First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 228
Chapter 228: Finale: Search
Fang Jianchen sat back down with a disgruntled expression, still looking somewhat aggrieved.
The others shot him sympathetic glances before quickly turning away, forcing smiles as they faced Lian Sheng.
"If we're starting from the garbage..." Zhou Shirui tapped on the map, opening another system: "This would at least require on-site investigation."
Lu Mingyuan said: "We can first try identifying several suspicious points, then report them for field verification. Maxwell should still be able to spare personnel for this—it's not particularly dangerous."
People like Barite—no, to be precise, anyone in positions of power or prominence in any field—would take extra precautions regarding their trash privacy.
With so many eyes watching, waste disposal inevitably becomes risky. After all, trash can reveal too much information.
Setting aside direct residual text or data intelligence, fingerprints or DNA traces could be exploited.
Typically, such individuals' trash requires special handling—collected directly by dedicated personnel for high-pressure shredding before disposal, unlike ordinary citizens' recycling process.
Zhou Shirui pulled up relevant company data for preliminary screening of suspicious points.
Ji Ban asked: "Would they normally register with waste companies? And would they even use such services?"
Zhou Shirui: "Testing our luck. Step by step."
Basically identifying properties with utility consumption but no waste output.
The 16th District's vast scope made this a Herculean task. This method suited final confirmation better—individual verification would be deadly.
"Add more parameters—we'll layer conditions to narrow it down," Lian Sheng said, touching her ear. "He definitely didn't come alone. More people means more concealment efforts. Barite survived an assassination attempt recently—though it failed, he'd still be highly alert with stringent protective measures."
Otherwise, at this critical juncture, he wouldn't have deliberately chosen the remote 16th District, far from the main battlezone, to command operations.
Among those wanting him dead was his own son—a deeply personal betrayal requiring time to process.
If even blood relatives couldn't be trusted, who could he fully rely on?
Lian Sheng smiled: "Leaving a team in the 16th District will probably make him furious."
Nobody expected Barite to be in the 16th District—formerly occupied by the Alliance, under Maxwell's jurisdiction.
The 16th District was nature's perfect blind spot.
A flawless plan, ruined only by the Alliance's unscrupulous habit of leaving thorns behind when vacating others' territory.
Zhao Zhuoluo looked up from the screens: "What happened with the previous assassination attempt?"
With secrecy no longer possible, Lian Sheng admitted freely: "Didn't I tell you? Maxwell planned one, but it failed."
The group's sidelong glances spoke volumes.
Fang Jianchen grumbled: "You all love your little secrets. I see how it is."
Zhao Zhuoluo lowered his head slightly before redirecting: "Since the assassination was exposed, even if the perpetrator escaped, Barite's informants would know. He's probably already alerted."
Lian Sheng: "No matter. We'll unravel the clues. Barite wouldn't come here without caution—what's there to fear?"
Ji Ban stared at the screen, strategizing: "They'd need warehouses or empty spaces for mechs and weapons storage!"
Lian Sheng concurred: "Either suburban/remote areas or places with frequent transactions—the latter being too conspicuous. I suspect government properties or abandoned developments. Maybe prioritize those first."
Lu Mingyuan leaned over: "Junior, with fighting ongoing in the 1st District, Barite's hands are tied. Command communications would use encrypted channels—he controls core data, but Maxwell must have peripheral contacts. Request equipment access to scan roughly, then verify—reducing workload."
People always leave traces—harder to erase in advanced societies. Especially someone as meticulous as Barite.
Their brainstorming sparked ideas, each feeling intellectual eruptions, experiencing the "three cobblers equal Zhuge Liang" synergy.
Human collective power is truly boundless.
"Daily living and operational needs?" Cheng Ze raised his hand. "With many personnel, food consumption would be high-quality. Given caution, they'd avoid questionable sources—check certified Glen organic farms."
Ye Buqing summarized: "Surveillance. License plates. Some vehicles would either remain stationary or patrol regularly."
As suggestions flew, Zhou Shirui's expression darkened further. Clearly, these "helpers" only multiplied his workload.
"...This filtering just expands the database," Zhou Shirui said wearily. "Different systems have varying data retrieval and comparison protocols. Multi-point simultaneous screening is impractical. Broad parameters increase error risks—only useful for final confirmation."
He took a deep breath, unsure if they understood: "The core challenge is rapidly identifying a manageable number of suspicious targets—not lacking verification methods. It's a technical problem!"
Lian Sheng: "Oh."
Not her department then.
She turned the screen toward Lu Mingyuan, patting his shoulder: "Work hard, Senior!"
Lu Mingyuan: "..."
Lu Mingyuan: "..."
This felt awful.
The task was massive—repetitive, monotonous, and dull.
After a day without breakthroughs, Lu Mingyuan and Zhou Shirui resigned themselves to brute-force regional screening. With luck, they might hit immediately.
Their luck had generally been decent—surely not worst-case.
Probability being fickle, nobody dared jinx it under Lian Sheng's watch. Though she showed no expression, her aura radiated primal irritation—worse than PMS.
They enlisted external help—personnel shortages were real.
When Lian Sheng's team offered assistance, Zhou Shirui and Lu Mingyuan reluctantly accepted despite misgivings.
The airport wasn't secure either—unusual group behavior might draw attention. Despite workload pressures, they had to maintain appearances—going out periodically before rotating data shifts.
Uncertain if they'd catch the critical moment or if their efforts mattered, they focused solely on the goal, finding their rhythm despite mounting fatigue.
Lu Mingyuan's hair fell out in clumps—premature balding threatened. Morning combing sessions became traumatic. Eventually, he embraced the disheveled look.
"My hair wasn't thick to begin with..." Lu Mingyuan lamented by the sink, clutching fallen strands like relics. "Why did I become a data analyst?"
Lian Sheng consoled: "Don't worry—I'll request Alliance discounts for haircare products."
Lu Mingyuan retorted: "Lost hair never returns! This isn't comfort!"
Prioritizing team morale, Lian Sheng solemnly declared: "Then I'll whip your conscience!"
Lu Mingyuan: "What?"
Lian Sheng gripped his shoulders: "Why not rest? Look what you've done to your hair—those were embryonic proteins! Conscience! You heartless brute!"
"..." Lu Mingyuan said, "My conscience says—"
"Your conscience says it would die ten thousand deaths for the Alliance's harmony, refusing compromise or obstruction. If hair loss made it retreat, it would shave itself bald in resolve." Lian Sheng sighed. "Such nobility."
No respect for seniors! Pure threats!
"I'd whip your conscience too," Lu Mingyuan gritted. "If I could find it!"
Defiantly, he returned to work.
Lian Sheng stood, holstered her gun under her jacket, grabbed her bag, and knocked on the next room: "Zhao Zhuoluo, guard duty."
Dark circles shadowed Zhao Zhuoluo's eyes as he pulled on a coat and followed.
They relieved Ye Buqing and Fang Jianchen at the mech hangar, yawning as they sat.
Morning chill sharpened their senses. Stomachs growling, they watched the horizon.
"Guard duty" meant securing the mechs—thorny issues for their opponents. The longer they stayed, the more uneasy the other side grew.
After noticing suspicious activity near the hangar, Lian Sheng converted training into 24/7 watch rotations.
A standoff. Whether they were sheep in a tiger's den or wolves in sheep's clothing remained to be seen.
Lian Sheng crossed her legs as shadows flickered ahead: "Why patrol? Just install surveillance."
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "Waste of money—you'd just sabotage it."
Lian Sheng humphed: "Bolder by the day."
Initially discreet, their observers grew brazen as Barite gained advantage in the 1st District.
Lian Sheng: "Closer, and they'll experience 'accidental' gunfire."
Zhao Zhuoluo eyed her—best behave lately. Terrifying.
As Lian Sheng messaged Hundred Meter Flying Dagger sporadically, she suddenly announced: "Food's here," before heading to the entrance.
Returning with crepes and hot milk, she shared relevant news updates between bites.
Zhao Zhuoluo contemplated their surreal situation: "Feels like we're doing something monumental yet absurd."
If they succeeded—what then?
Lian Sheng adjusted his wrapper: "Holding the world's fate in your hands?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "No, no." He corrected: "Wouldn't dare."
Not epic—just nerve-wracking.
As Lian Sheng stretched, Zhou Shirui's call came through.
"Lian Sheng!" His voice carried restrained urgency. "Update."
Lian Sheng tensed. Zhao Zhuoluo stood, watching her face.
Zhou Shirui continued: "Good news and bad news. We got lucky—target undergoing secondary verification. All conditions match—likely the place. Bad news: it's far from this airport."
Lian Sheng asked: "How confirmed?"
Zhou Shirui: "Undercover inquiries with sanitation workers revealed abnormal waste handling—private entities renting industrial facilities. Minimal personnel movement, heavy security, restricted access. Even satellite imagery was doctored."
The signs pointed conclusively.
Comments
Post a Comment