Chapter 307 Grand Opening
Li Cha's wife was driving the family; they were heading to the Miami town hall. Even though the city had been stabilized after the cataclysm, there were not many people on the street. On the other hand, there were tons of barricades set up by the Cubans. They required special permission to proceed.
Miami was not as big as Manhattan. There were not that many tall buildings. Instead, there were houses along the streets. Their son, Silva, was sitting at the back seat. He was curious when he saw the tramps running on the street. He asked, "Dad, what are those people doing?"
Li Cha was wearing an eye mask and both his arms were wrapped in bandages. He glanced at the people and said softly, "I don't know either, son. But if we fail to do what Mr. Hugo asked us to, we're gonna end up like them."
Silva sulked, shook his head, and said, "I'd rather work for Mr. Hugo. I don't wanna be like those people."
Li Cha was a Hispanic Colombian. He was very experienced at low-key battles. After Zhou Qingfeng's approval, he was immediately assigned as the commander of an action group.
"Our job is to control the town hall and protect Mr. Hugo when it's necessary." Li Cha did not really understand the job given by Zhou Qingfeng. However, he felt that the people from the Polarlys Legion were extremely rude to the Cubans in Miami these past few days.
There were fifteen men in Li Cha's action group. They arrived at a building opposite the town hall with six vehicles. At the carpark of the building, a few Cuban guards saw the big boxes they got out of the vehicles. They asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"We're setting up a lookout point at the top of this building," Li Cha held a legal pass and identification. He got them from Carnell's guard, McGrady.
The Cuban guards verified the photo and the serial number of the identification with their wireless radio. Then, Li Cha went through security and got into the building.
Li Cha and his action group took the freight elevator and headed to the top of the building. He spoke to his wife, "Notify Mr. Raymond. The seventh group is at the targeted area, we're ready to set up position."
Then, Li Cha gave commands to his group, "Clear the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth floors. Set up the anti-personnel mines. Open all the boxes, we're gonna set up a combat position here at the top of the building."
The boxes were carrying an M252 81mm medium-weight mortar and ammunition. It was from the Cubans; it was pretty powerful.
Li Cha carried the M107A2 on his back. His wife helped him unpack and open the bags. Three of them, including their son, Silva, were setting up the sniper position at the top of the building.
"Can I kill that old man who hurt you?" Silva asked. Li Cha gave him a pat on the shoulder and said, "If Mr. Hugo allows you to kill him, you can kill him."
There were more than twenty action groups formed; they positioned themselves all over Miami. They followed the plan and scattered around in silence. Meanwhile, Zhou Qingfeng, who was in charge of this plan was listening to his assistant, Raymond, reporting.
"Most of the Cubans are listening to us now. We've collected around thirty ships of resources and skilled personnel in secret. There are more than twenty thousand people. We're ready to leave Miami any time."
"Miss Fox is doing well in Newport News. She's got more than ten ships of resources. However, there weren't that many skilled personnel, only around three thousand of them. She reported that the society in Newport New is now stabilized. Not many are willing to leave."
"There are around three hundred and seventy aircraft at the airport, more than a hundred of them are large passenger aircraft. The pilots and cabin crews are ready, their tanks are full, and they're filled with resources."
"However, the guards at the port are strict. There are more than three thousand well-organized, fully-armed Cubans over there. Their commander was really stubborn, we couldn't bribe the guy named Tuval."
Raymond's report was detailed and long, Zhou Qingfeng was a little distracted. There were only two days left until the nuclear war. Soon, the actual end of the world would be here.
After the nuclear war, chemical and biological weapons would come. The chemical Genetic weapons would be even worse than nuclear weapons.
"Mr. Hugo, Mr. Hugo?" Raymond called out when he saw Zhou Qingfeng not paying attention. "I've finished talking, our plan is going very well. Please allow me to suggest, if we stay longer, we could earn way more than what we have now. We could even take over the entire Florida."
Zhou Qingfeng smirked. Before he could explain anything, Eileen walked in and said, "Victor, there's an old man called Santos who wants to see you. He declares that if you don't see him, he's gonna tell everyone about your conspiracy."
"Santos?" Zhou Qingfeng frowned. As soon as he saw Santos walk in, he remembered this original owner of Nassau. "Old scum, what do you want?"
The old, humpbacked Santos had an evil smile He came closer to Zhou Qingfeng and said with a crazy and cold tone, "Mr. Hugo, I'm here to make a deal with you. I've found out what you're trying to do to the Strategy Committee. If you want me to keep your secret, you better do me a favor."
Zhou Qingfeng was sitting on the couch in front of the French window. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Raymond. Raymond was terrified and he said quickly, "I'll go have a look."
"No, it's alright. You don't have to." Zhou Qingfeng waved his hand. He turned to Santos and said, "You don't have to waste your time. Just listen to him."
Santos laughed and said, "I have to admit that the Polarlys Legion is powerful. It only took you a few days to swallow the entire Strategy Committee."
"I know the Polarlys Legion has control over the airport and collected a large amount of resources. All the traffic and transportations are under you now. Even the internal situation of the Strategy Committee is under your control. There must be a spy sent by you to Commander Carnell."
"Based on my analysis, you're going to do something very soon. I bet the Polarlys Legion is working with the Enclave, or maybe, the Polarlys Legion is already submitting to the Enclave. You lied to everyone but you can't hide it from me!"
"Now, do what I ask you to. Victor Hugo, I want my power back, I want my army back, I want my Nassau back, I want everything you stole away from me!"
Santos was agitated, he was shouting angrily at Zhou Qingfeng. Raymond was surprised; he quickly pulled out his gun and tried to control Santos. However, Santos laughed, "Don't think that you can hide this by killing me. I don't leave here within an hour, my colleague will report to Commander Carnell immediately."
"Are you upset? You look really sad and worried, Victor Hugo. I know, it feels really bad. You've been planning this for so long and it was found out by an old and useless guy like me. Your plan has gone to waste. All the Cuban police will come after you."
"And now, you have one chance. Make me happy. As long as I'm happy, you're safe. Think about it. You don't have much time. Hahaha!"
Santos' emotions were not stable. Clearly, the inferiority made him crazy. Raymond turned and looked at Zhou Qingfeng. In his opinion, this old, crazy man in front of them should at least be satisfied at the moment. He did not want to fight against all the Cubans in Florida.
Zhou Qingfeng smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Santos, you're actually smart for the first time. But I don't need to think about it. I can give you the answer right here, right now."
"So, what do you say?" Santos was nervous and he was filled with hope. His eyes were wide open, his throat went dry, and his heart rate increased. He wanted everything back so badly and right now, it all depended on Zhou Qingfeng's answer.
However, at that instant, the sound of a gunshot vanquished all his hope and anxiety.