NOVEL NEXT Chapter 630 The War Begins
In the city of Tubruq...
Joe Ga patrolled the designated exercise area and finally encountered the prepared exercise command post at an abandoned elementary school playground.
As the city of Tubruq continued its recovery, there were large vacant areas sufficient for P·B to use for exercises.
Local armed forces led by Hasan, Tuareg people, Serbian paratroopers, and Russians who had defected from Wagner, would all switch to exercise ammunition and take turns playing the role of terrorists in this area, providing sparring training for those about to head to Iraq.
Watching Dorian getting into exercise gear under Karman's coercion, Joe Ga walked up, pinched Dorian's arm, then shook his head and said, "You need to pad it up inside, or you won't last through many shots."
Dorian was already reluctant to be a guinea pig, and hearing his boss's words made him even more nervous.
He glared at Karman, then looking at Joe Ga he said, "Boss, is this really necessary?
Aren't we going to Iraq to cook?"
Joe Ga laughed heartily and replied, "We're going to cook, but ISIS has to buy that idea for it to work. Do you think if we're in logistics, ISIS madmen won't shoot at us?"
As he spoke, Joe Ga handed a mask to Dorian, saying, "Wear this, don't get disfigured by accident. The bullets I've arranged are plastic-tipped, reduced power, reduced load ammo.
They're inaccurate beyond 20 meters but can still be dangerous at close range, let's give it a try first."
Dorian discontentedly picked up a groin protector, sized it up, firmly attached it to himself, then walked to roughly 15 meters away, placed his hands behind his back and, with a tone ready for martyrdom, said, "Go ahead, I..."
Just as Dorian was about to indulge in his apprehensions, Karman raised his hand and sprayed a burst of bullets at the fellow.
The shots from the AK74 sounded much softer, but within 15 meters, the accuracy was still present.
Dorian's chest armor was hit several times, and his legs and arms were each struck by a bullet...
The unfortunate Elephant fell to the ground in pain like he'd been bitten by bullet ants, desperately rubbing the spots where the bullets had hit his arms and thighs...
"FUCK, it's swollen...
Boss, this counts as a work injury, right? I'm filing for hospital treatment!"
Joe Ga came over to pull Dorian up, checked his injuries, and touching his nose said, "Seems the power is still a bit strong, but I don't think the others will mind..."
Throwing off the mask from his face while sucking in cold air through gritted teeth, Dorian exclaimed, "Boss, in Italy if someone orders this kind of ammunition for exercises, they'd be complained about until death.
Whoever invented this bullet, FUCK, they deserve to go to hell!"
Joe Ga looked coldly at the complaining Dorian and stated, "How else will you remember the lesson if it doesn't hurt?
Moving everything closer to actual combat, that's the purpose of this exercise."
Dorian, sighing, looked at Joe Ga and said, "Boss, do we really have to participate?"
Joe Ga spread his hands and responded, "Why would I suffer like that? I'm the boss. I've got Karman and Ayu to protect me. Of course, I'm not participating..."
Dorian looked at Joe Ga as if he'd seen a ghost, then looked down at the spots where he was hit, suddenly concealing the agony on his face, and said, "Boss, actually, I think you should get used to it too. It doesn't hurt at all.
Really, the building structures here are very similar to Iraq's. Getting a head start in understanding them is being responsible for oneself."
Joe Ga ignored Dorian's coaxing, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Look at our team. Dragon Gecko is battle-hardened, Devil Bird and Owl have been through the same war.
This minor scene doesn't affect Ayu at all, as even live rounds can't penetrate her body armor.
In Team A, it's only you, Leather Head, and Kitten lagging behind. 'Kitten' is sick, so you need to step up. Once we're in Iraq, I'm depending on you to protect me."
Upon hearing this, Dorian responded with a mournful sigh, "Boss, actually I think we could call on King Kong to join forces. We'd be unstoppable.
Boss, don't leave me on my own, I'm a bit scared..."
Before Joe Ga could continue teasing Dorian, his phone suddenly rang...
Upon answering, he heard Chris's voice amidst a scattering of gunshots...
"Hu Lang, ISIS has set off two explosions in Basra, killing over ninety people.
The war has started; you need to come quickly!"
Joe Ga froze for a moment, frowning he said, "How could this happen? ISIS just delivered an ultimatum to NATO not long ago, what are they planning with this move?"
Chris helplessly replied, "NATO's forces haven't made a move, but how could the large number of mercenaries entering Iraq stay hidden?
The bombs detonated near the encampments of Titan Group and the Triple Tian Peng. Steven and Eric are also in Basra; they're terrified. You need to come over and take control.
An $800 million contract sounds substantial, but coordinating all the major companies requires fair distribution.
Hu Lang, the Iraqi Government has declared the start of the war, and they've forcefully taken over the first batch of supplies you prepared...
I couldn't stop them, but we can't let them develop such bad habits. P·B must get involved now!"
Joe Ga wasn't particularly angry about the confiscation; the oil field contracting project with the Iraqi Government had been settled. Whatever they took now would ultimately be paid for with their own oil.
However, this sudden outbreak of war caught Joe Ga somewhat off-guard. His preparations were mostly complete, yet just short of complete when he was pulled into the fray, which irritated him.
After listening, Joe Ga pondered for a moment and said, "Give me a little time, I'll be there in 48 hours.
You go to Baghdad first and contact the Iraqi Government. Have them prepare a garrison near Baghdad for me; I need to ship some stuff over."
After ending the call, Joe Ga called 'Professor' after thinking it over...
"'Professor,' the mission has been accelerated. I need you to ship things to Baghdad..."
The 'Professor' on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then spoke in a slower tone, "Take it easy, let me confirm the details with you...
30 Nora 155mm self-propelled howitzers, 50 mortars of 120mm, 100 mortars of 60mm, 2000 automatic rifles, and 500 machine guns.
What else will you need later on?
You need to inform me in advance so I can prepare and ship it to you whenever you need it."
Joe Ga took a deep breath and said, "I also need top-of-the-line Milos armored vehicles, at least 50 of them.
And a large quantity of NATO-standard ammunition, you have to be ready to provide me with ammunition support at any time."
'Professor' noted Joe Ga's requirements and then spoke earnestly, "China has supplied you with a batch of helicopters and missiles through our company. Do you need those to be shipped to Baghdad as well?"
"Of course, send everything over!"
Upon hearing this, 'Professor' hesitated slightly and said, "I didn't want to bring it up, but the propeller-driven fighter jets that the Belgrade Group built to your specifications are completed—two of them.
I suggest you take them over for a real combat test. With China's sponsorship of the Blue Sword 7, they can fully demonstrate their combat capability."
Joe Ga, slamming his hand with force, said, "What are we waiting for then? Send them over!
I've got 'Archerfish' and 'Cobra' who have been looking for me many times; they'd surely be happy to fly their planes from Seville."
After listening, 'Professor' solemnly agreed, then said with a somewhat heavy tone, "Hu Lang, you need to be careful lately. The Russian transport company we used to work with has run into a bit of trouble, and it seems as though someone is intentionally trying to hold you up.
I'm coordinating with other air transport groups right now. As long as you have NATO's endorsement and are willing to pay a bit more, they can deliver the goods."
Joe Ga frowned upon hearing this; he knew that the Russian oligarchs Haftar warned him about were flexing their muscles, though Joe Ga was not exactly sure what they intended to do. However, Joe Ga didn't have time to tangle with them right now...
Put it aside for now; I'll get you when I have the chance!
After ending the call with 'Professor,' Joe Ga made phone calls to Eric and Belic at the Sangha Town Base.
Teams B, D, and E, along with the cooks, would fly back to the base on C-130 transport planes obtained from the Americans, taking their equipment and personnel to set up the advance camp in Baghdad.
Once the calls were done, Joe Ga, looking at the excited Dorian, shook his head helplessly and said, "You're in luck, we leave tomorrow..."
With that, Joe Ga activated the communicator and said, "Owl, where are those participating in the special forces selection?"
Antar heard the communication, paused for a moment, and then said, "The Signal Flag's team has just landed, 'Goat' and 'Hammer' teams will arrive soon, and 'Comet' and his French SAS have 2 hours to go.
The selected mercenary squad of 15 split into two boats will need another 6 hours to reach us.
The rest need a dozen more hours..."
Joe Ga heard this and nodded, "Inform the first four teams to assemble on shore, the rest to participate in training exercises.
Notify everyone for a meeting tonight; we're departing for Baghdad, Iraq, tomorrow."
After hanging up, Joe Ga looked around the area and then said to Hasan Mansour, "I'll be away for a while, Devil Bird will come with me. Can you ensure Tubruq remains stable?"
Upon hearing this, the scars on Hasan's face twisted, and with a ferocious smile, he said, "To ensure the stability of Tubruq, we have to extend the battlefields.
We've got enough manpower. As long as you give me enough authority, I can keep the terrorists busy."
Joe Ga looked at Hasan, whose face was splashed with a murderous aura, shook his head and said, "It's not me who gives you the authority, but the National Army.
Zahovic will command the Sevillian paratroopers and Wagner's men to guard the docks and the oil refinery. You need to organize Tubruq's security forces.
Remember, it's not the military but the police force; you are enforcing the law!
Don't go too far; there's no need to eliminate them all this time. Let Tubruq's judicial system start functioning.
You are a local, you have to consider what the locals think and make them believe Tubruq is a civilized area.
Do you understand?"
After listening, Hasan looked at Joe Ga's face, saluted, and then said loudly, "Understood!"
Joe Ga motioned with his hand for the man to lower his, then rubbed his face and said, "The exercises must continue, and you can take this opportunity to find the right people to flesh out your team.
Buddy, don't let me down; Tubruq can't handle my disappointment..."