Chapter 107: Exchanging Technology for Hostages

Chapter 107 Exchanging Technology for Hostages

Kobashi Ichiro probably never expected things to go so smoothly. His face crinkled into a web of laughter lines as he said, "Commander-in-Chief Li Mo, hello. I’m very pleased to receive your video call."

Li Mo’s face appeared on the screen, forming a stark contrast to Kobashi Ichiro’s beaming with triumph—his face was grim.

"I have the Mental Scanner’s core tech and can give it to you. In exchange, please release my family."

Kobashi Ichiro replied, "Of course. As soon as we receive the Mental Scanner’s core tech, I’ll let them go right away. If it’s inconvenient for you, Commander Li Mo, I can even arrange for someone to escort your family back—just get your people to clear the air route for our pilots."

Since the last incident where R Country’s stealth fighters infiltrated, China’s airspace had been placed under strict lockdown, ensuring not a single gnat could slip through.

Li Mo said, "No need. I’ll send a plane to pick them up myself."

Kobashi Ichiro smiled. "Very well. Our R Base will fully cooperate with you."

Li Mo, cautious, said, "I’ll transmit the Mental Scanner’s core tech to you now. I hope you’ll honor our agreement and release them as promised."

"Don’t worry, R Base’s reputation is ironclad, and R Country’s people value honor above all."

"Please keep your word." Li Mo’s finger hovered over the send button. The Deputy Commander of Z Base interjected, "Boss, think carefully. Once you press this, there’s no turning back."

Li Mo closed his eyes briefly, then gave the button a quick tap—the file was sent.

Within mere seconds, Kobashi Ichiro’s inbox received the data. His eyes burned with unsettling intensity as he scanned the documents.

Li Mo asked, "When will you release my family?"

Kobashi Ichiro, unable to tear his eyes away from the screen, replied, "Commander Li Mo, rest assured—we always keep our promises."

"Once we successfully manufacture the product, we will release your family immediately."

Li Mo’s voice cracked with disbelief. "You’re making me wait? You can’t release them now?"

Kobashi Ichiro wagged a finger with a smile. "I trust your word, Commander Li Mo, but I don’t trust Gu Jinsheng’s. That guy’s slippery—who knows if he tampered with this data? But you can trust R Country’s honesty. Once we successfully replicate the Mental Scanner, we will let them go."

Li Mo clenched his teeth, he was on edge. He had no choice but to hope Kobashi Ichiro would keep his word. "Commander Kobashi Ichiro, please honor your promise."

"Don’t worry. Our nation is the most trustworthy in the world." Kobashi Ichiro added, "I can show you your family."

An assistant led Kobashi Ichiro into R Base’s dungeon—a nightmarish place. Despite it being daytime and the lights being on, the cells remained dim.

In a cramped cell of about ten square meters, dozens of people were packed like sardines, barely able to sit, with no room to lie down. The conditions were filthy—human waste was visible in multiple spots caught by the camera, and mutated flies as big as a newborn’s fist buzzed around.

These mutated flies were nothing like their pathetic pre-apocalypse counterparts. They fed on blood—within days, they could drain a healthy adult dry.

Kobashi Ichiro covered his nose while his assistants wielded their abilities to shoo away the insects.

"Family of Li Mo—who here is Li Mo’s family? Step forward!" the assistant shouted. The prisoners remained motionless, some even shrinking further into the corners, terrified they’d be hauled off and killed.

"What do you want?" Gao Wanli surged to his feet, planting himself in front of them. Since the apocalypse, he had been active in the Chinese community, leading the Chinese Workers’ Union.

"Scram!" The assistant shoved Gao Wanli aside. "Butt out. Get lost."

A flicker of impatience flashed in Kobashi Ichiro’s eyes before he suppressed it. "Family of Li Mo—Li Mo’s the big boss at Z Base now. He’s willing to exchange the Mental Scanner for you. You can come out now."

"Me! It’s me!" A scrawny guy immediately jumped forward.

Kobashi Ichiro pointed the phone’s camera at the man’s face. Li Mo cut in immediately, "He’s not my family. I don’t know him."

The assistant shoved the short man aside, who let out a pitiful wail and pleaded in a low voice, "Commander-in-Chief Kobashi Ichiro, I am your most loyal follower. I am no longer a citizen of China—you can check my nationality. I am from Country R. My father's generation immigrated here, and my father was the most sincere Country R-man. He genuinely loved Country R, and even my name is Matsushita Hon. I don’t even have a Chinese name."

"Shut up, Matsushita Hon! Even in death, we Chinese keep our spines straight!" Gao Wanli shouted sternly.

Matsushita Hon screamed hysterically, "That’s because your lives are worthless! You beggars can't even put food on the table—how dare you compare yourselves to me!"

Kobashi Ichiro said to the assistant, "Make them shut up!"

"Yes, sir." The assistant used his superpower, sending both Gao Wanli and Matsushita Hon flying. Both spat out blood.

Li Mo’s family saw him through the phone and realized their son had truly become the base Commander-in-Chief, willing to exchange technology for their freedom. Overjoyed, they stood up from the crowd.

"Son, we're here! Mom and Dad are here!" Li Mo’s parents waved their arms. Seeing their haggard, aged, and disheveled appearance, Li Mo's tears immediately fell. "Mom, Dad..."

Kobashi Ichiro could no longer stand this filthy place. He ordered, "Take these people and get us out of here!"

Gao Wanli clutched his chest and grabbed the ankle of Li Mo’s father, who was cheerfully heading out. "You once said you’d rather die than let the capital base trade technology for you."

After a long silence, Li Mo’s father replied, "It’s not the capital base. It’s our son rescuing us. The technology he used belongs to his own base."

"But it’s still the capital base’s." Even without the internet, Gao Wanli could guess which technology Li Mo had used—only the Mental Scanner, a technique the capital base had shared nationwide but kept secret from outsiders. "You know it’s the capital base’s technology."

Li Mo’s father shook his head. "We’ve been locked up here, knowing nothing. That's just your imagination! Maybe my son used technology his own base developed! That’s his base’s technology—he has every right to decide how to use it. Isn’t he allowed to trade it for our freedom?"

Gao Wanli said, "Ask your son. If it’s truly his base’s own technology, I won’t say another word."

Li Mo’s father didn’t ask. Instead, he broke free from Gao Wanli’s grip and followed Kobashi Ichiro out of the foul-smelling cell.

Only after leaving the cell did Kobashi Ichiro speak. "Now Commander-in-Chief Li Mo can rest assured. We’ve brought your parents out and will ensure they are well cared for during their short remaining time."

Li Mo said gratefully over and over, "Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Kobashi Ichiro."

Kobashi Ichiro then addressed Gu Jinsheng through the video. "Commander-in-Chief Gu Jinsheng, have you made your decision? A day has passed. You're not refusing to trade technology for lives just because your family isn't among them, are you? If your family were here, wouldn't we have already received the files from you?"

Yet the moment the call ended, Kobashi Ichiro snapped impatiently, "Get them out of here. This place reeks!"

The assistants shoved Li Mo’s parents forward. The couple asked, "Where are you taking us? To the airport?"

"Shut up! No talking! You go where you’re told!"

Soon, the couple realized they had only been given brief fresh air before being dragged back to the dungeon—this time to a separate cell, though with no other comforts.

Unable to hold back, Li Mo’s father asked, "My son already traded technology for our release? Commander-in-Chief Kobashi Ichiro promised. Why are we back here?"

No one answered. The cell door clanged shut with finality.

Kobashi Ichiro immediately contacted Dewitt, saying obsequiously, "Commander Dewitt, I’ve obtained the core technology of the Mental Scanner. I’m confident this data is completely authentic. Could you introduce me to Commander-in-Chief Charles? I wish to report personally this good news."

Dewitt reassured him, "Send me the core data. I’ll pass it to Commander-in-Chief Charles. You have my word, I’ll credit you for this achievement—I won’t steal your glory. Once you secure the remaining technologies, I’ll arrange your introduction to the Commander-in-Chief. Plenty of time—your chance will come."

Kobashi Ichiro tried to push for an immediate meeting, but Dewitt’s expression darkened. "What? Do you doubt me, Commander-in-Chief Kobashi Ichiro? Think I’d steal your credit?"

Terrified, Kobashi Ichiro waved his hands frantically. "Not at all! I’ll send the core data right away."

After receiving the files, Dewitt ended the call and sneered, "As if someone like you deserves to meet Commander-in-Chief Charles. You should know your station."

When Charles received the data, he smiled. "Excellent work, Dewitt. Once you secure the remaining files, I’ll have you transferred back to HSD headquarters and promote you to Deputy Commander."

Dewitt’s eyes lit up eagerly. "Thank you, Commander-in-Chief! I won't disappoint you, sir!"

The Capital City Base tuned into Kobashi Ichiro's live broadcast, which was deliberately shown to Gu Jinsheng and the Capital City Base. He wanted to rile up the residents with this video, thereby obtaining all the core technologies.

"Chief, Kobashi Ichiro is doing this on purpose!" Kong Zhongcheng asserted. "That Commander-in-Chief Li Mo from Z Base is also an idiot. Everyone in the world knows what kind of people R Base is and what Kobashi Ichiro is like. Why won’t he just use his damn head for once?"

Wan Xueying worriedly said, "With Li Mo and Kobashi Ichiro pulling this crap, the families of the stranded individuals will only grow more unstable. They’ll definitely demand we hand over the core tech to bring their loved ones back as soon as possible."

Zhou Qin added, "Chief, Li Mo has betrayed our trust. He tore up the agreement between our base and his, violating the contract. Are we just going to let them off the hook? If we let this slide so easily, other bases will see that they faced no punishment or consequences. They’ll follow suit and stop taking our base seriously."

Gu Jinsheng's eyes turned cold as he stated, "Of course we can’t let this go. This is outright treason."

Wan Xueying said, "Z Base itself isn’t particularly fearsome. With our base’s strength, we could crush them anytime. But launching an assault on Z Base at this critical moment would only enrage the online supporters, making the situation even more uncontrollable."

Gu Jinsheng replied, "No rush. Seven days."

R Base had given them seven days to consider. After that, R Base would demand an answer from the Capital City Base—and by then, Ji An would also deliver a result to the Capital City Base.

Zhou Qin declared, "I believe that in seven days, Divine Ji won’t let us down."

A trace of concern flickered in Wan Xueying’s eyes, but she didn’t voice any discouragement. Instead, she prayed, "Gods above, let Boss Ji pull this off!"

"Chief, it’s bad! Riots outside—protesters are storming the command center!"