Langley City, Virginia, USA, CIA Headquarters, Operations Command Center (OCC)
The enormous curved screen is divided into dozens of images: Persian Gulf satellite map, Kuwait base surveillance, infrared scans of suspicious areas in Persia, and scrolling encrypted data streams.
Silent tension like high-voltage electricity.
Vincent paced in front of the command desk like an anxious caged beast, his eyes never leaving the faint light on the main screen—Song Heping's last known position, moving along the mountain road towards the capital.
"Have you contacted 'Poison Needle'?"
Vincent's voice was hoarse as he urgently inquired from an agent.
'Poison Needle', one of the highest-level informants within the Persian Revolutionary Guard.
The agent stared at the encrypted communication terminal, fingers flying: "The secure link is being established, but the other side is very cautious, with multiple proxy verifications, it takes time."
"There's no time!"
Vincent slammed his fist on the alloy command desk, the dull thud making the agent shrink his neck.
"Song Heping is as slippery as an eel! Dig! Deploy all resources available within Persia! Every 'mole', 'hidden post', and eyes we can buy! I want to know which road that damned convoy is on, what the next point is, down to the meter!"
The orders sliced through the busy atmosphere like a cold blade.
The encrypted phone light flashed wildly, instructions passed through satellites and fiber optics to activate the intelligence dark web beneath Persian soil.
Money, threats, promises…
The tentacles spread from Langley, attempting to grasp the elusive target.
Time passed.
The light point on the screen continued moving, its trajectory blurred.
Vincent's expression turned grim, veins bulging at his temple.
He needed a breakthrough.
His gaze swept over the codename at the screen's edge—"Jerusalem."
"Connect to Jerusalem!" Vincent made a swift decision.
'Jerusalem', the CIA's codename for Mossad.
"I want a direct call with their Director Levin. Highest encryption!"
Tel Aviv, Mossad Headquarters, Special Operations Assessment Room
The atmosphere was equally tense, with an added layer of cold precision.
The wall screen displayed a map of the Middle East, with emphasis on areas within Persia.
Director Levin was holding the phone.
"Director Vincent."
Levin's voice was steady, with a touch of detachment.
"I understand your urgency. Song Heping is a mutual threat, there's no doubt about that. But his activities within Persia, the risk of direct intervention... we both know it."
"Levin, this is no time for negotiations!"
Vincent's voice, suppressed with anger, came over.
"He's just crossed the border, likely to be met by the Revolutionary Guard. This is our last chance! I need you to mobilize your 'assets' within Persia, provide real-time location of the convoy! Share any electronic signal characteristics!"
Levin was silent for a few seconds, glancing at his assistant beside him.
The assistant brought up the assessment report, silently shook his head, and mouthed: "Key node... exposure risk... cost too high..."
"Vincent..."
Levin nodded slightly at his assistant.
This implied that if they assisted Vincent, any misstep in the operation could lead to great risk for Mossad's informants placed in Persia over the years.
Although Americans are the closest allies.
But the ethos of the Daishe Bird Country is always to preserve oneself over risking others.
In any situation, protecting its own interests is the top choice.
So, he said blandly in a formulaic tone, "We've assessed the operation information. First, the target convoy is on high alert, the possibility of active signal source shutdown is very high. Secondly, with the complex mountain terrain, our ground asset coverage is limited, forcibly activating could easily expose key nodes. Thirdly, and most importantly..."
He paused, "With only a vaguely positioned convoy, it's impossible to confirm if he is inside. You know Song Heping's usual style, very cunning. If we use our precious assets in Persia's military and political systems to bet on an unconfirmed target, and if we fail, the losses would be catastrophic—the exposure risk far outweighs potential gains. It doesn't fit our risk assessment model."
"To hell with risk assessment!"
Vincent couldn't help but roar: "Levin! This is a golden opportunity to take him out! If he reaches Tehran, Afan's stronghold, we'll have no chance! Think about his destructive power! Once this guy reaches Persia, he'll definitely aid the Persians against us, which will be more troublesome for us!"
Levin's gaze remained unshaken: "It is precisely because of his great destructiveness that caution is needed. A wrong move not only sacrifices our people but could also trigger unbearable diplomatic or even military conflict. The Persians are on edge. We can't take that gamble."
"So just watch?"
Vincent's voice was frustrated and angry.
"Watch him slip away right under our noses?"
"As allies, we can provide peripheral support."