Chapter 513

Chapter 513: Chaos of War

On the fourteenth floor of the Dragoon Consortium headquarters, the lights burned brightly almost twenty-four hours a day. The information center operated in four shifts, each lasting six hours to manage a high-intensity workload. Waves of information flooded in; despite the air conditioning running at full power, the backs of the twenty-four information handlers were drenched in layers of sweat. After each shift change, they were nearly carried away from exhaustion.

Intense work, pressure, insomnia—everyone operated at full capacity, and this state had been maintained for nearly two weeks.

This was simply the result of a war operation mechanism coordinated by the Chinese side. No one dared to relax even the slightest bit; various warnings hung on the walls, like “Mistakes mean death” and “The fate of your brothers and sisters is in your hands,” reminding everyone that this was war, not a game.

“Report! The enemy has breached the first line of defense in Takhar Province, Taloqan has fallen. We lost 77 men, eliminated one enemy artillery position, destroyed five D-30 howitzers, and fifteen trucks, suspected to be government forces, estimating around 122 enemy casualties!”

“Understood!”

Sally sat in front of the large model setup in the command hall, a model constructed from satellite scans of the terrain and created with the help of the Chinese military. Of course, nothing bore any Chinese markings, not even the serial numbers on the weapons, which had been deliberately ground off.

Earlier that morning, a major from the Dragoon military base had come to review the situation, pointed out some command errors in the defense team, and left quickly.

Sally greatly appreciated the help from the Chinese. Although they weren’t entirely helping them, they always highlighted the critical issues. The cooperation between the two sides remained discreet, and she believed that after this challenge, the military strength of the Dragoon Consortium would ascend to a new level, genuinely acquiring the ability to wage war and no longer allowing the government to treat them as insignificant.

“Update the model!”

Sitting firmly at the command center, Abik displayed a stoic expression, calculating complex strategies in his mind as if it were a computer. Prior to becoming a mercenary, he had served in the Afghan government army and had years of war experience. Though he was capable of small-scale skirmishes, managing a large-scale battle was a first for him, presenting both a challenge and a way to solidify his position as the head of the military department in the Dragoon Consortium.

To ensure the development and dominance of Dragoon in the four northern provinces, Abik had not forgotten to recruit reliable military talents, even poaching friends from the government army to build a military training program and form the officers’ team in the defense team.

Last night, the enemy artillery squad, suddenly joined by government forces, had destroyed the first line of defense. Upon receiving this unfavorable news, Abik immediately mobilized his elite guard and deployed four armed helicopters to eliminate this significant threat, the 122mm artillery squad.

He ended the danger before the five 122mm howitzers could unleash their full destructive power.

This was both a warning and a display of the Dragoon Consortium’s strength, proving their firm control over the four northern provinces was not just a manifestation of economic strength but also a resolute show of military might.

Looking back, he felt fortunate; no defensive structure or the morale of the soldiers could withstand the onslaught of large-caliber shells.

If the artillery squad had been allowed to continue existing, it was likely that by dawn, the Dragoon Consortium headquarters would receive terrifying news of a mass retreat from several lines of defense, and the battle in Takhar Province would plunge into an irretrievable crisis.

The personnel responsible for updating the model nodded to Sally and Abik, changing the insignia of the small city of Taloqan on the model to that of the enemy while adjusting the troop numbers for both camps.

Inside the command hall, aside from the busy chatter in the communication center, there were sounds of data being classified and organized, and the staff responsible for strategy quietly discussed among themselves while others remained silent.

“Sally, the government army is on the move! Order the second battalion of the defense team to maneuver from the west, sending elite soldiers to scout their supply gathering point, and find opportunities to strike it. The third battalion of the defense team will continue to monitor the other ten thousand enemies in Panjshir Province. Hurry up and evacuate the civilians, and mobilize the militia quickly.”

Abik fixed his gaze tightly on Taloqan, the capital of Takhar Province. The enemy had prepared for a long time; although they were filled with internal contradictions and chaos, their numbers were undeniably present. It was unexpected that the government army would strike decisively, losing an artillery squad, which would surely hurt them. They had brought this upon themselves.

“A fresh batch of mortar shells and bullets has just arrived. I’ve sent them out with orders for the troops not to conserve ammunition; fire away! We’ve already lost two helicopters this week, but the enemy has lost even more. Abik, hang in there a little longer. Our ‘Super Dodo’ will be ready for action soon. Once we gain air superiority, we can launch assaults on their troop concentrations and supply points. I refuse to believe this rabble has any fighting power left without ammunition and after heavy casualties.”

Just as organized, Abik was responsible for military matters while Sally handled all war supplies and logistical support. However, the A-29 “Super Dodo,” their powerful weapon, remained firmly in her hands.

Dragoon jewelry stores, spread across major cities worldwide, had been clearing out unsold inventory for two weeks to recover funds. Sally could access large sums of cash to purchase substantial amounts of arms from the Chinese military.

Compared to the precious lives of the defense team soldiers, Sally upheld the theory that firepower wins battles, valuing money over lives.

On the wall, a display screen showed updated data representing troop strength, casualties, and significant weaponry for both sides.

Enemy forces: 20,635 personnel, 18,330 combat personnel, 2,305 support personnel.

Own forces: 8,335 personnel, 5,121 combat personnel, 3,214 support personnel. Note: Additional 11,200 civilian workers.

It looked more like an instant strategy video game, but these numbers represented bloody lives, cries of widows and orphans, and a family’s despair.

Despite her well-prepared compensation and aftermath work, far more generous than the cold-blooded warlords who regarded lives as mere grass, each soldier offered their unwavering loyalty and combat strength in gratitude. However, after experiencing the chaos of war, Sally knew it was still far from enough. The pain of war could not even be healed with time.

Though they lacked a numbers advantage in terms of troop count, the logistical support of Dragoon, popular support, and geographical advantages were clearly evident. Sally was determined not to compromise with foreign powers, bolstered not only by the support of the Chinese military but also by the support of the people in the four northern provinces.

It was an unbreakable rule that ordinary people rewarded rulers who brought them peace and stability far more than the rulers’ investments. Even guns could not forcibly alter this deep-rooted loyalty among the citizens.

The economic backbone of the Dragoon Consortium came not just from jewel stores across major cities but also from the livelihood economies of the four provinces, contributing to its financial income. Though this currently made up a small proportion, as the economy grew, this would rise significantly.

Waging war involved more than just sheer troop numbers; it also relied on logistics and public support. Stockpiles of arms meant one person with one gun was nowhere near enough.

After the conflict began, the consumption of ammunition, the damage and loss of firearms, and the consumption of food and resources would rise exponentially.

When the illegal armed militants advanced into Takhar Province and fired the first shot of war, the Dragoon Consortium had barely prepared, managing to set up just four lines of defense. They could only buy time and gather more war supplies by deepening their strategy to deplete the enemy’s strength as much as possible.

These armed militants were not the Japanese; they didn’t care about occupying territory. They disregarded economic development and civilian lives, aiming straight at the heart of the Dragoon Consortium—Gem Valley.

Along the way, they burned, killed, and looted, destroying everything in sight, leaving little behind, even more destructive than locusts. These scoundrels brought nothing but ruin.

Having anticipated the enemy’s maniacal behavior, the Dragoon Consortium had to reduce the available military forces, mobilize militia to assist with civilian evacuations, and actively bear the burden of food and daily necessities to prevent the flames of war from affecting the population.

Homesteads could be rebuilt, but lives lost meant everything was gone.

“Report! Airport number three has been attacked; one ‘Super Dodo’ has been destroyed beyond repair, while the other two sustained some damage and are undergoing emergency repairs. Only one remains intact. A pilot instructor from the Brazilian Aerospace Security Company has died, two mechanics are slightly injured, seventeen security personnel are dead, forty-seven are injured, eleven armed attackers have been killed, and nine have been captured. Confirmation of forty-two attackers. The security team and Dragoon military base personnel are currently searching for the remaining twenty-two attackers.”

“What?”

Sally gasped in horror, slamming her hand on the armrest of her chair, suddenly standing up. The shocking news hit her like a thunderclap, blurring her vision and making her feel faint.

Abik also stood up, equally alarmed, turning to look at Sally. This news was truly terrifying.