After all, Mattis's matter had nothing to do with him, the contract was the most important.
Colonel Curtis from the headquarters engineering departnt t with the two of them.
After eting and exchanging greetings, Colonel Curtis imdiately took out the contract and said, "Here's the contract, take a look."
He then handed the contract to the two n.
The content of the contract was not complicated.
It essentially stated that the US Army stationed in Iraq planned to build a water station near Kowa Town near Shergar City, extracting water from the nearby Tigris River to the three adjacent villages, and "Musician" Defense's responsibility was to ensure the security of this water station's construction.
It seed simple.
In reality, Song Heping was no fool and could see the nuances behind it all.
Firstly, Shergar City was located between Tetric and Mosul, near the bank of the Tigris River. Secondly, this area was part of the northwestern region of Illiguo. Currently, the conflicts in Tetric and Mosul had not yet concluded, with the coalition forces gathering on the outskirts of these two cities, continuously clearing the resistance forces within the cities.
It could be said that Shergar City was a very unsafe place.
The water project served as a ans for the US Army to ingratiate themselves with local powers and villagers, essentially a civil engineering project.
After all, having invaded the area, they had to do so good; otherwise, if the locals didn't support them, their future reconstruction efforts would be difficult to carry out.
However, the engineering volu of this water station was not large, and the budget was not high, consequently, the expenditure on security costs would also not be high.
Sending the US Army to guard there would be a waste of forces, hence employing rcenaries was the most cost-effective choice. The only problem was that hiring rcenaries from big firms like Black Water or Sparta was too expensive and not cost-effective; hiring rcenaries from smaller firms was insufficient in combat capability and simply couldn't hold off.
For those ard organizations, there was no way they would allow the US Army to build a water station right under their noses.
Previously, two smaller companies had taken on this contract, but the water station had already been destroyed twice, the rcenaries from there either killed or crippled, and now nobody dared to take on this business.
Cook had been introduced to Colonel Curtis by Mr. Wood at a reception last ti, and since Colonel Curtis was in charge of engineering, this matter was under his responsibility, he rembered Cook while facing this headache and took the initiative to call Cook to invite him to sign this contract.
After all, "Musician" Defense had an extrely outstanding performance in Hassan and Cook Oil Field. Colonel Curtis had done his howork; despite the company being relatively new, its combat capabilities were exceptionally strong, they had even managed to take down the stronghold of the Freedom Army.
As the saying goes, desperate tis call for desperate asures. Since he couldn't afford Black Water, hiring a smaller defense company like "Musician" was a relatively cost-effective choice.
The contract amount was 50,000 US dollars per month for security costs.
Upon seeing the amount, Song Heping couldn't help but reveal a knowing smile.
No wonder no big company was willing to take it.
If the water station was near Baghdad, many companies would be willing to accept 50,000 US dollars a month, but it was a completely different story in Shergar.
At both the north and south ends was a land of conflict; without at least a dozen elite rcenaries, it simply couldn't be defended, even deploying elite rcenaries like Black Water would require calling for support when necessary to ensure safety.
But the base salary for a rcenary in a large company starts at 15,000 US dollars per person, with so up to 20,000 US dollars per month, not including mission allowances.
Ten people ant at least an expenditure of tens of thousands of US dollars, any trouble would result in lost equipnt, and the company would have to pay compensation.
No matter how you calculate it, it was a losing deal.
Using local rcenaries was indeed cheap, 150-300 US dollars per month; 50,000 US dollars per month was enough to deploy an entire local rcenary squad.
But to what avail?
The combat capability of local rcenaries, in the face of those ferocious ard militants, didn't even have the capacity to hold on until the US Army's air support could arrive.
The previous two companies used local rcenaries from Illiguo; neither company managed to hold the positions, the water station was destroyed twice, many workers were killed, and two water pumps were destroyed.
50,000 US dollars a month.
This price was simply a joke!
Colonel Curtis might have read the thoughts of the two n; he himself felt sowhat embarrassed. This kind of price wanting to hire soone to guard this water station was simply daydreaming.
But to expend several hundred thousand dollars a month for the security of a water station, his superior, the general, would definitely not approve.
"Gentlen, let be frank," he spoke. "This price may be a bit low, but you need to take a long-term view. Military contracts are like qualifications. If you have the capability to take on this contract and complete it successfully, the military will consider collaborating with you first in the future. Rember, Ro wasn't built in a day, right?
If your company wants to grow, it must start from the smallest orders, especially military contracts like this one."
It must be said, Song Heping had to admit that Colonel Curtis, who sat across from him looking like a scholarly teacher with his gold-rimd glasses, indeed had a way with words.
This pie in the sky that he painted...
Could it really not tantalize one?
Seeing that Song Heping and Cook still seed hesitant, Curtis continued, "According to the current progress of our coalition forces, the situation in the north is expected to stabilize in about two months. You would only need to ensure the security of the water station for three months; afterwards, you could hand it over to the ICDC troops and local police forces.
Even if it's a loss, it would only be for three months."
He paused, his eyes scanning over the faces of Song Heping and Cook twice before he added, "However, this reputation and relationship with our military cannot be bought with just a few hundred thousand dollars."
"Scoundrels!"
Song Heping thought.
Dealing with the US military's officers, it's no wonder they speak of a revolving door.
After retiring, they just head straight to defense companies or the military-industrial complex to beco consultants.
Each is more business-savvy than the last.
This water station was Colonel Curtis's responsibility; if he failed, his superiors would definitely scold him, and his promotion would be affected.
If this matter was handled well, and finalized, the generals at headquarters would be pleased, and Colonel Curtis was a re step away from Brigadier General. It was a crucial mont in his career developnt, to take it one step further, he had to accomplish sothing on this battlefield.
That's why he was so rushed, his unrotten tongue slick as if soaked in oil.
"Colonel, may we discuss this?"
"Please, go ahead."
The two n walked out of the office.
Cook asked, "Are we taking it?"
Song Heping said, "This guy talks big, and I don't believe him, but it's only three months. Consider it doing a favor. If we really do well, it's also buffing our own brand. He isn't wrong about one thing, taking on such contracts is beneficial for us securing future military contracts. There are many places that will need security in upcoming reconstruction projects.
This guy's in charge of the projects, so I think we should do him this favor."
Cook said, "Fifty thousand... that's way too little."
Song Heping said, "We send two people, put a squad there, we should be able to hold it."
Cook sighed, "Alright, it looks like we still need to recruit more people. There are enough local rcenaries available, just lacking so top-notch talents for big tasks."
"Real talents are hard to co by," Song Heping said, "wait until you get the money from that arms deal, then we can recruit more."
"Alright! Then let's take it."
"Let's do it, I agree."
The two returned to Colonel Curtis's office.
Cook took the contract and said, "Colonel, we'll take it, but as you know, taking this job is a loss for us, so if you have any lucrative opportunities in the future, you've got to compensate us."
"No problem!"
Seeing that the tricky hot potato of the water station finally had takers, Colonel Curtis was overjoyed.
"Three months, hold it for three months. Afterwards, it can be handed over to the ICDC. Once it's transferred, it's a matter for the Temporary Managent Committee and the United Security Council. After that, I have so construction security tasks here in Baghdad that I could prioritize for you; those are real plums."
"Thank you in advance."
Cook passed the contract to Song Heping, who picked up a pen, signed it, and stamped it with the company's seal.
Colonel Curtis also signed and stamped it.
Deal done, one copy each.
"Pleasure doing business!"
"Pleasure doing business!"
The matter was thus settled.
Signing security contracts here wasn't complicated.
Song Heping and Cook descended the stairs; at the bottom, they happened to run into Wilson and Alvin.
Neither party expected to et again.
For so reason, Wilson nodded at Song Heping.
Song Heping, controlling his fluctuating emotions, also casually nodded back as if nothing was wrong.
"Have we... t before?"
Wilson voiced the question that had been on his mind.
Joking, Song Heping said, "Maybe in a dream."
Wilson was taken aback.
Song Heping had already walked away.
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