Compared to Biotechnica headquarters' near-ceiling-toppling emotional storm, inside Militech headquarters' deeper, more heavily fortified strategic decision center, the atmosphere presented nearly icy rationality.
Lt. Colonel Karl Strange's death indeed triggered internal ripples, especially within the Special Projects Division he'd worked with.
But these ripples were quickly replaced by grander, more utilitarian strategic analyses.
For Militech—a massive entity evolved from Old America's military-industrial complex, fundamentally adhering to realpolitik supremacy—a Special Projects Division operations coordinator, though an experienced capable officer, his loss could be classified under "acceptable combat attrition."
What truly pulled highest decision-makers' nerves wasn't Strange's personal fate but the technical levels clearly reflected behind this incident, the actor's strategic intentions, plus the massive potential value contained within—possibly rewriting power balances.
Inside a virtual strategy room employing multiple physical isolations and signal shielding, holographic images of several key figures capable of influencing corporate—even NUSA-related—policies quietly materialized.
Without excessive pleasantries, the meeting cut directly to core topics.
Massive circular screens displayed side-by-side preliminary on-site analysis reports of Strange and Winters' deaths. Beside them, enlarged projections of that reparations list and ceasefire conditions Elliott Kwan brought.
A holographic image of an elderly general with four stars on shoulder boards, graying hair, spoke first. His voice steady, carrying composure cultivated from long-term high positions.
"Operational style analysis preliminary conclusions are out. Infiltration pathway selections, timing control, execution efficiency, plus final withdrawal methods—precise, efficient, ruthless—completely exceeding any known assassin organizations, hostile corporate special forces, or international merc groups' common patterns recorded in our existing databases."
"Opponents didn't choose expanding strike surfaces creating panic but instead adopted this 'precision decapitation' plus 'deliberately leaving messages' combination strategy. This itself transmits strong signals." He paused slightly, letting attendees digest information.
"He's flexing muscles at us, using most direct methods proving he possesses capabilities for delivering lethal strikes against our or our core partners' key personnel at any time, any place."
"But simultaneously, he's also clearly drawn boundaries—this isn't total war, at least not within his current considerations."
Another virtual image wearing well-tailored attire symbolizing senior civilian official identity joined in. She was one of the Presidential Office's senior advisors, renowned for meticulous thinking and emphasizing practicality.
"Through Kwan, he explicitly presented demands: specific resources plus comprehensive ceasefire."
"This list," she pointed toward on-screen listings, "materials above indeed include rare categories, especially those several types marked 'extraterrestrial mining'—special crystals and high-purity radioactive isotopes. Acquisition difficulties and costs aren't low."
"But with channels and strategic reserves Militech controls, not impossible procuring."
"This resembles more a probe, evaluating whether we're willing paying this 'toll fee' to avoid potential, greater direct conflict risks."
"Or, thinking deeper—this might even be a deliberately-left opening for initiating more substantive dialogues."
The elderly general nodded, supplementing: "Strange's death, Winters' death, plus terrors Kwan experienced—all adding credibility and urgency to this 'bill.'"
"He's using cruelest reality telling us: continued entanglement prices will be blood."
"However, worth noting—he left negotiation room, didn't make things utterly irreconcilable."
"An entity or individual capable of seemingly exploiting Blackwall protocols for global broadcasts, controlling unknown-sourced yet significantly effective biological enhancement tech, equipped with high-efficiency energy weapons, plus possessing capabilities executing such-level assassination operations... the potential strategic value represented behind this far exceeds Lt. Colonel Strange's personal value—can even say, far exceeds all equipment and personnel totals we lost in last '66 Gas Station' operations."
At this moment, another meeting participant—National Security Deputy Assistant Davis, as President Rosalind Myers' direct authorized representative—interjected with steady, clear tones, guiding discussions toward higher-level strategic considerations.
"I convey Madam President's explicit directives on her behalf." Davis' holographic image slightly leaned forward, gaze sweeping every decision-maker present.
"Based on comprehensive assessments of current situations, Madam President demands we immediately suspend all direct, large-scale military retaliation action plans."
"She emphasizes—any impulsive or excessive reactions at current stages might trigger uncontrollable chain reactions, possibly even dragging us into costly, unclear-objective long-term conflicts."
Davis continued elaborating Myers' positions: "Madam President believes technical capabilities and operational patterns opponents displayed have transcended conventional asymmetric threat categories."
"This is no longer simple law enforcement issues or inter-corporate interest frictions but games involving potentially strategic-grade technical advantages."
"She directs—current priority missions aren't retaliation but contact—conducting extremely cautious, exploratory non-public contacts."
"Our core objectives are assessing possibilities and specific costs for conducting transactions with opponents."
"On Militech's—and the NUSA national interests it represents—value scales, specific personnel casualties, before pursuing greater potential interests possibly bringing technological monopolies or strategic advantages, are acceptable 'business costs.'"
"Absolute technical leadership, control capabilities over unknown forces—these are eternal cores ensuring our long-term advantages and survival."
He further explained: "Madam President specially pointed out—messages opponents transmitted through Kwan, though harshly worded, possess clear logic and explicit objectives."
"They're not seeking destruction but demanding respect and compensation, hinting at future transaction possibilities."
"This rational behavioral pattern, compared to pure terrorism or destructive actions, better fits characteristics of entities possessing mature strategic thinking."
"We need leveraging this, attempting establishing communication channels, feeling out opponents' bottom lines, demands, and true intentions."
Another participant responsible for technical assessments supplemented: "From technical perspectives, material lists opponents demanded themselves hold extremely high analytical value."
"Several special crystals and isotopes listed often involve applications in high-energy physics, directed energy weapons, and advanced propulsion systems."
"This indirectly confirms our judgments about their capability levels."
"Meeting this list's demands admittedly requires considerable resources, but if exchanging for dialogue windows—even future limited technical exchanges—potential returns might far exceed investments."
Meeting rooms fell into brief silence. Attendees digesting strategic pivots brought by presidential directives.
The elderly general broke silence: "Then, concrete execution levels—how should we operate? Direct contact risks are extremely high. We're not even certain about opponents' true identities and locations."
Davis responded: "Madam President authorizes us mobilizing unofficial, severable channels conducting preliminary probes."
"Can use encrypted networks, multi-relay anonymous communications, or leverage reputable third-party neutral information brokers attempting transmitting our responses."
"Response core contents should be: We've received messages, seriously considering demands, and willing discussing specific details and execution methods for reparations lists—but prerequisites are opponents must guarantee no further hostile actions during this period."
"Simultaneously, we need clearly expressing—any forms of future cooperation must establish on mutual security and interest exchange foundations."
He finally emphasized: "Madam President's bottom lines are clear: avoid escalation, buy time, feel out situations."
"If opponents indeed control key technologies we haven't yet understood, then bringing them into controllable ranges—or at least establishing some coexistence mechanisms—far better aligns with our long-term interests than massively-costly frontal conflicts."
"Lt. Colonel Strange and Ms. Winters' sacrifices should become warnings for us seeking wiser solutions, not fuses triggering greater disasters."
The meeting ultimately reached consensus: Comprehensively suspend all public tracking and military operations against Maine's crew plus backing forces; immediately initiate contact procedures through covert channels; establish cross-departmental special task forces responsible for assessing reparations list feasibility plus formulating detailed risk assessments and contingency plans.
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