123: Chapter 123 Desert Meeting: Fatah's Showdown

Night fell, and the desert of Bir Tawil revealed its other side; the temperature plummeted, and the wind bit into the skin and bones.

Lin Zhou wrapped his coat tighter as he followed He Jun toward a makeshift meeting room.

It could not really be called a meeting room; it was just an old military tent. It looked ordinary from the outside, but after pulling back the thick curtain, inside there was a folding table and a few chairs, the dim, yellow light making the space feel oppressive.

Inside the tent, Colonel Fattah had already arrived. He was dressed in a crisp military uniform, sitting straight behind the table, his face obscured in the dim light. Behind him stood his adjutant and two heavily armed guards, their figures motionless, like stone statues.

Lin Zhou stepped into the tent, and He Jun immediately stepped aside to stand beside him. Outside the tent, several of Lin Zhou's bodyguards stood straight at the entrance, their presence forming a defensive line.

"Colonel Fattah, a pleasure." Lin Zhou walked to the table, hands behind his back, nodding slightly without offering a handshake.

Fattah quickly stood up and gave a standard military salute, his movements sharp and efficient. His gaze shifted, first glancing at He Jun, then sweeping over the figures at the tent entrance, before finally settling on Lin Zhou's face.

Lin Zhou observed his posture and understood that the other man had something to say. He waved his hand at He Jun and said, "Minister He, everyone wait outside." Since Fattah wanted a "secret talk," he naturally would not want others around.

He Jun complied without hesitation, responding in a low voice before leading the bodyguards out. The tent curtain fell, blocking out all outside sounds, leaving only Lin Zhou, Fattah, and Fattah's three attendants.

Lin Zhou did not say a word; he pulled out a chair and sat down, simply watching Fattah. He calculated silently, waiting to see who would break the silence first.

Fattah made a gesture. His adjutant looked slightly hesitant, but after a sweep of the Colonel's gaze, the adjutant braced himself and led the guards out. Now, only Lin Zhou and Fattah remained in the tent; the atmosphere tightened, and the sound of breathing became exceptionally clear.

Fattah sat back down, folded his hands on the table, and was silent for a brief moment. He looked directly at Lin Zhou, his voice low, every word sounding restrained: "Leader Lin, let's speak openly. I did not come here just to carry out General Mubarak's orders."

Lin Zhou did not respond, merely lifting his chin to signal the other to continue. He had a premonition that this Colonel was no ordinary man.

Fattah's voice lowered further, revealing a weariness in his hoarseness that did not quite fit his status as a soldier: "We are an opposition organization in Egypt."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Zhou's heart jolted. His face remained calm, but thoughts raced through his mind.

Fattah ignored Lin Zhou's silence and continued: "Leader Lin, you must surely be aware of the current situation in Egypt. The old forces are deeply entrenched, corruption is rampant, and the people are living in misery, all hoping for a change."

At this point, he clenched his fists, a look of determination in his eyes: "We want to change all of this. We need a secret base—a place that General Mubarak cannot monitor, where we can train our personnel and transport necessary supplies."

"And your Cyber Freedom Republic, Leader Lin, is an ideal choice." Fattah stated his intentions directly.

Lin Zhou's thoughts raced. A coup? Egypt was no stranger to such things. Once something like this happened, there would always be followers. He immediately understood that the importance of this matter was extraordinary. This was a huge opportunity, but it also carried huge risks.

"Is your goal to overthrow the current government?" Lin Zhou asked, his tone calm and level.

"That is correct." Fattah nodded, answering readily without a hint of hesitation: "We firmly believe that only by overthrowing the old order can we build an Egypt that truly belongs to the people."

Lin Zhou leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the table. The rhythmic "tap-tap" sound was exceptionally clear inside the tent. He did not respond immediately; he understood that personal emotions could not be mixed into matters like this.

"If you succeed, what is in it for me and the Cyber Freedom Republic?" Lin Zhou asked bluntly, his words unconcealed. He had to clarify his bottom line and understand the benefits of this deal.

Fattah was not displeased upon hearing this; instead, a look of appreciation appeared on his face. Lin Zhou's direct nature was exactly what he was looking for.

"If we succeed, Leader Lin, I represent our organization in giving you my word." Fattah's tone became solemn and powerful, every word carrying weight: "We will fully recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Cyber Freedom Republic. We will lift all diplomatic and military restrictions on your country and return your diplomatic and military powers in their entirety."

This was an extremely attractive condition. What troubled Lin Zhou most right now was that his national sovereignty was not universally recognized by the international community, along with the various diplomatic dilemmas he faced. Fattah's promise hit Lin Zhou's weak spot perfectly. If these problems could be solved, the Cyber Freedom Republic could truly step onto the international stage.

"More importantly," Fattah added, "the future Egypt will be a brand-new nation. We are committed to establishing a more open and transparent government. In this process, our cooperation with the Cyber Freedom Republic will be at the center."

He slowed his speech, and the topic shifted accordingly: "But I must also be clear: before we succeed, the weapons and supplies we need must pass through your channels. Is this not the price of freedom?"

Fattah's words stirred waves in Lin Zhou's heart. This was not as simple as merely "returning" sovereignty.

If they truly succeeded, the Cyber Freedom Republic would become the "white glove" or "springboard" for the new Egypt to conduct international military procurement and financial activities.

What did this represent? The international status and influence of the Cyber Freedom Republic would soar; it would be able to delve into the core circles of international political maneuvering, while simultaneously bringing the nation handsome profits and political leverage.

Transforming from a small desert nation into a significant regional and even international entity—no ambitious leader could resist this appeal.

But conversely, what if things were exposed, or if they failed?

Funding rebels was a taboo in any international convention. Once exposed, the Cyber Freedom Republic would immediately become a target of the international community. At best, it would face severe sanctions; at worst, it could invite direct military intervention from external forces, or even be destroyed entirely!

All the efforts Lin Zhou had made, the so-called homeland he had built, would vanish in an instant. This was undoubtedly a high-stakes gamble; the wager was so immense it was incalculable.

Lin Zhou leaned against the chair, his fingers, which had been tapping the table, stopped.

The tent was silent, with only the howling wind in the distance occasionally swirling in, carrying the dryness and chill unique to the desert.

He lowered his head; no one could know what he was contemplating. In his mind, two vastly different futures clashed fiercely.

On one side, a towering skyscraper rising from the ground, the Cyber Freedom Republic taking flight to become a founder of the new world order;

On the other side was an irredeemable outcome: everything he had built with his own hands vanishing overnight, and he himself becoming an internationally wanted criminal, ruined and disgraced.

This choice was like walking on the edge of a knife; every step could invite destruction.

However, it was precisely this extremity that made the ambition buried deep in his heart grow restless. He had not built the Cyber Freedom Republic just to hole up in this desert and be a "local tyrant" that no one respected.

He wanted true sovereignty, true freedom, true power! And this opportunity brought by Fattah was the very chance for the Cyber Freedom Republic to break its shackles and soar upward. He weighed the pros and cons, repeatedly considering the risks and rewards.

He knew clearly that this was undoubtedly a high-risk gamble. He looked at Fattah, his eyes holding both the desperation of an all-in bet and the composure of deep strategy.

If successful, it would be a golden opportunity.

Lin Zhou suddenly looked up, staring straight at Fattah. The hesitation and deep thought previously in his eyes were gone, leaving only determination and resolve.

"Good." Lin Zhou spoke, his tone not loud, yet conveying the power of decision. He leaned forward, every word filled with power: "I'll take the gamble."