Around 6 p.m., Per Jansen called from Durban International Airport. Due to the early completion of the handover work in Nairobi, he arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport earlier in the day and flew to Johannesburg on a Kenya Airways flight. However, during the layover at OR Tambo International Airport, his flight was delayed for more than two hours due to a mechanical failure, so he only arrived in Durban in the evening.


    After receiving the call, Deng Shiyang gave him the address, telling him to take a taxi from the airport to the villa, and then informed Keith and Du Preez of the news.


    About an hour later, a small gathering was held in the kitchen as a welcome dinner for Jansen. Keith personally prepared a simple but refined English dinner, which included Irish-style ham and pea soup, a curry sauce with melon evoking Northumberland home cooking, a main course of herb-roasted lamb chops with red wine sauce, and  with fresh cream and blueberries for dessert.


    After the meal, Deng Shiyang recounted their previous work to Jansen, who listened with a smile on his face.


    "Finally, a decent job!" he said, rubbing his hands with excitement. "Make sure to include me this time."


    "I was waiting for you to say that," Deng Shiyang laughed. "During the preparation, you’ll stay here and can pick any room on the second floor. Keith and I often have to go out, so Du Preez will stay in Durban to look after things. Let me know your bank account, and you’ll receive an advance within two days.”


    Jansen nodded in agreement.


    "Your task is to procure supplies. We need 300 short-sleeve crewneck T-shirts, the same number of shorts and socks, and 150 sets of combat uniforms, preferably in gray or dark brown camouflage, but  British DPM camouflage," Deng Shiyang added. "Additionally, we need 150 pairs of military boots. Don’t buy those heavy, hot American leather boots—just get Chinese-made lace-up canvas boots."


    "What about sizes?" Jansen asked.


    "I’ll have those in a few days. You can get most of these items from outdoor supply shops and military surplus stores. Check the internet and magazine ads, or use Du Preez''s connections if necessary, but be sure to buy from different stores. You have one week to locate the items, then purchase them once you have the sizes, and pay for everything in cash.”


    “No problem. Anything else?”


    "Next is the gear. We need 100 Kevlar helmets, all fitted with cat-eye bands. Also, 150 thick nylon belts and the same number of MBSS tactical vests, each equipped with two NIJ Level III ballistic plates. Additionally, we’ll need 500 dual magazine pouches that can clip on, and 40 ammo bags to hold plastic bins for 200 rounds each. We also need 150 waist-mounted triple magazine pouches and 150 utility thigh pouches to hold ten grenades each, plus 50 large camping backpacks with aluminum support frames.”Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    “Lastly, camping supplies: 200 lightweight nylon sleeping bags, the same number of military mess kits, a month’s supply of canned food for 200 people, and a water purifier with a capacity of 15 gallons. Got it?”


    Jansen gave an embarrassed smile.


    Deng Shiyang realized there was quite a bit to buy. Scratching his head, he apologized, “I’ll make you a list later.” Then, turning to Du Preez, he added, “Rent a self-storage unit in Durban to store everything Jansen buys, and contact a shipping company to send everything to Richards Bay once we’ve got it all.”


    “Where in Richards Bay?” asked the South African.


    “Just store it at the dock’s warehouse for now, and find a customs clearance company to handle the exit procedures for the shipment,” replied Deng.


    Du Preez nodded.


    So far, the preparations were progressing smoothly. That night, Deng Shiyang and Keith received text messages from Johan Schlink and Alan Baker, requesting them to head to Cape Town and Pretoria the next day. Baker mentioned he had arranged a meeting with Skylink.


    After the routine report, Mark also called long-distance. He detailed his observations from that day, paying special attention to the points Keith had asked him to keep in mind.


    "I believe the *Christo* meets all the requirements," he concluded, adding, “Also, although Goussain says we’re the only interested party, I found out there’s another Belgian shipping company eyeing the ship. They’re offering a higher price, but lack sufficient cash flow and are pushing for installment payments, so their negotiations with FEMAS are at a standstill.”


    Keith, who had remained silent, looked at Deng Shiyang, who replied, “Don’t worry about the money.”


    “That’s good to hear,” Mark replied, before asking, “Have you decided on the new captain yet?”


    “For now, it seems that the guy you mentioned, Sernechevich, is the best choice,” Deng said, pausing before adding, “But you have to make sure he’s reliable.”


    After a brief silence, Mark said, “From what I’ve observed, he’s been eyeing the captain’s position for some time and wouldn’t miss this opportunity. The main issue is whether he’s willing to take the risk, but I think he would if the pay is right.”


    Keith frowned and asked, “Has he figured anything out?”


    “It’s hard to say, but he’ll definitely know soon enough. After all, no one would be foolish enough to spend over a million to buy a 5,000-ton cargo ship just to sail it empty from Europe to Africa. Plus, if he decided to quit once he reached South Africa, he might leak the information to South African authorities. It’d be better to disclose some of the details now and offer him enough money to keep him in line. That way, we’d not only have a reliable captain, but he’d also help us keep the other crew members in check.”


    Deng was tempted but speak out his concerns, “If he learns the details and still decides to quit, the news will definitely leak out.”


    “If he tries to quit after learning the details, there will only be one outcome for him,” Keith said darkly, gritting his teeth.


    Deng felt a chill and added, “Mark, try to reassure him. Tell him that the cargo does carry some risk, but both loading and unloading will happen in international waters, so he doesn’t need to worry. And if he agrees to be the captain, he will receive double salary and be provided for at least six months and a $20,000 bonus upon successful completion. Does that sound good?”


    “That’s a very generous offer; I think he’ll accept it,” Mark agreed.


    They chatted for a while longer before ending the call.


    Notes:


    NIJ : National Institute of Justice