208: Chapter 209 Military Aircraft Deployment

Although the 705 Research Institute is a classified unit, no one can guarantee that it is completely airtight.

"What is the scope of the information leak?" General Li Zhenguo immediately cut to the point.

"Currently, it is limited to me, the project leader Engineer Liu, and a few core inspection personnel."

"However, the commotion during the inspection just now was significant. It is hard to guarantee that no words have slipped out, and the sample provider has just left. I have already ordered a lockdown." Director Qin Weiguo reported quickly.

"You did the right thing! Lock down the Research Institute, strictly control information, and ensure the samples and data are absolutely safe!"

He paused for a moment, weighing his options rapidly in his mind.

Send regular troops for support? Not enough!

Given the importance of this matter, he had to ensure nothing went wrong.

Go himself? The target would be too large and too conspicuous, which would be counterproductive.

"Old Qin, listen to me," General Li Zhenguo decided decisively, "I will immediately have Comrade Zhang Cheng lead a 'Sword' special operations team and arrive at your location by helicopter at top speed!"

"They will be responsible for the safe reception and escort of the samples and data. Until my people arrive, you have full command of the Research Institute's security, and you may take any necessary measures!"

The 'Sword' special operations team! That was the sharpest blade of the Eastern Theater Command, executing the highest-difficulty secret missions!

Sending them showed just how much General Li Zhenguo valued this mission.

"Yes! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!" Director Qin Weiguo replied in a deep voice, feeling the weight on his shoulders increase.

"Good! Keep the lines open and stay in touch!" General Li Zhenguo finished and hung up the communication.

Without any pause, he immediately ordered his confidential secretary: "Contact Zhang Cheng immediately! Be quick!"

At the same time, after a moment of thought, he picked up another red classified phone.

This matter also required local cooperation; at the very least, the top leader of Shanghai had to be informed to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

The call connected quickly, and the calm voice of Zhou Weimin, the top leader of Shanghai, came from the other side: "Chief Li? Calling so late, what are your instructions?"

"Secretary Zhou, sorry to disturb you." General Li Zhenguo's tone was polite but permeated with unquestionable seriousness, "Our military has an extremely important top-secret asset that needs to be transferred immediately from the 705 Research Institute located in the Pudong New Area of your city."

"To ensure safety, I will dispatch Comrade Zhang Cheng to lead a team and travel by military helicopter to execute the mission."

"The helicopter may enter the city's airspace and take off and land temporarily near the Research Institute. I need you to handle the corresponding air traffic control coordination and ground perimeter security and traffic guidance, and keep it absolutely confidential."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weimin felt a jolt in his heart.

For the military to make such a big fuss, even using a helicopter to enter the core area of the city to pick up supplies, the importance of these 'top-secret materials' was self-evident.

He immediately realized that this was no ordinary matter.

"Chief Li, cooperating with military operations is our local duty. No problem, I will arrange it immediately!" Zhou Weimin did not hesitate and agreed directly, but he was somewhat puzzled, "However... is the matter so urgent that it requires you to call personally to coordinate? Wouldn't it be better to have the subordinates handle the connection directly..."

General Li Zhenguo sighed, his voice dropping lower: "Old Zhou, it's not that I don't trust the comrades below, it's just that this matter is of such great significance!"

"Let's put it this way: this thing relates to whether the country can stand tall in certain fields for the next few decades! There absolutely cannot be any mistakes! The fewer people who know, the better!"

Zhou Weimin understood instantly and immediately responded solemnly: "Understood! Don't worry, Old Li! I will personally supervise to ensure seamless coordination between air and ground. Not a single whisper will leak out. We will fully cooperate with you to complete the transfer mission!"

"Good! Many thanks!" General Li Zhenguo finished and hung up the phone.

On the other side, Zhang Cheng of the Eastern Theater Command had already received the order and walked quickly into the command center.

This was a middle-aged man with a tall stature, a cold expression, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, exuding the aura of a battle-hardened elite.

"Chief!" Zhang Cheng stood at attention and saluted.

General Li Zhenguo skipped any pleasantries and directly issued the order: "Comrade Zhang Cheng, the mission is top secret! You must immediately lead the first detachment of the [Sword] team, board a helicopter, and rush to the 705 Research Institute in Shanghai at top speed!"

"Director Qin Weiguo has a top-secret sample and data there that concerns national strategic security. Your mission is to spare no cost to ensure it is escorted absolutely safely back to the theater's highest-level secure vault!"

"This is a top-priority mission. You are authorized to use any means necessary!"

"Yes! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!" Zhang Cheng had no questions, gave a standard military salute, turned, and walked away with long strides, his actions crisp and efficient.

A few minutes later, at a military airport in the Eastern Theater Command, the rotors of an advanced military helicopter with camouflage paint began to rotate slowly, emitting a huge roar.

Zhang Cheng and six 'Sword' team members, fully equipped for special operations, with camouflage paint on their faces and eyes as cold as ice, quickly boarded the aircraft.

The helicopter lifted off from the ground, tore through the night sky, and sped toward Shanghai at maximum cruising speed.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the orders from Secretary Zhou Weimin had already been issued rapidly.

The air traffic control department received special instructions to open a temporary, highest-priority "green channel" for the military helicopter about to enter the city's airspace.

The public security department also mobilized capable forces to conduct unobtrusive perimeter control and traffic guidance around the 705 Research Institute; everything was proceeding in an orderly manner in silence.

The bustling night scene of Shanghai remained bright and charming, with boats weaving through the Huangpu River and crowds surging on the Bund.

The vast majority of citizens and tourists were completely unaware of the imminent, top-secret operation happening right under their noses, remaining immersed in the hustle and bustle of nightlife.

However, in some dark corners of this international metropolis, some "nocturnal animals" with unusually keen senses seemed to detect a trace of an unusual atmosphere.

In a certain encrypted online chat room, an anonymous message flashed: "There is a slight adjustment in Shanghai's air traffic control, suspected to be clearing the way for a special aircraft..."

There were also certain intelligence outposts hidden in the bustling city that recorded this seemingly inconspicuous information, attempting to piece together valuable clues from it.

The roar of the military helicopter's engine approached from afar, gradually entering the night sky over Shanghai.

Citizens looked up curiously, seeing that military aircraft flying rapidly at low altitude, perhaps muttering, "Huh? Why are there so many helicopters flying at night?", but most would not dwell on it and would soon continue with their own affairs.

The huge sound of the helicopter's airflow resounded over the Research Institute, and the beam of the spotlight pierced the night sky, locking onto an area that had long been cleared and temporarily designated for landing.