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Chapter 100: Security

Over the next few days, Qian Wenhuan, along with the entire Human Resources Department, was utterly exhausted .

Thirty people in total . Four to five each day, on slower days, it was two to three of them arriving at the Walvis Bay International Airport .

The days went by quickly . Block C of the dormitory slowly picked up on liveliness as well . As the new tenants subsequently arrived, they began taking residency on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floor .

Unlike regular staff members, not only did these new residents have the best dormitories but they also had a secluded canteen . The benefits they enjoyed nearly rivaled that of the professors .

Many staff members whispered about these ongoings, some of the mischievous ones even snuck into the canteen to survey the situation . Before they made it through the doorway, they were scared off by the intimidating, icy glares of the new residents .

Sadly, the regular staff members did not appreciate the extra work Chen Chen had put in for their sakes .

There was a good reason he separated these new tenants from the rest of the staff members . He did so for concern for everyone’s safety .

Among these thirty members, five of them were Navy SEAL members, another five from the Delta Force . In addition, three of them had served the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment and there were also four who came from the Alpha Force .

The rest of them were either members from the Middle East or fought their way out of the ceaseless battles in the territories of Africa . Each one of them had their hands stained with blood and did not fit in a regular crowd .

The only woman in this group of thirty people was a lady who looked like Eva Green, who was part of the French GIGN Intervention Forces .

Living in Block C dormitory was not exactly described as being light and breezy .

A part of making a living as a mercenary was to be surrounded by war, death, and violence all year round so they had to be on their guard all the time . Even when they were put into an environment that allowed them to relax, very few of them were able to set their minds at ease .

Besides, their parent company hardly spared them any details and would not give them anything when they inquired why they were sent here . On the other hand, the research center made a point of generously feeding them without making any other movements .

Being put into such odd circumstances, how would anyone expect these wary mercenaries to be at ease?

Also, these people who pretty much sleep with their guns at hand were not even given a simple handgun for self-protection .

Another factor to consider was that despite being employees of the same company, they did not have much by way of connecting with each other, apart from the rare teaming up during certain missions . This only served to drive up the tension .

If not for the role their parent company played, it would not be too surprising to have several violent outbreaks over the last few days .

By the fifth day of Brando’s residency here, Qian Wenhuan had finally brought all thirty of them . After situating all of them in Block C, he sent word to Chen Chen .

The next morning, while Brando and the others were dining in the canteen, several Chinese men who radiated a similar sort of aura made their appearance .

It was Cheng Cao and his team members .

Following Cheng Cao’s appearance, everyone dining in the canteen ceased what they were doing and turned their attention to the doorway .

It was as if the air itself had frozen in the canteen…

However, it was like Cheng Cao barely felt the weight of the atmosphere here . He walked to the center of the canteen, keeping his hands behind his back all the while, and announced at the top of his voice, “Gentlemen, please come with me after your meal . Our company’s boss would like to meet you all . ”

After his announcement, he briefly glanced at everyone present . He then turned around and headed toward the door, where he stood waiting silently .

With that, the tense atmosphere slowly began to ease up again . The mercenaries continued their meal .

Many of them let out a sigh of relief but it was quickly followed by a very perplexed look in their eyes .

After they quickly finished their food, Cheng Cao led the way in front and took them to the hall located on the third floor of the laboratory building that could fit a thousand people .

This was done following Qian Wenhuan’s suggestion . Even though there was a meeting room readily available in the laboratory building, Qian Wenhuan figured that situations like these were the equivalent of a blind date of sorts . If the boss was going to meet these potential future employees for the first time, it was best to leave the best first impression possible .

When the group entered the hall and picked their spots, it quickly became apparent that over the last few days, they had sectioned themselves into separate camps —

The Delta Force members sat together with the NAVY Seal and the special forces retiree formed their group as well . The remaining members were scattered into small groups of two to three members each .

Nobody was making a commotion nor was there anyone whispering among themselves . Without having to receive any instructions, they diligently grouped themselves, showing their acute combat discipline in this respect .

After every one of them was seated, Cheng Cao and the others found their place in the corner of the stage . It was then when Chen Chen finally made his appearance at the entrance of the meeting hall .

After making himself fit for the presentation, he stepped forward to the pulpit .

In an instant, countless pairs of eyes unanimously locked their intimidating gaze on Chen Chen .

Save for expert presenters or hosts, most people would feel an immense amount of pressure when they became the center of attention of so many people . The effect was more than doubled when it was from a bunch of mercenaries who would mercilessly kill without blinking an eye .

Meanwhile, Chen Chen, who was clad in his GS Combat Suit, kept his cool composure and barely paid any mind to their intensity .

“Gentlemen and refined ladies . ”

Chen Chen spoke into the microphone, “I’m sure many of you have many unanswered questions in your mind over the last few days . Why did your parent company, Tara Private Security Company send you here without giving you any explanation?”

Chen Chen lowered his head and flashed a conceited smile . “I’ll put it this way, the reasoning is very simple . It’s because your parent Tara Company has released your contract and reassigned the lot of you to me . You’re hereby signed to Blackwatch . ”

The very moment Chen Chen broke the news, the audience below instantly erupted . Many of them immediately shot upward, their reactions a mixture of disbelief and rage .

“Are you kidding me?”

“Is this true, why were we not informed about it?”

“How could they do this? Do they think we’re supposed to be some sort of good?”

“B*stard!”

The group began to curse and rebuke in anger . Chen Chen diligently paused his speech at an appropriate timing as well . He silently looked at them and allowed them time to express their discontent and frustration .

This went on for two minutes . The odd thing was that after they were done venting, they somehow settled down again and looked back to Chen Chen in unison . They seemed to be waiting for Chen Chen’s further explanation .

“Excellent, I think everyone has calmed down a little . ”

Chen Chen resumed his explanation . “In that case, allow me to introduce myself . My name is Chen Chen…”

As he spoke, he wrote the letters “Chen Chen” on the whiteboard behind him .

“I know that to many of you, this might prove to be a very strange name . But if it’s one advantage with this name of mine, it’s that no matter how you choose to address me, it’ll not bother me in any way .

“Also, I’m the boss of this biotechnology company . That brings me back to you guys . You lot are the ones that I’ve personally requested from Dlamini, the boss of your parent company . ”

Upon hearing the revelation, their glares carried a more solemn tone .

To be able to personally request personnel from Dlamini of all people, it did not take much to piece together just how much influence the young man before them possessed . Some of these mercenaries may be easily agitated due to the intense pressure of the battlefield, but they were no fools .

Dlamini was never someone who they dared incur the wrath of, which meant that this young man before them was no exception to that rule as well .

Chen Chen went on . “Back to the reason that I employed the lot of you here . Unlike a company like Tara which specializes in military affairs and expects you to wager your life to make a living, I won’t require that from you .

“I have my assets and don’t need your help in bringing in profits . I don’t need you to brandish your swords and massacre common civilians either nor will I expect you to cause a political uprising in Africa .

“You’ll find that you no longer have to be labeled as mercenaries stuck in the gray zone . You could stand proudly as an official combatant subscribed to the protection of the Geneva Convention!”

They exchanged perplexed glances with one another .

“Then, may we ask what you expect us to do for you?”

It was then when the French lady who looked like Eva Green raised her hand and asked, “Also, concerning our wages . Should we expect it to be maintained at the previous range?”

“Beautiful Miss Sara, you’ve asked a great question . ”

Chen Chen brandished a look of approval before announcing plainly, “On the topic of your wages, I have no interest whatsoever in the amount which your once parent company paid you . ”

Upon his remark, a look of weariness appeared on a lot of their faces . Sara’s eyebrows turned into a frown and it looked like she was going to say something .

“However!”

Chen Chen spoke again before anyone of them could, “I can give you a price that’s far above the market average – 20000 to 30000 U . S . Dollars!”

They instantly froze and expressed a look of sheer disbelief . A twenty to thirty thousand dollars monthly salary equated to 700 to 1000 dollars per day . This was indeed a wage far exceeding that of a common mercenary!

However, a portion of them kept their composure . Brando thought for a moment before raising his hand and asked, “Mr . Chen Chen, may I know what our duties will include?”

Chen Chen made a gesture to stop Brando from continuing his question . He then promptly turned around and wrote on the whiteboard in a large font –

“SECURITY!”