章 669: Chapter 669: Proceeding as Planned
The operations room in the Iraq branch buzzed with a mix of staff engaged in meetings and others reporting information, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
"Boss, you've arrived!"
Yuli, who was in a meeting with other staff, spotted me and rose from her seat.
I nodded slightly and asked her, "Have you heard from Igor?"
"Yes. He should have arrived at the operation area by now. I heard he was almost there during our last communication."
I took a seat with Jessica and Manager Ma.
"Have we located their position?"
Yuli nodded and spent quite a bit of time sharing the details of the ongoing operation.
I asked a few questions along the way, and he answered everything he knew.
"It would be a disaster if they fled to Syria."
"Igor thinks so too. If news breaks about crossing into Syria…"
Yuli glanced at Jessica before continuing, "It won't be easy for the U.S. to overlook that."
Syria had already taken a critical stance on the Iraq War.
I knew that, whether openly or covertly, Syria provided support to Iraqi resistance forces.
However, the U.S. didn't want to escalate the conflict, and thus they brushed it off.
"That's right. We can't let the Syria issue slide. No matter how it happens during the operation."
Jessica confirmed with a negative response regarding any collision with Syria.
"Syria… Even if that terrorist organization has ties to Syria?"
In Afghanistan, Pakistan played the backing role for the Taliban, while the Iraqi resistance was tied to Syria's support.
After all, that was likely the reason IS gained prominence in that area.
Jessica shook her head firmly, "We know Syria is behind the Iraqi resistance. We're aware of the arms and financial support they provide. But escalating things with Syria would be a burden for us too."
To avoid conflict with Syria, we needed to ensure they couldn't escape.
"Does Igor know about this?"
"Yes. We have identified the deployment zones of the Syrian forces nearby and shared the positions with him."
I tapped my fingers on the table, deep in thought.
Iraq and Syria were once comrades stemming from the Ba'ath Party.
The Syrian Ba'ath Party governed Syria, just as the Iraqi Ba'ath Party ruled Iraq.
The two countries once stood as blood allies and brother states. But they quickly split and now their governments were busy battling each other over claims to legitimacy.
It was a unique factional struggle in the Middle East, where politics and religion were inseparable.
"If a clash were to happen, what do you think the U.S. response would be?"
Operations aren't guaranteed to be 100% successful.
There could be individuals fleeing during the firefight or others escaping through underground routes.
I wanted to seize this chance to annihilate them completely.
"…The Syrian government is notoriously stubborn. Their obstinacy is particularly strong among Arabs. And it's crucial because the information provided by Syria has played a decisive role in this Iraq war, so Washington cannot conveniently ignore any conflict with Syria. Their intelligence agencies favor the Syrian government."
Ah, now that I think about it, Jobs was Syrian as well. I could instantly understand why Jessica described them as obstinate.
Regardless, Syria, while concealing its support for the Iraqi resistance, seemed to be cooperating with the U.S. on the surface, leading to a deadlock.
"Then we must annihilate them entirely in Iraq."
I organized my thoughts and spoke to Yuli.
"Yuli, please get in touch with Igor."
Yuli gestured for a communications officer.
The officer, following Yuli's orders, adjusted the wireless communication device's channel and began the connection attempt.
Moments later, the communications officer handed the device to me.
― This is Igor.
"Igor, it's me."
― Boss. You've returned safely.
"Thanks to you."
We could chat about pleasantries later, but right now I was eager to learn about the operation's status.
"How's the annihilation operation progressing? Have there been significant changes in the plan?"
― We've encountered variables.
Igor reported, sounding somewhat troubled.
Variables? Was this somehow related to Syria?
While we try to eliminate variables when planning operations, unexpectedly, we often face problems on-site.
"What variables? What sort of problem has arisen?"
― The terrorists' families are also at the camp. Including their wives and children. If we proceed with the annihilation operation as planned, they could suffer significant casualties as well.
The actions of terrorist organizations never change.
Were they not attempting to use civilians as shields to evade attacks?
I shot a glance at Jessica before speaking.
"Are we certain about the families? They weren't simply captured to act as human shields?"
― They appeared to be in close relationships with the terrorists. This conclusion comes from eavesdropping on their conversations using equipment supported by the U.S. military. They are suspected to be either family or close relatives.
"Would it be difficult to carry out the annihilation operation while excluding them? They're unarmed individuals."
― That seems unlikely. The camp itself is like a fortress. It might be possible to forcefully exclude them, but we could suffer significant casualties as well.
The lives of Igor's team and those of the terrorists' families clearly did not weigh the same.
Besides, just because they were women or children didn't mean they were innocent and naive individuals.
How many soldiers had fallen prey to their appearances?
Everyone conducting war in Iraq was aware of this reality.
I steeled my resolve and issued my orders.
"We'll proceed as planned."
― Are you certain, Boss? If the U.S. finds out about this, it could lead to substantial criticism.
"Black Bear has been criticized many times before, so what's one more?"
U.S. media was already demonizing Black Bear instead of the military personnel. It was far more sensational to attack a private military company than to criticize their soldiers.
― Understood. We will conduct the operation while minimizing casualties as much as possible. The annihilation operation will commence at midnight.
"Safe travels. Let's have a drink of vodka when you return."
― Yes, Boss.
The communication ended after Igor's response.
I set down the wireless communication device and looked at Jessica.
"It seems families are also present at the terrorists' camp. There may be casualties among them as well."
"Are they definitely family members?"
I nodded. Even with my resolve, the thought of civilians being caught in the crossfire left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"It's an unavoidable consequence of the operation, but…"
"It's okay. If we can annihilate them, we can overlook small mishaps that happen along the way."
While I outwardly nodded in agreement, inwardly I couldn't help but click my tongue at the hypocrisy of it all.
'They curse civilian casualties when it involves other countries.'
Indeed, it's hypocritical. When national interests are involved, they are overwhelmingly generous—what could be described as typically American behavior.
* * *
Igor was overlooking the camp of the Monotheistic Group and Holy War using infrared equipment from a nearby hill.
"Chief Minister."
At the sound of his subordinate calling out from beside him, Igor tore his gaze away from the equipment and turned his head.
All team members, except for the three teams that had moved to different operation areas, were fully armed and standing at the ready.
"Operation time is approaching."
Igor nodded after checking his wristwatch.
"Establish wireless communication."
A communications team member waiting beside him handed over a connected receiver to Igor.
"Sergei. This is Igor. Are you ready?"
― This is Sergei. Team One reports all preparations are complete.
The authoritative voice, filled with discipline, answered confidently.
Satisfied, Igor nodded and relayed messages to the other two teams before placing the receiver down.
He then addressed the team members before him.
"For this operation, we will annihilate completely without exception. However, I want to finish it without a single casualty. So, don't take unnecessary risks."
After checking the watch again, Igor spoke to his deputy.
"Then let's start with those cute little gadgets the U.S. gave us."
Igor walked slowly towards the trailer.
As he stopped in front of the trailer, the other mercenaries opened the trailer door.
Inside the dark trailer were several monitors lined up.
The mercenaries sitting in front of them only greeted him with their mouths and kept their eyes glued to the monitors.
One of them held a joystick. After receiving a brief greeting, Igor asked the mercenaries, "Where is the darling now?"
"It's circling about 5 kilometers away."
One mercenary pointed to the monitor he had been intently watching.
Upon entering the trailer, Igor focused on the area he indicated.
"The picture quality is good."
The monitors displayed live footage transmitted by the U.S.-made MQ-1 Predator.
This equipment had been purchased from the U.S. for this operation.
Originally, it was classified as strategic equipment and not sold to Black Bear, but one drone was specially gifted for this extermination operation.
"The U.S. truly deserves its title as the world's strongest country. Do you remember the area presumed to be where the command center is?"
They had already scouted various spots around the camp using the Predator.
The video received through high-performance cameras and sensors exhibited exceptional clarity.
"Yes. The coordinates have already been designated on the drone. Once given the command, it will fly there and launch missiles at that target."
Igor nodded and instructed his team members.
"Everyone, return to your posts and prepare. Once the missiles strike the command center as per the operation's plan, we will simultaneously commence the annihilation operation."
After confirming the rapid movements of his team, Igor settled down behind the mercenary operating the drone.
"Begin."
"Yes!"
As soon as Igor's command was issued, the mercenary began playing with the electronics in front of him, moving the joystick with his right hand.
Soon the drone's camera began capturing images of the camp.
"Target locked in."
The mercenary, aiming at the building presumed to house the command center, turned his head to look at Igor.
"Fire."
As soon as Igor gave his consent, he pressed the missile button.
One Hellfire missile took off first, followed by a Stinger missile.
The two missiles accurately struck their targets, visible on the monitor.
Simultaneously, a loud explosion reverberated outside.
Boom!
The monitor vividly displayed the destruction caused by the missile.
A powerful explosion sent a high column of flames soaring, and the building imploded in moments, leaving little trace behind.
A chilling warning siren began to blare from various points around the terrorist camp shortly thereafter.
Wee-ee-oo!
"Continuously monitor who is fleeing and relay the information."
Igor encouraged the mercenary piloting the drone by patting him on the shoulder before stepping out of the trailer.
Simultaneously, anti-tank rockets flew towards the camp.
The buildings and watchtowers hit by the rockets were engulfed in flames.
A thick, acrid smoke enveloped the sky.
After confirming his gear, Igor walked slowly towards the battlefield.
* * *
As midnight approached, I kept checking my watch, anxiously awaiting Igor's contact.
"The operation should have started by now."
Manager Ma set down a mix of coffee he brought from Korea in front of me.
"It's fine, Boss. Igor will never fail."
While holding the coffee that Manager Ma served, I sighed softly.
"Igor will manage it well. I'm not worried about Igor failing. If there are no variables, he'll deliver the results I'm looking for."
Igor had never once disappointed me.
I was simply worried that the extermination operation was occurring near the border with Syria.
Even if it was only 50 kilometers away, they could be in a position to provide support within thirty minutes.
We couldn't attack terrorists who crossed the border either.
If there was a conflict with the Syrian army, who knows what could happen…?
I glanced at Jessica and asked, "What do you think is the probability of the Syrian army crossing into Iraq to assist them?"
Jessica responded confidently in a firm tone.
"Not even a little. Not at all. Syria is currently in a situation where it has to mind the U.S."
Watching her assertiveness, I slowly nodded.
Right, all I could do was believe. For now, I had no choice but to trust Igor and Jessica's words.
"I guess I'll have to trust Jessica."
Time passed endlessly.
After about an hour had passed, the communication equipment in the operations room suddenly blared loudly.
Yuli swiftly grabbed the receiver of the communication equipment.
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