Chapter 334: They Cannot Afford to Lose

He scanned the conference room, his voice low and firm: "Gentlemen, I know these decisions are difficult. But history will prove we are right. If we do not take action now, in ten years, perhaps there will be no chance left."

Most people nodded silently, but Macaulay and several civil officials still had faces full of worry.

"One more thing," Havier added, "everything related to the 'Dark Night Protocol' is top secret. Any leak, whether intentional or accidental, will be treated as treason."

His gaze swept over everyone, lingering on Macaulay for a moment: "I think we all understand what this means."

Macaulay shifted his gaze uncomfortably but did not speak.

"Alright, gentlemen," Havier concluded, "the meeting is adjourned. Return and prepare yourselves; we will meet again in three days to confirm the detailed plan. For the future of Di Guo!"

"For the future of Di Guo," the group repeated mechanically, their voices filled with complex emotions.

After the meeting ended, the attendees left one by one. General Havier and Director Carter remained until the last.

"Do you think Macaulay will be a problem?" Havier asked in a low voice.

Carter glanced coldly at Macaulay's departing back: "I will send someone to watch him. If there is any anomaly, deal with it immediately."

Havier nodded: "Remember, this operation cannot afford to fail. The rise of Long Country must be strangled in the cradle."

"I understand," Carter said, "but this person Li Mingyuan is truly puzzling. Our analysts cannot explain how he could master so many cutting-edge technologies in such a short time."

"Spies? Technology theft?" Havier speculated.

Carter shook his head: "We checked all possible channels and found no evidence. This person is as if... he appeared out of thin air, carrying a pile of advanced knowledge."

"Regardless of who he is, or where his knowledge comes from," Havier said coldly, "in three weeks, all of this will end."

The two walked out of the conference room, and the heavy steel door slowly closed behind them, temporarily sealing those terrifying plans within this secret space.

But the shadows had already begun to spread, and an unprecedented crisis was quietly approaching Long Country.

After the meeting ended, Macaulay did not leave directly like the others. He stayed in the restroom at the end of the hallway for a full ten minutes to ensure everyone had left.

When he walked out of the building, it was already dark. He did not take a government car, but chose to walk, crossing several streets to enter an inconspicuous little restaurant.

In the corner, a short man was drinking alone. Macaulay walked straight over and sat opposite him.

"You are late," the short man said in English with a heavy accent.

"Sorry, Ivanov," Macaulay lowered his voice, "but I have important intelligence. Di Guo is going to launch a biochemical weapon attack on Long Country in three weeks."

Ivanov's eyes narrowed: "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely certain," Macaulay said with a nervous expression, "I just came from the meeting. They have developed new types of biological and chemical weapons, targeting Long Country's industrial centers and research bases."

"Details of the plan?"

"Two phases: conventional strikes first, followed by biochemical weapons. If that still doesn't work, they are even considering a limited Mushroom Strike."

Ivanov gasped: "These lunatics!"

"Not only that," Macaulay continued, "they are also paying special attention to a Long Country scientist named Li Mingyuan, believing he is the key to Long Country's technological breakthroughs."

Hearing this name, Ivanov's expression became unusually serious: "Li Mingyuan..."

"Do you know this person?" Macaulay asked in surprise.

"No," Ivanov shook his head, "but the Beijixiong Guo intelligence department has also noticed him. This person suddenly rose to prominence in the past few months, leading Long Country to achieve a series of technological breakthroughs. We are also trying to understand his secret."

He pondered for a moment, then decided: "This intelligence must be sent back to Mocheng immediately, and Long Country must be warned. Di Guo's biochemical weapon plan must be stopped."

"I am taking a huge risk by telling you this," Macaulay looked around nervously, "if discovered, I will be executed for treason."

"You did the right thing, Macaulay," Ivanov comforted him, "you prevented a plan that could lead to a global catastrophe. Beijixiong Guo will not forget your contribution."

The two talked for a while longer, and Macaulay described in detail the characteristics of the biochemical weapons and the possible methods of deployment. Then, they left the restaurant separately through different exits.

Ivanov walked into a nearby apartment building and entered a seemingly ordinary suite. But behind the safe in the study, a special radio transmitter was hidden.

He quickly encoded and transmitted this shocking intelligence back to Beijixiong, while suggesting that Long Country be notified immediately.

After the message was sent, Ivanov destroyed all evidence, then sat by the window, looking at the lights of the Di Guo Ministry of Defense in the distance.

……

Ivanov's telegram was like an invisible bomb, silently traveling through thousands of kilometers of space, finally detonating in an inconspicuous gray building in Mocheng.

The first reaction of Grigoryev, Chairman of the Beijixiong Guo Security Committee, upon receiving the secret report was disbelief—Di Guo was actually planning to attack Long Country with biochemical weapons?

Even in the most tense periods, such a crazy plan only existed in the darkest of imaginations.

"Convene an emergency meeting immediately, top secret level." Grigoryev ordered his secretary, his voice low and serious,

"People from the Military and the Academy of Sciences must also be present. Within three hours, I want everyone sitting in the conference room."

Always known for acting quickly—especially in emergency situations that might threaten their own security.

In less than three hours, a top-secret meeting had unfolded in a special conference room deep within the Kremlin.

The indoor lighting was dim, and heavy curtains completely isolated the outside world; only the yellow halos cast by a few desk lamps on the table illuminated the serious faces of the attendees.

"Comrades," Grigoryev scanned the room, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's,

"We have just received extremely reliable intelligence that Di Guo plans to launch a biochemical weapon attack on Long Country in three weeks."

He repeated the contents of Ivanov's report concisely; with every sentence he spoke, the atmosphere in the conference room grew heavier.

"This is insane!" Kenuowaluofu, Dean of the Academy of Sciences, slammed the table and stood up,

"Don't they know that once biological weapons are released, the consequences will be uncontrollable? This could lead to a global catastrophe!"

General Malinov, the Military Representative, was expressionless, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner shock:

"Di Guo has gone mad; they cannot afford to lose, so they want to drag the whole world down with them."