Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 908 - 913: Green Zone

Chapter 908: Chapter 913: Green Zone

Suddenly, Brian had a new addition by his side, an old subordinate of his, of whom Yang Yi had been totally unaware.

Logically and emotionally, Yang Yi had to figure out what was going on, so he looked at Brian, hoping to get an explanation from him.

"I felt we were short-staffed, so we needed someone to help, and my men are naturally the best choice," Brian said seriously to Yang Yi. "Of course, I can guarantee they are absolutely reliable!"

"They?"

Yang Yi became even more surprised, but Brian simply nodded and said, "Yes, four men in total, all top-notch all-rounders, capable of doing anything, playing any role. Of course, Stone Statue is an exception; he’s just a sniper, but the best sniper!"

Yang Yi looked at Stone Statue, who met his gaze for a moment before continuing to stare straight into Yang Yi’s eyes.

What’s with this guy?

They say eyes are the windows to the soul, and if judging by the eyes alone, Stone Statue gave Yang Yi the singular impression of being very aggressive, someone who would never back down from a challenge.

It was Yang Yi who looked away first, then he turned to Jethro and asked, "The most important thing is to buy weapons first. You can get guns in Baghdad, right?"

Jethro nodded but quickly added, "I know who the biggest arms dealer is in Baghdad, but I’ve never needed to buy guns here. So understand that I don’t know about the smaller vendors. Among those I do know, they all live in the Green Zone of Baghdad."

"People belonging to Deyo and Big Ivan?"

"Yes, Barbosa, Mughal, and Polovich. Now, Polovich has left Baghdad and vanished. Barbosa and Mughal are in the Green Zone. My suggestion is to go directly to Mughal to buy guns. It might be a bit pricier, but it will be convenient."

Yang Yi spread his hands and said, "Why not go directly to Barbosa? Use buying guns as a reason to meet him. We are really buying guns, and a favorable impression from the first transaction would help. The second time, use the deal as an excuse to lure him out—how simple is that."

Jethro was stunned, then incredulously said, "Right, that could actually work."

Barbosa doesn’t know about the Organization of Water. Maybe we can arrange a meeting under the guise of a transaction. Maybe there’ll even be an opportunity at the first meeting.

What opportunity?

Of course, the chance to make a move. Maybe a perfect set-up can happen right at the first meeting: a clean rip-off that’s both simple and direct, and saves the money for the guns, too.

Thinking over Yang Yi’s suggestion, Jethro nodded and said, "That could work, but we would need to find another contact channel."

"Who does Barbosa interact with? Who could connect us with him to issue an invitation to buy arms?"

They all looked at each other until Woody raised his hand and said softly, "Maybe I can."

Yang Yi was surprised and asked Woody, "You know people who sell arms in Iraq?"

Woody grinned and nodded, "I don’t know them, but I know many people here who could probably contact Barbosa."

Yang Yi smiled, "Good, good. Leave this to you. We have too many here without guns who feel unsafe, so we don’t have to insist on finding Barbosa. As long as you can procure the guns, it doesn’t matter how."

Woody, eager to start, stood up and said, "I’ll go visit some old friends right now. Anyone want to join me?"

Yang Yi glanced at Anton, prompting Anton to stand up, and he asked with a serious tone, "Under what identity?"

"We could just be mercenaries, or PMC; there are too many mercenaries here," Woody suggested.

Yang Yi waved his hand and said, "Let’s go under the guise of mercenaries. We definitely cannot use the name Trident. Just come up with any name you like."

Buying arms would have to wait until they were in the Green Zone. Originally, Yang Yi and his team needed to go through some trouble to get inside the Green Zone, but with Woody’s friends helping, the process became much simpler.

The so-called Green Zone might better be called the Safe Zone. After the second Iraq war, the United States cordoned off a large area in central Baghdad, heavily guarded—probably the safest place in all of Iraq.

Many American soldiers on leave come to the Green Zone, as well as countless mercenaries and PMCs with no assignments, the hub of spy activities, and a haven for arms dealers. For foreigners working in Iraq, as long as they weren’t a thorn in the side of the Americans and had enough money, the best option was to enter the Green Zone.

Buying guns in the Green Zone was as normal and easy as it gets, but stringent security made the internal situation akin to that of a massive prison. Unless power and influence allowed one to overlook rules, it was best not to cause trouble inside the Green Zone. Thus, it featured the highest rates of armed individuals but boasted excellent security.

Entry to the Green Zone required permits, and although Yang Yi and his team were prepared, having Woody made the process of getting these permits a lot easier—almost just a formality before they were let in.

After saying goodbye to Woody’s major friend who had to return to the barracks, and arranging to meet for a drink that night, Yang Yi and his group had to tackle the immediate problem of finding accommodation upon entering the Green Zone.

Like outside, the Green Zone had hotels, including the best in all of Baghdad. The biggest difference between inside and outside was the cost—everything was expensive inside the Green Zone.

But the expense made sense; at least you didn’t have to worry about someone next to you at dinner pulling out a gun and firing a burst, or walking into a bomb on the street. The most you would worry about was the occasional shelling that might occur.

After passing through the extremely vigilant security checkpoint, Yang Yi checked his watch and suggested, "I’m hungry. Before we start working, should we find a place to eat first? Woody, any recommendations?"

"What do you want to eat? If it’s Iraqi specialties, I know a good restaurant that mainly does grills, very authentic."

"Sounds good. Lead the way."

Woody, who had worked in the Green Zone for a long time, was very familiar with the area and led everyone confidently to a restaurant that looked simple and not too clean, was outrageously expensive, but was almost full.

Even the restaurant owner knew Woody.

"Woody? You’re Doctor Woody!"

After removing his greasy and dirty apron, the bearded owner rushed over and embraced Woody, then excitedly said, "Long time no see, Doctor Woody. I heard you went back to the United States. How is your family?"

Woody smiled sheepishly, then said to the owner, "Please find us a table. My friends and I just got off the plane and are starving."