The dark vertical take-off and landing aircraft slowly descended onto the helipad on the top floor of the Kang Tao North America Branch, its rotors stirring up dust that swirled and then settled.
As the hatch slid open, John Klein, the 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 on his face.
"Welcome to Night City, Supervisor Li Wei," Klein stepped forward and extended his hand, his movements as precise as if meticulously measured. "I hope your journey was smooth."
Li Wei briefly shook his hand, noting that the two security personnel behind Klein maintained a vigilant stance, their eyes scanning him back and forth.
This didn't seem like a welcome for a headquarters special envoy, but rather a precaution against a potential threat.
They walked through the empty corridor and arrived at a luxuriously decorated conference room.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Night City's neon lights were just beginning to flicker. Klein gestured for a waiter to bring coffee, then sat down at the other end of the long table.
"Headquarters acted very quickly this time," Klein gently stirred his coffee. "However, I must remind you that the actual situation in Night City is far more complex than what's written in the reports.
The Branch's resources are currently very tight, especially with several important projects we are undertaking."
Li Wei calmly observed him.
Klein's wording was cautious, but every word emphasized the Branch's independence.
This confirmed the intelligence department's assessment: the North America Branch was attempting to break free from Headquarters' control.
"I only need basic intelligence support," Li Wei said.
Klein nodded: "Of course, we will cooperate to the best of our ability. However, the system is currently undergoing an upgrade, and some monitoring permissions may take time to approve."
The temporary office provided afterward confirmed Li Wei's premonition.
The room was small, the equipment rudimentary, and even the basic data ports were offline.
The map provided by the security supervisor was clearly redacted, with key areas vaguely marked.
Three hours later, Li Wei and his task force re-boarded the aircraft.
Before the hatch closed, he took one last 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.
It wasn't until the hatch was fully closed and the engines began to warm up that he turned to the Tactical commander sitting opposite him.
"The situation is worse than expected," Li Wei unbuttoned the top button of his suit. "Klein's attitude is clear; we won't get any substantial help."
The commander replied while checking the weapons in his equipment case: "I felt it from the moment we disembarked. The positioning of those two security personnel was clearly to guard against us."
The electronic warfare specialist in the back row looked up: "I just tried to access the Branch's database; all high-level permissions are locked. The map they gave us was also doctored; key areas are all blank."
Li Wei took the assault rifle handed to him by the commander and meticulously checked its condition: "This means two things: first, there is indeed a problem with the North America Branch; second, they know what we are investigating."
"Do we need to report to Headquarters?" the commander asked.
"Not for now," Li Wei slotted the magazine into the rifle's chamber. "Headquarters has known about the situation here for a long time; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent us."
The aircraft began to ascend, and the lights of Night City slowly receded outside the window.
Li Wei fastened his seatbelt and continued to address his team: "From now on, we rely entirely on our own resources. The mission objective remains unchanged, but the execution method needs to be adjusted."
He brought up the map on his tactical tablet: "The Wasteland Town area has a large number of signal dead zones, so conventional reconnaissance methods will be limited. We need to establish three covert observation points for twenty-four-hour uninterrupted surveillance."
"What if we encounter resistance?" the commander asked.
"Try to avoid engagement," Li Wei's fingertip traced across the map. "But if they initiate an attack, necessary force is authorized. Remember, we might be facing more than just ordinary armed individuals."
The electronic warfare specialist interjected: "According to current intelligence, the target may possess advanced electronic countermeasures. I suggest establishing an offline communication network between observation points to avoid eavesdropping."
"Agreed," Li Wei nodded. "Teams will rotate surveillance, reporting every six hours. Report any anomalies immediately."
A team member took out reconnaissance equipment from an equipment case: "We need to set up defenses before nightfall. Visibility in the Badlands at night is too low; it's best to do it while there's still light."
"Hurry up," Li Wei glanced at his wristband watch. "Upon reaching the designated coordinates, act immediately according to the plan. Remember, the key to this mission is intelligence gathering, not direct confrontation."
The aircraft began its descent, and the reddish-brown landscape of the Badlands unfolded outside the porthole. The team members checked their equipment one last time, with only the faint clinking of weapon parts remaining in the cabin.
"Any other questions?" Li Wei looked around at his team members.
The commander shook his head: "The operational plan is very clear. We will maintain complete silence until further instructions are received."
As the aircraft landed at the designated coordinates in the Badlands, the setting sun dipped below the horizon.
The hatch slowly opened, and hot wind mixed with sand rushed into the cabin.
Li Wei squinted his eyes and was the first to step onto the barren land.
His team members followed closely, quickly establishing a temporary defensive position around the aircraft.
They chose a sheltered hollow as their temporary camp.
The team members divided tasks tacitly: two were responsible for perimeter security, while the others began clearing the site, setting up simple shelters and communication equipment.
In less than thirty minutes, a fully functional field outpost had begun to take shape.
Li Wei stood in the center of the camp and opened his tactical tablet.
A satellite map of Wasteland Town was displayed on the screen, with most areas marked as signal dead zones.
He carefully observed the terrain features, marking several key locations with his finger.
"We need to establish three observation points," Li Wei gathered his team members around, pointing out the specific locations on the tablet. "Point A will monitor the main thoroughfare, Point B will cover the eastern abandoned factory district, and Point C will watch the western valley entrance."
He looked around at the faces of his team members and continued: "Each team will consist of two people, rotating every six hours. Use encrypted shortwave communication, reporting every two hours. Maintain complete silence unless facing a direct threat."
The team members nodded silently and began to organize their equipment.
Night vision goggles, camouflage nets, and emergency supplies were packed into three tactical backpacks.
Li Wei personally inspected each person's equipment to ensure everything was in order.
"Remember," Li Wei finally instructed before the team members departed, "we are facing an unknown force. Gathering intelligence is the top priority; avoid any unnecessary contact."
The three teams successively blended into the night, their figures quickly disappearing into the rugged terrain.
Li Wei returned to the center of the camp, watching the moving light points on the monitoring screen.
He adjusted the shoulder straps of his bulletproof vest and sat down in front of the communication equipment.
The camp's signal jamming device had already been activated, leaving only an encrypted communication channel.
Li Wei placed his pistol within reach and began to record the operation log.
In this barren land far from home, they had to rely entirely on themselves to complete the mission.