C15 The Zombies Attacked

"Book me a flight to the New Gold Crescent, and while you're at it, set up a meeting with Faisal for me."

"Don't worry, you'll be compensated handsomely for your efforts."

"When are you planning to depart?"

"As soon as possible."

"Okay, give me three days. The cost will be two hundred thousand."

"Agreed. I'll pay you in full when it's time."

Chen Cheng hung up the phone with a smile. Having an associate like Black Bear sometimes had its perks.

The three days flew by. Chen Cheng purchased another warehouse near his villa and stored Luo Xin's medicine there, along with the rest of the armory's contents. Now, all that was left was to gather the crystal nucleus.

Black Bear was impressively efficient. He provided Chen Cheng with a forged identity and a letter of introduction, and handed over the plane ticket the following day.

Upon seeing Chen Cheng's opulent villa, Black Bear couldn't hide his astonishment. The thought of his own two hundred million made his heart twinge with pain. He was convinced Chen Cheng had used his money to afford such luxury. Maybe he could make use of it in the New Gold Crescent... With this thought, Black Bear's spirits lifted considerably.

Chen Cheng's trip to the New Gold Crescent wasn't just to acquire weapons; the region was rich in a particular element he needed – methadone.

"Hello, my name is Fang Jun. Are you traveling to Baghdad for leisure?"

The man seated next to Chen Cheng on the plane struck up a friendly conversation. Fang Jun was a peacekeeper returning to his unit after a holiday. With time to spare, the two men chatted away.

They soon disembarked and took in the sights of the International Airport, steeped in religious ambiance. Contrary to what one might expect, the area was tranquil and thriving.

"Zhou Long, this is where we part ways. If you run into any trouble, just call this number."

Chen Cheng nodded, accepting the business card from Fang Jun. Zhou Long was the alias Black Bear had set up for him. Sometimes, a false identity could be a real lifesaver.

He flagged down a driver and handed over the address from Black Bear.

"Hello, I need to go here."

The driver immediately shook his head upon seeing the address. Chen Cheng tried several more drivers, but none were willing to take him. They all gave him peculiar looks, adding to the mystery of his destination.

"It looks like this place isn't easy to get to," Chen Cheng mused as he surveyed his surroundings, pondering his next move.

Suddenly, a hand clapped onto his shoulder. "Hey! Buddy, looking to head to the Golden Crescent?"

"Yes, can you take me there?" Chen Cheng replied, turning to face a middle-aged man reeking of body odor.

"Sure thing, but it'll cost you a grand, up front."

"Deal."

Chen Cheng harbored no concerns about trusting this stranger; he was confident that if things went south, he'd make the man regret ever setting foot on this Earth.

The rickety minibus was packed with an assortment of people from all walks of life, including those emanating a strong curry scent. It seemed they all shared his destination.

"Just take a seat on this bus, and you'll arrive at your destination without a hitch," the middle-aged man assured Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng nodded and settled into the seat assigned by the driver. With his seating, the vehicle rumbled to life.

The journey transitioned from a bustling metropolis to an expansive desert, then to ruins choked with gunsmoke, impressing upon Chen Cheng the value of peace.

Suddenly, their journey was halted by a group of soldiers. The driver stepped out to parley, presenting a document to the commanding officer. Inside, the passengers watched anxiously, ready for combat, while Chen Cheng remained detached, as if the unfolding drama was of no concern to him.

After inspecting the document, the officer signaled the soldiers to let them pass. The bus started up once more.

Then, an explosion erupted nearby, plunging the scene into chaos. A militia, armed to the teeth, launched a ferocious assault on the soldiers.

Mortar shells, RPGs, AKs. A hail of gunfire and severed limbs.

War, some say, is an art form. Amidst the chaos, Chen Cheng and his fellow passengers ducked low, clutching their pistols, as the war erupted around them. The driver had already been fatally struck by a stray bullet.

"Go! Go!" shouted a group of Europeans, urging their peers to escape the vortex of conflict.

Soldiers edged closer to the minibus, seeking cover from the gunfire while returning fire at the militia.

Whoosh! A mortar shell detonated beside the vehicle, the blast shattering the windows and leaving everyone's ears ringing from the concussive force.

The minibus was totaled in an instant, and Chen Cheng, like the others on board, ducked and covered his head, trying to lessen the blast's impact on his brain and avoid stray bullets.

War arrived swiftly and departed just as quickly. With a well-planned and organized assault, the soldiers were swiftly defeated.

The captured soldiers knelt on the ground, awaiting judgment, and Chen Cheng, along with the others from the minibus, became prisoners.

They were encircled by militia who held their heads down as they searched and interrogated them.

Chen Cheng didn't lack the desire to fight back; he simply didn't want to blow his cover. Besides, in this unfamiliar territory, biding his time seemed the wisest course of action.

"@#$%!"

A militiaman spouted a stream of the local language that Chen Cheng couldn't comprehend.

"What are you saying? I can't understand you."

That was all Chen Cheng could respond.

"You, are you from Koprueles?"

Upon Chen Cheng's nod, the soldier's demeanor softened slightly, but it didn't save him from a thorough search.

His passport, identification, and other valuables were confiscated.

The group was blindfolded and led by the militia to a campsite.

When their hoods were removed, they found themselves locked in a dilapidated building, heavily guarded.

Peering through the door's cracks, they observed the tight security outside. Militia patrolled methodically, while children with guns frolicked around the camp.

Women assisted the wounded, bandaging them and doing what they could to help.

"Hey! Brother, are you from Koprueles?"

Chen Cheng recognized the man; he was an American, and his unfortunate companions had been killed by stray bullets.

"I know a bit. I've traveled to Koprueles before. It's a nice place."

"Thanks for the compliment."

The two struck up a conversation.

Through their talk, Chen Cheng learned about James, a merchant who dealt in anything profitable, from weapons to drugs to cars. If not for the recent tight scrutiny from the FBI and his funds running low, he would never have ventured into such turmoil.

"Hey, Long, did you come here for methadone as well?"

James inquired offhandedly.

"Pretty much. It'd be ideal to score some firearms, though."

Chen Cheng responded noncommittally.

"Firearms! What kind are you looking for?"