"The boss! It looks like someone has taken over the airport, and they're heading our way!" As soon as the plane stabilized, a bodyguard rushed over to report.
Although Atauro Island is the largest island in the future East Timor apart from the mainland, it is only 105 square kilometers. Except for a small mountain in the center, the terrain is relatively flat.
However, due to the lack of special resources and limited fresh water supply, the island has always had a small population. In the past, it was mainly used as a place of exile for prisoners.
Even in the 21st century, the island's population barely reached a few thousand.
As for the so-called airport, it was just a small airstrip built by the Portuguese before the war, capable of handling only old propeller planes.
In fact, not only the island of Atauro, but all of East Timor lacked a proper large airport.
As a result, Josh and his team had to land their Boeing VC-137 in Australia before coming here.
From there, they rented an old Boeing 247 to complete the trip.
Why not go to the big cities in Java, like Jakarta, Bandung or Surabaya, which were still under Dutch military control?
For secrecy, of course.
For the same reason, Josh had already arranged with the Portuguese authorities to evacuate everyone from the island, including the natives.
But unexpectedly, there were still people here.
"Can you identify them?" Josh asked.
"They look like locals, all armed, but with outdated weapons—mainly Mannlicher rifles. They're surrounding us. I suspect they're resistance fighters," the bodyguard reported calmly.
Josh's bodyguards, like Vito's, were seasoned veterans who had been with him for years. They had all undergone super-soldier enhancements, had sharp eyesight, and would not be fazed by small surprises.
"Tsk, Mannlicher rifles... now that's a nostalgic weapon," Josh raised an eyebrow.
The bodyguard was referring to the Mannlicher M1895, a rifle used by several nations during World War I, including Austria-Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands.
For the Austrians present, this weapon held particular significance—it was developed by Austria's Steyr company.
However, these rifles had long since disappeared from modern Western armies, and were now mostly found in remote colonial regions such as Java.
Given the circumstances, the sudden appearance of a group of armed locals with such outdated weapons on this isolated island strongly suggested they were resistance fighters.
Most likely, they had moved in after the Portuguese withdrew and were using the island as a temporary base.
"Who wants to handle this?" Josh looked at his four bodyguards, including Vito.
The four exchanged glances. The enemy numbers weren't high—twenty to thirty at most, including those hiding in buildings. If a fight broke out, it wouldn't even take all of them.
"I'll sit this one out," Vito said, shaking his head. He spent the most time by Josh's side and didn't see the need to compete for such minor credit.
"Fine. The three of you go. Whoever takes down the most gets the T-Rex model from my study. And leave some alive," Josh said to the remaining three.
He was referring to a silver Tyrannosaurus rex model, about 20 centimeters tall and weighing over two kilograms, made as a prototype for a future Jurassic Park project.
Although the model wasn't worth much compared to the generous salaries of the bodyguards, its uniqueness made it a meaningful keepsake.
As a prize for a little competition, it was more than enough.
"Boss, can I change my mind?" As soon as Josh mentioned the reward, Vito regretted his decision.
Among everyone present, aside from Josh himself, no one knew that model better than him.
Who could resist such a fierce-looking T-Rex? Especially one stamped with Josh's personal seal.
Once Jurassic Park opened, its sentimental and brand value would skyrocket.
"Too late, Vito! You missed your chance!" The other three bodyguards immediately teased him.
"A deal's a deal!" Josh shrugged with a smile.
As they laughed and joked, suddenly a shot rang out outside.
"Looks like our guests are getting impatient," Josh's said seriously.
"Don't worry, boss. We'll be done in three minutes!" The three bodyguards frowned, knowing they had failed in their duty by allowing the situation to escalate.
They immediately reassured Josh, drew their weapons, and opened the hatch.
Soon, rhythmic gunfire, fighting and screaming echoed from outside.
"Boss, it's done. We got three of them!" One of the bodyguards came back quickly.
The other two were probably watching over the prisoners.
Josh glanced at his watch—two minutes and fifteen seconds. Not bad.
"So you won?" Josh asked.
"Heh, I got two more than the others!" The bodyguard grinned.
"All right, remind me when we get back." Josh patted him on the shoulder before getting off the plane.
"You guys stay here. Stand guard and don't let anyone near the shore. No matter what happens next, don't act without orders."
But instead of interrogating the prisoners, Josh left Vito and the others at the airport and walked alone toward the coast.
Was this a joke? With his status, why would he waste time interrogating a few prisoners? Vito and the others could handle it.
Besides, none of them really spoke Javanese.
But the NS robot did.
So Josh's priority was to get the robot off the beach.
Vito and the others didn't follow. Having been with Josh for years, they knew he had many secrets and it was best not to ask unnecessary questions.
As for his safety, they weren't worried at all.
A few years ago it might have been different. But now?
Even though they were still called bodyguards, they had long since become little more than drivers and hired muscle.
Despite being super soldiers, they knew they were no longer a threat to Josh.
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