Chapter 218: Dances with Bears (Part 2)

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

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Vladimir frowned slightly as his gaze lingered on him for a moment, but he immediately accepted Poladanovich's resignation without further hesitation.

However, Poladanovich had indeed held the position of the head of the Security Bureau for too long. Once his term expired next year, he would undoubtedly become a major target both domestically and internationally.

In an instant, Vladimir had already devised a plan. The appointment of a new head of the Security Bureau would be his final arrangement before his own term ended.

After all, Poladanovich was his trusted aide, and over the years, he had made significant contributions.

Therefore, despite the thought of replacing him, Vladimir didn't blame him excessively. Instead, he offered rare words of comfort, "You don't need to blame yourself. Today's events are not your fault!"

After collecting his thoughts, he continued, "Do you remember the incident half a month ago when the Severodvinsk Shipyard lost a Typhoon-class ballistic missile nuclear submarine?"

Poladanovich nodded. The loss of an active Typhoon-class ballistic missile nuclear submarine by the Russian Navy had caused significant shockwaves within the upper echelons, particularly in the naval forces. Nearly everyone in the leadership of the Northern Fleet received warnings, and the person in charge of the Severodvinsk Naval Base was completely removed from duty and forced into retirement.

Poladanovich himself had given the nickname "Severodvinsk Phantom" to that incident.

Being a room full of astute individuals, they were all aware of the detailed circumstances surrounding the "Severodvinsk Phantom."

Thus, when Vladimir suddenly mentioned it, everyone in the office widened their eyes in response.

"Your Excellency, are you suggesting that...the gunshots we heard in the presidential palace earlier were...?" Defense Minister Konashenkov asked incredulously.

Vladimir nodded, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Yes, not long ago, that mechanical being claiming to be from the Cybertron Planet infiltrated the mansion, stating that it came to negotiate a deal with us..." He glanced at his wristwatch, deepening his frown. "Time is running out. I temporarily appeased that mechanical being. I summoned you here urgently not only to give some orders but also because Konashenkov and Dmitry will accompany me to meet that mechanical being later..."

"Is there only one?"

General Kirokoyev, Commander of the Moscow Military District, spoke with a cold, steely voice. He looked up at Vladimir and suggested, "I have seen images of the 'Severodvinsk Phantom,' and based on estimates, it should not exceed four meters in height and weigh around 20 to 30 tons. Its size is even smaller than one of our T-90 tanks. Your Excellency, with adequate preparation, I believe a single anti-tank missile can seriously cripple, or even destroy it..."

Vladimir found himself somewhat swayed upon hearing these words.

However, in a sudden change of thought, he recalled the scene he had personally witnessed before, causing him to shake his head. "General, it's not that simple..."

The presidential mansion was equipped with surveillance devices, which had captured the earlier video.

Nevertheless, due to the tight timeframe, Vladimir worried that prolonging the situation would lead to the reemergence of the trouble he had just managed to calm down.

Therefore, he issued a strong command, "I will inform you of the detailed situation later. For now, Director Poladanovich, I have already ordered individuals to impose strict confidentiality measures on all individuals with knowledge inside the mansion. However, considering the possibility that others might notice, I need you to immediately arrange personnel to monitor newspapers, radio stations, and even foreign intelligence operatives within Russia, ensuring that the previous events do not get exposed!"

"Yes, Mr. President. I will take care of it immediately!"

Vladimir nodded slightly, then looked at General Kirokoyev again and ordered, "General, this may be an unprecedented crisis in Russia. I will have someone make a copy of the video footage taken inside the mansion and send it to you. I cannot give the order to put Russia on wartime alert as it may cause a serious diplomatic conflict. However, I ask that you return immediately and arrange mobilization in the Moscow Military District. The worst-case scenario is that this city may once again be engulfed in flames after over half a century!"

Several people in the office couldn't help but exchange glances, but when they saw him getting up as if he was about to leave, they quickly stood up as well. General Kirokoyev, in particular, saluted him solemnly and his expression became serious. He soon left with Chief Poladanovich.

After the two had left, Vladimir nodded slightly at Konashenkov and Dmitry, pointing to his watch and saying, "Let's go, the time we agreed upon with that mechanical being is running out. I won't be able to attend the Mother Hero banquet, but I have already called Prime Minister Mikhail, and he will expect me to attend the dinner. Now, the two of you will accompany me to meet that mechanical being. This may indeed be Russia's greatest crisis, but within crisis lies infinite possibilities. If I'm not mistaken, the Americans are already far ahead of us..." Konashenkov and Dmitry clearly couldn't keep up with his train of thought.

However, the two didn't show it and followed Vladimir's lead very seriously. The three of them, escorted by a heavily armed team of soldiers, left the presidential mansion and headed straight for the West Garden.

...

"Have you made any other arrangements?"

In the West Garden, the blue light in Sun Cheng's eyes suddenly flickered, and the curve of his mouth became even wider.

During his invasion of the presidential palace, he had already released dozens of sets of micro surveillance devices throughout the Kremlin. Therefore, even the brief meeting just held inside the presidential mansion, he had seen and understood its content.

Noticing that Vladimir and the others immediately rushed to him after the meeting, he was in a very joyful mood and even hummed a happy tune from the real world in his mind.

The trip to Russia was destined to be a great success.

Sun Cheng never doubted that!

He had everything the Polar Bear needed.

Technology, physical objects, and even funding!

Before leaving Brazil, he had given instructions to Atlas and the others to resume the manufacturing of industrial robots. He commanded them to make reasonable modifications to the existing industrial robots and manufacture a batch of specialized mining robots for prospecting and mining.

Therefore, if Russia was truly desperate enough to even desire gold, with a little more time, he could produce a batch of gold as well.

In the Polar Bear's pocket, there were too many things that Sun Cheng coveted.

Not to mention the vast nuclear arsenal left behind by the former Soviet Union. Although he was greedy, it was unlikely that the Polar Bear would let go of that.

However, as the country with the largest territory in the world, Russia's vast land contained extremely rich resources. Almost all the rare metals and materials that Sun Cheng coveted could be found there.

Moreover, there is another good thing in Russia that makes Sun Cheng very greedy, and that is uranium mines!

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 219: Dances with Bears (Part 3)