Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 98 - 88: It Depends on Your Performance

Chapter 98: Chapter 88: It Depends on Your Performance

The situation now couldn’t be better; the police were handling the surveillance, which was a million times easier than having Gao Yi and Luca personally take the field.

Communication was left to Martin, and Gao Yi could completely be a hands-off manager, not needing to worry about or think about anything.

And although the task was not yet done, Martin had already taken care of promises made on behalf of the police.

Two police uniforms with badges, plus standard bullet-proof vests and bullet-proof helmets, the kind that patrol officers might wear or keep in their car to quickly put on in case of a shootout.

There were also two police badges, the kind that clips directly onto the uniform.

That was about it; other items were not so easy to come by, and the Los Angeles Police Station wouldn’t provide anything too controversial, but the firearms Martin had acquired on his own were a different story.

An M4 rifle with over twenty years of storage, and an Uzi submachine gun of the same vintage.

Don’t underestimate these two firearms. Though Gao Yi could afford guns, he could only legally purchase semi-automatic rifles. Illegally, he could buy fully automatic, but that came with major risks since neither Gao Yi nor Luca could identify the origins of the weapons. They wouldn’t know if these guns were previously used in crimes; if they happened to be firearms currently being traced, the trouble wasn’t insignificant.

But the black guns stored by the FBI were a different matter.

The FBI had the largest and most comprehensive database of firearms and bullet markings in the United States, and the largest criminal firearms repository. Most guns used in crimes in the US eventually ended up in this repository.

Each gun’s rifling is as unique as a fingerprint, leaving unique and minute traces on the bullets it fires. Many countries have established databases to identify these traces, and the US database is the largest and most comprehensive.

In the United States, purchasing a gun involves registration, and legally-sold firearms leave behind trace information. If a shooting occurs, as long as a bullet is recovered, and it was fired from a registered firearm, identification personnel can easily lock down the firearm and owner’s identity.

If the database lacks information, then it’s a black gun, and the FBI would archive the bullet information. There’s a good chance the firing gun could be found after some time.

So, the two firearms supplied by Martin were certainly not listed in the FBI’s database, and they were never used before, which meant they were definitely quality items.

Now that they had the equipment, they just needed the people.

Gao Yi and Luca were at the airport, watching as Lin Xianghua, carrying a small bag and looking somewhat weary, emerged from the airport and began to look around for someone at the arranged spot. Gao Yi got out of the car, waved, and shouted to Lin Xianghua, "Over here."

Lin Xianghua hurried over, brimming with excitement.

True to what Luca had said, with a ten thousand base salary plus commission, Lin Xianghua was filled with anticipation for his new job, which meant he was quite satisfied with the pay.

Approaching Gao Yi, Lin Xianghua bowed slightly, overcome with emotion, and then he made a motion to hug Gao Yi. But when he saw Gao Yi extend a hand for a handshake, he quickly switched to offering his hand, only to find Gao Yi now opening his arms for a hug.

The awkwardness dissipated as Gao Yi laughed heartily, "Let’s not be so ceremonious, brother, get in the car."

Lin Xianghua followed Gao Yi into the car, and once inside, he took a deep breath and said, "Finally, I’m here."

Meeting again didn’t feel too strange, though the roles had indeed changed: now Gao Yi was the boss, and Lin Xianghua was about to work for him.

Gao Yi didn’t really have experience with what to say next.

But Luca was prepared. He took out a wad of cash, turned from the front seat to hand it to Lin Xianghua, and said, "Your base salary."

Lin Xianghua took the money with both hands, glanced at Luca, then at Gao Yi, and with a beaming smile said, "Thanks, boss. So, from today on... am I officially on board?"

Gao Yi smiled, "Of course you’re officially joining because you’ve got to participate in an operation today."

Lin Xianghua looked slightly stunned. Gao Yi continued with a smile, "There’s an operation tonight; all the prep work is ready. You’ll come along to get a sense of how we do things. But you’ll still get your ten percent commission. As long as you take part, you can count on that ten percent."

Luca said seriously, "We’ll let you know the amount of the commission, don’t worry, we definitely won’t hide it from you."

Lin Xianghua carefully put the money in his bag and licked his lips, hesitating for a while before finally saying, "Isn’t this a bit... too much?"

Too much?

For the price of hiring consumables or cannon fodder, the sum was indeed generous.

But if what they sought was a fallback plan, someone loyal who would cover for Gao Yi in a crisis and guard his retreat, the sum was perfectly reasonable, by no means excessive.

Gao Yi was entrusting his life to Lin Xianghua, his entire backup plan, so he was willing, indeed had to offer more.

Gao Yi felt Lin Xianghua was reliable, a person worthy of trust, and now it was time to show it.

"It’s not too much; you deserve this money," Gao Yi pointed to himself, "I’m an assassin, not a soldier. If, after eliminating the target, I am pursued, then I can only rely on you to protect me. Of course, this doesn’t happen every time, it might not happen even once in ten times, but if it does, you have to make sure I’m safe."

Lin Xianghua nodded vigorously, earnestly saying, "I promise, I swear, I won’t take a single step back! If you die, I die too, I guarantee it!"

Pleasant words or oaths were all fine to hear, but Gao Yi didn’t put too much faith in them.

So Gao Yi merely smiled, "I don’t expect you to risk your life for me; as long as you do your best, as long as you’re worth your pay, that’s enough."

"No! Impossible! I dare use..."

Lin Xianghua suddenly stopped short, thinking about what to swear on, while Gao Yi said to Luca, "Drive, let’s talk while we’re underway."

The car started moving, and Gao Yi continued to Lin Xianghua, "First, we’re heading back to our place. Your gear is already prepared, so once we get there, you need to rest quickly, eat something, get some sleep. It’s half-past three now; I estimate we’ll need to depart at nine thirty, start our operation at eleven."

Lin Xianghua immediately said, "I’m very fit, I’ll have no problems!"

"Hmm, the first operation at eleven, we should be done by twelve, then we’ll switch locations for another go at one. These two operations, just you and me, if you need to take action..."

Gao Yi looked at Lin Xianghua, who answered without a hint of hesitation, "I’ll take the lead! I’ll be in front! You watch my performance!"

Is the power of a base salary plus commission really that great?

Couldn’t be, could it?

Gao Yi considered it then realized that if he hadn’t become an assassin and someone offered him ten thousand US dollars with a ten percent commission, he’d probably be happier than Lin Xianghua.

Exhaling, Gao Yi smiled, "Alright, tonight, we’ll see your performance."