Mercenary’s War

"Hammer is still alive!"

Instinctively, Gao Yang repeated Tarta’s words and took a long breath, then his heart was immediately filled with a burning fighting spirit.

"Since Hammer is still alive, let’s prepare for the rescue operation. We’re ready here, others will arrive in Aden today. I’ll arrange for personnel in Somalia to airlift, artillery is on the way. We can act as soon as tonight."

After Gao Yang finished speaking casually, he immediately said, "Of course, a full assault is the final option if there’s no other way. If there’s another way to save Hammer, avoid a full assault."

Tarta said in a deep voice, "A full assault is almost impossible. Grewatov has only sent back initial information. He just confirmed Hammer is still alive, and more detailed intelligence is still being sought. I will notify you of any updates."

Confirming Hammer is still alive is the most important intelligence, and it means a lot.

First, if Hammer is still alive, he has significant value. The Shah People will strive to keep him alive. Only then will they have a chance to get what they want from Hammer.

Secondly, if Hammer is still alive, under the premise that his living value is evident even to fools, the Shah People won’t use him as bait. Even if they wanted to set a trap, there’s no need to use a living Hammer.

Thus, it can be temporarily confirmed that the strict guarded surgery keeping Hammer alive is not a trap, but a normal reaction by the Shah People to obtain a living target.

Of course, being not a trap now doesn’t guarantee it won’t become one in the future. Nothing is ever static.

Two hours later, Gao Yang received another call from Tarta.

"Hammer is severely wounded and unconscious. The bullet in his abdomen has been removed, but the bullet near his heart is too close for the camp doctors to perform surgery. Now, the Shah People have dispatched the best doctors from Aden’s largest military base for a second surgery."

Three hours later, Gao Yang received a call from Justin.

For frontline intelligence, sometimes Justin’s empire’s reactions can seem slow, but regarding high-level intelligence from key focus countries, Justin is usually timely.

This time, Justin’s call was not about Hammer’s situation, but the Shah’s reaction.

"I’ve assigned the codename ’Old Friend’ to your target for ease of conversation. I will use ’Old Friend’ to refer to your investigation target.

There’s been a dispute between the Shah and United Arab Emirates over the ownership of the captive. The Shah insists that Old Friend belongs to them, while the UAE believes they should have control. After high-level consultations, they’ve agreed that the Shah will handle Old Friend, but after Old Friend loses value, they’ll hand him over to the Emirati for execution.

The developments of this matter serve as corroboration, proving Old Friend is still alive.

Additionally, the Shah People believe Old Friend is a Russian and that Russia has meddled in Yemen, with the precise surface-to-surface missile attacks being the reason, although they lack evidence. Therefore, capturing a living Russian spy for interrogation is crucial to the Shah People.

Currently, the Shah is actively blocking this matter, but their intelligence blocking methods with the Emirati are slow and naive. I helped them with the information blockade, which proved effective, but the Russians likely have spies in Shah and UAE who have learned of this. The effectiveness of the Russian information block is unclear, and Russia’s reaction is unpredictable. If needed, I’ll arrange personnel to address the Russian situation.

Finally, the Shah has dispatched a high-level work group led by the Intelligence Bureau to Aden, including senior bureau officials and high-ranking doctors. There is sufficient evidence to show that this group’s primary mission is to bring Old Friend back to the Shah for treatment and interrogation, although given Old Friend’s poor condition, interrogation in Aden is very likely once Old Friend is awake and able to endure being questioned.

Though speculative, it’s certain the Shah People highly value Old Friend and will reinforce security and improve medical conditions, so I believe Old Friend will be transferred from the current camp to Shah’s largest military base in Aden, where rescue operations will be more difficult."

Over the phone, Justin voiced all the intelligence he had at once. Gao Yang said gravely, "My team has confirmed that Old Friend is still alive, undergoing the second surgery."

Justin promptly said, "I don’t have the exact timing for the action team, but based on this intelligence, I believe the workgroup dispatched by Riyadh’s Intelligence Bureau has reached Aden."

Gao Yang quickly responded, "So, Old Friend is likely to be transferred from the Gulf Cooperation Council Allied Forces infantry camp to a military base primarily run by the Shah."

"Correct, very likely, but it depends on Old Friend’s condition. Once Old Friend’s condition allows transfer, he’ll be sent to the military base. Where surgery takes place doesn’t matter, but the Shah’s military base offers better medical conditions. If Old Friend’s condition permits flying, he’ll undoubtedly be moved to Riyadh."

Gao Yang pondered for a moment and said solemnly, "Understood, keep in touch."

The situation has changed.

The camp where Hammer is being held is a Gulf Cooperation Council Allied Forces camp, meaning it’s just resting quarters, not capable of combat, while Justin’s mentioned military base is Shah’s only one in Aden, equipped with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, ready combat troops, and numerous transport and attack helicopters.

Rescuing from the camp still holds some success possibility, but assaulting a military base with thousands of combat-ready troops has a success chance of zero.

However, the road from the multinational troop camp to the Shah’s military base appears to be an ideal spot to intervene, seemingly with higher success probability than rescuing directly from the camp.

Gao Yang called Tarta again, explained the situation, and then said gravely, "Seems like we should delay the rescue operation to allow Hammer to get a better medical environment. After the Shah People successfully stabilize Hammer, we can strike on the road. What do you think?"

Tarta responded without hesitation, "You decide."

Gao Yang said slightly helplessly, "I’m seeking your opinion now."

Tarta immediately said, "With Hammer’s current condition, rescuing him will lead to his death. Let the Shah treat him, and rescue him when he’s stable enough to be moved. It’s a very wise decision."

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