First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 229
Chapter 229: Finale: Assault
Lian Sheng remained silent for a moment before suddenly relaxing with a laugh: "Isn't this perfect? The journey continues."
Zhou Shirui: "Why don't you come back quickly? I'll show you the clues."
Still worried the other side might have no limits to their shamelessness, Lian Sheng said: "Can't leave now. Someone needs to replace me first."
Zhou Shirui replied: "Cornell and Harry are on their way."
Lian Sheng and Zhao Zhuoluo went to dispose of the trash, walking a few laps around the area while waiting for the two to arrive as replacements.
Squinting against the wind, Zhao Zhuoluo asked: "What a coincidence?"
"Who says it isn't?" Lian Sheng said. "Though calling it coincidence isn't quite right—after all, we've been investigating for several days now. There had to be a result, right or wrong. If they've really come, they can't stay hidden forever. So being found now isn't strange."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "We should have talked longer with Barite's son back then, heard how he failed."
Since both he and Maxwell had decided to adopt the burn-all-bridges strategy, they must have ensured everything was foolproof before acting—yet they still failed.
Being relatives, the information should have some accuracy. How exactly did Barite escape? Or was it a golden cicada shedding its shell, with some other method to deceive people?
If they could have another detailed conversation, perhaps they could obtain more information.
After casually exchanging a few more words, Cornell and Harry arrived to take over.
Lian Sheng and Zhao Zhuoluo quickly ran back to the dormitory. At Zhou Shirui's door, they perfunctorily knocked twice before pushing it open and entering.
Hearing the noise, Zhou Shirui lowered his hands and shrugged at her, roughly scratching his head: "I'm about to lose my mind."
"You're future progressive tense, I'm past perfect." Lu Mingyuan, alarmed by his violent motions, stopped his hand and said: "Junior, don't bully your hair just because you're young. Seriously, before you know it, it'll be gone—no holding onto it."
Lian Sheng laughed: "Senior Lu, honestly speaking, you don't show signs of balding yet. You just shed more hair than usual."
After all, they were still young—definitely resilient enough to handle some hair loss.
Lu Mingyuan said solemnly: "We're looking toward the future here."
Lian Sheng pulled up a chair to sit behind them while Zhao Zhuoluo remained standing.
"Go on."
"Here, mainly this factory is suspicious." Zhou Shirui pointed at the screen. "Comparing satellite parameters with the actual map of this area—see? An entrance has been hidden. Starting from this street, the map deviates slightly from reality. The inner area is marked as factory internal structure with no detailed explanation on the map. But in reality, it wasn't that mysterious originally. And judging by the area, the coverage is too large—unreasonable."
As he spoke, he switched to another optical computer, pulling up a different system: "Water and electricity consumption appears normal. But openly, no information about this factory can be found online—no employee lists, headcounts, manufacturers or suppliers, let alone sales data. Not long ago, this company was a veritable shell corporation. There were traces of related investigations online, though now they're gone—equivalent to a shell company about to be shut down being reborn through another shell. As for the other conditions you mentioned earlier, they all match too. In short, this factory is suspicious in every aspect."
Lian Sheng only listened for the conclusion, motioning him to continue.
Zhou Shirui pulled up several photos, tapping the screen: "But most importantly, we've spotted some familiar faces near this location. Some frequently come and go, while others entered the factory and never came out."
The photos showed a man wearing sunglasses or a mask, slightly lowering his head to avoid surveillance but still captured in a blurry side profile.
Zhou Shirui said: "Using current analysis technology for comparison, these match several members of Barite's personal guard. These photos and data were just obtained from Maxwell by our senior yesterday—should be accurate."
Based on current data analysis, the intel about Barite being in the 16th District is likely true—only the exact location remains uncertain.
Zhou Shirui: "Unfortunately, this area isn't very developed—far from the city center. It's at least three thousand kilometers from our current position. With only a few scattered mechs, it's nearly impossible to reach the target location undetected under district-wide surveillance, then engage in decisive battle with his armed forces to capture Barite. Basically no chance."
Lian Sheng nodded: "What about from a technical perspective?"
Zhou Shirui tapped his pen: "Technically speaking, it's eighty to ninety percent likely, fitting the reasoning. But realistically, I think it's not that simple."
After all, without photographic evidence or sightings of Barite himself, any speculation would seem plausible while lacking definitive proof.
Unless they identified all suspicious locations and eliminated them one by one.
Lian Sheng asked: "Have you told Brother Dao?"
Zhou Shirui: "Sent it over. I think they're paying close attention to this too—should know by now."
After a moment's thought, Lian Sheng said: "Good, then keep at it." She stood to leave.
After wandering the hallway, Lian Sheng went to Ji Ban's room and dragged him out to lead her to the airport's backstage monitoring room.
The monitoring room was located next to the airport control room, requiring passage through the warehouse and another security check to access. Inside were various signal-receiving devices, manned around the clock by specialists.
Before they could get close, they were stopped. To avoid conflict, they had no choice but to turn back.
Ji Ban asked: "Who are you trying to find?"
Lian Sheng: "The person who put that note in my room."
The two continued loitering near the dormitory entrance. They encountered several cleaners and a warehouse manager along the way. These people were all wary of them—perhaps having received special instructions—avoiding not just conversation but giving them a wide berth.
Unfazed, Lian Sheng found a spot to doodle on her optical computer.
Surprised she could do modeling work, Ji Ban tilted his head curiously: "What are you doing?"
Lian Sheng said: "Recording their movement patterns—the time intervals between their appearances at the same locations."
"Machines handle most cleaning here—humans just double-check and supervise, so there aren't many staff. But since break times are self-scheduled without strict assignments, their movements are generally irregular. Safely avoiding them to reach a room without monitoring system guidance would be difficult. Or easy to get caught—I don't think Albert would take that risk." Lian Sheng gestured. "We need to talk to Albert, but can't find him now. Have to try indirect approaches."
Albert was Barite's son.
Ji Ban: "Maybe Albert is still in contact with Maxwell."
Lian Sheng said: "That would be fortunate indeed."
That evening, Hundred Meter Flying Dagger—likely having reached conclusions from internal discussions—sent her a message through their secured channel.
He leaned against a white wall, looking like he'd just washed his face with damp sideburns. Quite energetic.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said tactfully: "I'm assigning you a standby mission now. The situation in District One isn't great. You need to prepare there first."
Lian Sheng: "How bad?"
"All passages from Gelen's outer regions to Districts One and Two have been sealed—our main reinforcements can't get through. Forcing entry wouldn't be wise." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said. "Online reports about District Two losing several points aren't wrong either. Maxwell fights with too many restraints—especially with District One housing the Research Institute headquarters. He can't afford the losses or the backlash from public opinion, so we're severely limited."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger lifted his shoulders to stretch, feeling his old bones ache from sitting too long.
"Through reverse surveillance of enemy mech communications, we've confirmed Barite isn't in District Three—but his exact location is masked, untraceable. Combined with intel from District Sixteen, we have sufficient reason to believe the earlier intelligence is accurate." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said. "We're trying to reconnect with Albert and Maxwell. But he's alone in District Sixteen while evading Barite's surveillance—difficult to show himself now."
Currently, the safest and fastest method would be eliminating the threat named "Barite"—especially when he's practically abandoned by allies.
Having been driven to desperate straits, they had no choice but to take the outlaw path—charging ahead despite the risks.
Lian Sheng asked: "How are things on your end?"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger adjusted the screen angle: "Not bad."
Lian Sheng stayed silent.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger continued: "The Alliance rescue team's landing point is tentatively set for District Sixteen. Understand what I mean?"
Lian Sheng: "Understood."
"Go all out boldly! Document processing speeds have skyrocketed recently—so you won't have much reaction time." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger sighed. "Heartwarming—I've dreamed my whole life of 'S'-grade documents being submitted in the morning and approved by noon. Never thought it'd come true so soon."
Lian Sheng smiled slightly: "Got it. Keep working—I'll hang up now."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "Hey—"
Before he finished, a voice called from behind the door: "Vice Commander, may I speak now?"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger tucked the communicator back into his chest pocket: "Speak!"
The soldier cried in panic: "Help, Vice Commander! I can't hold her back much longer!"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger pushed the door open and rushed over to intervene, pulling apart the one-sided violence while scolding: "What are you doing? No infighting! Liliana, let go! Enough already! Is this useful? Ever heard 'a dead pig fears no scalding water'?"
Liliana gritted her teeth and shook off Hundred Meter Flying Dagger's hand, stepping back to release the person pinned against the table.
Maxwell stood up, disheveled hair hanging over his forehead. He touched the bruise on his lip, remaining silent.
Liliana snorted loudly before storming out, angrily kicking the door shut with a loud bang.
Everyone in the room flinched.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger forced a laugh: "See? Still handling things like cavemen. But Mr. Maxwell, don't worry. She's just venting—your safety will still be protected. I'm sure you understand her anger—after all, it's Alliance soldiers dying on the frontlines, no?"
He patted Maxwell's shoulder: "Though our nationalities differ, our ultimate goal is the same—peace. So let's show some mutual trust. Next time, please don't interfere with Alliance strategies—leave professional matters to professionals."
Maxwell said: "Of course. But please also value Gelen's assets. Since Gelen has paid sufficient mech leasing fees to the Alliance, please fulfill your responsibilities rather than using Gelen's resources to threaten others for easier escape."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "Hence I say—mutual trust. There's no war without sacrifice—including wealth, technology, and people. But people are always most precious. We're prepared to sacrifice, not that we don't fear death. The Alliance and your side lack favorable timing and terrain—already stretched thin. If things worsen, giving the enemy openings, forget one research institute—all of Gelen could be lost. I sincerely say—even in the Alliance, we'd make the same decision."
Maxwell adjusted his collar.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger extended a hand: "Having chosen to trust us, you can only continue trusting us. So no more tricks. Mr. Maxwell, we're also the ones shielding you from parliamentary pressure—hope you understand."
Maxwell looked at his hand, exhaled deeply, and finally shook it.
After staring at the disconnected optical computer, Lian Sheng finally put on her jacket and headed toward Zhou Shirui's room.
At this stage, even without explicit statements, she could sense it.
The Alliance choosing District Sixteen as the rescue team's landing point meant they believed the intel about Barite being there.
If this intel proved true, then District Sixteen had already changed hands—hardly a suitable landing point.
Landing there meant declaring war.
That such a risky move was ordered without final confirmation—what did it mean? That the Alliance military's situation was dire, forcing them to pin greater hopes on this side to turn the tide.
The hallway's yellow lights cast Lian Sheng's elongated shadow on the door. Head lowered, her bangs obscured most of her vision.
She raised a hand to gather her hair, tying it up.
Zhou Shirui opened the door for her.
Lian Sheng looked up and asked: "Have the mech access codes been cracked yet?"
Comments
Post a Comment