Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 127 - 117: The Builder

Chapter 127: Chapter 117: The Builder

Saibu desperately proved his worth, for Gao Yi was his only lifeline now.

It must be said that Saibu too was talented. He could make every path he walked a dead end.

Even those seemingly protecting him turned out to be creditors, which greatly surprised Gao Yi.

Peter had just gone out for a stroll. It was secondary for him to call people in; bringing Alavi was even less meaningful. The main purpose was to check the outside situation and see if there was a chance for action.

"Sir!"

Peter spoke solemnly, "The defensive posture of those people outside is mainly internal, not external, but they still don’t pose much of a threat."

Peter wasn’t urging Gao Yi to take action against Saibu. He just wanted to tell Gao Yi they could move anytime, confident and unafraid.

As time ticked by, Saibu and Alavi sobbed, but after a while, they began whispering to each other.

And the man with the big beard watched Saibu, his face blank and slightly agitated.

Two men in camouflage walked in to check things out. They glanced at Saibu, then at Gao Yi, and said a few words before leaving again. According to Gao Yi’s estimation, these people were afraid he’d kill their unpaid boss. But since it seemed like nothing was happening, then naturally, nothing was happening.

Gao Yi felt that at this moment he could just give Saibu a good beating until he cried for his parents, and those outside would probably just watch the drama.

After about forty minutes, Gao Yi’s phone rang. He answered and heard Grins urgently say, "Apologies for the wait. We have reached Suaila’s airspace. Six AH-64 Apaches are in position, but for your safety, we cannot engage directly. Hold on, someone wants to talk to you."

The voice on the phone changed to a warm and enthusiastic one.

"Hey, Booth, hello, I’m George! I wanted to explain that we could have deployed heavier weaponry, but your safety is paramount, so we’ve brought all the fighting-duty Apaches at maximum speed."

Gao Yi was confused—Booth? Who was Booth?

Then he remembered. Booth was Gao Yi himself; it was just that the name was so rarely used that he almost didn’t recognize being called by it.

Who was George?

Oh, should be Grins’s boss, and he’d actually come in person.

"Uh, thank you, sir."

"And there are also three Black Hawk helicopters. Our colleagues are also on the way. Although there are no direct special forces, our own combat strength is very strong. If ground troops are needed, we’re up for it!"

Gao Yi stared at Peter, who shook his head slightly, signifying he knew nothing.

Was this a full mobilization by the Defense Clandestine Service stationed in Iraq to snatch some accomplishments?

It seemed so—probably.

No, definitely!

Gao Yi took a breath. He looked at Saibu and then said softly into the phone, "Since everyone’s here, how about we make it heroic? I mean, something very compelling, very... touching? Sir, I think no matter how well the report is written, it can’t match a live scene, what do you think?"

"Really, is that okay? There’s no problem? Most of us are... civilians."

Gao Yi spoke softly, "Wait, didn’t you send seven combatants here in advance? What are they doing?"

Saibu seemed to sense something wrong and stared at Gao Yi in shock. Gao Yi covered the microphone and said impatiently to him, "Cooperate well later, we need to put on a show for the officials above."

Saibu suddenly realized, and immediately responded, "Understood, understood, I’ll definitely cooperate!"

Gao Yi released the microphone, hearing George’s trembling voice, "So we begin the action? Do you have a flashlight? Use the SOS light signal to guide us to land. We’ll start by attacking the surrounding targets with the gunship, don’t worry, we won’t hit the house. I’ll notify you when to come out, okay?"

Negotiations were straightforward, just bombing around the house usually worked, and that would certainly anger Gao Yi if done wrong.

Gao Yi asked Saibu, "Where are your creditors located, all outside?"

Saibu immediately replied, "Yes, there are four machine gun positions around the house, one on the roof, and one at the road junction near Suaila city. All of these can be targeted, but for the people inside the house, uh, that’s something you have to handle."

Gao Yi asked softly, "Are you sure you can speak like this, not worried about being overheard?"

Saibu whispered, "No one around me speaks English. They’re all illiterate. Those who speak English are stationed elsewhere."

Gao Yi picked up the phone, "Don’t hit the house, but people around it are fair game."

"Alright, received! So we start now?"

"Start!"

Gao Yi nodded at Peter, who calmly said, "You heard him."

The phone didn’t hang up, and soon George urgently ordered, "Quick, quick, quick, everyone listen. In a minute, our helicopters will land for ground rescue, then all battlefield cameras switch on, thermal imaging on. I’m going in front, Grins is behind me. All listen carefully, we can’t film inside, but don’t you dare say anything out of turn if you don’t know what to speak! Begin the operation."

At the command, moments later, Gao Yi suddenly heard a series of continuous and very dense explosions.

Not ordinary explosions, like fireworks but vastly louder.

It was a bit risky. If the artillery was slightly off, the rooftop probably couldn’t withstand it.

Peter and Lin Xianghua were inside the house, while the remaining four were outside.

When the thunderous sound of the cannon shells hitting the ground erupted, a kind of relieved laxity spread across Saibu’s face.

Peter raised his gun and unleashed a barrage of bullets at Big Beard standing behind Saibu.

The few people left outside the door promptly raised their weapons, firing at the few inside, and just in a flash, all of Saibu’s men inside the house fell.

The explosions outside grew even more intense, the noise so loud that speech was unhearable. Inside, Gao Yi was somewhat afraid, but he tried his best to appear calm, while Saibu grabbed Alavi’s arm, shouting excitedly, "It’s real! It’s real! We’ve been saved!"

Peter gestured with his fingers three times, and three men immediately moved closer to the entrance, guns aimed at the main door. Then, several people ran into the building, frightened by the continuous cannon fire around the house.

Fire upon entry. The people coming in fell one after another.

This was a trap, and those who died had been sold out by Saibu.

Gao Yi sighed, speaking quietly, "Every debt has its debtor, you can’t blame me if you’re dead."

The attack lasted about two minutes. The helicopter’s guns fired a few rounds to clear any potential threats, and Grins’s voice came over the phone.

He sounded excited, saying, "There’s definitely no one left outside, guaranteed none moving."

Gao Yi quietly said, "No threats inside either, land now."

Waiting for the helicopters to land took a moment, and Peter loudly said, "Hold the entrance, don’t fire recklessly, but... keep alert, stay cautious!"

Meaning not to let their guard down, even if the people appearing soon should be allies.

Gao Yi really appreciated Peter’s shrewdness and caution.

So smart, so clever, able to fight and willing to do so—such great qualities, he of course couldn’t keep him around.

It wasn’t that Gao Yi was jealous of his skills. It was just that Peter and his team, a tight-knit group of five, all following Peter’s command, followed the path of mercenaries. Gao Yi was an assassin, but what was crucial was Peter and his team were a very solid entity.

The Garden now had only three people, including a powerful group of five. Watching each other would be tiring, and completely not watching was too risky.

Gao Yi abruptly said, "Peter."

Peter, holding his gun, slightly turned his head, speaking softly, "Boss."

Gao Yi stood up, ignoring Saibu, and took a few steps while supporting Peter’s shoulder, then spoke in a low voice, "How about joining the Defense Clandestine Service?"

Peter was momentarily stunned, then astonishedly said, "Ah?"

"Today’s opportunity is good. You all are combat-capable, retired Rangers, originally Pentagon people, and the Defense Clandestine Service, newly established, doesn’t even have its own action team. If everyone can benefit from tonight’s accomplishments, you guys should be rewarded, right?"

Patting Peter’s shoulder, Gao Yi spoke quietly, "No more bounty of two hundred thousand dollars in cash, as there wasn’t any prepared for us. But how about being the first action team of the Defense Clandestine Service? What do you think?"

Peter hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ah?"

"Don’t just say ’ah.’ Just tell me whether you want it or not. Working as mercenaries doesn’t earn much and is dangerous. But serving again, especially for the Defense Clandestine Service, at least there’s a pension if you die. Looking at the situation now, just send a report up, and let you guys enter the Defense Clandestine Service. The Pentagon has no reason to object. I don’t know if the wage in the Defense Clandestine Service is high, should we ask first?"

Peter took a deep breath and said, "I’m in!"

"Hmm, really? You’re willing?"

Peter spoke softly, "Of course, thank you, boss."

Gao Yi exhaled, "As long as you’re willing, it’s okay. I’ll speak up. Of course, it might not work out; don’t get your hopes up too high. I just wanted to check your attitude first."

Peter thought for a moment, then asked, "Boss, if it works out, does that mean the action team of the Defense Clandestine Service is assembled by you?"

Gao Yi was slightly startled, then modestly said, "Don’t put it like that, it’s an exaggeration."

"But at least the team at the Iraqi branch is set up by you, right?"

After Peter finished, he earnestly said, "Whether it works out or not, boss, we will always serve you, not for anything else, just because it’s promising to follow you."