I was a general in South America

The location of the Third Unit.

The vast mountain forest was silent, with only the light from the patrol searchlights keeping watch over the surrounding darkness.

Lucas stood in the middle of the parade ground, facing thirty soldiers who looked like hungry wolf cubs, their eyes gleaming with fervor.

There were no high-level, grand narratives or leadership-style speeches.

He stood on the ammunition box, looking down at the entire scene. He suddenly turned the black bag that had already been opened upside down, and pieces of paper with pictures of Franklin poured down like snowflakes.

"Thanks to Kitatani for the perk, everyone will receive a $2000 reward today."

The excited howls almost pierced the Central Kohler Mountains. He stood obediently in place, his eyes fixed on the land covered with US dollars, refusing to look away.

"Lucas...hoohoo...loyalty!"

"Lucas...hoohoo...loyalty...!"

Colombian soldiers earn $50 a month, while rapid reaction forces earn slightly more, but even with all subsidies combined, it's no more than $300.

Even though these thirty people in front of him were all handpicked by Lucas, most of them were orphans whose parents were killed by drug dealers, or whose family members had been persecuted by drug dealers.

But in a country where survival is a struggle, hatred alone is not enough to deal with drug traffickers.

The major city of Medellín, along with its capital Bogotá, is one of the world's most violent murder capitals.

It's no exaggeration to say that unlucky people could be kidnapped or killed for no reason while shopping in these places.

The bloody terror inflicted on Colombia by drug cartels has long been ingrained in the very bones of the country.

You can maintain loyalty based solely on your beliefs, without relying on your subordinates.

Lucas raised his hand, and the excited soldiers instantly fell silent. The atmosphere was reignited.

"Those on patrol tonight will each receive an extra $200, everyone else will get two cans of beer, and food at the camp is unlimited!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere at the scene was ignited once again.

"loyalty..!"

"Lucas...loyal!"

The soldiers knew that a smuggler had delivered a truckload of goods that day, and their cheers for Lucas were genuine.

Some of them were selected and transferred from other units.

However, most of those who participated in the selection for the rapid reaction force and were assigned to Lucas's command were people who were struggling to make ends meet in other units.

In Colombia, it's an open secret that military officers accept bribes to participate in smuggling and even collude with drug cartels.

Those who still held on a little longer suddenly realized that they didn't need to collude with drug dealers, and could even gain more than their colleagues...!

Lieutenant Lucas had everything except for the group of wiggling women from the streets of Manizales that he hadn't brought to the camp.

"Soldiers, enjoy your night!"

Lucas jumped down from the ammunition box with satisfaction and instructed Moreno, "Be careful not to get into a fight while drinking. Also, organize some people to increase patrols tonight."

"I see."

Back in his room, Lucas took off his military uniform, revealing a bare upper body covered in crisscrossing scars like a centipede.

He took out a cigarette lighter from his shirt pocket, went to the washbasin, put the cigarette lighter down, then turned on the tap, scooped up some water, and washed his face.

The temperature in the mountains is extremely low at night, and the feeling of icy tap water gently patting your face is unbearable.

Cool to the bone...

He looked up, his slightly handsome face reflected in the glass...

Energetic enough, didn't embarrass himself...

pat...

Lucas covered the lighter with his hand, tilted his head to the side, took a deep drag of the flame, and then reached out and touched his hand with the one in the mirror.

"To you."

Smoke billowed between the two men, and suddenly they both revealed slightly sickly smiles almost simultaneously.

See you tomorrow, Colombia.

Today's action signifies that the sampan he is piloting has set sail and must be swallowed up by the tides of time to become an aircraft carrier.

Once they turn back, a torrent of malice will instantly overwhelm them...

Since fate has made its choice...

Then I am Lucas Bolivar Franco.

It's like a superhuman guy suddenly appearing out of nowhere in Colombia...

Whether it's Chatan, the Medellin Group, or most of the government, they are still stuck in the traps of past experiences.

Colombia began banning drugs in the 70s, but the area under coca cultivation seems to multiply as the ban continues.

The US military came here once, leaving behind scorched earth, and then they left...

Spring has arrived, and the mountains are once again covered with ancient trees, a scene of vibrant life and everything thriving. It's still fresh in my mind's eye.

Lucas knew that in the revolving door of drug money and power in Colombia, the only taboo that could not be touched was the red DNA in his veins.

The arrogant Pablo had lost all sense of right and wrong; that photograph of him shaking hands with the Sandinista National Liberation Front of Nicaragua had already sown the seeds of his downfall.

Everyone thought it was just a routine procedure for the US military in Colombia.

This is the opportunity...

The rapid reaction force in Manizales currently has only 150 personnel, temporarily divided into three teams.

Apart from Lucas, whose position was secured through his father's influence, the other two were transferred from other regional armies.

The reason why the rapid reaction force has not been expanded on a large scale is probably because the military leadership, the US military, and the government leadership are still vying for power.

The position of Commander-in-Chief is still undecided, but that's okay...

When Manizales had only one option left, he became the commander of the rapid reaction force.

But Kitaya is no pushover either. The relationships behind his control of Manizales for many years are also complex and intertwined. To step over them as stepping stones, more meticulous planning is needed.

If you demonstrate sufficient value, people will invest in you.

He named this project "Flag".

Sitting on the sofa in the room, Lucas was also thinking about his next move.

In addition to continuing to use the Kitatani Group to boost their combat record, they also need to quickly fill the remaining gaps in the troops.

When he rushed to take up his post after completing the closed training, due to the tight schedule and lack of resources, he could only carefully select these thirty soldiers with clean backgrounds.

A force of thirty elite men might be enough for now, but it's far from sufficient in the long run.

For ordinary civilians, the gunmen of drug traffickers are like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

But it's no match for a well-equipped and well-trained army.

Do you really think a submachine gun can outperform an M249 squad automatic weapon, or that a floral shirt is tougher than Kevlar?

Battle lines can lie, and battle reports won't play along...

Pablo Espírito Santo, who could take down a fully armed army on a motorcycle and command tens of thousands of gunmen, would no longer vacation in Panama.

Lucas blinked.

Points: 5160.

Currently, only a small number of items can be exchanged for the rank of Second Lieutenant.

[Killing Intent Perception]: Already redeemed.

Still afraid of assassination? This will make your life less vulnerable.

At the nightclub, the moment Lucas entered, Andrei's murderous intent didn't reach the warning level; in fact, it weakened over time...

【Loyalty!】: Redeemed.

[Subordinates under your command will remember your kindness, but if you confront their family directly, they will still kill you... Remember, distance can weaken bonds!]

Without specific numerical values, Lucas speculated that this ability might be a subtle influence after contact.

【Damn charm!】: 5000

Standing center stage, everyone will go wild for your performance.

Other talent pools, arsenals, technologies, etc., are all in a grayed-out, locked state.

Weapons and equipment are not in short supply for the time being, thanks to the support of the United States, the world's largest trading partner.

With only thirty men, even if they were given an aircraft carrier, they'd only be able to eat barbecues on the deck.

Make money...!

In Colombia, idealistic people all stay in the rainforest and wage guerrilla warfare. If you don't share the spoils with your brothers, who the hell will risk their lives for you?

Drug dealers just happen to have tons of money!

After Lucas redeemed the charm, he unconsciously touched his face.

He seems to have become even more handsome...!

Meanwhile, 20 kilometers east of the third base, a Toyota SUV struggled to drive into the depths of the rainforest.