Jason was originally prepared to present an action plan, but was one second too late as Long Zhan beat him to the punch.
Trusting Long Zhan's personal abilities, Jason did not interrupt his speech, instead curiously and expectantly focused his gaze on him.
Although, according to the unspoken rules of DEVGRU, new foreign aides typically had no right to speak.
The reason is quite simple.
Firstly, as a newcomer, you generally lack both ability and practical experience, and what you express may likely be a bunch of nonsense, wasting precious time in the meeting.
Secondly, as a foreign aid, you do not understand the unit that is executing the mission.
Without knowing the unit's capabilities, any plan you devise will have a major flaw, as it won't be able to leverage the unit's maximum effectiveness, and you might end up in a situation where you’re selling gold for the price of copper.
Commander Eric, unfamiliar with Long Zhan, would certainly intervene to stop someone from breaking the rules.
However, just as he turned around to say, "Newcomer, it's not your time to speak yet. If you don't want me to kick you out of here, I suggest you sit down," the speaker behind him blared to life.
"Who is speaking?"
As expected, it caught the attention of the admiral. Long Zhan smirked slightly, took a few steps forward, and entered the camera's view to respond, "Reporting, sir, foreign aid of Bravo Team, and Green Team trainee, Staff Sergeant Long Gibran."
"Son, I haven't seen you before, but that doesn't matter. I admire your courage. We at JSOC need outstanding soldiers like you who can think independently. Tell us your solution."
The admiral didn't care about whether someone was a newcomer or a veteran. To him, they were all just soldiers, and he simply needed someone to step up and solve his problems.
Long Zhan confidently stated that he had a solution, which struck a chord with the admiral.
Since the superior of his superior had already agreed for Long Zhan to speak, Eric could only swallow his words and step aside.
At that moment...
Everyone, including Mandy, who had a grudge against him, her intelligence team, the formal members of Bravo Team, and his fellow trainee, Clay, focused their attention on Long Zhan.
As a newcomer and a foreign aid, being able to speak in front of the highest level of the Joint Special Operations Command set a historical precedent.
Most people would feel somewhat uneasy under the gaze of so many generals.
However, Long Zhan remained confident and composed, walking from the back to the front, arriving next to the 1:100 scale model of the target building on the left.
"Last night, Bravo Team entered Lionheart’s town and conducted an on-field reconnaissance of the target building area.
“As a foreign aid of Bravo Team, I participated in the entire operation and spent the whole night carefully exploring the area, gaining valuable intelligence.
“Additionally, during my two years with the SEALs, I participated in two deployments to the Middle East and one to Africa, becoming familiar with local building structures.
“Based on my personal deductions, the target building is definitely not just as it appears on the surface. Beneath its two floors, there is likely an opening on the first floor that leads to a basement designed for hiding.
“According to the information provided by Officer Mandy, Samir is a person that’s very adept at preserving his own life.
“Therefore, I am very confident in asserting that Samir has likely already entered the target building with the help of the smoke.
“He is not on the first or second floor, but rather in the safest place, the basement.
“With this intelligence in hand, as long as we devise a targeted action plan, Bravo Team is fully capable of completing both tasks simultaneously."
Long Zhan's words were both true and false, perfectly conveying the information he had gathered from the television show through his personal experience.
Everyone in the conference room, including the big shots of the Joint Special Operations Command, found no contradictions in Long Zhan's words, instead, they were all amazed by his clear reasoning.
For a newcomer to possess such strong observational skills and excellent deductive ability, it was unbelievable!
"Mr. Gibran, you’ve exceeded my expectations. If I'm not mistaken, you already have a mature action plan, correct?"
The admiral's demeanor changed noticeably, showing more appreciation than before.
"You came up with a plan in just a few minutes?"
In the conference room, everyone, including Jason, Sonny, and Mandy, was astonished, their surprise replaced by shock upon hearing the admiral's guess.
Especially Mandy, who still held onto the impression of Long Zhan as a rough, brutish man. She had no choice but to see him in a new light now.
Feeling the change in the gazes of everyone in the meeting, Long Zhan's confidence grew stronger.
Pointing to the alley behind the building model, he spoke confidently, "We will infiltrate during the night, choosing the best time, 4 AM.
“After Bravo Team arrives at the back alley of the target building by vehicle, we will split into two assault teams to carry out the operation.
“None of General Lionheart’s armed pickup trucks are in the back alley, so the few guards there pose no threat at all
“Once the assault team gets close to the target building, one of the teams will use climbing gear to enter the second floor to rescue the hostage and eliminate any threats, while the other team will pry open the door to enter the first floor and is responsible for searching for the entrance to the basement.
“While Bravo Team’s assault teams begin their operation inside, Alpha Team will take off by helicopter.
“If everything goes smoothly, the assault teams will successfully rescue the hostage and capture the HVT in the basement just as Alpha Team’s helicopter arrives.
“By the time General Lionheart's forces react, we will have already evacuated by helicopter."
Long Zhan's action plan was straightforward and clear, with a strong focus on targeting the key issues directly.
The formal members of the action teams in the conference room could find no faults whatsoever.
"Well done, son."
The admiral was very pleased with Long Zhan's plan and immediately stated, "I think this plan is good, Eric. I’ll leave it to you from here on out. I look forward to your good news."
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