Operation

Once the representatives of the three departments reached a resolution, they swiftly formulated a unified public stance and primary operational steps. First, to carry out a joint operation that bypassed the Municipal Council, their actions had to be swift and their strikes precise, and it all had to be accomplished while Fumu was in the midst of its reproductive splitting. If they waited until the Municipal Council realized what was happening, it would inevitably create procedural obstructions. Many councilors were entangled with the major corporations and would never agree to the three departments taking hardline measures directly against a corporation. Not to mention that the forces the council could mobilize and rally were substantial, even open disputes on the surface had to be avoided at all costs. Internal strife would not only plunge Center City into turmoil, but a single slip could affect the whole situation, subsequently rippling out to other center cities across the country, leading to extremely dire consequences. Second, regarding the current breach and disaster in Center City, the external explanation was an incursion caused by experimental subjects from the Linax Federation, combined with sabotage by mercenary groups. Yet many things still could not be reasonably accounted for, making Ferris Wheel Company—which colluded with the Linax Federation—the perfect scapegoat. Besides, Ferris Wheel Company truly had dispatched mercenary teams, committed a series of prior hostile acts against government departments and personnel, and blatantly deployed a fleet at sea. Lastly, once this matter concluded, nominally it would be Ocean Exploration Group and Canglong Company striking against Ferris Wheel Company, thereby confining the scope of conflict to a corporate war. Although anyone could guess the truth afterward, whether this posture and cover existed made an immense difference. If all of this could be successfully carried out, the state departments would seize far greater initiative in the future. However, a plan was just a plan; once decided, it could not be executed immediately. Numerous aspects were involved, and contingency plans and clean-up measures had to be considered in advance. Therefore, the three departments handed the discussion records to Watchtower, instructing it to refine certain details and patch potential loopholes. Once the detailed tactical plan was drawn up, the three departments ultimately set the launch time for the eleventh wave of Fumu's split, under the codename "Operation Horizon." Meanwhile, aboard a steamship outside the eastern harbor, Guan Shangjing received an analytical report from Ferris Wheel Company's active conscious entity, Wu Qi. According to the latter's calculations, Fumu's splitting this time would encompass around fourteen to fifteen waves and might last until tomorrow afternoon. Wu Qi had also provided estimates: if Ferris Wheel Company wanted to seize a split progeny, striking around the twelfth wave offered the highest chance of success; dragging past this phase would cause their odds to plummet. He checked his watch. It was currently 3:03 in the afternoon. Fumu was already in its tenth split, and according to predictions, the next interval would most likely occur four hours later. His expression was solemn. Ever since Lianwei Heavy Control's convoy had been intercepted, he had been waiting—waiting for that entity to make a move, which would grant them a better opportunity to attempt seizing a split entity again. Yet up to now, that entity had shown no movement whatsoever, as if it had simply vanished. Furthermore, no news had come back from the sea for a long time, casting an intensely anxious and oppressive atmosphere over everything. Right then, a stern voice came from his boundary credential: "Director Guan Shang." His expression tightened instantly, and he replied with utmost deference, "Director Yingwei!" Director Yingwei inquired sternly, "Director Guan Shang, the board of directors is very dissatisfied with your procrastination. Why has there been no action from you even now, several hours later?" Guan Shangjing immediately explained, "Sir, the Disposal Bureau's guard against us is truly airtight. Please grant your subordinate a little more time. We will do everything in our power to seize a split progeny." Director Yingwei said, "You should have received Wu Qi's analysis report. Time is running out. Speak your mind—what exactly are you waiting for? If it's reasonable, I will convince the board." Guan Shangjing said respectfully, "Sir, your subordinate believes that as the split waves increase, that entity cannot possibly stay idle. If it chooses to strike, we can gain a far more advantageous opening." "If that is all," Director Yingwei said grimly, "then there is no need to wait any longer." Guan Shangjing couldn't help but look up. Director Yingwei's tone grew harsh. "Are we to pin the company's fate on an entity from an outer world? Did it never cross your mind that while we are waiting for it, it might also be waiting for us to make a move?" He said in a deep voice, "Even an entity of that kind cannot confront Center City's active conscious entities if its standing is insufficient. Since it did nothing from the start, that only proves its cowardice. How can we rely on a coward? Director Guan Shang, the earlier setbacks have cost you your courage. You have disappointed me." Even though he was speaking through the boundary credential, Guan Shangjing still bowed low on the spot. "My apologies. This is my failing, a lack of foresight on my part." Director Yingwei said, "Director Guan Shang, act immediately without hesitation. "News from the sea should be arriving soon. Once the company wins the naval battle and you secure the split progeny here, we will have the backing of the Syndicate and the Linax Federation. The Great Shun government would never dare to continue pressing us under those circumstances. "As long as we pull this off, we are the victors, and nothing else matters! If we fail, do you think they will spare us just because you held back? "Do you understand?!" Guan Shangjing's heart trembled. He answered firmly, "Yes, sir!" After the call with Director Yingwei, he hesitated no longer and immediately began deploying personnel. Because Ferris Wheel Company had originally prepared for war, a massive force of security troops was concentrated within its headquarters. To ensure the success of this operation, nearly a thousand security troops were mobilized this time, equipped with heavy firepower and a vast number of combat organisms. All of them were armed personnel fitted with combat implants—the company's true elite. Accompanying them were not only a large number of fighters cultivated internally and recruited from the three Outer Ocean dojos, but also a considerable number of third limit fighters and custom combat dolls, all deployed without reserve. In terms of combat strength and firepower configuration, this force was sufficient to wage a localized, small-scale war. It was a complete roll of the dice. As dense convoys of armored vehicles rolled out from Ferris Wheel Company, observers from the Defense Department immediately relayed this urgent situation to the operations command center and requested instructions: "Should we intercept?" After quickly scanning the arrangements and plan provided by Watchtower, Commissioner Liang replied, "Lift the interception. Let them through." He told his female assistant, "Connect me to Old Xu." A moment later, the connection with Enforcement Captain Xu Chan went through. "Captain Xu?" "Commissioner, Xu Chan here." Commissioner Liang said, "Ferris Wheel Company's forces have mobilized. I will send you the specific operational plan shortly. You will be mainly leading this operation, and the personnel assignments are at your disposal. The Defense Department will provide all necessary logistical and intelligence support." Xu Chan said, "Understood." He added, "Commissioner, are we making our move?" Commissioner Liang said, "Just await orders." Xu Chan took the hint. "Understood." Under military martial administration, the Defense Department theoretically possessed authority surpassing all other departments. Thus, once the plan was formulated with the cooperation of all departments, specific deployment orders would ultimately originate from Commissioner Liang. After notifying Xu Chan, he began mobilizing response forces and assembling personnel in accordance with the plan provided by Watchtower. Not only were the two enforcement captains and Team 1 who had taken part in the encirclement of the resistance organization recalled, but a large contingent of fighters was also drawn from other districts. With the active conscious entities of the Disposal Bureau and Wuyi Academy pledging backstop support, and considering that most hostile armed forces in the urban districts had already been largely exhausted during the previous split waves, he was able to spare even more strength to surround and annihilate this force. In truth, he welcomed Ferris Wheel Company taking the field; had they holed up within their headquarters to defend, they would have been far harder to crack. This was likely due to the successful information blockade at sea. Ferris Wheel did not yet know that its fleet had been defeated, nor did it anticipate that the three departments would strike before the splitting period ended, leading to a tactical miscalculation on their part. With everything arranged, Commissioner Liang only needed to await the outcome. Formidable as Ferris Wheel's security force appeared, it could not withstand the combined encirclement of the three departments. After this, the company would be completely purged. He looked at the holographic projection of Ferris Wheel Company's area before him. Its location sat precisely upon a narrow peninsula extending out from the coastline, backed by that colossal landmark ferris wheel. The simplest method would actually have been calling in warships to shell it. With no naval cover left, Ferris Wheel Company would be virtually powerless against such bombardment. However, doing so would cause too much commotion. The Municipal Council might catch wind prematurely and intervene, which would be undesirable. Furthermore, handling the subsequent public opinion pressure from all quarters would be difficult, so they could only rely on conventional forces. After waiting for a long three and a half hours, the female assistant came to his side and reported, "Commissioner, the majority of Ferris Wheel Company's deployed forces have been wiped out. Mop-up operations against fleeing personnel are currently underway." Commissioner Liang wasn't surprised by this result. He asked, "Were our casualties heavy?" The female assistant handed over a paper combat report. Commissioner Liang looked it over. Because they had concentrated several times the enemy's numbers, held superiority in high-end combat power over the security force, and used false intelligence to prepare the battlefield in advance, the battle had proceeded very smoothly. Most importantly, not a single high-end combat asset had been lost. Having reviewed it, he said, "Send the report to the Disposal Bureau and the Government Affairs Hall. In addition, in the name of the Defense Department, order all squads to assemble in the direction of Yinglu District."