Chasing Stars in Hollywood

As one of the world's least developed countries, the number of televisions in Rwanda is almost negligible. However, due to the country's small size, the radio network covers the entire nation. The racist massacre that broke out on April 7th was largely the result of the Rwandan government using radio stations for nationwide incitement. Following this, not only did the Hutu military initiate purges, but many civilians, incited by the government, also became violent, raising their knives against their Tutsi neighbors. In just ten days, hundreds of thousands were killed.

Upon arrival, the Ukrainian mercenaries' first military action was to target and eliminate the headquarters of the radio station in Rwanda's capital and the relay stations in four surrounding provinces. This operation served both as a training exercise to test the capabilities of the pilots Simon recruited and to render the Rwandan government completely mute. This would prevent the government from using the radio to incite hostility against the Westeros mercenaries, avoiding a situation similar to that faced by US troops in Somalia last year.

The operation was highly successful. All 12 Mi-24 attack helicopters were deployed, divided into five teams, and easily destroyed all radio broadcasting equipment in Kigali and the four provincial capitals, catching the Rwandan government forces completely unprepared. However, there were some issues encountered.

Simon followed Celia Miller to an office on the west side of the villa, where five people were already waiting. Three men and two women. The men included Peter Mendelson, an expert on African affairs around fifty years old, and two former US military officers, Lt. Colonel Dan Rubiel and Major Martin Stillman, who had both participated in peacekeeping missions in Africa and were now retired. The two young women, both around 25 and dressed in OL suits like Celia Miller, served as translators and secretaries in Simon's personal military assistant office. Emily Choplin, a tall, slender brunette, specialized in Russian and Ukrainian, while the other, Zoe Hirst, a blonde with an equally impressive figure, was fluent in French and several African indigenous languages, including Kinyarwanda.

Including Celia Miller, these six individuals were part of a team Simon assembled after the outbreak of the Rwandan massacre. If their performance in the upcoming operations satisfied Simon, this office would be maintained to assist in the long-term expansion and layout of the Westeros system in Africa.

Since yesterday, the team had been working, assisting the local mercenary leadership in Rwanda through remote video calls to conduct initial assessments and rapid restructuring of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The 3,000 Ukrainian mercenaries in Africa were now reorganized into a reinforced regiment, divided into 30 combat units based on their former military roles and the weaponry held by the Westeros mercenaries. 

The office was equipped with the latest satellite communication equipment, and a wall-mounted television displayed a live broadcast from the Westeros refugee camp by Lake Kivu. This network broadcast and remote communication required the Westeros system to pay about $3 million monthly for satellite rental fees.

After a brief greeting, Simon sat by the desk, and Celia Miller began detailing the pinpoint strike operation that took place on the afternoon of April 19th, Rwandan local time. The 12 Mi-24 attack helicopters were divided into five groups, with four heading to Kigali and the other eight split into four groups for the provincial capitals. The operation began at 2:30 PM local time and lasted one and a half hours. By 4 PM, all helicopters had completed their missions and returned safely. 

Only the four helicopters heading to Kigali encountered significant resistance during their withdrawal. Celia Miller played a 30-second video clip shot by an onboard camera, showing eight MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) missiles fired at the helicopters. The intense crisis was palpable even through the projection screen. Fortunately, the pilots, among the most elite former Soviet air force soldiers who had retired less than two years ago, skillfully deployed flares and performed emergency dives, narrowly evading all attacks.

"This is the Soviet-made 9K32 MANPADS, first deployed in the 1970s. Its low cost and ease of operation make it one of the most popular ultra-short-range air defense weapons of the former Soviet Union," Celia Miller explained after the video. "According to our information, the plane of the former Rwandan president was shot down by this missile. Fortunately, our pilots are very familiar with the 9K32's characteristics, which allowed them to avoid any mishaps. However, we need to consider the threat posed by this missile in our future operations. We don't know how many 9K32s the Rwandan government forces still possess or if they have other types of air defense weapons that could pose a serious threat to our helicopters."

Simon looked at the projected screen and asked, "Any rough estimate of the numbers?"

Celia Miller shook her head, "No exact numbers. The Rwandan government forces might have exhausted their 9K32 stockpile this time, or they might continue to receive military equipment from French or Congolese forces."

The Hutu armed forces had been receiving assistance and training from the French military for over a decade, which was no secret. The Hutu government also had close ties with neighboring Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Although the missile used this time was Soviet-made, its origin could be uncertain, but most likely it came from French aid. Reports suggested that even after the massacre, there might still be a few French advisors within the Rwandan government forces.

Simon knew this to be true. Years after the massacre ended, the Rwandan government continued to condemn France's role in fueling the genocide. Investigations revealed that the plane of President Juvénal Habyarimana was likely shot down by the French, who then blamed the Tutsi rebels. The French didn't want the Rwandan government to negotiate peace with the Tutsi rebels supported by the UK and the US, which would have allowed Anglo-American influence to re-enter Rwanda. Even after the massacre, the French military secretly engaged in minor actions against the Tutsi rebels within Rwanda.

Celia Miller did not shy away from this fact, as it was widely understood, although it was certainly not something to be said publicly. Accusing France of supporting a genocidal government was a severe allegation. During the 20th-anniversary commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, the French government immediately lodged a strong protest and withdrew from the event following a few critical remarks from the Rwandan president.

With no clear estimate of the Rwandan government forces' air defense weaponry, Simon did not press further and continued to listen to Celia's report on the restructuring of the Ukrainian mercenaries. 

About twenty minutes later, after Celia finished her report, former US Lt. Colonel Dan Rubiel was the first to speak, "Simon, I would like to know if the Westeros mercenaries intend to take decisive military action against the Rwandan government forces or if the goal is merely to deter them and stop the ongoing genocide?"

Simon smiled at Rubiel, "Does it make a difference?"

Rubiel replied, "If it's just deterrence, we've already achieved that. With the world's attention on Rwanda, the killing is bound to stop within the next few days. The Westeros mercenaries can start planning their withdrawal, leaving the aftermath to the UN peacekeeping forces, saving significant military expenses."

Simon said, "Dan, the fact is that I've already paid the salaries for EO mercenaries and the Ukrainian regiment for a month, and I've purchased a large amount of military equipment from Ukraine."

Rubiel understood Simon's intention and said, "In that case, I suggest we must act swiftly and decisively."

Simon nodded slightly, indicating for Rubiel to continue.

Rubiel instructed Emily Choplin to switch to a map of Rwanda, stood up, and approached the projection screen, "Many civil wars in African countries drag on because the warlords are adept at guerrilla warfare, constantly moving across the country to fight government forces. Many African leaders have come to power through such means."

Simon showed a slight smirk but didn't interrupt Rubiel.

Rubiel continued, "Currently, Rwanda has about 50,000 troops, with 20,000 being militias scattered across the country, who are poorly equipped and can only bully civilians. The other 30,000 are better equipped and trained government soldiers. About 8,000 are in the north, confronting the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front in Byumba. The remaining 22,000 are now concentrated in the capital, Kigali, due to the unrest. This presents us with the best opportunity."

Simon shook his head, "Unfortunately, Dan, we cannot attack Kigali. There are at least a million civilians there. Even if the Ukrainian mercenaries are highly capable, getting involved in urban warfare could lead to a situation similar to the US military's experience in Mogadishu, Somalia last year."

Rwanda's small land area of just 26,000 square kilometers houses over 8 million people, resulting in a high population density. Even with many fleeing the unrest, Kigali's population remains in the millions. Like UN peacekeepers, who often find themselves restrained by concerns over civilian casualties, Simon did not want to face criticism for causing significant civilian deaths by attacking Kigali. The task of capturing the capital and seizing power would be left to the Rwandan opposition.

Rubiel, having anticipated Simon's stance, said, "Then, Simon, we have only one option left." The former US Lt. Colonel pointed to a city called Gitarama in western Rwanda, "We need to engage in a preemptive strike before the Rwandan government forces can garrison Gitarama."

Rwanda's territory is roughly 150 kilometers across, both east-west and north-south, equivalent to a two

 to three-hour drive. The capital Kigali lies in the center of Rwanda, about 70 kilometers from the Westeros refugee camp by Lake Kivu. Gitarama is located between Kigali and the refugee camp.

Simon raised an eyebrow, waiting for Rubiel to continue.

Rubiel explained his strategy, "Based on my peacekeeping experience in Africa, the Rwandan government will likely send 5,000 to 10,000 regular troops to Gitarama to confront us. If we don't disrupt their plans, the government forces will set up camp within the city, mingling with civilians. This is a common tactic for African warlords to deter peacekeepers, who avoid attacking civilians. The government forces, however, have no such qualms. They will also destroy bridges and roads from Lake Kivu to Kigali and plant extensive minefields along major routes. Rwanda's terrain, mainly hilly and forested, makes it challenging for large troops to move without sticking to main roads, which could lead to ambushes by the government forces familiar with the area. The result could be a prolonged standoff unless we are willing to risk heavy casualties among our troops and civilians to clear the government forces, a price no one is willing to pay."

Simon silently completed the thought. Then, the UN intervenes, talks ensue, peace agreements are made, and when everyone looks away, the conflict resumes. This cycle has kept many African nations in a state of perpetual civil war for decades. Simon detested such dragging conflicts.

As Rubiel finished and looked at him, Simon smiled, pleased with the military advisor he had hired at a high cost. He glanced at the others in the room, then back at Rubiel, "Dan, and everyone else, if you don't mind, we might be staying up all night."

The group was momentarily puzzled before realizing what Simon implied but still doubted it. Rwanda and the US East Coast have a seven-hour time difference. It was now past 6 PM on the East Coast, meaning it was just after midnight in Rwanda, with dawn in about four hours. If Simon was suggesting an all-nighter, it meant he intended to act immediately. Given the urgency Rubiel described, the Rwandan government forces would likely send troops to confront the Westeros mercenaries within the next few days, perhaps even in the coming hours.

The military assistant office was newly formed, and neither Simon nor the mercenary leaders would foolishly share all intelligence and military plans with the team. The local team in Rwanda might have anticipated the situation Rubiel outlined and devised a similar counter-strategy, planning to engage in a preemptive strike in the field. If they could eliminate a large portion of the Rwandan military in one go, it would disrupt the government's long-term confrontation plans, leaving the Hutu government with no leverage.

However, the Ukrainian mercenaries had only arrived in Africa yesterday. While most of them were elite former Soviet special forces and scouts, they had been out of the military for one to two years. Even with rigorous recruitment screening, ensuring their physical fitness and familiarity with weapons, they had yet to undergo any training drills together. Was it wise to send them directly into battle?

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