September 3, 1997, Mexico City, "Feathered Serpent Temple" strategic room on the top floor

The massive screen in front of Victor was displaying split-screen, real-time updates on briefs and preliminary action reports from West Africa, Congo, Scotland, and England.

Bramo was summarizing: "In West Africa, Mamadou’s forces have been cleared by mercenaries, and he has been captured. Sangar Town is now controlled by neighboring tribal armed forces and ’peacekeeping observers’. Our guided public opinion is beginning to ferment, and there are increasing calls for international assistance from local ’legitimate’ tribal elders. Our personnel is ready with a ’humanitarian and development’ package, ready to make contact once the situation stabilizes slightly."

"In Congo, the cave stronghold was destroyed by an unidentified high-altitude drone, suspected to be the actions of a major power. Hendrick’s whereabouts are unknown. Our team has safely withdrawn and obtained some cargo samples and tracking signals. The source of radioactive materials and missiles is under investigation, with leads pointing to Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. Intelligence agents have been arranged to try to contact possibly surviving ’third-party’ operatives."

"In Scotland, the Ramirez Group was eliminated, and radioactive materials were safely recovered. The operation was carried out by our people, traces have been cleaned, and the credit was attributed to the Scottish Self-Defense Army. McTavish accepted this result without delving deep. Key prisoners like Ramirez are in a controllable coma, being secretly transferred to a third-country ’safe house’, preparing for intense interrogation."

"In England, the Liverpool drug warehouse was taken down by central forces from London, exposing the local protection umbrella. The ’protection umbrella list’ we anonymously provided has spread through Sarah Kent’s network, causing local political upheaval. It is expected to lead to a reshuffle in Liverpool’s local parliament, with the ’English Congress’ looking to seize the opportunity to support more cooperative local political figures."

Casare grinned and said, "Boss, from this round, quite a few tumors have been cleared, the territory has stabilized, and many nails have been planted. It’s just that in Congo, it’s a bit of a pity we don’t know which deity got to the cave before us and blew it up."

"Not a pity."

Victor responded calmly, "That’s precisely the proof that there are others besides us who do not wish to see ’Skull and Snake’ and the forces behind them dominating Congo, or, rather, do not wish for the secrets there to be exposed. This actually helps us confirm the intensity of the resource struggle in Congo and the potential range of opponents."

He walked over to the world map: "In West Africa, what we want is long-term influence and resource channels. Mamadou is a one-time pawn, to be discarded once used. In Congo, the waters are too deep; for now, focus on surveillance and intelligence gathering to avoid direct involvement in major power conflicts. In Scotland, the crisis has been resolved, deepening McTavish’s reliance on us. In England, the ongoing chaos benefits our infiltration and shaping."

"But all of this," Victor turned around, "is merely groundwork. It’s all for the upcoming summit."

Bramo nodded: "The final agenda and attendee list for the summit have been confirmed. Sixty-eight national heads or government leaders have confirmed their attendance, including the President of France, the German Chancellor, and other key European leaders, as well as a large number of leaders from African, Latin American, and Asian countries. The United Kingdom will be represented by Prince Charles as the ’Commonwealth and United Kingdom Special Representative’. The United States will send the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce."

"Our core proposals?" Victor asked.

"Three items."

Bramo brought up the documents, "First, the ’Global Digital Infrastructure Co-building Initiative’, aimed at promoting our standards for quantum communication, data centers, and smart cities, additionally providing low-interest loans and technical support. Second, the ’Sustainable Development and Energy Transition Partnership’, focusing on marketing our new energy technology, grid transformation, and resource recycling plans, coupled with financial support. Third, the ’New Security Challenge Response Framework’, proposing the establishment of multinational intelligence sharing, cyber security collaboration, and ’crisis area stabilization and reconstruction’ joint action mechanisms—primarily targeting non-traditional threats like ’Skull and Snake’."

"Excellent."

Victor nodded, "Use the blurred images of the Congolese caves, photos of the radioactive materials seized in Scotland, and evidence of Liverpool’s drug network and local corruption, appropriately edited, as background material for the ’New Security Challenge’ at the summit’s side meeting. No need to name names; let the attendees draw their own conclusions."

He added, "During the meeting, arrange for delegations from various countries to visit the latest achievements of ’Silicon Valley Mexico’, especially demonstrations in quantum computing and new energy projects. Let Europeans see the generational gap firsthand. Arrange bilateral talks with leaders of key countries, focusing on specific cooperative projects. Especially Germany and France, as they have internal disagreements to exploit effectively."

"What about Prince Charles?" Casare asked.

"Treat with the respect due his status, but no special treatment. He is the last representative of the old era, attending the inauguration of the new era, which in itself is a symbol."

His gaze fell on Europe’s location on the map: "The collapse of the old world has entered an accelerated phase. Financial, political, and military orders are all disintegrating. Our summit aims to declare to the world and offer a new, viable puzzle piece."

Victor didn’t finish speaking, but the depth in his eyes said everything.

"Notify all departments to enter the final countdown state for the summit. I want this summit to become the watershed between the old and new eras. Let everyone leave Mexico City understanding one fact: although the future may still have storms, the direction of the compass has changed."

The command transformed into encrypted data streams, flying to covert nodes across the globe.

In Africa, personnel wearing uniforms with the Mexico aid logo began appearing around Sangar Town, distributing food and medicine, assessing infrastructure damage, and ’discussing’ reconstruction plans with local elders.

In Europe, Mexico-friendly think tanks and media began intensively warming up the summit, highlighting the success of the ’Mexico model’ in contrast to the ’stagnation of Europe’, and discussing the necessity of ’new transatlantic cooperation’.

In Asia and Latin America, delegations from invited countries began reviewing thick cooperation intent letters sent by Mexico, calculating the pros and cons.

Meanwhile, in decision-making circles in London, Paris, Berlin, and Washington, debates on how to respond to Mexico’s "grand event" reached a fever pitch.

To resist? To participate? To forge a new path?

The world was like a massive ship rocking violently in a storm; the old captain’s quarters were in chaos, but the new helmsman was already on the lower deck, gripping a wheel unnoticed by many, ready to make a sharp turn when the next wave hit.

The captain’s here!

...