Free Web NovelSergei opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but found he genuinely couldn't.
"...Fine, I admit you're ruthless."
"Regarding medical supplies, there are no issues. Bandages, alcohol, suture needles, medical agents—I have them in stock right now and can give them to you directly."
"What about weapons?"
Sergei's expression turned subtle.
"Weapons, huh..."
He rubbed his hands together. "Look, old friend, the front lines are stretched thin recently, and higher-ups are investigating strictly. The inventory I have on hand is inconvenient to move."
Heh, here it comes.
Pavel sneered internally.
"So?"
"So, I have a small proposal."
Sergei broke into a smile characteristic of a merchant.
He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Pavel.
"For the money for the weapons, I plan to settle it with intelligence."
"Intelligence?"
"Valuable intelligence," Sergei emphasized, "Extremely valuable."
"?"
Pavel was silent for two seconds.
Then, he started gathering the items on the table, preparing to turn and leave.
"Hey, hey, wait a moment!"
Sergei grew anxious. "Why don't you hear me out first!"
"No need."
Pavel's voice was cold. "Comrade Sergei, I came here to do business, not to listen to stories. If you don't have tangible goods, I'll find someone else."
"Ah, don't, brother, I'm calling you brother now. This piece of intelligence is truly extraordinary."
"Hear me out first."
Pavel was doubtful, but he stopped anyway.
"Fine."
Pavel's voice carried a faint threat. "But I'll only give you time for one sentence."
"However, before you speak, I suggest you think clearly about what the consequences will be if what you say next wastes the time I've given you."
Sergei's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
But he still prepared to continue.
He licked his lips and lowered his voice:
"Did you know that the front lines recently captured a batch of experimental weapons from Victoriana?"
Pavel's mech paused slightly.
"Experimental weapons?"
"That's right," Sergei's eyes lit up. "I heard they are Victoriana's latest research achievement, astonishingly powerful. The higher-ups treasure them like gold and specifically dispatched personnel to escort them back for study."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Of course, it has something to do with you," Sergei gave a meaningful smile. "Because that batch of goods is stored in a warehouse not far from here. And I just happen to know the person guarding that warehouse."
Pavel began to understand what he °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° intended to say.
"Oh, you want me to steal them."
"What stealing, it's..."
Sergei carefully considered his wording. "Borrowing."
"Borrowing?"
"Exactly, borrow a few out, and we can all share."
Sergei gestured. "You make the move, and I'll provide the intelligence and cover. After it's done, you take one for free, and we split the rest three-seven."
"Three-seven?"
"Yes, three for you and seven for me."
"So," Pavel's voice drew out, "you want me, a cannon fodder from the Punishment Camp, to steal top-secret weapons guarded by the regular army, take all the risk, and after success, I have to give you seven-tenths of the loot?"
Sergei's smile froze on his face.
"I say, Comrade Sergei..."
Pavel took a step forward, his mech's heavy footfalls creating a shallow dent in the wooden floor. "Are you taking me for a fool, or someone easy to bully?"
"No, no, listen to my explanation—"
"Do I look like the kind of sucker who gets fooled away by a few words?"
"Of course not, but—"
"Have you considered what happens if you fail?"
Pavel's voice was icy. "Stealing military supplies is dealt with under military law: summary execution on the spot. You hide safely in the rear, while I stick my neck out on the front lines. If something goes wrong, you just brush off your pants and claim you don't know me. Comrade Sergei, what do you take me for?"
Sergei was choked into silence by the speech.
"No matter what, it should be seven for me and three for you, right?"
"?"
"Furthermore, add this batch of medical supplies on top of that."
"Pavel, you're pushing your luck a bit."
"Hmm?" Pavel’s mech stepped closer again.
"Alright, alright, I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you..."
Sergei let out a long breath.
"You are damn hard to please..."
Pavel snorted dismissively.
He had known what Sergei was planning the moment he opened his mouth.
But he never intended to refuse from the start.
Because dying on the battlefield from a lack of guns and ammo wasn't much different from being executed on the spot for stealing military supplies.
Perhaps the latter was a cleaner death.
If the so-called experimental weapons from Victoriana were truly as powerful as Sergei claimed, obtaining them might give him a chance to survive the next battle. freёwebnovel.com
He could even get this guy's supplies and intelligence for free.
It was a guaranteed win.
"Then," Pavel's voice became businesslike again, "what is the specific intelligence?"
"Don't rush..."
Sergei slowly pulled out a wrinkled map from under the table and spread it out.
"I'll explain it to you step by step."
"Look here first..."
...Hiss... Wait, that's not right...
Pavel felt like he had made some kind of vow not long ago.
