is that someone is after you, and it's no ordinary person. Frankly, as a friend, I suggest you go back to your homeland, a place they can't reach. Stay anywhere else in the world, and they won't let you go."
Song Heping looked at Niki, realizing her words were sincere.
Indeed, the relationship between Niki and him wasn't deep, but it was still a relationship.
A private word of advice, and a word from the heart.
However, this in fact ignited Song Heping's combative spirit.
Since they were coming for him, then let's see if they had the ability.
He now really wanted to see what kind of force was so powerful that it made high-ranking officers in the US Army keep silent, afraid to speak for fear of inviting trouble upon themselves.
"No, I won't go back." Song Heping smiled and said, "I'll stay here. After all, you'll have a big contract for me in three months' time, right? Money is tempting."
"You're really courting death over money." Niki sighed, "Let me put it this way, Mist got in trouble because of a past operation he was involved in. He used to lead a Seal Team in the south hunting drug traffickers. During that operation, they got ambushed by people with unknown identities, and only he survived. Later, a large amount of drugs and untraceable funds were found in his personal locker and bank accounts. Eventually, he was sent back home to face a military court and was dishonorably discharged. It was definitely fishy. At the time, I thought he had offended someone. I checked out some of the clues he provided, and it turns out that what happened to him and your situation point in the same direction, to a secret Special Forces unit with mostly ex-Special Soldiers whose records are sealed and require a Level 5 or higher clearance to access. I wanted to request those records, but the Pentagon didn't approve. Do you get what I'm saying?"
"Not really, just say it straight." Song Heping said coldly, "Don't beat around the bush. Your internal crap got me involved, and now you want me to solve riddles?"
Niki said, "What I mean is, they have people in the Pentagon too, understand?"
Song Heping said, "I find it strange who your military really belongs to. Isn't it supposed to be neutral and belong to the country? Haha, looks like it's not as you claim it to be."
Niki was rendered speechless.
She had served in the military for many years and had spent a long time in intelligence agencies.
Song Heping's words hit the nail on the head, leaving her with nothing to say.
"Alright, if you insist on staying, there's nothing I can do about it. But let me remind you, the power behind the ability to recruit a bunch of former Special Forces members and establish a militarized organization is definitely not trivial. They might even be connected with numerous magnates and political circles. It's tough for you to fight them alone, you're bound to be vulnerable."
"Is there ever a thief that can hide forever against a watchful eye? Since they want to kill me, I'll take them out first," Song Heping said.
Niki exclaimed in shock, "Are you insane?! Just with you?!"
"What's wrong with just me? Back when I was in Illiguo selling groceries, who would have thought that a few years later, I'd be the boss of a PMC company?" Song Heping replied.
In fact, he was also thinking: Wasn't Station Chief Simon from the CIA in Illiguo after my life back then? And still, I managed to get him under control, so he no longer dared to act high and mighty, right?
When the east wind blows, the war drums thunder. In this world, who should be afraid of whom?
If one can't hide, might as well face it head-on.
"Well, if I can't persuade you, then I'll tell you some stuff. What happens next will be up to your luck," Niki said.
"Even though I can't access the records of those retired Special Soldiers, I've learned some bits and pieces through some special channels. After World War II, many intelligence agencies established during the war were merged and downsized. Some operational and intelligence agencies were dismantled or integrated. The CIA and NSA are products of that era. Many dismissed intelligence agencies were secretly preserved for various reasons, even converted for private use. Among them, there's a secret plan called 'Black Stone.' This plan is highly secretive and doesn't belong to any agency. However, it is associated with the CIA and NSA because they all fall under the covert operations department. Hence the name 'Black Stone.' This plan won't be found in any official documents and is directed by someone from the higher-ups of the CIA or NSA. It has become a tradition even unknown to the president. Its funding comes from conglomerates, so it has the nature of private forces and can be utilized to provide services for magnates," explained Niki.
"It's rumored that an operational agency called 'Satan' sprung from this plan and its background is strikingly similar to those who attacked you. The Curtis family is affluent, and they might be able to reach the people controlling this organization to provide assassination services. Do you understand what I'm saying now? You might be facing a secret organization after you, and the only safe place in this world is your homeland."
Song Heping listened silently, committing all this information to memory.
His own company's intelligence department was also investigating the matter and had offered a substantial reward. He would share this information with Henry, the cunning old fox from the former British intelligence services, who should be able to dig up something within his network.
"I said I'm not going back to my homeland for the time being," Song Heping said. "But still, thank you for the information you provided. Perhaps I can make use of it."
"My God," said Niki. "You're so stubborn. It seems like all my advice just now was in vain."
Just at that moment, the satellite phone in Song Heping's pocket started vibrating.
He took it out to look at the number.
It was Henry calling.
It seems that the old chap had been following his instructions, investigating day and night, and now had a lead.
He didn't want to continue the pointless talk with Niki.
Clearly, he had been betrayed by the military.
If the assassination of Little Curtis hadn't leaked, it would have been good for you and good for me.
But now that the plan to decapitate Little Curtis had been exposed, there was movement from the Curtis family side, and mysterious forces were getting involved. The military higher-ups who initially ordered the decapitation were now acting like shrinking turtles, throwing him out as the scapegoat.
But thinking about it, it wasn't worth getting angry about.
Essentially, employing his PMC company for such operations meant they were always meant to be a disposable black glove.
As long as the contract with the US Army was secured, they wouldn't be considered in breach of it.
"I have a call; you go on with your things," he said.
"Alright, I'm off then," Niki replied.
She put her sunglasses back on and then turned to leave.
After she left, Song Heping then returned the call to Henry.
"Henry, does the reward offer have any new leads?"