Chapter 28: 28: War Syndrome

``` Joe Ga could hear the anxiety in Boss Huang's voice. He rubbed his head, which was still throbbing, and said, "Boss Huang, you've seen the situation in Kamu. The security forces have blocked most roads. Isn't asking me for guns at this time making things difficult for me?" On the other end of the call, Boss Huang said anxiously, "Where are you? I can come to pick you up. I need 500 AK rifles and one hundred thousand rounds of ammunition right now, and you can name your price. I promise I won't bargain." Joe Ga was taken aback by Boss Huang's tone. He could come up with 500 AKs, but it would take at least half a month. After all, the Omnipotent Toolbox was a high-tech printing tool equipped with synthetic material capabilities, not an industrial assembly line. And ever since his trip to South SD, Joe Ga had understood the risks involved in this kind of 'big deal'. 500 AK rifles and one hundred thousand rounds of bullets were enough to raise an armed force in this unfortunate place, SD. Joe Ga didn't know specifically what had happened at Boss Huang's end but knew he couldn't come up with that much armament right now. He regretfully declined Boss Huang's 'big business', saying, "Boss Huang, I don't have that much stock on hand right now. And there has just been a terrorist attack in Kamu. I can't stay here long. I'm very sorry, but I might not be able to help this time." After hearing this, Boss Huang sounded very disappointed and said, "Is there really no way you can help? Hu Lang, this is a matter of saving lives... " Joe Ga paused, then replied, "Saving lives? Since when did guns become something that saves lives?" After a long silence, Boss Huang finally spoke up in a heavy tone, "My son has been kidnapped, but he's smart. He told those people he could help them buy high-quality weapons, so he has stayed alive. Now they're demanding 500 AK47 rifles and one hundred thousand bullets within five days, or my son's life will be forfeit." Shocked, Joe Ga asked, "Don't tell me your son was at the Kamu Grand Hotel at that time!" With a helpless tone, Boss Huang replied, "That damn fool was hosting a few friends from China there. In the end, not only did a few of his friends die, but he also got himself trapped." Hu Lang, I know all the stuff you have is of good quality. For the sake of the business we've done over the years, please help me out. I'm just a businessman, and besides you, I really have no one else to turn to for help." "I heard that SD is pushing forward with a hostage rescue mission..." "Don't talk to me about that damn security department; their people can't even enter Darfur. Hu Lang, help me, please. As long as you can save my son, you name the price!" Joe Ga could clearly feel Boss Huang's urgency over the phone, but he really couldn't come up with that much in five days, and honestly, Joe Ga also didn't believe that a terrorist organization, which dared to kill people randomly in the center of Kamu, would honestly release the hostage. After a sigh, Joe Ga said, "I'm sorry, Boss Huang, I really can't do this." After saying this, Joe Ga, with a furrowed brow, hung up the phone... Although they were not related, such things ultimately did not sit well with anyone, especially as Joe Ga himself was one of the victims of the terrorist attack. Had he had enough armament, he definitely wouldn't have declined Boss Huang because it was an opportunity to make a lot of money, and it was a chance to help a compatriot. Watching Joe Ga hang up the phone, Nis, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up with broken Chinese, saying haltingly, "If you want weapons, I know of a place where you can get them, but could you let me stay and help me with a favor?" Sёarch* The nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Joe Ga looked at Nis warily and said, "You can understand Chinese?" Nis nodded and said, "Since a year ago, my brother has been forcing me to learn Chinese. He wanted me to become proficient in Chinese and then join a Chinese company." Joe Ga, looking into Nis's calm eyes, asked in confusion, "Who exactly are you? What's your purpose in joining a Chinese company? Nis, you've helped me, but that doesn't mean you can get involved in my business, nor does it mean you can have designs on my compatriots." Nis looked at Joe Ga's earnest expression and, after a long while, shook her head and spoke in a very strange, flat tone, "You've been kind to me. You even saved my life at the hotel, and I hold both you and your country in high regard. My brother wants me to join a Chinese company just so I can find a chance to leave North Africa. But I don't want to leave..." ``` Joe Ga looked at Nis, who had become a bit strange, and asked, "Why not leave? You said you're from Liberia, and in my impression, anyone who has experienced war can't wait to escape." When Joe Ga posed the question, Karman, who was beside him, suddenly said, "She's been haunted by the devil; such a person can never escape killing for the rest of their life." Joe Ga was startled by Karman's sudden interjection and then looked at Nis, who seemed not to care much, and asked, "What do you mean by that?" Karman looked into Nis's calm, large eyes and shook their head, saying, "She has killed many people. The 'devil' has eroded her soul, and she will never find peace unless she can drive away those 'devils.'" Joe Ga spread his hands in resignation and said, "Can you say something I can understand?" After thinking for a moment, Karman said, "I don't know how to describe it, but I know she's been to battlefields, and she has definitely killed a lot of people. Many such people get 'invaded' by the 'devil,' and they become abnormal..." Joe Ga was momentary stunned, then suddenly remembered a famous movie character 'Rambo.' But the pretty-looking Nis in front of him, didn't have anything in common with the crooked-mouthed, muscular Rambo. Karman may not understand what PTSD is, but Joe Ga knew the danger of this condition because he had himself taken anti-anxiety medication. Due to psychological reasons, he had worked under great pressure for more than three years. Excessive anxiety and vigilance caused him great distress for a long period, forcing him to seek help with medication. Only when his marksmanship gradually improved did his symptoms start to ease. Others fight under high pressure, and for a prolonged period, blood, death, high pressure, would eventually lead to a range of problems. PTSD does not exclusively refer to 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from war' but to all post-traumatic stress disorders. Being abused in childhood, experiencing major changes in adulthood, such as war, natural disasters, serious accidents, all could lead to PTSD. Even with identical experiences, different people may end up with different specific symptoms, some may become depressed, some may have nervous disorders, some may be overly anxious, some may develop a drug dependency... What Karman refers to as 'devils' are undoubtedly some form of stress disorder. 'Hyper vigilance,' 'irritability,' 'bloodlust,' can become life impediments for some PTSD patients. They are unable to integrate into normal life, and while ordinary patients might manage, those who come out of wars become particularly dangerous to others and to themselves. Perhaps only in familiar environments do they start to feel at ease. Karman's 'unable to escape from killing' isn't without basis! Joe Ga looked at Nis, whose expression remained calm, as she apparently hadn't intended to refute Karman's words—it seemed like she had tacitly agreed. Faced with this situation, Joe Ga looked at Karman and shook his head, asking, "So you've also experienced blood and death. Do you have 'devils' in your heart?" Karman shook their head and said, "No, because the enemies I faced before were more terrifying than any devil!" Karman's serene tone gave Joe Ga goosebumps on his arm. This guy had survived on Africa's battlefields for too many years, having fought in wars longer than many Africa people's lifespans. Believing he had always been fighting 'devils,' naturally, no devil came after him. This notion was a bit like a kind of self-hypnosis, a self-reconciliation, rationalizing one's actions as if it truly could relieve some pressure. Joe Ga gave a thumbs up to Karman in admiration, then earnestly looked at Nis and said, "Who are you, really? You certainly don't look thirty – what exactly have you been doing in the past?"