385: Chapter 383: There’s a mission, with a high reward.
385: Chapter 383: There’s a mission, with a high reward.
A skilled artilleryman with sharpshooting abilities, proficient in both laying mines and mine clearance, even if this person could do nothing but fire cannons and clear mines, Gao Yang would still have his heart set on him.
The excited Gao Yang immediately stood up and exclaimed, “This guy is definitely a treasure.
Where is he?
Arrange for us to meet at once!
I can’t let other mercenary groups snatch him away.”
Uriyangko still looked incredulous as he said, “You should be worried that he’ll be snatched up by other mercenary groups, but do you believe it?
This guy is even having a hard time finding a new job.”
At this time, Gao Yang also found it unbelievable.
His eyes widened as he said, “That can’t be true, right?
Shouldn’t mercenary groups be going crazy over someone like him?”
Uriyangko forced a smile and said, “My colleague introduced Tommy to a security contractor, but Tommy was rejected because the company thought he was too old, and standard security contractors mostly handle jobs like security, so they don’t need an offensive artilleryman, let alone someone skilled in mine clearance.
Although Tommy is versatile, his infantry skills surely don’t match those of professionally trained soldiers like Frog.”
Gao Yang frowned and said, “What about the mercenaries?
A mercenary group shouldn’t pass up a talent like him.”
“Well, the key issue is that Tommy’s asking salary is too high.
His starting price is at ten thousand US Dollars per month.”
Gao Yang spread his hands and said, “Ten thousand US Dollars?
That price isn’t high.”
Uriyangko waved his finger and explained, “That salary is too high for regular security contractors and most mercenary groups.
For ordinary mercenaries in regular mercenary groups to earn a few thousand US Dollars a month is quite impressive.
As for elite mercenary groups like yours that make big money, how many do you think there are in the world?
Moreover, the member composition of most elite mercenary groups is quite stable.
Other than the growth phase experienced by groups like the Satan Mercenary Corps, well, besides Satan, I don’t know of another.”
Gao Yang let out a sigh and said, “Great, tell your friend to have Tommy undergo a test.
I need to see his abilities for myself.
If he’s good enough, I can definitely offer him the salary he’s asking for.
Of course, the condition is that his performance has to be impressive enough.”
“My friend doesn’t talk big, so Tommy is certainly as good as he says.
The only problem now is where to have Tommy meet you?”
After pondering for a moment, Gao Yang said in a determined tone, “With a new member coming in, we need the unanimous approval of the old-timers, that’s our rule.
So my people need to see Tommy’s capability before we decide.
Hmm, have him go to Djibouti first, we’ll meet him there in Djibouti and then head to Bosaso.
This way I can also have my friend, another skilled artilleryman, to help me vet him.”
Uriyangko nodded and said, “No problem, he can get there quickly.
I’ll notify him right now.”
Uriyangko picked up the phone, and after another chat with his colleague, he put down the phone, smiling, “It’s set.
Tommy will arrive in Djibouti in three days.
Haha, you should thank me for finding you a good artilleryman.
My colleague should also thank me for finding a way out for his friend.
It’s fun to work on things like this.”
As Uriyangko was laughing heartily, they heard Grand Ivan’s deep voice saying, “Uri, what’s got you laughing so cheerfully?”
Gao Yang turned to look, only to see Grand Ivan had returned to the living room.
He got up from the sofa once more.
Grand Ivan gestured with his hands and said with a smile, “No need to stand on ceremony, please sit down.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
As one gets older, health problems start to creep up.
My heart isn’t great, and I have to take some medication and calm down when I get agitated.
Haha, quite troublesome indeed.”
After explaining to Gao Yang, Grand Ivan sat on the sofa, and with a wave of his hand towards Uriyangko, he chuckled, “Uri, you still haven’t told me why you’re so happy.
Tell me, did something good happen?”
Uriyangko pursed his lips and said, “It’s good news for Gao Yang, but not for us.
As you know, Lev needs to downsize, and he wanted me to help find new opportunities for a few of his men.
I’ve introduced one of them to Gao Yang.”
Grand Ivan sighed and said, “It’s indeed not good news.
Lev’s division really doesn’t have much business right now.
Oh, this damn era of peace.”
Then, with a distressed face toward Gao Yang, Grand Ivan said, “You have to understand, for people like us, world peace means no wars, and no wars mean we’re out of work.
Europe is too peaceful now.
A few years back, there were still wars in Yugoslavia, but now, peace, peace is everywhere.
My European Division head hasn’t had any business for a long time.
These years haven’t been easy for arms dealers and mercenaries.”
Gao Yang said sheepishly, “Umm, the whole world is praying for peace, while arms dealers and mercenaries are hoping for war.
Hmm, does that make us evil?
Besides, Europe might start fighting again soon.”
Grand Ivan let out a hearty laugh and said, “Europe go to war?
Where there?
The South Union is completely gone, Serbia and Kosovo can’t fight anymore, the Balkan powder keg’s fuse has been removed.
Where else could a war break out?
Perhaps in another two years, I’ll simply close down the Europe Division.
Now the Middle East and Africa are about to get chaotic again, I need to focus my attention and resources here.”
Gao Yang commented offhandedly, “Wars are unpredictable; maybe Russia will start another one.
Didn’t they just fight Georgia?
Who knows, they might fight another country next, like Ukraine or something.”
Gao Yang felt apprehensive as he spoke, because the likelihood of Europe going to war again was indeed slim, and Russia attacking Ukraine and Poland, well, that was the kind of thing you’d joke about in passing.
Grand Ivan said with a chuckle, “If Russia goes to war, they certainly won’t buy from me, but instead, I might have a chance to snap up a batch of arms at a low price.
What I’m hoping for is civil unrest in small countries, not Russia going up against NATO.
Also, Russia attacking Ukraine, haha, that’s a funny joke.”
Gao Yang was just speaking off the cuff, laughing it off with Grand Ivan, and that was the end of it.
Counting on Russia attacking Ukraine was truly not something to hope for.
After joking around a bit more, Grand Ivan changed the subject, “Gao, do you have any plans coming up?”
Gao Yang shook his head, “Nothing, we haven’t had a formal mission in a long time.
Maybe after I go back this time, I’ll have the agent look for a lucrative task for us.”
Grand Ivan smiled, “I do have a high-paying job to offer you, are you interested in hearing about it?”
“Of course, I’m very interested, let’s hear it.”
“The ship you guys used this time originally belonged to a Colombian drug lord, but he’s had a rough time recently, with his territory rapidly shrinking.
He even lost control of his sea routes, so to raise money for a counterattack, he’s sold his drug-running ships, just to gather cash for hiring mercenaries.”
Gao Yang nodded, “Colombia, that’s a place with no shortage of people willing to fight for money, and they still need to hire mercenaries?”
Grand Ivan said, “They do, but only top-notch ones like you.”
“Can you give me more details about the situation?”
Grand Ivan paused to think and then said, “I don’t understand the specifics, but the offer is ten million US dollars to assassinate the leader of the local faction.
It’s a short-term, one-off task; you get paid if you complete it and nothing if you don’t.
As for the level of difficulty, well, it should be quite high.
My director for the Americas Division knows more about it, and if you’re interested, I can have him inquire in detail.”
“So, do you know the specific location?
I mean, is the combat area in Colombia’s tropical rainforests?”
“The northwestern part of Colombia, a mix of tropical rainforest and mountain regions.”
Gao Yang hesitated, “Ten million is a high price, but I’m not too keen on getting involved with drug lords.
Hmm, I’ll think about it.
After I go back, I’ll discuss it with my team and see what they think.
If they all agree, I’ll trouble you to ask for more details.”
Grand Ivan nodded, “Okay, if you’re interested, just call Uri and I’ll have someone set it up for you.”
Gao Yang wasn’t very interested in the mission Grand Ivan mentioned.
Although ten million US dollars was indeed a high sum, he really didn’t want to get entangled with drug lords, and another reason was that a mission priced at ten million dollars wouldn’t be so easy to take on.
Although he didn’t yet know the difficulty, it was certain that it wouldn’t be minor.
Another key reason for Gao Yang’s reluctance to take on the mission was that the Colombian tropical rainforest is part of the greater Amazon Rainforest, one of the Earth’s most challenging climates.
Conducting warfare in the jungle requires expertise in jungle combat, which the Satan Mercenary Corps lacked.
After chatting a while longer, it was time for dinner.
When Grand Ivan invited Gao Yang to move to the dining room, Gao Yang had Uriyangko help him retrieve his phone and then called to pay the final installment to Grand Ivan.
After paying the final installment and enjoying a sumptuous dinner with Grand Ivan and Uriyangko, Gao Yang declined Grand Ivan’s invitation to stay the night and left the manor with Uriyangko.
Gao Yang felt uncomfortable in Grand Ivan’s manor.
Although Grand Ivan said Gao Yang could freely make and receive calls in his estate, to avoid any suspicion, Gao Yang had turned off his satellite phone.
To keep the communication smooth, he had to leave Grand Ivan’s manor.
After leaving Grand Ivan’s manor, Gao Yang turned on his satellite phone, and not long after, the phone rang.
Gao Yang checked the caller ID and saw it was a call from Little Donnie.
Once connected, he heard Little Donnie laughing, “Hey, brother, a job has just come looking for us, with a high price, a one-off operation.
The client’s offering ten million US dollars.
Are you interested in hearing about it?”
Gao Yang sighed, “As long as it’s not in Colombia, I’m very interested.” (To be continued.
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