The apocalypse struck, and I became a druid.

Page 246

"Distinguished leaders and colleagues, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this meeting."

Lin Chen didn't say much more.

"Without further ado, we have gathered here today to discuss one thing—the possibility and specific details of the 'Decapitation Scheme'."

"Based on the intelligence we have gathered at great cost in the early stages, it has now been basically confirmed that the Kuroshio energy that supports the activities of the water ghosts and pollutes the waters is not evenly distributed, but depends on several core nodes known as the 'Kuroshio source points'."

"These sources are usually hidden in extremely deep waters or special terrains, guarded by powerful water ghoul priests and elites."

"Destroying these source points can significantly weaken or even temporarily eliminate the Kuroshio pollution in large areas, giving us a precious respite, and may even be a turning point for the strategic counter-offensive."

"Commander Lin, everyone understands the principle."

Liang Tie spoke first, his tone still carrying a hint of impatience.

"The key question is, what should we do? Where is the source? Don't tell me that those few vague source points count, or has your Aoki Group already figured out all the information?"

Lin Chen seemed to be used to Liang Tie's temper and responded calmly:

"Chief Liang, please calm down. We do have limited information about the exact location of the source point, but we are not entirely clueless."

“The Navy and atomic fission have narrowed down the scope to a few high-risk areas.” He looked at Colonel Pang and Director Gao.

Colonel Pang continued:

"Our department has initially identified three suspected source locations in deep-sea trench areas, and the coordinates have been shared with you."

"But these areas have extremely high water pressure, harsh environments, and are patrolled by a large number of water ghouls and mutated sea beasts, making them difficult to approach by conventional means."

One of the people next to Director Gao spoke up:

"Our energy model analysis shows that there is a high-intensity anomalous energy convergence in these three regions, which matches the core fluctuation characteristics of the Kuroshio Current by more than 85%. In addition, the model predicts that in about eleven days, there will be an 'energy trough' lasting about four hours, at which time the defense and energy activity of the source point will drop to the lowest point of the cycle, which is the best window for attack."

"Eleven days later...time is tight." Lu Bancheng rubbed his chin.

"Even if we know the location and timing, how to get in is still a problem. In deep-sea operations, our Awakened Ones' abilities are greatly reduced, and the navy's large ships probably can't even get into those complex trenches, right?"

"This is exactly what we need to discuss, Hemlock."

Lin Chen spoke up, and Hemlock took out a remote control, pointed it at a projector on the table, and pressed a button.

A simple tactical map was projected onto the blank wall in front of the conference room, marked with three red dots and possible attack routes.

"Now, let's hear from our colleagues in the Army and Navy about the plans."

Prior to this, everyone had already made preliminary plans.

In warfare... it's definitely the military that organizes the plans.

“A direct assault is not advisable. Our plan is to organize an elite commando team composed of top-tier combatants to infiltrate the core area of ​​the source point during the energy low period, using special equipment or abilities, and carry out a decapitation strike. The objective is to destroy the source point structure or kill the guardian priest.” Major Zhou took out his electronic storage device and plugged it into the computer connected to the projector.

Despite the harsh environment, with so many people, there's bound to be plenty of electronic devices.

Not to mention a single set of meeting equipment, you could probably find a hundred sets.

"Elite commando team?" Liang Tie leaned forward and asked.

"Who will lead the assault team? How many people will each unit send? If the command is not clear, going into the deep sea is suicide. My White Shark men are familiar with the water, but we will never entrust our lives to a commander who is not familiar with naval warfare."

"Chief Liang's concerns are valid, but I must point out that the model predictions for atomic fission have a margin of error. The so-called 'energy trough' is based on calculations from existing data. If the source structure is more complex than we imagine, or if the Water Corpse Priest has means of interference, this window of opportunity may be shortened or even become invalid."

"Placing all our hopes on a single raid without more thorough verification is extremely risky."

Her words made everyone think deeply.

Silence for a few seconds.

Lu Bancheng then spoke up: "Director Gao is absolutely right. If the assault fails and the feint attack force is surrounded, we will lose not only manpower, but also precious strategic time."

"Sirs, shall we conduct a small-scale reconnaissance first to verify the reliability of the energy trough?"

"What Chief Lu said makes sense."

Several leaders of medium-sized settlements nodded in agreement. Their concerns were not only about casualties, but also about the survival of their own forces should the operation fail.

Are you questioning the military capabilities of our army?

Before Major Zhou could speak, a sharp-eyed officer in the army ranks turned his gaze and coldly stared at Lu Bancheng.

"Hehe, I was just offering a suggestion." Lu Bancheng clasped his hands together on the table, his eyes slightly darting towards the officer who had spoken, a smile on his face.

"If it's a one-man show in your army, what's the point of calling us to a meeting and asking us to assist in operations?"

The young officer was about to speak when Major Zhou reached out and interrupted him:

"Alright, Xiao Zheng, Chief Lu's concerns are not without merit. However, our department believes that the Water Corpse Demons are very vigilant. We only have one chance. If we alert them, it will be difficult to begin the formal plan."

At this moment, Zheng Weiguo, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke:

"We have limited knowledge of the situation inside the source point, the actual configuration of the guards, and even the exact duration and stability of the energy trough. These uncertainties cannot be solved by model calculations and external reconnaissance alone."

"I share Chief Lu's view that we must verify the exact troop distribution of the water zombies and the precise location of the source point beforehand. Even if we miss the energy tide, there will be another one, but once lives are lost, they can never be recovered."

His words immediately resonated with others.

Navy Colonel Pang expressed his support:

“The deep-sea environment is complex and full of variables. I agree with Commander Zheng’s opinion that advance reconnaissance can greatly reduce the risks of subsequent operations.”

Across the round table, Liang Tie stood with his arms crossed, offering no rebuttal.

Although he was domineering, he didn't want his people to die without knowing why.

At the conference table, opinions gradually split into two camps.

Major Zhou and some other army officers advocated seizing the opportunity and launching a decisive attack.

The other side, led by Zheng Weiguo and Colonel Pang, united most of the leaders of the settlements and believed that reconnaissance and verification should be given priority.

"Reconnaissance can indeed reduce risks, but have you considered the possibility of missing opportunities? The evolution speed of the water ghouls is beyond imagination. No one can guarantee that their combat power will not become even stronger when the next energy trough comes?"

Major Zhou said in a deep voice.

"Therefore, the selection of reconnaissance team members and the operation plan are crucial. They must ensure extremely high stealth and responsiveness, and even if exposed, they must be able to transmit key information back," Zheng Weiguo responded.

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became subtle.

"Missing a crucial opportunity... Major Zhou, do you treat the lives of us brothers in the settlement area as mere pawns on your chessboard? Is this the level of your staff?" Liang Tie slammed his hand on the table, the solid wood surface making a dull thud. His men behind him stepped forward in unison, their eyes fierce.

The young officer behind Major Zhou stood up abruptly, his expression unchanged: "Liang Tie, watch your words! This is a strategic decision, not the kind of fighting and killing that your White Shark gangs engage in."

"What did you say?!" Liang Tie's body was filled with a chilling aura, and a layer of white frost instantly condensed on the table.

"Enough!" Lin Chen shouted in a low voice, his sharp gaze sweeping over both of them for the first time. He said in a deep voice, "Calm down, will arguing solve anything?"

"We can first send a very small reconnaissance team, without launching any attacks, to only confirm the defense status of the source core area and the stability of the energy trough."

“This squad is composed of Awakened individuals who are best at stealth and survival, and is equipped with the best communication equipment. Once it is confirmed to be feasible, the main force will formulate the final assault plan based on the information transmitted back,” a naval officer suggested.

"Hmph, that sounds nice, but who's going? You think you can send your navy people to their deaths?" a leader of a gathering area who supported Major Zhou's decision sneered.

“We can go,” Colonel Pang said calmly.

"..."

These words left the other party speechless for a moment.

Major Zhou frowned.

He noticed that Colonel Pang and several leaders of large settlements preferred to conduct reconnaissance first. Knowing that insisting on his own opinion might provoke public anger, he also stopped insisting on his proposed plan and said:

"Tell me about your plan."

Chapter 286 The People's Army, Leading by Example

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and come up with a specific plan and charter.

The military is now divided into many factions, with conflicting voices that are difficult to unify.

Major Zhou will no longer be the first to stick his neck out.

Lin Chen steered the conversation back on track, pointing to three red dots on the projected map:

"Most colleagues believe that reconnaissance is necessary, so the next step is to clarify the scale, methods, and... personnel of the reconnaissance."

"Let's talk about the candidates first."

"Commander Zheng, what are your thoughts?"

Since the plan was proposed by Zheng Weiguo, he has a responsibility to offer his own perspective.

Zheng Weiguo remained silent and looked at the navy.

A naval operations officer stood up and pointed to the map:

"Based on our preliminary scans using unmanned underwater vehicles and sonar, these three suspected source points are all located in complex trench topography about 1,000 meters below sea level. The environment is extremely harsh, the water pressure is enormous, and there are obvious high-energy biological reactions. Ordinary reconnaissance methods are ineffective in order to penetrate into the core area to confirm the situation. We are not sure if the location has been affected by some unknown energy, which has led to the change in location. We must send elite awakened individuals to infiltrate."

He looked around at everyone:

"Our initial estimate is that each source point requires at least a reconnaissance team of 12 people. All members must be at the Iron level and be proficient in underwater warfare. In other words, a total of 36 qualified Iron-level experts are needed."

He paused, then continued.

"Those with diving certifications, or even cave diving skills, would be best, but I doubt that's possible."

"36 Black Iron level fighters? And they're all experts in swimming?" Lu Bancheng was the first to frown.

"Colonel Pang, it's not that we don't support it, but these conditions... are far too harsh. Black Iron-class soldiers aren't commonplace, and the requirement for underwater expertise makes it impossible for us settlements to send personnel."

"Yes... especially in our settlement area, most of them are landlubbers, they can't even swim, let alone fight underwater."

"..."

His words resonated with most of the community leaders, who nodded in agreement.

Asking them to send their precious Iron-level combat power to the completely unfamiliar deep sea to carry out a mission with a high chance of survival is a bit too much to ask.

"How many people are in your navy? Naval warfare is your forte," Liang Tie said sarcastically.

Colonel Pang remained calm and responded without changing his expression:

"The People's Army leads by example, and our Navy can provide half of the quota, dispatching fifteen of our most elite Black Iron-class underwater assault team members to lead the teams."

Fifteen people...

It's important to know that this group of naval personnel is not large. The Black Iron-class is currently the most advanced combat force in human history, and they actually managed to field 15 of them!