Mr. Riley didn’t know Charlie’s true plan. He was relieved to hear that Charlie was going to pay the ransom in exchange for his daughter.
Originally, he’d hoped the U.S. Embassy would be able to rescue the hostages, but the U.S. Embassy’s attitude was very firm and didn’t give the rebels any room for negotiation.
Charlie, however, is willing to pay the ransom the rebels requested of the US embassy. He feels that once the core demands of the rebels are met, they would naturally keep their word and release the hostages.
He spoke gratefully “Charlie, it’s all up to you!”
Charlie smiled slightly and said, “Uncle Riley, don’t worry, the plane is about to take off, so I won’t keep you.”
Mr. Riley quickly said “Ok, call uncle when you get back!”
After hanging up the phone, Charlie was then seated in the Concorde. He and Isaac Cameron quickly buckled into their seats as the aircraft accelerated to the end of the runway and lifted into the air.
The aircraft climbed to it’s cruising altitude of 18,000 meters and entered supersonic flight.
Charlie lay back against his comfortable first-class seat and relaxed with his eyes closed, while Isaac made multiple calls with a satellite phone, writing copious notes during brief conversations.
Halfway through the flight, Charlie opened his eyes, looked at him, and asked curiously “Isaac, what’re you writing there?”
Isaac hurriedly said “Master, your grandfather gave me the contact information of the family’s Lebanese contact. I called them to get more specific information about the situation on the ground. Now I am sorting out the resources we’ll need to use.”
Charlie asked favonovel.com “Is there any new information that’ll be useful for us?”
Isaac said “Yes, the position of the rebel garrison has been found. It’s located in a small mountain town about 80 kilometers north of the Syrian capital. Your grandfather temporarily opened the border on both sides so you can board a helicopter when we land and immediately fly to the rebel stronghold.”
He paused for a moment, then continued “Master, the strength of the rebel forces there is still formidable. According to sources, they have thousands of soldiers equipped with AK’s, dozens of tanks and APCs, and four combat ready helicopters. If we fly directly in, we will most likely be intercepted before we can get close enough, and shot down.”
Charlie pondered for a moment, and then said “Very well, tell our Lebanese contact to prepare a plane. The aircraft will fly me high above the destination, and I’ll parachute down.”
Isaac blurted out and asked “Master, you’re going by yourself!?”
Charlie said with a smile, “Of course, well, the two of us.”
Isaac replied “Master, what I meant was we’d better mobilize a group of mercenaries located in Lebanon. I’ve asked the matchmaker to contact the mercenary resources in Lebanon, and I’m also trying to contact as many mercenaries as possible.”
Charlie waved his hand “These rebels have over two thousand soldiers and heavy weapons, they’re basically a full regiment. Given the number, it really doesn’t make sense to hire mercenaries.”
“In order to beat them, we’d need a similar number of well-equipped mercenaries. And then keep in mind, they’re stationed in a small mountain town, they’ve probably established firm control over the area.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “If we start a war with them, they will likely get several thousand more soldiers to help swell their ranks and fight us off. Honestly, the governmental forces probably failed due to underestimating the enemy.”
“Finally, this time the purpose of our visit is to save people, not to wipe out a group of rebels for the Syrian government. They are likely to kill all those hostages in that situation, so even if we destroy them, in the end we still lose.”
“Master,” Isaac Cameron said helplessly “Wouldn’t it be more dangerous if you sneak in by yourself? And once you’re in, how will you get the hostages out?”
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