Chapter 143
"He paid too high a price for a country that did not love him. It was more than just unfortunate; it was utterly pointless bloodshed."
"If Joseph's sacrifice was greater than that of Mount McKinley, he was a pioneer who forged ahead, fighting on the right path..."
Glancing at Vera, Ains said with a self-deprecating smile, "Then Will's death is like the withered leaves here."
After speaking, he closed his eyes, squatted down, and gently stroked the monument. Unconsciously, he revealed an expression of pain and sadness, as if he were recalling the bits and pieces with his son, a mixture of emotions.
Vera declined to comment.
Keep your eyes focused on your nose, and your nose focused on your heart, quietly waiting for the tomb sweeping to end.
Not long after, Ains stood up and quickly composed himself, the effect of which made it impossible to tell whether he was acting or genuine.
He had recovered, with his signature sharp, resolute, cunning expression, as if everything was under his control.
"Let's go, Vera. The time for sentimentality is over. Now, it's time to continue the fight."
Ains said. They didn't discuss Will and Joseph anymore; they'd both been dead for at least four years, and the mental preparation was well-intentioned. The conversation flowed smoothly between Vera and Ains; they were discussing business.
"Twelve hours ago, KVA launched a surprise attack on a nuclear power plant in Eastern Europe."
As she spoke, Vera pulled out a thin PDA tablet from inside her coat, passed the identity verification, entered the Atlas intranet, and calmly got into her role.
"I have said before that once a ground-based nuclear power plant is built, it will become a tactical target and a potential threat."
When it came to serious matters, Ains became serious.
"Back in 2048, I submitted a report to the Pentagon, briefing the Secretary of Defense on the security risks, but I guess they didn't like our findings because they burned the report. The reason they're putting us in charge of security now is just to shut us up."
He first expressed his correct judgment and mocked the Pentagon, then changed his tone and became sharp.
"Not surprising at all."
Vera, observing the situation, shrugged.
"Helpless government officials from Eastern Europe have come to us for help; reconstruction contracts for the Baltic states are already on your desk..."
"The contract is only one aspect; that's not why I took the job."
Leaving the cemetery, Ains stopped in front of the black SUV, turned to the side, and looked intently at Vera, his tone admonishing.
"I signed this contract because Atlas wants to deliver the best returns for all taxpayers."
He paused here, straightened his posture, and spoke with extreme solemnity.
"Vera, you are the most outstanding leader of the next generation of Atlas. Inviting you to join Atlas may be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Bionic Prosthetics, nuclear reactor miniaturization, nuclear radiation prevention, iterative Intelligent Control Technology... you have achieved one remarkable achievement after another. You deserve to be on the Board of Directors. The opportunities you have brought to Atlas are unprecedented. For this, I am full of gratitude."
With a sigh, Ains stepped forward and patted Vera's shoulder affectionately yet with a sense of distance.
"Atlas will be proud of you."
"It is my honor, Mr. Ains."
Vera expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
"I believe that a better world, a world where kind people can develop and prosper without fear, will one day come true."
Mutual flattery in business.
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Ains smiled with relief and changed the subject.
"The final inspection and completion of the New Baghdad headquarters is now in your hands. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it will look like in the future."
"Please wait and see."
Vera spoke with pride.
Ains smiled without saying a word.
Thump, thump.
Before getting into the car and leaving under the escort of bodyguards, Ains seemed to remember something and glanced at Vera again. "Vera, stop by the San Bernardino military station in California on the way. A good horse needs a good saddle. Our great lads have been having some trouble lately."
"A leader should not limit his vision to one corner."
After Ains finished speaking those meaningful words, click, the car door closed, and... hum... hum...
The vehicle started and drove away.
Vera stopped smiling, walked towards her convoy of bodyguards, got in the car, rested her chin on her hand and sat in the back seat, her expression returning to its usual calm and composed demeanor.
Leader?
She knows.
Ains is just making empty promises.
Some time ago, at Board of Directors, she announced that she would contribute her technology and management expertise to become a shareholder. Coupled with their teacher-student relationship, rumors circulated that after losing his only biological son, Ains had chosen Vera as his successor and was conducting due diligence.
Vera was not greatly affected by this.
Compared to Arasaka, Atlas's side is indeed much more 'relaxed'.
Heir?
For Ains, the founder, chairman, and CEO, it was just a matter of changing his mind with a single sentence.
Ains's overtures were likely an attempt to secure her loyalty to Atlas.
With the KVA, an anti-technology terrorist organization, launching large-scale attacks on global energy facilities, especially nuclear power facilities, Vera, who recently led Atlas researchers to work overtime to develop nuclear reactor miniaturization and nuclear radiation prevention technology in response to the situation, is all the more precious and outstanding.
Nuclear reactor miniaturization technology is already widespread in the Cyberpunk, and Arasaka is a leading figure in it.
This technology is undoubtedly tightly controlled by all parties, but that's only for the lower and middle classes. For high-level figures like Vera, the restrictions are negligible.
For example, Kurt Hansen, when he led his troops to rebel against NUSA and occupy Dogtown in Pacifica, shot down a nuclear-powered cargo airship of the New America. The airship crashed in the EBM Petrochemical Stadium in the center of Dogtown, and its nuclear-powered engine was restarted by Hansen, so that Dogtown no longer needed external energy supply.
Vera may not be able to make a nuclear reactor the size of Iron Man's fist.
However, compared to conventional nuclear power plants around the world that require building massive hyperbolic cooling towers hundreds of meters high, the advantages of miniaturization are significant.
This is the beauty of interconnectedness across all worlds, and the integration of knowledge and technology.
Each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Unless the difference in civilization level is too great.
But those 'good lads' are the real problem.
With a thoughtful expression, Vera tapped her PDA tablet, and the search engine displayed the list of Atlas' elite counter-terrorism team resting at the San Bernardino military post in California.
Gideon Emory.
Ilona.
And, "Jackie Mitchell".
Vera turned her gaze to his half-body photograph.
With black hair and blue eyes, dressed in camouflage training uniform, he has a strong, angular, and resolute face, a thick beard, and messy short hair, with eyes that seem to reveal a hint of melancholy. His left arm is a specially marked prosthetic.
Sure enough, he was there.
Ains was the comrade-in-arms of his own son, who had died for his country.
Vera realized something.
She had met Mitchell a few times, but they had hardly ever spoken. One was a frontline counter-terrorism mercenary, and the other was a senior executive conducting research at a rear base, or perhaps someone who chaired and spoke at company management meetings; their work fields were completely unrelated.
Beep, checking the files.
His file is very complete.
This includes his experience of being discharged from the USA Marine Corps in 2054 due to injury and disability, and then being personally invited by Ains to join Atlas.
Her complete resume was also presented to Vera.
[#2054/7/10, South Korea-Seoul—North-South Korean conflict; Airborne operation, infiltration and clearing of the Epsilon Landing Zone, participation in the destruction of the Destroyer Missile Launch Platform, retired due to injuries after the war]
[#2055/3/7, West Africa - Lagos - Rescue Operation; Nigerian Prime Minister Samuel Arroyo successfully rescued from captivity]
[#2055/3/25, East Africa-Somali - Counter-terrorism Operation; Killing Gulf of Aden Pirate Leader Evoya, and successfully rescuing hostages from various countries held in Mogadishu]
[#2055/4/28, Washington State - Seattle - Counter-nuclear attack operation; Vikola Pacific Nuclear Reactor terrorist attack, failed...]
[#2055/8/5, Michigan-Detroit—Counter-nuclear attack operation; failed...]
Although the completion rate was not very impressive, with more than one failed operation, the enemy was the KVA organization, which specializes in attacking nuclear power plants. Not to mention Atlas, military and political entities around the world have suffered heavy losses at its hands.
Its gold content has skyrocketed.
Clicking on their feedback revealed a scattered range of issues, encompassing the logistical support and logistical needs required for tactical operations.
Nuclear radiation protection.
Anti-EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse).
EXO's exoskeleton is based on the life support system.
And Mitchell's requirements for adaptability adjustments and enhanced tactical capabilities of the prosthesis.
Adjusting a prosthesis?
Strengthen tactical capabilities?
Vera's first reaction was. "There's a chance."
The second reaction was. "Leave a backdoor."
The third reaction was. "Isn't this an excellent platform for showcasing our work?"
They will definitely prioritize installing those with more visually appealing and cooler effects, such as Mantis Blades and Projectile Launch System.
That's right, Vera decided to further enhance Mitchell.
Whether to presume innocence or to presume guilt is the question.
She possessed a 'future vision' that couldn't be shared with outsiders. Naturally, she knew that Mitchell might betray Atlas and betray Ains in the future, but at least for now, he was still one of Atlas's propaganda mouthpieces and the face of counter-terrorism.
He is Ains's godson because he loves Irons so much.
Vera will be wary of him, keeping backup plans and secrets, but she won't openly try to kill him.
At the same time, she also wanted to see what choices he would make under the butterfly effect after his ties with his former employer (USA Marin) were severed.
"Notify the airport to correct the flight path and destination: San Bernardino Military Station, California."
I have learned from the scolding and the lesson. I promise this is the last time. From now on, I will only send out what I have prepared properly. I will prepare everything first and then send it out. Whether I have perfect attendance or not is irrelevant.
~~~~~
143
Chapter 143 The Atlas Armed Forces Under Vera's Influence
Tap, tap.
A strong wind, mixed with drizzle, lashed against the irregular, multifaceted metal facade bearing the white and red nested Atlas 'Λ' arrow logo.
The holiday villas are nestled in the rainforest, surrounded by lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and shimmering ponds—a damp, pristine, and complex environment.
Suddenly, boom!
After a muffled clap of thunder, lightning once again turned the evening sky a ghastly white.
The irregular polyhedral metal facade is tilted to the side, revealing its full appearance.
It was a Bal-27 assault rifle with a long silencer barrel.
It was being held in someone's hand, raindrops fell, hitting the gun and splashing water.
After a fleeting flash of lightning, the sky darkened again. In the rain, there was the faint sound of military boots treading on the muddy ground, mixed with the metallic scraping of machine gun handles and magazine locks. Several dark human figures were advancing in skirmish lines.
"Watch out for landmines and tripwires. Avoid the cameras. There are sentry machine guns..."
Upon hearing the message relayed by the scout on the other end of the communication line, the man wearing a knitted hat calmly and deftly approached the edge of the villa, crouching in the corner. Then, he raised his hand and waved to indicate that he was in position.
This man was dressed in jungle camouflage combat gear, with an EXO exoskeleton jacket, rugged features, a sallow beard, and a Commonwealth Union Jack tattoo on his right neck. He exuded a sense of vicissitude and war.
Undoubtedly, he is a veteran.