Following Cairo's detailed supply list, Morell contacted Militech's "Probe" team again through the preset encrypted channel.
The message was concise and direct: exchange point at Badlands edge, coordinates XXX-XXX; time set for 20:00 standard forty-eight hours out; transaction—everything on the list for one high-performance structural alloy formula.
This intel caused quite a stir in Militech's upper ranks.
The items on the list—especially that 'Centaur' tactical exoskeleton platform plus several specific rare alloys—were extremely difficult to acquire, requiring tapping strategic reserves and special authorization protocols.
However, once the technical assessment division analyzed the alloy formula fragments Cairo provided upfront, all hesitation evaporated instantly.
Preliminary simulation data showed this alloy's strength-to-weight ratio, energy resistance, and fatigue limits dramatically exceeded anything in Militech's current inventory.
Potential applications ranging from personal armor to aircraft structures—the value was incalculable.
Without question, this was a deal they couldn't pass up.
For this, Militech's security division developed a tight handoff plan, dispatching a crack tactical squad for transport duty with Major Richard Ward—who'd dealt with Morell before—personally leading, while Dr. Mara Sorenson provided remote technical support from the rear.
The entire operation was flagged top secret.
However, Militech's organization wasn't exactly airtight.
Arasaka's deep-cover moles, like viruses lurking in system depths, keenly picked up signals from this unusual material movement.
The intel was rapidly encrypted and passed to Arasaka Tower's counterintelligence division.
Counterintelligence Executive Director Abernathy immediately smelled opportunity upon receiving the report.
Though she didn't know exactly what Militech was trading, anything making them go this big with that mysterious faction had to be worth something incredible.
Her logic was simple and direct: rather than waste time negotiating, just take it.
Hit Militech hard while grabbing potentially high-value assets for Arasaka—two birds, one stone.
She quickly drafted an ambush plan, mobilizing an elite action group under counterintelligence, equipped with cutting-edge recon and suppression gear, objective: simultaneously control both parties, seize all materials and technical data.
Night of the exchange, designated coordinates at Badlands edge.
This was the wreckage of an abandoned mining facility—weathered metal frames reflecting cold moonlight, surrounded only by endless howling winds.
Militech's armored transport arrived on schedule. Major Ward directed his team quickly establishing a temporary perimeter.
Morell's figure also appeared punctually at the ruins entrance, same dark-gray combat attire, steady gait, zero wasted movement.
Per Cairo's instructions, Rebecca came along this time too—officially to "assist," though really Cairo figured she needed more live combat to adapt to new equipment.
Rebecca seemed pretty pumped, that bolter almost as tall as her slung on her back, green optics constantly sweeping the area in the dim light, like she was expecting something to happen.
After Major Ward exchanged brief confirmations with Morell, both sides began the handoff.
Militech soldiers unloaded sealed supply crates from the transport one by one while Morell handed over the data chip containing the complete alloy formula.
The whole process silent and efficient.
Just as Ward's men started verifying the chip's authenticity and Morell prepared receiving the crates—everything went sideways.
Multiple blinding white beams suddenly shot from the distance, precisely blanketing the entire exchange zone—combined effect of flares and tactical spotlights.
Simultaneously, high-frequency jamming waves instantly covered the area, attempting to disable all external communications and electronic equipment.
"Contact! Take cover!" Major Ward reacted lightning-fast, immediately shouting while raising his weapon.
Militech soldiers—well-trained—quickly moved to cover, forming defensive positions.
The Arasaka ambush team revealed themselves from three directions simultaneously.
They wore uniform black combat attire over lightweight armor, wielding Arasaka's latest 'Masamune' smart submachine guns, equipped with electromagnetic-disrupting throwables.
Their movements perfectly coordinated, fire support seamless—in moments they'd formed overlapping kill zones, bullets pouring down like rainstorms toward Militech's defensive perimeter and Morell still standing at the field's center.
Major Ward's heart sank. He recognized this as Arasaka counterintelligence's elite forces.
While directing his team's desperate return fire, he tried contacting rear support, but the comms channel only carried harsh static.
The situation was extremely unfavorable for them.
However, Morell—caught in the firestorm's epicenter facing the sudden bullet rain and blinding lights—showed zero panic.
Her body instantly entered a state of intense focus—a response branded into her instincts through countless life-or-death struggles and deep modifications.
In her vision, those high-velocity bullet trajectories seemed to become crystal clear. Enemy positions, movement rhythms, even their next likely actions—all rapidly captured and predicted under her hyper-focused mental awareness.
An almost absurd thought flashed through her mind: these people had absolutely no idea what they were messing with.
This realization brought not fear but a cold pity, almost tugging the corners of her modified mouth—which rarely showed subtle expressions anymore—into barely-detectable mockery.
She didn't seek cover but directly activated the Sandevistan system.
Time perception instantly stretched to its limit.
Everything around her—howling bullets, flickering muzzle flashes, Militech soldiers slowly moving for cover—all transformed into slow-motion footage.
Morell's figure left a nearly-imperceptible afterimage in place, moving at speeds far exceeding human visual limits.
She didn't deploy the higher-consumption sonic blades but relied purely on speed and precision.
Her movements ghostlike, weaving through dense fire gaps.
Each brief pause accompanied by precise burst fire—she used auxiliary SMGs mounted on her arm sides. Though less powerful than primary weapons, under her control every bullet found its mark.
One Arasaka soldier had barely leaned out from cover when a hole appeared in his forehead—dropping without a sound.
Another tried throwing an EMP grenade, wrist just raising when the bullet instantly pierced through—grenade rolling to the ground.
Morell's movement patterns had zero regularity—sometimes ground-skimming sprints, sometimes leaping onto broken metal beams, attacking from impossible angles.
Her shooting almost continuous—gunfire forming rapid, lethal strings of notes, precisely harvesting lives.
Arasaka's formation instantly collapsed.
They couldn't lock targets, only wildly firing at Morell's afterimages, bullets missing completely—instead hitting several teammates who'd gotten too close.
Rebecca had excitedly raised her bolter the instant the attack started, but before she could find proper firing angles, Morell had already swept into enemy ranks like a whirlwind.
She could only gape watching Morell solo-performing this killing show, couldn't help quietly complaining: "Fuck! Save some for me!"
She tried aiming several times, but Morell's speed was just too fast, distances to enemies too close—she worried about friendly fire. Eventually she reluctantly lowered her gun, switching to overwatch, helplessly watching Morell complete this one-sided cleanup.
Bit off today, gonna grab late-night snacks—two more chapters coming, no debts left unpaid
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Advanced chapters for $7 @patreon:michaelv1.