Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 178: The Mission Begins

A day later.

"Juliet, is Carter already in the conference room?" Michael asked, his hand hovering over the keyboard as he was working on emails.

"Let me check," Juliet brought her tablet up and chatted with one of her colleagues. Moments later, she received a response from her colleague. "Mr. Carter is already in the conference room, Mr. Reyes."

"Perfect, I'll just wrap up this last email, and I'll be right there," Michael replied, his fingers flying over the keyboard to finish his thoughts succinctly. With a final tap of the 'send' button, he closed his computer and rose to his feet.

He slipped his suit jacket on, straightening the lapels with a quick flick of his hands, a habit he had acquired over years of business meetings. Michael exited his office and passed by Juliet.

Before he could get so far from Juliet, Michael glanced over his shoulder. "Juliet, if anything comes up, do let me know."

"Will do, Mr. Reyes," Juliet responded with a nod, her eyes already scanning her tablet for updates.

Michael continued his walk down the hallway, his steps measured and purposeful. When he reached the conference room, he found John Carter standing at the window, looking out over the cityscape. Carter turned as Michael entered, giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Mr. Reyes" Carter greeted, motioning towards the set of documents and a laptop opened on the conference table.

"Let's get started," Michael said, taking a seat at the table opposite Carter. He gestured for Carter to begin.

"Sir…my special forces have tracked down Mr. Wei in Beijing China this address and skyscraper," Carter began. "My men will land in China and then take Mr. Wei out on his way to his house not far from his office. That way, they can't frame it as a business-related attack and it appears more random, reducing suspicions back to us."

Michael nodded, absorbing the details. "Make sure the team is thorough. I want no links, nothing that can be traced back to us or to Sentinel."

Carter assured him, "I've handpicked the operatives for this mission. They're some of our best — discreet, efficient, and leave no trace. The operation will be carried out under the guise of a robbery if needed to make it look unplanned."

Michael sighed slightly, the weight of the decision apparent. "And the aftermath?" he asked, thinking ahead.

"We will have exit strategies in place for immediate extraction to a safe location outside China."

"Good. Proceed with the plan, John. Keep me informed at every stage," Michael said, his tone firm, signaling the finality of their strategy.

Carter closed his laptop and stood up, extending his hand. "You'll have updates as they come in. We'll ensure everything goes smoothly, Mr. Reyes."

Michael shook his hand, a silent acknowledgment of the undertaking of which the Sentinel was about to perform. As Carter left the conference room, Michael sat back down, staring out at the city. He knew these were harsh measures, but in his view, necessary for the survival and prosperity of his company in a ruthless market.

***

In the Manila International Airport.

Carter was eating his bagel at a pastry shop inside the airport while waiting for the four operators that he had handpicked for the mission. He kept his gaze fixed on the entrance, checking his watch occasionally. The airport was bustling with travelers, but his focus was sharp, trained to recognize the four men he was expecting.

Moments later, four individuals walked through the arrivals gate. They all had distinct Asian features, blending easily with the crowd, which was part of why Carter had selected them for this operation. Their similar appearances would make it harder to single any one of them out if anything went awry.

Each one carried a nondescript backpack, the kind any traveler might have, but Carter knew better than to assume their contents were ordinary.

The operators approached Carter, their expressions are neutral. They nodded to him in unison, a silent greeting among professionals.

"Everything is set?" Carter asked in a low voice as they gathered around the table, away from the hustle of the airport crowd.

"Yes, sir," the leader of the group responded. "We've reviewed the plan during the flight. We'll blend in, strike precisely, and extract without leaving a trace."

"Good," Carter said, nodding in approval. "Remember, the success of this operation depends on your ability to make it look like a random incident. It's crucial that there be no links back to Sentinel or Mr. Reyes."

"We understand, sir," another operator added. "We have arranged for local support to cover our tracks and provide any necessary distractions. Our exit strategy is in place and ready to be executed on your command."

Carter took a final look at each of them, assessing their readiness. "Your flight to Beijing leaves in two hours. Make sure you're on it and check your gear one last time. Once you land, it's straight to the operation. I don't need to remind you of the stakes."

"Understood, sir," they replied in unison.

Carter finished his bagel and stood up. "Stay sharp and stay safe. I expect a clean operation. Report back once the objective is neutralized."

The operators collected their belongings and dispersed into the crowd.

***

Inside the passenger aircraft, the four operators were seated strategically throughout the economy class cabin, appearing as typical passengers but constantly aware of their surroundings. Each one discreetly checked their personal carry-on, ensuring their concealed gear was readily accessible yet hidden from casual observation.

Their gear, essential for the mission's success, was ingeniously hidden in compartments of their luggage that would withstand a cursory check but escape deeper scrutiny. These included dismantled parts of compact firearms, which could be quickly assembled, and various electronic devices for communication and navigation, modified to look like everyday electronic gadgets.

Their training in covert operations was evident in how they managed to keep all their actions under the radar. They avoided direct communication with each other, instead opting for subtle nods or shifts in seating as prearranged signals for confirming their alertness and readiness.

As the plane cruised towards Beijing, each operator mentally rehearsed the mission, running through various scenarios and their respective responses. They focused on every detail of the plan discussed earlier with Carter, from the entry points of their target location to the escape routes after executing the mission.

Their preparation included studying detailed maps of the area around Wei Chen's office and residence, memorizing the patterns of local security patrols, and identifying potential safe houses for emergency extraction.

Upon landing, they would blend into the flow of tourists and business travelers, each following a specific route to their assembly point near Wei's office. The plan was to maintain a low profile until the moment of action, utilizing their skills in surveillance avoidance to reach the vicinity of Wei without drawing attention.

This was it, the time to exterminate one of Michael's competitors.