“Naming a drone after an assassin?” The blonde reporter seemed to have come to an understanding. Anxiety and fear came creeping soon after.
“Is it inappropriate to use an assassin’s name on a drone?” Xia Lei was nonchalant. “Your country has the Thor drone series and the Predator series. But is it true that the American drones are real gods and predators? I think not. However, I still have to admit the gap between us and America. You have witnessed it personally, the Jing Ke drone had failed its trial flight. It is nothing but a joke.”
Though Xi Lei had called it a joke, no one was willing to piggyback on his words. It was ugly, yes. But it was definitely not gentle at all!
Undeniably, the Jing Ke drone had plummeted from the sky. However, there was an underlying message to Xia Lei’s reply. The drone manipulator had purposefully made the drone fall to gauge its explosion range. While it wasn’t fuel-based, it had carried a sufficient load of explosives. Based on the terrifying threat it posed, if it were to be added with guaranteed invisibility, this would make it the world’s most fearsome self-destructive drone!
Since it was bound to be destroyed, what was the point of giving it a fancy appearance?
While it wasn’t explicit, it was implied. It was obvious enough for the measly reporters to pick up on it too. But of course, the domestic reporters had better feelings towards the news in contrast to the disguised officers.
Xia Lei chuckled. “Alright, that is all for today. I’ll announce more information after I find out its cause. Also…” His gaze landed on the blonde reporter. There was a silent pause before he continued again, “You mentioned earlier that the American naval fleets are about to enter the South China Sea and you accused me of relaying an inappropriate signal in a special and sensitive time like this. Let me answer your question now. Regardless of my signals being appropriate or not, as long as the American fleets dare to enter the southern waters, they will be seeing the Jing Ke and Phantom drones.”
“Phantom drone?”
“Director Xia, there is another drone model in the works?”
“Director Xia, why did you not conduct a test flight for the Phantom drone?”
“Director Xia…”
In the midst of utter chaos, Xia Lei turned and left. Not bothering to even spare them the slightest glance.
Qin Xiang matched his pace, twisting his torso around at the flashing camera lights.
Xia Lei returned to one of the multifunctional conference rooms in the office block. The moment of his entrance was welcomed by thundering applause and cheers.
Hands together, their praises were directed to Xia Lei. Indeed, he was worthy of being referred to as the brain of the Thunder Horse Organization. From the first design sketch of the Jing Ke drone, Xia Lei was the sole person in charge. Without his efforts and contribution, Thunder Horse Organization would not have seen a drone of their own.
“Director Xia, what do we do next? Are we going to put our real ace to the test?” Huang Xuwen asked meekly. The youngster was extremely passionate, patience wearing thin especially towards matters like this.
Xia Lei shook his head. “No, we’ll do nothing for the time being. Let the workers off for a few days of break. They have worked hard for the past few months.”
“But there are still so many reporters crouching outside. If we show them our trump card, they’ll help us publicize it for free. Why are we not doing that?” questioned Huang Xuewen.
Xia Lei replied, “Indeed, that would do good for our products but it does not benefit the country at all. The drones we produce will only be supplied to our own army. We’re not going to export it all. I’ve made my decision, please respect it.”
A military product did not share the same behaviour as an agricultural product. Some could be sold while some must not be sold. All developed countries in the world adhere to this concept strictly. Any product that poses threat to their rivals must not be sold. China had faced enough of such situations for the past ten years.
Xia Lei was not in need of money. The man would not sell it even if they tripled the price!
“Lukas…” As soon as the name escaped her lips, Sylvia quickly noticed its inappropriateness for a situation like this. The German mechanic quickly corrected herself. “I mean… Director Xia, you mentioned that you’ll be giving the employees a holiday. What about me and Annina?”
Xia Lei answered, “Actually Phantom has yet to be completed. Looks like we’ll be busy for a while more.”
“You mean there’ll be more over time?” questioned Sylvia with a light mirth smile.
Xia Lei nodded. “Yes, overtime is inevitable.”
“That’s great!” Sylvia joyfully high-fived Annina, who was standing beside her.
The entire room of senior staff eyed the German ladies weirdly. Some of them thinking about how idiotic they were being about work. The past months were filled with countless extended hours. Were they not sick of it yet? Were they completely out of their minds?
The context under the two German mechanics’ joy was their filthy little secret. Extended hours were what they absolutely adored recently.
Xia Lei instructed, “Can each department and each workshop visit the treasury department? Everyone will be receiving a share of monetary rewards. But please remember to remind your subordinates to watch their words. Do not land yourselves in trouble due to greed.”
“Please rest assured, Director Xia. We have been lecturing them on political ideas everyday. There shouldn't be a problem,” uttered Hu Zhi. After Li Youdun’s ‘departure’, Hu Zhi was made the leader of the new material department.
“Alright, that is all for today. You are dismissed,” announced Xia Lei.
The group of senior staff exited the conference room. This meeting was considered a node. Before it was its seeding and harvest soon to arrive following it.
The first sight that came into Xia Lei’s view after leaving the office block was Fan Fan. Despite her heavily swollen belly, she was leading a group of soldiers dressed in navy uniforms.
Fan Fan’s belly was huge at this point, her walking evidently affected by it. Xia Lei’s heart clenched painfully at the sight. “Jeez, there’s no need to work if you’re feeling unwell.”
Fan Fan offered him a small smile. “I’m not that weak of a person, darling. Plus, walking is great for my body.” There was a slight pause. “Hubby, let me introduce him. This is chief of the navy stationed at the southern waters, Chief Yu Zhenhai. He wishes to talk to you.”
Xia Lei’s attention was immediately given to the high-ranking man. He extended both arms and smiled courteously. “Pleased to meet you, Chief Yu Zhenhai. Welcome to Thunder Horse Organization.”
Yu Zhenhai frantically mirrored his gesture, more courteous than Xia Lei himself. “Comrade Xia Lei, Comrade Fan Fan and I have been friends for long. There’s no need to be so formal with me. I’m older and I’ll admit my age. How about you call me a brother instead?”
Xia Lei's smile was unwavering. “Nice to meet you, Brother Yu. Shall we continue our conversation in my office?”
Yu Zhenhai declined, “There’s no need for that. Can you show us around in your drone workshop?”
Xia Lei nodded. “Sure. Please come with me, Brother Yu.”
It felt like it wasn’t a coincidence for Yu Zhenhai’s visit along with a few navy commanders. Yu Zhenhai’s motive was already very obvious, the man was here because of the intense southern water situation.
Expectedly, Yu Zhenhai began before they had even made it into the workshop. “Brother Xia, what was with the explosion earlier?”
Xia Lei turned his face to the side to meet his eye. “Oh, it was nothing. It was just an accident.”
Yu Zhenhai studied his expression. “Brother Xia, please do not fool me. My information tells me that Thunder Horse’s drone had plummeted and exploded. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is.” Honestly, Xia Lei had not thought of fooling anyone.
There was an abrupt change to Yu Zhenhai’s expression. “Brother Xia, I was even hoping for you to provide a solution to our problems. Why did your drone fall just like that?”
Xia Lei smiled sheepishly. “Even if there was no issue, it is just a drone. I don’t think that can solve your worries, right?”
“Do you know what issues we are facing?” Yu Zhenhai asked instead.
Xia Lei replied, “Of course. It’s the issue in the southern waters.”
Yu Zhenhai hummed. “Why wouldn’t it be a solution? That shit ass court made a ruling with no regards to the facts. The American fleets now have an excuse to provoke us. Didn’t you say that your drone has absolute invisibility? I wish to borrow it, have it carry missiles and circle the top of the American aircraft carrier. But before my arrival, I had received a surprising message saying that your drone was destroyed. Damn, this is really driving me crazy…”
Xia Lei grabbed Yu Zhenhai’s hands. “Brother Yu, there is no need to worry. Tell me when you need it by and I’ll have it ready for you.”
Yu Zhenhai stared at him firmly. “I need it in one week. It cannot take longer than ten days. But… Isn’t your drone destroyed? Wouldn’t it be an issue?”
“No, it won’t be at all,” said Xia Lei.
“What do you mean? What exactly happened to it?” Yu Zhenhai’s curiosity was piqued. Meanwhile, the few officers that came with him had varying faces of confusion.
Xia Lei inched closer to whisper into Yu Zhenhai’s ear.
The older man’s solemn expression was immediately dissolved by his own boisterous laughter. “Oh, I see! Jeez, you sneaky bastard! Haha!”
Xia Lei replied, “Fraud is not an issue. Brother Yu, you’re a general. I’m sure you’re no stranger to this.”
“Look at you, being so courteous again.” Yu Zhenhai hooked an arm around Xia Lei’s shoulder, the friendly display looking as if they had been friends for decades. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’ll be waiting with my popcorn ready then!”
Reaching the doorsteps of the drone workshop, Xia Lei keyed the passcode into a device. The metal door rolled aside sluggishly to reveal a sight that stunned Yu Zhenhai and his entourages on spot.
What they saw was a highly modernized drone workshop. Several workers were busy operating robots on the production line. There were a total of four Jing Ke self-destructive drones in the middle of production. On another larger and more refined production line, more workers and robots were assembling a larger drone.
That was the Thunder Horse Organization’s trump card. The Phantom!