The Search for Samos
The main training subjects and exams were over. There were 116 people left at the training base, while nine had been eliminated along the way. That wasn't the highest number in history, but it wasn't the lowest, either—just barely above average.
Anyone who failed the assessment wasn't allowed to accompany the peacekeeping forces. There was no room for mistakes in international peacekeeping. Better safe than sorry; any unstable factors had to be eliminated in advance.
The remaining 116 people now faced assignment to different peacekeeping regions.
The Chinese peacekeeping force was currently on duty in Congo (Kinshasa), Liberia, Lebanon, and Sudan. They had recently expanded into a new region as well: Somalia.
A locust plague had broken out there, and signs of instability were already emerging. The government had failed to keep the situation under control and had been forced to seek help from the United Nations. China had been commissioned to send a peacekeeping force there to assist with the distribution of international aid and maintain regional stability, deterring the local warlords who were itching to make trouble.
Food was the people's first necessity, no matter where you went.
When ordinary people couldn't get enough to eat, it could lead to regional unrest and frequent conflict. That was especially true in a place with a history like Somalia. If things went badly, the notorious Somali pirates might rise from the ashes and grow rampant once more.
"...Sheng Yike, Guo Li, and everyone else I've called, follow me. Get your ID cards, passports, and one-inch personal photos ready. Anyone without a photo can have one taken with the others later."
Those assigned to Liberia followed the person calling names and left. Like those preparing to go to Congo (Kinshasa), Lebanon, and Sudan, they would take specialized