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Ep7 | Operation Caligula

55m 14s

Ep7 | Operation Caligula

A covert British intelligence operation unfolds in Beijing, where a tourist, Charlie Higgs, is transformed into a disguised security officer, Sean Wade, to infiltrate Chinese diplomatic and military structures. The mission centers on tracking and neutralizing a rogue UKSF operative, Tom McDuff Duffy, believed to be planning an assassination of the Russian president during a military parade on September 3rd. Despite initial assumptions that Duffy might use a high-risk, violent method—such as a close-quarters attack or a drone strike—UK intelligence concludes the plan is highly unlikely due to poor access to target information, overwhelming Chinese security, and the risk of detection. Instead, a more plausible scenario involves Duffy attempting a precise shot from a public monument during the parade, where visibility is high and security is minimal. The operation relies on precise timing, especially during Armed Forces Day, when Chinese military presence is visible and security is relaxed. The team must navigate Beijing’s dense security zones, including Changan Avenue and hotel corridors, while avoiding detection. Key challenges include Duffy’s potential disguise among security personnel and the risk of a failed extraction. Ultimately, the mission highlights the tension between intelligence assumptions and real-world operational constraints, emphasizing the need for careful planning, deception, and timing to succeed without triggering a broader conflict. The operation also reveals deeper concerns about military corruption and the influence of foreign powers, particularly Russia, on global security.

Transcription

6320 Words, 35266 Characters

English
"This series contains strong language and violence. It is fiction. Resemblance to reality is coincidental. This is Bear Hunt." "Previously on Bear Hunt." "Get a plan, get a soldier." "Yes, Prime Minister." "An actor." "Fucking actor." "Closeest resemblance we can get. He flies. Commercial airline right to Beijing. He's backpacking or something. He loses his passport." "Go to the British Embassy." "And switches. With our UKSF operative." "The tourist becomes the diplomatic appointee. And the diplomatic appointee becomes." "The tourist." "There is an agent out there, a coordinating blackbird. We could connect him with her once the Embassy switches take place." "We can be absolutely certain that your operator will be able to track and identify Duffy. Why is this certain?" "Because the guy I have in mind fought alongside him." "Is he any good?" "Well, as of this moment Miss Murray. He's the best on British soil." "Hi, I'm Mel." "Charlie, but you know that already, obviously." "Yes, I found you on casting coal directory. I need you to play a role." "I'm no longer the traveling troubled actor, Charlie Higgs. But the security adviser and special forces operator Sean Wade." "The question I want to ask on behalf of the British people is, will Russian pharmaceuticals be injected into us by 2030 or 2030?" "To collect his baggage, tear up his passport and cash and flush them." "Panicked alone, and without documentation and Beijing, Charlie will head straight to the British Embassy. He will help him out." "Charlie Higgs enters Sean Wade leaves." "Sir, it should rise, impact, impact. That was a mind." "How do we extract Duffy? Wade knows exactly how Duffy will think." (Music) "They pulled us out of the street, and we've got basic repair at Muscat. But I'm talking, you know, see where they aren't best." "Of course, yeah." "The status report I'm seeing, Master Vena, says we can, with an escort, go for extended repair." "Yeah, good. I deal. We got a slot. Nair's property art will be Mumbai." "Yeah, there's a slot at drop off." "Drop off." "At your current destination, Ningbo." "That's three weeks at sea." "Yes, but the report says the initial damage." "Than, I wrote the report." "Right." "How long for extended repair in Ningbo?" "They're saying, again, based off the details, you could be there for a month, but we can see if you can fly back." "That's not how we, Masters, do it." "No, of course, of course." "Not Karachi, no. I could get us there in three days." "As you can imagine, we're facing serious logistical headaches, and this is, yeah, two birds, one stone." Stone was it? It felt like a fucking sea mind down. "John, we're doing the best we can. We didn't start the conflict." "I'll take your fucking shift at China, but I want proper, serious, whole worked on, yeah?" "Because we're not fucking skimping around with patch-ups, are we?" "The adamant, they can take care of it, so, yeah." "Understood. Where are we going?" "I was planned." "China." "China." "Messia tiara." "Get the engine room, stand and buy." "Stop!" "Thingsha!" "Unload!" "Tweet that!" "Fireers!" "Show weapons clear!" "Clearly springs!" "Snow leopards!" "I like this gun." "I don't know about you lot." "I like it." "Cubi Z95." "We call a bullpop rifle, because the magazine is behind the pistol grip." "You know what I like it?" "It's light." "Very, very similar to the L-85." "A type of S-A-T." "The L-85 is 1.3 kilos heavier." "L-85 is our, huh?" "The British standard issue." "So, kudos and fair play to your employers on that." "Now, downsides." "Same as S-A-A-T." "You can't shoot this thing left-handed." "Well, you can." "It will just punch you in the face every time you do." "That cooking handle is going to slam into your cheek over and over." "Also, ergonomics, safety catch is back here." "You've got to take your hand off the weapon to interact with a safety catch." "That's a big ask in C-Cubi." "I want to point something else out that I've seen a few of you do." "Watch." "Can I use that stick?" "Can anyone see that?" "That recoil." "You're all experiencing it." "Experiencing it." "Fine." "But to over anticipate it is leading to this year." "On target four and on six and on seven and eight." "You're priming yourself for the recoil guys." "Throwing yourself into it." "The rounds are good." "The rounds are good." "Throwing yourself into it." "The rounds are diving. It's not the gun. It's you." "You're anticipating. You're leaning forwards. You're pushing the rifle forwards." "The shot must be released and followed through without disturbing the position." "That will make sure that not only will the fast round hit, but the following ones will as well." "Let's go again." [Banging] Glad you could join us this morning. "I, uh. " "Thanks for having me." "You're new to us to St. Joseph's." "Hah, just window shopping." "Hah, of course." "Staying glass window shopping." "I'm sure." "Do you work here?" "No. Just fancy dress." "The father caught her." "Tom." "Staying in Beijing long time." "Yeah." "Uh, until the third of September." "Well, welcome." "Yeah, welcome." "We have mostly expats here." "Penty cycle in and out." "Work mostly." "Some leisurely favours, but mostly work." "Yeah." "Yeah." "I'll leave you to your peace and reflection." "Are they all. " "Avid believers, you know." "The people that come here." "Not all." "No." "Have you always had the Mac for it?" "Faith." "Goodness, yes." "It has been so much of a permanence, yes." "Had a few lost years, of course." "But it's different for everybody." "Oh, when did it come to you, Tom?" "It hasn't." "That's fine. Ununderstandable." "It's a chaotic world." "We leave very little time for such an emotional and spiritual conviction." "But it needn't be." "No?" "Do me a favour." "Your relationship with God is your choice, Tom." "He knows you." "That's my concern." "Can I ask what brings you here?" "You can ask, Bill." "No, it's what they answer." "Oh, sorry." "No, it's fine." "It's something." "A lurch of the heart." "I'll leave you to your window shopping." "Have decent Buddhist temple further up the high street." "Good to know." "Thank you, Mr Speaker." "My position is that of the British people." "Brain Minister." "And British people deserve to know the facts." "The Russians." who on the one hand give the Iranians intelligence on our airbases, on the other hand say they have a cancer vaccine for us. A cure for Alzheimer's, an effective flu job for our infants, they say they've got flawless tech for our military and for our cyber security. And the members behind her that question this, I could count on one hand. They all just follow, follow Dorothy here down the yellow brick road. When will we see the details of their clinical trials? When will we get the models of their military tech? When will we know how their cyber security integrates with our vital communications infrastructure? We want, you know why? Because the only thing the Russians really have is a prime minister of the United Kingdom. We want our military, we want our military, we want our military, we want our military, we want our military. Here kid, I'll call you in just a second. But you have seen that report from Henry Avenue? Yep, I saw it, our answers are getting shorter. Your answers are getting shorter. She wants to talk about Russia less and less so we know this is breaking through. You think she knows it polls badly? For me it's three things, right kid. It's one, it's pulled okay for a bit, now it's in the fucking toilet, right? Two, she's scared. She is fucking scared. She's in her fucking Bridget John's fucking rumors. Farmer and military tech. Farmer and military tech for God's sake. We don't want to be in this position, the Russians, no one does. We'd be fucking, ah, the fucking Belarus of Western Europe. And three, three, right? She can't admit this, obviously, but there's more light at the end of the tunnel. She talked the talk all this time about sitting down with him in the Kremlin, getting a good deal. Now she's faced with a reality. He's not transactional, he's not benevolent, all he wants is his own way. And now she can't turn back. Oh, that's good. Yeah, yeah, it's good. But I've got something better, potentially, potentially. Yeah. Sarah Nichols. And the hell, do you fall out of window or something? No. Not that good then. She's got something in the Russia relationship. Her husband is a fucking hardliner. He's in the cabinet. Her husband wants to be PM. Don't we all? She's still investigating, but it's good. It's Sarah Nichols. It's the fucking head old, Kate. According to them, I'm the first ever communist Nazi. Yeah. Her husband, Lanky Petishiki, is fucking this as well, by the way. We need to see him wobble a bit more in the wind before anything else. So, so yeah, just looking at her email now, background, right? She was looking for a story about the war on woke and how it was affecting our military capability. Yeah. DEI in the forces, but also the attrition of the culture wars on our troops. Soldiers, they've been court-martialed and subjugated by, I don't know, a corrupt liberal system. She found this guy kicked out for sexual assault, but she's come up with more questions than answers. The questions about what? Corruption. Pete Nichols, right. You're telling me her husband will go for the coup if there's something here? Well, we can hope, can't we? Hmm. Anything she needs? Yep. We give it to her. TV for the errands. Hi. Hi there. Oh, bless you. Good day. Take care. Now, enjoy London. Sorry about the prices. Get yourself over the bridge. Is Sarah one time with me or something? No, but she'll tell you kind of what she's working on. I think we need to find out what it is before we get excited. I'll send you the smoking gun. Yep. Email it. What is it exactly? A house. A house. Yeah. A house in Belgrade Square. My name is Sean Wade. Again. Fuck me, that's weird. But why are you standing? Like a fucking mirror this, shitting me up. You have like a kind of crane stare too. When people are talking. Do I? Yeah. Like this. Fuck. Wow. That's me. Yeah. It's as close as I can get. My. I'm the regional security officer. At the British Embassy here in Beijing. You clear on it? I am. Yes. I am. Off on your jolly in a couple of hours. Through Nepal. Through Tibet. Mm-hmm. Then you board your flight to Beijing. You clear on it? I am. Yes. I am. Through Nepal. Through Tibet. Mm-hmm. When you board your flight to Beijing. Yes. Welcome to Beijing. Thank you for flying Citroën Airways. Please remain seated until the plane comes to a stop. And the seat bell sign is turned off. From Beijing Connexions. Please see details here. Once you're in the embassy. Once you become Sean Wade. You're fine. You won't feel as exposed inside those walls. But right now, you might. The right inner area is good. It's solid. Now you're all clean shaved like me. That fake hair and that fake beard. Stay on at all times. Right through your travels. You've gone from the Chinese Autonomous Region of Tibet. To Chinese territory. Beijing is what really matters. You'll be a C-A-A-C worker. Elask your name. He's got it there in front of him. But they want to watch you. Study you. Shit you up if they can. But look at me. I will shit you up a thousandfold if you fuck this. It's a focus. Xing Ming, be fucking normal. Don't be a robot. Don't be spluttering and panicking. Be normal. Human. Sorry. Name. Oh. Name is Charlie Hicks. Like number. A 3U39. That's what. Here. Extras in. Sorry. Scanner. Okay. Just here. Then comes the declarations. You'll have the form they need from landing in Tibet. They'll get a new one for Beijing. Declare the cache. That part has to be clear. Cache, biological material, fire arms, media. Cache. Over $5,000 US. Yes. Custom declaration form. I have signed from Tibet. They'll piss about with you for a bit longer. But they'll eventually stamp the thing. They want tourists like you to come and spend your fucking money. Thank you. Done? Goodbye. Phase two begins. Taxi. You'll be early for your room. So you're going to go head to a bar off the Jingtai Road. After he drops you outside the crystal hotel, you walk south and you'll see a bar called Changchi. On your right hand side, after about five minutes, little hole in the wall. You're going to stop in there, straight there. Not so much as a fucking noodle on roof, yeah? No fucking robin' a happy ending. Straight to the bar. With your big backpack. Have yourself a drink. [BLANK_AUDIO] Thank you Take an hour if you want settle yourself then head to the toilets Passport Tear it to pieces as best you can Same for the cash and you wallet Down it goes The hotel will ask for the passport can I see your passport please sir and that's when the penny will drop for Charlie Higgs Oh my god that he is Fuck oh my god. Oh my god No, no, no, it's not okay. It's not okay. I can't find my passport But my money's gone of my my passport and my wallet are gone They'll ask some questions they might have the manager help you out. Would you like us to contact the embassy? Let them offer the embassy. British Embassy. Thank you. Thank you. So much. They might even offer you a cab if you come across desperate enough From jing tie that time of day it will take around 20 minutes. We're off the Gwanghwa Road You tell the security gate your name Charlie Higgs They'll call inside Walk in the desk on the left have instructions to let you through take the corridor directly in front of you first door on the right is a toilet and You'll be there. I'll be there See you then Godspeed Give us those trousers here at that top and my shoes Top there, okay? We got beard off. Yeah There right, let's get that on there. We fucking go. Okay Stuck on quite hard Foster rip it get fucking moving. Okay, okay Right good luck Sean. Yes Good luck to you - Charlie Good luck to you - Charlie Don't do anything. I wouldn't do it literally Yeah Holy shit You And the fox in his socks Went back to his box Too bad Wow, can we clap for the prime minister? Can we do that? Total Wang stiff that's come from Jeff. He's saying he's got a number of rebels They're not fucking rebels their centrist for crying out loud. He says 10 MPs Yeah, he says 10 because 10 would lose us the vote probably has what Himalayan Roger? Maybe I'm doing a push He says the vote would provide transparency The hardliners might want it too like who like Pete Nichols then we they can see the deal We're building with the Turks the Americans the car plants the energy deal the protection for the farmers I mean Jesus Christ. We can bridge the Iran war with this. What do people want? I think the transparency is concerning Russia Fuck sake bye-bye from me. Oh, bye. My god. So lovely. Thank you What people don't understand is that the pressure on this bogeyman in Moscow is building and building if we don't allow him good grace We don't don't allow him a way of some sort of valve to relieve that pressure of of Ukraine of NATO and the oligarchs of Iran of his of his economy People think things are escalated now They have no idea No idea at all Handling this person matters The Europeans are right in one respect He's getting older and he's running out of time and that Could be the death of us Prime Minister a word come to the cart with me male Steph get to a lane before Jeff does will do. This is regarding Caligula. I hope. Yes, Prime Minister We received the expense sheet from the embassy this morning lamb cutlets The British people will love to be expense for lamb cutlets. I'm sure That's the code that means the switch has been made our agent is officially in the field That's correct, Prime Minister Stephen. Yes, Prime Minister stop at Foxl. We'll do Thanks, Stephen. I know what is at all Mrs. Muddy Robbo, okay. It's better than okay. He's on a stark dude He'll be okay until he's hanging out his hours That's right, man What next will we know anything next signal is a Charlie Higgs post Instagram story of a McDonald's meal complaining of a delicate stomach That will confirm the next phase has been reached next phase the meeting of Blackbird our embedded agent In Beijing Come in sir. Yes, come in Thank you, sir. You come in sir. You lie down. I Play my music, but if you want music, you tell me Okay That's loud has to be phone I'm gonna do you the good grace of assuming you're not a total fucking dumbass I can't feel bugs your phone looks clean blackbird. Yeah, I'm sure Did you get an okay using their covering you? It's complicated enough put it that way it better be tell us what you know then You have a rogue operator enter China a few months ago Chas with active lethal force to be carried out on September 3rd He entered China, but now we reckon he could be in Beijing proper and His objective his objective will be on West Chiangan Street 0309 2026 any time between 1100 and 1400 hours. Wow What a fucker. Yeah in saying it for nearly 20 fucking years the parade then So an assassination Yes Russian president Yes, that's in 35 days. Yeah, I Was at the last parade you don't want to be trying to stop this on September sir. We don't plan to We're confident he'll ready the area on any downtime his role provides him Talk me through the role military consultant we believe no way he's trusted by PLA look who won't go as fucking far as trusted Right but a reduced skepticism put it that way He's a fucking he's a manipulator like that You can ID him. Hmm 100% is he good people seem to think so and you don't Sean Wade doesn't think that huh nearly got me killed Basically responsible for the death of our turp Whether he accepts it or not who knows so negligence can't be that good then hence my fucking confidence That's this scar And this Yeah, ID That gets all you guys right suicide vest Tempting to lift the high-value target took shrapnel the guy of ours translator Remdani lost an eye because of it Two years later we dies of a brain emerge this BFF of yours the assassin you're a fucking wind up What's his name Tom McDuff Duffy? Does he want to go home after the job don't know don't care because the job I ain't gonna happen. Is he of sound mind? I suppose, fucking nerd-like. Sometimes they're as mental as they are clever, sir. He's gonna understand our instructions. He will. I'll make sure he does. These scars, the dead Ramdani, Is that going to affect our extraction, Mr. Special Forces? Come on. If you fuck this, they lock me up forever. Do you understand that, Sean Wade? I would. So relax, yeah. You get to run home. I don't. Is it going to affect extraction? No. No? No. Professional. We have a place booked on West Chang'an Avenue, one bedroom apartment. Great. We can meet there tomorrow. Here. Thanks. You know if there's a McDonald's there. Out this alley, go right, follow that road, then you'll see it. I do. We have to find the assassin in the next two days. Tomorrow, the first day of August, will be reduced army and paramilitary operations. Even training. Armed Forces Day holiday. If you need time to observe the area during daylight hours, it will be then. Forged you that. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Charlie. Thank you so much. I see you tomorrow, sir. Armed Forces Day. Across China, yes. Here's me thinking we were walking with PA Pitao. Who'd you? Snow leopards are a special kind, Mr. Doff. We will be when we are done with them, eh? Never seen you out of uniform. Yes. I have three days, starting now. So the most it would seem. What is the ghost town? Will you be needing my services until Friday? Oh, fuck no, no, no, no. You're going to enjoy yourself, Ty. You are certain? Absolutely certain. I'm fine. I've got plenty to be doing here. I've got my laptop with some old training programmes. Diagrams and guides. Oh, guidebook actually. When you're back, we can look at how we translate those. Get some key palms for the guys. Pams, pamphlets, like booklets, details. Something they can go over, of course. Hi. I'll take a look around Beijing too. Be tourist. Yeah. Be the tourist. We'll take photos and fucking stand in a queue somewhere. You enjoy? Absolutely. Where's, eh, Mau and, eh, like, Tiananmen Square for a bit and setting all that? On West Changan Road. You can take Dang Dang Car. Dang Dang Car. It is a trim. Tram, right? Or Mordie is good. Mordie is Scooter Taxi. Scooter Taxi. Mordie. Mordie. Mordie. Traffic is bad. Tram and Mordie is best. I send you food recommendations too. Ali, thanks, pal. Enjoy your holiday. You too. Heh. Yeah. The window shopper returns. Hi. Home sick yet. Spent a lot of time away from home, so. But out of curiosity. You feel closer to home in here or out there. You after a five-star review. It would do a good course. But I'm after what you're after. Heh. All right. The Arc Angel. Hmm? Round your neck, send Michael, the Arc Angel, a mighty figure. Browsing turned to buying, did it? Heh. Yeah, no, um. I'm British military, so. He's your defender, of course. Some of us see it that way. Not all. Nah. Every spend much time across the water. The Irish sea, you mean, yeah? We'd have first started. Across my gland, South Alma. Heart-seconding times. Absolutely. Heated it. Whew. Heated it. Never felt so fucking useless. Do my job like I'm owed no explanation. No? No. Contemplation within these walls. Not confrontation. Not even with God. If that's the course you need to take, then maybe. You think he has failed to answer you? Ignore you. Heh. No. The opposite. I think he's. He's picked on me to tell you the truth. Thank you. For what? For your forgiveness. Not sure of forgiveness, sirly. Well, no. That's a work in progress. But you're here to hash it out, right? Right. Right. But I'm. I've got a. Get on with something. Of course. There a dang dang car around here. Follow the road outside to the junction. One right in front of you. Thanks. We'll be seeing you again. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks. It wasn't a question, Tom. It was a prediction. Take care now. Christopher Marsh. Hi, Chris. It's Sarah Nichols from the herald. Hi, Sarah. I was giving you a number of other directorate of defense communications office. I'm looking into a story regarding a discharge UKSF sergeant. Not always possible to talk about UKSF, but go on, Sarah. I'll try my best. Yeah, that's what I keep getting told. But it is regarding a sexual assault charge. That the M.O.D. have already taken action on. Action. Well, for the charge, it looks like that would be the usual process. But not for this individual. Immediate dismissal. Name. Tom McDough. Tom McDough. Two of six. Yeah. Yes? Yeah, it's as you say. Administrative discharge in accordance with armed forces act 2006. Right. But the M.O.D. press office sent out an LTT with more detail. Two sexual assault claims. Even dates and locations. There's a disclosure article on gulf.uk, same as the LTT. Well, our line to take will be that of the M.O.D. press office. Yeah, get that. I just find it strange, Chris. They get all this detail in other cases. Similar situations get at least a court marshal. And we can actually have a story to reflect on these kinds of things. Yeah. Why do you need a story on sexual assault? Well, I mean, with all due respect, that's not to your team. That's up to me and my team to decide whether it's print worthy. I'm just confused by the inconsistency. You see the transparam, or it's not? I can look into it further and drop you an email, Sarah. Thanks. But like I say, M.O.D. was swift on this. They don't have this kind of thing lightly. There's security staff along that perimeter. Armed BAP, right? For the parade, definitely. It's almost a side show in its own right. All that shit. Anything that shows strength will be here. Not just the PLA, but drones, no leopards, armed vehicles. It's all part of it. Let's take this bench for a sec. Put your arm around me. Take a photo. Never fucking after. Post it. Posting now. Camera obscured, mic covered. Map. Disfencing here. 50 meters ahead. The other side of the road. That's going to be for the grandstand. Temporary structure. Bottom two floors will be security and diplomatic attaches. Then the third floor will be all open balcony for leaders. China's president, North Korean president, Russian president. No partners. Some military personnel behind them. Mixed security staff. Come on then. What is British intelligence come up with on how they think he's going to do it? The most likely in dangerous method? He brings down the plane. The Russian president's play. As it comes in for landing, retaliation for B-A-2-3-6. You could do it with an FPV drone. Oh fucking. We'll pause there, Blackbird. We'll pause. You're hitting pause. On British intelligence. You think bringing down a fucking plane? - Why not? - A, collateral isn't his thing. And B, he wants to leave China alive. He ain't gonna do that if he drops a fucking airliner on the outskirts of Beijing. Piencing, the Russian president lands in Piencing and then motorcade to Beijing. Part of it, remember, all show even the logistics. Still ain't happening. It's gonna land on a lot of squishy civilians. No chance. That's this fucking bed. Any other scenarios? There was a scenario put forward. Best they can with limited comms. Get that dumb smirk off your face. Is it a fucking bonkers is taken out, yeah? Close range shoot. No foreign collateral. Entry made into a hotel room or public space. You and Duffy, you know your way around security details and CQB well enough to get pass a CPO by force. By wit and shoot him. UK intelligence assesses he's gonna go full fucking Rambo and go fish. Fish. Akronon. F-I-S-H. Fighting some gun's house. Like in Zambia, hmm? Don't think I don't know this shit. What he got in Zambia was some third tier rebels. You'd have had a hard-of-fucking morning against paintballers on a stag do. We, look, we can do that, right? But as a team, he's not gonna access an up-to-date floor plan of where the president of Russia is taking a keep every night. So that's no practice for him. So even if he infiltrates, what? He's got an unknown number of SPB even before the Chinese QRF takes him out themselves. So he might infill, but there's no ex-fil for him. Remember, he is planning on getting away with this. So as much as you think he's capable of pulling the SPP's pants down with a well-placed fucking aggressive mindset, he's a fucking pasty scot. Who doesn't look fucking local to me. So he's not getting close enough to one-shot him like Shinzo fucking Arbe. He's not machine-gun in the hotel penthouse, and he's not gonna risk being fucking target practice for PLA special forces marksman. Plus, if he is loaded for a shootout, what chance do we have? I've been briefed to retrieve a black market handgun, if needed. What about something more Russian, poison, car accident? I've spent a long time reading about Pilgrim more, you know? The more I read, the more I know he would have wanted a statement for Old Britannia. Now what I mean? Yeah, I get that. So what is it? Bees. What? These high-rise buildings, it'll be a shot. Many can get one, which is during the parade. Brave blue apartment building? No. Then I tell me why. There's no feasible shot that comes north of the viewing platform. There's a backing behind the leader's position was in previous years. What makes you sure? What makes you sure about the parade? And who stands where? And at what point? Because it's my job, it's my field. I study it. Exactly. This is mine. It's shot us to come from the southern arc, anywhere from our nine through to six to three. Doesn't have to be during parade though. OK, but tell me, the entrance to that grandstand, wide open? Corden to fuck, armor to shit. Exactly. The car will be exposed before that though. I showed you the route from Tinging. Unless he gets his hands on a corner anti-tank missile, which might have lit up in his luggage at Beijing International. An Aura Senate is virtually impenetrable. So irrelevant. Only exposure and vulnerability his target has is during the parade. But where the fuck are you going to pick him off from? Walk with me a sec. I'd say, at our current five, we've got a monument. That reaches, say, 70 metres high. We're in one of the busiest parts of Beijing. You'd have to skill it during a parade. I'm not saying there aren't any downsides. They'll be visible. Sure. What's the upside? Elevation of fuck all else? The upside is a stone monument has no entrances. Therefore, no guards. Therefore, no one to talk with, be questioned by. They'd eliminate a man climbing that on the spot during a military parade. Possibly. But the man on the monument will likely be dressed like the men that carry out those eliminations. That's the fucking mess we have on our hands, Michel. Are you underestimate Beijing? Maybe I do. Maybe I overestimate Duffy. Day of, he could get a team of security workers in total good faith. Fucking put him up there on a cherry picker if the guys is working that well. In plain sight, this is why these final weeks matter. It has to be settled before that day. Because on that day, there could be a thousand guys dressed like him. Helmet, visor, mask. Yeah, not fucking good. Then could also be wrong. He could fuck us some out. Could be an explosive. And if it is, September 3rd is too late to capture anyway. Be on his way home. It won't be any of those rooftops where you're looking either. Russian president stands on the left of the three. North Korea, roughly there, China, Russia. Shot is occluded from that end. That place. That interests me. Hotel Newell? That's-- no. That's over a mile away from his target. That's easy for our man. Good for Duffy, I guess. What other options does he have? That question is exactly why we work every inch of this place, every single day. Why? Because he'll be doing the same. Korea's audio, virtual guide. GPS talks you. Discover Beijing. The headphones, how much? 100 yen. Here, here, English. This set to English. English, yes. Thank you, sir. Enjoy it. You are now walking along the great Changan Avenue, the political and cultural hard line of our capital city, Beijing. The name Changan means eternal peace. In ancient times, it was the name of the great 10 dynasty capital, symbol of prosperity, civilization, harmony. Today, this road carries forward the spirit into modern China. The whole night. The whole night. Giving me the hard sound. Hard sound. Fuck. Give me a second. You're a plate. Couldn't sleep. Well, you do work for Miriam Brown. I'd be the same. Other than that, all good with you, Adi? I'm not a house. Thanks. Nice bicep. Look at those, hey. Creatine and all that shit, is it? For you guys, we're under fence about the whole private property thing. Well, it's rented, so. Blattering the roommate, thank you. Especially considering you would be so familiar with an absolute palace, like 32 Belgrade Square, and still think that this tiny terrace in Wandsworth is much to look at, eh? You like it, dear? I thought it was beautiful, yeah. Not my style, but-- I can appreciate what makes things attractive to a certain type. The poshors, elites, oligarchs, and crooks. Look, I come in peace, Jamie. Looks more like you come in the middle of the night to intimidate me. It's just my demeanor. Yeah, demeanor, in reputation, and previous. What do you want, Eddie? I want you to stick to your job. I am. Your job is to fight for the interests of the British people from the seats of his Majesty's opposition. Oh, and this isn't. Sorry, corruption. A government getting brave with plush Russian assets in Swanky Belgrade all to fill our kids' veins with their fucking vodka jabs. Your journalist doesn't know what she's talking about. She's your fucking journalist! She wants to play fucking battleship with small board crossings. She called the eviction of half a million Muslims. But guess what? Mit, even she is disgusted by the scale of the brand government corruption, clearly. If her story goes out, so does old. The story, Eddie, is tearing up Whitehall for information on 30 years. two-bell grief square. Triggering a mass fund allocation with a crude interest to the Russians in the hundreds of billions! It's their money. Oh, and it's their house too, is it? Then you're trespassing, pal, because you've been seen standing around a 32-bell grief square on a lovely springtime morning talking on the phone to your pal, the prime minister. Jamie, I'm telling you, with full confidence, mate, your side will last five minutes. The truth will bury your party for a century. Well, shit. It ain't. If that's the case, you'd release it. Not something we plan on doing. Oh yeah, ignore your party, it was all generous with their political opponents, public relations. It's in the interest of national security. And there it is. Fucking brilliant. Perfect, actually. They finally got the power. They kicked the old parties aside. The great British revolution. No more elites, they said. No more career politicians. How long do it last, daddy? Hey, until you started spouting the same fucking dross, the interest of national security, just like Palestine, just like Iraq, Afghanistan, for every US weapons deal, for every coup and Saudi handshake, for the fucking Zionists, for every bomb on the Sudanese, all always and forever, for national security. Not Jamie. Yeah. And to you too, mate. Oh, by the way, Bill Grave is that way. Behind the Red Wall stands the world famous forbidden city, former Imperial Palace, for almost 500 years, from empires to modern government. This axis shows continuous history of Chinese civilization. On the west side is the great hall of the people, where the national people congress means. Important decisions about the future of China are made there. Nearby is Zonanhai, center of national leadership. Changan Avenue is not only a road. It is symbol of stability, strength and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. I need you to make the call or keep moving way. Come on. I'm going to make the call when I have full sighted. Lean into me. I can't fucking do that. Trying to see. Confirmed. I've got eyes. Got eyes. Do not run. You understand me. Follow me. So the fuck down right now. Duffy, there. You see him? A 50 meters, my two o'clock. Yellow bus and three parked cars on. See him. Slow. Slow. Keep hold of my hand and keep up. He said professional. I said careful. My responsibility is to isolate and extract this man to tiptoe around Chinese fucking sensibilities. Your responsibility is to not get fucking caught. Loved that cue by the statue. If he tries to head south towards the traffic, you could have lost. That's not what was agreed. I approach. I approach. Get the fuck off me. He knows. He's heading for the traffic. Heading for the fucking traffic. What this area means to China is visible. Get in front of this line of cars. I'll get arrested. You don't understand this place shine. Drop your fucking purse or something. If that light goes green and we fucking lose it. If he's on foot, Sean, I need you to fucking relax. He's looking for a fucking cab. Do it in the road now. Duffy, fucking stop. Ni Hao. No. Sorry. Do we both see? Oh shit. Don't do it. You can't. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Fight. Go away. Go away. Don't do it, Duffy. Nandik. Da Hong Man.

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. A tourist named Charlie Higgs is covertly switched into a British diplomatic agent, Sean Wade, at the Beijing Embassy to infiltrate Chinese security and avoid detection.
  2. The operation hinges on a blackbird agent who can connect with a rogue UKSF operative to track and extract a high-risk target, Tom McDuff Duffy.
  3. British intelligence assesses that Duffy will attempt an assassination of the Russian president during a military parade on September 3rd, using stealth and close-quarters tactics.
  4. Despite initial assumptions, UK intelligence deems Duffy’s plan unrealistic due to lack of access to detailed floor plans, Chinese security presence, and the risk of exposure by PLA forces.
  5. A key vulnerability identified is the Russian president’s visibility during the parade, making a targeted shot from a monument or public area the most plausible method.
  6. The operation includes a detailed infiltration plan involving Beijing’s security zones, including the Changan Avenue parade route and hotel security points.
  7. Operational concerns include the risk of Duffy being disguised among security personnel or using improvised weapons like a poison or vehicle attack.
  8. The mission underscores the importance of timing, especially during Armed Forces Day, and the need for precision to avoid detection and ensure safe extraction.

Summary:

A covert British intelligence operation unfolds in Beijing, where a tourist, Charlie Higgs, is transformed into a disguised security officer, Sean Wade, to infiltrate Chinese diplomatic and military structures. The mission centers on tracking and neutralizing a rogue UKSF operative, Tom McDuff Duffy, believed to be planning an assassination of the Russian president during a military parade on September 3rd. Despite initial assumptions that Duffy might use a high-risk, violent method—such as a close-quarters attack or a drone strike—UK intelligence concludes the plan is highly unlikely due to poor access to target information, overwhelming Chinese security, and the risk of detection.

Instead, a more plausible scenario involves Duffy attempting a precise shot from a public monument during the parade, where visibility is high and security is minimal. The operation relies on precise timing, especially during Armed Forces Day, when Chinese military presence is visible and security is relaxed. The team must navigate Beijing’s dense security zones, including Changan Avenue and hotel corridors, while avoiding detection.

Key challenges include Duffy’s potential disguise among security personnel and the risk of a failed extraction. Ultimately, the mission highlights the tension between intelligence assumptions and real-world operational constraints, emphasizing the need for careful planning, deception, and timing to succeed without triggering a broader conflict. The operation also reveals deeper concerns about military corruption and the influence of foreign powers, particularly Russia, on global security.

FAQs

The series follows a covert operation where a British intelligence agent, Sean Wade, infiltrates Beijing to assist in a high-stakes mission involving the assassination of the Russian president. The plot revolves around deception, infiltration, and the strategic use of a double agent to carry out operations in China.

Charlie Higgs is transformed into Sean Wade by adopting a new identity, including fake hair, a beard, and a new passport. He is introduced to the British Embassy in Beijing and is tasked with blending in as a tourist while operating under the cover of a security officer.

The switch at the British Embassy allows a UKSF operative to take over operations, ensuring that the agent in Beijing is fully integrated and secure. This transition is confirmed by a code involving a meal at McDonald's, which signals the next phase of the mission.

The target is the Russian president, who is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on September 3rd, 2026. The mission is planned to occur during a military parade, with the assassin aiming to carry out the attack in a high-visibility, high-risk setting.

The mission faces significant risks, including potential detection by Chinese security, exposure due to poor planning, and the possibility of the assassin being too reckless or ineffective. The operation also relies on the success of extraction and the avoidance of collateral damage.

British intelligence believes the assassin, Duffy, is skilled but not a professional tactician. His methods are compared to past operations, and it is concluded that he may attempt a direct confrontation but is unlikely to succeed due to poor planning and high enemy presence.

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