Chapter 741: Company Representative
Valerie's eyes swept over the red patch, her pupils contracting slightly. Even through the projection and screen, the destructive energy it represented was enough to tense the nerves of any experienced warrior. "Faster than we expected. This means 'Raynor's Raiders' are likely about to be, or already are, swept up in it."
"Correct. Therefore, your contact strategy needs adjustment. The originally planned low-profile infiltration and observation is no longer applicable." Ryo's optical lenses flickered. "You need an identity that can quickly gain trust, logically intervene in the impending conflict, and remain in the core circle of Raynor's operations long-term. Your current identity is: a Senior Commercial Representative of the 'Far Star United Resource Development Company', hailing from the Earth sphere. Nominally, this company is a massive corporate conglomerate interested in the emerging markets and rare minerals of the Koprulu Sector. The public purpose of your trip is to conduct frontier market assessments and research potential security contractors."
Valerie almost instantly grasped the brilliance of this new identity.
A representative of an external faction from the "Core Worlds," boasting immense capital, lacking local knowledge but full of interest, suddenly appearing before the crisis hits. This not only explained why she needed to seek local armed protection (insufficient awareness of sector risks but plenty of money), but also laid a commercially logical foundation for potential future resource investments or special requests (such as paying attention to certain "archaeological discoveries").
More importantly, this identity granted her a certain detached status and freedom of action amidst the chaos.
"A very fitting disguise," Valerie nodded. "Then, what are my specific mission directives?"
"First, warn Raynor of the incoming Swarm. The source of the information can be kept vague; mention the company possesses 'advanced long-range scanning technology' or a 'risk intelligence network from other sectors.' You can improvise the specific details on the spot. The key is to make him believe in the authenticity and urgency of the threat," Ryo instructed. "Second, on this basis, propose an employment contract. Use the pretext of 'providing security for the company's senior representative and potential subsequent exploration teams' to hire Raynor's Raiders. The contract amount can be generous, on the condition that you—as the company representative—must be able to follow his core team's operations in order to 'assess their combat capabilities and the sector's risk status in real-time'. Your true objective is to ensure you are in a position to immediately contact and acquire information on the 'Xel'Naga Artifact'."
"Xel'Naga Artifact?" Valerie accurately repeated the unfamiliar term.
"A specific ancient relic that Raynor is searching for, or is about to find. You do not need to know exactly what it is; you only need to know that its appearance is peculiar, its energy signature is unique, and it holds extraordinary importance to Raynor and his team." Ryo's voice brooked no argument. "Once you discover a similar item being excavated or mentioned, your highest priority mission is to acquire its precise coordinates, image data, energy readings, and all other information, and report back immediately. Before the artifact appears, your primary value is to observe, build trust, and create conditions for our potential subsequent data collection operations amidst the chaos of the Swarm attack."
"Understood. Use a commercial contract as cover to embed into the target team, trade crisis early warning for trust and access privileges, with the core objective of monitoring and reporting on a specific relic." Valerie quickly summarized, then raised practical issues. "I need an escort detail fitting this identity. It can't be too shabby, which would arouse suspicion, nor too powerful, which would invite wariness. Also, equipment and transportation?"
"The escort will be composed of ten 'Corporate Security Consultants'." Ryo pulled up another set of data, displaying images of ten warriors clad in dark gray heavy power armor.
The style of the power armor was somewhat simplified compared to the Imperial standard, with many overly distinct insignias removed, giving it a more austere and practical look, but the sheer bulk and reinforced structures at the joints remained conspicuous.
"They are staffed by the most adaptable and emotionally stable individuals among the 'test subjects.' Although they originated as those who failed to meet the standards of the Imperial Fists' recruit program, after subsequent targeted enhancements and neural modifications, their baseline physiological functions, combat reflexes, and tactical execution are no inferior to any newly formed Adeptus Astartes recruit. Regarding equipment, the external markings on their power armor have been changed to the company crest. They will obey your orders absolutely."
Valerie carefully scrutinized the silent warriors in the projection.
They stood there like ten cold steel statues, exuding no emotion from beneath their faceplates, only a quiet, coiled sense of oppressive presence. Using them to masquerade as elite bodyguards hired by a top-tier corporation was more than enough; in fact, to some extent, this inhuman sense of professionalism was more convincing than real gangers or ordinary mercenaries.
"Your transport is a 'Thunderhawk' gunship with modified external livery. While its design might look a bit bizarre in the Koprulu Sector, it's not incomprehensible. Just explain it away as a high-performance shuttle owned by the company," Ryo added. "All equipment and personnel are ready and on standby in the hangar. You need to immediately familiarize yourself with your new background materials, the company's basic structural rhetoric, and the key points of the draft contract. You depart in one hour."
Valerie raised no objections. To her, changing mission objectives and swapping identities was commonplace.
She merely confirmed one last point: "Regarding the Swarm warning, what if Raynor presses for details or demands to share more 'scan data'?"
"You may provide a portion of blurred, non-critical biomass distribution trend maps, just enough to corroborate your claims. Emphasize that this is corporate property and the details are classified. If he shows excessive suspicion..." Ryo paused slightly, "You can hint that the company is more interested in his 'connections' and 'operational capabilities' in Mar Sara and the surrounding sectors, and this warning can be seen as a 'show of sincerity'. You manage the balance."
"Understood." Valerie nodded.
Using both soft and hard tactics, applying pressure (the Swarm) while offering benefits (the contract), and maintaining an information advantage—this was a standard manipulation technique.
She turned to leave to digest the massive amount of background data.
"Valerie." Ryo's voice stopped her again. "The variables in this mission environment have increased. The Swarm is a force of pure destruction; their thought patterns are vastly different from humans or the Eldar. Maintain maximum vigilance. Your safety is the primary objective; ensure your own survival to maintain the intelligence channel. Locating and acquiring the artifact can wait for a more opportune moment. If necessary, the 'Security Consultants' can all be sacrificed to guarantee your extraction."
"Understood." Valerie's answer remained steady, but as she parsed this directive, which differed slightly from past ones, she felt an incredibly faint, almost nonexistent stir of emotion.
Walking out of the briefing room, she headed straight for the locker room and the database, beginning her transformation from a member of Maine's squad into the Commercial Representative of "Far Star United."
In an hour, she would lead her disguised blades and step onto the storm-approaching world of Mar Sara.