Fatal Strike: Paladins Mercenary Road

Chapter 844 Finding Chips
Faced with the powerful Mountain Eagle, Ryan Donovan kept trying to explain the current situation and his own predicament in a roundabout way, attempting to win over the big shot in front of him.

Unfortunately, Mountain Eagle wasn't very interested in this guy's cleverness. He was an expert in negotiation, so he never mentioned anything he was interested in and waited for the guy to bring out his bargaining chips to "sell at a discount".

Ryan shook his head helplessly at Mountain Eagle's attitude and said, "Sir, the FBI doesn't have any concrete evidence right now, and they're investigating an arms smuggling case."

In other words, all the trouble would disappear as long as Kerry Cantona was willing to reach an agreement with my employer, take the blame for the arms smuggling case, and stand trial.

Mountain Eagle nodded slightly and said, "But that Kerry Cantona doesn't trust you or your employer, and he's even less likely to hand over that evidence, right?"

Ryan nodded and said, "Yes!"
But his distrust of us doesn't mean he doesn't trust you!

Sir, you brought Kerry Cantona out of the mountains, you saved his life, and it seems you are still protecting his family.

So if you're willing, with your ability and credibility in mediating the Snowden issue, you can easily gain his trust.

Kerry Cantona is a smart man. He knows very well that if the stalemate continues, it will only result in a lose-lose situation. He needs a clear solution.

Even if he has to go to jail for it, as long as his family's safety is guaranteed and he is provided with some compensation, he will definitely agree.

Ryan looked at the mountain eagle with a half-smile and said in a deep voice, "It is right for Kerry Cantona to plead guilty and go to jail. Moreover, as long as he pleads guilty and keeps quiet about the insider dealings, he can even receive some compensation."

Upon hearing this, Mountain Eagle shook his head, stood up, poured himself a cup of coffee, and said, "What about me?"

As an intermediary, I acted as a guarantor for both parties, averting a legal and political crisis that could have involved the whereabouts of billions of dollars.

What can I get in return?

As he spoke, Mountain Eagle looked at Ryan and said with a smile, "Those guys sold a few extremely dangerous aerial bombs to terrorists so they could bomb me."

Instead of helping them solve their problems, I'd rather leak this information so I can make more influential friends in Washington.

Because destroying the employer behind you would unlock billions of dollars in contracts; you should know better than I how much profit is involved.

Ryan Donovan nodded and said, "But that would put you at great risk, especially if you were at war with several large corporations. Having another group of powerful enemies who can mobilize US military resources is not a particularly good option for you."

Sir, you know better than I do that my employers are far more worthy of our acquaintances because their needs are clearer. If you can solve their problems, they'll owe you a huge favor!

After waiting a moment, Ryan looked at Mountain Eagle, who nodded slightly, and said seriously, "Sir, I got some information from my employer..."

The FBI's "Bangkok Team," responsible for handling arms smuggling cases, is at your Brown Bear Camp. If you can convince Kerry Cantona to trust you, this matter could soon have a happy ending for everyone.

The mountain eagle nodded slightly...

The case is actually quite simple: an aerial bomb exploded in Alaska, sparking an investigation. The FBI initially focused on arms smuggling...

Once Kerry Cantona was persuaded to reach an agreement with Ryan's employer to plead guilty and go to jail, the matter would be considered closed.

Kate from the Bangkok team wasn't focused on Alaska, and with her political acumen, she could clearly tell that investing a lot of effort in this case might not only yield no results but could also offend people...

If the case can be resolved quickly and efficiently, not only will she be rewarded for her efforts, but she will also be able to free up her time to deal with matters in Mexico, which is the key to Kate's career.

Mountain Eagle knows Kate well; if she finds out there's something even more serious behind this, she'll definitely back off immediately.

But if Mountain Eagle is willing to act as a middleman, Kate, that devilish woman, will definitely be happy to do him a favor.

This was a win-win deal, but the mountain eagle wasn't satisfied...

He looked at Ryan and said with a hint of amusement, "So I risked acting as a guarantor to mediate in order to gain a favor from your employer."
Don't you know how much I'm spending here?

If this is really that easy, why don't you find other 'middlemen'?

"Yeah, for example, I know a guy called 'Great White Shark,' who definitely fits your requirements and would definitely be happy to associate with your employer."

Ryan listened and said frankly, "Sir, firstly, it's a matter of time, and secondly, if I go to those people, I'll definitely be kicked out. I hope I'm the one who 'solves the problem' in this matter, otherwise my outcome will be terrible."

Mountain Eagle smiled and nodded, saying, "So you need me to help you save your career, but so far I haven't heard any offers that would tempt me."

"Buddy, you're the one with the real need. Keep going in circles and making empty promises; it's pointless. You need to give me something concrete, or our conversation can end here."

When Ryan realized that Mountain Eagle's attention remained unaffected and that he consistently maintained control, he knew he had no right to bargain with Mountain Eagle, and so...

“I know the arms trade routes of that European arms dealer Alex Vincent, and I know several key figures…”

Mountain Eagle paused for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "It's no secret that I'm at war with Vincent. If I wanted to, I could find out the trade routes of such important figures myself."

Actually, there's no need to investigate deliberately. That guy has a long-standing business relationship with the Sinaloa Group. Just look at a world map and check the ports to get a general idea.

This information is somewhat useful to me, but it only saves me a little time..."

Upon hearing this, Ryan immediately said, "Sir, don't you want to know how Vincent persuaded the Alaskan military to sell him their stockpile of aerial bombs?"

Although that guy was a Spanish arms dealer, he had actually been trying to infiltrate the United States all along.

Several NGOs funded by the National Endowment for Democracy were his clients, and they used Vincent's trade routes and weapons to create a lot of chaos in Central America.

"Why should a European arms dealer interfere in the arms trade in North and Central America?"

Upon hearing this, Mountain Eagle decisively shook his head and said, "I have no interest in that guy's business. I just need a few names and information about them..."

"Dude, I want revenge, and all I need for revenge is a list!"

As he spoke, Mountain Eagle looked at Ryan, who seemed hesitant to speak, and shook his head, saying, "Besides, a list alone isn't enough to convince me to help you..."

I'll give you one night to think it over. You need to figure out what you can give me before you come back to talk to me.

Actually, you have many strengths, such as a very clear mind, so I'm willing to give you a chance to prepare before trying to persuade me..."

Ryan listened, then lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before standing up, pulling a bewildered Martin out of the cabin, and braving the blizzard to return to his own cabin...

Martin hadn't spoken the whole way. After they closed the gate to keep the blizzard out, he frowned at Ryan and said in a low voice, "What are you thinking about?"
Things don't seem to be going the way you said..."

Ryan paused for a moment, then looked up at Martin and asked curiously, "How can you tell I failed?"

Martin frowned and said, "Did you win?"

Ryan shook his head, then nodded, and said, "Mountain Eagle agreed; he's just not satisfied with the offer I can make..."

Dude, by giving me a chance to persuade him, he was essentially telling us that he had the ability to intervene in our mission negotiations.

What we need now is to provide him with what he wants...

Do you know what he wants?

Martin thought for a moment and said, "He just said he wants the list!"

Ryan chuckled and shook his head, saying, "A list? NO..."

The list is just a bonus; it's the key to getting his help!

Everyone knows he's at war with several major organizations, and his relaxed demeanor doesn't mean he's truly without pressure.

He also needs outside assistance, and now I need to think about how to persuade our employer to give him what he wants…

(End of this chapter)