The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 430: Their Understanding Matches Their Suffering

The grasslands here were degrading and might turn into desert in the future.

...

The World Food Programme was distributing food seeds for free; locals could come and receive a bag.

But that area was noticeably quiet.

Hawke passed by and saw Flick Hunt from the Food Programme. He greeted him and asked, "What's going on? I remember you sent out notices early on; why isn't anyone coming?"

Flick, who had worked extensively in Africa, guessed the reason: "Many locals are not interested in farming."

As they left the city and passed through poor suburbs and some villages, Erica noticed people living in tough conditions. She asked, "I see many people living poorly who don't farm. What do they eat?"

Flick shrugged, "They eat whatever they find."

He shook his head, "These seeds were transported here and can't be wasted; they have to be given out."

Hawke, unfamiliar with the local situation, remained silent and observed what Flick would do.

Flick called two vehicles equipped with loudspeakers and headed to nearby villages to broadcast messages: anyone who came to collect tree and food seeds would receive food for free.

After some time, locals gradually began arriving.

Hawke thought this approach worked well.

...

When the event ended smoothly, the camp's affairs were handed over to Pierce Madden. Hawke and the group then followed the main convoy back to Damakin.

On the way back, Erica pointed out, "Look at the roadside."

Hawke looked outside. Bags of tree seeds were thrown by the roadside, seemingly mocking everyone in the convoy.

Not only tree seeds but also bags of grain seeds were discarded.

There were some old blacks in front. They had food in their hands, but no bags.

A few saw the UN flag on the convoy, raised their food, gave thumbs-up, and shouted in the local dialect.

Edward, in the front passenger seat, said, "Their understanding matches their suffering."

Hawke withdrew his gaze and said, "We're not here for charity."

This was about tax evasion and channeling some funds through the African greening project to benefit America.

---

Back in Damakin, the convoy was ready to head out early the next morning to a southwestern national park for the hunting trip.

Early the next day, Hawke and Erica changed into hunting gear, brought insect repellent and menthol oil, went downstairs, and boarded vehicles to a Sahara Greening Company warehouse.

Four shipping containers were stored here.

Bosque said, "The weapons we bought after arriving are all here."

Hawke, aware of Africa's chaos and fearing insufficient firepower, said, "We might be on the grasslands for days. Let's bring as many weapons as possible, including heavy gear."

Erica suddenly asked, "Did Brian say anything before leaving?"

"No," Hawke knew the power of the curse cult's jinx, "He invited me to dinner before coming, but I declined."

Still uneasy, "If he asks, he'll know we're in Africa. My biggest worry is he might jump to conclusions."

Erica asked, "...that's not a problem, right?"

Hawke said, "The curse cult's leader is formidable; what if he's evolved?"

Erica agreed and told Bosque, "Bring more heavy equipment!"

Bosque and Andrei opened one container and unloaded boxes filled with guns, bullets, grenades, and rocket launchers -- all Soviet-made weapons.

Here, Soviet weapons were easier to obtain.

Hawke opened a box containing a PKM general-purpose machine gun.

Andrei opened boxes with RPGs and unfused warheads.

Mercenaries carried ammunition into two vehicles.

Hawke and Erica took their weapons from their packs.

From the last ambush on Buddy Ackerman, Hawke liked the AK series.

This time, he brought an original AKM with 7.62mm rounds, sufficient for big beasts.

Edward chose a Remington shotgun, saying, "This suits me best."

Hawke reminded, "Your primary job is to drive well; don't flip the vehicle."

"Won't happen," Edward said and grabbed his ammo bag, "Trust my skills."

Raul and others also carried weapons and ammo.

Bosque left four guards at the Sahara Greening Company camp; the remaining 16 accompanied Hawke onto the grasslands.

The group of 22 traveled in 10 vehicles, including 2 support trucks.

The convoy carried ample food, fuel, and tents for several days on the grasslands.

---

Leaving Damakin, they soon met guide vehicles -- an open-top jeep with four locals, professional hunters belonging to the Ethiopian government hunting company.

Bosque exchanged a few words with them.

The leader, an older man named Onard, looked at the convoy: five Land Rover Defenders, five modified pickup trucks, and over twenty people total.

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He said in English, "That's quite a group."

Bosque replied casually, "We requested a long list of game, and any kills need to be brought back immediately."

Onard said, "As long as you hunt according to the list, the number of people is up to you."

Bosque wiped sweat from his face, "Let's get going."

The guide led the way, with others following.

Bosque radioed Hawke that it would take five to six hours to reach the hunting area.

Here, infrastructure except in the capital was almost nonexistent; only dirt roads formed from repeated vehicle use.

...

As the convoy left human settlements, animals became more frequent.

After over three hours, Hawke saw giraffes nibbling new leaves of acacia trees.

The convoy didn't stop, heading deeper into the national park grasslands to find lion prides.

Edward chatted nonstop while driving, "Too bad there are no tigers in Africa."

Hawke replied, "If tigers came here, the plains would turn into a slaughterhouse."

He once watched a documentary where two tigers were brought to African grasslands. Initially hunting for food, they soon hunted for sport, forcing an early removal.

Erica then asked, "Where are the largest tigers in the world?"

Hawke thought and said, "I think in Russia. Siberian tigers there are among the largest land predators."

Erica admitted, "We can't go to Russia."

Hawke laughed, "Going to Siberia would be like walking into a trap."

On the way, the guide's old vehicle got a flat tire, delaying them.

When they reached the first hunting camp near 2 pm, everyone got busy eating and setting up camp for the night.

...

Erica climbed onto a pickup truck roof, took binoculars, and looked west, spotting black and white stripes, exciting everyone.

Hawke came from the other side and handed her a bottle of water.

"From here, I can hit those with my hunting rifle," Erica said, bringing a Remington M700.

Hawke opened a pack of beef bastardy, popped a piece into his mouth, and said, "Don't rush."

Erica drank water and took some beef bastardy from him.

With the dry season's winds stopped since yesterday and little rainfall, this was arguably the most comfortable time of year in Ethiopia.

Suddenly, Hawke heard strange noises beneath his feet.

He reacted quickly, drawing his M9 pistol and aiming under the vehicle.

Erica was as fast, dropping her water bottle and drawing her Glock.

Under the vehicle, a serval raised its head, looking at them with bright eyes full of cautious yet naive curiosity.

Raul and Guti arrived, aiming their AR15s at the serval.

The serval seemed to recognize the guns and crouched, motionless.

Erica asked, "Is this a leopard?"

Hawke said, "Probably a cheetah."

Erica put away her pistol and asked, "Should I touch its nose?"

Hawke noticed the serval's eyes fixed on his hand and quickly gave her the beef bastardy packet: "It might be hungry."

Erica threw some bastardy down.

The serval sniffed, gobbled it up, and made a kitten-like sound.

A guide heard the noise and rushed over, seeing the guns and quickly said, "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Its name is Shana; it frequently visits the camp and is very friendly to humans."

*****

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