Chapter 38

Chapter 38:

Robert, known for his quiet demeanor, proved himself a man of decisive action. He swiftly initiated contact with Southwest Airlines in the United States, setting into motion a sequence of events that would lead to the lease of a Boeing 757-200 freighter. Despite his limited verbosity, Robert's executive capabilities were nothing short of remarkable.

The Boeing 757-200 freighter, a pinnacle of aviation engineering, had first taken to the skies in 1982. In the current era, it stood as one of the most advanced models, boasting a take-off weight ranging from 220,000 pounds (99,800 kilograms) to an astounding maximum take-off weight of 255,500 pounds (115,900 kilograms). That amounted to a staggering 115.9 tons of cargo capacity!

Yet, acquiring such a colossal aircraft came at a considerable cost, a price tag of $6,000 per hour of flight, encompassing adjustment and waiting times. If their flight plan involved a journey from the United States to Germany, followed by a subsequent leg to Ukraine, the trip alone would set them back nearly $300,000.

Tang Dao couldn't help but mutter under his breath when he heard the price. However, his hesitation was fleeting, and he soon nodded in consent. "Alright," he confirmed, "set the departure for three days from now."

"That's what I discussed with them," Robert acknowledged. Then, in a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth again. His subtle action didn't escape Tang Dao's notice, and he arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "Is there something on your mind?" Tang Dao prompted.

"Boss," Robert began, "should we consider bringing along some additional personnel?"

Tang Dao, seated on the sofa, began to rhythmically tap his knee as he pondered the question. "I'd rather avoid attracting unnecessary trouble," he replied after some reflection. "Let's skip Germany; Osborn and his team can handle that part. Our primary goal is to secure the cargo, and in the arms trade, we may face intimidation from other dealers and various interest groups."

The world of arms dealing was a high-stakes arena with fierce competition, and the division of profits was far from straightforward.

With his course of action decided, Tang Dao mentally prepared himself for any potential confrontation. However, beneath it all, he remained truthful to his core beliefs. As long as they refrained from clashing with the regular military forces, his team included retired elite Delta Force soldiers, as well as a well-coordinated unit trained to protect Italian politicians. Moreover, the "Red Devil" paratrooper regiment served as his trump card. These factors, among others, were the source of his current calm and confidence.

Robert nodded, fully understanding the boss's stance. "I'll make the necessary arrangements," he assured.

"Proceed with that," Tang Dao instructed. He gestured to a black suitcase resting on a nearby shelf and added, "Distribute the money from the Swiss bank we received yesterday to the Italians. Consider it an advance half-year bonus."

After Robert exited the room, he was still processing the situation. Clutching the box filled with money, he felt the weight of their undertaking. "Those Italians are in for a pleasant surprise," he mused to himself.

...

Kyiv!

Since the August 19th Incident, the local stock market had virtually crumbled, prices had soared to unprecedented heights, and numerous industries faced crippling setbacks. The city's streets had seen a deterioration in law and order, partly due to the police force struggling with unpaid wages. As a result, few people were eager to work, and pedestrians hurried along the streets, acutely aware of the tense atmosphere that hung in the air.

Squeak...

The door of a dimly lit tavern creaked open, allowing the cold wind and relentless rain to invade the cozy interior. A homeless man who had been dozing at a corner table shivered from the sudden chill. He lifted his head, poised to deliver a profanity-laden tirade, but when he caught sight of the newcomer's imposing presence, he thought better of it. Instead, he settled back down, bowing his head in silence.

The newcomer carefully placed his umbrella behind the door, shook off his wet windbreaker, and headed for the bar. The bartender, who had been dozing, suddenly snapped to attention and greeted the newcomer with a casual, "What can I get you to drink?"

"Is Ivan Andreevich here?" the newcomer inquired.

The bartender's drowsiness evaporated in an instant. He furrowed his brow and eyed the white man in front of him suspiciously. "What do you need him for?" he asked.

"We had a phone appointment," the newcomer replied calmly. "My name is John Kansberg."

"Follow me," the bartender said, pulling aside a curtain to reveal a Japanese-style sliding door. He knocked gently on the door, and a deep Russian voice responded from within. After opening the door, he gestured for John to enter.

Inside, John was met by two imposing Slavic men who were seated at a table.

"American?" one of them, dressed in casual white attire, inquired upon seeing John. He exchanged a puzzled look with his companion, who seemed to have more information. The companion, informed of the situation, stood up, extended his hand, and offered a warm greeting to John. "Welcome, Mr. John."

"Mr. Andreevich?"

"Just call me Ivan," Ivan said with a friendly smile as he motioned for John to take a seat. He introduced his companion, the man in casual clothes, as Vladimir Devi J. Korolev, Colonel Commander of the 24th Berkichev Iron Army Mechanized Brigade.

Vladimir?

The name carried significance, translating in Chinese to "ruling the world" or "guardian of the world." Like John, it was a common name in Russia, akin to common English names like John, Tom, Peter, and so forth. However, in the Soviet Union, it was the norm to share names, reflecting their wild and adventurous nature.

Most importantly, Vladimir's identity intrigued John. Such a young leader with no family background was an anomaly. The 24th Berkichev Iron Army Mechanized Brigade was a revered unit, known for its storied history. Established during the Russian Civil War in 1918, it had been named after King Daniel I of Galicia, making it the earliest surviving unit of the Soviet Union in Ukraine. It had evolved over the years, participating in numerous conflicts and gaining a reputation as Ukraine's ace force.

"Hello, sir," John said cautiously, sensing Vladimir's hostility. However, Vladimir's gaze was unrelenting, and he continued to regard John with skepticism. Ignoring the introductions, Vladimir expressed his discontent in Russian, saying, "You didn't tell me you're an American idiot. I'd sooner throw the goods into the Pacific Ocean than give them to the likes of you."

Ivan looked uncomfortable, glancing at John from the corner of his eye and attempting to defuse the situation with kind words. However, Vladimir persisted in his tirade, unleashing a string of expletives in Russian for nearly two minutes before finally...

"Sir, I understand Russian," John interjected, unable to remain silent any longer. Andrejevic and Vladimir were left stunned by this revelation.