989: Chapter 974: Stubborn 989: Chapter 974: Stubborn After shaking hands, the most critical and troublesome issue of identity had been resolved in a rather confusing way.
After releasing his hand, Dani breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Mr.
Ram, I don’t know your background, and frankly, it’s not important anymore.
But I think you must be quite capable since General Jihad has strongly pushed for cooperation with you.
I believe that says enough.”
Having said that, Dani gestured for Gao Yang to sit, but then he quickly laughed, “Oh, it seems I got something wrong.
You are the real owner of this office.”
Gao Yang couldn’t help but smile and said, “That’s not important.
You are too polite.”
Dani then sat back behind his desk and entwined his fingers, speaking solemnly, “Let me briefly explain the situation.
Both the military and the official government of our country attach great importance to your arrival.
Originally, the base assigned to you was at Army Headquarters, but after comprehensive consideration, especially since your main combat operations involve helicopters for behind-the-enemy-lines missions, we have changed the initial plan and relocated your base here.”
After finishing, Dani pulled out a paper from a folder and handed it to Gao Yang, then said, “You can have a look.
This is a rough map of the airport.
The red line demarcated area is where you’ll be living, which is this row of houses we’re in right now—twenty rooms, all cleared out for you.
The green line is your combat readiness area, designated solely for your use.
We will have Sentinels stationed to ensure your separation from the base operations.”
Gao Yang looked it over, and the area marked out for them was not small.
At that moment, Dani continued, “To go on about the aircraft, as per your request, we have allocated three aircraft—two Mi-24 and one Mi-17, which are the best maintained in our fleet.
Of course, ground crews and aircrew members are also fully arranged and they will be under your command.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “Mr.
Dani, regarding the pilots, we have our own candidates, but we will need your side to provide a flight engineer for the Mi-17.
Of course, this is my plan, and the specifics might depend on the actual situation.”
Dani nodded and said, “Concerning the Air Force and Army, I won’t say much.
Your operation is special forces, and special operations cannot be separated from intelligence support.
Thus, I will be stationed here as a liaison officer from the Military Intelligence Bureau.
Mr.
Ram, we will be working together for a long time.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “I’m glad to be working with you.
I hope our cooperation will be pleasant.”
Dani smiled and said, “Pleasant cooperation, Mr.
Ram.
These are just some basic information.
Specific details will be thoroughly explained by liaisons from the Air Force and Army.
If you have no further questions, I think we should step outside, so as not to make Captain Farouk think I’m neglecting his distinguished guest.”
Gao Yang was in a very good mood—he and his team had been met with utmost enthusiasm and a cooperative attitude from all levels in Syria.
Being welcomed rather than questioned marked a good beginning for cooperation.
Gao Yang and Dani left the house laughing, got into a car, and returned to the runway.
The stance of the Military Intelligence Bureau was very crucial.
With General Jihad’s strong push and the military’s welcoming of Satan, and because the Military Intelligence Bureau had to be responsible not just to the military but also to the official government of Syria, agreement by the Military Intelligence Bureau meant that cooperation could be achieved.
Opposite stance would have meant the end of potential collaboration.
General Jihad had once promised Gao Yang to guarantee their safety.
If they couldn’t reach an agreement with the Military Intelligence Bureau, they’d leave just as they had arrived.
But now that the Military Intelligence Bureau had also shown a welcoming attitude, the cooperation was settled in just a few words, and Satan’s crew could disembark.
Gao Yang and Dani returned to the runway, where they encountered another individual—an Air Force lieutenant standing with Farouk.
As Gao Yang and Dani stepped out of the car and nodded to the two, they visibly relaxed.
Gao Yang didn’t board the aircraft but shouted at the door of the aircraft, “Come on down.”
About a dozen people casually disembarked.
Watching the people exiting in a single file, Farouk was all smiles and eager, occasionally greeting someone he knew.
Dani simply watched with a smile, while the Air Force lieutenant frowned at the casual demeanor of the disembarking crew.
After everyone had gotten off the aircraft, Farouk waved his hand and laughed, “Mr.
Ram, Major Dani has mostly briefed you, but I’ll add that because your operation plan involves two military branches, I will stay here as the Army liaison to coordinate with you.”
At that moment, the young Air Force lieutenant saluted Gao Yang and said solemnly, “Hello, I am Lieutenant Gilanor.
Vae.”
Gao Yang, out of habit, returned a mercenary salute and smiled, “Hello, lieutenant, you can call me Ram.”
Lieutenant Gilanor remained serious and asked, “What is your military rank?”
Gao Yang hesitated and said, “Oh, military rank?
Let’s forget about it, is it necessary?”
Lieutenant Jiranor looked serious, but he seemed displeased and said in a deep voice, “Mr.
Ram, this is the military, I need to know your rank to determine how to treat you, otherwise, should you salute me, or should I salute you?”
Captain Farouk’s face slightly changed color.
He was from the Army, with a rank of captain, while Jiranor, an Air Force liaison assigned to them, was just a lieutenant.
The mismatch in rank was one issue, but amidst the Army’s push and full cooperation of the Military Intelligence Bureau, his persnickering at such minutiae seemed inappropriate.
Gao Yang was not about to get angry, but what proper military rank did he hold anyway?
He had been a lieutenant colonel, nominally the highest commander of the Somali Skull Gang, but that was just a ceremonial title bestowed in jest.
Since ranks were self-appointed and could easily be promoted or demoted at will, Gao Yang hesitated whether he should reduce his own rank by two levels to become a captain, equal to Farouk, and one level below Major Dani, which would be more suitable in terms of etiquette.
Just as Gao Yang was about to speak, Glolov, looking serious, said sternly to Jiranor, “Our superior is a lieutenant colonel!”
As a lieutenant colonel, Gao Yang was unusually young.
Jiranor opened his mouth, but he quickly saluted Gao Yang sharply and loudly said, “Sir!”
Dani felt awkward because, if ranks were to be considered, since Gao Yang had declared himself a lieutenant colonel, he couldn’t object.
That meant he would have to salute Gao Yang the next time they met.
But if they disregarded rank and treated each other as equal partners, no one would need to salute, which would be simplest, or simply dismiss military etiquette entirely.
Unfortunately, Jiranor had broken this tacit understanding, making future interactions more complex where ranks were declared.
In the strictly hierarchical military, distinctions between ranks were extremely clear and crucial.
If they had to arrange seating by rank in the future, many complications would arise.
Gao Yang realized that Jiranor wasn’t trying to undermine him, he was just being stubborn and hadn’t grasped the special nature of cooperating with Satan.
He was too focused on following the rules.
After Jiranor saluted him, Gao Yang quickly returned the salute.
He noticed the awkwardness between Dani and Farouk, so he quickly said, “At ease, Lieutenant Vae.
Our previous relationship was a bit special.
So, let’s not consider ranks when we meet.
It will be convenient for all of us.”
Lieutenant Jiranor said sternly, “Lieutenant Colonel, this is the military, and I insist that since we are in the military, we must adhere to its rules, including the etiquette.”
After looking at Dani and Farouk, Gao Yang smiled and said, “So, if I’m not mistaken, the four of us will form a special group, right?”
Dani nodded and said, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “Then let’s do this.
You maintain your original ranks amongst yourselves, and we’ll treat each other as equals when we meet.
Does that sound good?”
Before Dani could speak, Jiranor immediately said, “No, Lieutenant Colonel, sir.
That’s not reasonable!”
Dani looked helpless, and so did Gao Yang.
Dealing with someone so obstinate was difficult, but if he were to truly hold the rank of lieutenant colonel, Dani and Farouk would need to salute him in the future, which wasn’t ideal since they were not from the same military service.
After thinking for a moment, Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “Well then, let’s just set my rank as major here.”
Setting the rank as major, equal to Dani and just a level above Gao Yang, covered all bases without imposing the highest rank within their small group.
Before Jiranor could speak, Dani quickly said, “That’s good.
It’s convenient for everyone.
Let’s settle on that.”
After Dani finalized their arrangement, Jiranor saluted Gao Yang again and said solemnly, “Sir, I am the Air Force liaison to your unit.
I am responsible for all matters concerning my unit, including ground support, ammunition replenishment, fuel supplies, etc.
Please contact me directly for such matters.
On behalf of all the officers and soldiers at this base, I welcome your arrival.”
After returning the salute formally to Jiranor, Gao Yang said in a deep voice, “Lieutenant, I would like to inspect the planes now, if that’s possible?”
Jiranor immediately said, “Of course, sir.
Please follow me.”
Gao Yang gestured to the people behind him and said, “Everyone, come along.
Let’s go look at the planes.”