"The hostages are safe."
"Check for surviving captives."
"There are two... We didn't find the mastermind. He must have slipped through."
"He didn't slip through. I let him go." Li Gaoliang tapped twice on the wrist-mounted computer on his arm as he casually reported the situation to the command center, then looked at the soldier standing beside him. "The British Special Forces helicopters will arrive in seventeen minutes. Let's tidy up the deck a little."
The battle had ended several minutes ago.
Or rather, it could not be called a battle at all. It had been a completely one-sided slaughter. Blood was everywhere across the deck, and the dead gunmen lay sprawled in all directions.
Though that was the nature of war, it still did not look particularly good when others saw it.
After locking the two pirate captives in the hold, Li Gaoliang ordered his men to photograph the evidence, then found the rescued captain and had him organize several crew members who could still move. Carrying mops and buckets, they briefly cleaned the stains off the deck.
Because of the weather, they were three minutes later than expected.
After twenty minutes of waiting, four helicopters finally arrived above the stalled freighter. As several ropes were dropped, a group of elite soldiers in black combat uniforms descended onto the ship.
However, while these men were indeed elite troops who had undergone brutal training, they still seemed somewhat slight standing beside the sci-fi-looking exoskeleton armor.
Lowering his weapon, the tall special forces officer walked over to Li Gaoliang, loosened the mask over his face, and spoke.
"From this point on, our people will take over here."
Li Gaoliang glanced at him.
"This is international waters."
"We know this is international waters."
Li Gaoliang said unhurriedly, "What I mean is, you