America (6): Team Assembled, Gear Secured
After taking a shower and stepping out, Athena shared some good news with me.
Master, you can head home soon.
I was getting sick of hotel life anyway, so perfect timing.
"Looks like you convinced Liam too?"
Yes, he reported that the talk wrapped up at dawn.
Finally, things were wrapping up.
"So, what's left? Once I check out the people Jacob and Liam are bringing, that's it?"
No, just need to prep the plane and the gear we're taking from the US.
I'd forgotten we needed a few things only available here.
"You're handling the list, right? What're we grabbing?"
Personal gear needs their input, but I've listed the common stuff.
A bunch of equipment popped up in front of my eyes: night vision goggles, thermal scopes, tactical headsets, and more.
"No guns? Duh, obviously."
Bringing firearms would've meant dating some suit from the NIS the second we landed in Korea.
If needed, we can make 'em at the Korean factories. Of course, we'd have to bribe and manipulate a bunch for cleanup.
Fair point. Even losing one spent casing in the army caused a shitstorm—Korean gun laws would be a nightmare.
"But aren't these export-restricted too? Night vision and such are military-grade."
From what I knew, some gear was basically impossible to take out of the country.
We'll use various methods. Corporate trades, breaking into parts for reassembly. Fake docs cover the rest.
Yeah, dodging customs or the military wouldn't be too hard.
"Some are strictly military-only, right?"
Jacob and Liam will explain those when they get back.
Wonder what method they'd use that they had to explain it themselves.
After breakfast, while nursing an Americano in a daze at the cafe, two vehicles pulled into the parking lot.
One's Jacob's ride. What's the other?
Plate check—it's a rental. Liam rented it.
It was a quiet cafe, but not ideal for talking.
Any quiet spots nearby?
Nothing but your room. There's Jacob's warehouse, but it's a ways off.
Tell 'em to come to the room.
Back in the hotel room, lounging on the sofa, Jacob and Liam walked in with two unfamiliar guys. The room felt heavier with all these big dudes piling in. The new pair had awkward gaits—probably their injuries.
Carlos Mendes, the heavy weapons guy who looked twice my size, spoke up.
"You the guy Liam mentioned? The one who can fix my leg?"
"That's right, Carlos. Liam should've explained everything."
"Yeah. Said you'd fix my leg if I pledge loyalty."
No hostility like with Jacob or Liam—looked like they'd been convinced.
"Correct. I can fix both your legs good as new. You know the price."
Then Eric Vance, standing stiffly next to Jacob, replied.
"Fix my leg right, and I'll die for you."
"Same here."
Carlos chimed in like he'd been waiting.
I eyed them for a sec, then asked Athena, Everything prepped in Korea?
Yes, I can fix them right away at the bio factory.
Her confirmation eased my mind.
"Unlike Jacob or Liam's cases, we can't do it here—too many issues. You'll have to come to Korea."
"No problem. Jacob proved it. You're probably my last shot."
Jacob and Eric had no real connection, but Jacob must've sold it hard.
"Cool. I'll take that as agreement. Handle a few things, and we're off to Korea."
Smooth sailing—felt good.
"By the way, Jacob, Liam—the gear list has issues."
"What kind, Boss?" Liam asked, looking concerned.
"Some can't leave the US or are military-only. Hard for me to snag."
Liam smirked, fiddling with his hip holster.
"Boss, Korea's got conscription, right? You serve?"
"Yeah, basic infantry—not elite like you guys."
"On our side, 'combat loss' is magic. Officially, plenty of destroyed gear."
Jacob grinned.
"Paper ghosts that don't exist anymore. I got supply contacts—they'll slip us the phantoms through the back door."
Clever as hell.
"Customs'll be the bitch."
Military gear through legit channels was one thing; clearing customs another.
"I can handle that."
Eric spoke up from listening.
"How?"
He replied calmly.
"Lost half my leg, but arms are fine. Ex-combat engineer and mechanical whiz—skills intact."
I'd forgotten what this guy did, still getting used to him.
"Break suspicious stuff into parts. Customs won't know shit."
Headache from docs and schemes? These guys made it too easy.
"Shouldn't have worried. Sending you my researched list, Jacob. Unlimited budget—add what you need."
Easier than buying a plane. Unreal.
...This for real?
Elite power. Would've taken me months alone.
Before these guys, I wondered if it was worth it. Now? Super convenient.
Handed the list to Jacob, and the four buff dudes huddled, debating.
Watching intently, Athena chimed in.
Found that private jet I mentioned yesterday.
"Oh yeah? Specs?"
Their heated debate halted; all eyes on me.
"C'mere, check this out. This is our ride to Korea."
I pulled up the jet and specs on my phone screen: a sleek matte-black Gulfstream G800, king of bizjets.
"...G800? Boss, you bought this?"
Liam squinted, knowing the price tag.
"Nah, leased it. Global 8000's two years out, so interim ride."
Liam stared like I was nuts.
"You know how much this is?"
"Extras and pilots... about 50 million bucks."
50 mil USD—700 billion KRW. Room went dead silent.
"...700 billion just to lease? How loaded are you, Boss?"
"Enough your paychecks won't bounce. Relax."
Carlos snorted at my joke. Liam smacked his shoulder.
"See? We're set for life, asshole."
Watching their banter, something hit me.
Where's this plane at?
Miami. Paid already—here by Charlotte airport tomorrow morning.
Car shipped, now plane too.
"Plane arrives Charlotte tomorrow AM. Gear sorted?"
Jacob answered for the chuckling quartet.
"Yeah, supply guy's meeting at my warehouse tonight."
Sunset was spooky; night double that. But with four beasts, no sweat.
After full dark, a black Mustang and two pickups rolled up to Jacob's warehouse on North Carolina's outskirts.
Pulled up front—familiar now—and the four flanked me like bodyguards.
"Boss, here he comes."
A black pickup, lights off, approached slow.
"Jacob, you crazy fuck. No word post-discharge, now this bulk order?"
"Shut it. Gear solid, Miller?"
Miller grinned, popped the truck bed.
Suspicious black Pelican cases lined up inside.
Jacob opened one: a freaky four-lens night vision rig straight from movies—GPNVG-18.
Gawking, Liam lifted it pro-style.
"Famous Quad-Tubes, Boss. Each one's a mid-size car."
Miller whispered to Jacob, eyeing me.
"Kid who? Your sugar daddy?"
Everyone here treats me like a brat. Do I look that young?
"Pays your bills. Condition, Liam?"
Liam, beaming like old pal, replied.
"Top-notch. Rest too."
Good. Send double promised pay.
Got it. Includes hush money?
Yeah, and monitor just in case.
"Sent double. Hope we meet smiling next time."
His phone chimed merry. Eyes widened checking it—arrogance gone. Snapped to attention, saluted like active duty.
"Next time, tank parts! Call anytime!"
Saw off the over-the-top dude, eyed Jacob's empty warehouse.
"Eric, teardown gear loaded?"
"Yes, ready to work."
Too risky at hotel for mil-spec.
"Finish here then head back."
Finally, my US schedule was wrapping up.