Fatal Strike: Mercenary Road of Gunfire Ranger
Chapter 269 - 268 Locked

Chapter 269: Chapter 268 Locked

Mountain Eagle could tell that Kadite wasn’t particularly convinced about the hijacking of the cruise ship, as such incidents hadn’t occurred internationally for many years.

Despite the rampant piracy in seas around the world, pirates too evolve with the times.

Robbing cargo ships and oil tankers presents less risk, higher profit, and lighter consequences compared to robbing cruise ships.

Moreover, cruise ships are complicated due to territorial jurisdiction issues and the problem of hostages; mishandling the situation could lead to involvement by major powers.

When you rob a cargo ship or oil tanker, the goods can be quickly liquidated for cash, and one can then negotiate with the ship owners and insurance companies using the valuable vessel to obtain even more money.

The profits are exorbitantly high, facing few challengers.

It’s different with cruise ships. Besides the ship owners and insurance companies, the vast network of friends and families behind the thousands of hostages can easily stir significant public outrage.

Never mind getting the money; even if you manage to obtain it temporarily, the disgraced major powers would ensure you never rest in peace again.

Global manhunts are just the beginning; ship companies, insurance companies, families of the victimized hostages, various business associations and enterprise alliances, civilian NGOs – these people could collect money and take you down.

In the past 80 years, the only recorded cruise ship hijacking cases in the world were done by the S and Palestinian organizations, which were both politically motivated, with only the Palestinian attacks leading to casualties.

It’s not that the pirates lacked the capability, but hijacking a cruise ship put them on the path toward becoming enemies of humanity, which would be too grave a consequence for them to face.

However, although Kadite was skeptical, he truly possessed sufficient influence.

When the plane was half an hour away from Phuket Island, a list of cruise ships in the vicinity of Phuket was sent over.

Looking at the handwritten list Kadite provided, marked with the cruise ship’s positions and their forward paths on a basic nautical chart with a red pen, Mountain Eagle couldn’t help but give this young gentleman a thumbs up, saying, "Thank you, you’ve been a huge help..."

Kadite, noticing Tessa’s serious expression, intended to comfort her and patted his chest saying, "No need to thank me, Tessa is my friend, and protecting Thailand is the responsibility of all of us.

Rest assured, my aunt is a Congresswoman in Phuket Prefecture, we can think of solutions to any problems."

Then, Kadite said to Tessa, "Tessa, don’t worry, leave it all to me!"

Tessa looked at the overconfident Kadite with disdain, shaking her head she said, "You’re such a loser, too scared even for the firing range, you can’t even hold a gun properly. What use are you?

I still don’t know why Taigore likes to mess around with you guys, what else can you bunch of jerks do besides indulging in food, drink, and fun?"

As Tessa escalated to personal attacks, Kadite spread his hands and called out, "Hehe, Tessa, though they’re all jerks, they are still my friends..."

Tessa, looking at Kadite who excluded himself from the category of jerks, shook her head and said, "Your skin should be thick enough to be bulletproof, when we fight the pirates, I’ll drag you to shield me."

While Tessa was bickering with Kadite, Mountain Eagle, focusing on the basic nautical chart, pointed to a red dot labeled ’Diamond Queen’ and said, "The Boatman Gang’s target should be this one!"

Tessa, no longer bothering to waste words with Kadite, moved closer to Mountain Eagle, furrowed her brows, and looked at the ship he picked out, saying, "Why?

There are other cruise ships near Phuket’s waters, and this one is almost 10 hours away from Phuket Pier. Judging by its location, it has only just entered Thai territorial waters."

Mountain Eagle, looking at the names of a few other ships, said, "Because the others meeting the criteria are either cruise ships departing from Hua Country or short route cruise ships departing from Singapore.

Only the ’Diamond Queen’ has embarked from Tokyo, on a 25-day long journey."

Tessa paused, then said, "What do you mean?"

Mountain Eagle, with a complicated expression, said, "Nothing much; just that the ’Diamond Queen’ likely has very few Hua Country people on board."

Tessa, still frowning at the basic nautical chart, said, "Just because of that, you conclude that Boatman Gang’s target is that ship?

You must have some reason, otherwise, if the judgment is wrong..."

Mountain Eagle nodded slightly and said, "Having few Hua Country people is the best reason!

Have you forgotten about the Malaysia Airlines plane that disappeared in March this year?

Up until now, the Hua Country navy is still searching at sea. Can’t you feel the rage from all Southeast Asia countries?

If the ’Boatman Gang’ hijacks a cruise ship with many Hua Country people on board at this time, they won’t have a future.

Behind the ’Boatman Gang’ is Pirate King Fayiz; he wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today by being a fool.

Of course, this is all speculation, but I’m more inclined to believe in the deterrent power of Hua Country!"

After saying this, Mountain Eagle looked at Tessa and said, "Send a risk alert to the ’Diamond Queen,’ and keep an eye on their position.

The Boatman Gang pirates will strike after they enter Thai territorial waters; if necessary, tell them to slow down."

After hearing that, Tessa nodded solemnly, turned around, and began to use the satellite phone to make contact...

Kadite, watching the two of them working seriously, hesitated for a moment and said, "Warnings are fine, but without evidence, the other party won’t agree to a speed reduction.

The routes and speeds of these cruise ships are predetermined. If they don’t arrive at their destinations on time due to non-force majeure, not only will they have issues with the pier authorities, but they might also face enormous claims for compensation from the passengers.

Are you really sure?

If they slow down as you request and in the end, nothing happens, the consequences will be very serious."

Actually, Mountain Eagle wasn’t accustomed to the external affairs capabilities of such a small country as Thailand...

If this were a major power, just issuing a warning would mean you’d have to listen obediently.

Compensation?! What a joke!

But the reality is Thailand can’t do that; regardless of Thai Military and Thai Police Team’s authoritarian image domestically, internationally, they leave something to be desired.

Moreover, their profound dependence on tourism often ties their hands.

Upon hearing Kadite’s remarks, Mountain Eagle was first taken aback, then nonchalantly said, "We’re just responsible for early warning; whether they slow down is their own choice.

But after the warning, if they don’t behave, then it’s up to their luck in the end.

I’m just a temp, so actually I don’t care where I fight those pirates, it might even be more convenient for me on the cruise ship.

The ship is leaving from Tokyo; island people are all tough guys, a little pressure is definitely bearable for them!"

Saying this, Mountain Eagle looked at Kadite, who had a shocked expression on his face, and pointed to the cockpit, "Buddy, the plane is starting to descend, as the pilot, shouldn’t you be sitting back down?"

...

When Mountain Eagle began to land, Taigore, the new round-the-clock sea patrol commander from Kamui three hours into his journey, received a message from Tessa in the cockpit of a high-speed patrol boat.

This stern-faced sea patrol colonel of modest stature frowned as he read the message, then looked down at the nautical chart.

A few minutes later, Taigore picked up the radio and said, "Head westward, turn on all radars, and don’t miss any suspicious vessels in the open sea south of Phuket Island."

As he said this, Taigore pinched the bridge of his nose with force, murmuring to himself, "Boatman Gang, Pirates, hijacking a cruise ship...

What on earth is Fayiz up to?

Island country, Singapore, Thailand—who is his real target?"

...

"That has nothing to do with us!"

Mountain Eagle stood next to a Black Hawk helicopter, organizing heavy weaponry that Taigore had obtained through connections, while responding to Killing Bee’s persistent inquiries...

This ’Big Sister’ was called over from Kamui by Mountain Eagle with a phone call, and joining him were assault man ’Big Mouth’, Bomber ’Broadcast’, and machine gunner ’Measles’...

Except for Sharpshooter ’God Stick’, who couldn’t make it from driving a taxi in Bangkok, Mountain Eagle’s first batch of Thai Mercenaries were gathering again.

Also with them was the lustful Sharpshooter Eddie, but ever since he set eyes on Daria, he had forgotten everything else, just circling around her.

Killing Bee was very professional though; to get to Phuket Island as Mountain Eagle requested, they had to reluctantly ask M·A Company for help and took a flight; only that way could they bring their own weapons.

To their surprise, when they arrived, they found Mountain Eagle was actually cooperating with the Thai Police Team, and had even borrowed a Black Hawk helicopter from the military, with many terrifying weapons squatting beside the aircraft.

Killing Bee waited until Mountain Eagle had meticulously checked an inflatable assault boat, then approached him, pulling his arm discontentedly, "I don’t care what the enemy’s intent is, but if the opposition is really the ’Pirate King’, then you have to give me a good price.

For fuck’s sake, I spent 100,000 Thai Baht and got my ass groped by that old bastard Kirilenko from M·A."

Mountain Eagle ignored Killing Bee, carefully securing the assault boat to the underside of the Black Hawk, then diligently checking the ropes several times. He then smiled at the slightly dissatisfied flight crew and pulled out some stacks of cash, stuffing them into the hands of several crew members...

He also had not expected Taigore’s clout to be this substantial, to actually be able to borrow a Black Hawk helicopter from the military.

This thing looked really dated, the destination was the vast sea, Mountain Eagle had to get along with these guys...

"Guys, make sure to fill up the fuel, check it several more times, no issues must arise!"

After dealing with these crew members, Mountain Eagle pulled Killing Bee to the side of the cabin door and said, "This mission is indeed risky...

First, my information could be wrong, and then we return without achieving anything.

Second, we have to face those pirates; whether it’s sea battles or boarding actions, we don’t have as many men as they do.

However, if the mission to rescue the cruise ship is successful, the benefit is definitely huge.

We can split the bonus provided by the Thai side, or you can name your price - this time, I promise not to bargain."

Killing Bee glanced at the heavy weaponry around and clenched her teeth, "Four million..."

Mountain Eagle was startled, "Thai Baht?"

Killing Bee nodded vigorously, "Forget the deposit. 4 million to be paid in one go, afterward, direct it to Jon to handle it.

I heard from Luo Yang that guy made tens of millions of Thai Baht in a week; I must be part of such good fortune!"

Mountain Eagle shook hands firmly with Killing Bee, "Deal!"

After finishing, Mountain Eagle waved at everyone and called out, "Board the chopper, we’re taking off!"

...

When the Black Hawk took off, in the international waters south of Phuket Island, a massive cruise ship carrying nearly 3,500 tourists was sailing on the sea.

It was already midnight, and the night revelers were, after all, a minority.

Since they were about to enter Thai territorial waters, all gambling areas on the cruise ship were closed.

Apart from a few drunken island country guests lingering in the pool area, other areas gradually quieted down.

While the cruise ship sailed, several boats released a dozen inflatable boats a few miles from the cruise ship, then, under the cover of night, those inflatable boats quietly approached the ship.

As the speedboats neared, people on them signaled to the cruise ship’s stern. Quickly, a rope ladder was thrown down from the cruise vessel’s twenty-meter-high side...

A yellow-haired pirate saw the ladder drop and bared his teeth at his subordinates, "Keep quiet after climbing up, wait until we all get on board before starting the operation.

This ship has lots of wealthy targets, we’re definitely going to strike it rich this time!"