I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 772 Gathering at o'clock
The professor's team consists of 12 people in total. Except for the professor himself and his two students, the rest are security personnel, led by Brooks himself.

On March 3, the group set out from Rome and boarded a cargo ship to Belgian Congo, arriving safely in Cabinda on the 11th.

Maxim originally thought that the professor would go to the Port Authority in person to report it, or at least Brooks would do it on his behalf.

Unexpectedly, Brooks declared entry under the name of Maxim, so Maxim became the head of this scientific expedition team.

"Were we not going on a treasure hunt? Why did it become a scientific expedition?"

Marco didn't even understand the content of the investigation.

"Shh-"

Maxim looked serious and didn't want to discuss this issue with Marco.

When setting out from Rome, Maxim felt something was wrong.

In Brooks' words, except for Maxim and Marco, no one in their team had any experience in exploration and lacked experience in surviving in the wild, which was why Brooks invited Maxim and Marco to join.

But from the supplies prepared by Brooks, Maxim believed that the other party was not lacking in experience in survival in the wild.

There are many areas of undeveloped virgin forest in the interior of Africa. The expedition team needs to prepare a lot of supplies, including weapons, ammunition, medicines, supplies, daily necessities, etc. Any slight negligence may lead to the annihilation of the expedition team.

Based on Maxim's experience, Brooks's preparations seemed a little too thorough. Some of the things he included were even unheard of, such as mosquito repellent.

With the advancement of science and technology, the relationship between mosquitoes and infectious diseases is being accepted by more and more people. However, due to economic limitations, explorers still rely more on physical isolation to prevent mosquitoes. High-tech products such as mosquito repellents only exist in legendary laboratories.

Many of the medicines prepared by Brooks were also things Maxim had never seen before, and some of the instruments could only be used in surgical operations.

This means that there is at least one specialized surgeon on the team.

In 1925, surgeons were very scarce, and in all of Maxim's expedition career, he had never been part of an expedition that had a surgeon on board.

Except for Maxim and Marco, the rest of the security personnel are the same as Brooks, with standard butcher physiques. There are two firepower people in the team who can shoot with a light machine gun in one hand.

Wait, we are going on an adventure, why are there firepower people?

It's not like we're going to stage a coup.

The explanation given by Brooks was that it was to hit the elephant.

This explanation made Maxim feel that the threat posed by elephants exceeded that of lions and crocodiles.

Even if Brooks said hyena, it would be easier for Maxim to accept.

After learning about the team configuration, when Maxim saw the uniform military equipment, he was not surprised at all -

There are still surprises.

The rifle provided by the squad was the Lee Enfield, which was equipped by the British Army. This once made Maxim suspect that Brooks was British. After all, equipment habits are difficult to change.

After reuniting with the team, Maxim keenly noticed that the daggers carried by almost everyone, including Brooks, were the traditional Cossack Chasik sabers.

This makes Maxim doubt Brooks' identity.

As for rifles, after a period of training, there is actually not much difference between Lee Enfield and Yuriev. Soldiers on the battlefield are not qualified to be picky, they can just pick up any and use it.

The dagger is a soldier's last weapon and will only be used in a life-and-death struggle. At this time, habit is more important.

Maxim's dagger was a gift from his father to Maxim and has been with him for nearly 20 years.

Even if Maxim was given a dagger made of gold and gems, he would not change it.

The expedition team stayed in Cabinda for only one day before taking a small boat to continue inland along the Congo River.

When leaving Cabinda, the team still had 12 official members, but there were several new faces. Brooks also hired more than porters, and the size of the team expanded rapidly.

Maxim was surprised to find that this insect professor named Brown was fluent in the local Congolese language and could communicate with the locals without any obstacles.

"The professor is a language genius and knows 11 languages."

There was a hint of envy in Brooks' words, and Maxim only then realized that Brooks' French had a distinct Balkan accent.

Why didn’t I find it when I was in Rome?

Brown was not only a language genius, but also very good at teaching. Before the team arrived at Leopoldville, the capital of Belgian Congo, several porters had already begun trying to communicate with Maxime in French.

Maxim felt that Brown was not here to study insects, but to preach.

The Belgians were very wary of the explorers, and when they entered Leopoldville, the expedition team was subjected to strict and arduous inspections by the local garrison.

Brooks spent £100 and the team successfully entered Leopoldville.

Maxim was fine, but Marco's eyes were wide open.

This is 100 pounds, which is equivalent to an ordinary person's annual income. In Italy, 100 pounds is enough for many people to take risks.

Professor Brown was very rich and didn't care about this expense at all. The expedition team stayed in the most luxurious hotel in Leopoldville, which was a new experience for Maxime and Marco.

Although the expedition team that Maxim had previously been in was not forced to live on the streets, they could not afford to stay in such a luxurious hotel.

Maxim was cautious and only talked to Marco about the mystery of the expedition after entering the hotel room.

"The expedition team has sufficient financial resources and is fully prepared. Isn't that a good thing?"

Marco was very satisfied with the expedition team's configuration. "No, no, no, you don't understand. If you had the ability, would you go to the interior of Africa to investigate some so-called insect species?"

Maxim has a sharp sixth sense, which is his biggest reliance in becoming a senior adventurer.

"Why not, it's Professor Brown's job."

Marco is a novice adventurer and does not understand the dangers of the world.

“Is it necessary for an entomologist to learn 11 languages?”

If Maxim knew 11 languages, he would choose to become a linguist.

Marco spread his hands and thought, maybe he just likes to study insects.

Some people work hard to make money and make their lives more secure.

Some people work hard to have more options.

The next day, Maxim discovered several new faces. Compared to when they set out, only the professor and his two students, as well as Maxim, Marco and Brooks were still in the team.

After dinner in the evening, Brooks took the initiative to invite Maxim to the bar for a drink.

The bar in a luxury hotel is different from the bars on the street. There are no dancers and no pretentious guys. The music played by the band is actually Beethoven's "Fate". Although the five-member band is a bit simple, it sounds full of charm.

"We're leaving tomorrow. Do you have any questions?"

Brooks took the initiative to order a glass of Italian limoncello for Maxim.

Brooks asked for vodka.

"I really don't understand, is there such a huge profit in studying insects?"

Maxim did have many doubts.

"Congratulations, you have discovered our biggest secret. Our goal is not insects, but the copper mines in Katanga."

Brooks's honesty made Maxim's hair stand on end.

If Maxim had known that Brooks would be so candid, Maxim would not have accepted Brooks' invitation.

Now that Maxim already knows the team's so-called biggest "secret", Maxim and Marco will not be able to leave easily.

"We are a resource development company dedicated to developing energy around the world and providing a better life for mankind. This is actually no secret. Just like you looking for diamonds, we will also gain unimaginable profits in the process."

Brooks's goals do not actually conflict with Maxim's.

Brooks' explanation did not dispel Maxim's doubts.

If we are just looking for copper mines, there seems to be no need to be so secretive.

"There are some deeper reasons that I cannot tell you right now because you haven't really gained my trust yet. What I can tell you is that if you want to quit now, it's not too late. If you want to seize this opportunity, meet in the hotel lobby at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning."

Brooks drank the wine in his glass and stood up and left decisively.

Maxim tossed and turned all night, wondering what the "opportunity" Brooks was talking about was.

At six o'clock in the morning, Marco got up on time. After washing up, he found Maxim still sitting on the bed, looking out the window in silence.

"what happened to you?"

Marco slept very well and didn't notice Maxim's abnormality at all.

"I wonder if we need to risk everything we have for an unknown opportunity."

Maxim raised this issue to a philosophical level.

"That depends on how rewarding this opportunity is—"

Marco's emotions are still very simple. He will work for whoever employs him.

“The rewards are definitely great, but the risks are also great.”

Maxim hesitated.

"Greater risk than the one we took in going on this expedition?"

The way Marco looked at Maxim was like looking at a noble lady who was whining for no reason.

Maxim suddenly realized.

Every expedition comes at the cost of life. During Maxim's expedition career, some explorers fell off a cliff and died, some fell into the water and drowned, and some unlucky ones were bitten to death by poisonous snakes in their sleep. It was common for them to be attacked and killed by local natives.

For an explorer, if he can join a strong team, his life can be protected to the greatest extent.

After realizing this, Maxim no longer hesitated.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, we have to gather in the hall at 8 o'clock. We have to act immediately!"

Maxim grabbed the backpack he had packed last night and rushed out the door.

The backpack was originally prepared for escape.

(End of this chapter)