♫~♫~♪~!
As a melodious opening theme played, the screen gradually brightened, revealing a live news broadcast studio.
The camera first focuses on a dynamic projection of the Kremlin's main gate, then gradually zooms out and pans to the right, revealing a female presenter in a white suit sitting at the side of an L shaped table, introducing the scene at a relatively fast pace
"Hello everyone, welcome to this episode of New York Looks at the World. I'm Monica Elkwood.
Three days ago, on July 18th, a terrorist attack of an extremely heinous nature occurred in Mozhaysk, a small town on the outskirts of Moscow. So who planned and organized this terrorist attack? What impact will this have on us? And will it affect the relationship between the United States and Russia?"
The female host paused deliberately at this point.
The camera then zoomed out again, until it showed the entire live broadcast room. On the other side of the L shaped table sat a military officer guest with graying hair, dressed in a U.S. military uniform.
"We are honored to have Lieutenant Colonel Denzel Walton, a U.S. Army officer and former Soviet expert, with us on these topics."
"Hello, Monica." As soon as the female host finished speaking, the officer took over the conversation "Hello to all the viewers of New York Looks at the World. I'm very happy to be here to help you answer your questions."
"So, Lieutenant Colonel, I'm afraid you, like the viewers sitting in front of the television, saw the video footage and interviews released by Russian news. Who do you and the military think is most likely to have planned this terrorist attack?"
"Hmm..." The U.S. Army lieutenant colonel paused for a moment, seemingly considering his words, before responding to the female host's question "Based on the available information, we can be certain that the personnel who launched the attack on Luf Military Industry were well trained and their military skills were no less than, and even better than, those of some active duty special forces in various countries.
Based on years of research and our intelligence analysis, the turmoil and chaos at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the defection, escape, or becoming mercenaries or even becoming hitmen involved in organized crime.
Therefore, based on their combat experience, good teamwork, clear objectives, and proper division of labor, the combatants who launched the terrorist attacks were highly likely to be military personnel from the former Soviet Union.
As for who orchestrated the attack, neither I nor the military can give a definitive answer, because there are too many suspects, such as competitors of Gogosky Luf military industry, or extremist groups that want to return Russia to the Soviet era, these are all possibilities."
"Former special forces member involved in terrorist attacks, my God, just hearing you say that, Lieutenant Colonel, gives me the creeps. Luckily, I live in America, in New York..."
Sizzle!
Before the female host could finish her remarks, the screen was suddenly turned off by a remote, plunging the meeting room back into darkness and silence.
The large screen that originally played New York Sees the World was placed in a very spacious and well lit conference room.
Looking out through the fan shaped floor to ceiling windows on the south side, one can enjoy the clear blue sky at midday and the Empire State Building two blocks away.
Therefore, it can be inferred that the high rise building where this conference room is located is situated on Manhattan Island on the east coast of the United States.
Furthermore, the ubiquitous 'Vought International' lettering reveals the true identity of this high rise building, it is the headquarters of the arms company that developed Compound V.
Vaught Tower.
At this moment, three people are sitting around a V shaped table designed according to the Vaught International logo.
The person with the highest status, sitting at the very tip of the V shaped table with his back to the floor to ceiling window, was dressed in a suit and had dark skin. His face and expression behind his glasses revealed indifference.
To the left of the V shaped table was a male researcher with a receding hairline, wearing a white medical coat, while to the right was a female executive dressed in a shirt and skirt.
The three are Stan Edgar, the board representative and president of Vought International, Jonah Vogelbaum, the chief security officer and research director, and Madelyn Stewell, vice president of Vought International.
"Ms. Stewell" Edgar broke the silence, first asking Madeline, "The attack on the Luftan Research Center has caused quite a stir. I presume you have already investigated who organized, planned, and launched the attack?"
Upon hearing this, Madeline glanced at the paper file in front of her and replied with a somewhat unfocused look, "Mr. Edgar, in fact, we also cannot pinpoint who is behind this. The only entity that knows the exact location of the soldier boy and has the capability to organize a raid of this scale is the CIA."
"The CIA, of course, I can guess they are the most likely candidate without you even saying it, but Ms. Stewell, can you be 100% sure it's the CIA? And not a domestic American arms manufacturer that competes with Vought International?"
When Edgar finished speaking, he emphasized the 'American mainland'.
Although Edgar maintained a composed demeanor, Madeline felt incredibly nervous. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and quickly said
"I can't be 100% sure, Atlas has been busy with mining in Africa recently and has voluntarily withdrawn from all arms tenders this year and next. The Translucent's intelligence gathering in Seattle also confirms that, although the other side is still very resistant to the Superhero Policies Act, they are also observing the attitudes of their counterparts and waiting for the right opportunity.
Moreover, Atlas recently signed a cooperation agreement with us to create novel uniforms and armor for the upcoming The Seven. After all, their aesthetic sense has always been of a high standard, so we can rule them out as suspects.
Secondly, Lockheed Martin Aerospace is focusing all its efforts this year and next on the acquisition and merger of Martin Marietta, currently..."
"No need to continue. Anyone could investigate these things." Edgar interrupted Madeline's report and turned his attention to Vogbaurn. "Dr. Vogbaum, how is the Homelander doing? Is he able to perfectly surpass the soldier boy we've already eliminated in all the data?"
"Theoretically, there's absolutely no problem." Vogbaum was much calmer. "The Soldier Boy might be a little stronger than John in terms of physical defense, but in terms of laser power, strength, speed, and reaction, he has already broken all records. Even if our competitors have the Soldier Boy as a weapon, it won't help."
"Only regarding the condition..." Vogbaum glanced at Madeline sitting opposite him and said meaningfully, "That's where our Vice President Stewell's help comes in, since nothing can truly control Homelander."
"I will try my best," Madeline sighed heavily.