Soon, through the crackling radio waves, Song Heping's clear and steady Arabic resonated in the ears of every Silia Government Army soldier entrenched in the ruins of Halaib.
"All the brothers defending Halaib, I am the new military advisor. You can call me Song Heping."
The gunfire on the front line remained intense, but the background noise in many radio headsets seemed to have quieted slightly as the soldiers listened intently.
"I know you've sacrificed many comrades. The rebels' tanks have cost you dearly. Now, I ask you to abandon the positions outside the city, retreat, and shrink back into the city."
The channel filled with slight disturbances and puzzled noises.
"I know this order confuses you and even frightens you. Retreat means potentially being surrounded, possibly losing the last escape route, and only holding out until death! But, brothers, please think about why we are fighting?"
