Long-term salvation

Therefore, the meddling United States is clearly on Aidid's potential opponents' list, and the two sides are sure to have had many conflicts... So who can support Aidid?!

Rhode thought about it and patted his head. Who else could it be? The current United States government is not united!

"It seems our 'old friends' have found themselves a good testing ground and source of raw materials," Rhode sneered, closing the document. "Did the Intelligence Department find any traces of the Organization there?"

"Umbrella Corporation has close ties with Aidid, and the latter's food supply is shipped from Ukraine and Russia. This naturally includes various former Soviet munitions. However, due to their limited status and experience, the large shipping group that brokered the deal didn't directly transport armored vehicles."

Noah nodded slightly, took out a map and marked the route for Rhodes, but her finger stretched from Mogadishu to the coast of North America, explaining:

"Similarly, this shipping group also provides cover for the cold-chain freighters that transport human organs and human subjects for experimentation. These freighters are affiliated with Umbrella Corporation and operate in secret. They may directly connect with the latter's offshore laboratories to reduce waste caused by insufficient 'freshness'."

"Which shipping group is so arrogant?" Rhode raised an eyebrow. He looked at the red shipping routes marked on the neat map. The traces were particularly eye-catching. "It's one thing for this world to dare to compete with Atlas Corporation in arms sales, but they dare to get involved in the human organ trade?"

"The Heikemedia Group is currently planning to transform into a large multinational corporation integrating shipping, logistics, and arms trade. Its controller is Floyd Heikemedia, a man with two children, a boy and a girl, approximately eleven years old."

Noah also yawned. She walked around behind Rhodes, hugged his neck from behind, and continued:

"We've only just started to get involved in the arms trade... As for the human organ trade, it seems the group is merely providing cover, with Umbrella's main cargo force still the primary concern—they don't trust anyone—but we can't rule out the possibility of further involvement later on."

Hearing this familiar surname, Rhodes touched his chin and asked with interest:

"Don't tell me these two kids... the boy's name is Casper Heikemedia and the girl's name is Coco Heikemedia? (Both are from "Queen of Arms." The characters and plot involving China are very stupid, so Xianyu directly deleted them. Special reminder.)"

"Yes," Noah blinked, "You guessed it right."

"How dare a shipping company with no arms production or R&D base act so arrogantly? Inform Yang. First, destroy at least 20% of this company's market value. Then, have Helen and the mass-produced Nikkis take action. Any of their cargo ships transporting arms must be destroyed. Any ships carrying experimental subjects must be rescued and destroyed."

"What if it's transported mixed in with food? Or even sneaked into other ships and fleets?" the silver-haired girl asked with a smile. "In fact, this is the most commonly used method, Sensei."

This... is indeed the case.

After realizing that he hadn't thought it through, Rhode leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked. After a moment of contemplation, he turned his head to look at Noah and asked seriously:

"One more thing. If the food isn't shipped to Mogadishu, it will cause huge trouble... In this case, we really can't just dispose of the Heikemedia Group casually. Tsk, what a hassle."

Noah didn't say anything, she just stood quietly by, waiting for Rod to finish thinking or make a decision.

After thinking for nearly ten minutes, Rhodes sighed and said:

"We can start by damaging the Hekmedia Group's market value. Then we can use a few cargo ships, primarily used for transporting arms and human trafficking, as an example. When this company begins to collapse, Atlas... no, let Aperture Technologies do it. Let Aperture Technologies acquire it. By then, Floyd Hekmedia will be dead."

"What about the [Organization] and the United States in the Mogadishu region? The other forces are easy to deal with; they can all be forcibly resolved through political or even military means."

"The official government of the United States will stumble, and then they'll choose to leave. If that doesn't work, we can help create one," Rhode shrugged, a sigh on his face. "If possible, I still hope the situation there can be stabilized. Otherwise, it would be very troublesome if something happened to a city of millions of people."

"As for the Organization... that's a bit of a problem. I'm worried they'll cause trouble in Mogadishu, especially that Umbrella Corporation—those devoid of humanity and moral restraints will absolutely test their biological weapons in the city someday."

Speaking of this, Rhode suddenly felt a headache. After reaching out to pick up the cup and taking a sip of the already cold coffee, he slowly said:

"Maintain surveillance and gradually eliminate enemy personnel. First, ensure there's no disaster in the other world. As for the rest, we'll deal with it as it comes, one step at a time."

"Yes, I understand."

"Also, you need to go to Japan and find someone named Amada Minami (also from 'Queen of Arms')... Never mind, I'll do it myself when I go to Japan one day."

Watching Noah clearing the table, Rhode thought of the two children from the Heikemedia family she had mentioned earlier. He suddenly remembered what he had promised several of them—to take them out to see the events of the other world.

[Side Quest: IT]

Mission Description: Go to Derry Town, resolve supernatural incidents, and try to recover the mastermind behind the incidents.

Chapter 354 Mobile Task Force: Red Right Hand

In early spring, Interstate 95 winds through the awakening wilderness of Maine.

After a long absence, Rhode drove the "Deathrock" RV, a converted Peterbilt 379 truck, to the small town of Derry. The primarily black car with hints of dark red flames cut through the slightly damp, cold wind, scattering a trail of morning dew droplets across the asphalt.

The RV was bustling with laughter, as if nothing had changed from the past—except that the passengers had become a group of young children. The only ones who could be considered adults were Rod, New Jersey, and Carl Gallagher…none of them were very old.

While New Jersey was playing games with some kids in the back, Rhodes turned on the country music radio station, then turned his head to look at Carl sitting next to him and said with a smile:

"Enjoy your paid vacation!"

"...Boss, I don't think it's fun to be dealing with the afterlife during my paid vacation," Carl sighed deeply, looking wistfully at the waterproof document bag between his feet. Inside was his team's member information and known intelligence on this mission. "Besides, it's not appropriate to bring a bunch of 'children' along to solve this Derry children's missing case, is it? We have other Mobile Task Forces currently being formed and selected."

"You're special, like...oh thank you, Sharon."

Rhodes said, reaching back to take the hot coffee handed to him by Sharon Da Silva. This girl moved to Arkham Town with her parents after returning from Silent Hill. While attending school here, she also received training from Rhodes and the Army Without Borders... training on how to control the power from Alessa.

"Just like our lovely Miss Sharon," Rhodes winked at Sharon, making the girl smile shyly and run back to play with her friends.

Listening to the commotion behind him, Rhode smiled and shook his head. The warm early spring sun bathed him in a faint halo. After a few seconds of silence, he looked at Carl and said solemnly:

"You need a test, and I have high hopes for you... my Alpha-1, Red Right Hand."

Actually, Rhodes wanted to call them Alpha-9's Last Hope, but as the first mobile task force directly under Rhodes himself and the Cogito Foundation, the Red Right Hand was more appropriate.

Carl Gallagher is the team leader, and his subordinates include Sharon, Lucas Weaver and Aiden Weaver, 11, and Henry, a blind boy who may join in the future. (Source: See the interlude in this paragraph)

This team, which includes dark forces, Wendigo brothers, psychics, and saints, is led by a "shameless person." In the next few years, it will grow into the most powerful [Mobile Task Force], replacing Rhodes to carry out those medium to high-intensity otherworldly events, so that he can carry out more important missions.

In addition, Rhodes also reorganized and upgraded the equipment of the original four processing teams of the Army Without Borders, allowing them to begin learning more knowledge from the other world in order to meet the standards of a [Mobile Task Force]. Of course, the same was true for the troops in Africa and New Antioch.

Rhodes' plan basically involves forming local military and police forces, the Army Without Borders' quick reaction force, a mobile task force, and his own four-level response system for the otherworldly disaster. The Cogito Foundation's directors are also troubled by questions like how to ensure the cooperation of the governments of those countries and prevent them from using the creations of the otherworld.

For now, all they can do is rapidly expand their own strength and prepare for the inevitable collapse of the iron curtain between reality and the other world.

"Actually, the enemy this time isn't that strong," Rhodes patted the steering wheel, recalling the origin of this mission, "IT," and continued to talk to Carl, "This thing isn't from the otherworld... No, it's hard to say... All in all, it's not difficult to deal with, but it will definitely test you."

"What if we fail?"

Carl asked a question that he knew the answer to, but he still raised his voice slightly so that his voice could just reach the ears of the children in the back of the RV - he still hoped that his team members would be in awe of the danger they were about to face.

However, his thoughts were too easy to see through, not to mention these bright children who had experienced tragic events at a young age and had been between life and death too many times:

The children looked at each other, shrugged like the adults, and continued with their games.

"If you fail and I don't arrive in time," Rhode, who had also noticed this, didn't point it out. Instead, he smiled and said, "Then I can only regretfully declare you dead."

As he spoke, Rhodes raised his eyebrows at Karl. He held the steering wheel with one hand and raised his thumb with the other, and his smile became extremely bright:

"Don't worry, the Army Without Borders' pensions are extremely generous, especially for soldiers who died in battle!"

"...Then I can only hope that the pension during paid leave will be higher."

Hearing Rhode's words, Carl helplessly scratched his hair and continued to read the information about this mission with his head down. As the captain and the oldest person in the entire team, he had no choice but to do it. The boy clumsily imitated his eldest sister who took care of the whole family, and mixed his own understanding with what he learned in the army, trying hard to shoulder the responsibilities of a captain.

Glancing at Carl, who had thrown himself into work mode, Rod felt relieved. He rolled down the car window, lit a cigarette, and drove calmly in the swirling smoke, while trying to find more details about the mission from his fragmented memories.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the back half of the RV was much more lively than the silent cab.

Humming a little tune, New Jersey poured the last half cup of coffee from the thermos, letting the burnt aroma of Colombian coffee beans and the cedar scent of the car's aroma rise up and form a thin layer of mist on the glass on both sides.

New Jersey dug out some cookies and other easy-to-store desserts from the cabinet below. These were specially prepared by Marianne and Qianye for this trip. When the children saw the tray brought over by the ship girl, they cheered.

"Yeah, thanks New Jersey sister!"

"Ah, there's still plenty... don't waste it," New Jersey wiggled her fingers. Then, with a bright smile, she asked, "Does anyone want some hot cocoa?"

"I don't think anyone would refuse," Sharon said. She stretched and glanced through the car window, seeing a grim-faced self looking back at her. "I want more sugar in my cup!"

"Your mother has already told you to eat less," Rod shouted from the cab. He reached out and flicked the cigarette butt out the window. "Ms. Ruth is already very unhappy that I brought you here. Don't let her complain to me anymore."

Although Ms. Ruth and her husband Christopher did not object to Sharon joining the Mobile Task Force, they hoped that she could join after she reached adulthood... In the end, Rhodes persuaded her by arguing that the other world and those cultists would not wait until Sharon reached adulthood.

Therefore, Rhodes can be regarded as Sharon's half guardian during this trip.

In desperation, the girl moved closer to 11 and whispered something, but judging by the latter's raised eyebrows, it was clear that he had no intention of fulfilling the deal.

The two girls immediately started laughing and making a noise. Lucas had no choice but to dodge the flying pillow, but Aiden, who was further back, was not so lucky - he was hit directly with a black mask covering his mouth. His hands shook, and the character on the game screen was immediately knocked away.

The noise did not disturb Carl's reading. He also held a cigarette in his mouth but did not light it. Instead, he smelled the smell and silently memorized the information in the documents in his mind.

The slight vibration of the car seemed to speed up the passage of time, allowing Carl to ignore these worries. When he looked up from the document, he saw an ordinary small town in the United States appear before him:

Derry, Maine.

Chapter 355 IT: Derry Town

The town of Delhi is not small in size and population, and is full of vitality even in early spring. However, the frequent cases of missing children in recent times have cast a shadow over the place.

If you drive slowly through residential areas at night, you can almost hear the soft crying of parents who have lost their children.

Rod calmly surveyed the town, noting down every sign he passed, wondering if he could find the place he was looking for. There was an abandoned building called a haunted house by the townspeople, built on top of a well house, which was also the intersection of the town's sewers. Inside the deepest well was the lair of Pennywise the clown. Of course, this was just its favorite form and name.

This thing is an extraterrestrial life form in the original film and novel, and its setting is also connected to Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series. In short, it is a malevolent supernatural entity that feeds on human fear and often becomes the thing that its prey fears.

My favorite food is children because their fear is more delicious.

"This is Derry... Aside from the average level of wealth, it looks no different from Arkham," Carl said, looking out the window at the town, glancing at the curious people. "It's similar to Salem, but it'll soon be like Arkham, too."

"That's not good news."

Rhodes said unhappily. He drove the RV to a secluded place to stop, then walked from the cab to the rest area in the back half, while Carl immediately gathered the documents and followed.

Looking at the children who had quieted down, Rhodes leaned against the counter with his arms folded over his chest and said:

"According to currently known intelligence, a large-scale disappearance of children occurs in Derry every twenty-seven years. I already have some understanding of the enemy's true identity. Although obtaining intelligence is not the job of the [Mobile Task Force], I still hope that you can attempt to explore the truth and then face it."

Faced with the fear deep in his heart, Rhodes swallowed the second half of his sentence. He believed that his future task force members would be able to cross this abyss in their hearts.

"So, you won't be doing it yourself?" Lucas asked, raising his hand. He was a little worried. "If a fight breaks out, it will be terrible. I need to carry weapons and a mechanical exoskeleton."

The boy said this seriously, with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"You only have pistols and submachine guns in your backpacks—all of you—before you use your weapons, think carefully about whether you can shoot," Rhodes warned sternly. Compared to Carl, who had been involved in street gangs for a long time, Lucas's skills seemed immature... even though the latter had excellent shooting courses. "Especially you, Lucas. Compared to others, you don't have more options when facing difficulties and dangers, so you must use 'violence' with caution."

These words calmed the boy's excitement. He took his brother's hand, nodded at Rhodes, and responded seriously:

"I will never break my oath for my own sake, Mr. Rhodes."

"Very good. Next, you'll prepare to gather intelligence around town and return here before sunset to communicate via the communicator." Rhodes turned his head to look at the other children, finally landing on Aiden. The Wendigo boy returned his gaze with a doe-like gaze. If there were no restrictions, the casualties he could cause would probably be no less than that monster in Derry Town. Thinking of this, Rhodes sighed slightly and said, "As for Aiden, you'll come with me. If I'm not around, stay with New Jersey."

After that, Rhode's face brightened with a smile. He pulled a watch from his pocket and put it into Aiden's hand, explaining, "It looks like a standard watch for the Army Without Borders, but the dial inside is made of a thin layer of black stone. If necessary, turn the dial to adjust the time, reducing the degree of current stimulation to the black stone, allowing you to use more power... up to 3 minutes."

"However, I still suggest you set it at 60 seconds," Rhodes added, looking at the boy's uncontrollable joy. "After all, this thing is still a laboratory product and is not stable enough. Don't make your only relative sad, Aiden Weaver."

"I understand, sir, I swear to you!"

Now that he had finished speaking, Rhodes didn't waste any more time. He stuffed some money into each child's pocket and sent them out to collect useful things throughout the town... As for himself, he could take Aiden and wait for them at the finish line leisurely.

Rod, with his hands on his hips, looked at the departing figures with a hateful adult expression. When all the children disappeared around the corner, he shook his head helplessly and said to New Jersey beside him:

"These kids are smarter than I thought, but I'd rather they weren't."

"Your battle now is to prevent those tragedies from happening again," the ship girl put her arm around Rhodes, kissed him gently on the cheek, and said with a low laugh:

"Then I'll go to town to buy some ingredients for dinner. How about having a barbecue tonight? It's right here, and there are barbecue utensils in the RV."

"fair enough."

Rhodes agreed, stretched, and then called Aiden out of the RV and walked deeper into Derry Town.

If you visit Derry on July 15th every year, you can catch the unique "Canal Festival" here. The festival lasts for a week and is designed to commemorate the centenary of the opening of the canal that runs through the city, commemorating the time when the canal opened up Derry's logging industry and gave birth to the town's golden age.

Although the town of Derry today is not as glorious as it was in the past, it is still more vibrant than many small towns in the Midwest of the United States. Even its drainage facilities are more developed than those of some small cities... There is no way around it, as there is a lot of rainfall here in the summer and it is adjacent to the canal.

Walking on the street, Aiden looked back at the curious passers-by. The boy's gaze made them panic, as if they were being stared at by a carnivorous beast, so they had to lower their heads and walk away quickly.

After noticing this, Rhodes whispered to the boy:

"How are you doing? Can you still bear it?"

"...It's no problem, Mr. Rhodes." Aiden swallowed, as if he was reluctant to let go of the fresh blood and flesh that had escaped. "I've been trained and I ate a lot on the way here, but it's best for us to stay away from the crowd."

In reality, Rhode really wanted to give Aiden a vial of his own blood to carry with him, but it seemed that due to the system's protective mechanism, the blood would quickly evaporate and dissipate into the air after leaving Rhode's body, including other body tissues... The same was true for the girls at Hill Villa, which made cleaning easier.

Perhaps the system will provide a separate special exchange in the future, but for now, the boy still needs to continue to be patient.

"Indeed," Rhodes sighed. He touched the boy's head and then said with a smile, "Let's go buy some charcoal so we can have barbecue tonight—wait."

Rhodes suddenly saw a boy pushing a bicycle. He looked dejected, as if he had just run away from home.

The child's name is Bill Denbrough. He is one of the protagonists of "IT (2017)". His younger brother died at the hands of the clown Pennywise.

After quickly reviewing the fragmented memories that surfaced in his mind, Rhodes led Aiden to block Bill's way. Facing the latter's puzzled expression, he asked calmly: