Chapter 1953 - 1428: Call from an "Old Friend" (Part 3)

"Time?"

"Eight o'clock tonight, the usual spot at the Tulip Hotel, third-floor 'Tigris' private room. You know how to get in, just give my name."

Robbin's voice carried a slight sense of relief.

"Do you need me to send a car to pick you up?"

"No need, I'll get there myself." Song Heping declined. "See you at eight."

"Great! Looking forward to dinner with you, Song. We definitely need to have a good chat tonight!" Robbin enthusiastically hung up the phone.

Song Heping placed the satellite phone aside, took off his sunglasses, and rubbed his brow.

The air conditioning in the car was sufficient, yet he felt a hint of heat.

Moments later, he said to Jiang Feng, seated in the passenger's seat, "Back to Baghdad. I'm meeting Robbin, the AAFES Company's director, at the Tulip Hotel at eight tonight; people from Black Water and Sparta will be there too."

Jiang Feng responded calmly, "Their ears are really sharp. You just returned and they already know. Is it about that batch of goods?"

"Without a doubt." Song Heping said, "Arrange two reliable teams to stand by at different positions around the hotel by seven-thirty tonight. Keep communication open, and ensure vehicles can start anytime. If I don't contact you or send the agreed emergency signal by one in the morning, you know what to do."

"Understood. Do you need us to scout the Tulip Hotel ahead of time? Can we have someone get in?" Jiang Feng asked.

"No need. The Tulip Hotel is heavily guarded inside, and it's all their people. Planting a mole is too risky and could alert them." Song Heping thought it over before saying, "However, check the registration records of vehicles entering and exiting the Tulip Hotel in the last twenty-four hours, particularly for high-level vehicles from the US Army system, intelligence system, and those defense companies. Look for any abnormal frequent trips or people who shouldn't be seen together visiting at the same time."

"Already checking through channels. Also, should we strengthen the security of the Mosul warehouse? I'm concerned they might exert pressure from multiple lines."

"Inform the warehouse to elevate the alert level to the highest these two days. Without my direct orders, no one should approach the core zone, including our own non-core personnel." Song Heping instructed, "Also, through our channels, find out which departments Black Water, Sparta, and the like have been in frequent contact with internally in the Illiguo government recently, especially the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the main tribal forces. I want to know what other paths they are exploring besides talking to me."

"Got it. I'll report back with any news immediately." Jiang Feng paused, sounding somewhat concerned, "Old squad leader, are you going in alone tonight?"

"Alone. Going in with others would seem uncertain. Inside the Tulip Hotel, they won't dare make a move; it's their territory, and there are 'rules' to follow." Song Heping's tone was calm: "The real risk lies after leaving or at the negotiating table. So preparation outside must be solid."

"Don't worry; I'll arrange it well." Jiang Feng nodded.

Hanging up the phone, Song Heping leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Yet his mind was like a high-speed processor, piecing together and analyzing various information fragments.

Robbin representing AAFES in the invitation is quite subtle.

AAFES's relatively "neutral" business logistic role seems more "soft" than directly involving armed contractors, leaving more room for maneuver for both sides.

Does this imply the other party prefers to "talk it out" first?

The interests of those companies gathering together aren't entirely aligned.

Black Water might be eyeing heavy equipment; Sparta perhaps wants to replenish consumption; KBR is more interested in transport and storage contracts; companies like MVM with intelligence backgrounds might have more complex ideas.

There is also competition among them. This could be a gap to exploit.

Are the shadows of certain intelligence agencies among them?

Robbin's AAFES identity accesses many information streams, naturally linked to intelligence systems.

Is this gathering purely a commercial test, or does it have other objectives?

Or both?

And what about the attitude within the Illiguo government?

Minister Rashim just showed willingness for cooperation, and these contractors came knocking.

Is this mere coincidence, or is someone intentionally spreading the word, hoping to use external pressure to influence the dealings?

Questions swirled in his mind.

Yet Song Heping knew, tonight's meeting at the Tulip would be the first multi-party direct strategic battle in handling this batch of military supplies.

No longer dealing with local intermediaries or government officials but confronting a group of seasoned, greedy, complex-background "colleagues" who are equally familiar with the rules of this land.

What do they want?

Share dividends?

Cooperation?

Or pressure for him to withdraw?

Or simply probing for information?

And what could Robbin and the AAFES company behind him gain from this meeting?

This night's 'banquet' must be attended, not only to clarify the opponent's intentions but potentially to uncover hidden alliances or conflicts, or even...

Discover unexpected opportunities.

The convoy turned, heading back to Baghdad.

Song Heping instructed the driver, "To the hotel we stayed at before. Prepare simply, eat something, get some sleep, full energy, and take me to the Tulip Hotel an hour early tonight."

"Yes, Boss." The driver nodded repeatedly, "I will follow your orders, don't worry."

Arriving a bit early at the destination's perimeter, confirming certain information through his channels one last time, this was Song Heping's habit.

Never fight an unprepared battle, especially when the opponent has already set the stage; caution is necessary.

The game had begun the moment the phone rang indeed.