Chapter 75: So That's How It Is

"I freakin' knew it!"

Daniel's threat made Donovan on the other end of the line curse. This old buddy from the 'Shadow Ops Unit' then said, all gloomy, "When we're in the thick of it, I'll tie a red cloth around my arm. Can you, like, not shoot me?"

Daniel, half-amused, half-pissed, shot back, "If I see you, I'm taking the shot, no questions asked."

Donovan sighed, "Man, the first thing I thought when I heard gunfire was you guys. Didn't expect it to be this much of a coincidence.

I'm in a real bind here. If you off me, you'll never know who the real enemy is."

Daniel frowned, "Who's up on that mountain? Weren't you supposed to head back to Italica?"

Donovan, still sounding down, replied, "Yeah, I did go back.

But the guy from the Mori Family I was protecting got whacked. Even though I bragged about avenging him, they didn't let me off the hook.

They made me take on one last mission to clear my slate.

Jackal, I came to southern Sudan with the Mori Family. Now I'm an arms escort, delivering a heavy machine gun, two mortars, and 15 AT4 Landon tubes to the 'Sea Hounds Mercenary Group.'"

Donovan paused, then asked curiously, "The Mori Family said an arms dealer killed Kosti, causing them a big financial hit and messing up the 'Sea Hounds Mercenary Group,' the top dogs in Italica.

An intel broker told the Mori Family this place is a trap for the arms dealer.

Jackal, is that arms dealer you?"

Daniel, incredulous, asked, "How the hell did they know I'd be here?"

Donovan, sounding helpless, replied, "It really sounds like you.

Jackal, the Sea Hounds are losing it 'cause all their snipers are dead.

The one who just got taken out was a big-shot sniper instructor in Italica, and you guys nailed him."

Daniel rubbed his forehead, feeling the headache coming on. He'd been sloppy before; it had to be that Oakenshield guy who stayed at the Nairovia hotel and pieced together the info from both sides.

Technically, it wasn't Daniel's fault. Killing a spy doesn't fix the root problem. His line of work was too recognizable, and people didn't need solid proof; they'd go after him based on rough guesses.

Sometimes, for big organizations, revenge is more about keeping up appearances than actual justice. Whether they get the right guy is secondary.

Daniel even thought the Oakenshield guy might've set him up just for kicks.

After all, spies are in it for the money. They used the Mori Family and the Sea Hounds' grudge against him to drag them into this mess. The dirty work was done by the Mori Family and the Sea Hounds, and they'd take the fall.

At this point, things were too tangled to sort out, but from Daniel's perspective, the game had changed.

Taking out the spy who set him up, the Sea Hounds Mercenary Group, and the vengeful Mori Family became the top priority.

Most importantly, the arms dealer 'Jackal' needed to lay low for a while, at least until the Mori Family's thirst for revenge was quenched.

This is the plight of a small player. Facing a mercenary group and a mafia organization targeting him made him a bit nervous, not to mention the Oakenshield person involved.

After a long silence, Daniel said, "Donovan, what do you want by calling me?"

Donovan sighed and said, "I think the Sea Hounds are crazy, and the Mori Family are bastards.

Jackal, you're a decent guy, and I don't think the Sea Hounds will gain anything here.

If you promise me one condition, I'll give you all the information on the remaining Sea Hounds personnel, their positions, and everything. I can also help you take out the Mori Family people in southern Sudan."

Daniel was taken aback by Donovan's words and curiously asked, "Do you hate the Mori Family that much? What do you want me to promise?"

Donovan gritted his teeth and said, "I want you to help me wipe out the entire Mori Family because they hurt my parents and sister. I've already paid off my debts, but they clearly aren't satisfied and just want me dead in this godforsaken place in southern Sudan.

I had no choice before, but now it's different!"

Daniel immediately understood what Donovan meant. His family was in Italica, and facing a powerful mafia, he had no choice because he had no means to fight back.

But now that he found himself on the same side as Daniel, the situation was different. He had seen firsthand how Daniel dealt with Samuel's terrorists.

The Mori Family might be more powerful than Samuel, but they were still human.

When faced with someone who doesn't care about rules, doesn't seek profit, and has strong firepower and combat skills, the mafia is just another target.

Taking out their main personnel would leave the rest to be picked off by other mafia groups vying for the remaining interests.

This was a once-and-for-all solution that met both Donovan's and Daniel's needs because the Mori Family had shown themselves to be too vengeful.

As for whether to trust Donovan, Daniel just needed him to provide a few key pieces of information and then compare them with what Natalie had gathered using drones.

And honestly, Daniel quite liked Donovan. He had shown great integrity while protecting George and had proven his worth during the attack on Samuel.

Faced with Donovan's offer, Daniel thought for a moment and said, "Deal. You help me take out the Mori Family and the Sea Hounds, and I'll help you completely destroy the Mori Family.

Keep an eye out for me. Is there an Oakenshield person with the Mori Family's leader in southern Sudan?"

Donovan was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes, an Oakenshield person introduced the Mori Family to an arms buyer in southern Sudan.

He's an intelligence broker. Do you know him?"

Daniel grinned and said, "I don't know him, but I think it's best if he's dead.

Now give me some useful information. I need to take out the Sea Hounds first, then I'll come find you, and we'll take out the Mori Family and that Oakenshield broker together."

Donovan replied seriously, "I'll help you take him out. How about you give me a job?

I'm really a good assault trooper, you know that."