328: Chapter 326: I Do This Often 328: Chapter 326: I Do This Often “What’s already happened isn’t important; the critical issue is what to do next, whether to evacuate or stay put.
Do you have any plans?”
Upon hearing Gao Yang’s question, Chen Peng looked troubled and said, “We have a total of sixty-two people, and with the current situation, it’s somewhat better to stay in the camp.
If we leave, we have only one gun, and it’s too dangerous on the road.
So, what to do next will have to wait for instructions from the company.
Right now, the company is trying to find a solution, and the consulate is also pressuring the government of South Sudan to send troops to protect us quickly.
There should be a result soon.”
After Chen Peng finished speaking, Gao Yang immediately said, “If you need to move, the two of us can help escort you.
There shouldn’t be a big problem with safety on the road.
I heard you have another camp; how are they doing?
Do you know?”
Chen Peng’s expression immediately soured as he explained, “Their preparations were inadequate.
Not only was their camp looted, but the most troublesome part is that more than a dozen people were taken away.
We’ve lost contact with them and don’t know the specifics of their situation now.”
After finishing his statement, Chen Peng said with a worried face, “The last time I contacted them, the information I got was that they encountered fully armed individuals, whereas those who came to us were just civilians from a nearby town; the situations are entirely different.
Now we don’t know the exact circumstance of the other camp, and we can’t support them even if we want to.
It’s truly a matter of life and death.”
With the mention of a kidnapping, the nature and severity of the situation changed drastically.
Gao Yang frowned and said in a deep voice, “Having lost contact is troublesome.
So, let’s first talk about you.
What are you going to do next?”
Chen Peng sighed deeply and replied, “The well our team is drilling is at a crucial phase, and we’re about to strike oil.
If we evacuate now, all our equipment will be stolen.
Not only will the loss be considerable, but also all our previous work will have been for nothing.
Sigh, if possible, I truly don’t want to leave.
However, the safety of the team’s life is paramount.
Now that we have the help of you two, things will be much easier.
This is what I think, if possible, please escort my people to evacuate.
I will stay behind to guard our stuff.”
Gao Yang regarded Chen Peng with newfound respect and asked in surprise, “Just you?
You’ll stay by yourself?”
Chen Peng nodded and said, “That’s what I plan right now, but whether it’s feasible or not, I still need to check with the company.
How about this?
I’ll contact the company right now.
If they say we should evacuate, we’ll rely on you two.
If the company has other arrangements, then we’ll discuss that separately.”
Gao Yang nodded and replied, “Okay, let’s do that.
Contact them quickly.
Whether we leave or stay, the two of us can help, until you are safe.”
Someone brought Chen Peng a satellite phone.
As Chen Peng took the phone and was about to dial, it seemed he suddenly remembered something.
He turned to Gao Yang with an apologetic smile and said in a serious tone, “The company might definitely ask about your two’s identities and circumstances.
How should I introduce you?”
After considering, Gao Yang said, “We are from a security company, on a security mission.
We heard Huaxia people were in trouble and came over to lend a hand.
Many details can’t be disclosed.
Just say that.”
Chen Peng took out the satellite phone and started to communicate with the company.
With an excited tone, he said over the phone, “Hello, Old Wang?
It’s Chen.
We’re okay now.
Yes, yes, it’s all right now.
Listen, there are two Huaxia people here, from a security company.
They were performing a mission nearby, and when they heard that compatriots were in trouble, they quickly came to the rescue.
Yes, yes, that’s right.
Ah, stop asking so many questions.
Just tell me the company’s next steps.
Are we evacuating or staying?”
Chen Peng nodded repeatedly, ending the call with the other end, and immediately said to Gao Yang, “Good news, if we’re quick, we might get military protection for the camp by tomorrow.
If safety can be ensured, we might not need to evacuate.
Also, our company executives said they are very grateful for your heroic actions.
He will come with the army tomorrow.
To thank you, our company will certainly show its gratitude.
Sigh, what to say…
You’ve been a huge help, saving so many of us.
Our boss is really grateful to you two and will definitely not come empty-handed.”
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “No need for thanks, we’re all Huaxia people, and this is our line of work, just lending a hand.
As for whether reinforcements will come tomorrow, can we be sure of that?”
Chen Peng nodded, “It should be guaranteed.
This unrest isn’t nationwide.
Our ambassador in South Sudan is anxious; the troops coming tomorrow might be dispatched directly from Juba.
Also, others have already rushed here to support us.
According to our leadership, it seems like they are people from within the country.
We’ll see how things go tomorrow.
If we can hold out, our team will not withdraw.
But if the situation spirals out of control, we’ll retreat to Wau.
There’s a UN peacekeeping force there, and crucially, our own Huaxia troops are there.
They can’t come to rescue us, but ensuring our safety is definitely not a problem.”
“What about the other camp?
Any news from there?”
Chen Peng’s expression darkened again, and he sighed, “No, we’ve lost contact.
We can only know the specifics by tomorrow at the earliest.
But from what I see, things don’t look good there.
They have fewer people than here.
The latest news from the afternoon was that a team of fifteen working on the well was kidnapped.
The camp staff are fine, it’s just that everything movable has been looted.
Now, I fear that even the people in the camp might be abducted.”
Gao Yang pondered for a moment before speaking firmly, “I plan to go check out the other camp.
If everyone has been abducted, then there’s nothing we can do.
But if they’re still fine, I can keep them safe, no problem bringing them to this camp or holding out until reinforcements arrive tomorrow.
How far is the other camp from here?”
Chen Peng, who had served in the military before, immediately responded upon hearing Gao Yang’s plan, “I won’t thank you again.
It would certainly be good to check out that camp, but we have too few hands here and can’t leave this place unattended.
How about this, the two of you have proper gear and training.
You stay and look after this camp, and I’ll go to the other camp to assess the situation.”
Li Jinfang, who had been silent up to this point, shook his head, “No need, those bandits are just ordinary civilians with no real will to fight.
One of us staying behind should be enough to ensure the camp’s safety.
We should split up and go.”
After saying this, Li Jinfang looked at Gao Yang, “There’s no time to delay.
I’ll head to the other camp now to take a look.
As long as the people there are okay, I’ll figure out a way to bring them here to regroup.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “No, you stay.
It should be me who goes.
For defense, a long range isn’t necessary, and with you and Manager Chen here, two people are enough to hold the position.
But for recon, it needs to be me.
I have a longer range, and I’m not afraid up close.
I’m better equipped to deal with any situation than you.
Enough talk, I’m leaving now.”
Gao Yang’s reasoning was sound.
Li Jinfang’s shooting range was shorter than Gao Yang’s, and he had fewer means to handle complex situations.
Besides, staying behind wasn’t a light burden as he would still need to ensure the safety of over sixty people.
Therefore, Li Jinfang didn’t argue with Gao Yang.
At this moment, Chen Peng felt extremely grateful to Gao Yang and Li Jinfang.
He stood up abruptly and said, “You’re Ram, right?
If you’re going to rescue people, it wouldn’t be right for the rest of us to just stand here and watch.
Let’s have Toad Brother stay behind by himself.
You can rest assured, my shooting is top-notch, and I won’t hold you back.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “Better not.
I have night vision gear.
I can sneak a peek and go check out the situation.
Besides, no offense to Manager Chen, but it’s more convenient for me to work alone.
Don’t worry, I do this all the time.”
Li Jinfang also nodded, adding, “Right, better let Ram go alone.
He does this type of thing regularly.
Although it’s just him, no one can keep him if he wants to go.”
(To be continued.
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