Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 165 - 154 Technical Director

Chapter 165: Chapter 154 Technical Director

He’s truly the model employee that capitalists would cry over.

Paying others to work, Li Jie must be really sick to do such a thing.

But then again, it makes sense. He exhausted himself arguing online and wound up fighting in Iraq, almost dying in a basement; someone like him has to be abnormal.

However, here’s the question, while other jobs might accept paid employment from the start, can being an assassin solely rely on passion?

Gao Yi and Luca exchanged glances, Luca first shook his head gently, then thought about it and nodded slightly.

What does that mean?

Gao Yi glanced at Feng Biao and Lin Xianghua, Lin showed no response, but Feng was frantically nodding behind Li Jie.

Okay then, it might be fun to bring Li Jie along, but we mustn’t let him know too much.

Gao Yi felt that Li Jie’s interest was just a whim, soon enough, he would be bored and naturally want to quit.

"Uh, if you really want to hang out with us, it’s not entirely impossible..."

Before Gao Yi could finish, Li Jie magically pulled out a folded piece of A4 paper from his pocket and said very calmly and earnestly, "For easy communication, I’ve printed out my information."

Employment Application Form.

Firearms-related Experience:

Contact: Started handling real guns in 2010, before that, was involved in shooting airsoft. Initially interested in old firearms gradually delving deeper, learning more about them.

Getting into the field: During student years in 2011, due to extensive knowledge on old firearms, worked part-time as an antique firearms appraiser at an auction house in California.

Entrepreneurship and business management: Moved to Texas in 2014, founded the firearms accessories company Neontac.LLC in 2015, focused on developing and selling high-end firearms accessories and EDC-related products. (Side business. Mainly started because of interest, earns pocket money plus allows handling restricted weapons.)

Business focus and capabilities: Currently have projects on firearms accessories R&D/testing, main resources are on development and production of night vision and thermal imaging systems (electro-optic systems mainly targeted at civilian use.) Direct qualifications to take orders from the United States Department of Defense/local military police.

Qualifications and Certificates: In 2016, obtained the class 07 Federal Firearms License for dealing/manufacturing and class 2 SOT manufacturing license, can manufacture civilian and federally restricted weapons, including automatics, silencers, and short-barreled rifles. Planned to apply for class 10 dealer/manufacturer license next year (can manufacture destructives weapons and ammunition such as explosives/shaped charges/.50 caliber above autocannons/heavy machine guns).

Company location and facilities: Company is located on a farm in the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas, equipped with a shooting range and some processing equipment.

Educational Background: Holds Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, currently pursuing an MBA.

Tactical Training: Participated in various professional tactical and firearms-related courses, such as various rifle and pistol tactics, low light cqb, low light urban tactics, low light vehicle tactics, first aid, etc.

Gunsmith-related training: Maintenance/repair of old guns, manufacturing of Soviet light weapons (ak/pkm), professional gunsmith courses provided by mainstream manufacturers. Practically handled/operated/repaired all new and old guns available on the market.

Combat-related experience: Entered Iraq in 2017 and fought ISIS for almost two months, killing roughly twenty individuals, was captured during the final phase of combat.

Physical and psychological health: Physically healthy, suffers from severe anxiety, moderate depression. (Important note, no post-traumatic stress disorder.)

Regarding salary requirements and expectations: Can pay you manager/responsible person salary of ten thousand dollars per month. If stopping salary payments, a one month notice is required.

The rest looks good, but this last part about salary requirements and expectations, Gao Yi just didn’t get it.

Gao Yi shared this possibly-so-called resume application form with Luca, specifically pointing out the last item.

Luca looked delighted, nodded repeatedly, and said, "Alright, alright!"

Li Jie looked at everyone, very calmly said, "Agreed? If you agree, I’m ready to start at any time, and also, I can prepay you half a year’s salary."

Gao Yi sternly said, "That can’t be called salary."

"I also agree that calling it salary is problematic. Then let’s call it sponsorship."

Luca smiled broadly at Gao Yi, saying, "That sounds great, I really think it’s good."

Crap, a finance-backed person joining the group, although Li Jie stated certainly doesn’t count, but what if he doesn’t follow orders?

Seeing Gao Yi still hesitant, Luca whispered, "It’s not about fighting a war here, assassin missions, you give him those kinds of jobs that won’t really affect anything if not done well, what’s there to fear?"

Luca, Luca, he’s really blinded by money, even being so rich, still can’t let go of a mere few thousand dollars.

Alright then, first give half a year’s salary, that’s at least sixty thousand dollars, and sixty thousand dollars is a huge amount for most Americans.

Gao Yi couldn’t help but asked Li Jie, "Are you very rich?"

"Not very rich, but I do have a few hundred thousand in savings."

Gao Yi curiously asked, "Being a gunsmith is so profitable?"

"Being a gunsmith is quite profitable, but selling military arms is even more so. I import some Cold War stock old guns, disassemble and destroy them before entering the civilian market, then replace and repair them with our own parts to sell. A single cargo container can earn me tens of thousands of dollars."

Gao Yi couldn’t hold back and exclaimed, "You’re an arms dealer!"

"Not really, just consider me a firearms dealer. Though I can take orders from the Ministry of Defense, from this perspective, I guess I have the qualifications of an arms dealer."

Gao Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "We are not mercenaries."

"I know, you guys are assassins."

Li Jie waved his hand and added, "Assassins suit me better. I can help you take out those scumbags, act for justice, soothe my grievances, and make myself feel better."

"You really hit the nail on the head with that one," agreed Gao Yi, following the same principle. But here’s the question, what can you do after joining us?"

Li Jie earnestly said, "What do you think, someone who held on for nearly two months in the meat grinder Hell of Mosul, what can’t be done on the battlefield?"

Feng Biao moved closer to Gao Yi, whispering, "Boss, he’s right. No matter what his background is, surviving two months of street combat in Mosul turns even a fool into a seasoned soldier. The key point here is, he’s a gunsmith. Let him handle our weapons; it would save us a lot of trouble."

Luca whispered, "You won’t say how much money it saves! Plus, mechanical and aerospace engineering degrees, my god, where can you find such talent? What assassin company wouldn’t treat such people like treasures? We can’t rely entirely on outsourcing for the things we need as assassins, if we can make them ourselves, think of the money... the trouble we’d save!"

Gao Yi made up his mind, turned to Li Jie and said, "We are Sky Garden, we are an assassin organization, we often take on assassin missions, if there’s a need for you, I’ll let you in, but remember we surely have enemies, and if one day enemies come knocking, you will also be in danger, you might even get killed."

Li Jie grinned, a sunny smile that, in this context, suggested he might be psychologically unwell.

"That sounds great, I love a thrilling life."

Gao Yi stepped forward, extending his hand seriously, "Welcome to Sky Garden."

"Wait!"

Li Jie seriously said, "A written pledge! Let’s sign a six-month contract first."

Gao Yi laughed, "Let’s not sign any contract, and you don’t have to give me money either, let me pay you, otherwise, the accounts later won’t add up."

Luca grimaced, wanting to say something, but ultimately sighed heavily with pain and kept silent.

Li Jie hesitated for a moment, then asked, "So, I don’t need to pay? What status does that give me then?"

"You’ll be an intern assassin, intern mercenary. You have to follow my orders to be accepted, if you can do that, you’re in. If not, then we’ve had a pleasant cooperation, and you can come ask for a gun next time."

Li Jie hesitated for a moment, then suddenly became excited.

"Intern assassin, intern mercenary, that sounds really thrilling..."

Li Jie stretched out his hand in high spirits and shook hands with Gao Yi, excitedly saying, "Then it’s settled, I’m joining."

Gao Yi smiled, "Welcome, you’re now a part of Sky Garden. Our schedule is very flexible, if there are no missions, you can do whatever you want. I’ll summon you when there’s a mission. Any problem with that?"

Li Jie’s smile nearly split his face, "No problem! This is my favorite work mode, very high level of freedom!"

"But there’s one thing, you must not tell anyone. If you leak our secrets, we will have to take you out. This prohibition is for life, I hope you understand the importance of confidentiality."

"I get it, I get it! As a secret organization, no, as an assassin organization, confidentiality is highly demanded. If secrets are not kept, one loses one’s life. Don’t worry, I’ll keep absolutely tight-lipped."

Li Jie seemed very understanding, but then he excitedly asked, "So, as assassins, do we have any unique tokens, or something to distinguish our own people, or a badge of the assassin organization or anything like that?"

"Yes, there is."

Gao Yi nodded, "When the day comes that you can become a real assassin, I will give you an identification. But for now, don’t rush; you are still in the internship period."

"Understood, I get it," Li Jie was very excited and eagerly asked, "So, is there a mission for me now?"

Gao Yi chuckled, "Actually, there is. First off, make me a sniper rifle, the kind that hits the target every single time, a large-caliber one!"

Li Jie frowned, Feng Biao wanted to speak but hesitated.

After some thought, Li Jie finally said, "It can be done, but such a gun... might not be easy to handle."

Gao Yi smiled, "No problem, just manage to make it. This is your first test. Do well, and you’ll be the director of equipment and technology for Sky Garden. Go for it, I’m rooting for you."