True Apocalypse Game

Lockheed Martin Company—the largest arms corporation in Eagle Country, and indeed the entire world; the number one weapons manufacturer.

The company is a world leader in the fields of aviation, aerospace, and electronics. It controls the production and launch of the vast majority of Eagle Country’s military satellites, and is also the primary builder of the strategic missile defense systems (TMD, NMD).

The world-renowned Skunk Works is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Company, having produced a series of legendary, era-defining weapons such as the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, the F-117 stealth fighter, the F-35 stealth fighter, and the Trident submarine-launched missile.

It is Eagle Country’s largest government contractor and a vital part of the military-industrial complex.

Lockheed Martin Company has also invested heavily and achieved significant results in cyber and information warfare. Its "Global Vision Integration Center (GVIC)," established specifically for this purpose, is located near Eagle Country’s Department of Defense Combat Development Command and research center.

Chenyin Artificial Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. is a company that has only recently emerged in Silicon Valley.

The company possesses unique AI technology, and its research has always focused on strong artificial intelligence systems with autonomous consciousness.

In just three years, it has grown from an obscure startup into a medium-sized tech company. It has made a name for itself in the field of artificial intelligence and even entered the supply chain for Eagle Country’s defense system.

The Zeus Intelligent Combat Command System is Chenyin’s latest product. It has already received partial approval from the Pentagon and is slated for use in small-scale military operations in the Middle East Theater.

Due to its outstanding performance in several recent small-scale special operations, the system caught the eye of Lockheed Martin Company’s top executives. They immediately initiated an equity acquisition with Chenyin, thereby obtaining the Zeus system as well.

After further research, development, and integration by their Global Vision Integration Center (GVIC)—which incorporated the strengths of some of Lockheed Martin Company’s own AI systems—the Zeus system underwent a significant optimization and upgrade. It was renamed the Poseidon Intelligent Combat Command System.

The renaming was supposedly done to align with Lockheed Martin Company’s own Trident submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile, unifying the nomenclature.

A mischievous whim of the management, perhaps.

Reading the report in his hands, Nick’s expression was grim. His already dark complexion seemed to grow even darker.

While secretly monitoring the military’s activities, the CIA also maintained a cooperative relationship with Lockheed Martin Company.

In fact, the very intranet office system he was using was a Lockheed Martin Company product.

When he had previously seen the so-called "Poseidon" intelligent nuclear strike system in the True Apocalypse Game, he had inwardly scoffed at it.

After all, a name like Poseidon didn’t really fit the Pentagon’s naming conventions; it sounded more like something the Navy would come up with on its own.

But he never expected that in the real world, the Poseidon Intelligent Combat Command System had actually been created.

In that instant, any lingering doubt he had about the information presented in the True Apocalypse Game vanished.

"Fu—" Nick felt as if he’d been plunged into a massive whirlpool, and had unwittingly become one of the main players in this vortex of conspiracy...

Then, his eyes narrowed into a cold smirk. After a few seconds of dazed confusion, he quickly made a decision.

’It’s just conspiracy and intrigue. I’m a master of that myself.’

He signed his name on the report and handed the file to his secretary.

Looking immensely relieved, the secretary immediately snatched up the file, hurried out of the director’s office, and closed the door.

After the secretary had left, Nick pulled up a list. He studied it for a moment before his eyes locked onto a single name.

Kadi Cohen.

A director at Lockheed Martin Company, head of the Chenyin acquisition plan, and project lead for the Poseidon Intelligent Combat Command System.

He was also the one who had vehemently recommended the Zeus system during the previous Pentagon meeting.

After frowning at Kadi Cohen’s file for a long time, Nick dialed a number and spoke briefly:

"Clean the room. San Francisco Hotel, Presidential Suite, Room LMT009."

A low, hoarse voice replied from the other end of the line:

"Yes, sir. It would be my pleasure."

Then he hung up.

With that done, Nick leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Central and South America are home to numerous groups of desperados, such as the Lone Eagle Organization and various Anti-Government Guerrillas.

Many of these are assets on the CIA’s payroll, external organizations that carry out armed subversion, assassinations, and other activities throughout the Americas.

If a mission fails or their identities are exposed, many of these desperados enter the United States under CIA protection, receiving asylum as informants or protected witnesses.

To Nick, these people were a wild force, a pack of hungry wolves.

As long as they are kept on a tight leash, they are the most convenient of weapons.

Clean, fast, and untraceable.

Having them kill Kadi Cohen and terminate Lockheed Martin Company’s so-called "Poseidon Intelligent Combat Command System" project was the fastest and most convenient solution.

’This is the first step.’

If the plan failed, Nick didn’t mind handling it himself.

After all, theft, deception, and assassination were his stock-in-trade.

’And deep down, he even hoped that after it was all over, he might receive a sliver of praise from that Mr. Developer... No, from the Commander...’

...

"...So, Dr. Gu, that’s the gist of it. Thinking about saving the world every day has left me exhausted. I feel like I’m starting to break down mentally, and it’s getting hard to keep my composure. Is there anything you can do to help me de-stress?"

Shen Feng, wearing a mask and sunglasses, lay sprawled on a sofa, his voice muffled.

On the sofa opposite him sat a young woman in her twenties. She wore a smart professional outfit—a gray blazer over a white shirt, a matching short skirt, and a pair of glasses. She had a delicate figure and a refined, elegant beauty.

This was a private psychological counseling office in the Capital, and the woman before him was the therapist Shen Feng had come to see.

On Jingwei’s advice, Shen Feng had actually come to see a psychologist.

He said he was seeing a psychologist, but really, he just wanted someone to talk to, even if it was a complete stranger.

’Too many secrets, bottled up for too long, can make you sick. A little venting can be very helpful.’

Of course, Jingwei had already taken complete control of all the electronic devices in the room, ensuring their conversation would not be recorded or bugged.

’Better safe than sorry.’

Hearing Shen Feng’s words, Gu Yun couldn’t help but smile. This young man had made an appointment with her a few days ago, specifically booking her for the entire day.

She had originally assumed her client would be a middle-aged man, not a teenager. And upon meeting, he had made himself right at home, flopping onto the sofa and launching into a story about traveling to a Parallel Cosmos’s Doomsday World to save human civilization.

According to the young man, the recent Petrification Disease outbreak was only resolved because he released information about the Healing Potion.

He also claimed to have orchestrated the recent nuclear explosion at the Arctic Stone Statue Ruins that shocked the world.

’Delusions of grandeur.’

’Or perhaps a distorted self-perception brought on by extreme stress and anxiety.’

Gu Yun had already formed a basic diagnosis of the young man’s condition.

However, her professionalism as a doctor kept her from refuting him. Instead, she went along with his narrative and asked:

"So, since you’ve saved the world multiple times, what do you plan to do next?"

The young man chuckled dryly, speaking without lifting his head:

"Take a little trip to Eagle Country."