Inside the Pentagon, Colonel Lai De was holding a small meeting with his team.
"Becker, there's a press conference tomorrow morning. What do you think about this matter?"
Colonel Lai De asked Major Becker, a member of his team.
Becker was in charge of crisis situation analysis. When sudden situations arose in the military, he would synthesize information from various sources for comprehensive analysis, draw his own conclusions, and prepare reports to provide a basis and reference for the senior officers' decisions.
"I think we don't need to do anything right now, we just need to wait," Becker spread his hands, making a very relaxed expression.
Lai De looked somewhat surprised. When he had asked others, they all suggested maintaining contact with Feier, especially since Feier had been visiting TV stations frequently in the past two days, and the newspapers were also continuously reporting on this matter, creating quite some pressure from public opinion.
Even at yesterday's White House press conference, reporters had already asked about this issue.
Of course, the White House could deflect the question.
But as the spokesperson for the military at the Pentagon, Colonel Lai De couldn't deflect it.
It wouldn't do to claim ignorance of the situation; that would be too obvious an attempt to cover things up.
Yet Becker had said that there was no need to do anything, just wait.
This piqued Lai De's interest.
"Tell me your basis for saying this, Becker."
Lai De pointed his pen in Becker's direction.
Becker smiled and said, "Colonel, although we don't know why Feier is so concerned about this matter and stirring up a media storm, usually in analyzing events, we only need to figure out his objective."
With that, he glanced at his colleagues seated around him.
"To pressure us into abandoning our joint operation in Colombia, that's the objective. Since we know the objective, isn't what we should do straightforward? Just ensure that the operation's objective is met, and that will leave Feier at a disadvantage."
"Of course, opposing a magazine editor doesn't bring much of a sense of achievement, but if someone wants our military operation to fail, then certainly they are our enemy. Hence, achieving the operation's objective is indeed the most critical aspect."
Lai De said, "I understand all that. I'm asking you, what is your basis for saying this? If we keep dragging this out, how should I face the reporters at tomorrow's press conference who will undoubtedly pursue this matter?"
He picked up a few sheets of paper from the table.
"This is a summary outline of the questions submitted by the media for tomorrow's routine press conference. Take a look, two-thirds of the media reporters have included this issue in their list of questions. That means, unless I'm unafraid to be scolded tomorrow, or unafraid that the sentiment after the press conference will be even more turbulent, I could indeed ignore their questions as you suggest. But such an action could have serious consequences."
"It won't be serious," Becker said. "Even if you, Colonel, don't answer that question tomorrow, or if you evade it, leading to escalated public sentiment, it won't be a problem."
He opened the folder in front of him and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"This is some operation intelligence I just obtained from Colonel Lawrence. Currently, our forces, in conjunction with the Colombian Military and the AUC forces, have achieved very good results in the 'Viper' operation over the past three days. ELN forces have lost sixty percent of their territory. Apart from a portion of their forces deep in the jungle near San Rita, their northern command headquarters has been destroyed by the Air Force; even their radio signals have disappeared. The two ELN combat battalions in the central Tame Region have been squeezed to the border area. Now, they are facing only one choice: run, retreat into Venezuelan territory, or face death."
Colonel Lai De asked, "You mean the operation is going very smoothly?"
"Exactly," Becker responded. "In no more than two days, the ELN will collapse completely. Then, the objective of our operation will have been met. The remaining actions can be left to the AUC forces to handle on their own. We can claim that the operation has concluded, creating an impression that we are yielding to public opinion by canceling the operation. In doing so, we will have a very satisfactory resolution both internally and externally, without affecting the operation's objectives in the slightest."
After listening to Becker's analysis, Colonel Lai De did not immediately respond. Instead, he twirled his pen, reflecting for a good while before sweeping his gaze over the others present.
"What are your opinions on Becker's analysis? You can speak now."
After some discussion, they shook their heads.
A Lieutenant Colonel said, "This approach seems feasible. After all, we just need to hold out for two more days, and we'll win. It's just that the Colonel might feel uncomfortable during tomorrow's press conference."
With that said, everyone burst into laughter.
Lai De laughed as well.
He remembered Feier's blackmailing face in the café and couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.
Damn Feier.
Let him rant for a couple more days.
"Alright, then that's decided..."
Just as Colonel Lai De was about to finalize the content of tomorrow's press conference, his phone on the side began to vibrate.
After glancing at the caller ID, a change came over Colonel Lai De's face.
"SIR, any instructions?"
He picked up the phone, his demeanor turning respectful.
Clearly, someone important was on the other side.
"Lai De, come to my office."
"Now?"
Lai De glanced at his colleagues, uncertain.
The office of the spokesperson was aware of the small meeting.
Why was he being asked to go to the office immediately?
"That's right, immediately."
"Understood, sir. I'll be there right away."
Lai De hung up the phone. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly remembered that everyone was still there.
"Everyone, the meeting is adjourned."