Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 79 Military Technology and the New America (Ten Updates)
Compared to the emotional storm that nearly lifted the ceiling at the biotechnology headquarters, the atmosphere in the deeper, more heavily guarded strategic decision-making center of the military technology headquarters was one of almost icy rationality.

The death of Lieutenant Colonel Carl Strange did cause a stir internally, especially within the Special Projects Department where he had worked.

But this fluctuation was quickly replaced by a grander, more utilitarian strategic analysis.

For a massive entity like military technology, which originated from the old US military-industrial complex and is essentially driven by practical interests, the loss of a special project coordinator, even if he is an experienced and capable individual, can be categorized as "acceptable operational losses."

What truly affects the nerves of the highest decision-makers is not Strange's personal fate, but the technological level clearly reflected behind this event, the strategic intentions of the actors, and the enormous potential value contained within that could rewrite the balance of power.

In a virtual strategic room equipped with multiple layers of physical isolation and signal shielding, holographic images of several key figures who could influence the company and even the relevant policies of the new United States quietly emerge.

Without much small talk, the meeting got straight to the core issues.

On the huge circular screen, the preliminary on-site analysis reports of the deaths of Strange and Winters were displayed side by side, alongside an enlarged projection of the compensation list and ceasefire conditions brought by Elliott Gwan.

A holographic image of an elderly general with four stars on his shoulder insignia and gray hair spoke first. His voice was steady, carrying the composure cultivated from long years in a high position.

"Preliminary conclusions from the analysis of their operational style have been reached. Their choice of infiltration path, timing, execution efficiency, and final withdrawal method are precise, efficient, and ruthless, completely exceeding the common patterns of any known assassin organization, hostile corporate special forces, or international mercenary group recorded in our existing database."

“The other side did not choose to broaden the scope of the attack to create panic, but instead adopted this combination of ‘precise decapitation’ and ‘deliberately leaving a message.’ This in itself sends a strong signal.” He paused slightly to allow the attendees to digest the information.

“He is flexing his muscles and demonstrating in the most direct way that he has the ability to deliver a fatal blow to key figures in us or our core partners at any time and in any place.”

"But at the same time, he also clearly drew a line—this is not a total war, at least not in his current considerations."

Another virtual avatar, dressed in a well-tailored outfit symbolizing a senior civil servant, said she is one of the senior advisors to the Presidential Office, known for her meticulous thinking and practical approach.

"He made his demands clear as he passed through the checkpoint: specific resources and a complete ceasefire."

“This list,” she pointed to the list on the screen, “does indeed contain many rare items, especially those special crystals and high-purity radioactive isotopes marked ‘extraterrestrial mining,’ which are difficult and costly to obtain.”

"But with our control over military technology channels and strategic reserves, it is not impossible to raise the funds."

"This is more like a test, an assessment of whether we are willing to pay this 'toll' to avoid the risk of potential, greater direct conflict."

"Or, thinking about it more deeply, this might even be a deliberate opening left to initiate more substantive dialogue."

The elderly general nodded and added, "The deaths of Strange, Winters, and the horrors experienced at the gates all add credibility and urgency to this 'bill'."

"He is telling us with the cruelest reality that the price of continuing this entanglement will be bloodshed."

"However, it is worth noting that he left room for negotiation and did not push things to the extreme."

"An entity or individual capable of globally broadcasting via the Blackwall protocol, possessing bio-enhancing technology of unknown origin with remarkable effects, equipped with highly efficient energy weapons, and capable of carrying out assassinations of this caliber... represents a potential strategic value that far exceeds Lieutenant Colonel Strange's personal value, and could even be said to far exceed the total value of all the equipment and personnel we lost in our last 'Operation Gas Station 66'."

At this point, another participant in the meeting room—Deputy National Security Advisor Davis, as President Rosalind Myers’ direct authorized representative—interjected in a calm and clear tone, steering the discussion toward higher-level strategic considerations.

“On behalf of the President, I convey her clear instructions.” Davis’s holographic image leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over each decision-maker present.

"Based on a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, the President requests that we immediately suspend all plans for direct, large-scale military retaliation."

“She emphasized that any impulsive or excessive reaction at this stage could trigger an uncontrollable chain reaction, and could even drag us into a costly and protracted conflict with unclear objectives.” Davis continued to elaborate on Myers’ position: “The President believes that the technological capabilities and patterns of action exhibited by the other side have gone beyond the scope of conventional asymmetric threats.”

"This is no longer a simple security issue or a conflict of interest between companies, but a game involving potential strategic technological advantages."

"She instructed that the priority at present is not retaliation, but contact—extremely cautious, tentative, and non-public contact."

"Our core objective is to assess the feasibility and specific costs of engaging in a transaction with the other party."

"On the value scale of military technology and the new American national interests it represents, certain casualties are an acceptable 'commercial cost' in the face of pursuing greater potential benefits that may bring technological monopoly or strategic advantage."

"Absolute technological leadership and the ability to control unknown forces are the eternal core that ensures our long-term advantage and survival."

He further explained, "The President specifically pointed out that although the message conveyed by the other party through customs was strongly worded, it was logically clear and had a well-defined objective."

“They are not seeking destruction, but rather demanding respect and compensation, and hinting at the possibility of future transactions.”

"This rational behavior pattern is more in line with the characteristics of an entity with mature strategic thinking than pure terrorism or destructive actions."

"We need to take advantage of this to try to establish communication channels and find out the other party's bottom line, needs and true intentions."

Another participant responsible for the technical assessment added, "From a technical perspective, the list of materials requested by the other party is itself of great analytical value."

"The special crystals and isotopes listed on the list are often used in high-energy physics, directed energy weapons and advanced propulsion systems."

"This indirectly confirms our assessment of its level of strength."

"Meeting the requirements of this list will certainly require considerable resources, but if it can be exchanged for a dialogue window, or even limited technical exchanges in the future, the potential returns may far outweigh the investment."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room as attendees digested the strategic shift brought about by the president's directive.

The elderly general broke the silence: "So, on a practical level, how should we proceed? Direct contact carries extremely high risks; we're not even sure of the other party's true identity or location."

Davis responded, "The President has authorized us to use unofficial, separable channels to conduct initial probing."

"We can try to get our response through encrypted networks, anonymous communications that go through multiple relays, or by using a reputable, neutral third-party information broker."

"The core message of the response should be: We have received the information, are seriously considering their demands, and are willing to discuss the specific details and implementation methods of the compensation list, provided that the other party guarantees that it will not take any further hostile actions during this period."

"At the same time, we need to make it clear that any form of future cooperation must be based on mutual security and the exchange of interests."

He concluded by emphasizing, "The President's bottom line is clear: avoid escalation, buy time, and ascertain the true situation."

"If the other side does indeed possess key technologies that we do not yet understand, then bringing them under our control, or at least establishing some form of coexistence mechanism, is far more in our long-term interest than a costly head-on conflict."

"The sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Strange and Ms. Winters should serve as a warning for us to seek wiser solutions, rather than a trigger for greater disaster."

The meeting reached a consensus: to completely suspend all public tracking and military operations against the Mann team and its backers; to immediately initiate procedures for contact through covert channels; and to establish an interagency task force to assess the feasibility of the compensation list and develop detailed risk assessments and contingency plans.

(End of this chapter)