Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 411 - 393: Raw Data

Chapter 411: Chapter 393: Raw Data

The negotiation with the Russian was finished, and now he had to wait for the Russians to provide the specific details of the transaction.

There was no need to rush on Teacher Mu’s side because as long as the product was genuine, they would definitely be interested.

However, Teacher Mu was overly enthusiastic. Gao Yi had just hung up the phone when Teacher Mu’s call immediately came through.

Gao Yi was still in Green’s room, and he didn’t want Green to hear his conversation with Teacher Mu, but given the current situation, Green knew everything. Hiding anything more would be like hiding one’s ears while stealing a bell, truly meaningless.

So, Gao Yi simply took the call in front of Green.

Taking the call wasn’t an issue, but Teacher Mu was really in a hurry this time. It hadn’t even been five minutes—had he finished his report?

Gao Yi was somewhat puzzled. He answered the phone and said softly, "Hello."

Not using any title meant it was inconvenient to speak freely, which generally meant people were around. Teacher Mu understood this immediately and said, "Did I disturb you?"

"No, please go ahead."

Gao Yi spoke in English, which was different from his previous calls with Teacher Mu.

Taking the cue, Teacher Mu briefly said, "I’ve spoken with the buyer. There’s absolutely no problem with the price. We can make an earnest payment, and there’s also a gratuity. We’re still looking for the right expert, which might take some time, an hour, but in an hour we’ll definitely have someone ready, waiting eagerly for your good news. Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"No, your efficiency and sincerity are a bit frightening, I have nothing to add."

Gao Yi had accidentally spoken the truth, but it was said, and it didn’t matter.

Teacher Mu continued in a low voice, "Now we just have one small request. Could you reveal the type of goods? If it’s inconvenient, I can wait and contact you again."

"The type of goods is not yet known, um, what types are there? You tell me first, and then I’ll ask..."

A complete layman operating at the level of world-class strategic military technology, this was certainly a bit troublesome.

Teacher Mu said quietly, "For example, blueprints, or recordings, or images, or processed electronic signals, or complete intelligent data that computers can read. Actually, I’m a layman in this field and don’t understand the professional terminology, but if you give a general category, we can find the corresponding expert to evaluate."

"Okay, I understand. Give me a moment; I’ll ask."

Teacher Mu immediately responded, "Understood, then I’ll wait for your call."

After hanging up, Gao Yi curiously said to Green, "The buyer asked about the type of sonar fingerprint. What do you think it could be?"

"I don’t know, there are too many possibilities. Images, recordings, or collectible paper blueprints, or sonar photographs. The easiest is computer data. All the submarine sonar data combined is smaller than a popular song. Just transfer the data on a computer, and that’s it."

"If that’s the case, then it would be great."

Indeed, if it’s all computer data, that would indeed be excellent—it would be like Gao Yi sending a video to the KGB’s email, and the KGB sending a video to Gao Yi’s email. Back and forth in a few seconds, the transaction complete.

But Green, seizing the moment, threw cold water on Gao Yi’s hopes, whispering, "Stop dreaming. The Russians probably have not fully digitized their data. I suspect the KGB will give you a slew of original recordings. Those original data are whatever the sonarman heard, and you’ll hear exactly that. That’s actually pretty good because it can verify its authenticity. The most troublesome would be a heap of paper archives. Both verification and transportation would be troublesome."

For decades, the Soviet Union accumulated data, and they likely wouldn’t have digitized it, simply converting paper documents into computer archives.

Moreover, some submarines had been decommissioned decades ago, leaving sonar data that might have some research value, such as studying the changes in a country’s submarine noise from loud to quiet, which still held research value.

Outdated items weren’t valueless, but a constantly unstable and impoverished Russia very likely didn’t undertake popular archive digitization, which could be problematic.

Gao Yi, unfamiliar with these aspects, was only concerned about whether the goods were easy to pick up and deal with.

Sherkin’s call came quite quickly; after about ten minutes, Sherkin called.

"They’ve agreed to the transaction on their side. They know you took a loss, but as this is our first cooperation, the first time always requires showing some extra sincerity. They assure that if there’s another opportunity to cooperate, they will definitely offer you a discount," said Sherkin.

Sherkin was concerned about the price, as long as the KGB agreed to the amount, there would be no problem.

So Sherkin spoke cheerfully.

Gao Yi said softly, "Great, then we can go ahead with the transaction. What time, what place, and also, the type and size of the goods, please clarify these first."

"The specific time is yet to be determined, but the place is Moscow.pegawaiThen, the type of goods is quite complex, comprising all the paper sonar blueprints, also the original recordings, tapes and vinyl records. Actually, sound records are not very important, we can omit those..."

"No, we need them, all of them, to reassure the buyer. But isn’t there any data that can be transmitted via computer? That would be more convenient."

Sherkin laughed bitterly and whispered, "What are you thinking... well, the Russian Navy certainly has databases applied to submarines, but the seller can’t get those. However, the original recordings should suffice. Let the buyer convert it into electronic signals."

"Good, the recordings and the blueprints, then. When will the transaction take place? There should be a rough timeline, right?"

"Come to Moscow as soon as possible. Contact me once you’re in Moscow, and I’ll have the transactor contact you directly. However, you must handle the payment as they are not equipped to receive payments. As for the time frame... it should be completed within a week."

Gao Yi sighed and asked, "What about transport safety?"

"That’s definitely the buyer’s responsibility; the seller can’t guarantee that."

Green listened, immediately waved his hand and shook his head, speaking in a low voice, "Absolutely not! The KGB takes the money first, and then they arrest us next. They solve a major spy case and keep the money, leaving us the fools."

Green’s voice had grown louder. He did it on purpose so Sherkin could hear.

Gao Yi immediately said, "The seller must guarantee the safety of transportation. We are dealing in Moscow, on the seller’s turf in Russia. If they can’t even guarantee safety, that means they have no sincerity. I have to treat it as a trap."

Sherkin needed to understand this reasoning. He sighed quietly and said, "The problem is, the seller’s side is also quite complicated. It’s not just one party. I can guarantee that your safety is absolutely no problem."

Fearful of scaring away Sherkin and the KGB sellers behind him, Gao Yi looked towards Green.

Green, with a determined face, said, "I know the KGB too well. Unless you agree to a deferred payment, this transaction cannot possibly settle immediately. If you want cash in hand for goods handed over, you must have specific means to guarantee the safety of transportation, or take the goods abroad for the transaction. This is our most basic and most important condition."

Sherkin was silent. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I will personally attend the transaction; I can use myself as a hostage."

Green gestured, and Gao Yi immediately said, "At this point, that’s the least."

"The seller really cannot transport the goods abroad for the trade. Uh, they guarantee the safety during transportation and suggest choosing a safe intermediate point. The transaction would be considered complete once it reaches this point. How about that?"

"That’s fine. Where is the intermediate point?"

Sherkin spoke in a low voice, "Baghdad. Let me explain, it’s the place I and my channels are most familiar with and can ensure safety. Once it’s there, the buyer can also ensure the safety of the goods, right?"

Gao Yi looked at Green again.

After a moment of contemplation, Green nodded.

Gao Yi immediately said, "It’s fine, but why can’t you just deliver it to Baghdad and complete the transaction there?"

"I told you, the composition of the seller is very complex. They won’t ship without seeing the money first, so we need to pay upfront. We can’t front it."

"Then pay half first, and the other half when the goods arrive."

"That’s not possible. Pay three hundred million first, the remaining one hundred and fifty million later."

Again, a tug of war. Gao Yi was a bit anxious and didn’t want to argue anymore, so he said quietly, "Alright, I agree, but you must understand one thing. I’m trusting in your reputation because of your face; don’t let me down, buddy. If something goes wrong with this transaction, I’m finished. I’ve already lost money on this deal, and if it ruins me, I’ll have to make sure you go down with me."

"Rest assured, I’ll remember this favor. So, that’s settled, we’ll meet in Moscow."

"Alright, Moscow it is."

Gao Yi hung up the phone and looked at Green.

Green said quietly, "You were a bit anxious during the final stages, but you resolved the negative impact by leveraging a personal favor. However, you must be mentally prepared that the Russians might renege on the agreed conditions or suddenly raise their price at any time. Though since you’ve involved a middleman as a price ally, there shouldn’t be problems."

"Should I get back to the buyer then?"

"You can respond to the buyer, but the trade in Moscow still depends on the original data..."

Green stroked his chin, speaking quietly, "It’s a bit troublesome. There might be an issue with the seller’s identity, but no matter, these kinds of transactions, even if they kill us, must be done. We’ll just have to take it one step at a time."

Gao Yi immediately got back to Teacher Mu.

Teacher Mu answered the call, Gao Yi spoke quietly, "Moscow, the exact time of the transaction is still pending. I know the types of goods you are concerned about now; they are paper maps and original recordings, documented on tape and vinyl records. It’s a bit troublesome..."

"That’s not troublesome; this is actually better!"

Teacher Mu hurriedly said, "Knowing the type of goods is sufficient. Original data is better; original recordings are even better. Mr. Gao, you’ve worked hard. I’m not a professional. Do you want me to continue as the contact person, or should someone else professional take over?"

Gao Yi was conflicted.

Teacher Mu immediately said, "Don’t overthink it. I’m not professional, so I might mess things up. Replacing me with a professional won’t cause you any problems. Trust our sincerity and professional capability. All this is for your convenience and safety. Please don’t worry. If you want me to continue, I’d be very happy to."

This attitude, this efficiency, it’s no wonder Northeastern University is on the rise.

Gao Yi spoke quietly, "The safety of the goods during transport also needs to be guaranteed. I spoke with the seller, and they agreed to escort it to Baghdad to ensure safety along the way. Once in Baghdad, the full payment will be made. Well, once the goods are in Baghdad, I could also ensure their safety."

Gao Yi had the qualifications, confidence, and capability to say this.

In Baghdad, now Gao Yi had the upper hand; he really could walk sideways.

Teacher Mu unhesitatingly said, "Great! That’s fantastic. But this means the shipping costs will increase, right? Decide how much more, Mr. Gao."

Repay a favor with peaches, repay kindness with plums; Gao Yi thought for a moment and said, "Whether you continue to be involved in the next transactions is up to you. I’m laying it out plain and simple. If you want to be involved, replacing you isn’t an option."

Having finished discussing the transaction, he moved on to personal requests.

Gao Yi had sought Teacher Mu’s help via Mu Tianwen not once or twice over. He needed to reciprocate, but reciprocity was not about putting one in a difficult position. So, whether Teacher Mu wanted to be involved and whether it was convenient for him was up to Teacher Mu. Gao Yi was entirely accommodating.

Teacher Mu spoke earnestly, "This matter is extremely important; it can’t be emphasized enough. So, it’s better handled by professionals. I appreciate your kindness, thank you."

Gao Yi said cheerfully, "Alright then, see you in Moscow, and we’ll get in touch then."