Mercenary's War-Chapter 2126 - 2103: We Can Only Rely on Ourselves

For two rookies as new as they can get, Phoenix is just eager for action, anything goes, nothing really matters. But as for Yuri, it’s unclear why he’s even involved.

For Gao Yang, making everyone go through this unnecessary choice is purely because he believes that if it’s for Satan’s interest or survival, getting into a deadly situation is justifiable. But risking everything for someone unrelated by seeking revenge, that’s not right.

So, regardless of whether it’s unnecessary, Gao Yang insists they have the right to choose. You make your own decisions, you take the responsibility. Again, once you cross that line, there’s no blame in life or death.

Although it’s unknown how Phoenix and Yuri will choose, the choices of the others were predictable. Gao Yang gestured for everyone to sit and said, "Everyone, please be seated. Let me explain the situation. Badadi has declared a state, announced it on television. This place is quite isolated, you might not have heard, and I’ve had Little Donnie block the information without informing you."

Jansen asked urgently, "When did this happen?"

"The day before yesterday. After I received the message, I saw Badadi on TV. Yes, that’s him. It’s certain he’s somewhere in Syria or Iraq, but the exact location can’t be verified."

Taylor puffed his cheeks in frustration, speaking in a muffled voice, "Have you tried gathering any intel from around Syria?"

"We’ve tried, without surprise, no one knows where exactly Badadi is. Another problem is that I can’t put out a bounty on the underground intelligence networks to find Badadi’s hiding place, because underground intelligence networks are always two-way. We all know the style of those intel dealers.

Buying intelligence also means selling it. If Gao Yang puts a bounty on some intel, then the target would certainly be eager to find out who wants their intel. Especially when it comes to someone like Badadi, whose information is inherently difficult to obtain. So, unless it’s a particularly familiar intel dealer or someone we have a long-term partnership with, it’s best not to randomly engage with intel dealers, as it’s not worth the risk.

Yake, understanding some inside information in the intelligence world, said gravely, "Regarding Badadi’s intelligence, we must be cautious. Such a person surviving long-term must have the support of some country. Frankly, compared to what we’re able to afford, the forces behind Badadi wield resources exponentially larger than ours. Especially the Cicero Family, which has close ties with various countries. Clearly, Badadi is far more important to them than us."

Gao Yang sighed, looked at Yake, and said, "That’s why I’ve been so distressed these past two days. Where do we find our intelligence? I’m willing to spend a lot, but there seems to be no place to buy it from right now."

Yake chuckled wryly, "Justin was able to share resources from the Cicero Family, but he was eager to expand his influence, cultivating a loyal customer base. That’s why he valued small clients like us before. But now it’s different. Justin is probably dead. The only people we can reach are the big shots in the Cicero Family. To them, the high price we can offer is far less important than the other interests they can obtain. Most importantly, what is considered a high price to them?"

Gao Yang sighed and said, "Then, what do we do? Is there no channel to get intelligence that’s accurate and safe?"

Yake said, "There is, with KGB and the Syrian Intelligence Bureau. Besides them, we have no other channels to utilize for intelligence. You must understand, Badadi’s information is definitely different from others. Imagine how many people in the world want to know about Badadi. Syria, Russia, Western European countries, they’d pay any price. Is there a result? There isn’t any at all."

Gao Yang was a bit impatient. He stood, pacing back and forth in the room twice, and said urgently, "Those with the capability are hiding it or even shielding Badadi. Syria and the KGB don’t have the capability. Their intelligence networks have long shrunk miserably. Do you believe that perhaps the funds we’re willing to deploy for intelligence might even exceed theirs? Otherwise, Badadi should’ve been dead long ago!"

Phoenix suddenly raised his hand and said, "I have a question."

"Go ahead."

Phoenix stood up expressionlessly and said, "If you’re just trying to satisfy the thrill of personal revenge, I have no questions. But if not, then why not let others who are more capable handle Badadi? From what I know, Badadi is at odds with the whole world and has no reason to survive for long."

Some people burst into laughter, while Gao Yang shook his head helplessly and said, "Indeed, if what you said were true, Badadi should have been dead by now, but what if it’s not? For instance, if someone is supporting him?"

Phoenix glanced around at everyone and said coldly, "Anyway, I don’t think any of you here are more capable of taking down Badadi than America, Russia, or Syria." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Frey laughed and said, "That’s where you’re wrong. In fact, the reason Badadi disappeared for so long is that we nearly bombed him to death. It wasn’t America or Russia but us."

Phoenix, puzzled, said, "You?"

Frey nodded and said, "Yes, us."

Peter awkwardly rubbed his brow and said in a low voice, "Actually, I have a small say in this because we once had the task, but unfortunately, such decapitation operations rely heavily on intelligence. If we had the intelligence, we wouldn’t have the current problem."

Phoenix, again puzzled, said, "Who do you mean by ’we’?"

Peter replied listlessly, "At that time, I wasn’t with them. I represented Russia."

Gao Yang spread his hands and said, "Syria is powerless, their air force can’t carry out decapitation bombing, and the Special Forces can’t effectively execute a decapitation mission. As for Russia, let’s wait until they openly intervene on a large scale. So even if we get the intelligence and provide it to Syria, it’d be a waste. Who knows how many Syria support Badadi, and as for America, well, let’s rely on ourselves."

With a point-blank statement, Gao Yang said with resignation, "So, our priority now is to solve the intelligence issue. If, and I say if, someone kills Badadi, then our work is done. But if Badadi keeps on living well, we’ll ultimately have to rely on ourselves, maybe letting Syria assist then."

Phoenix suddenly said, "What if he’s in Iraq?"

"Iraq?"

Gao Yang paused for a moment, then said with resignation, "If he’s in Iraq, then we’re completely on our own."