Chapter 899: Defend the Honor
'Spur' looked at 'Orange Cat,' whose breathing had suddenly become rapid. He smiled bitterly at Joe Ga and said, "Boss, the doctor said 'Orange Cat' shouldn't get too excited..."
Joe Ga pulled up a chair and sat down at the bedside of 'Orange Cat,' smiling as he said, "It's just a minor injury. P.B. has a comprehensive medical policy, so you definitely don't need to pay out of pocket."
As he spoke, Joe Ga noticed 'Orange Cat' reaching out to remove the oxygen mask from his face. He pressed his hand down and shook his head, saying, "I probably understand how you're feeling now...
Honestly, your injury isn't that serious. There's a guy next door who looks like a charred stick of wood; now that's truly miserable.
If you're worried that you'll be abandoned, let me tell you—you're overthinking it!
You're an excellent soldier, not even at retirement age yet. Letting you go would be a loss for P.B."
Upon hearing this, 'Orange Cat' stared blankly at the ceiling, murmuring something under his breath...
Joe Ga didn't catch it, but 'Spur' sighed and said, "He said he can't go back to the battlefield, so he's useless now..."
Joe Ga froze for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head, saying, "You see, this is the trouble with tough guys, acting like being pitied makes them ashamed—especially when it's concern and sympathy from people close to them.
Brother, you're not a damn vegetable. If you can't fight, does that mean you can't train soldiers?
Remember when you first started working for me?
You were just doing it to make a living!
And now?
You've got a house, a car, savings, and brothers who care for you. It's just a change of job, that's all.
Do I really need to get a psychologist to help you adjust?
FUCK, I need a few skilled people to manage the farm in New Jersey. Those Russians are great, but they could be even better.
I've always wanted to expand the farm business, but I haven't found the right candidates.
Honestly, this works out well. You guys can't stay in Africa forever; returning to America is the best choice for you.
Find a woman who's hotter than your ex-wife, with a better personality and younger...
Get your life back, find your happiness again, and show everyone that P.B. doesn't have losers."
As he spoke, Joe Ga noticed a faint glimmer in 'Orange Cat's' eyes and laughed, saying, "Brother, you still have your parents, your children, and us—your supporters.
I bet even if you can't run ten kilometers, you pick up a gun and step onto the training field, and you're still one of the best."
'Orange Cat' reached out to remove his oxygen mask and, choking up slightly, said, "Thank you, Boss..."
Joe Ga put the oxygen mask back on him, laughing as he said, "You're thanking me too early; I don't support freeloaders."
Then Joe Ga held 'Orange Cat's' hand and gently patted his chest, saying, "I have one request: don't lose your sense of honor.
We've all got blood on our hands, but we should enter the grave with honor.
We may not be great sons, great husbands, or great fathers, but we're damn good soldiers!"
'Orange Cat' nodded firmly, then shut his eyes, trying hard not to let his tears fall.
Joe Ga pretended not to notice 'Orange Cat's' emotional state. Looking at the slightly nervous 'Spur,' he said with a smile, "I won't repeat the same words to you and 'Dart.'
It's not that I want to ditch you guys, but the situation in Central Africa is changing.
The days of maintaining order with machine guns are fading. I need a powerful enforcement team, like HRT or SWAT.
If you stay here, I'll periodically send people over for you to train.
It's up to you to establish a framework for Sangha Town's special police and develop a batch of truly excellent enforcers."
As he spoke, Joe Ga glanced at Depp and nodded, saying, "Personally, I've always had some grievances with HRT, but that's my own issue, not HRT's fault.
Pursuing aggressiveness is my nature, but that doesn't mean I'm always right.
HRT, the 'Hostage Rescue Team,' plays a role in enforcing the law while ensuring their own safety and the safety of civilians.
I'm going to need a lot of people like that in the future!
You all seem down—interested in switching jobs?"
Depp froze for a moment; he was truly disheartened...
Three members of his team had died, and two of them hadn't even left intact bodies. Meanwhile, the FBI had issued no official documentation.
Cooper was struggling under multiple pressures, and the grand statements he had made about 'investigating Rashiri' were destined to remain unfulfilled.
They had even issued a gag order to cover up yesterday's battle, ensuring that the event didn't exist in any official capacity.
So the deaths of the three HRT members were meaningless.
Their families could receive compensation, but no one would ever tell them what truly happened—because doing so would harm them.
Given all this, how could Depp not be tempted to leave?
Looking at Joe Ga's serious expression, Depp hesitated for a moment before saying, "Sir, I need to think about it. At the very least, I have to handle my comrades' affairs before I can give you an answer..."
Joe Ga knew this was tantamount to agreeing. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Take your time. If I'm not here, you can look for 'Spur' and 'Orange Cat,' your former comrades—they could be comrades again."
"I apologize for underestimating you in the past. You're all tough guys.
The soldiers who sacrificed themselves did it for me. I'll arrange for their families to receive some money. It may not be much, but it's my heart's intention..."
Depp's expression was complicated as he nodded and then shook his head. Several words hovered on the brink of being spoken but were swallowed back...
Feeling the camaraderie in P.B., Depp sighed and said, "Sir, it's an honor to fight alongside you!"
Joe Ga patted Depp on the shoulder and said seriously, "Likewise!"
After that, Joe Ga turned to the others and said, "Stop loitering around here. If you're injured, get treated. If you're not, take a few days' rest.
I've arranged for a plane to be ready. We leave America for Sangha Town the day after tomorrow."
Ronnie immediately raised his hand and said, "Boss, am I going too?"
Joe Ga thought for a moment before saying, "You left an impression on me yesterday.
I want you, Jack, and Bone Crusher to stay behind as assistants to Thompson, but if you think you can adapt to Central Africa's environment, you're welcome to work there instead.
I believe 'Tracker' will shine wherever he goes, but your nephew and Olivia are both in New Jersey. They're important to you, so it's ultimately up to you."
Upon hearing this, Ronnie nodded, adjusted his collar, and walked to Joe Ga's side, saying, "Boss, I've got trouble here, so it's better for me not to stay in America.
You're short on manpower now, and I'd make a decent bodyguard!"
Joe Ga genuinely appreciated this cool-headed brother. Yesterday, Ronnie had taken down an Apache first and calmly directed everyone on how to deal with its counterattacks.
Cool-headed nature, exceptional abilities, and rich experience—someone like him would be a hot commodity anywhere.
Joe Ga nodded in approval and patted Dorian on the shoulder, telling Ronnie, "This guy is my head bodyguard. If you need anything or have any questions, feel free to go to him."
Afterwards, Joe Ga hugged 'Poison Wolf' and others from C Team, bumped fists with Jack Heinz, and said, "You stay here; I'm heading back to the hotel to sleep."
'Poison Wolf' rasped, "Boss, you handle your business—we'll take care of things here."
Joe Ga looked at 'Poison Wolf,' who was still on high alert, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "Stay cautious, but don't stress out too much. If anything happens, call me. I can still pull some strings here in Oregon State..."
Dorian chuckled, saying, "That's right—our boss's 'kid' is a little rich brat born with a golden spoon. Maybe in 30 years, he'll even be the governor of Oregon.
This place is our turf now..."
He shot a sly glance at Joe Ga and laughed, saying, "If the boss were willing to take a leap, he'd already be the top son-in-law of the biggest landowner in Oregon."
Everyone burst into laughter at Dorian's lighthearted joke, prompting Joe Ga to stick a middle finger in Dorian's face and playfully curse, "Thanks for the reminder, asshole!"
Just as Dorian's antics relaxed the mood, Grace Reed appeared in the hospital corridor, leading several cowboys.
Wearing tight jeans and a checkered shirt, Grace held her baby, moving toward them with a somber expression. Seeing this, Joe Ga furrowed his brow and stepped forward, glancing at the unfriendly-looking cowboys behind her and asking, "What's going on?"
Grace hugged Joe Ga briefly with one arm while cradling her child in the other, saying, "Sorry to bring you trouble. You really didn't have to come here."
Joe Ga reached out and took the squirming baby George from her arms. Watching the little guy grin with his toothless mouth, Joe Ga laughed, saying, "It has nothing to do with you. If it didn't happen here in Oregon, it would've happened somewhere else."
Glancing at the cowboys behind her, Joe Ga asked, "What's up with them? Why do I feel like they don't like me?"
Grace, looking embarrassed, answered, "It's my dad's fault; you know how he is...
These cowboys have known me since I was a kid."
Joe Ga nodded in understanding, recalling his "bad boy" reputation.
This wasn't something he could explain outright, and he didn't care much about the hostility of a few cowboys, even if they looked burly.
Their families had likely worked for the Reeds for generations. Given that their descendants might work under Joe Ga's son one day, he decided not to dwell on their animosity.
Seeing that Joe Ga didn't seem to mind, Grace quickly said, "Hu Lang, Oregon is pretty chaotic right now; it might not be safe for you to stay at a hotel.
I suggest staying at our family's farm temporarily. After the gathering the day after tomorrow, you can attend the banquet and then fly back to Central Africa to see Devil Bird.
Things aren't going well there, and Devil Bird is pregnant—she needs you!"
Grace's words left the cowboys exchanging puzzled glances—what was their young mistress doing, encouraging the "deadbeat boyfriend" to support another woman?
Joe Ga noticed one young cowboy glaring wide-eyed, clearly infuriated. He chuckled, put his arm around Grace's shoulders, and said, "Alright, I haven't stayed on a farm in America before...
Just make sure you get me a firm mattress—I've got a stiff back and can't sleep on anything soft...
And for the record, I can't eat off soft plates either!"