Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 280 Fighter Jets in Place!
Jin Kang practically ran to notify his assistant to take over the construction site, while he rushed to his dormitory.

Milton ignored him—because the answer he received was a foregone conclusion.

Americans like to send their own troops to other countries to carry out terrorist attacks, right? Then don't blame Milton for "accidentally" leaking the things their scientists painstakingly researched and invented.

If the cooperation goes smoothly, Milton will be able to purchase these most advanced equipment, which will greatly help the informatization and digitalization of the armed forces, at the lowest possible price within one or two years, without having to use precious points to replicate them.

The price of equipment like PDAs and drones is so high that replicating a few of them could buy a self-propelled mortar; they are truly super luxury items.

Even the older Scout, an oil-burning and bulky drone, would cost at least $200 million to replicate!

Perhaps the quality of the counterfeit cannot match the original in the short term, but in terms of price... let alone $2 million, Milton reasonably suspects that he can get it for $200.

By making expensive information technology equipment more affordable, Milton could free up a large amount of funds to begin large-scale deployment of armored forces and truly systematize his firepower.

Flora watched Jin Kang run away, then smiled at Milton and asked, "So generous? This equipment was something you went through a lot of trouble to get."

Reverse engineering is no easy task; Milton can't simply pick one piece of equipment from each item and sell it to them.

Moreover, it can only solve the problem of creating something from nothing, but it cannot solve the problem of good or bad.

However, at low cost, these things are not a big deal.

“In the future, I think, even before the 21st century, there will be a great war of unprecedented scale waiting for us,” Milton said slowly. “If we can win this war, we can keep all the fruits of victory; otherwise, everything will go back to the way it was before.”

"I'll say it again—the legacy of the collapse of the Soviet Union has given us the opportunity to quickly overtake others and develop rapidly. At the same time, a lot of NATO's energy has been tied up in the Balkans. I can guarantee that they will even get involved themselves."

"This is the only opportunity for development. Once the influence of the Soviet Union gradually fades from the world and the United States has fully digested this wave of benefits and is free to act, it may not be something that our generation should be considering."

"Even if we wait another hundred years, we might not get such an opportunity."

"In order to preserve this achievement, we must start preparing now."

Flora thought about it carefully and nodded slightly: "The railroads, oil refineries, military industry... and external support, they are indeed preparing for a major war. But do you think we can win like this? The enemy that might come to attack us is already a hundred years ahead."

"It is no exaggeration to say that our military technology is at least 20 years ahead of the rest of the world."

Milton waved, boarded the command vehicle, and gestured for Flora to follow. He continued, "We're not going to wage a full-scale war against them... As long as we cripple a military operation, demonstrate our strategic deterrence, and maintain the people's living standards, we can barely hold our ground."

"Of course, it's too early to talk about that now. Let's go and see the good stuff I just imported."

Flora clicked her tongue twice: "Where did you get this good stuff from this time? This is an F-5E, tsk tsk. I wonder what Reggie and the Americans will think when this plane flies over their heads?"

“This is considered a good thing?” Milton shook his head. “The terrifying thing I’m telling you is that our enemy may have a new generation of combat power, capable of disappearing directly from our radar. That alone is terrifying.”

"It means applying F117 technology to fighter jets." Flora understood Milton's meaning. "What's there to be afraid of? There are still a few years before the 21st century. We still have some time to develop."

While the two were chatting, the convoy had already arrived at the airport.

Inside the hangar, there were three F-5E fighter jets, all sitting quietly.

A large number of ground crew members were performing maintenance on the three aircraft, their eyes shining with excitement and satisfaction.

Since the arrival of the "Hell Tax Collector," the speed of modernization in the Air Force has been accelerating day by day, and now it even has supersonic fighter jets.

Before entering the airport, Milton casually remarked, "We still have a few CIA agents left to kill, right? Let's find a way to create some big news elsewhere and spread it around... Anyway, don't let them see our planes. Don't let them focus their attention on Quetzaltenango for the time being."

Flora complained, "...Shouldn't you have gone to talk to your 'Raven Group' yourself? The pilots will arrive this afternoon. The company chartered a special plane to bring them over. They are all experienced fighter pilots, and flying an F-5 won't be a problem for them. I just don't know how loyal they are."

With the country gone, it's really hard to assess the mental state of pilots, who are soldiers of the nation.

Milton glanced at the panel, waved his hand, and said, "As it stands, there's no problem... Just have them come over."

Just as he was about to enter the airport, Milton received a call from Kingcon.

"Metalworking? How's your side of the process coming along?"

Jin Kang's voice sounded a little anxious: "Why did you leave so suddenly?"

“Because I still have to fight a war,” Milton said calmly. “Our country is at a critical juncture, and the metalworker should be able to see that.”

“…Alright! We have the current response. First of all, our attitude towards this matter is definitely positive,” Jin Kang said. “Experts from our National University of Defense Technology will come to take a look, but the person responsible for liaising with you, uh, is still me.”

"We are actively considering the conditions you proposed. Of course, due to objective limitations, we need at least three samples to have any chance of successfully reverse engineering the system. Can you provide that many US military equipment?"

“Three? Five are fine too.” Milton was very generous. “I just hope you can crack it as quickly as possible and deliver the cheap and good equipment to me.”

"Well... also, this type of equipment involves core military technology of the US military. If the cooperation is leaked, it may cause international controversy and even affect the diplomatic relations between the two sides and third parties. Therefore, the two sides must sign a strict confidentiality agreement - personnel involved in the technical research must sign a lifelong confidentiality commitment, and all test data and research results can only be circulated within the military of both sides and must not be disclosed to any third party."

Milton suddenly laughed: "So much confidence in me?"

Logically, Jin Kang should have used some very "official" language to brush it off at this point, but after a moment of silence, he said truthfully: "Yes, everyone can see that you are not a leader of the same level as Arsu and the other warlords. I personally believe that you will have no problem seizing power smoothly."

"In short, it's not a big problem. On behalf of myself, I would like to express my gratitude to you and hope that our friendship will last a long time."

Milton thought about the future development trend and couldn't help but complain, "Don't worry, this friendship will definitely last a while."

"Okay, then you go ahead and get busy. I have to go back to the construction site."

"..."

……

A special plane that took off from the Netherlands is currently in the air.

A Slavic woman of standard appearance, still somewhat unaccustomed to sitting in the spacious seat of the business jet, occasionally glanced out the window.

From pilot to taxi driver, and then to being paid to work as a pilot and flight instructor in other countries, such a dramatic change in identity in a short period of time made Valery feel that he was no longer able to adapt to this new era.

"I don't know what the future holds..."

“No matter what the future holds, there’s no going back.” Another pilot gave a bitter laugh. “I’m already bankrupt. My car was damaged in a street shootout, and the insurance company refused to pay. I didn’t make any money driving a taxi for two years; in fact, I had to pay them back.”

"If it weren't for this job, my wife and three children would definitely be doomed."

The three pilots couldn't help but think about the tremendous changes that had taken place in the country in just a few short years.

The Air Force Club went bankrupt in a matter of months, turning into a cheap clothing store with jeans hanging on the shelves with English prints.

State-owned department stores also disappeared quickly, and a large number of shops were easily taken over by individuals at extremely low prices. They didn't even have time to manage them, and they didn't even bother to clean up the broken glass at the entrance of the shops.

The ruble, which could originally buy a lot of things, suddenly became a hot potato, and many people chose to exchange it for euros and US dollars.

In short, after the country disintegrated, things didn't improve as many people had hoped. Instead, chaos and disorder took over the place, and the equipment they were once proud of was now being sold all over the world for a little money.

Valery sighed, took a few sips of Coca-Cola, and couldn't resist taking out his pilot's license to examine it carefully.

This certificate is of no use except to prove that he used to be a pilot.

Until a PMC company approached them. "'Warwind Company,' a very mysterious and large company. I heard they are well-equipped, and many people estimate that the company is worth at least a billion dollars." Valery couldn't help but talk about it. "I seem to have heard a few news about them recently, but I had never heard of them before, not even a year ago."

"Haha... To be honest, I was quite hesitant when they first asked me to go to Guatemala, since it's so far from home." Another pilot laughed. "But it's 'Warwind Company' after all, so I think it's reliable. Maybe if we work there for 10 years, we can earn enough money to live on for the rest of our lives."

"They were very generous with the money and promised to pay off all my debts within a year."

"..."

This company is practically supported by half a country's resources, and its business is mainly conducted in Latin America, where it has achieved remarkable results.

Even before VBSS was fully developed, they accomplished a perfect mission by secretly taking over a ship.

I heard they also have experience fighting against SAD.

The equipment is world-class!
Working for a big company in Guatemala for 10 years and earning enough to support yourself for the rest of your life seems like a pretty good idea.

buzzing...

The flight from the Netherlands to Guatemala takes a total of 12 hours.

All three pilots were prepared to endure 10 years of hardship—after all, they were once citizens of a first-world country and high-income individuals like pilots, but what kind of place is Guatemala?
Third World small countries, poor, and recently fighting civil wars on both sides to the point of utter madness.

Life there is not quite like that of a primitive African tribe, but it is certainly bleak and squalid, with slums occupying large areas of the city, and even water and electricity may not be available around the clock.

Robbery is rampant, the murder rate is high, healthcare is virtually nonexistent, social order is severely disrupted, and there is extreme conflict between law enforcement and the public…

It's not that they're prejudiced, but rather that they've seen what it's like after a country collapses.

If even relatively peaceful and well-established countries are in this situation, what about a small Latin American country in the midst of a civil war?
"Thankfully, I'm a pilot..."

Twelve hours later, the business jet landed smoothly at Quetzaltenango Airport.

Valery disembarked from the plane, took a shuttle bus, completed the formalities, and then, led by several soldiers, boarded an armored vehicle and headed towards the military airport.

Upon entering the city, Valery was very interested in this unfamiliar country and looked out the window.

As they drove on, Valery's eyes grew increasingly filled with disbelief.

The order is just too good!

This standard of living... are we sure we've come to a small European country far removed from war?!
First, there is an astonishing number of private cars. Although there are no luxury brands, any car, regardless of its type, would be a considerable burden for people in third-world countries.

Quetzaltenango has a lot of cars and motorcycles!

The city streets are very clean, clearly maintained daily, with people sweeping and taking out the trash every day...

At a glance, no one showed any signs of malnutrition.

There were no queues in the store, and the supply of goods was quite plentiful.

There is another thing that cannot be faked at all—when military vehicles drive by, there is almost no fear in the eyes of the people, and some even dare to peek out to see what the military vehicles are going to do.

Within just ten minutes, Valery couldn't help but form his first impression of the area—order, wealth, stability, and unity.

Is this some kind of civil war, where pilots are so scarce they have to search for them overseas through their companies?!

At first glance, even if someone said this was a city in a moderately developed country, most people would probably believe it.

Valery and his two friends both felt an extreme sense of unreality.

"This is Quetzaltenango, where we'll be working from now on?!"

The officer leading them said somewhat embarrassedly, "Yes... the conditions may not be as good as in your Soviet Union, but they're not that bad either. At least the order is very good. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can get a job, and if you have money, you can buy most of the things you want."

These officers were all from Milton Air Force, and they were the future trainees of these former Soviet instructors.

Another officer quickly added, "Yes, the conditions are much better now... You wouldn't believe it, even a year ago, people were starving to death in this city, including 'Godfathers,' uh, it was only after Commander Milton arrived that the situation gradually improved."

"I never imagined that one day I could casually put my wallet in my pocket without worrying about being robbed."

"Who has time to rob you? Everyone has their own work to do. I heard that many construction sites have already started."

"Don't worry, we have tourist attractions, five-star hotels, all kinds of entertainment, and all kinds of consumer goods here... The working environment here is great!"

"Oh, and there are many other tourist attractions, all developed with great effort by Commander Milton. Locals love going there. We can be your tour guides during holidays..."

"..."

The locals are actually afraid that these talented people from powerful countries will not be used to the poor life here, will not be able to endure the hardships, and will not be willing to stay even if they are offered money.

After all, in their eyes, the "Godfather" was very powerful, leading them out of chaos, but his quality of life was certainly no match for those of these established powers.

Valery could speak Spanish, but at this moment he opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

"I think I know why your military operations against the former government were almost always so devastating."

Soon, the military vehicles arrived at the military airfield.

Valery stepped off the armored vehicle and was greeted by soldiers standing ramrod straight, eyes fixed straight ahead, automatic rifles held horizontally across their chests.

This alone shows how disciplined Milton's troops were.

Led by an officer, the three pilots arrived at an underground bunker.

Valery could tell almost immediately who the leader was.

Valery's mindset was now completely different from before: "'Hell Tax Collector', sir?"

It was as if he had returned to his days as a soldier, facing his superior.

Milton looked at him and nodded: "Let's familiarize ourselves with the environment today, and start work tomorrow. The person in charge of 'bottle' should have already told you about the salary. Any other questions?"

"No..." Valery sighed inwardly. "Sir, may I see the plane I'm going to fly?"

Milton said nothing, waved his hand, and led the pilots to the hangar.

This information must be kept secret until the pilots disembark.

“F-5E…” Valery couldn’t help but nod. “Then who is our enemy?”

Milton said calmly, "The air defense weapon is the A-37 Dragonfly. The aerial targets are still uncertain. They might be some attack aircraft, but they are definitely stronger and faster than the A-37 Dragonfly."

Hearing this, Valery smiled and said, "Sir, then they are really going to suffer. The skies over the battlefield will forever belong to you."

(End of this chapter)