by <unknown>
After exiting the car, the two of them entered the otherwise silent dormitory.
The conditions of the dormitories built by Chen Chen were pretty remarkable. It was designed completely in accordance with the standard large-sized room design, well facilitated with air-conditioning, computer, closet, and a toilet. Even the pickiest person should not have any qualms about it.
"Mr. Brando, here are the keys to your dorm."
Qian Wenhuan picked the first room on the second floor on a whim. He then picked out a key labeled C201 from a large set of keys and handed it to Brando. "The canteen served food at 8:00 am, noon, 6:00 pm, and 10:00 pm. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to contact me."
After that, he turned around and left, leaving the empty room behind for Brando.
Brando stood by the window and saw the Chinese man getting on his Jeep and driving off. He then closed the curtains and thoroughly inspected the room.
After half an hour's work, Brando finally concluded his task and put the equipment such as desk, lamps, and computers back in place.
Not bad. There were no signs of a surveillance system installed in the room and there were no guards posted either. If he wanted to leave, this research center was a sieve, free for easy exit.
However, why were they so content with being so lax with him when they did not even know what sort of person he was yet?
Also, the agent had informed him that this was a new mission. What was that supposed to mean?
Brando sat on the soft and comfy mattress, and fell into deep thought.
…
"Boss, it's Wenhuan, are you up?"
The next morning, when Chen Chen had woken up, he heard Qian Wenhuan's voice coming from the pager by the door.
Chen Chen elicited no response and went to the door to open it. Qian Wenhuan, with dark circles under his eyes, walked in with a stack of information.
"Boss, I went to get Brando yesterday midnight following the flight ticket's schedule."
Qian Wenhuan took out the topmost file. "But he didn't turn on his phone when he got off his flight. By the time I managed to contact him, he was already at the entrance of the research center."
"Have you situated him in block C yet?" Chen Chen sat on the sofa and took large gulps of hot water.
"He settled down there last night. There'll be six more arriving today," Qian Wenhuan replied.
Chen Chen looked at the dark circles under Qian Wenhuan's eyes and smiled. "These people are very important. You're the head of the department, I don't have anyone else to appoint this task to others than you."
"I understand." Qian Wenhuan sighed quietly and did not raise any complaint.
"How about this, I'll assign one more car to you."
Chen Chen thought about it. He set his cup down and leaned backward. "You can bring up the other staff from HR. This way, you can reduce your workload."
"Got it."
Qian Wenhuan was relieved upon receiving the news. He suddenly recalled something and reported, "Oh yeah Boss, those local security guards are starting to get ahead of themselves. Yesterday, Brando told me that when he rang the door, the guards did not give him any information."
Chen Chen reacted with a slight frown and mentioned with an icy smile, "No big deal, they'll be replaced very soon. I'll have these people 'resign' automatically."
"By resign, you mean?" Qian Wenhuan jolted.
"Aren't you taking the new security force back here already?" Chen Chen only smiled and rapped the top of the coffee table with his index finger, making a knocking sound.
Qian Wenhuan suddenly caught on and answered excitedly, "I get what you mean now. Does this mean that they'll be joining our…"
"Let's see how it goes first. There'll be another filtration process later on."
Chen Chen did not try to hide it. "Provided there are no further accidents, they should all be joining the organization."
"Got it." Qian Wenhuan became relieved when he was informed of this. So, that was why the boss had sent him to escort them. All things considered, he was the second most important member of the African branch of the company, next to Chen Chen. If this was done for the sake of God's Forbidden Zone, then it did make sense.
As a member of seniority, it would only make sense that he got to look over the potential new members…
Qian Wenhuan approached the door before he suddenly recalled something and turned around. "Boss, Brando asked me when are you going to meet him?"
"When I'm going to meet him?"
Chen Chen thought for a moment. "Tell him this. When his companions have all gathered, I'll meet them."
Qian Wenhuan took note of that and left the room.
Chapter 100: Security |
Over the next few days, Qian Wenhuan, along with the entire Human Resources Department, was utterly exhausted.
Thirty people in total. Four to five each day, on slower days, it was two to three of them arriving at the Walvis Bay International Airport.
The days went by quickly. Block C of the dormitory slowly picked up on liveliness as well. As the new tenants subsequently arrived, they began taking residency on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floor.
Unlike regular staff members, not only did these new residents have the best dormitories but they also had a secluded canteen. The benefits they enjoyed nearly rivaled that of the professors.
Many staff members whispered about these ongoings, some of the mischievous ones even snuck into the canteen to survey the situation. Before they made it through the doorway, they were scared off by the intimidating, icy glares of the new residents.
Sadly, the regular staff members did not appreciate the extra work Chen Chen had put in for their sakes.
There was a good reason he separated these new tenants from the rest of the staff members. He did so for concern for everyone's safety.
Among these thirty members, five of them were Navy SEAL members, another five from the Delta Force. In addition, three of them had served the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment and there were also four who came from the Alpha Force.
The rest of them were either members from the Middle East or fought their way out of the ceaseless battles in the territories of Africa. Each one of them had their hands stained with blood and did not fit in a regular crowd.
The only woman in this group of thirty people was a lady who looked like Eva Green, who was part of the French GIGN Intervention Forces.
Living in Block C dormitory was not exactly described as being light and breezy.
A part of making a living as a mercenary was to be surrounded by war, death, and violence all year round so they had to be on their guard all the time. Even when they were put into an environment that allowed them to relax, very few of them were able to set their minds at ease.
Besides, their parent company hardly spared them any details and would not give them anything when they inquired why they were sent here. On the other hand, the research center made a point of generously feeding them without making any other movements.
Being put into such odd circumstances, how would anyone expect these wary mercenaries to be at ease?
Also, these people who pretty much sleep with their guns at hand were not even given a simple handgun for self-protection.
Another factor to consider was that despite being employees of the same company, they did not have much by way of connecting with each other, apart from the rare teaming up during certain missions. This only served to drive up the tension.
If not for the role their parent company played, it would not be too surprising to have several violent outbreaks over the last few days.
By the fifth day of Brando's residency here, Qian Wenhuan had finally brought all thirty of them. After situating all of them in Block C, he sent word to Chen Chen.
The next morning, while Brando and the others were dining in the canteen, several Chinese men who radiated a similar sort of aura made their appearance.
It was Cheng Cao and hi
s team members.
Following Cheng Cao's appearance, everyone dining in the canteen ceased what they were doing and turned their attention to the doorway.
It was as if the air itself had frozen in the canteen…
However, it was like Cheng Cao barely felt the weight of the atmosphere here. He walked to the center of the canteen, keeping his hands behind his back all the while, and announced at the top of his voice, "Gentlemen, please come with me after your meal. Our company's boss would like to meet you all."
After his announcement, he briefly glanced at everyone present. He then turned around and headed toward the door, where he stood waiting silently.
With that, the tense atmosphere slowly began to ease up again. The mercenaries continued their meal.
Many of them let out a sigh of relief but it was quickly followed by a very perplexed look in their eyes.
After they quickly finished their food, Cheng Cao led the way in front and took them to the hall located on the third floor of the laboratory building that could fit a thousand people.
This was done following Qian Wenhuan's suggestion. Even though there was a meeting room readily available in the laboratory building, Qian Wenhuan figured that situations like these were the equivalent of a blind date of sorts. If the boss was going to meet these potential future employees for the first time, it was best to leave the best first impression possible.
When the group entered the hall and picked their spots, it quickly became apparent that over the last few days, they had sectioned themselves into separate camps —
The Delta Force members sat together with the NAVY Seal and the special forces retiree formed their group as well. The remaining members were scattered into small groups of two to three members each.
Nobody was making a commotion nor was there anyone whispering among themselves. Without having to receive any instructions, they diligently grouped themselves, showing their acute combat discipline in this respect.
After every one of them was seated, Cheng Cao and the others found their place in the corner of the stage. It was then when Chen Chen finally made his appearance at the entrance of the meeting hall.
After making himself fit for the presentation, he stepped forward to the pulpit.
In an instant, countless pairs of eyes unanimously locked their intimidating gaze on Chen Chen.
Save for expert presenters or hosts, most people would feel an immense amount of pressure when they became the center of attention of so many people. The effect was more than doubled when it was from a bunch of mercenaries who would mercilessly kill without blinking an eye.
Meanwhile, Chen Chen, who was clad in his GS Combat Suit, kept his cool composure and barely paid any mind to their intensity.
"Gentlemen and refined ladies."
Chen Chen spoke into the microphone, "I'm sure many of you have many unanswered questions in your mind over the last few days. Why did your parent company, Tara Private Security Company send you here without giving you any explanation?"
Chen Chen lowered his head and flashed a conceited smile. "I'll put it this way, the reasoning is very simple. It's because your parent Tara Company has released your contract and reassigned the lot of you to me. You're hereby signed to Blackwatch."
The very moment Chen Chen broke the news, the audience below instantly erupted. Many of them immediately shot upward, their reactions a mixture of disbelief and rage.
"Are you kidding me?"
"Is this true, why were we not informed about it?"
"How could they do this? Do they think we're supposed to be some sort of good?"
"B*stard!"
The group began to curse and rebuke in anger. Chen Chen diligently paused his speech at an appropriate timing as well. He silently looked at them and allowed them time to express their discontent and frustration.
This went on for two minutes. The odd thing was that after they were done venting, they somehow settled down again and looked back to Chen Chen in unison. They seemed to be waiting for Chen Chen's further explanation.
"Excellent, I think everyone has calmed down a little."
Chen Chen resumed his explanation. "In that case, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chen Chen…"
As he spoke, he wrote the letters "Chen Chen" on the whiteboard behind him.
"I know that to many of you, this might prove to be a very strange name. But if it's one advantage with this name of mine, it's that no matter how you choose to address me, it'll not bother me in any way.
"Also, I'm the boss of this biotechnology company. That brings me back to you guys.You lot are the ones that I've personally requested from Dlamini, the boss of your parent company."
Upon hearing the revelation, their glares carried a more solemn tone.
To be able to personally request personnel from Dlamini of all people, it did not take much to piece together just how much influence the young man before them possessed. Some of these mercenaries may be easily agitated due to the intense pressure of the battlefield, but they were no fools.
Dlamini was never someone who they dared incur the wrath of, which meant that this young man before them was no exception to that rule as well.
Chen Chen went on. "Back to the reason that I employed the lot of you here. Unlike a company like Tara which specializes in military affairs and expects you to wager your life to make a living, I won't require that from you.
"I have my assets and don't need your help in bringing in profits. I don't need you to brandish your swords and massacre common civilians either nor will I expect you to cause a political uprising in Africa.
"You'll find that you no longer have to be labeled as mercenaries stuck in the gray zone. You could stand proudly as an official combatant subscribed to the protection of the Geneva Convention!"
They exchanged perplexed glances with one another.
"Then, may we ask what you expect us to do for you?"
It was then when the French lady who looked like Eva Green raised her hand and asked, "Also, concerning our wages. Should we expect it to be maintained at the previous range?"
"Beautiful Miss Sara, you've asked a great question."
Chen Chen brandished a look of approval before announcing plainly, "On the topic of your wages, I have no interest whatsoever in the amount which your once parent company paid you."
Upon his remark, a look of weariness appeared on a lot of their faces. Sara's eyebrows turned into a frown and it looked like she was going to say something.
"However!"
Chen Chen spoke again before anyone of them could, "I can give you a price that's far above the market average – 20000 to 30000 U.S. Dollars!"
They instantly froze and expressed a look of sheer disbelief. A twenty to thirty thousand dollars monthly salary equated to 700 to 1000 dollars per day. This was indeed a wage far exceeding that of a common mercenary!
However, a portion of them kept their composure. Brando thought for a moment before raising his hand and asked, "Mr. Chen Chen, may I know what our duties will include?"
Chen Chen made a gesture to stop Brando from continuing his question. He then promptly turned around and wrote on the whiteboard in a large font –
"SECURITY!"
Chapter 101: Hannibal |
The title "SECURITY" could refer to either "defense" or "protection". It could also refer to duties of ensuring safety.
In this case, it would be subjected to security personnel. In other words, a security force.
In the Mainland, many people regarded security as an extremely lowly position, but it was not seen that way in foreign countries.
Compared to mercenaries, at least this profession was far more stable and safer.
Hmm, at least it was this way for now…
However, even if they still had to perform acts of fighting and murdering as they did in the past, the salary offered spoke for itself.
Even in SouthEast Asia, the continent with the highest rate of death in the Earth Federation, y
ou would hardly be able to find someone matching the price Chen Chen was offering. The average rate for this line of work was only in the range of 8000 to 12000 U.S. Dollars.
After buying out this group of desperadoes, the next phase of his plans became that much easier.
Before signing the contract with this group, they were comparable to a bunch of timed bombs set to detonate in the research center at any given moment.
The thing to note was that the rules of the jungle were strictly law abiding in these forms of almost primitive-like profession. The moment Chen Chen officially became their employer, he essentially turned this group of people into a sharp blade, free for him to wield.
Besides, not just anyone was able to extend them an offer of 30000 U.S. Dollars to work for them. For this price tag, they would never allow anyone to come close to Chen Chen to bring him any harm.
Chen Chen split the thirty of them into five groups, each with six members. They got to choose their team leaders while Cheng Cao temporarily assumed the position of a captain.
Needless to say, this group of people would be somewhat bothered by having a Chinese man commandeering over them. However, if they had any opinions about it, the matter could be settled the old fashioned way. With the GS combat suit on, Cheng Cao had the clear upper hand in a straight-up brawl.
If Cheng Cao was still not able to keep them in line even with such a distinct advantage, then there was not much Chen Chen could do about it.
To better manage these battle-crazed animals, Chen Chen went ahead and built a training center on the open field outside the research center. He also repurposed the second-floor basement of the laboratory building into a shooting range.
There were also separated shifts with a week off each month for these adrenaline-fueled beasts to catch a breather in the bars of Walvis Bay.
Chen Chen set up a security department known as "Black Security Service" which consisted of these thirty members along with Cheng Cao's team.
Whether it was by design or unintentional, Chen Chen further assigned the fifteen local security guards into this department as well. He also formulated a strict departmental regime.
