Volume 4: White Devil Chapter 299: One for One, Fair Trade
Major Robert threw a folder at hand to Dennis, then took a sip of the coffee cup on the table:
"In 1984, the Federal State Department formulated an action plan called Justice Assistance. This plan is mainly aimed at combating global terrorist activities against the United States. It hopes to combat those terrorists by collecting real information clues at high prices, protect the lives and safety of American citizens overseas and American interests, and maintain American national security. The effect is quite good. Currently, there are about 20 people who have earned more than 10 million bonuses from the United States by providing real and reliable intelligence."
Dennis flipped through the information in his hand and asked, "So, I and my army elites who suffer from severe syphilis, mental retardation, poor vision, hearing loss and other occupational diseases are responsible for collecting valuable intelligence in this area to help the army earn some extra money from the State Council?"
"The congressmen said that it is the duty of the military to maintain national security, so it is the duty of American soldiers to provide intelligence and they are not eligible for bonuses." Robert put down his coffee cup, took out a Windsor Camel cigarette airlifted from the United States, lit it, and looked at Dennis leisurely:
"The information in front of you is the information about the people offered a bounty in Lebanon. There are two categories: terrorists and kidnapped persons. No matter which one, as long as someone provides accurate information about their whereabouts, the United States can send troops to capture or rescue the target and then pay the reward."
Dennis closed the information and looked at his superior. "If soldiers can't collect bounties, then what's the point of the Heroes Platoon staying in Naqoura? Colonel, I saw those poor guys yesterday. If the Pentagon is counting on these guys to help Israel invade Lebanon, I'm sorry to say that I can fight better than them even if I drive a dozen wild boars to the battlefield."
"The United States will not help Israel fight, but this temporary micro-military base in Naqoura is an attitude that will make Israel feel that the United States stands with their Jewish and Lebanese Christian armed forces." Robert said to Dennis slowly:
"Those miscellaneous soldiers are here because the army believes that these guys will never start a war, let alone take the initiative to cause trouble for the Lebanese terrorists. Each of them is a rotten coward who only knows how to be a useless waste who eats and waits for death in the blue zone. But there are also advantages to being useless waste who don't want to be heroes. That is, it is convenient for our officials to make peace with Israel and say with confidence, hey, I support you, we have a military base in Naqoura ready to help you fight when the war situation is not good. Then let those Israelis continue to buy our weapons at high prices to pay protection fees because of our attitude."
Dennis looked down at the document in his hand, then looked up at Colonel Robert, and finally turned his head to the window: "I didn't do anything, but Major Marshall threw me to a place like this to rot? God knows when the war will end."
The country of Lebanon currently has no complete regime at all. Six-tenths of its territory is controlled by the Syrian army and the regime it supports, and four-tenths is controlled by Israel and Lahad.
The UN peacekeeping forces must stay in Israeli safe zones like Naqoura and can only do work to maintain basic living order for refugees. If they dare to go north to the front line between Israel and Syria to mediate on the spot, both sides may fire at the peacekeeping forces at the same time. Don't doubt it, both sides are capable of doing this.
After all, from 1982 to the present, more than one hundred peacekeepers have died on the battlefield in Lebanon, and even the specific murderer cannot be identified. Both Syria and Israel have blamed each other for this.
"I don't want to talk about what you did under Major Marshall, but this is your job arrangement in Nakula. Take this information and go back to continue urging those losers to ask the Lebanese waitresses in the bar, the nurses in the hospital, and the refugees in the refugee camp in the Blue Zone for information to see if they know the guys mentioned in the information. No one expects these guys to get any information, so just treat it as a walk. If they can collect intelligence, that would be the best, but if not, it doesn't matter. No one expects it anyway." Robert said to Dennis.
Dennis stood up, saluted and prepared to leave. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned around: "Sir, what good will it be if we rescue the hostages or capture the terrorists?"
"Hostages and terrorists are your advantage, Lieutenant. If you capture a terrorist or rescue a hostage on the list, you can return home to receive a commendation, and maybe even bid farewell to your overseas service career." Lieutenant Colonel Robert said with a mocking smile, "Just stay here for a year or two and do nothing. This will make your file shine. If it weren't for your connections calling me, you wouldn't have gotten such a comfortable position."
Dennis picked up the folder in his hand and shook it. "Will my subordinates also be rewarded?"
"If they behave themselves and receive an honorable discharge, then their discharge records might include a note about their involvement. The benefit is that it will be more convenient for them to apply for security guards in department stores or firefighters after they are discharged, increasing their chances of being accepted." Robert shook his head and gave an answer.
"Understood. Goodbye, sir." Dennis said, and walked out of Robert's office with the folder.
When they returned to the Heroes' Platoon, Dennis threw the folder to Glenn, took out a cigarette and lit it, and said to Glenn who was flipping through the folder: "We have to use our brains and leave this damn place as soon as possible."
"Helping the local government crack down on weapons or drug smuggling gangs again?" Glenn said without raising his head.
Dennis exhaled a breath of foul air. "We need to go back home and enjoy real life. Glenn, use your brain and see if you can find a few of those hostages or terrorists . If you can, Robert promised me that he would let us return home to receive awards and we will never come to this hellhole again. Ask your informants in Beirut who worked together to cheat the French."
"Those guys have big appetites. They only accept US dollars instead of Lebanese pounds. Most of the cash we earned before was spent on buying information from them to avoid attacks. I mean, even if they have information, I'm afraid they won't just pay a few hundred or a thousand dollars like before." Glenn said as he flipped through the list.
Dennis said in a firm tone: "Let's see if there is any news first. If the other party has a clue, money is never a problem. Do I look like someone who would default on his debts?"
Glenn did not deny Dennis's words. He had to admit that after knowing Dennis for so long, Dennis always had the virtue of never defaulting on his debts, whether he was gambling with his classmates at West Point, betting with other comrades after serving in the army, or even doing some shady small business with others, he never defaulted on his debts. This was also the reason why the Lebanese militants he knew were willing to do business with them and sell them some gossip. In wartime Lebanon, few people could deliver goods in exchange for money.
Glenn was very efficient. Just as Dennis had finished his hard nap in the afternoon, Glenn appeared in front of him.
He turned a blind eye to the mess on the bed and said, "I contacted the Lebanese people I used to deal with, but most of them didn't have much information to offer. After all, they were all active near Beirut and had no idea about the news in the Israeli-occupied areas..."
"Just say fuck it, but ~ Glenn ~" Dennis jumped off the bed without a trace, picked up the water cup on the table and took a sip, counted out a few US dollars from his wallet and threw them to the woman who sat up on the bed. She was a Korean UN staff member who had a brief romance with Dennis during her nap time.
Previously, at the suggestion of the U.S. Command in Korea, South Korea sent nearly 300 staff members to Nakula. There were few soldiers, and they were mainly responsible for medical assistance and cultural exchanges. What made everyone most happy was that South Korea was very understanding. Nearly half of the 300 people sent were female medical workers. Except for the slightly higher price and the fact that they had to marry American soldiers to get green cards, they had almost no shortcomings and were gentle in character.
Glenn waited until the woman was dressed and left with the whistles of the heroes before continuing, "But it's not like we got nothing. One guy said he had information about an American hostage, but the price was very high. He wanted fifty thousand dollars in cash, but we had no way of verifying whether he was telling the truth or lying. After all, this guy had lied to us before to get some pocket money."
"Where can I find 50,000 dollars in cash to pay him in this damn place? 50,000 dollars is enough to buy food for the refugees in the refugee camps in Nakula for a whole day. If I go and tell Major Robert that I have a clue and need 50,000 dollars in cash for activities, I will probably be arrested as a fraudster." Dennis scratched his hair with both hands after hearing Glenn's words: "50,000, is that American hostage the current president? By the way, how much can we get if the old, weak, and sick men like us contribute our salaries?"
Glenn's words stopped Dennis from wanting to raise funds. "Don't even think about it. I've learned that everyone has loans to pay back in their hometowns, mortgages, car loans, child support, and so on. I don't think they would be brave enough to fight with you on the battlefield. But if you tell them to take them back to kill Jimmy Carter, they will definitely rush to sign up."
"Okay, then how can we be sure that the information they have is true and reliable, and that they are willing to deliver the goods first and pay later?" Dennis opened the door naked, stood in the corridor, looked around, and muttered to himself.
Glenn shrugged behind him: "There is no way. I have considered everything I can think of."
Dennis slowly turned his head and looked at Glenn, holding up a finger: "Wait a minute, I just thought of a way for the other party to be willing to pay after the goods are delivered."
"What method?" Glenn frowned. He didn't think Dennis could consider it more comprehensively than him.
Dennis looked at Glenn's dark and honest face and said, "We can send you as collateral, Glenn. This way, if they are worried that we will default on our debt after getting the news, they still have you. Even if we rescue the hostages in the end, they still have you, an American officer. It's a one-for-one exchange, a fair trade."
