212: Chapter 210: This Time the Enemy is Pirates 212: Chapter 210: This Time the Enemy is Pirates Somali pirates are notorious, but when it comes to their fighting capability, only the word “rubbish” can describe them.
Gao Yang and his team had every reason not to take those barefooted pirates wielding AK47s seriously.
In terms of weapon selection, Gao Yang and his team basically stuck to their old ways.
As they might need long-range precision firing at sea, Cui Bo would still use a large-caliber sniper rifle.
Whether it was for anti-matériel or anti-personnel use, it would be handy.
Although his Barrett M82 had not been modified yet, Cui Bo only needed to bring his TAC50 with him.
After all, dealing with Somali pirates did not require a very high rate of fire.
Glolov stuck with his M60 general-purpose machine gun, while Li Jinfang had his HK416 with an attached grenade launcher.
As for Frey, he was to bring a rocket launcher.
However, using an AT4 was somewhat wasteful against the Somali pirates.
Even if the rocket launcher really came into play, destroying a small skiff used by the pirates might not even justify the cost of one AT4 rocket launcher.
Although an RPG-7 was cheaper and the launcher could be reused, it was a bit too heavy.
So, Frey chose the M72A3 rocket launcher.
The M72A3 rocket launcher is for one-time use, disposable after firing.
It’s convenient, though with a shorter range, but the advantage is its light weight.
The rocket launcher weighs just a bit over two kilograms, and the M72 is telescopic, measuring only 655 millimeters when collapsed.
Frey could carry three rocket launchers on his back without any problem, and it wouldn’t be an issue for others to carry a few extra for him either.
As for Gao Yang, his army-type EBR would take at least another two months to be made, and this period could possibly extend even longer.
So it was impossible to wait for his super EBR for this mission.
However, to deal with the pirates, Gao Yang felt there was no need to insist on waiting for his EBR to set off.
Unable to wait for the super EBR made by Jack, Gao Yang chose an army-type EBR from the Arilan Morrison Studio.
Although it was not handcrafted by Jack and was a modification using a civilian M1A rifle with an EBR kit, the firearms produced by Arilan Morrison Studio were guaranteed in quality.
They were at least as good as—and probably even better than—the military-type EBRs used by the American soldiers.
As the only team member covering the full range from long to close quarters, Gao Yang, besides the EBR rifle, of course, had to bring his Benelli M4, along with his newly acquired handgun.
Bruce’s weapon was the simplest, just a Sig P226 handgun.
He originally planned to use an HK416, but considering that Bruce was unlikely to engage in combat, it was decided in the end that it was better for him to focus on being a medic.
If there was combat, he could stay back and wait to provide medical assistance.
Besides weapons, the other preparations were similar to their usual missions: night vision goggles, GPS, and tactical vests were definitely needed.
Of course, there was also equipment specifically prepared for the maritime environment, such as aiming scopes more suitable for the sea, combat uniforms, and especially life jackets that wouldn’t get in the way when worn but could inflate quickly with a pull.
These were indispensable.
Without life jackets, Gao Yang and his team, who were mostly “ducks” on land, wouldn’t need anyone else to shoot at them if they ended up in water; they could simply wait to feed the fish.
Gao Yang and his team had set their departure date for January 10th, which was still more than ten days away.
There was no need to hurry.
Although preparing their gear was a tedious task, most of the equipment they needed was readily available, especially the weapons which they had to prepare without help from others.
If there were weapons that needed to be replaced, they could simply buy them directly from the Arilan Morrison Studio.
For non-critical items that required last-minute procurement, Gao Yang had delegated the task to Little Donnie.
Since they were in the initial cooperation period, it was only right to let Little Donnie do more work.
Everything was settled at the Arilan Morrison Studio, and by the time they had made their decisions, it was just past noon.
After determining what they needed, Bruce said gravely, “If it’s possible, I’d prefer to go to Seattle to buy what I need.
I’m more familiar with Seattle, where I can get my hands on certain less-than-legal items, which I wouldn’t be able to find in Portland.”
Gao Yang shrugged and said, “Of course you can; you can leave anytime.
We’re planning to set off around January 10th.
I’ll give you a call in advance.
Then we can just meet up.
How much money do you think you’ll need for the gear?”
Bruce spoke gravely, “I estimate I’ll need ten thousand US Dollars.
The equipment is quite cheap and most of the medicines aren’t expensive, but some highly effective special medications are costly.
But overall, ten thousand US Dollars should definitely be enough.
I’ll make sure to prepare receipts for everything I buy.”
Gao Yang thought for a moment and said in a serious tone, “Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll give you twenty thousand US Dollars upfront, ten thousand for your purchasing budget and the other ten thousand as an advance on your salary.
If you don’t have enough money for the purchases, just call me and I’ll transfer the money immediately.
Don’t worry about spending; what matters most is that you have the best possible equipment to save your life.”
Bruce smiled and said, “I’m excited by your attitude.
I wouldn’t want to mix with a boss who values money over life.”
Gao Yang laughed, “If the ten thousand US Dollars advance isn’t enough, just let me know.
I can lend you more personally.
After all, we’re going to be comrades in arms, and I certainly don’t want you worrying about any issues at home after we depart.”
Bruce shook his head and replied, “Ten thousand US Dollars will be enough.
My bills can wait to be paid.
Regular salary payments will be sufficient to cover them.
If there’s nothing else, I need to get back to my place in Seattle as soon as possible.
Besides wanting to spend time with my family before we depart, I need to start purchasing as soon as possible.
Some of the medicines may not be readily available, so the sooner I prepare, the safer we’ll be.”
Felling a bit hungry, Gao Yang glanced at his watch and said, “It’s just past noon.
We could go out for lunch, and afterwards, I plan to buy a car.
Anyone interested in coming along?”
Bob, puzzled, asked, “Why would you buy a car in Portland?
If you’re going to keep the car at your farm, you could just as well buy it in Spokane, right?
It’s closer to your farm.”
Gao Yang laughed heartily and said loudly, “Brother, I’ve got a driver’s license now, and I can’t wait to buy a car to drive.
I plan to drive to Idaho with Yelena.
If we get tired, we’ll just stop and rest.
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the scenery along the way?”
After hearing what Gao Yang said, Glolov immediately replied, “That’s not a bad idea.
Alright, I’ve decided I want to buy a car too.
Gao, let’s hit the road together after buying our cars.
I can take Natalia to your farm at our leisure.
Also, until I get my own farm, I’ll leave my car at your place.
You won’t mind, right?”
Gao Yang’s little scheming fell through, and he could only smile wryly before saying helplessly, “How could I object?
Whatever you decide to do is fine with me.”
Glolov smiled slightly and said to Gao Yang, emphasizing each word, “Before we leave the US, I won’t let you and Yelena out of my sight.”
(To be continued.
If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for it or to give a monthly vote.
Your support is my greatest motivation.
Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)