Commander Tian did not delay. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he organized a brief report and headed for the Upper Capital center.
At that moment, in the central conference hall of Upper Capital.
The upper echelons were holding a national strategic security meeting.
Presiding over the meeting was an imposing elderly man, the stars on his shoulders gleaming under the lights.
In a steady voice, he explained the current border situation to the attendees:
"...White Elephant Country is stirring up trouble on the western front again. Same old problem.
Those vague, unclear lines John Bull drew, those landmines they buried back then.
They treat them like family heirlooms and insist we acknowledge them."
There was a trace of icy mockery in the old man's tone.
"It wasn't as if we never gave them a chance. Back when we were tightening our belts, we considered letting things go.
We even considered giving a little ground in exchange for time to develop peacefully.
And what did we get? They kept pushing their luck."
He brought up a projection displaying a complicated terrain map and markers showing both sides' positions.
"Later, we seized an opportunity and taught them a hard lesson, breaking the hand they had stretched over.
Afterward, we even voluntarily withdrew twenty kilometers.
That was a gesture of sincerity, and it bought us decades of relative peace.
But now!!!"
The old man tapped the table, his gaze sharp.
"Who knows where they got this mistaken confidence.
Maybe they think our main strategic direction has us tied down, that they can do it again, that they're itching for another beating.
If they want to test our bottom line, then we'll make sure they never return!"
The conference room fell silent, filled only with the grave breathing of senior generals and strategists.
"The current situation is delicate." Number One spoke at that moment.
"Our contest with Bald Eagle has reached a critical stage, and all of Blue Star is watching.
For White Elephant to stir up trouble at a time like this, it is hard to say there are no other forces behind them.
Our principle is this: we must never show strategic weakness, and we will not yield an inch of territorial sovereignty.
But on the other hand, we must also be extremely cautious and cannot fire the first shot lightly.
We cannot give the other side or international public opinion any excuse to escalate a local friction.
That would disrupt the rhythm of our primary strategic plan.
Our main spearhead must remain firmly aimed at Bald Eagle.
The trouble on the western front must be resolved, but it must be resolved in a special way—fast, precise, and ruthless.
And we have to hurt them so badly that they cannot even complain!"
That was the dilemma. They needed a powerful countermeasure, yet could not use conventional military methods that would easily leave them open to criticism.
Just then, there was a light knock on the conference room door. After receiving permission, Commander Tian strode in.
He could feel the heavy pressure filling the air, and he gripped the report in his hand tightly.
At that moment, it seemed to weigh a thousand tons.
"Chiefs, leaders, apologies for interrupting the meeting." Commander Tian stood at attention and saluted, his voice ringing clear.
"A core subproject of the Dragon City Plan has just made a breakthrough. I have an urgent matter to report!"
Every gaze in the room instantly focused on him.
The elderly Number One's eyes flashed like lightning. "Speak!"
Commander Tian swiftly presented the report in his hand while delivering the briefing in the most concise terms possible:
"Twelve soldiers who voluntarily participated in the Chakra Substrate human compatibility experiment.
All completed the substrate infusion two hours ago.
They endured pain far beyond ordinary human limits, relying on astonishing willpower.
They successfully survived the process of cellular assimilation and energy-system reconstruction!
All their vital signs are currently stable, and monitoring data confirms it.
They have successfully established stable, self-regenerating Chakra energy circulation systems within their bodies!
I repeat, the experiment has succeeded! We now possess the first batch of soldiers who wield supernatural energy from another world!"
"What?!" A suppressed cry of alarm rose from the conference room.
Even the powerful figures present, who had seen countless storms, were shaken by this news.
The elderly Number One abruptly rose to his feet, took the report, and swiftly scanned the key data and conclusions.
Without asking about the details, he went straight to the most essential intelligence.
"What is the current condition of the successful soldiers? Their ability assessment? Can they form combat capability? How soon?"
Commander Tian had prepared for this. "The soldiers are undergoing thorough examinations and restorative adjustment.
They are expected to recover basic mobility within twenty-four hours.
The First-Generation Chakra Source favors stability and adaptability.
The basic abilities it grants include, but are not limited to, physical qualities beyond ordinary humans.
Preliminary Chakra perception, as well as techniques for applying certain basic Chakra abilities.
As for how long it will take to form combat capability..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the map of the tense border situation displayed on the conference room screen.
A bold thought, nearly insane in its audacity, took shape in an instant.
His voice suddenly rose, carrying the sharpness of a man willing to stake everything:
"Chief! I believe we do not need to wait for them to become fully familiar with all their abilities!
What they possess now is already an unprecedented, overwhelming advantage!
Doesn't White Elephant think we would not dare act in a conventional standoff?
Don't they want to skirt the line, play little tricks, and seize advantages?"
He pointed at the sensitive disputed area on the map, his tone decisive:
"Please approve the immediate formation of an ultra-classified special reaction detachment centered around these twelve soldiers.
Codename... Thunderbolt! They will not need to carry firearms.
They will only be equipped with specially made cold weapons.
Using the superhuman mountain traversal, stealth, endurance, and close-range assault abilities they have just acquired.
Under absolute secrecy, they will advance to the disputed front line and even... cross the line of actual control!"
The conference room was so quiet that a needle drop could be heard. Everyone was drawn in by this audacious proposal.
Commander Tian continued outlining his plan, speaking faster:
"Their mission will not be large-scale combat, but targeted elimination and deterrence!
They will specifically target White Elephant's most arrogant and active frontier outpost commanders, those constantly creating incidents.
The backbone of special patrol teams, as well as provocateurs, and eliminate them with precision.
Furthermore, throughout the entire process, there will not be a single gunshot, nor will any evidence of our standard-issue weapons be left behind!
They can suffer in silence and cry to the international community, but without evidence, people will only see it as an excuse for their failure!"
This plan perfectly matched the upper echelon's core demand: they needed retaliation and deterrence, but could not leave themselves exposed to criticism!
The elderly Number One said nothing. With his hands behind his back, he slowly walked toward the massive situation map, his gaze fixed on that plateau.
The entire conference room was silent as death, waiting for a decision.
After a full minute, the elderly Number One abruptly turned around, with not a trace of hesitation left in his eyes.
"Good! The Dragon City Plan has earned merit!"
"Tian Zhiguo!"
"Here!"
"In the name of the Supreme Strategic Security Committee, I approve your proposal!
The Thunderbolt Detachment will be secretly formed at once, with the military assuming full responsibility for its direct command!
You are granted the highest operational authority! Remember," the old man said, enunciating every word.
"I do not want some minor skirmish. I want a thorough operation!
I want to hit them so hard that for the next ten years, they will not dare cast another glance in that direction!
Then we will concentrate all our efforts on dealing with Bald Eagle!"
"Mission guaranteed!"
Commander Tian straightened his back, the hand holding his salute trembling slightly with excitement.
The Dragon City Plan's first test in actual combat.
The battle was about to begin!