"Morins, contact the commander of the southern defense area right away," Song Heping ordered sharply, "and tell them to pull back immediately..."
After a brief silence, Song Heping scanned the map multiple times before making a decision. "Have the remaining people all move into the jungle near the Venezuelan border in the Matavini Region. Stop trying to hold the southern line; useless sacrifices are unnecessary. Wage guerrilla warfare in the Matavini jungle and tell the commander if things go south, to cross the river into Venezuela immediately. I'll have someone on the other side to meet you..."
"Into Venezuela?!" Morins exclaimed in surprise, "That's essentially giving up the southern defense area."
"Better to bend than to break," Song Heping replied. "It wasn't your choice to withdraw the troops from the south; they're as good as dead staying there. Sooner or later we'd lose the area anyway. Once you cross the river, you're safe. Wait until the news spreads, then strike back!"
"But what if we encounter Venezuelan border patrols..."
"What border patrols? I told you I'd arrange someone to meet you there! There won't be any Venezuelan patrols if you find Ramas. He'll sort everything out!"
"Oh!"
Morins suddenly realized.
"I almost forgot about him."
"Now, we must find every possible way to survive, and preserving our forces is the key; that's your ace up your sleeve," Song Heping asserted.
As they were talking, Song Heping's satellite phone started vibrating.
He checked the caller ID—it was a number from the school.
"Dominic, what's up?"
"Boss, we've been waiting at the airport for two days now, when are we moving out?"
Dominic's tone was tinged with impatience.
He had come over this time to oversee the bombing plans and command.
He was an expert when it came to the Air Force.
"Don't fucking bother me; keep waiting until I give the orders! I'm busy right now, so don't call me unless it's urgent!" Song Heping vented his frustration on Dominic.
Dominic was simply making a fuss over nothing.
Probably because he'd been at the school for two days and was eager to show what he could do.
But now was simply not the time for the Air Force to take action.
Jiang Feng, on the other hand, was much quieter.
There had been no contact, just routine reports.
As long as the AUC headquarters in Mituas stayed put, he would maintain radio silence.
That was a good habit for a scout.
After hanging up on Dominic, Song Heping grew anxious.
Everything was ready except for an opportune moment.
If the Colombian Government Army called off their operation, his own arrangements could proceed.
He paced around the cave, then took out his phone and called Fer.
"Fer, how are things on your end?"
"Man, you can't rush this," Fer said. "These things take time to ferment. Tomorrow is the DOD's routine press conference. As soon as they dare to hold it, lots of people will dare to ask questions. That's when things will really start to ferment. Maybe a day or two after the press conference, the DOD will likely buckle under pressure."
"FUCK! Are you telling me I have to wait another three or four days?!" Song Heping was genuinely anxious now.
"I don't have that much time! In three or four days, you'll be picking up my corpse."
"Fer, it's not that I'm not trying hard, but those are the rules of the game. Getting antsy won't help—you're not the president!"
"If I were the president, would I be asking for your help as an editor? I'd just order the withdrawal of advisors and cease the joint operations!" Song Heping snapped and abruptly hung up the phone.
It seemed he couldn't count on Fer.
Three or four days.
How was he supposed to handle this?
If he didn't die within those three or four days, Morins would go mad.
He had promised Morins that once they had the evidence, they would force the government army to retreat.
Now that Morins had risked everything to obtain it, and Fer was being uncooperative.
That really could lead to a falling out.
Usually calm, Song Heping was also getting agitated now.
He paced around in circles.
After a while, a sudden idea flashed through his mind.
He remembered something Fer had said earlier.
"President?"
Song Heping immediately took out his phone and dialed Ferrari.
"Boss, you still have time to call me? It sounds like things aren't going well for you over there,"
Ferrari seized the opportunity to tease Song Heping.