Standing on the steps in front of the Congress Hall, the evening hot wind whipped sand grains against his face.

Song Heping took the satellite phone handed over by Jiang Feng, with an unfamiliar number displayed on the screen.

Ideally, this satellite phone number should be confidential, only accessible to close contacts, and even if it were regularly changed, strangers shouldn't be able to get it.

Anyone who could call this phone must be very familiar with him.

"Utekin?"

Song Heping searched his mind for a while but couldn't find anyone corresponding to the name.

However, he still redialed the number as per the caller's request.

The call connected quickly.

"Who are you? How did you know my number?"

Song Heping asked cautiously, probing for the caller's identity.

"Mr. Song?"

A low, hoarse Russian-accented English voice came from the other end, "Let me introduce myself, my name is Dmitry Utkin, co-founder of 'Vagner' company."

"Vagner?"

Song Heping was slightly shocked.

Isn't this the new defense group the Cook founded in Russia?

When in Russia before, the Cook had mentioned it to him.

Back then, when leaving Illiguo, and handing over the 'Musician' defense to him to return to Russia, it was actually due to the Cook's pride.

After returning to Russia, the Cook seemingly engaged in the restaurant business, but in reality, he had always wanted to form his own mercenary group.

"Vagner" was the realization of this idea.

Dining was just his way to connect with the high-level and expand his network.

In the past, Song Heping never asked the Cook about his newly established defense company or its operational status.

After all, that was a sensitive subject.

It's better not to ask about such matters.

Song Heping's brow furrowed slightly but imperceptibly.

"I know 'Vagner', but I don't know any Utekin."

Song Heping's tone was flat.

Before confirming someone's true identity, reservations were necessary.

"The Cook anticipated you'd say that."

There was a bitter chuckle from the other end.

"He told me to remind you that back in Moscow, you still owe him a favor, as it was he who provided you with the car and the GRU defense map, allowing you to escape Moscow."

Song Heping's fingers froze.

It seems this guy's identity isn't a pretense.

That night when he and Ferrari escaped Moscow, only the Cook knew what had transpired between them.

"What's happened to the Cook?"

Song Heping asked coldly.

"He's in trouble, in Siria."

Utkin's voice was even lower: "But I can't explain the details over the phone; we need to meet in person."

Song Heping's brain was racing.

The Cook, his old friend, a bond forged through life and death.

Moreover, the current 'Musician' defense was originally the Cook's team.

To this day, the Cook still holds shares in the company, although he no longer cares about that part of the income, but facts are facts.

If he's in trouble, of course he has to help.

"How do I know this isn't a trap?" Song Heping retorted.

He was well aware of his own identity.

And knew how many people he'd offended.

Ranging from the faraway CIA, to the recent Sena coup, the French would probably love to put a couple of bullets in his head.

"I know the trust between us hasn't been established, but I can give you time to investigate my background. I formerly served in the GRU Special Forces, participated in two Chechen Wars, and co-founded 'Vagner' with the Cook."

Utkin paused before adding, "The Cook also said he is still a shareholder in your company."

It matches up.

Only the founding team members such as Ferrari knew about the retained shares, not even later additions like Henry.

Utkin could know so many secrets between him and the Cook, this guy is probably the real deal.

"Where to meet?" he asked.

"Cairo," Utkin said, "as soon as possible, the Cook doesn't have much time left. Check your secret email - I mean the one the Cook used for confidential contacts with you, you'll receive the meeting place and time there."

After the call ended, Song Heping stood there, staring at the slowly setting sun into the horizon.

The victory of the Sen Republic suddenly seemed tasteless.

The Cook was in trouble.

With Siria's current chaotic situation, few could make it out alive.

Looks like he must take a trip to Cairo to find out what happened exactly.

"Where's Henry?"

He turned to Jiang Feng.

"At the new northern base." Jiang Feng replied, "Do you need me to call him over?"

"No, we are going back." Song Heping strode down the stairs, "Let Ferrari keep monitoring the mining area, report immediately if anything unusual comes up."

On the way back to the camp, Song Heping's satellite phone rang again.

Looking at the number, it was Ms. M.

"Song, the meeting this time was very successful." Her voice carried a British restraint and elegance, "London is very pleased with the way you've handled the French."

"Thank London for me."

Song Heping replied absent-mindedly.

"However..." Ms. M paused, "we noticed you received a call from a Russian number. Do I need to remind you that this is a critical time?"

Song Heping's pupils slightly contracted.

MI6 was indeed monitoring his communications.

M, that old woman, didn't let go after knowing his number.

The British, always so sly.

She called probably to test him.

After all, Sena now has two players.

She definitely doesn't want a third player to join in to gain interests.

"Personal matters, I can assure you it has nothing to do with Sena."

He answered briefly.

"I hope so." Ms. M's voice cooled down, "Remember, Song, you are now a significant piece on our board. Don't turn yourself into a discarded piece."

After hanging up the call, Song Heping sneered coldly.

A piece? He's always been a player.

This kind of old European butt, no matter how smart, still has an excessive confidence.

In the command tent in the center of the camp, Henry sat by his laptop, turned back, and asked Song Heping, "Tell me, what intel do you need?"

"Investigate a person."

Song Heping went straight to the point, "Dmitry Utkin, a Russian, former GRU Special Forces, co-founder of 'Vakner' Mercenary Company."

Henry's glasses reflected the blue light from the screen, "Give me half an hour."

Song Heping nodded, turned to Jiang Feng, "What is our current total force?"

"Currently, we have 2,000 people in the Sena direction, most are newly recruited, and a special operations company previously transferred from South America suffered heavy losses, now only one platoon has deployment capability."

Jiang Feng quickly replied, "In the Darfur Region, we have few troops now, only over 800 people, also comprised of newly recruited mercenaries and remaining forces from other armed organizations."

"Colonel Ka is now dead, the pressure in Darfur is not big." Song Heping rubbed his temples, "Having fewer people is no big deal, but this is newly occupied territory, and Lumar has some thoughts, so we must leave heavy troops for defense..."

Jiang Feng asked, "You suddenly asked about these, are you planning to get involved in the Siria situation?"

Song Heping was noncommittal.

Because he couldn't say.

From a benefits perspective, he is a defense group, supposedly being the hired party, the principle is to work for those who offer more benefits.

But this time's affair is different.

It involves the Cook.

This money would have to come from himself, after all, the emperor is never stingy on feeding soldiers.

To mobilize the company's mercenaries, what needs to be paid must be paid, even if he is the boss, he can't make exceptions.

But getting involved in the Siria situation is not what Song Heping wishes to see.

In such war-torn countries, actively getting involved doesn't provide much benefit unless someone is willing to concede interests.

"Currently, I do not wish to get involved in the Siria situation, but this Utkin said the Cook is trapped in Ashara Town in northeastern Siria, the situation is likely critical, if necessary, I will invest my own money and personally lead a team over. Matters involving the Cook cannot be ignored."

After a pause, he continued, "Leave the food in the Darfur Region temporarily to the White Bear couple, Grey Wolf is still responsible for the South American Special Forces Training School's affairs, currently the situation in Sena is unstable, Ferrari, Hunter, and Collins need to stay and preside over the overall situation, after all, he understands handling the French and British better, as for the current government, as long as the British don't nod, they don't dare to take action against us."

Speaking of this, his eyes fixed on Jiang Feng's face, "My intention is still for you and me to make a trip to Siria, and if necessary, transfer a South American special forces platoon, currently Siria's situation here even if we deploy all forces, it will only be cannon fodder, too many people are useless..."

Half an hour later, Henry retrieved a detailed file and placed it on the laptop screen.

"Dmitry Utkin, codename 'Philosopher', 46 years old, former GRU Special Forces Major."

Henry pointed to the photo on the screen - a Slavic man with a stern face and a gaze like an eagle.

"Participated in two Chechen wars, received a Medal of Courage. In early 2012, founded 'Vakner' Company with the Cook, this company mainly undertakes Russian Ministry of Defense's business and is responsible for protecting Russian interests in Africa and the Middle East, executing some gray missions."

Song Heping examined Utkin's combat records carefully - Grozny street battle, Northern Caucasus counter-terrorism operations...

This guy is a battle-hardened tough character.

"What's his relationship with the Cook?"

"Very close."

Henry pulled out several photos of the two in Siria.

"According to the information I've obtained, Utkin is the Cook's most trusted deputy, responsible for all 'Vakner' actions in the Middle East."

Song Heping nodded, "Credibility assessment?"

"85%." Henry adjusted his glasses, "But there's something strange - three days ago Utkin suddenly flew from Siria to Cairo, while the Cook at the same time lost contact near northeastern Siria, and there was an intense oilfield skirmish a few days ago in that area, I suspect the Cook's disappearance is related to this incident."

Song Heping's pupils slightly contracted, "Are you saying, it's confirmed the Cook is in trouble?"

"Most likely." Henry pulled out a satellite map, "This is a thermal imaging map of Ashara Town 48 hours ago, showing intense firefights. But strangely, there was no flight record of Russian Aerospace Forces in Siria that day, nor evidence showing Russian Army provided ground support."

Song Heping stared at the small town marked as the battle zone on the map, his stomach twisted.

The Cook might be trapped there, and the Russian Army seems to have abandoned him.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com