– So, it means, look. You pull out the panel...like that.
– Yeah. – Jack nodded, looking closely at how Lam operates with a stinger
Now they were in one of the containers with Coco's goods and what was not there...
– Then you press these buttons and in fact...all. You insert a rocket like this, just carefully, and point the MANPADS at... well, for something that will fly on your soul. The equipment emits heat and the sensors will "catch on" to it. You'll see it clearly on the panel, and it will also be reported by such, you know, an unpleasant squeak. If the selected target is correct, then you pull the trigger, the rocket takes off and does its job. Do you understand everything? Lam finished, glancing at Jack's concentrated face.
Jack looked back at the man and smiled a little nervously–Yes, I understand. Surprisingly, everything is simple... I thought it would be more difficult.
Lam nodded and took a drag on the smoke from the cigarette he was holding with his lips – It's difficult and shouldn't be. You see, man, the simpler a soldier's weapon is, the better. Imagine that you are under fire from two helicopter gunships. The enemy is advancing, the bodies of your comrades are falling, grenades are exploding deafeningly, bullets are whistling... smoke, dirt, blood and, yes, mutilated bodies are all around... And so you take it, pick up this stinger... and do you think you can think clearly in such a situation, m?" Lam raised an eyebrow with a slight smile
Jack thought for a moment and shook his head–I don't think so.
The man smiled a little harder – Yes. No matter how clever and clever you are, no matter how much experience is hidden behind your back... if the equipment or weapons in your hands are unnecessarily complicated, then there is an inevitable chance that you will get confused and lose precious time, during which even more of your comrades will die. And the more complicated and confusing the weapon, the higher this chance is. That's if they don't kill you in that time. That is why everything that a soldier holds in his hands should be as simplified as possible. So that even the most impenetrable idiot could press a fucking couple of buttons and destroy the helicopter, thereby saving a platoon of comrades, or even more than one.
Jack listened attentively to this soldier not without pleasure, and at the end of his speech, he smiled gently – It sounds more than reasonable.
Lam grinned and began to put the stinger and rockets in a large oblong box, and then shoved the box itself into a black sturdy bag – Okay, I won't squat on your ears. In general, one stinger and three missiles to it. It's just like Coco said. Hold.
Jack carefully took a large and long bag – "Yes, there are fifty kilos here!" – with a wry smile, he mentally shouted, throwing the bag over his shoulder
Lam looked with amusement at the guy's crooked smile – Okay, let's go.
Jack nodded and followed. The bag on his back almost reached the ground...
They walked in silence while Lam saw him off. Valmet immediately went to Coco when they reached the pier, while the girl outlined the whole situation with Coco and Jack.
– You know, Jack, in a normal situation, I would take care of your interaction with Coco... Lam suddenly said, turning slightly to face him
– Jack was surprised, turning his head sharply in the direction of this veteran
Lam grinned back without malice – Well, judge for yourself. You're a little younger than Coco, and I can definitely say that your face is very cute, even though I don't know anything about male beauty... Coco just hasn't been herself lately, she wants to make you a subordinate. She strained our intelligence to find information about you, comes up with plans and today, almost for nothing, she gave it to you... Well, okay, I rented out expensive weapons...
– Lam... Jack said awkwardly, not knowing where to hide his eyes
The man continued – No matter how you look at it, it will seem to anyone that you are manipulating a girl in love, using her feelings for the purpose of profit... But this is not our case. – Lam said sharply in a cheered voice and smiled a little wider – Coco is not an ordinary girl and she understands perfectly well what's what in this world. Besides, it is impossible to say what exactly drives her desire to ensnare you in subordinates. And to be honest, it's more likely that Coco is a predator, and you are her prey. Lam finished with a grin
Jack didn't know how to react to all this. At first he felt ashamed and guilty, because he really used Coco, but now he realized that it was pointless. He will have time to return the favor to her, perhaps even in double size.
– Well, thank you. Jack chuckled weakly, shaking his head, "Why are you even talking about this?
– Yes, just to brighten up the time. – Lam answered with a toothy grin and shrugged his shoulders – It's better than just being silent.
He threw away his cigarette butt and took out a new cigarette.
– And you're a heavy smoker...
– Don't worry. – Lam waved his hand – The chance that cigarettes, not a bullet, will kill me is extremely small.
Jack grinned – Is this pessimism or optimism?
Lam lit a cigarette and puffed on it, exhaling smoke with a satisfied smile – Just realism.
Jack chuckled again. He liked the company of this veteran and, to be honest, he didn't mind listening to a couple of interesting stories from his life.
...
In the silence, which was broken only by the sound of the fan running, Revie was lying on the sofa with her legs crossed and reading some magazine. Not far from her, right on the coffee table, there was a still cold tin can of beer, on which condensation had already formed.
- "Well, it's hot..." – the girl moaned to herself, and yet her mood was more than just great and she couldn't wait for the minute when Jack would already come
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of their hut and Revie, having frozen for a while, quickly stood up, holding her hand on the gun. Although she was waiting for one guy, it was not worth relaxing in this city.
"Is anyone home?" Jack's cautious voice came from behind the door
Revie grinned and relaxed, went to the door and opened it – Long you! – she said as soon as she saw Jack outside the door – That's what? – she looked down when she saw a huge black bag behind the guy's back
Jack froze. Suddenly he realized that his arrival on such a mission with MANPADS was somewhat... strange? – "What should I say..." – he wrinkled his forehead – "Ay, come what may."
Sighing, he calmly said – There are weapons for an emergency. I decided to take some... a safety net, say.
– Weapons? – slightly tilted her head to the side Revie – Okay, come in. What kind of weapons?
After going inside, Jack said as calmly as possible – A missile system.
Revie rolled her eyes – Are you serious?
- Yes. Jack nodded
– Why?
– You see, after I was thoroughly fucked up when I was kidnapped, I realized that I was too careless about my safety. In general, I decided to buy a weapon that will help us survive even the most unpleasant possible turn of events... and my intuition screams that this mission will be very difficult.
Revie sighed and grinned, showing her teeth – In my opinion, you just got so nervous because of your first business, but it's up to you. By the way, is that the only reason you didn't come with me right away?
Jack shook his head with a smile – No, I also went to the Balalaika and asked her about our business... she gave the go-ahead, but from now on I have to warn her in advance as my boss.
Revie nodded–That's fine. Do not forget that you are a Balalaika person and your actions can affect her. Something else?..
– I also went to Coco and Valmet and practiced with them. Like everything. Jack shrugged
Revi froze, her smile slowly became strained, and her eyes narrowed– Who are Coco and Valmet? This is the first I've heard of such.
It was Jack's turn to freeze. He looked at Revie, who was staring rapaciously and greedily straight into his eyes – "You're kidding... Is that jealousy?.. But we're not even a couple..."
After thinking a little more, he said – Mmm, well, Coco is an arms dealer, and Valmet is her bodyguard.
– That's how... But why are you training together, Jackie?
Revie slowly approached him, and the guy himself remained standing in place, although, to be honest, he wanted to step back a little.
– It just so happened that I met them absolutely by chance and I got interested in Coco...
– Interested, right? – the girl smiled a little wider
– Yeah. She wanted to make me her subordinate. Don't ask me why, I don't know. Well, we had a conversation about my training and Coco offered Valmet to train me, and I did not refuse... You should have seen Valmet, Revie. Even then I knew that she definitely knows about body training and I was convinced of this for myself.
Meanwhile, Revie had almost come close and almost pressed her chest against him. Revie was shorter by a head, and Jack's size was larger, so the girl looked somewhat petite in front of him, but Jack himself knew that all this was an illusion.
– You talk about them so enthusiastically... I can't wait to meet them. Revie said with a grin, looking up into his eyes from below
Suddenly the door to the house opened and Dutch calmly walked inside – Oh, you're ready, as I see. – and Benny came in after him – What a strange atmosphere... Did we interrupt something... interesting?
Jack mentally thanked the guys for coming on time, and Revie, with a dissatisfied tsk, put her hands on her hips – You didn't interrupt anything... Well, what?
Dutch smiled calmly–it's time to move out.