Mercenary's War

Chapter 2434: Chapter 2410: Incredible Speed

In times of peace, traveling from point A to point B is a simple task. The road may be difficult, but there’s no need to worry about airborne bombs. However, during times of war, especially when one side possesses absolute air superiority, even a simple march becomes a complicated and dangerous endeavor.

During the Vietnam War, the Ho Chi Minh Trail hidden in the dense forest often faced relentless bombardment by the U.S. Army, making any transportation mission a risky venture.

During the Iraq War, the U.S. Army bombed a convoy retreating from Kuwait to Iraq, creating the infamous Highway of Death.

Now Saudi Arabia has officially commenced airstrikes against the Houthis Armed Forces. Regardless of the combat capability of the Saudi Army, at least the Saudi Air Force is modern, powerful, and has an endless supply of ammunition without significant targets to attack. In this scenario, a convoy with at least dozens of vehicles and five self-propelled artillery heading towards the sensitive frontline border would naturally be considered a bombing target.

Therefore, the march from Sana’a to Kinov, chosen as the Forward Base by Gao Yang, although only three to four hundred kilometers, has become exceedingly perilous.

To avoid being inexplicably wiped out halfway, Gao Yang could only hope for excellent intelligence work. For example, obtaining accurate schedules of air force deployments. Once Saudi warplanes take off, regardless of the bombing targets, the convoy must promptly conceal itself. Only by achieving this could Gao Yang dare to lead a convoy that, although inconspicuous in other countries, would be considered enormous in Yemen.

The air force is the priority focus because it concerns safety, but the Saudi Army is the primary focus because all of Satan’s actions must be adjusted according to the Saudi Army’s movements. If before departure, intelligence reveals large-scale deployments by the Saudi Army and that they are about to launch an attack, Gao Yang wouldn’t even bother heading to the northwest border; he would just wait for the Saudi Army to advance instead.

Due to these complex reasons, Yake had no choice but to monitor Saudi’s major and minor events, paying attention to the Saudi Army’s movements as well as the air force’s detailed operational plans.

However, unfortunately, the intelligence Justin provided contained very little related to the Saudi air force, and there wasn’t even one particularly valuable piece of intelligence.

Yake’s suggestion was to wait a bit longer. Though Gao Yang was anxious and frustrated, he could only accept Yake’s advice.

The purpose of having Yake was for intelligence. Ignoring the intelligence officer’s suggestions would defeat the purpose of having Yake and would be outright foolish.

Gao Yang glanced at his watch and said, "If you say wait a bit longer, then we can only wait. There’s no possibility of departing tonight. I’ll urge Justin and see when he can obtain air force intelligence."

Yake gestured and said, "Tell Justin and his subordinates to categorize the intelligence received from the Ministry of Defense, air force, army, and other significant departments. We are only four people, not a spy agency with hundreds of intelligence officers."

Gao Yang shrugged, and in front of several people, he called Justin. As soon as Justin answered, he urgently said, "Buddy, I need intelligence on the air force now, and the more detailed, the better. I’m afraid to lead the convoy out, fearing it might get bombed."

"I know, I get it. You don’t need to call to urge. Of course, I know what intelligence you need, but buddy, it’s just the first day of airstrikes. Even if I can buy any intelligence, I have to first contact those who can provide intelligence. Be patient; tomorrow or the day after, at the latest, air force intelligence will continuously flow to you. But not now; the Saudi Air Force is in warfare mode, brother, and obtaining intelligence isn’t that fast!"

Justin’s voice sounded urgent as well. Gao Yang knew Justin was likely overwhelmed too. The Saudi airstrike was anticipated, but Justin couldn’t concentrate all resources on Saudi Arabia before the airstrike started.

Unlike American or Russian intelligence agencies, Justin’s intelligence system is mostly temporary. He can’t maintain an intelligence network for an extended period, keep idle intelligence personnel to wait for the key moment to provide crucial intelligence because intelligence is just a business for Justin, and nobody wants to conduct a losing business.

Justin sent some of his controlled personnel to Saudi Arabia to gather intelligence, which ultimately means buying intelligence. It’s not like dispatching spies, so he can grasp the overall situation. For detailed intelligence like air force’s aircraft scheduling, there will inevitably be a delay. Until his agents have enticed and paved the way for intelligence gathering, only then will targeted intelligence be delivered.

Gao Yang couldn’t press Justin further, but addressing the technical issues that could be resolved was still possible.

"Can you ask your men to categorize the intelligence before transmitting it? For example, mark air force intelligence as air force, and army as army. We’re severely understaffed, distinguishing each piece is too..."

"What? I ask you, do you know how intelligence business is usually conducted? Intelligence gets here, categorized by type and importance, then priced and sold. Now? Now I’m letting agents directly transmit intelligence to you without transferring through me first. Do you know why? I’m watching the intelligence come to you free and it makes my heart bleed. No, I think sending intelligence to you directly ensures timeliness. Now you want me to organize intelligence before sending it to you?"

Gao Yang impatiently said, "We’re understaffed; organizing intelligence is troublesome. You have plenty of personnel—could you lend a hand, brother?"

"Buddy, who said intelligence must reach you first-hand immediately? Intelligence agents transmitting information have to portray it as common or junk mail; otherwise, would you dare to receive it?"

Gao Yang’s head was spinning, urgently saying, "Hold it! Buddy, lend a hand, find some people there, initially sort and filter intelligence, then send it over—we’re too swamped,"

Justin grunted irritably, but abruptly stopped complaining, and after a moment said to Gao Yang, "I just received very important intelligence. You should already have it: The 55th Fighter Squadron from King Fahd Military Base will dispatch six F-15 fighter-bombers at midnight local time tonight for airstrikes on Sana’a."

Gao Yang was both surprised and elated, loudly saying, "Is this flight schedule intelligence from King Fahd Military Base? We’ve obtained detailed air force intelligence?"

Justin proudly declared, "Buddy, as you wished, it’s apparent my men accomplished everything you hoped for, and did so with astonishing speed, just within half a day. I’m proud of them!"