The air in the room seemed to have solidified.
Everyone was staring at Song Heping as if he hadn't just proposed an assault on the President's Mansion, but a casual walk on Mars.
"Old Sergeant, this idea is insane!"
Jiang Feng was the first to break the silence.
His voice was low and filled with disbelief.
"We don't even have proper rifles, what are we going to use to attack the President's Mansion? This?"
He fiddled with the Glock 17 pistol in his hand and then laughed at himself.
Song Heping ignored Jiang Feng's doubts and turned to Hassan, "I need the assistance of your militia, what can you provide us?"
"We don't have the capability to attack the President's Mansion..." Hassan admitted honestly, "but we can create chaos, distract the government army's attention, and maybe even lure away the guards nearby to ease some pressure on you."
"Not enough." Song Heping shook his head, "We need precise intel—the defense setup inside the mansion, Noel's exact location, and the shift change timings."
The room fell silent again.
Hassan couldn't answer that question.
In the corner, the silent female operator suddenly spoke, "I... I have an insider."
Everyone looked at her.
She timidly raised her hand, "My cousin is the supplier of kitchen ingredients for the President's Mansion, she... she might be able to help."
Song Heping squinted his eyes, "Can you contact her?"
The girl nodded, "Yes."
"Good, contact her immediately," Song Heping turned to Hassan, "Provide me with operational data right away, we need the internal layout of the mansion and Noel's schedule."
Song Heping's eyes lit up as he addressed everyone in the room, "We don't need a frontal assault. We'll have Hassan and his people create chaos, draw away the guards' attention, and then sneak in through the backdoor garbage transport route."
Ferrari stopped twirling his gun and squinted, "Are you saying have the opposition militia create chaos near the mansion?"
"Not just chaos."
Song Heping drew a circle on the map around several blocks near the mansion with his fingertip, "Make them believe the opposition forces have infiltrated the city and are organizing a large-scale assault on the mansion. This will surely draw the guard forces to reinforce their outer defenses."
Abdul interjected suddenly, "There's an emergency escape tunnel under the mansion leading two kilometers away to a military base. If Noel senses danger..."
"That's why we must control the situation within ten minutes," Song Heping cut him off, "Once inside, the primary targets are to control the communications room and the escape tunnel."
Collins, who had been silently leaning against the wall, suddenly spoke, "Even if we get in, how do we get out? Just casually walk out with a president? The guards will turn us into Swiss cheese."
Song Heping picked up a photo next to the map on the table, which showed the President's Mansion, and pointed at a helipad, asking Hassan, "Is this Mi-17 helicopter always parked on the west side?"
Hassan nodded, "Yes, this was the last set of photos taken before the war broke out. The helicopter is still there. Noel's a coward, the helicopter's for his escape."
Song Heping nodded, "Hmm, that confirms it..."
Ferrari seemed to catch on, "You're not planning to use that to kidnap Noel, are you?"
Song Heping nodded, "Precisely, any objections? Is there a better escape tool than that?"
Ferrari asked curiously, "Can you fly the Mi-17?"
Song Heping said, "In South America, at our training school, I learned from those Russian pilots."
Ferrari was stunned for a moment, then gave him a thumbs up without saying anything.
"Damn, Old Sergeant, you really are a crazy guy," Jiang Feng shook his head but couldn't hide a grin, "but I like this plan."
Collins suddenly stood up, "We need more weapons. Pistols aren't enough."
Hassan immediately said, "I can get AKs and grenades, maybe even a couple of RPGs."
"Still not enough," Song Heping contemplated for a moment, "We need something to incite panic... Do you have White Phosphorus Bombs?"
Hassan's face changed, "Those are banned by international law..."
"To hell with international law," Song Heping sneered, "We want the guards to think the entire city is burning."
The atmosphere in the room slowly shifted from shock to an eerie excitement.
Abdul and Hassan began praying softly, while Ferrari was already checking the magazines.
"What's the timeline?" Collins asked.
Song Heping looked at his watch, "It's 2 AM now. We move at 6. That's when dawn breaks, the guards are most fatigued, and when the garbage should be taken out. Hassan, your people must create the chaos at exactly 5:45."
Hassan nodded, "I'll lead the team myself."
Song Heping dismissed that, "Assign two reliable commanders to carry out the chaos operation, ensure you catch the attention of the government and the guards."
He then turned to the others, "Jiang Feng, Ferrari, you'll handle the communications room. Collins, Abdul, you come with me to capture Noel. Remember, we want him alive."
"What if the plan fails?" Abdul couldn't help but ask.
Song Heping's eyes turned cold, "Then we blow up the entire mansion and take Noel to Hell with us."
4 AM, safe house.
Song Heping was inspecting the weapons Hassan had just delivered—four AK-74U short assault rifles, ten F1 grenades, two RPG-7 launchers, and several Sena government army uniforms.