America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 178 Escort Fire

After distributing the money, Sieg sent a message to the leader, informing Zhang Ailun that he had successfully applied for the job and accepted the escort business, asking him to come to the Armed Nation assembly.

Zhang Ailun left the bridge-hole camp and drove to Armed Nation on West Street. Upon arriving, he immediately saw several armored vehicles parked outside the gun shop. Sieg and Bailey were fully armed, wearing bulletproof vests and helmets, carrying submachine guns, pistols, and fragmentation grenades on their waists.

Zhang Ailun parked the car on the side of the road and went over to inquire about the situation: "Four vehicles? What's going on? Weren't we just supposed to be transporting gun oil and regular security equipment? Why are there so many people? Are the vehicles carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles?"

"Things aren't that simple."

Sig pulled Zhang Ailun aside and whispered, "This mission was actually posted by a friend of the owner of Armed Nation, who facilitated the deal with the gun shop owner. Ordinary firearms don't have that much profit margin, so he also smuggled some contraband in the vehicle. But we're not qualified to ask what it is. On the surface, he was transporting gun oil, security equipment, and Sig Sauer short assault rifles, but in reality, besides some contraband, there were also some CDs. We need to transport them safely to Wells Fargo Bank in Palm Valley."

Zhang Ailun immediately understood; it turned out that this "retirement ceremony" also involved the transfer of benefits.

"What's recorded on the disc? A bank vault password? Or a list of shady transactions? At least something related to data."

There's nothing new under the sun. This bank probably has a lot of embezzlement problems. They might have to send someone over to settle the accounts someday.

"I don't know what it is either." Sig wasn't interested in it, but simply introduced some of the personnel responsible for the escort mission to the Grand Master.

Pointing to several black men sitting in the armored truck, he said, "They are scattered members who retired from the Los Angeles Police Department. They used to serve in the East Los Angeles Police Department. After retiring, they formed their own security team called Artillery, and they are quite well-known in the industry."

He then pointed to several white men, "They are from Lightning, a security company under PMC in Los Angeles. They were also in charge of this escort mission."

"Then there are the idle people like us. People at PMC earn $85 an hour, people in the artillery squad earn $80 an hour, and we only earn a maximum of $60-70 an hour."

Sieg finished speaking, sounding a bit annoyed. "Who can stand being paid minimum wage no matter where they go?"

They are all capable people, and they are all equally matched. If it really came down to a fight, he, a former Marine Corps captain, might not be any worse than them.

The main reason is that it is not well-known in the industry, does not have GG packaging, does not have a PMC company to back it up, and has not done anything sensational.

"That security team called 'Cannon' gained fame overnight for successfully protecting their employer and mitigating risks while maintaining order at a star's concert. Previously, their average hourly rate was only $55."

Pele couldn't help but scoff, "This isn't fighting on the front lines, how can this be considered experience?"

"So many people? It seems this mission isn't going to be so peaceful." Zhang Ailun was somewhat surprised. "If it were just a regular escort mission, there wouldn't be a need for so many people, would there?"

"That's how the employer arranged it; we just need to do our jobs well."

Sig and the leader changed their equipment again and got into a bulletproof armored transport vehicle. Zhang Ailun looked at the various boxes in the transport vehicle's compartment, which contained guns, gun oil, and common security equipment.

There were also contraband items in the black box and CDs in the silver safe.

Zhang Ailun also took out his phone and informed Blitz of the situation, asking him to investigate the relationship between Armed Nation and Wells Fargo, as well as the potential risks during this mission.

Soon Blitz sent a message: Wells Fargo and the boss of Armed Nation have some private connections, and the person who issued this commission also has some shady dealings with people in the bank, which involve manipulating stock market and real estate prices to make money, involvement in organized crime, marketing to create public panic, dumping large amounts of junk stocks, buying low and selling high, and various illegal financial operations.

Blitz: The SEC found out about them and froze their accounts. The FBI opened an investigation, but the accounts were unfrozen a few days later.

Blitz: I haven't been able to find out what that disc you mentioned is, but a week ago, they met with the leader of MC's biker gang and invited the vice chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The specifics are unknown, but perhaps the disc contains video footage and the truth. It could also just be some data packets and white-market transaction lists. The black box might contain some illegal goods.

Zhang Ailun: Can you crack the combination lock and the CD? It's in our car.

Blitz: I don't recommend you try to find out the inside story. This industry is very complicated. You just need to deliver the goods directly; there shouldn't be any high risks.

Zhang Ailun: OK.

The Grand Master was merely curious about what shady things were contained on the disc. If the escort mission went smoothly, it meant the disc was just an ordinary data package.

If there are any setbacks along the way, it means that the disc has at least touched the interests of some people and needs to be taken seriously or even destroyed. It is full of shady deals that cannot be exposed.

Soon it was time to depart, and Zhang Ailun prayed that the mission would go smoothly. After all, he was just passing through and wanted to visit the casino in Little Rock. He had no intention of engaging in any gunfights.

The artillery squad's escort vehicle took the lead at the start, followed closely by Sig driving in the middle, then the PMC Lightning Company security personnel, and finally the other unemployed personnel.

They left the city and entered the suburbs. The artillery's security personnel constantly reported road conditions via walkie-talkie, observing the surrounding environment and suspicious individuals. However, after driving on the highway for several tens of minutes without any risks, they became much more relaxed.

"It's another hour and thirty minutes' drive to Palm Valley. There shouldn't be too much risk, considering it's only $60 an hour," Bailey said, reporting on the roadside situation while holding up his tablet.

"You're making sixty dollars, but they're making eighty-five dollars! And we're all doing the same job," Zhang Ailun joked. "If something unexpected happens, the enemy's bullets don't have eyes; they won't stop shooting at you just because you're paid too little."

"I just hope everything goes well."

Bailey silently prayed to God, thinking, "Why risk my life for a few hundred dollars in a single escort job?"

Several armored vehicles traveled smoothly on the highway without any incidents. Zhang Ailun was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, so he simply put on goggles and a mask and closed his eyes to rest.

Soon the vehicle changed lanes and deviated from the main road, entering another secluded path. After driving for several tens of minutes without incident, the vehicle suddenly flashed its lights and braked as it left a small town.

The artillery squad immediately reported the road conditions: "A rear-end collision has occurred ahead! Slow down! There is an emergency ahead, and we are about to merge onto a mountain road. The roadside conditions are complicated. Keep your speed at 40 km/h."

Upon hearing this, Sieg turned the steering wheel without changing his expression, turned on the turn signal, and drove to the left.

Zhang Ailun was also jolted awake by the bumpy road conditions. He lost the will to continue resting with his eyes closed. Through the car window, he saw two private cars crashed together, their tires and engines totaled. Two black men were there, blaming and insulting each other.

He wasn't interested in that; he just looked at the shadows and leaves outside the windshield, checked the road conditions, and asked in surprise, "Why drive on mountain roads? The roads are so remote and difficult to navigate."

"Boss, there's a traffic jam at the highway entrance, and construction has closed the road ahead, so we have to take a detour. It'll only take us about twenty minutes longer," Bailey explained.

Zhang Ailun, however, felt that something was amiss. Why did the traffic jam have to happen at this particular time when there was no traffic jam?

The sunlight couldn't penetrate the grove, and the atmosphere became somewhat oppressive. The tires of the armored truck crunched over the fallen leaves and pebbles. A dozen minutes later, as they approached the corner, motorcycles and pickup trucks suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their way.

The artillery squad leading the way immediately slowed down and reported: "There's an emergency! There are suspected unidentified personnel ahead..."

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat!!! Before the words were even finished, a pickup truck in front suddenly stuck out a dark gun barrel and started sweeping the armored escort vehicle. Bullets flew everywhere and flames spitted out. The artillery squad leading the way was instantly riddled with holes, and the windshield was cracked. Fortunately, the escort vehicle was equipped with bulletproof facilities and run-flat tires.

"Sprint!! Sprint!!!"

The artillery squad responded immediately, but their words betrayed their panic. They'd been caught off guard and were completely stunned. "Terrorist attack!!! Get out of here immediately!! Call 911 for backup!!"

With a throttle press, the armored truck, braving a hail of bullets, smashed through the roadblock. With a whoosh, the bandits who had shot down the roadblock, along with the motorcycles blocking the way, were sent flying.

Sig seized the opportunity to accelerate and followed closely behind.

The ruthless bandit had just landed and hadn't even had time to react when he opened his eyes to see the steel behemoth rolling over him with a loud thud.

Zhang Ailun felt the car jolt slightly. Looking back through the rearview mirror, he saw that the young man behind him was completely bewildered; the car was wrecked.

But the convulsions only lasted a few seconds before the escort vehicle behind him charged recklessly into him again, running over his small body with a series of cracking sounds, like crushing rice crust. His bones were shattered, and his internal organs were squeezed out.

"Tsk." This was the first time Zhang Ailun had ever seen such a scene, but the masked thugs on the roadside still raised their guns high and pulled the triggers, spraying bullets at the armored vehicle. He watched helplessly as the bulletproof glass was deflected with snowflakes and the bullets struck the steel plate, sparks flying everywhere.

Holy crap! Is this really that exciting?

If the armored truck hadn't been bulletproof, it probably would have been blown up long ago!

As the armored truck left the corner and headed towards the highway, the motorcycle gang was hot on their heels. Driving a pickup truck, they pulled out several AKs and unleashed a hail of bullets at the tires and the armored truck! Zhang Ailun felt the vehicle start to lurch again.

Pele couldn't take it anymore, yelling, "Fxxk you!!"

He shoved the gun through the vehicle's firing port and fired back, retaliating in kind.

The motorcycle that was closely following behind had one person swept away in an instant. The motorcycle lost control, flew out of control, and crashed into a person next to it, rolling twice on the ground.

But before they could get up, the pickup truck ran over them, resulting in another bloody scene.

They opened fire indiscriminately on the last armored vehicle, finally shattering its run-flat tires and sending the rims flying. The vehicle was forced to stop on the potholed road.

"Requesting backup! Requesting backup!"

The security personnel in the escort vehicle behind were completely panicked and frantically shouted for help from their teammates.

The PMC Lightning Security personnel following behind Zhang Ailun's car turned their vehicle around, stepped on the gas, and rammed directly into the pickup truck. With a loud crash, they pushed the pickup truck and its occupants down the slope.

The Lightning Security personnel hurriedly got out of the car and hid behind cover. The three-point line strategy and the strategy of besieging the point and attacking reinforcements were useless at this time!

All they knew was to raise their arms high in faith and practice marksmanship, without even glancing at the enemy, and start randomly spraying bullets with their rifles!

Just fire randomly and that's it!

This is the only way in this environment where the enemy can't hit you, but you can sweep the enemy.

Watching this scene, Zhang Ailun realized their marksmanship was no different from his own. When it comes to life and death, don't we all just shoot blindly?

Sig turned the steering wheel around and parked the car diagonally in the pile of rocks. He found a good spot to shoot from above, quickly got out of the car and hid behind the obstacles, then unleashed a barrage of fire at the pickup trucks and motorcycles in the area.

Zhang Ailun also loaded his gun and aimed at a distance to provide fire support, with bright yellow bullet casings flying everywhere.

The artillery squad also stopped their vehicle. Old Black, the leader, came over to the group, took out two grenades, pulled the pins, and threw them. A few seconds later, there was a loud explosion, dust flew up, and the motorcycle exploded.

Faced with overwhelming firepower, the pickup truck exploded on the spot, resulting in heavy casualties among the masked bandits.

The gunfire lasted for a full two minutes before ceasing when the enemy stopped firing.

Zhang Ailun's gun barrel was red and hot, and he had used up several magazines.

He blew on it a few times, put it aside to cool down naturally, and then took out his pistol to be on guard.

Sig exchanged a few words with the old black man next to him, and then cautiously tried to investigate and fire a follow-up shot. He also found several bandits groaning in pain, with severed hands and feet.

Sieg immediately subdued them and questioned their origins, "Who are you? Why did you shoot at us halfway through the journey!"

"Ouch! I'm going to die! Help me!"

"You're fucking alive."

Sieg looked at his gunshot wounds. He looked like he was about to die from being covered in blood, but it was all the blood of his accomplices. He himself had only been shot in the buttocks and calves.

He was immediately given humanitarian aid, including local anesthesia and adrenaline.

Zhang Ailun and Bailey were responsible for cleaning up the battlefield. One of the security personnel next to them was unfortunately shot and killed. The bulletproof glass was shattered, and glass shards cut his carotid artery. He died while he was in the car.

"We are from the Karma Brotherhood. This is our ranch and our territory. Anyone who comes here needs to pay a toll." The thug, who was under local anesthesia, took off his hood, revealing a white man with freckles on his face.

"You fucking think I'd believe you?" Sig slapped him twice. Who would be a good guy who, without saying a word, immediately started firing his AK at the armored truck?

You must be acting under someone's orders!

There are bad guys among the crowd! They even know their route perfectly well. If it weren't for the bulletproof glass and the armored vehicle, that black guy and his crew in the car ahead would definitely be stuck here.

However, the other party was under anesthesia and barely felt anything. On the contrary, Sieg himself was so shocked that his palms went numb, and he could only look at the Grand Master.

"Why are you looking at me? These guys are obviously outlaws, used to running wild in the suburban mountains! Either kill them, or call 911 and have the state troopers take them away for investigation."

Zhang Ailun didn't want to get too involved in this. Why would I risk my life for $60 an hour? I'd just play dumb, slack off, and be done with it.

That disc must contain something deadly!

After cleaning up the battlefield with Bailey and taking stock of the casualties, the enemy had 16 men, 13 dead and 3 seriously wounded, nearly wiped out. Our side had 2 casualties, and the rest were basically unharmed. Zhang Ailun simply used the excuse of guarding the cargo to return to the vehicle.

(End of this chapter)