In Argos, the capital of Wangchuan Yue, located in the eastern coastal red-light district:
The streets were unusually desolate.
Even with the holographic signs displaying seductive images on the buildings lining the streets, most people finishing work chose to ignore them, hurrying through to return home.
Strip clubs and establishments offering "special services" lacked their usual allure, as the "technicians" who typically lowered their inhibitions to attract customers were nowhere to be seen.
As for the nightclubs where one could indulge in encounters and abandon, a few remained open, but they, too, were deserted.
However, one nightclub, named "Wangchuan Yue: No Worries," was quite the exception, hosting numerous "customers."
Thump, thump… boom!
Inside, the nightclub blasted deep, ear-pounding beats.
The casually dressed "customers" sat by the bar or lounged on sofas, drinking and chatting. Meanwhile, scantily clad female servers carried trays, providing drinks, snacks, and other services while tidying up.
Yet the focal point of the nightclub—the dance floor—was sparsely populated. Few people swayed or jumped to the music to release the stress of a day, or even a lifetime.
In reality, besides a handful of local residents unafraid of the xenomorph "insect infestation," the vast majority of "customers" were members of the Human Empire's advance team, investigators, or members of special operations groups from the investigation department.
Additionally, the second floor and basement of the nightclub housed over a hundred elite guards.
Once the "15" forward base became operational, Gary "Xiaoqiang" Sanderson used orbital drones to survey all of Wangchuan Yue.
Though the technological level of the Alien universe was not as advanced as that of Halo or Starship Troopers, Wangchuan Yue's orbital defense platform was still a planetary-grade strategic weapon—a network of a hundred large orbital space stations armed with nuclear and hydrogen bombs, deployed as a web outside the planet's atmosphere.
Any spacecraft attempting to enter Wangchuan Yue's atmosphere without approval would face a hail of nuclear and hydrogen bomb strikes, turning them into Swiss cheese.
Similarly, unauthorized spacecraft trying to leave Wangchuan Yue's surface would also face nuclear and hydrogen bombardments.
This orbital defense system, referred to by the military of the "15" universe as "Cerberus," was named after the three-headed guard dog of the underworld in Greek mythology.
However, the Cerberus defense system could not detect or lock onto Human Empire vessels equipped with optical camouflage or magnetic shielding technologies.
But as the commander of the "15" forward base, Xiaoqiang did not want the Space Wolves' 14th Company, accompanying the joint reconnaissance team, to send their fleet to destroy Cerberus outright.
First, destroying such a well-established orbital defense system would be a waste.
After all, once they controlled Argos, the capital of Wangchuan Yue, and obtained the master control rights from the governor, they could "repurpose" Cerberus for their own use.
Second, sending the Space Wolves to act rashly could lead to nuclear and hydrogen strikes on the surface, potentially causing massive casualties among innocent civilians.
Therefore, after the Space Wolves' 14th Company deployed to the forward base, Xiaoqiang gradually sent his direct subordinates to infiltrate Argos.
With the help of the reconnaissance team's clunky AI, he forged identification documents for his subordinates and the investigation department's members.
At this time of xenomorph chaos, with the Wangchuan Yue governor calling all citizens to take refuge in Argos and major towns, the risk of exposure for forged IDs was minimal.
Subsequently, Xiaoqiang discreetly "purchased" this nightclub and legally rented several apartments and warehouses to serve as operation hubs in Argos.
Now, on the second floor of the nightclub, in a meeting room:
"Hey, Lieutenant Colonel Sanderson, my brothers and I have been waiting here for days! When can we get some action? This is too stifling!"
A loud complaint echoed through the room, originally designed to entertain business partners or provide customized services to wealthy patrons.
The grumbler was a Space Wolf—an exceptionally tall and muscular figure, awkwardly seated on a sofa that seemed too small for him.
This Space Wolf was none other than the captain of the 14th Company: Logan Sigurd.
Aside from Sigurd, the meeting room held several members of the advance team, investigators, the leader of a special operations group from the investigation department, and a clunky AI projecting a holographic figure.
Gary "Xiaoqiang" Sanderson, standing by a low conference table, was reviewing a structural map of Argos on a panoramic screen, along with data compiled by the AI.
"..."
Hearing Logan's complaint, Xiaoqiang glanced at him but offered no explanation.
"Captain Sigurd,"
The AI, dressed in a virtual Imperial military uniform and with a female voice as cold as ice, responded:
"We must act at the optimal moment to maximize the benefits of this operation. Please be patient for a while longer."
"Tch."
Logan, annoyed by the AI's "lecture," was about to retort but ultimately held back. There was no point in arguing with a "brainless" machine.
The clunky AI wasn't truly unintelligent—it could communicate with people and even independently command entire frigates or destroyers in battle.
It simply lacked the near-human self-awareness or independent thought capabilities of a smart AI.
This limitation stemmed from the manufacturing process, which did not involve scanning deceased or living brains.
As for how Leman Russ managed to secure the opportunity for the Space Wolves to participate in the Empire's first unified campaign in a new universe, it was undoubtedly linked to his "shameless" tactics.
He first cozied up to close allies Fulgrim and Angron, then leveraged his status as an elder brother to negotiate with Mortarion and Corax, ensuring the poorly equipped 14th Company could deploy to the "15" universe to earn military achievements.
By now, Xiaoqiang, having reviewed the data compiled by the AI, had devised a detailed plan to seize control of Argos and eliminate hostile elements.
After a brief pause, Xiaoqiang, habitually silent, finally issued orders:
"In two hours, Team 1 will raid the governor's mansion, using minimal force to capture the governor of Wangchuan Yue and all officials inside.
"Team 2 will head to the planetary marine corps' surface garrison. Likewise, capture them with minimal force and secure the destroyers docked at the spaceport.
"As for Weyland-Tongue's mercenaries and the suspected cult base…"
At this point, Xiaoqiang paused, his gaze shifting to Logan, lounging on the sofa:
"That will be the responsibility of Captain Sigurd's company. You will be the main force for this operation. Ensure that all threats are neutralized in the shortest time possible."
"Ha! Finally, we can let loose and have a good fight!" Logan exclaimed, grinning widely.
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