There are all dirt roads in the Kimberley Mountains, but the passing vehicles drove very fast. In less than 3 minutes, they appeared in Long Zhan's field of vision.
Although the car was very worn, the paint on the surface was gone, covered in dust, and the front bumper was collapsed.
But Long Zhan still recognized him at a glance.
This is a sixth-generation Toyota Hilux Tiger pickup truck that has been customized and modified, with a thick external anti-collision beam installed in the front and a wading hose specially raised to the A-pillar roof, which greatly enhances the off-road capabilities.
.
The car was so old that no repairs were done, and no maintenance was ever done.
It seems that the car owner only wants mobility.
From a psychological perspective, the owner of the car is not living a positive life, which is called Buddhist at best and decadent at worst.
To put it bluntly...
That is, there is no goal in life at all. The state of life is to live one day at a time. When you have no money, you will earn a little. When you have money, you will eat, drink, have fun, lie down and rest. The goal of daily life is just one -
As long as you don’t starve to death!
"This guy is too careless. Is he really qualified for the rescue mission?"
As the broken pickup truck got closer and closer, Long Zhan, who had studied psychology and basically made a judgment about the owner of the car, couldn't help but start to question Nicole's vision.
but.
It doesn't last long.
When the Toyota pickup truck passed through the fence gate and stopped in front of the gate with rising dust, the driver opened the door and got out.
The doubts in Long Zhan's heart disappeared in an instant.
The man who got out of the car was unkempt, with a sloppy beard and badly styled hair. But through the bulging undershirt, it was easy to see that he had strong muscles.
And his height is also very outstanding.
Wearing hiking boots, he looks about 1.95 meters tall, which proves that his naked height is definitely over 1.9 meters, and he can be considered a macho man wherever he goes.
Pair it with a pair of handmade Matsuda M3040 gold sunglasses priced at more than $500.
Don't say it.
Quite handsome and cool.
However, his handsomeness is second only to his head, because the rest of his body below the head is completely incompatible with the word handsome.
He was wearing a brown tank top, a pair of boxer shorts, and a pair of flip-flops.
He was also holding a bottle of Dulac beer produced in Australia, which is very popular in the Kimberley area and is very popular among locals.
Getting out of the car while drinking is a proper drunk driving.
With this attitude of completely letting go of oneself, coupled with this outfit that completely disregards image, if I can add a beer belly, I will definitely have the image of a greasy uncle.
Fortunately, although this strong man lived a sloppy life, he still maintained a good figure, which barely gained him a few points.
The reason why Long Zhan saw his true face and no longer questioned his abilities was that this sloppy man had been friends with him for many years.
"Taylor? I didn't expect to meet you here. It's incredible."
Long Zhan recognized the person who got off the car at a glance and walked over with a smile.
The slovenly man who got off the car also recognized Long Zhan at a glance and walked over with the same smile.
"Long, my good brother, is indeed incredible. I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would meet here after many years of separation."
"Yeah, it makes me happy to meet you in this place where birds don't shit."
Taylor and Long Zhan walked over to each other and hugged each other. It was a bear hug between men. The smiles on their faces were filled with joy from the bottom of their hearts.
"When you were transferred from the first team to the third team, five years have passed since then. Time flies so fast."
Taylor sighed repeatedly and said in surprise: "If my feeling is correct, you are not only stronger than you were five years ago, but you also seem to be taller."
"A team? SEAL team?" Nicole thought to herself.
After knowing Taylor for so many years, Nicole knew that Taylor must have served in the U.S. military and was a special forces member due to the strong strength he displayed in action.
But until this moment today, she didn't know which special force it was.
Navy SEALs, world famous.
Realizing that Long Zhan was also from the Navy SEALs, the only trace of worry in Nicole's heart was completely calmed down at this moment.
It was the first time in Nicole's life to command two former elite SEALs.
A little excited!
Long Zhan knew his height better than anyone else. He had no way to explain it, so he could only jokingly say: "Your feeling is right. I seem to be still growing twice as an adult, and I'm still 2 centimeters short."
, I’m about to cross the two-meter mark.”
"Holyshit, secondary growth? You are really a freak. You have never changed. God knows what surprises you will give me next time."
"Who knows? Maybe next time we meet, I will grow a pair of wings, haha."
Long Zhan used his nonsensical humor again, and then asked with some confusion: "Weren't you married back then and already had children? Why are you living alone in this remote place now?"
As soon as Long Zhan asked this question, Taylor, who was smiling when he met an old friend, changed his face instantly.
The smile faded, and his eyes were full of sadness.
Long Zhan immediately reacted and realized that Taylor's family must have undergone tremendous changes, which ultimately led to him becoming the decadent person he is today.
What exactly happened, Long Zhan couldn't guess.
In this case, it is not convenient to ask questions, so as not to expose Taylor's scars and make him feel more uncomfortable.
I want to comfort me but don't know where to start. Tough guys don't need the comfort of a girl, but the atmosphere of the topic has been destroyed, so it will be difficult to continue.
Fortunately, Nicole, who had been standing nearby without speaking, was surprised that Long Zhan and Taylor were acquaintances, and she stepped forward in time when she realized that the atmosphere was not right.
"Hey, Lake, I'm not a transparent person, aren't you going to say hello to me?"
Women have unique advantages in nurturing emotions and soft topics. Nicole was very skillful in what she said, changing the topic in an understatement.
"You call this place home, don't you?"
Taylor replied with a meaningful word, forced a smile on his face, and punched Long Zhan in the chest: "Let's go in and have a drink together."
After saying that, Taylor walked straight into the house.
Long Zhan and Nicole followed behind and finally stepped into this mountain cabin.
As a result, as soon as he entered the door, Long Zhan's eyes became strange.
Nicole stretched out her slender index finger in astonishment, pointed at the wall inside the room, frowned and said, "There is a chicken in your bathtub!!"
"He is my pet. I like chickens. If they could stop pooping everywhere, I would keep a bunch of them instead of just one."
Taylor didn't think there was a problem and explained in a serious manner.
"..."
Long Zhan and Nicole were speechless!
"You can find a place to sit by yourselves, you're welcome."
Taylor glanced at the bathtub full of poop, walked to the washbasin next to the bathtub, turned on the faucet, and washed away the dust on his face from running up the mountain.
"What you said is the same as what you didn't say. Your place is like a doghouse. It's good if I can stand down."
Long Zhan glanced at the entire room. There were all kinds of debris piled everywhere, and he couldn't even keep his feet around. He complained mercilessly.
When talking between old acquaintances, there are not so many worries.
"Compared to camping at night in Afghanistan, this place is already very good. At least you don't have to worry about being bombed in the middle of the night."
Taylor's ability to adjust his emotions was good. He washed his face and returned to his normal state. There was no heavy pain in his eyes, and he could still joke with Long Zhan.
While talking, he walked to the refrigerator, opened the refrigerator that was not powered on, took out two bottles of beer, and threw one bottle to Long Zhan.
“The local Dulac beer is just okay.”
After saying that, he picked up the dusty spoon next to him, pried open the cap of the other bottle in his hand, and poured it into his mouth.
There is absolutely no intention of giving a bottle to the remaining Nicole.
Long Zhan easily caught the thrown beer, and under Nicole's surprised look again, he opened the cap of the beer bottle with just his thumbs.
There are no tricks to speak of.
It was purely based on the callus taken from the inside of the tiger's mouth of the thumb while holding the gun for many years as a fulcrum, and with pure strength, it was broken open.
Compared to Nicole's fuss, Taylor seemed to be used to it, without any change in his expression.
Many people can open bottle caps with bare hands, and Taylor can do it too.
It just requires catching skills.
Like Long Zhan, who can break it with his thumbs and do it so easily, Taylor can't do it, and he hasn't seen anyone else do it.
The reason why I am not surprised is mainly because I have seen enough and become accustomed to it.
The two have worked together for more than a year. They have experienced life and death together in Afghanistan and Iraq, and have participated in many actual combat deployment missions. They are extremely familiar with each other.
No matter how miraculous things are, once you've seen them enough, you won't be surprised anymore.
Tyler took a swig of beer, burped with satisfaction, released carbon dioxide, and finally focused on Nicole.
"Are you alive again?"
After hearing Taylor's question, Nicole replied: "We took on a big mission, a rescue operation, an Indian child, the son of a drug lord.
A rival gang has kidnapped his son in Dhaka and we need to get him out."
Long Zhan already knew the content of the operation and there was no need to participate in the conversation between the two. He just wandered around the room drinking wine.
Take a look here, take a look there.
He quickly discovered sleeping pills and tranquilizers, and realized that Taylor's mental state was worse than imagined, and he couldn't help but frown.
However, Long Zhan didn't say anything, he just reminded him in his mind.
"Gaspar lives in Dhaka, why don't you call him?"
Taylor walked to the dining table and sat down, put the beer bottle on the table, opened the medical kit on the table, took out the sterilized cotton cloth, and lifted his bangs to reveal a wound.
The length is less than one centimeter, and the wound is not deep. It was probably caused by surfing in the mountains.
"Gaspar has given up."
Nicole walked over and took away the sterile cotton cloth and said while checking the wound: "Time is urgent, there are less than 24 hours left before the ransom is paid, and the deadline is Friday at noon.
The hostage's last signs of life showed that the kidnappers had a phone call with the hostage's family 6 hours ago."
Nicole was sure that the wound did not require stitches, and was about to use a cotton cloth to disinfect it, but Taylor turned his head to avoid it, and took the sterile cotton cloth back, refusing Nicole's help and keeping a distance between them.
While cleaning the wound, he asked: "What's the price?"
Nicole's approach was rejected again, and she seemed a little at a loss. She stood there blankly for several seconds without making any movement.
"Interesting, really interesting."
Long Zhan noticed the state between the two of them and couldn't help but laugh to himself when he thought that the dignified mercenary queen would also have the embarrassment of unrequited love.
At the same time, I am 100% sure that Nicole basically has nothing to do with Taylor.
Long Zhan and Taylor have been old friends for many years. He had met Taylor's wife and had dinner together. He remembered her as a cheerful and lively woman.
It is clear.
Nicole and Taylor's wives have very different personalities. It can even be said that they are not on the same channel at all.
Seeing that you didn't answer for a long time, Taylor asked for the second time: "How much can I get?"
"Same as usual, 28, we'll provide the equipment and we'll put it on your card when it's done." Nicole's mental quality was still very strong, and her expression quickly adjusted to normal.
"Okay, I'll take this job."
Taylor put a band-aid on the wound, finally reacted, picked up the unfinished beer, walked over and touched Long Zhan.
He said expectantly: "Long, come here with us. Are you also participating in this rescue mission?"
"Guessed it right."
Long Zhan put his right hand around Taylor's shoulder and said with nostalgia: "We can fight side by side again, which makes me happier than anything else."
"Your performance in the army was so outstanding, I thought you would stay in the army forever. Unexpectedly, you also retired and became a mercenary. I really didn't expect that you are fully capable of becoming an officer." Taylor said.
"No, I am not a mercenary."
Long Zhan shook his head and said proudly: "I have now opened a military company in partnership with my friends, and it has been officially opened for business.
I thought you were not out in the army, so I didn't invite you.
Since you have also left the army now, let us two brothers work together. When we come back from this mission, it is necessary for us to have a good talk. You are my best brother, and I need your help very much..."
"You poach people in front of me? That's not good."
Nicole interrupted Long Zhan's words, with the same zombie face as always, unable to tell whether it was a joke or a real opinion, she changed the subject and said: "The mastermind behind this is Assef Amir, who has huge influence in Dhaka.
Once you launch a rescue, things will become very complicated.
In order to ensure the success of this mission, I found a partner for you. Now that you two know each other, it will be easier..."
"Actually, I can do it on my own." Taylor interrupted Nicole.
"No, you can't."
Nicole's expression became more serious, she walked up to Taylor, stared into his eyes and said: "Actually, I shouldn't come to you, your condition has always been unstable.
The reason why you always take on dangerous missions is because you want to be killed by a bullet during the mission and end your miserable life.
But you should know that that thing was not your fault, and you shouldn’t punish yourself like this..."
"Okay, stop talking."
Taylor interrupted Nicole again, with obvious impatience in his tone, and said casually: "I just want to make money, raising chickens is not cheap."
Long Zhan got more information from the conversation between the two, but he was even more confused as to why Taylor became what he was today.
"Fine."
Nicole didn't want to force Taylor, so she turned around and walked out: "I respect your choice. Since you agree, let's go. Let's take a helicopter to the airport."
"Women always like to guess."
Looking at Nicole's back as she walked out of the door, Taylor looked at Long Zhan and spread his hands, curling his lips and shrugging with helplessness on his face.
"I agree, but..."
Long Zhan paused for two seconds and then changed his tone: "I think this woman is quite interesting."
Taylor knew Long Zhan's temperament. He would never forget to pick up girls wherever he went. He smiled and asked, "What? Do you want to get her?"
"I have this idea." Long Zhan raised his eyebrows.
"Then this challenge isn't too difficult. Nicole is not someone you can do in a bar. You and I don't think you can do it." Taylor laughed.
"Oldschool?"
Long Zhan brought up the "fun" between the two. When they worked together in the SEAL Team 1, they would bet $100 to resolve any disagreements.
Not much money, just having fun.
(It cannot be translated as old school here. In modern English, it is translated as old school, old school, etc. In the military, it usually means using the same old routine, acting as usual, etc.)
"I took it because I'm short of money recently." Taylor was very confident.
"We'll see."
Long Zhan was equally confident. He drank the remaining beer in one gulp, put down the bottle and walked out, saying: "Before that, we have to complete this rescue mission first. I hope your skills have not fallen behind."
"Just wait and see!"
Taylor deliberately copied Long Zhan's words and then followed him with a smile.