Chapter 135
"Ah--!"
Amid the commotion, a pedestrian suddenly screamed.
There were gunshots.
Da da da.
The flying bullets hit the clean white wall, exploding into flying gray and white debris.
After a few seconds of shaky camera work, a car speeding at full speed crashed violently into the club lobby. Boom! Flames, blindingly hot, shattered the doors and windows with the impact of the explosion, releasing a surge of heat.
Pedestrians on the street were knocked to the ground by the blast wave, their faces filled with fear.
At the epicenter of the explosion, in the collapsed building and the shattered hall, a crimson mist of blood filled the air, with splattered bloodstains and tissue fragments, all of which were heavily pixelated.
In the corner of the picture.
Whoosh~
The falling debris and gravel, along with the spray of sewage from the broken underground water pipes, cast a dim shadow over the bust of the beautiful woman on the fluorescent billboard.
It was as if she wasn't so virtuous anymore.
The camera stops and zooms out.
"At 4 p. m. on April 23, a vicious suicide car bomb attack occurred at a high-end golf club in the suburbs of New York. It is reported that the Federal Trade Commission commissioner, who advocates for a more aggressive counterterrorism policy, and several Wall Street elites had recently arrived there, possibly for social networking activities related to the bill..."
In front of the camera, the San Francisco Chronicle online news anchor, sitting upright at the broadcasting desk, spoke with a serious expression.
"Our reporters have arrived on the scene. The exact number of casualties is still under investigation, but multiple think tanks and commentators have stated that this was a premeditated assassination. This is the sixth such attack targeting a public official since Gekka..."
The broadcast was proceeding smoothly, but the host's gaze shifted elsewhere, as if a new, urgent news had arrived.
A few seconds later, the host looked up again and faced the camera.
"Just now, in Central Asia, the Islamic group Qaeda (al-Qaeda), which operates in the Middle East, claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel."
Didi, [#2002/4/23, 11:36 AM]
Militech Flight 001.
CEO's Front Office.
"That's quite a nice way to die."
The blue light illuminated Vera's face, revealing a cool elegance tinged with a hint of smugness. Leaning back in her executive chair, one hand resting on the table, she quietly watched the information being updated in real time on the holographic screen.
The report, which includes both internal and external data, outlines the operations and results of the MSS (Militech rapid response security unit, starting from early April.
#2002/4/13.
A moment of silence has passed away; the Respected Senate DP Leader has passed away.
"... Due to old age and poor health, the Deputy Speaker unfortunately choked on an apple piece while having dinner at home last night, lost consciousness, and fell. This caused extensive damage to his brain and vital organs due to lack of oxygen. He passed away despite all efforts to save him. In these times of turmoil and counter-terrorism, we have lost an important elder."
—The Washington Post.
#4/15.
Oppose patent barriers, oppose high-tech trusts of the new century!
"Warning! Be wary of the expansion of Militech by Trust Giant Corporations..."
—The Wall Street Journal.
#4/18.
Beware of a new wave of discrimination and prejudice.
"A member of parliament of color who has publicly criticized the meritocratic hiring policies of Silicon Valley High-Tech Group Corporations, led by Militech companies, accused military technology companies of deliberately ignoring inequality, called for more diverse changes and appropriate preferential treatment, and advocated for increased investment in environmental protection and animal rights, lamented on social media that he had received death threats."
—Black Society.
#4/21.
A Mysterious Death!
"Is this a conspiracy? The successive deaths of the Director of the Antitrust Bureau, who is responsible for enforcing various antitrust laws, and a key member of the Federal Trade Commission, are they related to the growing and rapidly expanding high-tech monopolies, such as those in Militech, that have emerged in the 21st century?"
—An obscure, third-rate website that focuses on insider politics.
#4/22.
Another terrorist attack! What's wrong with security in the USA? This is terrorism's provocation against the free world! Join us in defeating any hostile acts against the USA and the USA people, and bringing these criminals to justice!
—The Pentagon Recruiting Office.
"Ms. Vera Adelheid Russell, CEO of Military Science, has arrived at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan."
—Los Angeles Times.
When a person dies, their policies cease; the dead don't have time to launch investigations or votes.
It should be said that the MSS unit's "pest control operation" was remarkably effective.
This was not unexpected for Vera.
MSS, or USS.
He was once Umbrella's top enforcer.
The infamous 'Grim Reaper' Hank is one of them.
During the Umbrella era, in addition to serving as an elite biological disaster response force, the USS also played the role of the company's 'executioner,' with the mission of protecting the employer's property or destroying evidence that was detrimental to the employer.
After the fall of Umbrella, the 'legitimate spiritual successor' Vera incorporated them, and after mixing them with elements of the CCCP KGB- style obedience to authority, they were reformed and expanded.
It is now Vera's personal armed force.
They have the same rank and benefits as the elite unit in MSF's security forces— the MaxTac.
The only difference is that the MSF is better at assaults and large-scale multi-unit coordinated operations, while the MSS specializes in intelligence gathering, sabotage behind enemy lines, and squad-based Decapitation Strike.
Tasks like assassinating political enemies, creating coincidences, and causing accidental deaths are things the latter are very familiar with and can be done with ease.
Especially with the military research institute providing weaponry support that surpasses its contemporaries and efficient strategic and tactical intelligence support capabilities, it is even more powerful.
For example, this attack on the Federal Trade Commission.
After rectification, MSS, which had acquired some of the genes of the former CCCP KGB, delivered a report card that even Vera found quite amazing.
Following the 9/11 Incident, the USA's global war on terror inflicted heavy losses on many extremist groups in the Middle East and Central Asia. Naturally, they would not sit idly by and would retaliate.
Vera and Junko are also on their sanctions list.
Beginning in late 2001, Militech Security forces in the San Francisco Bay Area arrested and killed more than ten criminals of Middle East Eastern descent who intended to attack military institutions.
MSS used this opportunity to capture a new batch of assassins they had sent to North America to create panic, utilizing the military's surveillance and intelligence networks.
Using the military science's channels at the top, they easily tracked down the whereabouts of the enemies on Capitol Hill who were preparing to harm the military science. Taking advantage of their gathering at the golf club, they timed it perfectly and put the unconscious assassin into a pre-prepared remote-controlled bomb car.
And then, here we go!
Moreover, that trade committee member happens to be a strong Hawks in the USA's war on terror, a politician who is closer to established military companies, and has repeatedly called on Congress to immediately pass a bill to increase military spending in his speeches.
The fact that such people are killed in retaliation by extremist organizations is logically self-consistent and closed.
However, "It's time to stop."
Pat, pat.
Vera made this judgment by tapping the table with her index finger.
It is important to know that too much of a good thing can be bad.
In less than a month.
Previously, the Director of the Antitrust Bureau died tragically in a police shooting incident; a senior senator leader who was hostile to Vera died unexpectedly due to a trivial matter in his life; and a member of the Trade Committee who intended to launch an antitrust investigation into Militech died in retaliation by an extremist group.
Later, a member of the public who criticized Militech received death threats at home, and a Wall Street elite committed suicide at home due to career setbacks...
Although MSS has done a good job of self-deprecation and reversing the role, it is a mix of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, and a chaotic mess.
Some deaths were faked due to external factors, while others were faked due to their own internal causes.
Some assassinations were successful, while others were deliberately attempted but failed.
They even secretly opened back doors to allow operatives from Middle East extremist groups to infiltrate the communities where certain members of parliament lived, letting bullets fly past their heads to scare them, then having local police engage in a gunfight with them, with Militech Security finally making their appearance to assist in killing and arresting the terrorists.
The methods employed were indiscriminate, completely unrelated, illogical, and random.
However, it is true that some giant enterprises such as military science and technology have profited from this, and that some of the deceased were, to varying degrees, preparing to deal with Vera in the past or in the future.
Especially after this suicide attack, which caused quite a stir, even if the White House is slow to react or concerned about its image, it should have imposed a nationwide curfew. Continuing to defy the rules would be too arrogant and conspicuous.
Okay, sneak into the village quietly, don't fire.
As the news anchor rattled off the latest car bomb incident, Vera shook her head, looked away from the screen and out the window. The plane was already descending and about to land under the guidance of the control tower. Lost in thought, her mind wandered to other things.
"..."
During the slight tremor at the moment of landing, Vera looked up and dialed an encrypted channel.
Putting aside any subsequent plans, she first needs to give those who have made contributions appropriate rewards and compensation.
"Good job, Hank, Rupert, Nicholai. Collect your pay and bonuses and head to the Alaska Cadre Resort. I won't bother you any longer. Have a great vacation, my capable MSS."
[Alpha Squad] Hank: Received.
[Delta Squad] Rupert: Thank you, Boss.
[Beta Squad] Nicholai: Yes.
They replied almost instantly.
With a grin, Vera cut off the communication, stood up, and looked through the one-way window. The special plane had already come to a stop with the help of the US military base's aircraft tow truck. Outside, a large group of people stood by the passenger boarding bridge.
Thump, thump.
"Please come in."
Squeak~
"Madam, we've arrived. The generals are waiting for you."
A security guard pushed open the door and whispered a reminder.
Vera nodded, and before leaving her seat, she subtly tapped a key on the touchscreen, sending a signal.
A faint blue light flickers before the screen goes out.
[Received]
[Recipient: Counter-Intelligence Department the Military Science and Technology Bureau [Top Encryption]]
How to effectively clear oneself of suspicion?
A: To portray oneself as a victim, just like the deceased.
A good plan is never too old.
As for why she was alright?
Because you'll be protected by a top-tier military-grade cybernetic bodyguard team!
Wealthy individuals and political figures, are you tempted? Then hurry and place your order with Military Science! The top-tier security team will protect you and your family from terrorist attacks. Limited quantities available, first come, first served!
However, let's sell missiles first.
After adjusting the Militech LOGO Brooch on her collar, Vera stepped out of the front office.
One side of the runway.
Chris, Jill, Brad, and other BSAA employees stood to one side, watching the massive twin-engine wide-body Boeing 777 Private Jet, heavily customized with the Military Science logo on its tail, land.
"This pomp and circumstance is almost on par with that of the president..."