Chapter 161: All-Out Annihilation

Once the commander ascended again, it did not return to the Tanga Federation but instead flew towards Zhuba, the capital of South Sudan.

Inside the commander, Du Qiu is currently discussing with Star Ocean the recent incident where Zheng Hailan was attacked by armed militants, forcing Zhang Mingliu to stand up and be injured.

“Do you mean that the armed militant was identified as a civilian by the armed robot’s program because he didn’t carry any guns?”

“Yes, sir.”

Du Qiu was momentarily at a loss for words, but after thinking about it, even human soldiers encountering unarmed people would probably consider them civilians.

Star Ocean continued, “Sir, I have revised all the armed robots’ programs to ensure absolute safety on site after the battle ends.

If they are civilians, they must be driven away from the scene or be alert and guarded, and meanwhile, cold weapons will also be treated as arms. Do you agree with this modification?”

After pondering, Du Qiu replied: “Handle it like this for the time being. In any case, we must prevent the controlled situation from being ambushed or turned around.”

Star Ocean confirmed, “Authorization obtained from sir, program modification effective.”

“Star Ocean, project the scene for me; I want to see the surgery situation.”

“Yes.”

In an instant, a holographic scene appeared in front of Du Qiu. In the emergency tent, the robot representative of Star Ocean was working alongside a male doctor in his thirties, with several doctors and nurses assisting, carrying out an urgent surgery.

“Sir, Zhang Mingliu’s stab wound is 6.5 centimeters deep, with a wound size of 1.8 centimeters. The blade entered from the left side of the back and has reached the heart!”

“What? Is her life in danger?” Du Qiu’s heart trembled; this situation truly startled him.

A knife wound to the heart is incredibly dangerous!

Just as Du Qiu was about to order the commander to return to the small village, Star Ocean’s voice rose again, “There’s no immediate life threat, fortunately. Our surgical equipment is comprehensive; otherwise, saving her would have been difficult.”

“Star Ocean, are you certain she is not in any life danger?”

“Currently her vital signs are very stable. The surgery will need about three more hours to complete mainly because the blade severed some nerves and blood vessels, and I need to connect them through the robot’s hands.”

Du Qiu didn’t ask further, as he could not understand the specifics anyway, relying instead on Star Ocean’s extensive database.

Du Qiu looked towards the holographic projection at Zhang Mingliu on the operating table, noting her pale complexion and closed eyes.

Her entire face seemed rougher and somewhat darker than before.

Obviously, the days of independent worldwide reporting had been tough. Du Qiu remembered their conversations when together, Zhang Mingliu once mentioned her dream.

“I wish to one day travel to every corner of the world, to write all the joys and sorrows of humanity and tell the people about them.”

“Star Ocean, when did Zhang Mingliu start being an independent media person?”

Star Ocean’s voice responded, “Sir, she resigned on January 9, 2020, and appeared in Las Vegas around January 20, where she began her first exclusive reporting.”

Du Qiu was taken aback as emotions churned within him.

On the night of January 8, he was sanctioned and pursued by the United States, and since that day, he could not return to his country.

Although the case in his home country has since been withdrawn, and Du Qiu can return, the United States would likely exert public sanctions and pressures, and plot secretly against him.

If he were in the public eye now, it would be easy for others to scheme against him.

Unlike now, hidden and building power, with the US government unable to find him, their sanctions are not as severe, and other enemies cannot target him as easily.

Evidently, Zhang Mingliu embarked on the path of an independent journalist due to the opportunity of his disappearance.

“Do you know where she has been over this past year or more?”

Star Ocean instantly projected a new image beside the surgical one, a world map marked with a red line that meanders starting from Las Vegas, winding throughout the United States, covering almost every notable city in a 10-month duration.

Afterwards, she moved to Europe, circulating among several major countries for six months, and then went to the Middle East—the epicenter of world turmoil—at the time when the United States and Persia’s fires raged in May.

Due to last year’s stock market collapse and economic depression, the newly-elected US president was eager to shift the blame, ultimately exploding the already tense US-Persian relations.

In the first half of the war, the US military still displayed its overwhelming might as during the Iraq War, but as Persians implemented a scorched earth policy and moved living forces to the mountains, the war entered a deadlock, turning it into another quagmire for the US.

Now, five months into the war, both sides are fighting and negotiating sporadically.

To such a war-torn region, Zhang Mingliu dared to venture for news reporting.

Fortunately, her stay was not long, and she traveled from the Middle East to Africa, eventually encountering trouble in South Sudan.

“Sir, based on my deduction, Zhang Mingliu must be looking for your whereabouts.”

Du Qiu shouted somewhat annoyed, “I know!”

Sure enough, reviewing the journey route, it’s no surprise what Zhang Mingliu’s intentions were for Du Qiu.

But there’s no longer any possibility between him and Zhang Mingliu; even if they met, what then?

Thinking how Zhang Mingliu almost reached him but was unexpectedly attacked by villains and now lies on the operating table facing a life-or-death ordeal…

“Star Ocean, project the image of the attacker for me.”

“Certainly, sir.”

When the image appeared, Du Qiu was surprised to ask, “Why is this person wearing Arabian clothes? Is he Arabic?”

“We didn’t leave any survivors, so it’s unclear whether this person is Arabic or not.”

“Star Ocean, make use of your big data and collect his fingerprints, blood type, teeth, pupils, DNA, etc., to see if he can be found in some database.”

“Yes, sir. The search will commence immediately.”

As soon as Star Ocean finished, the commander-1 suddenly spoke, “Sir, we are about to land at the newly established forward command post near Zhuba.”

Du Qiu’s arrival in Zhuba, the capital of South Sudan, was not without reason.

Last night, Mu Weini urgently met with the ambassador of South Sudan, proposing assistance and introducing the entry of the Iron Guard’s security company in South Sudan to carry out security operations.

This was promptly reported to South Sudanese President Rein Leinar, to his great delight.

The capital of South Sudan at this time was again on the verge of civil war.

The northern oil-producing region of South Sudan was brewing a revolt against the current government, led by Asa from behind the scenes in Jionglai State, with Vice President Sobel as the frontman.

But Rein Leinar knew that the real backers were the government of the original mother country to the north.

Luckily, with the support of the Defense Minister Peck, Rein Leinar did not have to flee his country into exile abroad.

Yet, in Africa, no one wanted to support the South Sudanese government’s rebellion.

Now, with the Tanga Federation’s Defense Minister suddenly offering support, it was certainly a timely aid, exciting Rein Leinar.

Who didn’t know that behind the Tanga Federation was the support of the Tang Country? It seems that the Tang Country’s medical team being held hostage in Jionglai State has angered the Tang people.

In Zhuba, at the Presidential Palace.

Rein Leinar and Peck, looking at the East Asian man in front of them in Chinese attire, were certain about the Tang Country’s involvement.

“Mr. Li, your presence in Zhuba is truly an honor for the people of South Sudan.”

Du Qiu, appearing as Li Shennan, came to meet Rein Leinar and Peck to finalize the military rights of Iron Guard security in South Sudan.

The militants that kidnapped the medical team have been identified by Du Qiu as the Asa militants holed up in Jionglai State.

Regardless of the reason, Du Qiu was determined to retaliate against them.

Moreover, with Zhang Mingliu severely injured, Du Qiu’s unresolved anger compelled him to state directly, “Gentlemen, I believe Minister Mu Weini has already expressed our goodwill. I will get straight to the point.

Starting tomorrow, as per our client’s request, Iron Guard security will commence all-out annihilation against Asa militants. I hope for your full cooperation!”