Chapter 917: The Video Conference

The skies had darkened.

A skyscraper adorned with Lockheed Martin's company signet immersed itself in the night, only allowing its illumination system to radiate. The building itself looked majestic and intimidating at the same time.

In a multipurpose meeting room, Folsom was in the middle of a video call with someone.

On the screen in front of her was CEO Michael Ram of The Boeing Company, on the other screen was General Dynamics' CEO Forster and another screen was Raytheon Company's CEO McCali.

The four military aces of America were currently engaged in a video conference. This was an unprecedented event. They did not even gather during dire times when America had sent troops to Iraq during the Gulf War. All of this took place for the first time all because of one man and his company. Xia Lei and the Thunder Horse Organization.

With Lockheed Martin's lead, the four companies had propped up almost the whole of America's defence and the war system. From the skies to the ocean, these four companies had made their products to cater to different battles. They were the driving force behind America's overwhelming military power. They held an advantage in every field until the emergence of Xia Lei and the Thunder Horse Organization.

The Chinese man and his company had placed immense stress and pressure on the four globally renowned military aces. The man and his successes were choking them in the throat.

"Madam Folsom, if it wasn't for your episode at the Boao Forum, we would've remained blissfully unaware that there was an AE Research Centre in America. Hmph, what a bunch of idiots! They helped create a superman as our enemy!" said CEO Michael Ram.

"Is there only one AE capsule?" questioned CEO Forster. "If it isn't the only one created, why are we not creating more people like Xia Lei?"

"Superman? That's not a good term to coin him." CEO McCali of Raytheon Company rubbed his chin. "From my understanding, he is only a man who has entered an advanced stage of human evolution. I think he's a man that's a few tens of years ahead of us or even what humans would be like in another hundred years."

Folsom responded, "It doesn't matter how far ahead he is. His existence threatens us. It only took him a few years to surpass us in the land weaponry aspect. If a war was to happen in the later years, would our armies dare to attack them?"

General Dynamics' CEO Forster uttered, "We've already accepted his challenge. The M1A3 main battle tanks produced by us should be the world's most advanced tank but as soon as Thunder Horse Organization's ZTZ100 main battle tank is launched, ours will be nothing more than a joke. At this rate, General Dynamics will be surpassed and Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Company and the Boeing Company will not be spared as well."

"Isn't that a little too exaggerated?" CEO Michael Ram wasn't on board with that statement.

Folsom replied, "It's not exaggerated at all. I've met Xia Lei earlier and the man had mentioned that he was going into drone production next. With the way things are progressing, he's most probably going to create a drone that will surpass ours."

"Really?" CEO McCali wasn't convinced.

"I can't deduce if Xia Lei was telling the truth but I can tell you that his company holds the most advanced intelligent lathe, which is the Thunder Dragon intelligent lathe and its second generation. The equipment can provide Thunder Horse with the most precise parts required. Other than that, Xia Lei had obtained Artificial Intelligence technology from the Japanese. With these foundations and the support from the Chinese government, it's not impossible for Xia Lei to create an advanced drone."

At this point, CEO Forster voiced, "I agree with Madam Folsom. Although the Thunder Horse Organization has yet to involve themselves with the air force, the weapons they've produced have greatly diminished our land battle advantages. Regardless of the XL2500 sniper rifle, gust assault rifle, Hell-bound One Soldier Cannon or the Sweeper infantry fighting vehicle and ZTZ100 main battle tank, every single product of his has made ours irrelevant. As soon as they venture into the air battle aspect, we'll most certainly lose our advantage as well. This threatens our global leadership and influence!"

"Madam Folsom, just be direct. What are the President's plans?" questioned CEO McCali.

"The president has his own plans but we should have plans for ourselves. His presidential term is about to end and he'll be spared from the mess. But we'd still have to face threats from Thunder Horse. Therefore, we must have our own plan," insisted Folsom.

The American government had always been controlled by Wall Street. Arms trade was an important source of income. Anyone who dared to interfere with the interests of the consortia would pay a great price. To be frank, even the American president was afraid of these consortia. They were, in fact, the boss behind this world hegemony. Democracy? The act to ban gun ownership had failed despite multiple presidents coming in and out of office. How could that be interpreted as a democracy?

"My plan is simple, we need to hire someone to do the job," spoke Folsom.

"You're going to hire an assassin? If that is your plan, then I must say that it's ridiculously naive. Three tanks couldn't even lay a finger on Xia Lei. You must remember that he is advanced and evolved." CEO McCali wasn't satisfied.

Folsom replied, "It won't be just one assassin, I'm going to hire an entire special agency. Have you heard of the FA Organization? That organization has experience dealing with Xia Lei. They can get the job done."

"What do we have to offer?" questioned CEO McCali.

"Money, weapons and some equipment along with intel and political support," answered Folsom.

"Political support?" General Dynamics' CEO Forster paused. "Madam Folsom, what are you referring to?"

Folsom replied, "I'll be talking to a representative from the FA later. He'll bring up their requirements. I presume that they'd be asking for legal status and to be taken off the government's hit list. If it's just weapons and money, I wouldn't have gathered you. If the FA wants the legal status and its name gone from the hit list, it would require collaboration from the four of us."

"No problem, I'll have my councillor to start working on it."

"I'm on board."

"Count me in."

The other three military aces reached an agreement without hesitation.

Folsom smiled at them. "Alright, that's settled. I'll contact you again after I confirm the details. Goodnight."

The three CEOs disappeared from the display.

When Folsom exited the meeting room, she noticed Hattori Mei who was already waiting for her at the door. Her personal assistant immediately placed Folsom's coat over her shoulders.

"Madam Folsom, how did it go?" Hattori Mei asked.

Folsom's answer was rather nonchalant. "How else could it have gone? Their very livelihoods are at stake."

Hattori Mei smirked. "As expected. With Thunder Horse's impressive momentum, it's only best to take care of the hindrance as early as possible."

"Can your father's side provide us with support? After all, Japan is closer to China." Folsom's stare on Hattori Mei was as sharp as a blade.

Hattori Mei replied, "No problem. My father mentioned to me that as long as your side has settled a deal with the FA, he'll gladly offer them some highly skilled assistance for the operation."

"That's good to hear." Folsom switched the topic seamlessly. "Is the FA representative here?"

Hattori Mei answered, "He arrived five minutes ago. I already had him wait in the reception room on the top floor. He awaits your arrival."

"I'll go meet him now." Folsom began to walk towards an elevator.

At the same time, a taxi came to a stop at its destination opposite the building.

The vehicle doors opened and out came a Chinese youngster with a baseball cap along with a woman that was so astonishingly gorgeous.

The pair was none other than Xia Lei and Zhu Xuanyue.

During their 'visit' to the White House, Xia Lei had memorized Folsom's car plate number. Following that, he swiftly hacked into Washington's traffic system and tracked her car to this building.

"That will be five dollars, thank you." The driver peeked his head out of the window.

Xia Lei pulled out a hundred dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to him. "Keep the change."

"Thank you, mister! Thank you so much!" Off the driver went.

"Uncle Xia, I want some money too!" Zhu Xuanyue grabbed Xia Lei's arm and proceeded to flail it wildly.

Xia Lei could only sigh defeatedly at her antics. "Enough, I'll give you how much you want when we're back. There's something we need to do now."

"Do what?"

"Do you see that building over there?" Xia Lei pointed to the tall skyscraper on the opposite street. "We need to climb the water pipes."

Zhu Xuanyue tilted her head confusedly. "Isn't it way easier to go in through the main entrance?"

"People will notice us."

"Anyone who notices me will be turned into an idiot."

Before she could say anything else, Xia Lei quickly pulled her towards an alley at the side of the building. Using the main entrance was indeed convenient and Zhu Xuanyue would most definitely turn anyone who stops them into an idiot. However, they wouldn't be able to escape the surveillance system by barging in like that. If Zhu Xuanyue had caused a rampage of fear at the bottom floor, the alarm would go blaring in no time.

The pair made it into the alley before long. All light was blocked off by the gigantic building, rendering the area poorly lit. Albeit so, it was a prime condition for Xia Lei and Zhu Xuanyue's operation.

"Xuanyue, you're up first," urged Xia Lei quietly.

"Mm." Zhu Xuanyue hummed a sound of acknowledgement. She gripped the pipes along the wall and began her climb upwards.

Xia Lei waited for her to reach a height of about two metres before following behind her.

The climb was no big deal for them. It wasn't even half difficult to execute. However, Xia Lei was met with a very awkward problem. Whoever Zhu Xuanyue robbed her clothes from had resulted in her bottom poorly concealed by a miniskirt. Her limbs beneath the skirt were seductively clad in dark stockings clipped onto a garter belt. As she made her ascend, the wonderful view was fully exposed to his eyes.

Sadly, the view was not something delicious but a white panty that had wings of a menstrual pad peeking from its sides.