vrcanaries Chapter 85 A Scheme Within a Scheme (1)
Chapter 85 A Scheme Within a Scheme (1)
Harbin, Special Affairs Bureau Base.
Sunlight filtered through the thick clouds, casting a faint glow that illuminated the land.
With the tireless efforts of numerous logistics personnel working day and night to expedite the cleanup, after nearly three days, the entire base finally gradually emerged from the chaos, and all departments resumed normal operations.
Meanwhile, a somber atmosphere permeated the conference room inside the base.
Director Zhong sat solemnly at the head of the table, his sharp gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present below.
Below him sat Hong Tao and the heads of various other departments.
Each of them wore a look of exhaustion and worry, as if the attack still lingered in their minds.
"Everyone..." Director Zhong broke the silence in the conference room.
His voice was low as he said, "This attack has caused enormous losses to the entire Harbin Special Operations Bureau. Many colleagues will never be able to come here and attend this meeting!"
As he spoke, he looked around at everyone in the conference room, his eyes revealing deep sorrow and regret.
Upon hearing these words, the heads of various departments below all turned their gazes to the empty seats beside them.
The seats that should have been occupied now seemed unusually deserted, which made everyone's mood even heavier.
For a moment, the entire conference room fell into a collective silence, and no one was willing to easily speak to break the oppressive tranquility.
Director Zhong took a deep breath and continued, word by word, "Although today's occasion is not suitable for mentioning these sad things."
"But I have to tell you all that in this attack, the heads of three important departments of the Harbin Special Operations Bureau—the Research Department, the Garrison Department, and the Political Department—have all unfortunately died in the line of duty!"
He paused slightly at this point, seemingly trying to calm his excited emotions.
However, the next second, Director Zhong raised his head and said in a firm and powerful voice, "I have given a detailed report on this incident to the headquarters in the capital."
"Just now, the headquarters in the capital also sent back a message, clearly stating that the right to handle the follow-up of this incident is entirely up to us!"
At this point, Director Zhong suddenly stood up, his expression solemn and dignified, and said loudly, "Therefore, the purpose of this meeting today is not a simple briefing, nor is it to discuss countermeasures together, but to issue an important notice to everyone!"
As soon as he finished speaking, after a brief pause and while everyone in the conference room stood up, Director Zhong continued loudly, "From the moment this meeting begins today, whatever conflicts exist between you..."
"Or the various factional struggles you are involved in, none of that is my concern!"
"At this moment, there is only one order that must be executed without hesitation!"
That means that immediately following the conclusion of today's meeting, the Special Operations Bureau and military forces throughout the Eastern Province will be uniformly deployed and will launch an immediate operation to conduct a comprehensive and indiscriminate purge of the Orphnochs and Worms within the territory!
After speaking, Director Zhong's gaze sharpened as he swept his eyes across the heads of various departments present, revealing an undeniable authority and determination.
Director Zhong's sharp eyes swept over everyone present.
He continued until he was certain that everyone had fully digested the message he had just conveyed.
He then cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Dr. Hong, please come to my office. The rest of you may leave the meeting here!"
"Go back and make all the necessary preparations before the operation!" With that, he turned around without hesitation and strode confidently toward the door of the conference room.
Seeing this, Hong Tao quickly got up and followed closely behind Director Zhong.
In the blink of an eye, the two disappeared at the conference room door, leaving the department heads in the room looking at each other in bewilderment.
They exchanged puzzled glances, then shook their heads in unison, seemingly unaware of what was about to happen.
……
A moment later, in the director's office.
Hong Tao sat leisurely on the soft and comfortable sofa, casually picked up a steaming cup of fragrant tea from the table, took a sip, and immediately felt a refreshing aroma spread in his mouth.
At this moment, Director Zhong stood quietly to the side, gazing silently at Hong Tao, as if time had frozen.
After a long while, Director Zhong suddenly smiled slightly, breaking the silence, and said, "Hey Hong Tao, aren't you even a little bit curious?"
Hearing this, Hong Tao, who was drinking tea, paused for a moment, then slowly put down his teacup and replied innocently, "Ah! What am I curious about? I don't know anything about it, so what's there to be curious about?"
Upon hearing this, Director Zhong burst into laughter. He walked over to Hong Tao, sat down next to him, patted him on the shoulder, and jokingly said, "Come on, Hong Tao, don't play dumb with me!"
“It’s understandable if others say they don’t know the situation, but if even you, Dr. Hong, who is famous in the capital headquarters, don’t know, then I’m afraid no one in our Special Affairs Bureau can figure out the situation!”
Upon hearing this, Hong Tao slowly raised his head and looked directly at Director Zhong sitting opposite him.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and for a moment neither of them spoke, simply gazing at each other silently.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment; the only sounds in the room were soft breathing and the ticking of the wall clock.
After a long while, Hong Tao broke the silence first.
He gently placed the teacup he was holding on the coffee table in front of him, then straightened up, his expression becoming unusually serious, and solemnly said, "So, Director Zhong must have already noticed something amiss, right?"
"Indeed, to be honest, I have been conducting a covert investigation for some time now, and all indications suggest that..."
"This attack was by no means accidental; it was entirely orchestrated by certain individuals within our ranks." Director Zhong paused abruptly at this point.
Seemingly recalling some infuriating scene, his previously calm face instantly filled with murderous intent, and he continued speaking through gritted teeth.
The moment Director Zhong unleashed a powerful killing intent, Hong Tao, who had been keeping a close eye on him, keenly sensed it.
He was startled, but quickly regained his composure.
Immediately afterward, Hong Tao stood up abruptly, strode over to Director Zhong's side, gently patted his shoulder, and earnestly comforted him, "I've also heard about Secretary He's ordeal. Please accept my condolences!"