"I still insist on the proposal I originally submitted: let Molan Company come out of that turtle shell on their own, and then we’ll encircle and annihilate them outside."
"And how do you plan to make them come out?"
Specialist Cao simply said, "They will come out."
"I’ll be waiting. You have ten days. If you can’t handle it within ten days, then I will activate the secondary plan at any time. When that happens, the sacrifices you’re so worried about will only be greater."
After the argument ended, the man who had been speaking strode out. Chen Chuan saw a burly man about two meters tall and in his fifties. He had a vertical scar by the corner of his eye, his lips were pressed into a thin line, and the muscles of his body strained against his uniform. The floor seemed to vibrate as he walked.
The man met their gazes, his eyes sweeping past Old Feng before landing on Chen Chuan. He looked him over and said, "You’re Chen Chuan? I saw what you said at the Judgement Court. Very good! When dealing with these unstable elements, you should strike first and leave none alive! After the national conscription ends, you can come find me. I have a stage far more suited for you to perform on."
After speaking, he strode away without waiting for Chen Chuan’s reply.
Chen Chuan asked Old Feng, "Who was that?"
Old Feng said, "Someone from the National Temporary Special Action Committee. He was entrusted by the higher-ups to supervise our work this time. The man is a bit of an extremist; try to stay far away from him. Not many of the people who follow him meet a good end." He gestured inside. "Let’s go in."
The two of them walked in and found themselves in a spacious combat conference room. A huge map of Yangzhi City hung on the front wall, with certain areas specially marked with black lines and red dots. In the middle of the room was a scaled-down terrain model, the most conspicuous feature of which was the Molan Building.
Specialist Cao was standing by the terrain model, seemingly studying something. When the two entered, he spoke without looking up. "The mission was completed very well. Molan Company should have gotten the news by now. I expect they will start making their move by tomorrow or the day after at the latest."
Old Feng asked, "Old Cao, are you sure they’ll leave?"
"If they stay here, it’s a dead end. Why wouldn’t they leave?"
Old Feng said, "Ten days..." He pondered for a moment. "Even if you force them out, how do you plan to deal with them outside? Encircling and annihilating them out there will undoubtedly be much more difficult."
Specialist Cao said, "I already have a plan." He looked at Chen Chuan. "I received Old Feng’s telegraph just now. You did well this time. There’s another mission, and you’ll be participating."
Chen Chuan asked, "What is it?"
Specialist Cao said, "Participating in the assault on the Molan Company Building. Even if they retreat, they’ll leave some people behind to guard the place and tie up some of our forces."
Chen Chuan said, "Specialist Cao, may I ask when?"
Specialist Cao said confidently, "Within three days. Go back and prepare well. During a national mission, the state will provide you with any supplies you consume. Make sure you seize this opportunity."
Chen Chuan nodded. This seemed to be a perk of participating in a national mission. He said, "If there’s nothing else, then this student will take his leave." After bidding the two farewell, he left the room.
For a moment, only Specialist Cao and Old Feng were left in the conference room.
Old Feng’s face showed some worry. "Old Cao, wiping out Molan Company is important, but getting our hands on the ’item’ is just as important. In fact, the higher-ups care more about that. If you let them leave, finding it will be many times more difficult."
Specialist Cao calmly analyzed, "Even if they’re in the building, they have ways of sending it away. We might as well let them carry it." His gaze fell upon the terrain model as he said coolly, "They won’t get away."
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