Chapter 818 - 818: Invasion??
Meanwhile, the frontline unfolded just as Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue had anticipated. That night's operation had set the general trend in absolute motion, a wheel of history that no one could resist.
In fact, the use of helicopters and suicide cruise drones alarmed the regional powers more than the militia's achievements in expanding their territorial control.
All of them were taken aback by the sudden turn of events.
According to their intelligence services, wasn't the group supposed to be crushed on all fronts and steadily losing ground until they retreated deep into the mountains to recover and lick their wounds?
What was with the counterattack?
What was with the captured general from Government S?
Wait, had they read all the data wrong?
Several nations' intelligence departments were filled with question marks. Despite utilizing satellites and other sensor networks, they were completely blind.
Even after exchanging intelligence, they gained nothing until many days later, when both ISIS militants and representatives from Government S admitted what had happened that night.
A helicopter raid?
A drone barrage?
Heck, nothing had shown up on their feeds, whether from satellites or ground-based detection systems.
They didn't even believe the Kurds possessed rotorcraft capable of making such a commotion.
Nor did they believe their economy was capable of launching high-tech drones.
Everyone drew the same suspicion and silently looked toward the west.
If a big daddy was involved, it was possible, right?
Quite a play, huh.
On one hand, the president met with Government S's leader.
On the other, they funded the opposition.
As expected, the usual dirty tricks of a hegemonic superpower maintaining checks and balances.
Being weak was the sin.
Country A: "..."
No, guys. It's really not me!!!
As a result, Country A's intelligence network endured several rounds of scrutiny from other intelligence services.
Amid the mounting pressure, the CIA redirected some of it toward Mossad, which was already panicking over its missing internal handler and the recent annihilation of field operatives.
Although the entire process encountered several dead ends, everyone gradually pieced together the reality.
They had no choice but to believe Government S's reports, which matched the testimonies of ordinary soldiers and militants who had survived that night.
Don't mention foreign intelligence services—even Government S itself initially refused to believe its subordinates' reports, mostly dismissing them as cowardly excuses to avoid tribunals.
Only when everyone told the same story did they finally have no choice but to accept it
Thus, a name emerged—
GSS.
Global Sentinel Service.
A newly registered group listed under a mercenary union.
Very little information existed beyond the legally required details. The registration itself seemed to exist merely to avoid legal complications.
Everyone's mouths twitched.
When they attempted to investigate further online, they encountered all sorts of oddities.
Some searches redirected to bizarre websites.
Some systems suffered sudden CPU crashes.
In the end, they found nothing.
This didn't work.
That didn't work.
However, intelligence agencies around the world quietly placed GSS on their danger lists. At last, only human intelligence was vital and appropriate and it seemed they had to activate agents inside the Kurd groups.
Nonetheless, Xiao Yue had expected all the reactions when she decided to proceed with drone support and the helicopter raid. Hiding was fine, but Ling Qingyu wouldn't like wasting too much time.
Neither Xiao Yue nor Tang Ziyi fancied such an idea. Currently, the only weakness Ling Qingyu held was her weak network on the international stage—public, political, and underground.
If this female militia group succeeded and thrived, Ling Qingyu would secure a future foothold among the powers in the region.
Besides, attracting the attention of certain higher-ups wasn't without advantages if played well. As for how to play well, Xiao Yue sneered and immediately discarded the thought of using Tang Ziyi and Ling Qingyu. Only Athena was reliable.
She and Athena had already mapped out plans to play along with those intelligence services. The following months would become more and more interesting.
It seemed she enjoyed chaotic situations and the campaign of building power from scratch, though it wasn't really from scratch, considering she was using Ling Qingyu's foundation.
The warlordism in her blood boiled even more.
Before Tang Ziyi planned to leave, the militia had already expanded beyond what they had intended, and Xiao Yue had to persuade them to stop.
Even with their support, attacking was easy, but consolidating power and control wasn't.
Manpower was stretched too thin. Not to mention, the female militia would have to divide their spoils with other "comrades" who contributed nothing if they insisted. No one liked freeloaders.
Xiao Yue and Tang Ziyi also disliked wrangling over power with other groups. One was enough. Commander Ahmin and her aides were their representatives.
Fortunately, the gains were quite positive. Even Ahmin's militia's prestige rose as a result, facilitating future diplomatic efforts.
Weapons production was ready. Food and water were self-sustaining. Internet and communications were provided. Civil infrastructure had regained life, and the economy resembled that of a small town. Thriving was just around the corner.
On that particular day, just when Tang Ziyi was about to leave after complete preparation to ensure everything was arranged perfectly, Ahmin's words caught both Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue by surprise. Even Athena hadn't caught wind of the news.
Country I, close to the border, had begun offensive actions, intending to wipe out the Kurds.
Not Country I where Claude belonged, but a totalitarian and ruthless regime that had shut off all public networks inside its borders and adhered to an insane fanatical religious belief centered on eliminating all heretics.
Yes, they had openly declared it, even while attempting to behave diplomatically.
Anyway, it wasn't the female militia that was suffering, but another group. However, despite the clashes and issues between one another, they remained united against external enemies.
Ahmin came to consult Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue on whether GSS would intervene, particularly regarding technology related to anti-air systems and drones.
Although GSS had given free permission for the militia to use them, Ahmin wouldn't be impolite enough to proceed without prior agreement.
This was beyond her own militia group. Using these tools for her militia was understandable with proper reports and explanations. Going overboard would offend others.
"What do you want from us, Commander Ahmin?" Xiao Yue asked.
"Can we send over the weapons and ammunition we've manufactured locally to them?" Ahmin asked.
"Of course, Commander Ahmin. We never intended to control your small-arms logistics in the first place. You don't need to ask regarding such minor matters. We trust you."
Ahmin heaved a huge sigh of relief and expressed her gratitude.
"It's still a necessary gesture. You have helped us a lot. It's the least we can do as friends."
She stretched out her hand.
"Friends indeed. GSS will remain a strong ally to you and your militia group." Xiao Yue shook it.
When Ahmin looked toward Tang Ziyi, the latter simply hugged her and patted her back.
"You don't need to think too much, Ahmin. We are here to cooperate with you and support your cause, not others."
"You're pushing me into the power struggle," Ahmin responded reluctantly, her lips twitching.
"Like it or not, the moment we succeeded that night, you can't get off this vehicle anymore," Xiao Yue shrugged.
"Damn, religious fanatics!" Ahmin then cursed in her own language. But Athena had translated all those beeping tones and words.
Even if they weren't surprised, creases formed on the duo's forehead. It seemed they had to introduce Athena's immediate translation tools and let Ahmin see the effects so that she stopped swearing in front of them.
Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue exchanged understanding glances while beeping at Athena to stop translating this madness. They knew this playful niece did it on purpose. She still liked to play around. Alas.