Darkstone Code

The journey here... was quite difficult.

Whether it’s the Marilo or the Mallorians, the two main ethnic groups within the territory have very distinct characteristics — their eye color.

For Federation people to hide among them is not an easy task, and although the warlords have ceased their conflicts for the time being, attempting to traverse through various factions’ territories remains extremely challenging.

Fortunately, they finally reached their designated target.

The moment they emerged from the jungle, a city that was both modern and suffused with a historic aura appeared before them.

In that instant, it felt as if an immense atmosphere swept towards them.

Though there was no wind, it gave the illusion of a slight breeze brushing their faces.

The members of this team are the top talents in certain technical aspects of the Federation Military. Among them is a demolition expert, who can calmly use local materials to make bombs of various power.

There’s a super sniper with an extremely high hit rate even from a thousand meters away.

There is a combat doctor who can quickly and effectively handle any wound; even someone on the verge of death can stand up and fight for a while longer under his care, burning through the last bit of their life force.

A pilot, an infiltrator...

A squad of nine can be considered the current pinnacle of Federation single-soldier skills.

"Send the message..."

The one speaking is the team leader, code-named Commander.

Initially, the team members were very annoyed with his pretentious code name, as it made others... seem a bit inferior, but after some friendly sparring, everyone acknowledged his position.

Subsequently, the communications officer, code-named Carrier Pigeon, set down the telegraph machine, and the soldier code-named Grunt, who was responsible for the dirty work, vigorously cranked the hand-cranked generator. As the telegrams were sent and received, their message about reaching the designated location was sent out.

This kind of non-real-time communication telegram can use some relatively fixed modes, like saying "This morning’s coffee is a bit bitter," which might signify they’ve safely reached the designated location or that they’ve encountered trouble.

These telegrams, without rules or references, have great potential to confuse and are unlikely to be deciphered.

Not long after, information came from the rear, with the plain text message "If the coffee is bitter, just add three more milk sugars," symbolizing the commencement of the plan.

The Commander gathered everyone to start assigning tasks.

The creation of this special squad actually had a lot to do with Lynch and Darkstone Security.

In some operational plan guidance given by Lynch to Darkstone Security, he pointed out that during special times it was highly effective to use a small team of well-trained soldiers to execute decapitation tactics against target factions to significantly undermine their will to resist.

Simply put, it involves taking out the opposing head before mopping up the ordinary underlings.

The benefit of this is that once the opposing leader is dead, their forces will lack leadership and their will to fight will waver, making military strikes against them easier and reducing the loss of their own forces.

Darkstone Security, which is full of gaps, organized these guiding thoughts and forwarded them to the Ministry of Defense, proving the significance and technology of this tactic through several operational tests.

A new, secret institution was jointly established by Mr. Truman, the Minister of Defense, and senior military leaders to carry out these tactics.

Mr. Truman, in particular, understood the importance of this tactic, as he was aware of who assassinated the Emperor of Gafura, and thus played a key role in the establishment of this department.

Previously, Lynch was concerned that Darkstone Security being asked to execute such tasks as assassinating foreign heads of state could severely damage the company’s brand image, and his personal image.

Mr. Truman had already given him some hints that this task would be carried out by the Military.

This was also the first public appearance of the special operations team.

The task assignment wasn’t overly complex; the biggest difference between the Federation’s Military and other countries’ military forces is that they always consider all possible scenarios before something occurs.

What problems might we encounter during the mission and how to solve them.

If solvable, then what next?

If not, are there contingency plans?

In a way, it’s foolish to do this as it requires a considerable amount of manpower and effort to simulate a series of unknowns.

It’s possible a group might spend ten days, half a month simulating conditions only for it all to be overturned in the first second of the actual operation — the vehicle hits a landmine.

But on the flip side, there are actually benefits to this approach, as any potential problem encountered during the actual operation that is discovered and resolved during the simulation can seamlessly follow predetermined solutions, simplifying many matters.

For instance, the Commander assigned four plans, each with their own alternatives, so that losing contact with any single person wouldn’t affect the overall plan, which is much more meaningful than considering remedies at the last moment.

That night, the nine-man team infiltrated the city under the cover of darkness.

Upon entering the city, they immediately discovered a good piece of news — there were foreigners here.

This meant that they were less likely to be discovered, even though the information stated there were many foreigners residing there, until they actually arrived no one could confirm the data was accurate.

The team followed the plan, doing what they needed to do, and although the night seemed compressed as if its beauty went unappreciated, morning came swiftly.

At dawn, a line of armored vehicles bypassed the city’s main road, stopping at the Grand President Beigaao’s manor.

The person who stepped out of the vehicle looked burly, wearing a Beret and large sunglasses, holding a Kleve in their mouth.

"I was worried you’d encounter some trouble on the road, now I’m relieved," Beigaao had already been waiting a while.

The person before him was one of the absent warlords. Early in the morning at around four, he received news that this warlord was nearing the capital, so he got up early to make welcoming preparations.

This warlord seemed around fifty, with a thick layer of mustache on his lips.

He wiped the mustache with his hand, then smiled and embraced Beigaao, "There were some matters to handle at home, so I set off a bit late, I’m not the last one, am I?"

As they spoke, the two had already separated, Beigaao shook his head, leading the warlord to the house, "No, there are still... others yet to arrive."

"That’s good, I wouldn’t want to be considered the rude one!" The warlord and Beigaao entered the house and proceeded to the study’s side hall.

Although described as a study, it was effectively a reception room adjacent to the study, quite spacious.

After the servants arranged all the fruit plates, pastries, and tea, they all left, leaving only Beigaao, his son, the warlord, and his two assistants.

"... During the days you were absent, we had some preliminary discussions. We based the divisions on the current territorial occupations and the previous administrative divisions of Mariluo, planning eleven states..."

Beigaao carefully explained the results of their discussions over the past few days, and the warlord listened attentively. There were printed maps on hand for reference, ensuring clarity.

His decades as a puppet were not for naught; he was very adept at mediating between these warlords, such as in this case with the administrative division plan, which allowed each major warlord to independently control a state without needing to relocate.

They were granted the nominal highest administrative and military authority within their states, which pleased the warlords, allowing them to command the surrounding minor warlords.

The minor warlords had little objection, unable to compete with the major warlords, they could only comply.

Moreover, now that the major warlord by their side had become their superior, it was actually a good thing; at least those major warlords had no reason to attack them without cause.

During this time, both parties also discussed and debated, mostly revolving around territorial divisions, as every party sought more land, since it relates to interests.

Even just a square kilometer of land is worth fighting over.

In the end, the warlord accepted most of the proposal with minimal changes, only suggesting some basic adjustments related to railways and highways.

"So what do we need to do next?" The warlord’s enthusiasm was high, "Just tell us what we need to cooperate with!"

The Grand President thought for a bit, simply outlining the upcoming arrangements.

"Once... arrives, if there are no objections, after two or three days of negotiation, we aim to announce unification to the world by August."

"Of course, the language in the telegraph might be a bit... ", he tilted his head slightly, "You know, sometimes we can’t just plainly state the truth."

The warlord laughed heartily, "Yes, I know what you mean, I won’t mind, do it your way."

Beigaao’s intention was that when making the announcement, he would tell the world that all the warlords had committed to following the Central Government’s leadership, though this wasn’t actually the case.

He had discussed this with all the warlords attending the meeting, it was merely for external appearances, internally they’d continue as usual; of course, there was a need for unity now, unlike the constant internal strife of the past.

The severe cold weather already had many people in the North migrating South, and along with the Federation’s infiltration and interference in Mariluo, they no longer had much time or opportunity for leisurely adjustments.

If they missed this opportunity, there might not be another chance!