Chapter:8 Quick Business

However, the card that came out this time was occupied by a pair of two almost identical carvings.

* 

Names: Captain Mikhail Ivanov/ Lieutenant Natalia Ivanova

Background: (Brother)

Captain Mikhail Ivanov was a highly skilled Soviet paratrooper who served with distinction in the Soviet Airborne Forces through the late 1970s and 1980s. Mikhail Ivanov joined the Soviet Airborne Forces in the late 1970s and quickly climbed through the ranks due to his unwavering commitment to duty and exceptional strategic thinking.

Background: (Sister)

Lieutenant Natalia Ivanova was an exceptional Soviet paratrooper who served alongside her brother, Mikhail Ivanov, in the Soviet Airborne Forces during the late 1970s and 1980s. Natalia Ivanova followed in her brother's footsteps, but hid her gender, and joined the Soviet Airborne Forces. She excelled in airborne operations, reconnaissance, and combat training.

Unit: 345th Guards Airborne Regiment and later 36th Guards Air Assault Brigade

They participated in Operation Storm-333 (1979), and Operation Magistral (1981), and were deployed in Afghanistan (1980s).

Equipment (Mikhail=M and Natalia=N):

- Primary: SVD(N), RPK-74(M)

- Secondary: AKS-74U (N&M)

- Sidearm: Pistoled Besshumnyy(N), Makarov PM semi-automatic pistols(M)

- Melee: Soviet Army combat knives, Tactical combat knives.

- Armor: Standard Soviet Airborne Forces equipment.

Traits:

1. Tactical Strategist: Mikhail excelled in tactical planning and decision-making, which was invaluable in leading his unit.

2. Reconnaissance Specialist: Natalia was known for her reconnaissance and scouting abilities, providing critical information to her unit.

3. Battle-Hardened Veteran: They possess extensive combat experience having honed their skills and adaptability in challenging scenarios.

4. Fearless Paratrooper: Their bravery and adaptability were crucial in airborne operations and high-stress situations.

Note:

- Despite their physical similarities, the twins have much different preferences.

- Natalia prefers to drink hard liquor while Mikhail prefers to keep a leveled head.

- If the conditions are attractive enough, there is a high probability of recruiting others from the 36th G.A.A.B.

Memory:

Mikhail and Natalia, siblings born of uncertain origins, began their life's journey in an orphanage nestled within the unforgiving Arctic expanse of Yukita, where they learned the age-old skills of hunting and tracking from the rugged local hunters.

In 1978, they enlisted in the Soviet Army. Within a year, their exceptional talents and indomitable spirit earned them a place in the elite ranks of the Soviet Paratrooper 345th Guards Airborne Regiment. In the following years, they were transferred to the 36th Guards Air Assault Brigade.

In 1990, Natalia and her twin brother, Mikhail, were both stripped of their ranks and sentenced to two years in military prison, after it was discovered that one of them was a female. Both of them were prosecuted for having used the false identity of twin brothers.

Currently staying at Hotel Bluestones, which falls under your jurisdiction, are seeking employment. If the conditions are lucrative enough, they may consider reconnecting with their former colleagues (138 still alive).

*

The price was well worth it, apart from having a tactical commander and a reconnaissance specialist, there was also a chance to enlist more members from their previous airborne unit. 

[Recruitment Centre]

- Monthly Limit (6/10)

  -Refresh in: 27Days20hrs30min (1st March 1993)

- Recruit ($100,000)

That... was more than she could spare at present. 

She closed the recruitment interface, it was useless until the revenue flow started again, and that would take some time. Well, at least she could complete some system tasks.

[Quest: Smuggling Operation(0/50kg)]

The objective was to obtain 50 kilograms of illegal substances and distribute them through sales or contracts.

'Hmm,'

In terms of her contracts, she pondered while tapping the desk. She still had to supply around forty kilograms of marijuana to three distributors and another sixty to the Romanians in the northern sector of the city. That should cover the secondary objective as well.

However, a little problem emerged. The price of weed was 3.5 bucks a gram, and it hardly seemed worth the effort to smuggle it past the border patrol and then the navy.

After a moment of contemplation, she reached under the table and pulled out a bulky, radio-operator-like phone. It was one of the oldest models of cell phones, but in 1993, it was considered one of the newest products.

She dialed a number and waited for the connection to go through. After a few rings, a voice on the other end answered.

"Yes, this is the Lagoon Company."

Anastasia leaned back in her chair, blowing out a puff of smoke before responding,

"Oh, Benny-boy? It's been a while." {In the canon he is in his mid-20s in 1996. So he should be about 21 or 22 in 1993.}

Benny's voice crackled over the line,

"Miss Ana! Long time no hear?"

Anastasia chuckled,

"Business, Benny, as always. Is Dutch there?"

Benny chuckled on the other end.

"Just a moment."

After a short pause, Dutch's deep voice rumbled through the phone,

"Anastasia, what brings you to our doorstep?"

Anastasia grinned,

"Business, as usual. I've got a job that requires your... expertise."

Dutch's tone was curious,

"Go on."

"I need to move a significant amount of marijuana through the naval checkpoint. It's a bit tricky, and I figured the Lagoon Company might have the right touch for the job."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Dutch responded,

"That's not your usual gig, Ana. What's the catch?"

Anastasia chuckled,

"Let's just say it's a special request. Can you handle it?"

Dutch's laughter echoed through the line,

"We've handled crazier things. Send us the details, and we'll see what we can do."

With the smuggling logistics in capable hands, Anastasia turned her attention back to the quest interface. 

Anastasia could tell that Dutch was a military commander, despite his efforts to disguise it. She guessed he might be a veterinarian or ex-intelligence officer, but she didn't dwell on it. His background wasn't important. What mattered was that he was a skilled man with a small team and in urgent need of work.

'The smugglers enlisted but the supplier didn't even know yet,'

she now turned her attention to the supply source. Amused, she dialed a number from her memory, connecting her call to Thailand, more precisely Hat Yai. To be exact, it was directed to one of the largest plantation owners in the Songkhla Province.

She dialed the number, and after a few rings, a man's voice answered,

"Hello?"

Anastasia leaned back in her chair before speaking,

"Sawasdee kha, Somsak. It's been a while."

Somsak's voice was warm,

"Ah, Anastasia! Always a pleasure to hear from you. What can I do for you?"

Anastasia tapped the armrest,

"I've got a special order for you, Somsak. I need the finest quality marijuana you've got—about a hundred kilograms. Can you deliver it within, let's say, three days?"

Somsak chuckled, his voice rich with familiarity.

"Of course, my friend. For you, anything. Consider it done. But..."

As expected, Anastasia braced herself for the inevitable,

"but."

"Three days is too quick a time to prepare my best product. Unless I ask my workers to work through the night, that is."

The audacity, she thought, frustrated by the common practice of these suppliers.

"But?"

she prompted, already expecting some form of manipulation.

"Ah, you know the business,"

Somsak replied, feigning a reluctance that she found infuriating.

"What's the price this time?"

Anastasia clenched her jaw, sensing a price hike in the air.

"$7 per gram,"

he finally uttered.

Her anger flared. Did this son of a bitch just attempt to sell her the product at double the market price?

In a mix of frustration and amusement, she shot back,

"Are you messing with me, Somsak? That's double what the street sells at!"

Somsak chuckled again, the sound carrying through the phone like an annoying melody.

"Come on, Anastasia, you know my strains are top-notch. Quality comes at a price."

Anastasia sighed, trying to maintain composure.

"Somsak, you and I go way back. Don't play games with me. I've been a loyal customer, and I expect a fair deal."

The pause on the other end was deliberate before Somsak finally relented,

"Alright, alright. The harvest has been worse this year than ever before, but I can give you a special rate—$4.50 per gram. But you have to promise me a favor in return."

Favors, she thought with disdain. In this world, they were just as valuable as currency if not more,

"What kind of favor?"

Somsak's tone took on a sly edge.

"I have a shipment of rare herbs coming in from Laos. You ensure it gets smoothly through customs. Deal?"

Anastasia weighed the options. It wasn't the most ideal situation, but the supply was urgent, and she had a reputation to uphold. But before she agreed, she needed to know something,

"Through Koh Kong?"

He hesitated for a moment before answering,

"Yes, you know how it has been for the past couple of months, the Thai police have been butchering my supplies."

Something that Somsak the 'Miser' would be willing to pay a high price to get huh?

"Deal. Get started on that batch, Somsak."

The call ended, leaving Anastasia feeling a mixture of relief and annoyance. This kind of illicit business was a constant barter of negotiations, favors, and backstabs.

$4.5 per gram was almost fifty percent higher than the street prices but Somsak's product was famous and would sell out like hotcakes. She took a drag from her cigarette before staring at its flaring tip for a moment.

Now that this one has been dealt with, she might as well start with the real prize game. 

She checked her watch and noted that it was still early afternoon. Ming and the two Soviets were not due to arrive until late evening, which meant she had almost half the day to herself.