Chapter Summaries

The Police Force launched a planned ambush against a mercenary squad approaching the North District dangerous goods depot, while Customs remained unaware of the danger. Ling Jing shot down the squad’s helicopter, and the mercenaries were trapped under fire as the fight continued.

• Kong Chi Lap learned that the mercenaries were nearing the depot and ordered the operation to begin, with Pang Yik-hang directing the assault teams.
• The mercenary squad approached the warehouse in a dump truck, pickup, and helicopter while Customs inspected the arms shipment inside.
• Ling Jing fired an armor-piercing round that disabled the helicopter as the Police Force closed in from all sides.
• Customs’ Marine Operations Team took cover inside the warehouse and requested support, unsure who was fighting outside.
• The police quickly wiped out the mercenaries in the pickup, while those in the dump truck’s bed remained pinned behind its steel plates.

Pang Yik-hang’s forces overwhelmed the mercenaries at the Maritime Warehouse and took six survivors into custody. As senior Police Force officers approached, Customs official Siu Nga-ying came out to demand a briefing from Pang.

• Pang Yik-hang ordered the surrounded mercenaries to surrender, and six survivors threw down their weapons and raised their hands.
• Pang instructed the mercenaries to climb down and lie facedown, then the Assault Team moved in to arrest them.
• Pang reported that the scene was under control, and Kong Chi Lap said he and other senior Police Force officers were on their way.
• Siu Nga-ying, head of Customs’ Intelligence and Investigation Division, approached Pang with Marine Operations Team escorts and demanded an immediate briefing.
• Siu looked down on Pang because he held the lower rank of Senior Superintendent.

Pang Yik-hang invoked the National Security Department’s authority to investigate Customs personnel after mercenaries attacked a government warehouse, forcing Siu Nga-ying to abandon her arrogant stance and offer cooperation. He refused her request to let the Customs officers keep their weapons and insisted that the police would conduct the screening.

• Siu Nga-ying demanded that Pang Yik-hang cooperate with Customs because the case involved confidential information.
• Pang Yik-hang accused Customs negligence of allowing mercenaries into Hong Kong and ordered Siu Nga-ying and her personnel to surrender their weapons for a National Security Department investigation.
• Pang Yik-hang identified himself as a Senior Superintendent in the National Security Department, prompting Siu Nga-ying to recognize his connection to Sir Kwan and change her attitude.
• Siu Nga-ying apologized, promised cooperation, vouched for her personnel, and asked that they be allowed to keep their weapons.
• Pang Yik-hang rejected her request and said the Police Force would determine whether anyone at the scene was implicated.

Pang Yik-hang had Customs personnel at the warehouse disarmed and detained for investigation after suspecting a mole had helped the mercenaries infiltrate Hong Kong. Kong Chi Lap backed his decision and ordered the Customs officers taken to Tai Kwun for questioning, leaving the investigation to proceed.

• Pang Yik-hang ordered Guan Zu and the T Group operatives to secure the Customs personnel’s weapons.
• Siu Nga-ying asked Pang Yik-hang for permission to call her Big Sir and report the situation, and he allowed her to do so.
• Pang Yik-hang explained to Kong Chi Lap that he had secured the Customs personnel because he suspected a mole within Customs.
• Kong Chi Lap supported Pang Yik-hang’s actions and said the Customs officers should be invited to Tai Kwun for questioning.

The Police Force secured the warehouse, took charge of the surviving mercenaries and Customs personnel, and prepared to handle the arms case. Siu Nga-ying arranged for Commissioner Chan Wing-kan to meet Kong Chi Lap, while Kong refused to promise the Thai Interpol officers that the stolen weapons would be returned.

• Chan Wing Yan assigned Mobile Unit reserves to guard the warehouse as the Police Force took over security.
• He Wenzhan took command from Pang Yik-hang and escorted the surviving mercenaries and Customs personnel to Tai Kwun, while Kung Ka-pui arranged the Criminal Intelligence Bureau's withdrawal.
• Siu Nga-ying asked Kong Chi Lap to meet Commissioner Chan Wing-kan at Tai Kwun, and Kong agreed.
• A Thai Interpol officer told Kong Chi Lap that the weapons had been stolen from the Thai military and asked when they could retrieve them.
• Kong Chi Lap said the weapons were evidence and directed the Thai side to contact the International Affairs Department, then firmly reminded the officer that the case was in Hong Kong Island.

Kong Chi Lap stopped Thai Interpol officers from taking the smuggled arms out of Hong Kong and organized the investigation into the case. After returning to Tai Kwun, he prepared to discuss the operation with Customs Commissioner Chan Wing-kan.

• Kong Chi Lap rejected the Thai officers’ demand to transport the arms, insisting they stay in Hong Kong until the investigation was complete.
• The Thai officers agreed to cooperate, and Kong Chi Lap split the team: Chan Wing Yan stayed to handle follow-up at the warehouse, while the others brought the mercenaries and Customs personnel to Tai Kwun.
• Kong Chi Lap assigned Lau Bo-keung to investigate Customs personnel and He Wenzhan to track arms broker Doctor Luo.
• Kong Chi Lap returned to Tai Kwun and found Chan Wing-kan waiting with Luo Danian, who stepped aside so they could discuss the operation.

Kong Chi Lap took charge of the arms-smuggling case, and Chan Wing-kan agreed that Customs could not handle the armed criminals alone. Chan offered Customs' cooperation with the National Security Department's investigation and proposed Kwok Tsz-keung as a vetted contact to help investigate the smuggling network and purge Customs.

• Kong Chi Lap told Chan Wing-kan that the National Security Department would take over the arms-smuggling case.
• Chan Wing-kan agreed to hand over the case, citing the criminals' firepower and Customs' internal problems.
• Chan explained that he wanted the National Security Department's investigation to remain confined to its department and hoped Customs could actively cooperate.
• Chan offered Kwok Tsz-keung's knowledge of shipping companies to help trace the smuggling network.
• Chan recommended that Kong Chi Lap vet Kwok Tsz-keung first, describing him as flawed in character but capable and loyal.

Kong Chi Lap agreed to have the Political Investigation Department scrutinize Kwok Tsz-keung and arrange his secondment to the National Security Department. After his loyalty was confirmed, Kwok joined the joint operation briefing and offered Customs’ help with the L Arms Case and internal investigations.

• Kong Chi Lap promised Chan Wing-kan that Kwok Tsz-keung’s background would receive particular scrutiny and that the National Security Department would issue a secondment letter barring any surprises.
• Chan Wing-kan thanked Kong Chi Lap and returned to Customs Headquarters to brief Kwok Tsz-keung on the operation.
• The National Security Department confirmed Kwok Tsz-keung’s loyalty, faxed an official secondment letter to Customs Headquarters, and Kwok went to join the joint operation.
• Kong Chi Lap introduced Kwok Tsz-keung at the mobilization meeting, where Kwok offered his knowledge of Hong Kong Island’s shipping companies and Customs’ internal affairs to support the investigation and personnel screening.

Kong Chi Lap assigned the Police Force and Customs to investigate the L arms-smuggling case and audit Customs. Kwok Tsz-keung presented evidence linking the shipping company KCS to the suspected smuggling route, and Kong ordered the teams to act on the leads.

• Kwok Tsz-keung attended the joint meeting as Customs' representative and agreed that Customs would support the Police Force's National Security Department.
• Kong Chi Lap assigned He Wenzhan's team to investigate the L arms-trafficking group and Lau Bo-keung's team to audit and assess Customs.
• Kwok Tsz-keung reported that a KCS freighter had entered Hong Kong waters before Typhoon Haishen, remained there, and lost its AIS signal.
• Kwok Tsz-keung revealed that the vessel matched the specifications of the arms-smuggling vessel and that Customs had unusually few spot inspection reports on KCS.
• Kong Chi Lap praised Kwok Tsz-keung's leads and ordered He Wenzhan and Lau Bo-keung to coordinate with him and take action.

Kong Chi Lap presented Zhou Quan with a plan to use state witnesses and a seized smuggling ship to lure arms broker Doctor Luo into Hong Kong Island. Zhou Quan approved the operation and assigned several Police Force units to Kong's command, leaving him ready to launch the sting.

• Kong Chi Lap reported that KCS had served as Doctor Luo's arms-smuggling hub and that its Gan father and son had detained a smuggling ship at the Rising Sun Shipyard.
• Kong Chi Lap explained that the Gan father and son and Customs senior superintendent Zhang Yunnan had agreed to become state witnesses, and proposed using their information to lure Doctor Luo into Hong Kong Island.
• Kong Chi Lap asked Zhou Quan for support, and Zhou Quan authorized the Marine Police, D Company of the Mobile Unit, and the Flying Tigers to serve under Kong's command.
• Zhou Quan stressed that the state witnesses needed protection, and Kong Chi Lap said Ah Sen's people would handle the Witness Protection Programme.
• Zhou Quan approved Kong Chi Lap's plan and sent him to begin the operation to capture Doctor Luo and dismantle his arms-smuggling syndicate.

Kong Chi Lap oversaw preparations for an operation against Doctor Luo’s arms network at Rising Sun Shipyard, with East Kowloon and Marine Police commanders assembling at the Sai Kung base. The officers confirmed their forces were in position and waiting for the criminals to enter the trap.

• Kong Chi Lap gathered senior officers at the Sai Kung Marine Police base to command the operation against Doctor Luo’s forces at Rising Sun Shipyard.
• Pang Yan Kin assembled East Kowloon commanders Chan Ka-kui and Chan Kwok Wing to report on their deployments.
• Chan Ka-kui confirmed Sai Kung officers were on standby and had received weapons from Tai Kwun.
• Chan Kwok Wing reported that D Company had replaced shipyard employees, concealed their identities, and prepared automatic weapons.
• The account noted that Guan Zu had advanced in the National Security Department and that Chan Kwok Wing’s career had continued to rise.

Kong Chi Lap coordinated the police operation against the L Arms Case, positioning forces on the Sai Kung mainland and at KCS’s Rising Sun Shipyard. With all units in place, he waited for Yeung Kam Wing to update him on State Witness Kam Wing’s cooperation in luring the criminals into the trap.

• Kong Chi Lap reviewed the danger at the Rising Sun Shipyard and confirmed that police were protecting KCS employees while preparing deployments on land and at the shipyard.
• Cheuk King-chuen reported that the Small Boat Unit could surround the shipyard within three minutes, and Chan Wing Yan confirmed that the PTU reserve companies and SDU were under He Wenzhan’s command.
• Kong Chi Lap ordered all operational personnel to connect to the National Security Department’s encrypted command system.
• He Wenzhan, Chan Ka-kui, Chan Kwok Wing, and Jing Jinxian reported their teams in position, with Jing Jinxian’s Paparazzi assigned to monitor possible criminal support on land.
• Kong Chi Lap contacted Yeung Kam Wing and Ying Cheung-sam, who were guarding State Witness Kam Wing at the Sai Kung Marine Police base; Yeung Kam Wing said he would provide an update shortly.

Kam Wing cooperated with the Police Force to draw Doctor Luo and her arms dealers into a trap at the Rising Sun Shipyard. After the Police Force tracked Doctor Luo to Tai Lam Tunnel Road, Kong Chi Lap monitored her approach while holding off on an operation in a busy area.

• Kam Wing applied to become a State Witness and helped the Police Force lure Doctor Luo’s forces onto Hong Kong Island.
• Kam Wing prepared to head to the Rising Sun Shipyard as the Police Force watched his movements and kept Doctor Luo’s mercenaries under surveillance.
• Yeung Chi-lung tracked Doctor Luo’s communications signal to Tai Lam Tunnel Road as she moved toward Sai Sha Road.
• Gao Qiu reported that the mercenaries had entered Tai Wong Chai Road and were heading for the Rising Sun Shipyard.
• Kong Chi Lap monitored Doctor Luo’s movements in the command center and delayed the operation because she was in a busy area and her group’s firepower was unknown.

Kong Chi Lap coordinated a Police Force operation to capture Doctor Luo’s arms dealers on land and pursue their covert group at sea. The land arrests succeeded without casualties, while He Wenzhan ordered his team to open fire on the armed men fleeing by speedboat.

• Kong Chi Lap tracked Doctor Luo’s vehicle toward Sai Sha Road as teams reported the mercenary squad approaching Rising Sun Shipyard and three speedboats heading toward it.
• Kong Chi Lap ordered all units to begin the operation.
• Jing Jinxian and Sai Kung officers stopped Doctor Luo’s vehicle, while Gao Qiu and Mobile Unit D Company blocked the mercenary squad at the shipyard.
• He Wenzhan led an assault team in pursuit of the three speedboats after confirming their occupants were armed mercenaries.
• He Wenzhan ordered all teams to fire at the fleeing speedboats.

Zhou Quan went to the Police College to attend Lee Family Ka-chun’s Inspector Class graduation and confer his rank, celebrating both the L arms-smuggling case’s success and Ka-chun’s entry into the officer ranks. The ceremony marked Ka-chun as the likely successor to the Police Force’s Lee Faction.

• Zhou Quan reflected on Kong Chi Lap’s successful operation against Doctor Luo’s arms-smuggling syndicate and the acclaim it brought the Police Force.
• Zhou Quan traveled from Tai Kwun to the Police College to attend Lee Family Ka-chun’s graduation after Ka-chun passed the Inspector Class recruitment and training.
• Lee Man-bun and Yin Xiaofeng accompanied Zhou Quan to the ceremony, with Lee Man-bun attending as Ka-chun’s father.
• Zhou Quan congratulated Lee Man-bun, and Yin Xiaofeng congratulated both senior leaders on having successors.
• The group recognized Lee Family Ka-chun as the likely heir to the Lee Faction, while Zhou Quan’s children were also seen as promising future Police Force leaders.

At Lee Family Ka-chun’s graduation ceremony, Zhou Quan presented Yiu Kong-nga with the Sir Fu Cup and reflected on how his connection to the young officer could change Yiu’s future. Zhou Quan then drove with Lee Family Ka-chun back to Tai Kwun and asked which department he wanted to join, considering how best to guide his career.

• Zhou Quan and Yin Xiaofeng attended the Police Academy passing-out ceremony, where Zhou Quan presented the Sir Fu Cup to top cadet Yiu Kong-nga.
• Zhou Quan recognized Yiu Kong-nga’s future troubles and resolved to remember the coming incident involving him and Cheung Tak Biu.
• After the ceremony, Zhou Quan had Lee Family Ka-chun drive them back to Tai Kwun and reflected on how Wong Bing Yiu had once guided him in a similar way.
• Zhou Quan asked Lee Family Ka-chun which department he wanted to join, while considering a posting in the Action Group of the National Security Department.

Lee Family Ka-chun chose to join the National Security Department, and Zhou Quan assigned him to learn under Guan Zu in T Group. After Wong Bing Yiu urgently summoned Zhou Quan to Tai Kwun, Zhou entered reception room No. 1 and found an unexpected visitor seated with Wong Bing Yiu.

• Lee Family Ka-chun asked to join the National Security Department for advanced training, and Zhou Quan told him to report to Ah Zu in T Group.
• Zhou Quan returned to Tai Kwun with Lee Family Ka-chun and planned to escort him to the department.
• Wong Bing Yiu called Zhou Quan and urgently ordered him to come to the top-floor reception room.
• Zhou Quan left Lee Family Ka-chun to find Guan Zu himself and hurried to reception room No. 1.
• Zhou Quan saw Wong Bing Yiu with a familiar visitor and entered the room.

Director Song An visited the Hong Kong Island Police Force to ask Zhou Quan for help with a secret plan involving Mainland China, South Korea, and North Korea. The plan was intended to respond to America’s influence in Northeast Asia, and Song An said the Police Force might be asked to assist.

• Zhou Quan wondered why Director Song An had come to Hong Kong Island, since he had received no sign that the Red Thief was active.
• Commissioner Wong Bing Yiu introduced Zhou Quan to Song An and then left them to discuss the mission.
• Song An asked Zhou Quan how he viewed relations between South Korea and North Korea, and Zhou Quan described their recent rapprochement.
• Song An explained that Mainland China had reached a consensus with both Koreas and launched a secret plan to counter America’s influence in Northeast Asia.
• Song An told Zhou Quan that the Hong Kong Island Police Force might need to cooperate with the plan.

Zhou Quan suspected the Red Thief nuclear-weapon case in his memories had been a staged operation, and Song An explained that Mainland China and the Two Koreas planned to fabricate a portable nuclear weapon scare to draw out America. Song An asked the Hong Kong Island Police Force to prepare to contain the supposed DC-8 if it arrived, while assuring Zhou Quan it would not threaten Hong Kong Island.

• Zhou Quan recalled the implausible response to the supposed nuclear threat in the Red Thief case and concluded that Equator Operations might have been staged by Mainland China.
• Zhou Quan told Song An that he and the Hong Kong Island Police Force would cooperate with Mainland China's operation.
• Song An explained that Mainland China and the Two Koreas planned to leak that they had jointly developed a portable super nuclear weapon called the DC-8.
• Song An said the plan aimed to provoke America into action and asked Zhou Quan to hold the DC-8 in Hong Kong Island if it appeared.
• Song An assured Zhou Quan that the DC-8 would not endanger Hong Kong Island's stability.

Song An briefed Zhou Quan on Mainland China's covert plan involving the supposed portable super nuclear weapon DC-8 and asked for Hong Kong Island's cooperation. Zhou Quan agreed to prepare the Hong Kong Island Police Force to secure DC-8 if it arrived, and began reviewing Song An's operational plan.

• Song An reasoned that Hong Kong Island was likely to become the plan's main battlefield and personally visited Zhou Quan to prepare him without alerting their enemies.
• Zhou Quan concluded that DC-8 was a smokescreen and promised to monitor developments involving the Two Koreas and prevent DC-8 from falling into anyone else's hands.
• Song An and Zhou Quan formally pledged their cooperation and shook hands.
• Song An handed Zhou Quan the detailed operational plan, and Zhou Quan began reading it.