Chapter 197: Escort and Assassin
"BOSS, CalTech has delivered two more new combat drones today."
"OK, have Carl take them to the training ground for a test flight. If there's no problem, you can authorize payment. Also, order twelve more kamikaze drones."
"Hank is getting bored with anti-materiel sniper rifles and wants something with more firepower. This is his funding request."
"You don't need to run this stuff by me. As long as it doesn't exceed 50,000 dollars, just approve it and send him to Orlov to check out the merchandise. He can always offer the most competitive prices."
"Also, the two armored vehicles you leased from the military have arrived. Do you want to inspect them?"
"No, but when you submit the invoice to them, make sure it shows six vehicles, not two. Then drive the two vehicles to Toretto's garage and have him use parts from the two vehicles to create wreckage from six vehicles. Tell the military they were destroyed during weapons testing."
"Trust me, not only will they not ask us for compensation, they'll actually thank us."
As soon as Ron returned to the office, Andy began reporting on work progress and even brought him a cup of coffee.
Ron had more departmental funding than he could reasonably spend, so as long as his subordinates' requests weren't excessive, he would approve them.
After all, he was the one who benefited most from his team's improved effectiveness.
"Anything else? If not, I think I need some rest." Ron pulled a pillow from under his desk and, with a flick of his hand, the chair transformed into a recliner.
It was well known that Ron had an active nightlife, so catching up on sleep in the office during the day was routine.
"Okay, one last thing," Andy pulled the final file from a stack. "The FBI and CIA are planning to transfer a key witness at the Mexican border. They want you to escort and protect this witness."
Andy placed the file on the table. "According to intelligence, several assassination organizations have put a bounty on this witness's head."
Ron curiously picked up the file. "Who is this key witness? Does he have evidence of cartel operations in Mexico?"
"According to reliable sources, he's a member of a terrorist cell and has information on high-value target locations."
"No wonder the CIA is so focused on this," Ron understood.
Ever since 9/11, international terrorism had been a major threat to the United States, and various terrorist organizations had been primary targets of US military operations.
However, these operatives were often elite individuals with extensive training and were so familiar with US military methods that even after years of operations, many remained at large.
"Well, after such a long break, maybe it's time for some fieldwork. Tell them I've accepted this mission. When do we deploy?"
"Tomorrow."
...
On the US-Mexico border, in a desolate desert filled with sand dunes, Ron was crossing this barren area under military escort. Only Arthur was with him on this mission.
Hank was too heavy for the vehicles, and Carl had to attend remedial classes to improve his abysmal academic performance. However, Carl had strongly opposed Giselle's participation.
The kid had keenly sensed that this woman would be serious competition for his sister's affections. She even wore the same ring as Max!
Poor kid, if he knew there were five other women wearing identical rings, he'd lose his mind.
"Arthur, if you were an assassin, when would you choose to hit our convoy?" Ron asked the former elite assassin about his professional experience.
Arthur paused for a moment, then replied, "During the handover, of course."
"Ha, that's impossible," the soldier driving their vehicle turned around. "By then, there'll be another convoy meeting us. Combined, we'll have even more firepower. I bet, buddy, if you were an assassin, you'd be dead on your first job."
Ron wondered what this soldier's expression would be if he knew the person sitting behind him was none other than "The Mechanic," once a legend in the assassination community.
That would be quite entertaining.
"Why choose that moment?" Ron asked.
"As the soldier said, that's when you have maximum manpower. No one would expect an attack at that time,"
Arthur began explaining professionally. "But I'm not looking to engage in a firefight. I have the advantage of initiative and stealth. Perhaps due to intelligence leaks, I might even know your handover location."
"At that point, all I need to do is plant explosives at the rendezvous point, position myself at a distance, wait for the detonation, and then launch a rocket. That thermobaric grenade you acquired last time would be perfect. One hit and mission accomplished. Then I ride my motorcycle to the railway and hop a freight train back into the States."
Ron mentally reviewed Arthur's strategy, and his blood ran cold.
If someone actually executed that plan, Ron would have virtually no chance of survival!
"Stop!" Ron shouted, striking the driver's seat.
The lead vehicle halted, and the entire convoy screeched to a stop. The soldier who had just mocked Arthur turned around and asked, "What's the problem, sir?"
"Didn't you hear what my operative just explained? Send your men to scout ahead immediately. Move!" Ron ordered. He was the absolute commander of this transport operation.
"But..."
the soldier began, but Ron cut him off. "I don't want to repeat my orders. If I have to, I'll only be repeating them over dead bodies. Clear?"
"Yes sir, I'll arrange it immediately." The soldier dismounted. The troops behind him, responsible for escort duty, were all his subordinates. Ron clearly heard him muttering complaints like "overcautious," "completely unnecessary," "agents are paranoid" as he exited the vehicle.
Since they were temporary partners working together, Ron didn't take it personally. As long as they followed orders and conducted thorough reconnaissance, that's all that mattered.
On a distant ridge, a dangerous-looking woman lowered her binoculars. "Damn! What are they doing?"
She was the assassin assigned to this operation. She had planted the explosives and thought everything was set, but hadn't anticipated this complication.
However, before one crisis subsided, another emerged. Before the transport convoy could reach her kill zone, another ATV appeared nearby.
At first, she thought it might be a civilian who had wandered into the area by mistake. It wasn't until she looked through her binoculars and spotted the Stinger missile launcher that she realized it was another assassin!
And he was targeting the same objective.
In this small patch of desert, two assassins, a former assassin, a federal agent, and a team of elite soldiers had converged, and the battle was about to begin.
(End of this chapter)
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