Chapter 170: Kang Tao and "Kang Tao"
A pitch-black VTOL aircraft slowly descended onto the helipad atop the Kang Tao North American branch. The rotor wash kicked up dust from the surface, only to let it settle again.
When the cabin door slid open, John Klein, Executive Vice President of the North American Region, was already waiting there with two security personnel.
He wore a perfectly tailored dark gray suit, a standard professional smile plastered on his face.
"Welcome to Night City, Director Li." Klein stepped forward and extended his hand, his movement precise as if measured by instruments. "I hope your journey was smooth."
Li Wei shook his hand briefly, noting that the two security guards behind Klein maintained a vigilant stance, their eyes scanning him repeatedly.
This didn't look like welcoming a special envoy from headquarters; it looked more like guarding against a potential threat.
They walked through empty corridors to a luxuriously decorated conference room.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the neon lights of Night City were just beginning to flicker. Klein signaled a waiter to bring coffee, then sat at the other end of the long table.
"Headquarters moved quickly this time." Klein stirred his coffee gently. "However, I must remind you that the actual situation in Night City is far more complex than written in the reports.
"Branch resources are currently stretched thin, especially with several key projects underway."
Li Wei observed the man calmly.
Klein's wording was cautious, but every phrase emphasized the branch's independence.
This confirmed the judgment of Headquarters Intelligence: the North American branch was attempting to break free from HQ's control.
"I only require basic intelligence support," Li Wei said.
Klein nodded. "Of course, we will do our best to cooperate. However, the system is currently undergoing upgrades, so approval for some surveillance clearances might take time."
The temporary office provided afterward confirmed Li Wei's premonition.
The room was cramped, the equipment rudimentary, and even basic data ports were offline.
The map sent by the Security Chief was visibly redacted, with key areas marked vaguely.
Three hours later, Li Wei and his task force boarded the aircraft again.
Before the cabin door closed, he took a final look at the branch building. Klein's figure had already disappeared behind the glass doors.
On the way back to the aircraft, Li Wei remained silent.
Only when the door was fully sealed and the engines began to warm up did he turn to the tactical commander sitting opposite him.
"The situation is worse than expected." Li Wei unbuttoned the top button of his suit jacket. "Klein's attitude is clear. We won't get any substantial help."
The commander checked the weapons in the equipment case while replying, "Felt it the moment we got off the plane. The positioning of those two guards was clearly defensive against us."
The electronic warfare specialist in the back row looked up. "I just tried accessing the branch database. All high-level permissions are locked out. The map they gave is processed too; key areas are all blank."
Li Wei took the assault rifle handed by the commander, carefully inspecting its condition. "This proves two things: First, the North American branch definitely has problems. Second, they know what we are investigating."
"Do we need to report to Headquarters?" the commander asked.
"Not for now." Li Wei slotted a magazine into the chamber. "Headquarters already knows the situation here, otherwise they wouldn't have sent us."
The aircraft began to lift off. The lights of Night City sank slowly outside the window.
Li Wei fastened his seatbelt and continued addressing his team. "From now on, we rely entirely on our own resources. Mission objective remains unchanged, but the execution method needs adjustment."
He pulled up a map on his tactical tablet. "The Badlands area has massive signal blind spots. Conventional reconnaissance is limited. We need to establish three covert observation posts for twenty-four-hour uninterrupted surveillance."
"If we encounter resistance?" the commander asked.
"Avoid engagement if possible." Li Wei's fingertip traced across the map. "But if the other side initiates hostility, necessary force is authorized. Remember, we might not be facing just ordinary militants."
The electronic warfare specialist interjected, "Based on existing intel, the target may possess advanced electronic countermeasures capabilities. Suggest establishing an offline communication network between observation posts to avoid interception."
"Agreed." Li Wei nodded. "Teams will rotate surveillance shifts every six hours. Report any anomalies immediately."
A team member pulled reconnaissance equipment from a case. "We need to complete deployment before nightfall. Visibility in the Badlands is too low at night; best to use the remaining daylight."
"Move fast." Li Wei glanced at his watch. "Upon reaching designated coordinates, execute plan immediately. Remember, the key to this mission is intelligence gathering, not frontal conflict."
The aircraft began its descent. The reddish-brown landscape of the Badlands unfolded outside the porthole. Team members performed a final gear check; only the subtle sounds of weapon parts clicking together remained in the cabin.
"Any questions?" Li Wei looked around at his team.
The commander shook his head. "Operational plan is clear. We will maintain complete radio silence until further instructions."
When the aircraft landed at the designated coordinates in the Badlands, the sunset was just dipping below the horizon.
The cabin door opened slowly, hot wind carrying sand and dust into the cabin.
Li Wei squinted, stepping onto this desolate land first.
The team followed closely, quickly establishing a temporary defensive perimeter around the aircraft.
They chose a leeward hollow as their temporary camp.
Team members divided the work with tacit understanding: two on perimeter watch, while others cleared the site and set up simple shelters and comms equipment.
In less than thirty minutes, a fully functional field outpost had taken shape.
Li Wei stood in the center of the camp, opening his tactical tablet.
Satellite imagery of the Badlands displayed on the screen, with most areas marked as signal blind spots.
He observed the terrain features carefully, marking several key locations with his finger.
"We need to establish three observation posts." Li Wei gathered the team around, pointing out specific locations on the tablet. "Point A monitors the main access road. Point B covers the abandoned factory area to the east. Point C watches the valley entrance to the west."
He scanned the faces of his team members. "Two men per team, six-hour rotations. Use encrypted shortwave comms, report every two hours. Maintain complete silence unless facing direct threat."
The team members nodded silently and began organizing their gear.
Night vision goggles, camouflage nets, and emergency supplies were packed into three tactical backpacks.
Li Wei personally inspected everyone's equipment to ensure nothing was amiss.
"Remember," Li Wei gave a final instruction before the teams departed, "we are facing an unknown force. Intelligence gathering is priority one. Avoid any unnecessary contact."
The three teams melted into the night one by one, their figures quickly disappearing into the rugged terrain.
Li Wei returned to the center of the camp, watching the moving blips on the surveillance screen.
He adjusted the shoulder straps of his ballistic vest and sat down in front of the comms equipment.
The camp's signal jammer was active, leaving only a single encrypted communication channel open.
Li Wei placed his pistol within easy reach and began logging the operation journal.
In this desolate land far from home, they had to rely completely on themselves to complete the mission.
(End of Chapter)