Xiao Xun held the gun and looked at these people. "Who sent you? It's not the first time you've tried to kill me. This time, with such a large force, you must want me dead!"
He pressed the gun to one person's forehead and spoke in a foreign language. "Even if you don't say it, I can find out your identities and where this gun was smuggled in from. If you cooperate, I'll keep my word and let you go. If you don't, we'll find another place to make you cooperate."
At this moment, one person began to speak. "We were just paid to do this. We don't know the employer's information."
"Very good."
Xiao Xun walked over. "So, one person is willing to talk."
As he spoke, he squatted down and looked at him. "How much did the employer pay you?"
The person spoke in a foreign language. "The employer provided the weapons, equipment, and action plan. It was one million in total, with a twenty-five percent deposit paid upfront, and the rest after the mission is accomplished."
Xiao Xun removed the person's hood. As expected, it was a foreign Black man. He said excitedly, "Please don't kill me. I'll tell you everything I know."
"What country are you from?"
"We are all stateless individuals."
The captain of the guards said to Xiao Xun, "It seems they are professional mercenaries."
"Mercenaries are not allowed in Area 8. This is an ironclad rule. Take these people back."
"Yes!"
Because the location was remote and there were few civilians or surveillance cameras, specialized personnel would handle the aftermath.
After returning to the base, Xiao Xun was filled with anger. The assassination attempts started after he met Mu Jiahe. Initially, he suspected the company's human resources department, but such a grand gesture didn't seem like something they could pull off. There must be someone else behind it.
The Men Shen Hui was unlikely, as they hadn't proposed assassination in the first place.
Xiao Xun had a few suspects in mind but couldn't be sure yet.
"Has K returned?"
"He's out on a mission and hasn't returned yet."
"Notify our field personnel and ask them to go to G City Prison to retrieve a prisoner."
"Okay, boss. His information."
"He used to be the technical director of Santiroman. His name is: Zhang Youwei."
After assigning tasks to his subordinates, Xiao Xun went to the research institute and looked at the "original people" being modified, feeling an indescribable sensation.
He asked a researcher in a white coat standing beside him, "I remember you said you found suitable candidates? Where are they now?"
"We found a total of six: four women and two men. None of them are in our area."
"What kind of person can become a suitable candidate?"
"Those whose brainwave and original person coordination rate reach eighty percent or more can achieve basic operations."
Just then, Xiao Xun's assistant came over. "Mr. Xiao, the head of Area 6 requests a call with you."
Xiao Xun went to the conference room and saw the green light for Area 6 lit up. He pressed the direct line call. Regional heads could only communicate through this, and their calls were subject to monitoring by headquarters.
"May I ask what you need?"
"Do you remember the incident of the meteorite falling last time?"
"Yes, it hasn't been that long ago. What's wrong?"
"Unidentified biological activity signals were detected inside the meteorite. It is suspected that extraterrestrial life is hidden within."
"Have you contacted headquarters?"
"Headquarters requires you to come over personally."
Xiao Xun leaned back. "Are you kidding me? Regional heads are not allowed to leave their respective areas. It's written in the company rules. And if it were truly necessary, headquarters would contact me directly. Why would they let you contact me directly?"
"So, your meaning is you won't come?"
"That's right, unless headquarters issues a direct order to me."
After speaking, he pressed the cancel call button and got up to leave.
Xiao Xun now suspected that the other party was 'fishing'. If he agreed, someone might suddenly rush in and take him away.
If the meteorite truly contained extraterrestrial life, what did it have to do with him? He still had his Cradle Plan to deal with.
He came out of the conference room and went to where Black Shark was being held. The guard here, Zhen Shizhen, was sitting face-to-face with Black Shark, taking turns when tired.
Seeing Xiao Xun arrive, he immediately stood up. "Hello, Mr. Xiao."
Xiao Xun nodded, sat in the chair he had just vacated, and looked at him expressionlessly. "How is it? Have you thought about it?"
Black Shark didn't even raise his head. "What exactly do you want?"
"Nothing much. I already made my requirements clear to you yesterday."
"I only research computer viruses. You know more about this than I do, and I prefer to be alone. Please let me go!"
Xiao Xun leaned his head closer to the bars. "Let you go? Impossible..."
He stood up and said to Black Shark, "Since you're unwilling to join, then stay here and contemplate your existence!"
Then, he walked away.
"Wait... wait, Hei Da Shuai, come back."
Xiao Xun completely ignored his shouts and walked out.
Watching the Cradle Plan undergo various experiments in an orderly manner, Xiao Xun stared at the computer screen. "Everyone has their uncertainties. If a suitable candidate has an accident, then this original person would be useless, wouldn't they?"
The neuroscience expert nodded. "Theoretically, yes."
Xiao Xun thought of Xiao Ke. "If we transplant a bionic puppet system that simulates the pilot's usual operating habits into it, which can imitate the suitable candidate's behavior and thinking patterns, as a backup, is the feasibility high?"
The neuroscience expert thought for a moment. "That's outside my academic scope. No matter how excellent a computer is, its thought logic and format are fixed. It has no self, nor a super-ego, and cannot be a substitute."
Xiao Xun nodded. He didn't refute the expert's opinion but recorded the idea.
Due to the uncertainty of personnel, it was impossible to fathom what the other party was thinking. If the pilot exhibited rebellious behavior, the consequences would be unpredictable and unbearable for anyone.
With this in mind, Xiao Xun began to formulate a second system, the purpose of which was to prevent uncontrollable humans.
Suddenly, Xiao Xun's phone rang. It was an unknown number.
"Hello? Who is this..."
"Xiao Zong, it's K."
Xiao Xun frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Among the list you gave me, three people are too difficult to find, and one was captured with great difficulty."
"Who is the one that was difficult to capture?"
"Lei!"
Xiao Xun guessed. "Did you not ask the local Men Shen Hui for cooperation?"
"We did, but they were also in a difficult position. This Lei is currently living on an island, not only with heavy firepower but also with a group of desperadoes."
"Besides him, which three haven't been found?"
The person on the other end was doing something, panting. "Ark survivors, and Da Lan Hua, and that Saber-toothed Dragon. I suspect these few either retired from the network long ago or are dead."
Xiao Xun nodded. "Okay, I understand. You are responsible for bringing Lei back. Remember, it's 'bring back,' not 'invite.' He is likely involved in some matters. If you need any support, contact me, and I'll help you figure it out."
"Okay, I understand."