Chapter 658: Inspection
Chapter 658: Inspection
At the entrance of the Union Heavy Control Corporation headquarters, vehicles from the Self-Processing Bureau arrived and parked in the plaza, with over a hundred bureau members disembarking.
These were all armed personnel with monitoring and combat implants, possessing formidable combat prowess. Not only did they have internal enforcers leading them, but they also carried a substantial arsenal of light and heavy weapons, assuming a combat-ready stance.
Without prior notice of the inspection, one might have assumed these individuals were about to launch an attack at any moment.
The female assistant, accompanied by several security guards, stepped out as the company's vehicle fleet arrived. Just as they reached the entrance, members of the Handling Bureau arrived for the inspection, clearly indicating the Central City's unfriendly attitude towards them.
However, before coming this time, the company had anticipated such a situation and was well-prepared. Instead of choosing confrontation, they calmly approached the Handling Bureau's representative for dialogue.
After a brief conversation and the presentation of the inspection warrant by the Handling Bureau, the female assistant assured her cooperation with the search but also requested that the company's legal team accompany them throughout to ensure legal compliance.
The leader of this Handling Bureau team was Captain Paul, head of the investigation task force and a Third Limit Fighter. He had been responsible for investigating Union Heavy Control during the previous investigation director's tenure, gaining extensive experience and the trust of his predecessor. Considered a confidant, Chen Chuan retained him in his position, continuing to lead the task force.
Upon entering the company's interior, Captain Paul scanned the surroundings and, using the Dimensional Token, sent a message following the established procedure, "Director, we have entered the building and are commencing the inspection."
He then made a gesture, and the team members behind him immediately dispersed according to their combat groups.
The Union Heavy Control headquarters had already undergone several inspections, making them very familiar with the premises. Previously, they had confiscated numerous items, but after Union Heavy Control paid the fines, some less critical items were gradually returned.
This time, their primary focus was on various field equipment and the items transported by the company's vehicle fleet.
After inspecting the other items, a team headed to the basement and noticed a ceramic container over a meter tall.
Captain Paul inquired, "What's this?"
The female assistant calmly replied, "An active consciousness embryo."
She had no intention of concealing anything. Bringing the active consciousness embryo into Central City had been approved by the Municipal Parliament, and they had promised to procure all high-energy nutrients through the channels provided by the Municipal Parliament.
Moreover, the existence of the active consciousness embryo itself served as a deterrent to outsiders, so there was no fear in the Handling Bureau knowing about it.
Captain Paul's expression turned serious, and he ordered the use of field inspection equipment. Although the Municipal Parliament had approved the inspection, the Government Hall still retained the authority to access information and conduct oversight.
Chen Chuan observed from behind, with the field information connection from An Dun and the on-site personnel, he could witness the entire inspection process.
However, Captain Paul only instructed his team to use the equipment for inspection and did not request Union Heavy Control to open the ceramic container. This action, in itself, was not problematic.
This inspection aimed not only to pressure Union Heavy Control but also to serve as a warning and a show of force through this operation. If they could grasp his intentions, they should have been more aggressive in their actions instead of following such a conventional approach, which exerted no pressure on the well-prepared Union Heavy Control Corporation.
At this moment, he was already considering adjusting Captain Paul's position upon the task force's return.
After inspecting all the items, the task force began to cross-reference individual information.
The inspection revealed that most personnel matched the registered records, but when they checked a particular security captain with Third Limit strength, they discovered he was not on the list, prompting immediate questioning.
"According to agreements between various governments and corporations, all Third Limit Fighters engaging in external activities must maintain detailed travel records. Why are your travel records for the past three days blank?"
The security captain explained, "I was hired midway and only arrived in Central City today, and I haven't had time to report to the Government Hall yet."
The Handling Bureau inspector sternly stated, "You've been in Central City for three hours; you should have reported immediately."
The security captain defended himself, "As an employee, my priority is my employer's safety."
Captain Paul gestured, and immediately several Handling Bureau members with guns surrounded him, pushing other personnel outside a certain range.
Addressing the security captain, Captain Paul said sternly, "Put down all your weapons; you are under arrest."
"What?"
Instinctively, the security captain reached for his sword at his waist but was immediately pointed at by several guns. He quickly turned to his employer.
The female assistant, standing outside, said, "Captain Paul, I apologize; this was our oversight." She turned to the security captain and said sternly, "Please put down your weapons, and the Handling Bureau members will leave. Since this is not entirely your fault, we will pay your commission and provide appropriate compensation."
"The security captain raised his hand, allowing the Handling Bureau members to take away his weapon and put him in specially-designed shackles. He was then escorted out of the building.
Chen Chuan witnessed the entire scene through the Dimensional Token.
Although it seemed like a vulnerability in Union Heavy Drive's security had been exposed, serving as a deterrent warning, Chen Chuan could tell that this was a deliberate loophole left by Union Heavy Drive. They were well aware that if this operation yielded no findings, the Handling Bureau would have little to show for their efforts, and they might create trouble elsewhere.
This was a form of "appeasement" for the Handling Bureau.
The inspection continued, and Chen Chuan noticed two individuals in the team who possessed Special Security Credentials—a man and a woman with the codenames "Falcon" and "Eel."
These were two Black Steel-class security personnel, a common rating in the security employment field, indicating that they were fighters with experience in combat against the Fusion Zone's devoted warriors.
If compared to the Handling Bureau's standards, they would be equivalent to Level 1 to Level 3 Executors, with their actual abilities difficult to assess directly. Union Heavy Drive had never sent such fighters to Jinbei Province's Central City before, and from their display, these two were responsible for protecting Union Heavy Drive's top representative.
After verifying the information of all armed personnel, Captain Paul turned to the female assistant and said, "If Union Heavy Drive makes any adjustments to weapons or biological entities, they must promptly report it. The same goes for armed personnel information."
The female assistant replied, "Of course, we will abide by the laws of Central City." She glanced to the side, "We have a top-notch legal team."
Captain Paul glanced at the legal team standing by and stepped aside, addressing the Dimensional Token, "Report: All items have been inspected, and no prohibited items were found. Armed personnel have been verified. Requesting withdrawal."
Chen Chuan spoke up, "Captain Paul, ask their representative for her information. I need to confirm the representative's details."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Captain Paul's eyes, but he nodded and said, "We need to meet with your representative. There are some matters we need to confirm with her."
The female assistant responded, "The representative is not an armed individual and carries no weapons. She possesses a special pass issued by the Municipal Parliament and is under no obligation to comply with your inspection."
Captain Paul insisted, "But I hope you can cooperate."
The female assistant spoke sternly, "This does not follow the proper procedure. If you insist, I will have no choice but to initiate legal proceedings against you."
As she spoke, the legal team behind her remained silent, but they had already started recording and sending messages.
Captain Paul's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
At that moment, a squad leader from a distance approached, speaking sternly, "This is a special period, and all departments can enforce the emergency regulations of the Government Hall. If you wish to file a complaint, you may do so at the Government Hall after the fact. However, for now, please comply with our requests, or we will consider you as failing to fulfill your obligation to cooperate."
Captain Paul glanced at him, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, but he remained silent.
The female assistant then reached out and touched the Dimensional Token, as if listening to something. After a while, she said, "Please follow me." Then, addressing Captain Paul, "Just you."
Captain Paul nodded and said solemnly, "Without my orders, no one is to act on their own." He followed the female assistant into the elevator, heading to the top-floor office.
The rest of the Handling Bureau members waited below. Approximately twenty minutes later, he returned and spoke to the Dimensional Token, "Supervisor Chen, there's a Field Interference Organism on the top floor. I couldn't send messages, but I met with the person. I'll report the details to you in person when I return."
A voice came from the Dimensional Token, "Return."
"Yes!"
Captain Paul shouted to the other team members, "Withdraw!" Immediately, all personnel withdrew from the company building in an orderly manner, boarded their vehicles, and headed back to the Handling Bureau.
Chen Chuan turned off the Dimensional Token's display. Based on this operation, most of those who cooperated followed the rules, as he had predicted, merely completing their tasks without seeking additional favors.
This was understandable; as long as the subordinates followed the rules, they were less likely to make mistakes. However, Captain Paul's performance was unsatisfactory. As an experienced captain, he was aware of certain matters and didn't need his subordinates to speak on his behalf; such actions only indicated his reluctance to create trouble.
The squad leader, on the other hand, caught his attention. Chen Chuan glanced at the name—Xu Changfeng.
Although he was just a Second Limit Fighter, this was the norm. Most of the numerous clerks below him hadn't even reached the Limit yet, so being a Second Limit Fighter was already impressive.
Xu Changfeng was worth giving a chance, and he had earned this opportunity himself.
...
...
(End of Chapter)"
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