Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 364 - 347: Famous Scene_2

Chapter 364: Chapter 347: Famous Scene_2

Panetta sighed softly.

There was nothing he could do, nothing he could achieve.

Armed helicopters rained down a barrage of fire, while transport helicopters began deploying infantry.

"The British are willing to send their ace SBS for this decapitation operation, which serves as our double insurance. Even if the missile earlier didn’t kill the truck driver, he absolutely cannot escape the subsequent sweep," Mason said with utmost confidence.

The President liked subordinates who exuded confidence. He smiled and said, "I know the UK’s SBS are quite good. Patch me through to the front-line communication; I want to have a few words with their field commander."

"Uh, sorry, to prevent anyone from tipping off Sky Garden, we’re utilizing electronic jamming."

As he spoke, Mason looked toward Panetta with a gaze that fiercely scrutinized him as if he were an inside man.

Panetta said nothing.

There was nothing to say.

The British went in.

"Once the British have delivered the target, the battle will be completely over. Whether the target is dead or alive, in at most five minutes, we’ll see the truck driver," Mason said with extreme confidence, making the President glance at his watch.

Time ticked away, second by second.

There were only aerial images, no details, no live audio – this bird’s-eye view of the live broadcast wasn’t very interesting to watch.

Finally, the President couldn’t help saying, "It’s been ten minutes."

Mason still confidently said, "No problem, although the target is surrounded by strong protective forces, he’s as good as dead under our powerful assault."

The President sighed and said, "It’s a pity that this is just a demonstration of capability; the target has too little presence."

Clearly, it would have been better if, like his predecessor, he could have taken out Ben Laden, who garnered global attention, unlike the truck driver who was virtually unknown.

Mason smiled and said, "This is just a rehearsal. We can perfectly execute an operation to take out ISIS’s Baghdadi, whenever you wish, sir."

The President nodded in satisfaction, then he suddenly said, "Let’s remove the electronic jamming; I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. I would still like to see the live feed, we have... um."

Considering the peculiarities of the English language, the President didn’t know how to say the professional military jargon that would make him appear knowledgeable.

Mason immediately said, "Of course, I’ll notify them to switch off the electronic jamming right away."

Holding a satellite phone, Mason spoke a few words, and then the electronic jamming aircraft circling the battlefield immediately flew away.

The fuel was already running low; since they no longer needed electronic jamming, they, of course, withdrew from the battlefield immediately.

Mason confidently said, "Let’s switch to the front-line feed."

The President watched with interest.

Until he saw corpses littering the ground.

There was a short pause in the scene, but the sounds came through clearly.

"Save me!"

"Cover, cover!"

"Hand grenade..."

Every phrase was clear, but the camera was still; it seemed not that the signal was jammed but that the person carrying the camera had died.

Hm?

Panetta suddenly perked up.

What was happening?

Just as this question flashed through Panetta’s mind, the President frowned and said, "Uh, it seems the situation at the front... isn’t that good?"

Mason maintained his composure and said, "This is quite normal, the target is guarded by Russia’s most elite special forces. Although they operate under the guise of mercenaries, everyone knows those are KGB..."

Panetta stayed silent, just watching.

He enjoyed the spectacle, even though he could barely see anything. Listening to the British cries of panic and even despair sent shivers down his soul.

Mason continued to put up a strong front.

Panetta thought that if he were doing the same job, he would certainly use the excuse of a signal interruption to end this disastrous version of a live broadcast.

Then Panetta felt his phone vibrate.

Someone was calling him at this moment, and only heaven knew that Panetta dared not answer any calls during this crucial time.

But the phone kept ringing, and now the British offensive was not just stalled—they seemed to be facing a counterattack.

Unable to see a clear picture, after all, it was footage provided by the British, not from American forces themselves.

The President spread his hands, and Panetta thought he saw an opportunity, so he spoke up for the first time.

"Mr. President, I have an important matter to attend to, I need to take a call."

Asking to take a call in front of the President, Panetta was bold because he had decided to go all in.

The President waved a hand.

Panetta walked out of the meeting room and took out his phone in the corridor, called back without bothering to explain anything, and just whispered a few words to Gao Yi.

Then Panetta did not go straight back to the meeting room. Instead, he made a call to someone who should have been impossible to contact.

"I don’t know if you’re aware of what’s happening, but the President is watching a live broadcast from Baghdad. The British might cut the signal, I suggest your drones could take over in providing the signal, and, if we could cooperate, you won’t regret it."

The person on the other end said nothing and hung up, but with that call, Panetta had fulfilled his promise to Gao Yi.

Panetta strolled back to the meeting room, didn’t knock, and someone opened the door for him.

Upon entering, he discovered that the British had cut the signal, and now there was only the high-altitude footage from CIA drones.

Panetta remained silent; it was not yet time to speak because there were still severer tests to come.

The atmosphere turned awkward, very heavy.

Mason was delivering a lengthy discourse, carefully explaining all the details of the operation, or rather, the whole concept.

The waiting time for the arrival of the armored forces was agonizing for Mason, and it was equally torturous for Panetta.

"Sir, the Pentagon’s reconnaissance planes have reached the airspace above the battlefield and are sending high-definition images. The fighter jets are preparing to take off and will be ready to bomb once they finish arming."

The President was extremely dissatisfied, "How long has it been? The Pentagon is just sitting on the sidelines; they don’t even care about the orders from the White House anymore."

After a brief complaint, it didn’t matter, as he had not included the military in the plan to begin with. This time was a performance for CIA’s Freedom Wind.

The tanks arrived.

Two tanks and three armored vehicles put on a performance that left a deep impression; it didn’t seem like a battle but more like a grand show.

Apart from the President, who couldn’t understand, the performance was nearly perfect.

The military deployed more drones, presenting a clearer view of the battle that had been going on for more than half an hour.

"It looks good, the Iraqis are doing well."

The President was pleased, and Mason promptly added, "Freedom Wind is in command, this time..."

Then a bomb exploded above a tank, but it was inconsequential.

Panetta was thrilled; he hoped the tank would be destroyed.

Mason was scared; he truly feared another failed assault.

Then came a memorable scene.

A man jumped out of a window, first landing on a tank and attacking the infantry between the two tanks, then he quickly climbed onto the other tank, repeatedly smashing something in his hand onto the tank.

The President couldn’t help but say, "What is he doing?"

Mason was speechless.

Panetta made his first meaningful statement since entering the meeting room.

"Mr. President, it appears that he is trying to destroy the tank."

No one in the room made a sound.

The President said in astonishment, "Zoom in, let me see."

The footage from the drone was clear, but still not sufficient to see particularly fine details.

The image was indeed enlarged, but before more details could be discerned, the man who had been smashing the tank suddenly jumped off it and entered a window on the now blurry screen due to the magnification.

And then, the tank exploded.

With the explosion of the tank, Panetta’s heart blossomed with joy; he felt as if gas had instantaneously filled his body, making him feel complete.

Mason began to look stunned, like a balloon beginning to deflate.

The President pointed at the TV in surprise, "What happened?"

Panetta stepped forward, his tone steady, "The tank has been blown up, Mr. President."