Chapter 168: "Preaching Ideals, Harboring Business"
"Alright, since everyone here seems to be a compassionate pacifist, I'll grant your wish and end this war," Li Ang said casually.
His indifference left the European corporate executives and their financial backers utterly baffled.
Wasn't LA Corporation the staunchest supporter of New America? Why did Li Ang seem unconcerned about the outcome of the Metal War? For a company selling weapons, prolonged warfare meant sustained profits, so the longer the conflict dragged on, the better it was for business.
Some speculated that Li Ang might be planning a shift in LA Corporation's core business, focusing on practical applications of polymers, like polymer-controlled mechanical devices or plant development. Ending the war might simplify Li Ang 's promotion of polymer-based construction projects in North America.
While the room buzzed with speculation, Li Ang interrupted with a statement that left everyone stunned. A live feed of Dogtown appeared on the screens in front of the corporate executives.
"Breaking news from Dogtown: the Airborne One dirigible has crashed. President Myers Rosalind's fate remains unknown. To maintain order, I have decided to appoint a new president," Li Ang declared.
The live footage of Airborne One's wreckage caused an uproar in the meeting hall. Some were shocked to think that Myers —a power-hungry warhawk—could meet such an unceremonious end, crashing in an airship under mysterious circumstances. The sheer whiff of conspiracy was palpable.
The real culprits behind the crash—the mega-corporate players—remained silent. They understood the truth behind Airborne One's destruction. Initially, they believed that eliminating Myers would end the war unifying North America. However, Li Ang 's announcement of a new president made them realize who truly controlled the war— Li Ang himself.
Power Games Behind the War
Myers initiated the war to consolidate power, using her achievements as a means to strengthen her authority. War was a continuation of politics, so she partnered with Li Ang to achieve her goals. Little did she know that Li Ang had turned the war into a tool, trapping her in a no-win scenario.
Myers needed the war to maintain control over the New American Congress and LA Corporation's influence. At the same time, Li Ang orchestrated every step. The rebels' weapons came from Contour Corporation, while New American forces were armed by LA Corporation. Even key military-tech executives were bought off by Li Ang .
Once LA Corporation acquired half of Military Tech's shares, every decision Myers made occurred under Li Ang 's watchful eye. The New American Congress was similarly infiltrated. Politicians were, in effect, leashed by Li Ang 's corporate strings.
For Li Ang , Myers was just a pawn in a larger chess game. Her only options were perpetual warfare—first unifying North America, then invading Central America—or rallying Europe's corporations to counter Li Ang .
But European financial elites, blind to the second option, backed Dogtown's rebels and colluded with Song Zhaomei to backstab Myers . Ironically, the biggest beneficiary turned out to be Li Ang 's LA Corporation. Realizing this, the European conglomerates cursed themselves for playing the fool.
A Corporate Masterstroke
Meanwhile, Knapp, who overheard his bosses' frustrated exclamations, was confused by their reaction. Before long, they cut him off, leaving him to handle negotiations alone. Beaten, they opted to concede and join Li Ang .
The truth was simple: European corporations had survived centuries of competition not by brute force, but by bending the knee when necessary. Li Ang , who retained 100% ownership of LA Corporation, was a rarity. Most conglomerates were controlled by boards of shareholders who prioritized profits over vendettas.
"Mr. Li Ang , thank you for your outstanding contributions to world peace. On behalf of the European conglomerates, we voluntarily join the LA Alliance," Knapp finally declared.
Satisfied, Li Ang delegated the integration of European companies and their assets to his experts. For Li Ang , achieving 100% dominance over the cyber world was merely a matter of time.
His next move? Assemble a clone-and-gene-engineered Astartes Legion, starting with 3,000 troops in North America. These warriors would become the spearhead of the LA Empire's interstellar conquest.
---
Chaos in Dogtown
In the ruins of Dogtown, the crash of Airborne One had triggered a full-scale lockdown. Kurt Hansen's Phantom Hounds scoured the area for Myers . Meanwhile, V, along with Solomon Reed and Alex, both agents of the New American Intelligence Bureau, hid in the rubble, keeping watch.
Three hours earlier, as Airborne One plummeted, Myers had summoned Reed to rescue her. To everyone's surprise, the missing Song Zhaomei hired V, a mercenary, to save Myers before Reed arrived.
Now, Myers and Reed interrogated V, trying to ascertain his loyalties.
"So, you're with LA Corporation, here on a secret mission?" Myers asked, her gaze piercing.
Despite her disheveled state, Myers exuded an intimidating presence. V, however, maintained his composure, offering half-truths.
"I'm here on personal business, unrelated to LA Corporation's agenda," V lied.
The ambiguity satisfied Myers and Reed for now. However, Myers decided to press V into joining the Intelligence Bureau.
Li Ang , who had been monitoring V through the AI White Queen, intervened. "V, accept her offer. From now on, follow my instructions. You can communicate with me via your thoughts."
With Li Ang 's guidance, V reluctantly agreed, playing along as a double agent.
---
As Myers celebrated her persuasive abilities, Alex repaired a makeshift radio. For now, they would rely on this device to communicate with the outside world while preparing for the inevitable battles ahead.
(Show your support and read more chapters on my Patreon: [email protected]/psychopet. Thank you for your support!)