351: Chapter 349: Aurora First, Angel Second.
351: Chapter 349: Aurora First, Angel Second.
Gao Yang had always believed that since stepping into the mercenary world, it was better to keep a low profile.
It wouldn’t be worth it to survive the battlefield only to be killed later by a vengeful enemy who knocked on his door.
Moreover, no matter what, the mercenary business was one that shunned the spotlight.
Even if no one sought revenge, exposing one’s identity was definitely not a good thing.
Like stars, the more famous mercenaries became, the higher their fees.
Gao Yang knew this too, but he believed that for mercenaries, the saying “a man fears getting famous just as a pig fears getting fat” held more truth.
Compared to making more money, Gao Yang much preferred safety.
Little Donnie clearly hoped that the Satan Mercenary Corps would gain fame.
With fame would come more jobs and higher offers.
Of course, for Little Donnie, both his foster father and he dreamed of becoming agents for a famous mercenary group, and now, the Satan Mercenary Corps was realizing that dream.
Looking at Gao Yang’s lackluster spirits, Little Donnie asked in puzzlement, “Gao, isn’t getting famous a good thing?
Why do you seem so unhappy?”
Gao Yang shrugged, saying, “Honestly, I’d rather the name Satan Mercenary Corps remain unknown forever.
You know, the more famous we are, the more attention we attract.
But should all our secrets be exposed, and our enemies learn how to deal with us just by hearing the name Satan Mercenary Corps, it wouldn’t just be trouble, it would be suicide.”
Little Donnie laughed and said, “You can rest easy about that.
‘Mercenary’ magazine is very professional.
They know the risks for mercenaries better than anyone, so unless you ask for it, they won’t disclose any private information about the mercenary group.
But you have to understand something, the world of mercenaries is only so big.
If you continue to fight against others, you will inevitably become well-known.
In other words, as long as you keep winning, fame is inevitable because gold always glitters.”
Gao Yang, curious, said, “I don’t understand, how would this magazine know about our military achievements?
And what is their main focus?
Is it on real mercenaries like us, or on big companies like Blackwater and EO?”
Little Donnie spoke gravely, “The main focus is definitely on the established big companies.
They are very willing to showcase their capabilities, so they can publish their proud achievements, which allows them to receive more contracts.
As for mercenaries, due to the high level of secrecy, Mercenary magazine can’t possibly have complete records of all combat instances.
Therefore, on the lists of small and very small private military contractors, real formal military contractors and mercenary groups are actually mixed together.
In other words, you don’t know who among the names in the magazine are formal contractors and who are mercenaries, and nobody cares about that.
So-called private military contractors, without any supervision, can at any time turn into mercenary groups and take on shady jobs, and a mercenary group, when facing a legitimate job, can always register a company and become a formal military contractor.”
Feeling troubled, Gao Yang said, “Should I consider changing the name?
The name Satan Mercenary Corps was chosen randomly, we can just change it to something else.
Anyway, I wouldn’t want it that the next time we go to war, the enemies start mobilizing heavy forces just upon hearing the name Satan.
I think that on the battlefield, it’s better to be underestimated than to get too much attention.”
Little Donnie shook his head and said, “The mercenary circle isn’t large.
If you run into those who can only mix at the lower end, even if you say you’re from Satan Mercenary Corps, they wouldn’t know who you are.
On the other hand, for high-end mercenary groups, even if you don’t mention your name, they’ll recognize you upon meeting.
Besides, you have to understand one thing: employers will be more concerned about confidentiality, right?
So allowing the mercenary group to become famous while protecting individual privacy should be sufficient.”
Satan Mercenary Corps’ name had already been spread across the world in the magazine, so it was too late for any regrets now.
Gao Yang resolved that from now on, he would never reveal his real name easily; if he had to give a name that wasn’t a nickname, then like Glolov, he would come up with another false name.
Gao Yang picked up the magazine on the table and glanced through it.
After reluctantly accepting the reality that his mercenary group had become famous, he discovered that actually, the sensation of fame wasn’t too bad.
After a glance, Gao Yang exclaimed in surprise, “Angel Mercenary Corps can only rank second?
I always thought Angel was the first.
What’s the story behind Aurora that ranks first?”
Little Donnie smiled and said, “Actually, Angel has already practically become number one.
Aurora Mercenary Corps stopped all activities in 2004, but since they haven’t declared disbandment or been annihilated, and considering their extraordinary military achievements, Angel will have to strive for a while to surpass Aurora’s record.”
“Explain in detail, what’s this all about?”
Little Donnie took a sip of his coffee, his face filled with longing as he said, “The Aurora Mercenary Corps was initially founded by a few people from Northern Europe, though the exact number of founders is unclear, it’s only known that they started with three members.
Their active period was from 1992 until 2004, and the last time Aurora made an appearance was in 2007.
Since their last operation, Aurora hasn’t shown up again.
The reason they’re ranked first is due to the Aurora Mercenary Corps’ battle achievements.
They have a recorded 107 battles, all victories, and have completely annihilated twelve mercenary groups, based on available records.
Moreover, the personnel composition of Aurora is extremely stable, with a very high credibility that no one in the team has ever been killed.
Another key reason is that Aurora has defeated Angel twice.
So, Angel can only be ranked second.
Unless Angel defeats Aurora, or Aurora issues a statement to disband, or automatically drops off the list due to being missing for too long, only then Angel could take the first place.”
After finishing, Little Donnie waved his hand and said proudly, “You can take a look at the rankings in the magazine.
Among all the listed groups, only the Satan Mercenary Corps, which is an extremely small-sized group, is on that list.
That means, you guys are the top-ranked ultra-small-sized mercenary group globally, and also the only ultra-small-sized mercenary group to make the list in the last decade.”
Gao Yang couldn’t help but chuckle, “Are we really that impressive?”
Little Donnie emphatically said, “Of course, the mortality rate for ultra-small-sized mercenary groups is very high; most are just a bunch of people who get together to make a quick buck and then disband.
Being few in numbers ultimately is a disadvantage, so what such small groups can do is really limited.
I think a big part of why you made it onto this list is because of your performance in Somalia, where you trained a force and, despite being the underdogs, took over Bosaso.
Another very important point is that you successfully drove Angel away.
Just for that, you deserve to be on ‘Mercenaries’ magazine’s ranking.”
Gao Yang said with a bitter smile, “I wouldn’t dare claim that we drove Angel away.
Please, Angel Mercenary Corps retreated because they had completed their employer’s requirements.
They left voluntarily after completing the mission, not because we drove them away.”
Little Donnie twisted his mouth, “Anyway, Angel withdrew, and you even injured two of their men, which Mad Wolf personally admitted.
Therefore, nobody can deny that you guys were victorious.
Mad Wolf is incredibly competitive, a silent and ruthless guy.
Anyone who dares to hurt his people is sure to face his vengeance.
But his words are absolutely credible.”
Gao Yang urgently said, “Wait, wait, Mad Wolf is silent and vengeful?
Wanting revenge to the death upon those who hurt his men?
That doesn’t sound right.
Why does the Mad Wolf I met not only talk a lot but doesn’t seem like a very vengeful person either?”
Little Donnie sighed, “That’s a good question, but I don’t know.
Please, Mad Wolf is just crazy, okay?
How am I supposed to know what he’s thinking?
When you told me you had encountered Angel Mercenary Corps and sat down in the middle of the battlefield drinking coffee with Mad Wolf, I was stunned.
After you injured Mad Wolf’s men, you were still able to drink coffee together and cease hostilities peacefully.
God, what’s happening with the world!”
Gao Yang looked puzzled, “Thinking back on my conversation with Mad Wolf, I’ve always had this feeling that Mad Wolf wants to cultivate us as opponents; once we’re strong enough, he’ll take us down.
It’s like a game, a madman’s game.”
Little Donnie also gave a wry smile, “Maybe.
Angel Mercenary Corps hasn’t had a rival in a long time, and even though the members of Angel are a bunch of lunatics, they are indeed very powerful, extremely so.
Maybe these madmen really do want to cultivate a worthy opponent for themselves.
As for why Mad Wolf is behaving differently, if you get a chance to see him again, you’d better ask him yourself.
I’m sane, how could I understand the thoughts of a madman?
However, if we get back on topic, the growth trajectory of Satan Mercenary Corps really does resemble that of Aurora.”
“I definitely don’t want to see those lunatics from Angel again, wait, did you just say our growth trajectory is very similar to Aurora’s?”
Little Donnie looked as though he was reminiscing, “From what I know, just like Aurora, you guys started with just a few people building a framework, then slowly recruited new members, very united.
And the commander is a very impressive sniper, or more precisely, a marksman.
Oh, right, Aurora’s deputy commander was also a machine-gunner.
Hmm, although Big Dog isn’t the deputy commander, he more or less plays that role.
Moreover, like Aurora, you belong to that rare kind of mercenary group with many friends—which is quite unique.
You have to understand, for most mercenary groups, they have loads of enemies but very few friends.”
Gao Yang sighed deeply, “I understand now.
I finally know why Mad Wolf behaved so oddly; it’s because Angel lost to Aurora twice, and obviously, there’s no longer a chance for Angel to defeat Aurora.
Mad Wolf sees us as the second Aurora, or rather, he thinks Satan could grow into a mercenary group like Aurora.”
(p>To be continued.
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