His words, though blunt, revealed the unspoken rules of surviving in this industry: not just the importance of power and trust, but the delicate balance of power and the exchange of interests.
In such an environnt, a small company desiring significant contracts must learn to navigate the gray areas and have the capability to handle tasks that are inconvenient for officials to directly address, becoming an invisible pawn in the ga of power.
Ferrari's gaze shifted back to Song Heping, "If Peter really gives us a big deal in the future, you've got to know how to satisfy him. Don't hog it all to yourself, you've got to share the loot with the big shots. The generals get the lion's share, we get the smaller portion."
Song Heping said, "Don't worry, I understand."
While speaking, he made an OK gesture.
"Alright, enough of that," the cook said, "We haven't even completed our mission this ti. If 'Hunter' is a sniper organization, how are we going to deal with them? Look at our two snipers—"
He looked towards Hunter and Queen and said with a resigned laugh, "Both of our snipers can't handle a target a kiloter away, are we all heading to our deaths?!"
Song Heping said, "My personal best is actually hitting a target at 1,400 ters with an SVD sniper rifle."
All eyes turned towards Song Heping once more, their expressions odd.
"Hahaha!"
After a while, the cook's laughter finally broke the silence.
"Song, you must be joking internationally! You hit 1,400 ters with an SVD?! Are you sure you were using an SVD?!"
"It was an SVD, but..."
Song Heping wanted to say that the SVD in question wasn't exactly an SVD. It was a modified version of the Type 85 sniper rifle with a changed barrel and custom-made bullets; it was pretty different from the original model.
And that rifle wasn't even his, so explaining now seed pointless.
So he didn't retort and ignored the cook, instead turning to ask Queen and Hunter, "If it's with a Barrett Sniper Rifle, do you have any confidence?"
Hunter confidently nodded and replied, "If I'm using a Barrett M82A1, I can hit a target accurately at 1,600 ters without any issues."
His tone revealed the sniper's characteristic calmness and certainty.
Song Heping asked Queen, "What about you?"
Queen pondered for a bit before answering, "I personally prefer the feel of the SVD, but if necessary, I can try the Barrett. However, my strength lies in quick response and precision shooting at dium to short range. Beyond 1,200 ters may not be my optimal operational distance."
Song Heping said, "Then you'll be responsible for mid-range support, Hunter for long-range sniping, and we'll assign positions like that for our team. Cook and White Bear will be machine gunners, I'll join Grey Wolf and Disaster Star as assaulters. Right, Disaster Star, you've got the stamina, carry an M72 rocket launcher."
"No problem," Disaster Star said.
Song Heping asked, "As for personal equipnt, let's take this opportunity to upgrade. Anyone who needs to buy guns or gear, the company will reimburse you. For high-end equipnt, we can't be self-sufficient; let's check with Harvey tomorrow and place our orders early."
He glanced at his watch, "Specific collaboration tactics, we'll work them out after we et up with those Seals in Mosul, then we'll formulate our strategy. We leave in two days, sort out any personal matters in the anti."
"Good!"
"No problem!"
The eting then concluded.
The next morning, Song Heping led his team to Harvey's gun shop.
"Harvey, we've co to patronize you again," Song Heping said directly, "This ti we need so high-end gear, including but not limited to the Barrett M82A1, extra ammunition, night vision goggles, bulletproof helts, and the M72 rocket launcher."
"Song, I've heard you've been hitting so big targets lately, taking down the Free Army headquarters up north, wiping out the Salafi Ard in Sherbut.
I wasn't wrong about you; the first ti you ca, I knew you were not ordinary," Harvey said while flattering him and gave Song Heping a scarcely perceptible smile, "What kind of big job have you guys taken on this ti that you need so much firepower?"
"Harvey, ask what you should and better not pry into what you shouldn't. Aren't you afraid of getting killed for knowing too much?" Song Heping half-joked in response.
"Ah..." Knowing his own slyness, Harvey laughed it off saying, "I'll go get your equipnt."
Soon enough, all the items Song Heping requested were laid out on the counter.
It had to be said, AAFES truly lived up to its reputation as a century-old Arican establishnt.
Even in the realm of global military supply chains, they are a titan and could secure high-end equipnt in places like Illiguo that other stores couldn't access.
"The base gun is $20,000, and if you want to add a scope, that's an extra $5,000, so $25,000 for the full set."
Harvey patted the Barrett M82A1 in the case, then turned around, pulled out another case from the cabinet behind him, placed it in front of Song Heping, and opened it.
"I recomnd this standard-issue Unertl Mil-Dot 10X scope. $5,000 is a real bargain!"
Before Song Heping had a chance to reply, Hunter started cursing.
"Harvey, are you descended from a black man or sothing?! Your hands are getting darker! You guys buy Barrett M82A1s for around eight or nine thousand US dollars each, and you're selling it to for twenty thousand? And that scope of yours, don't think I don't know, you get them for $2,500, and you're retailing it to for double the price?!"
Harvey chuckled, "Hunter, don't get heated. Let's not talk about whether you can get a Barrett sniper rifle sowhere else. Do you know how much it costs to transport a Barrett from the States to here? Shipping fees, taxes, maintenance, labor..."
"FUCK YOU!" Hunter rudely flipped him off, "Cut the crap, even so, it doesn't justify doubling the price!"
"What, do you think I'm running a charity or a gun shop?" Harvey snorted, "If you can, go find a better deal elsewhere, see if you can get the sa quality goods. This gun is absolutely an original pristine piece. Just look at it! Take a good look! It still has the factory oil on it. You think you can get this quality from other dealers?
I'm not sure if they even have it in stock, but can you buy an original like this?"
Harvey was as calm as an old dog, looking completely certain he had Hunter where he wanted him.
Because this was a monopoly deal.
And Harvey wasn't bluffing about that.
Song Heping was well aware too; though Harvey's goods were pricey, the quality was unquestionably reliable.
"Enough."
He stopped Hunter, who still wanted to keep cursing.
"You get what you pay for."
Song Heping turned to Harvey and said, "Pack it up for first. Also, can you throw in two hundred rounds of ammunition?"
"No way!"
Harvey's refusal was as fast as the speed of light.
"Barrett sniper bullets retail for $70 each here!"
"FUCK! Why don't you just rob us!?" Hunter exploded again, "12.7 caliber Barrett ammo is only $38 a round on Arican websites! And it doubles in price here with you!?"
Harvey continued to spread his hands, keeping up his take-it-or-leave-it attitude, "You don't have to buy them. You can place an order on eBay yourself."
After saying that, he turned to pick up his coffee cup and sipped his coffee, looking utterly indifferent.
Song Heping calculated the cost.
Two hundred rounds would be $14,000!
It seed selling ammunition was even more profitable than selling arms.
Ammunition was a consumable, after all!
Shit!
Learned sothing new again!
"Fine, pack them together!"
Song Heping decided not to haggle over the price with Harvey any further. In this situation, the choice was limited, and dependable weapons were the most vital assurance.
"Get my stuff packed."
He indicated to Harvey to pack up the M82A1 sniper rifle and scope and agreed to buy the 200 rounds, despite the steep price, as it was a necessary investnt.
"Rember to give a receipt, complete the registration, and get everything in order. When can I pick it up?"
In this place, buying guns and ammunition required registration and to be processed through the United Security Council, or it would be illegal.
"Within three hours, I'll waive the handling fee." Harvey smiled with satisfaction, "Your satisfaction is my utmost pursuit. Co back next ti, and I'll give you a discount."
His words carried a hint of cunning, as if he already anticipated that Song Heping and his group would be frequent custors in the future.
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