Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 110 - 100: No Way

Chapter 110: Chapter 100: No Way

The sunlight bathed the streets of Baghdad, which were devoid of many people, so the car sped along quickly.

They were heading straight for the Green Zone, but Gao Yi didn’t know what procedures were needed to enter. Lin Xianghua had heard something about it, but he wasn’t sure of the specifics either.

In this situation, they should definitely ask Ali, who already had a Green Zone pass.

"Do we need any documents to enter the Green Zone?"

"Certainly, you have to submit an application, and only after the Americans approve can you go in."

"Is the application difficult?"

In their haste, many things had not been prepared; nonetheless, Gao Yi was accustomed to solving problems on the spot, so he didn’t feel anything was amiss.

Ali thought for a moment and said, "It’s easy for Americans to apply, but it’s more difficult for people from other countries. However, I know some people; if you pay them a bit of money, getting an application approved is quite easy."

Gao Yi and the others came to Baghdad for a mission, aiming to complete the task and leave quickly, uncertain whether they could even stay a few days. If things went smoothly, they might be able to wrap it up in a couple of days.

So, whether or not they could enter the Green Zone didn’t really matter that much.

Gao Yi looked back at Luca and asked, "Shall we go or not?"

"Let’s check it out."

Gao Yi said to Ali, "Let’s just go straight to the Green Zone, to the place where they issue the passes."

Weren’t they saying it’s easy for those with US nationality? Since Gao Yi had a passport now, it should be easy.

Ali didn’t say much; he just drove to what looked like a normal street with no gates, just roadblocks and iron wire, and there was also a check station by the side.

Ali stopped the car, then said to Gao Yi, "The vehicle needs to be inspected, and you will need to be searched as well, but this is just for security. To process the pass, you have to go ahead. I pass in and out of the Green Zone every day and am very familiar with them. Bring your documents, and you can leave the rest in the car; this way, the inspection will go faster for you, and there’s less chance they will seize any of your belongings."

His advice made sense. Gao Yi’s bag contained a large amount of cash, and if a bunch of soldiers were to inspect it, who knows if they might find a reason to extort some money.

But the bag was too important, so Gao Yi thought it best not to leave it in the car.

Only Lin Xianghua had a large backpack, which he put in the trunk. Gao Yi only had a small backpack. Now that they mentioned an inspection, let it be.

Lin Xianghua’s backpack didn’t contain anything too special, just clothing suitable for Baghdad’s climate and some combat gear other than weapons, such as walkie-talkies.

Seeing that the soldiers at the check station were Iraqis and not American soldiers, it appeared this was just the first post, and they would have to go further ahead to get their passes.

Lin Xianghua said, "Then I won’t bring my bag."

Gao Yi, who was accustomed to cutting corners through connections, had no doubts about Ali’s claim to know the people at the check station. He got out of the car and said to Ali, "Wait for us there."

Luca and Lin Xianghua also got out, and Ali drove slowly through the S-shaped barrier between the roadblocks, then gradually, and all of a sudden, he sped up and disappeared into the distance.

The three men looked at one another, and then they all turned their attention to the check station.

No one was outside. Under the shade of the awning, a few Iraqi soldiers with rifles slung over their shoulders watched Gao Yi and his companions with a smirk, as if watching fools.

A chill ran down Gao Yi’s spine as he whispered, "Damn it!"

Luca held his head in his hands, saying in dismay, "Oh no, we’ve been fooled..."

Lin Xianghua’s mouth gaped open. After hearing Gao Yi and Luca’s words, he said in a stupor, "Can it really go down like this?"

Together, the three approached the awning, where a soldier immediately aimed his gun at them.

Gao Yi, in English, said, "Hello..."

Luca said in Arabic, "Hello, we... have we been deceived?"

An officer silently nodded, and then the rest of the soldiers started laughing joyfully.

An assassin, a mercenary, and a middleman, in Baghdad, duped by a con artist taxi driver.

Gao Yi looked down at his bag and sighed gently.

Luckily, he hadn’t left the bag in the car.

Gao Yi felt relatively okay about the whole situation, but Luca was overcome with an unprecedented sense of shame.

It was a disgrace; a middleman, a broker, robbed of luggage by a cab driver.

Humiliated, completely devastated, he felt as if he could no longer face anyone or mix in this circle anymore.

Luca took a step forward and indignantly said to the soldiers, "You know who he is, right?"

There were just seven or eight people under the awning, all dressed in full American gear—camouflaged uniforms, bullet-proof vests, and helmets in the heat.

Only the leading officer wore camouflage without a helmet or cap, which seemed much more comfortable by comparison.

The officer waved his hand at Luca, signaling him to leave quickly and spare the chatter.

Even if they weren’t in cahoots, they must certainly know him. Considering how smoothly that taxi driver Ali had operated, this couldn’t have been his first time, and it was very likely that he would return shortly to split the loot.

Only Lin had lost his bag. While there was no money in it, his possessions would not be easily replaced in Baghdad.

Almost at his wit’s end, Luca was still rational enough to know that lashing out at those soldiers was not an option—they were still brandishing their weapons, after all.

Gao Yi exhaled and said, "Let’s go, don’t talk any more; we’re fine as long as we haven’t lost anything important."

It was best not to waste time arguing with them; better to find a cool place to settle down. As for the lost backpack, they would have to slowly look for it later.

Luca’s facial muscles started to twitch uncontrollably. Gao Yi just gripped Luca’s arm and led him toward a sheltered spot. Standing under the sun would bake them dry.

Finding some shade under the eaves by the roadside, the three of them fell silent. They wanted to hail a cab, but no taxis seemed to pass by.

Just then, Gao Yi’s phone rang.

He answered the call, and Martin’s voice burst out cheerfully, "Got in touch with my former colleague, he is willing to help. Give him ten thousand dollars when you meet, and he will do whatever he can to assist you. After that, how much more you pay him is up to you."

Gao Yi cleared his throat and said, "All right, give me his number."

Martin gave a number, and Gao Yi silently dialed it. Soon, the call connected and a low voice said, "Hello."

Feeling slightly awkward, Gao Yi replied, "Hello, I’m Martin’s friend."

"I know. Where are you located, and when can you arrive?"

The response was not warm or welcoming. After hesitating for a moment, Gao Yi said, "We’re not sure where we are, we’re trying to get to the Green Zone... um, can you pick us up?"

Silence followed. After a pause, the voice on the other end suddenly said, "You haven’t been conned, have you? Surely not?"