Chapter 1952 - 1428: Call from an "Old Friend" (Part 2)

Song Heping understood this all too well.

Receiving this shipment of arms not only meant gaining a hefty profit, but also shouldering a hot potato.

The matter was far from over!

As the convoy just left the northern outskirts checkpoint of Baghdad, the satellite phone in Song Heping's pocket vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

A local Baghdad number, but not one in his contacts.

After a moment's hesitation, he pressed the answer button.

"Song! My dear friend! Guess who I am?"

On the other end of the line came a warm, distinctly Southern American accented voice, fluent in English but with a unique twang.

Song Heping's memory was instantly pulled back several years.

That voice, that deliberately exaggerated friendliness, belonged to a well-known figure in a specific circle.

"Robbin." Song Heping calmly said the name: "Quite a surprise. What made you suddenly think of calling me?"

The person on the other end was Robbin, the head of the AAFES Iraq Branch.

Not a stranger, but an old acquaintance.

Back when he and Chef had just established the "Musician" defense company, carving out a niche in Iraq, it was Robbin who invited him to the Tulip Hotel to drink, meet with a group of contractors, and form a small alliance.

However, later he clashed with the CIA and was labeled a KB member. After that, he left Iraq, losing touch with Robbin.

To put it bluntly, it was merely a relationship of interests; talking about friendship would be futile.

"Ha! You actually remember me! That's great!"

Robbin's laughter came through the receiver, a bit unnaturally cheerful.

"These years you've been completely out of touch. Occasionally, there are rumors in the circle, some say you went to Africa, others say you returned to Asia, and some even say you..."

He paused, skillfully omitting the ominous speculation.

"In any case, to hear that you're back in Baghdad, I can hardly believe it! Old friend, we must meet!"

On the surface, AAFES is responsible for retail and services within the US military bases, but on this unique piece of land in Iraq, its reach extends far beyond.

As an important component of the US military logistics system, AAFES deeply engages in many material flows and supporting services, even directly operating several properties in the Green Zone, including the Tulip Hotel.

As the branch manager, Robbin holds significant influence within this circle.

"Indeed, it's been a long time."

Song Heping's gaze turned to the barren scenery retreating past the car window, his brain rapidly analyzing the intent behind this call.

"Robbin, is there something you need?"

"Something I need?" Robbin's tone seemed wounded: "Oh! God! Reuniting with an old friend, does it need to be about something special? Of course, it's about catching up! How about tonight? Tulip Hotel, the old place, remember? We had some good whiskey there."

Tulip Hotel.

A top-tier hotel directly operated and managed by AAFES within the Green Zone, more of an exclusive club for foreign military contractors, intelligence personnel, diplomats, and some high-level Iraqi figures than just a hotel.

The hotel has an independent security system and strict access protocols, with two floors long-term rented by several major defense companies, equipped with dedicated meeting rooms and social spaces.

It's the Green Zone's core within the core, a hub where various lines of information, trade, and networks intersect.

Of course, Song Heping remembered.

Years ago, when he and his partner just secured their footing in Iraq, it was through Robbin at a private gathering in the Tulip Hotel that they met a number of active European and American military contractor heads.

That was both an introduction and an unspoken declaration of territory.

"Just the two of us?" Song Heping asked, casually.

"Oh, of course not! A few other old friends, you must remember them — Blake (Black Water's Iraq Business Director), Hansen (Spartan Defense Company Regional Manager), Old Tom (KBR Company Logistics Project Manager), and that always-smiling Italian, Marco (MVM Company Representative)... Everyone heard you're back and they all want to see you."

Each name Robbin mentioned represented a renowned global defense contracting company.

Black Water, Sparta, KBR, MVM...

These companies are key players who built vast networks of interests on this land after the Iraq War.

Song Heping was silent for a few seconds.

The news from these "old friends" was indeed timely.

He'd only been back in Baghdad for a few hours, and just finished meeting with Minister Rashim of the Ministry of Defense, when an invitation call chased him to the outskirts.

The purpose was unmistakable.

It was surely about the twenty-five billion in arms.

This wasn't just about intelligence efficiency but also a demonstration — we're watching, and we know what you're up to.

To go or not to go?

Not going would mean directly tearing faces, pushing these potential collaborators to the opposite side, with unpredictable reactions.

Moreover, he did need to understand the current attitudes and movements of these "big players."

Going, however, meant actively walking into a venue full of probing, scheming, and even threats.

These people represent different corporate interests, various national backgrounds, and might even have intricate ties with intelligence agencies.

Especially given that he might still be on certain agencies' "watch" lists.

Weighing the pros and cons rapidly in his mind.

Finally, Song Heping made up his mind.

He had to meet them, even if it was a Hongmen Banquet, he must attend.