Hollywood Immortal

[Chapter 375: The Growing Overseas Military Power]

Time quickly moved into May, the ideal season in Montana for planting trees and grass.

On May 1st, Linton flew back to his own farm in a private jet, accompanied by Winnie and his assistant Meena. At the airport, Carter and David met them. On the way, Carter gave a brief update on the estate's development, summarizing in one sentence that everything was progressing smoothly.

It was prime planting season on the farm, with workers bustling about, busy planting sugar beets and barley. It was also the season of lush greenery and springtime vitality. On the fields resting as part of crop rotation, vibrant green shoots sprung up, as if carpeting the earth in a fresh green blanket full of life.

Arriving at the center of the farm, the scene was markedly different from the outer areas. The core 200-acre enclosed garden was surrounded by a high red brick wall crowned with tile -- standing a solid 8 feet tall, shielding the sanctuary from any outside view.

Inside, two landscaping experts, James van Sweden and Topher Delaney, led over 300 workers busily building. Some constructed houses, others shaped artificial rock formations, still others worked on courtyards or dug lakes and canals.

Meanwhile, the cultivation of suma root and tea plants was in full swing. Both required careful seedling preparation before transplantation. After nearly a month of meticulous nurturing, the seedling fields gleamed thick and green. The suma root sprouts had reached about three inches tall, and the tea plants were nearly five inches. According to the workers, the suma root would be ready for transplantation in ten to fifteen days, while the tea plants would be ready in roughly a month.

Yesterday, Professors Steven Cohen and Calvin Johnson from the University of California visited the farm along with representatives from the cultivation company. Preparations were underway for the 2,000-acre orchard and 1,000-acre vineyard areas, with workers busy as ever.

Professor Steven planned to cultivate over 60 different types of fruit trees in the orchard area. The most common varieties -- apples, peaches, pears, and oranges -- occupied about 200 acres. Secondary fruits such as dates, pomelos, plums, cherries, mulberries, bayberries, and persimmons covered 50 acres. Lesser-known fruits like kiwis, chestnuts, dragon fruits, loquats, and lemons each had about ten acres.

After evaluating the land, Professor Calvin recommended planting exclusively Merlot grapes in the vineyard. This Bordeaux variety suited Montana's climate perfectly, with thin skins and balanced acidity, tasting delicious fresh. The red wines produced were smooth, delicate, and had a pure flavor.

Following the two professors' plan, Winnie had already signed a planting agreement with Miguel Herrera, investing $3.8 million. Miguel Herrera was contracted to provide the seedlings, plant them, handle care for the first year, and ensure a high survival rate for both fruit trees and grapes.

The 300-acre cattle and sheep ranch area had engaged Simplot Forage Company from the U.S. to plant two types of pasture grass: 200 acres of alfalfa and 100 acres of white clover.

Seeing the lively scene in the core area, Linton's heart warmed. Holding Winnie close, he said, "Sweetheart, by the end of this year, this place will truly become a sanctuary -- a permanent home for the Anderson family. From now on, we'll come here to live whenever we want."

"I can't wait to move in," Winnie replied with bright eyes, yearning for the future.

"Come on, let's check out the airport construction," Linton said.

---

Before the new year, Linton had invested $50 million to entrust Flystate Company with the airport's approval and construction. Flystate had proven itself a leader in airport projects with deep industry connections. They completed all approval procedures before year-end.

By early April, a team of more than 150 workers had started construction of various buildings and communication towers. The site supervisor assured Linton that the project would be completed and inspected by the end of August, ready to integrate into the civil aviation network and officially open in September.

---

That afternoon, Linton had Carter accompany Winnie on a site tour, while he went with David to inspect the Thunder Base.

Ever since setting up the overseas base in Danakil, Ethiopia, at the end of the 1993, the staff here had been maintained at around 40 people. Most were stationed at the Danakil base, with additional recruits hired overseas. Now, the armed forces there had grown beyond 150 personnel.

Thanks to Linton's massive financial backing, the base was equipped with advanced weaponry, including many not on Pentagon-controlled lists. David also managed to procure several weapons on the black market.

Among their arsenal were four M1A2 main battle tanks, one Apache attack helicopter, and four American M109A6 Padi 155MM 284 howitzers.

Last year, there had been several conflicts with local rival forces. Relying on overwhelming firepower, they decisively crushed their enemies each time, expanding their territory steadily.

After a year and a half of training and expansion, the Hurricane Mercenaries had thoroughly established themselves as a dominant military presence locally, controlling a 100-mile radius around the base.

By early this year, they even acted as mercenaries intervening in Sudan's civil war, serving the dual purpose of gaining combat experience and earning lucrative commissions. This rapidly developed the skills of their newly recruited soldiers.

---

Linton's visit to the farm also brought critical news from David, who needed to report it personally.

Last month, a copper deposit with promising reserves was discovered in the Danakil control zone. Preliminary surveys indicated over 500,000 tons of ore with a high-grade 20% copper content of Category III quality.

This copper mine would not only support a new expansion of the Hurricane Mercenaries but also generate significant income for Linton, providing a handsome return on his prior investments.

Understandably, the news attracted the envy of surrounding factions. Tribes sent delegations proposing joint development projects that were really just attempts to freeload.

When the base supervisor Sandy briefed David on the demands, he outright rejected all unreasonable requests.

This sparked immediate conflict. The base unleashed its full military might, demonstrating fierce resolve.

The M1A2 tanks, Apache helicopter, and 155MM 284 howitzers made a devastating display, slaughtering the invading forces.

They also crushed the two strongest leading tribes, capturing the men as mine laborers, the women as slaves, and expelling the elderly and children from their homes to fend for themselves.

After this battle, the Hurricane Mercenaries earned a formidable reputation. No one dared to challenge them again. Their territory expanded to a 150-mile radius.

---

David asked Linton to decide how to handle the copper mine next. There were three options:

First, hire local laborers and war captives to mine using simple open-pit methods, selling the ore to the American mining giant Freeport-McMoRan in Ethiopia. This was the easiest but most environmentally damaging and the least profitable option.

Second, partner with Freeport-McMoRan to introduce their advanced mining, processing, and smelting technologies and techniques. This would maximize profits with less environmental damage but risked exposing the base's secrets to Freeport and potentially leading to Linton himself being traced.

Third, explore whether any of Linton's reliable allies included mining magnates and consider bringing them in as partners.

Each option had pros and cons, but the core question was whether Linton needed the team to maintain absolute secrecy.

In the past, Linton would have chosen the first option without hesitation. But after the X Laboratory explosion and the Douglas family siege battle, he had gained a deeper understanding of the truth in higher society.

No matter how much the propaganda touted freedom, democracy, and rule of law, the reality was different. It was a jungle out there -- might made right, and strength was the only truth.

Given that, there was no longer need to hide excessively. If people learned about their military power, so be it. This force was meant as a deterrent -- who would dare oppose them?

So, without hesitation, he chose the second option. But proper secrecy measures would remain in place.

*****

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