Chapter 40

The 24th Berdichev Iron Army Mechanized Brigade was based in the Old Town on the left bank of the Dnieper River, situated in Kyiv's "Garden City." Tang Dao found himself dozing off in the car during the ride from Boryspil Airport.

Kyiv, often referred to as the "mother of all Russian cities," held a rich history spanning over two centuries. It boasted cultural treasures such as the imposing Mariinsky Palace symbolizing power, St. Michael's Church showcasing Ukrainian architectural style, the golden-domed cathedral, and the prestigious Golden Gate, a symbol of honor. Despite the political turmoil, Kyiv remained a city of great beauty.

As the journey continued for approximately half an hour, the group arrived at the "station" mentioned by Major General Medevichuk. A horizontal wooden sign with the words "Military Prohibited" did little to enliven the atmosphere. Vladimir, still irked by his earlier outburst, muttered, "Damn it!" He knew the others were watching, and his frustration grew.

With a swift kick to the door of the sentry box, Vladimir inadvertently created a commotion, startling the daydreaming guard inside, who grabbed his AK-47 in a panic, believing he was under attack.

Vladimir, his face flushed with anger, berated the guard, shouting and even resorting to physical aggression. Tang Dao observed from behind, shaking his head at the poor quality of these officers. He couldn't help but recall the incident where Ukrainian special forces were forced to kneel. Such incompetence explained why Ukraine struggled even against northern militias, frequently finding themselves overpowered and humiliated.

While the guard was left to nurse his wounded pride, Tang Dao and Robert exchanged knowing glances. The sentinel's salary had gone unpaid for over ten months, and meals were scarce in the army. Deserter thoughts had crossed his mind, but he feared the brutal consequences. Even if he managed to escape, the authorities would hunt him down mercilessly.

Amid his self-pity, a knock sounded on the guard's window. He looked up to see a man holding a stack of US dollars. The guard discreetly pocketed the money, lessening his resentment and providing a boost to his morale.

…

Inside the warehouse, Medevichuk decided to show Tang Dao Warehouse No. 3. The warehouse had been neglected for some time, evidenced by the layers of dust and rusty locks. They struggled to open the door, and upon entry, they were greeted by a cloud of thick dust.

"Cough, cough..." Tang Dao coughed as he waved away the dust, but his shoes were already coated in dirt.

"It hasn't been cleaned in a long while," Medevichuk admitted, his embarrassment evident. "This is the garage; please take a look."

Tang Dao ventured further inside the warehouse, where he found an assortment of goods. The most striking were the GAZ-series vehicles produced by the Gorky Automobile Factory in the Soviet Union. The GAZ-47 bore a striking resemblance to the "Hummer" in appearance, structure, and performance, making it the Russian equivalent of an armored "Hummer." Additionally, the warehouse held the "Tiger" armored off-road vehicles, equipped with 7.62mm Bechenek general-purpose machine guns capable of causing substantial damage.

Notably, these vehicles were ripe for magical modifications, making them highly sought after by extremist organizations. Their robustness and resistance to explosives, coupled with their magical upgrade potential, made them prized assets. While the GAZ-47 was exportable to only three countries, the "Tiger" had even broader appeal. The seller depended on market dynamics; arms dealing was anything but straightforward.

Syria: $70,000; North Africa: $150,000... These were suggested prices; the final figures hinged on negotiations with Tang Dao.

The warehouse held around 20 "Tiger" armored off-road vehicles, and the surrounding area was cluttered with additional goods. Tang Dao, observing the scene, made a decision. "I'll take Warehouse No. 3: 900 boxes of canned goods, 2,000 coats, 20,000 Sea Soul shirts, and 10,000 tubes of toothpaste."

Medevichuk hesitated and looked to Andreevich for guidance, knowing he was the true businessman among them.

Andreevich quickly grasped the situation. Warehouse No. 3, with its 37 assorted off-road vehicles, represented a decent deal. The 2,000 coats would find buyers in remote areas where prices would surge, and the ordinary toothpaste, given Kyiv's skyrocketing prices, was also a valuable commodity.

"Agreed," Medevichuk finally nodded, instructing a logistics officer to seal the warehouse.

The logistics officer, filled with envy, swiftly executed the order, saluting the military before sealing the warehouse.

…

Tang Dao was satisfied with the transaction, considering that the 24th Brigade had been accommodating. Warehouse No. 3 had yielded excellent results. Now, their focus turned to Warehouse No. 1.

As they left the dusty warehouse, they noticed a commotion not far away. A Ukrainian colonel and a silver-haired white man were engaged in animated discussion, occasionally breaking into laughter. The mood shifted when they spotted Major General Medevichuk's group, their faces darkening.

"Damn it, it's that guy," Andreevich cursed.

"Who is he?" Tang Dao inquired.

"Kalinovka Puda, the deputy logistics brigade commander of the 24th Brigade."

Tang Dao nodded in understanding. The Soviet Army operated on the "one-man system," but it had multiple deputy positions, including political deputies, staff deputies, and logistics deputies, due to the complexity of its organization. Consequently, the term "political commissar" was absent.

Kalinovka Puda was well aware of the arms dealing taking place, and his presence indicated competition. His confidence in the transaction was evident as he remarked to his companion, "I smell the bad breath of vultures. It seems they're here for arms as well."

"Don't worry," his companion, Edza, reassured him. "As long as you offer a high price, no one can outbid you."

Edza, however, considered such assurances mere nonsense. Competition would inevitably drive prices up, making it difficult to secure a profitable deal. With rivalry among arms dealers, the situation was far from ideal.

Major General Medevichuk guided them to Warehouse No. 1, which had a cleaner appearance than its predecessor. This warehouse was more promising, holding a variety of goods ready for inspection.

Tang Dao, knowledgeable about the market's preferences, assessed the inventory. The "Tiger" armored off-road vehicles, the GAZ-47s, and various firearms piqued his interest. Negotiations began as the group delved deeper into the warehouse's contents.