Chapter 32: Two Pieces of Advice

Translated by: kevin1782

Edited by: Isalee

Tribos logic did not follow the norm. Gao Yang comforted himself by believing and pointed at Tribos gun: Is your life important, or hers?

Hare held the gun in his hand and flashed it at Gao Yang like it was treasure. His head was held high. Of course my life is important, but its the same as wanting mine without her. Same meaning man, see, see, Dragunov, Ge-Ge, its new! Confirmed less than two thousand shots fired! Bro, I spent half a year's earnings to buy it, four thousand, four thousand bucks!

You didn't come out now just to get this rifle?

That's right, my guns hidden in the bedroom. I was taking stuff from the garrets storeroom when I heard shooting and screaming in the hotel. I just glanced down and saw people coming up the stairs, so I didnt dare come out. I didnt have time to take the gun. Otherwise I wouldnt have been so passive. Sigh! If only I got her out and prepared earlier.

Gao Yang momentarily felt weak. He felt that Hare was beyond redemption. He shook his head and walked to the window to take a look. He saw that the hotel that Tribo had hidden in just now was almost a pile of ruins.

Mortars were not suitable for destroying buildings but Tribos hotel was not a fortress. Dozens of artillery shells were launched across and the hotels entire second floor crashed. The first floor was still intact. However, there were thick clouds of smoke rising from the hotel. The situation inside was not good.

He stood by the window andshookhis head, Hare, your hotels going down, not comin over to have a look?

He looked at the hotel after reaching the window. With just one glimpse he withdrew his gaze,shakinghis head, That aint my hotel, I was just a chef there. Ay, I aint gonna see it. Its just that the boss was a good man, but he was shot in da head. Freakin pity. Those inside were goody goody with me, and then theyre just gone in the next instant. I cant really take it man, aint watchin anymore.

The bombing stopped not long after. Gao Yang saw four to five people quickly stumble out of the hotel. The hotel and the people that came out of it were bombarded with gunfire. Thus began the slaughter of those who could not retaliate. A handful of guns that concurrently fired put the first few out down on the ground.

Seeing this, Fedor sternly growled, You guys should go before the government troops get there.

Gao Yang also felt that something was very wrong. He shot a few of the government people to save Tribo. If they attacked, they would definitely take revenge.

Gao Yang nodded, Yeah, time to go, Mr. Brauchitsch, I hope you can come with us. With all due respect, you must at least leave this place, staying would be too dangerous.

Fedor grinned and shook his head. In 1947, the proprietor of this shop gave me a job. He was an old Englander, very nice. Most important of all, he didnt mind that I was a German. From that point on, I stayed here. He then left the shop to me and I inherited it. Now Im very old and I do not have many days left to live. I feel that before I go, I can pass the whole shop on to Malik. Hes taken care of me for many years, and thats what he deserves. Of course, ye should know now after I said so much. Just wanna tell ye, I aint goin, aint goin nowhere.

Gao Yang was agitated and involuntarily raised his voice. What are you thinking? Why must you send yourself into the pit when theres only death in staying here? There is absolutely no need for you to leave this city. Cant you just stay somewhere temporarily for a few days? Wait for the peace to settle and then come back. You cant stop anything even if you remain here!

Bob also nodded a few times. Yeah man, Mr. Brauchitsch, Gao Yangs suggestion is very good. I think you should heed his words, no matter where you wanna go, my dad could always help. Now that the airport isnt locked down, if its slightly later, we really might not be able to leave.

Fedor shook his head. If its good over ere, then itd be my legacy for Malik, if this places ruined, itd be my grave. Thank you for your kind intentions, but please forgive an old mans pertinacity. Times runnin out, yall gotta move, hey, things might turn for the better. Look, aint people coming to help?

Gao Yang followed where Fedor pointed. However, he saw a big gang of Resistance members rushing forward. It looked like another bout was about to begin. Unsurprisingly enough, the ones leading the assault were the Resistances mercenaries.

When they ran to the block, they began charging at the building across the hotel. The GPMG gunner from before staggered out from the ruins and started sweeping with his gun after positioning it.

Fedor shouted exaggeratedly, Wow, that gunner aint dead, looks like he preserved himself pretty well. I guess he must be an old soldier.

Seeing that the war had new development, Gao Yang was also not in a hurry to leave. He had to observe the situation.

It was unknown why Governments artillery reinforcements did not arrive in time. Neither did any explosion occur when the Resistance charged into the building.

Fedor nodded a few times after seeing the smooth assault from the Resistance. Very good, very good, looks like I really dont need to leave. If I aint wrong, they should have attacked the artillery formation area at the same time. Looks like the Resistance aint too dumb.

Tribo condescendingly said, These Resistance people have nothin. For the money to hire the mercs, Id wager that the U.S. is somehow in on it. Dont forget, the Merican government loathed Gaddafi.

Bob shrugged, gave the you-got-it look and said, Obviously, bingo. Its only weird if the American government didnt seize this opportunity to get rid of Gaddafi. Of course, thres the French or some other countries people in there too.

Fedor sighed and replied, Personally, I hate Gaddafi. He caused the people here to become illiterate, I cant find any book I need. But I hate war even more, very, very much. So, I dont care who wins. Just be quick about it.

Malik came to the second floor while the dialogue was going on. He was still slightly nervous. He carried the AK-47 that Tribo had brought back. Finger was on the trigger, safety off. Gao Yangs sharp eyes noticed all that.

Gao Yang hurried forward and put safety latch on before taking the gun from Malik. Malik embarrassedly laughed, Sorry, I was just taught by Hare but Id forgotten. I saw that you didnt come down and so I came up to see.

Ah, ye came at the right time. Malik, I think ye should leave with Hare and the rest. Its chaotic already, ye can get home first. Ive already written my will, take both the land deed and will while leavin. When things stabilize, then come back. Of course, only if this shop still exists.

Malik was dumbfounded for a moment and puzzledly asked, Go? Where to? No, no, I aint goin anywhere, of course, unless you wanna go, Sir.

Gao Yang really wanted to help Fedor and Malik leave, but he could not do much. Mainly, they still had to see if Bob and his dad were willing to help. Hence, he looked at Bob and hoped he would say something.

Bob got the hint and proclaimed loudly, Guys, we have a private jet and we certainly have space for everyone. Also, I feel that everyone present here, strictly speaking, are all foreigners. To a foreigner, the best and the most correct option would be to leave a country about to, no, a country currently in war. No matter where, its still better than here. You helped us, so now its us returning the favor. Sorry, saying all this may seem a little long-winded, but what I mean is that were willing to help yall get outta here. That simple.

Fedor sighed, he was reluctant to leave. But if he did not, Malik would not. Hence, Fedor was in a dilemma and could only look at Malik and hoped that he would make a choice.

Malik contemplated for a moment and still shook his head. I dont wanna leave. This is my home, if were all gone, then this place would be ransacked empty. Gotta stay to protect this place.

Fedor sighed and said, Yall heard it, seems like Malik and I were unanimous in our decision. Thank you for your kind offer, but we really cant leave. Okay, now youve seen it, the Resistance has got an edge in this. Future advantages would also be on their side. Doesnt matter whos in power, theyll maintain order. So staying wouldnt be too dangerous.

Seeing that Fedor and Malik were determined, Gao Yang and the rest could not persuade them anymore. Gao Yang handed the 98K in his hand to Fedor and his voice sank. Thank you for your gun and even more so for your guidance. I hope I didnt disappoint you.

Fedor did not take it and pushed it back to Gao Yang instead. He smiled, Take it, its yas now, Im gonna give her to ye, and also this pistol, its yas now. I think ye need them more than we do now. More importantly, I hope my gun can coruscate with youthness and not follow me to me grave. Guns fer killing, I wont say bullsh*t like using it to fight for justice. My only request is that you can use it on anyone, but please dont aim her at innocent kids or women.

Gao Yang took the gun back and shook Fedors hands, saying, Thank you, I promise I wont let you down.

Fedor nodded and extended two fingers, saying, Givin ye two pieces of advice. Number one, ya marksmanship is great, very good, especially in finding targets quickly and accurately shooting. This potential is hard to come by. If ye arent shooting distant targets, better not use the scope. Ye can try practicing with shooting without assisted aiming. Thisd let ye shooting range grow farther and farther. On the battlefield, the less ya need, the more advantage ye get.

Second advice is the most important: Please do remember, if ya enemy is an Arabian, youve already won. If ya comrades an Italian, ye lost already. Dont ask why, thats the advice Im givin ye.

Tribo caressed his head and asked curiously, If the comrades an Italian and the enemys an Arabian?

Fedor heaved a long sigh before he solemnly said, Youd find that you'd have killed all the enemies, but lost the war.

Translator's Notes:

No notes! No news is good news, so, no notes is good notes? Hell yeah!

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory #Won a thousand battles but lost the war.