Great Power Technology

In the Pacific Ocean, in the high sea area 90 nautical miles east of Mauritius Island, the "Explorer" cruise ship is swimming on the sea.

This refitted cruise ship has never docked since three years ago, and its burden makes it impossible to dock at any regular port.

It is the headquarters of the Hermes Organization. It was from this cruise ship that Bruce Conn issued extremely cruel and decisive orders, causing consequences for many capitulationist organizations in the world, including the Natural Sect, and even official organizations. A major blow.

A lot of people want him dead, but of course, there are a lot of people who want him alive.

Therefore, he can only maintain the operation of the Hermes organization in this way. As long as he is still on the high seas, as long as he does not step into the territory of any country, according to the tacit balance and tacit understanding, no one will Attack him.

But today, after receiving news from China, he felt that his authority was challenged.

Under his nose, the group called "Ark" that splintered from the Hermes organization actually jumped over him and began to use Hermes' resources to control public opinion, and has caused major consequences worldwide. Influence.

And he himself didn't even know the purpose of these actions.

This was a major oversight, but Conn didn't think it represented his own failure - Hermes was involved in too many matters, which took up a lot of his energy and left him no time to take care of internal management. work.

But that doesn't mean he's not good at this kind of work.

He is a sociologist, and what he is best at is managing people - perhaps sometimes, this "management" can be quite tough and direct.

In a small reception room on the Explorer, Conn was having a significant conversation with two of the core members of the Hermes Organization. If we look back from the future, people may find that what happened was exactly what happened. It was this conversation that ended the era of unification of the Hermes organization and started twenty years of turmoil for the organization and the entire world.

But now, everyone believes that this conversation is nothing more than an internal review and reflection.

"So, it is now basically certain that the leader of the 'Ark' organization is a character codenamed 'Columbus,' but we do not yet have his specific identity."

"How long does it take to confirm identity?"

Conn asked, frowning.

"You need to check from the bottom up. Their confidentiality measures are not too strict - in fact, they always believe that our goals are the same, but they have chosen another technological development route."

"What is certain is that Jess, Piedlov, and Minson all belong to the Ark organization. Jess and Piedlov are both my direct subordinates. They are very loyal, but they are just out of some wrong consciousness. , which caused them to fail to report to me in time."

"If we can open a breakthrough from them, within a week, we will be able to get to the top members of the Ark organization, and it is very likely to capture the so-called 'Columbus'."

"But what I'm worried about now is, if we take enforcement measures against them, will there be a violent backlash? Our organization is likely to be divided as a result, and our execution and influence will be greatly reduced."

Hearing his words, Conn nodded slightly, and then said:

"Organizational fragmentation is inevitable, or rather, it is not a fragmentation but a purification."

"According to the current intelligence, the so-called 'consciousness uploading' technology promoted by the Ark organization has the precursor to escapeism. This is something we absolutely do not want to see. In order to avoid such signs, we should strangle them at all costs. In the cradle—even a civil war.”

"Is this really necessary?"

The man opposite said hesitantly.

"Why isn't it necessary?"

"They just want to survive. You know, in the face of a major crisis like this, every attempt should be encouraged. What if they are right?"

"They can't be right."

Conn said firmly.

"If they choose other routes, such as the antimatter bomb direction proposed by my old friend Sid Jeff, then it is absolutely impossible for me to suppress them."

“Even if I knew the solution was a long shot, I would encourage them to give it a try.”

"But consciousness uploading is different. This is a complete act of giving up the position. As carbon-based creatures, land, air and sunlight are the basis of our survival. If we give up these things, we will never be able to get back on our feet."

"Compared to the crisis in the adjacent dimension, the technology they chose is actually a bigger crisis, because what they ask us to give up is the attribute of being a 'human being', and what we are giving up is the most powerful and powerful creature like human beings. The most reliable foundation.”

"So, we can't compromise."

"All right."

The man let out a long sigh. He was not completely convinced by Conn, but he had an emotion for Conn in front of him that far exceeded trust. This emotion was like a Crusader knight for a bishop or a guard. To the king is like the soldier ants to the queen.

Because of this emotion, he is willing to implement Conn's strategy to the letter, even if this strategy has not yet been proven correct.

After a pause, he continued:

"So, where do we start? Other than confirming the membership of the Ark organization?"

Conn took a deep breath from the almost burned out cigarette in his hand, and then said:

"First of all, we need to confirm what they are going to do this time - to hype public opinion on a large scale and create panic on a large scale. Their purpose is obviously not panic itself."

"I highly suspect that their operation this time is still related to mind uploading technology - but I don't know where they will start from yet."

"That's true. This is the first time we have had direct and close contact with them. To figure out their operating logic, we need more time."

The man replied in agreement.

Conn pondered for a moment, and then asked:

"I heard that they found the farmer who survived the neighboring dimension invasion in Iowa? Is this news accurate?"

"Accurately, it was Thomas who found him. He used to be a member of the action team and was responsible for operations in North America. Later, he was transferred to the logistics department due to injury. I know him very well and he is a good person."

"Okay, then the strategy is very clear. Now that they have found the farmer, it proves that the farmer is very important to their subsequent plans. What we have to do is very simple, just clean him up."

"Clean it up? Even notify your lover? But Thomas."

The man wanted to say something else, but Conn interrupted him directly.

"You can try to communicate with Thomas first. However, this communication must be established when we have complete control of him. If he shows any tendency to be unwilling to cooperate and return to the Hermes organization, I want you to Should know how to do it.”

Hearing Conn's words, the man nodded painfully. He and Thomas were not very close friends. In several previous operations, Thomas had accepted his command as a capable subordinate, and was also in those operations. The action showed extremely high quality and admirable spirit of sacrifice.

Now, because of the different routes, he may have to personally order the "clearance" of the other party. This is not an easy decision for him to make.

Conn noticed the man's expression, but he didn't say much. He was a leader. As a leader, he knew that the most important thing at this time was not to show the care and affection of his subordinates, but to show his subordinates' care and affection. Stick to your strong principles.

So, he just continued to speak coldly:

"Thomas and the farmer are just the first step. After finding out the list of members of the Ark organization, we are likely to conduct a deeper cleanup."

"We have so many resources in our hands, most of which come from the governments of various countries that support us. We must not allow these resources to be wasted on escapeism - and the officials will not allow it."

"So, we have to show our attitude."

"And the only way to show our attitude is through war."

"There is a saying in China that 'a strong man cuts off his arm'. When you cannot save an arm, you must cut it off."

"And now, it's time to swing the sword."