Mercenary's War

Gao Yang just wanted to know what the people from Cerberus were really here for, so he started probing.

The first bait thrown was money.

If Karl Stemonsen and the others were really here for money, then a tempting high price might reveal something.

"If you work for me, I am willing to offer a monthly salary of thirty thousand US dollars, plus special combat allowances starting from five thousand US dollars, and a daily salary capping at one hundred thousand US dollars. I’m talking about daily salary."

Gao Yang offered a price that was hard to refuse.

One shouldn’t use Satan’s income level as a standard; Satan isn’t the strongest team in the world, but they are the highest earning team. There are many highly skilled individuals in the world who can’t get a matching salary. If everyone used Satan’s income as a standard, it would be impossible to manage.

Upon hearing the salary level given by Gao Yang, Karl Stemonsen suddenly appeared even more exhausted, while of the other three, two seemed slightly pleased, and the remaining one shook his head slightly, then displayed a self-deprecating smile.

Judging by their reactions, the price wasn’t set too low, so why did these Cerberus individuals have an unusual reaction?

The self-deprecating smile certainly wasn’t because the person felt insulted by a lower-than-expected offer, but quite the opposite, the level of income exceeded his expectations, thus he felt something different.

The most likely scenario is that their previous income level was too low, so upon hearing a very high offer, they started feeling their past wasn’t worthwhile.

Is that so? Gao Yang hoped so.

After a moment of silence, Karl Stemonsen nodded and said quietly, "Indeed, it’s an irresistible offer. Now, let’s discuss your requirements."

Gao Yang said seriously, "Actually, there aren’t many requirements, but I still want to know your background.

Karl Stemonsen showed an impatient expression again, Gao Yang raised his hand and said loudly: "Everyone, I’m not overly curious, but I need to know certain things, like which unit you’re from, your specialties — are you skilled in naval combat or airborne assaults? I know nothing about you, so how can I assign you appropriate tasks?

Karl Stemonsen sighed helplessly and murmured, "SEALs."

Gao Yang smiled, as Karl had begun to reveal some key details.

Cerberus is a naval team, usually affiliated with the SEALs. Very few people know their true designation; to the outside, they present as SEALs.

This was a good start.

Gao Yang appeared very pleased, nodding continuously: "SEALs? That’s great! That’s really great! Simply marvelous, absolutely fantastic!"

Seeing Gao Yang acting as though he struck gold, one person was unimpressed, but quickly masked his emotions.

No wonder, Cerberus hides within the SEALs, yet they don’t think highly of the team. When a boss offers high salaries to colleagues they disdain and is delighted to mistake them for those scorned colleagues, it’s hard to describe the feelings of Cerberus.

They surely didn’t have the thrill of "playing dumb to outsmart others," only the anger of being underestimated, similar to feeling like a Phoenix mistaken for a wild chicken.

Gao Yang excitedly rubbed his hands and loudly said: "SEALs, what the name represents doesn’t need further explanation. You absolutely deserve the best treatment. I hope you can join us, but there’s another crucial question. Please answer truthfully."

Not giving the Cerberus members time to think, Gao Yang quickly said: "You are together, you seem like you retired simultaneously. Am I correct? Gentlemen, I want to know why you retired and if there’s any criminal record. This is important, please respond."

Karl Stemonsen’s face turned somber as he replied impatiently: "We don’t have a criminal record. As for why we retired, what does that matter to you!"

Gao Yang said gravely: "Gentlemen, look at me. Do I seem completely ignorant about the military? Let’s be honest here; if you belong to the SEALs, you shouldn’t be retired at this prime age. Frankly, the navy Generals aren’t foolish. Having spent vast amounts of money and time training SEALs members, no one would be foolish enough to let you retire now."

Gao Yang paused for a moment and the four members of Cerberus also fell silent, after which Gao Yang followed with: "I’m not trying to pry into your secrets or any national defense secrets, but I need to know if hiring you will bring me trouble. I’m a businessman, I have good relations with the military and the Ministry of Defense, I can’t afford to offend them. Not all soldiers will be generous just because they’re soldiers, especially those General lords."

As if telling a very poor joke he regretted, Gao Yang covered his mouth and coughed lightly to hide his awkwardness, but at this moment, Karl Stemonsen finally spoke up.

"You’re right, those Generals are sometimes not as convincing as they appear or people imagine."

Karl’s expression was indifferent, but his hands were clenched, and the other three displayed frustration and sadness, yet all shared anger.

"We don’t have a criminal record, but we aren’t welcomed. I led them in a lost battle, a completely failed mission, so our situation became awkward, subjected to isolation review, treated like Monkeys, repeatedly interrogated."

Gao Yang widened his eyes and frowned: "Interrogated?"

Karl Stemonsen exhaled, bowed his head, and slowly said: "Someone has to be responsible for everything! That person should be me!"

"Enough!"

Someone suddenly stood up, appearing very angry, then shouted loudly at Gao Yang: "Our deceased comrades were only given body bags! We were betrayed by superiors, treated as trash by civilian generals from the Ministry of Defense, regarded as rags by naval Generals, and interrogated like traitors by the CIA! None of this has defeated us. If you think money alone will make us submit, you’re wrong! Understand?"

Karl still sat upright in the chair, speaking softly: "Julian, you’re too agitated, sit down."

The person who had been somewhat indignant immediately sat down, still visibly angry.

Karl continued calmly: "Although not detailed, these are the facts, so if you think we have trouble, we probably do have some trouble. If you dare not employ us, that’s okay, can the conversation end? Sir."

Gao Yang looked a bit lost at Karl, and said in a deep voice: "Rags? Rags! Horrible word, I don’t like it, I absolutely detest that word."