"In light of Director Mercer's excellent performance during my injury period, I have decided to promote Director Mercer to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While retaining his current position, he will take over the role of operations captain previously held by Bennett.
He will also be responsible for the cybersecurity and oversight management of Dog Town, taking full charge of all security matters in Dog Town.
I have also reviewed his other personnel arrangements and, for the time being, no changes will be made. Adjustments will be made according to the current situation in the future."
After Hansen finished speaking, seeing no one at the meeting spoke up, he frowned tightly, "What, just a week has passed and no one listens to what I say anymore?"
"Of course not, Colonel Hansen..." Dao Jie said with a grin: "I just remembered something you told me in the past, do you remember? When you were still serving New America, the time you narrowly escaped death in Panama?
Back then, you had one arm broken but forced your way out of the jungle..."
Hansen frowned slightly, then suddenly laughed: "You're mistaken, it wasn't me who narrowly escaped death in Panama; it was that brute Bennett."
He showed an expression of interest, scrutinizing Dao Jie, meaningfully saying: "Or maybe we can talk about what we discussed in the fast-food restaurant after Operation Midnight Storm?
I remember you told me back then that you planned to stay in Night City and didn't intend to leave, since we're gambling with our lives, why not sell them at a good price..."
Dao Jie looked at Hansen in shock and uncertainty, then turned to look at Mercer, who was sitting calmly beside him.
At this moment, Gago, sitting on the other side of the conference room, hurriedly said: "Sorry, I have to interrupt... Colonel Hansen, several sellers in Europe are pushing urgently, asking when our balance payment will be sent over.
But we haven't found buyers for the goods we have on hand..."
Hansen, upon hearing this, just nodded and said: "I understand. I'll personally talk to those people later... Gago, you will fully take charge of these affairs with me this time, and make every effort to maintain good relations with the customers."
Gago was stunned at first, then delighted, but quickly glanced at Mercer cautiously—now he was a bit unclear about the situation, unsure if accepting Hansen's kindness now would make Director Mercer think he was taking sides?
But Mercer smiled and said, "Captain Gago, seems like you'll be busy in the future. Do well. The next time something similar happens, we can't be as unprepared as we were during this lockdown."
Hansen also nodded and said, "This lockdown has made our clients very dissatisfied. We must ensure that the same situation doesn't happen a second time.
Gago, watch and learn well. If something similar happens again, you'll be responsible for ensuring that our trade isn't suddenly interrupted, affecting the customers' business and Dog Town's reputation."
Is this right?
Gago could hardly believe it for a moment. Hansen has always valued his network connections very highly. He knew very well that the core of Dog Town wasn't in guns, but in these invisible and intangible networks.
He actually intended to share this network with him?
And Hansen turned to Mercer, "Lieutenant Colonel Mercer, where did Leon go?"
"Let me think... seems like he's still being detained and interrogated for disrupting order and disobeying orders, right now."
After Mercer finished, Hansen showed a somewhat displeased expression.
Just when others thought this displeasure was aimed at Mercer, Hansen directly cursed: "That idiot always screws up at critical moments... forget it, Dao Jie, you take the lead, quickly organize Netherworld Dog to sort and prepare the airdropped supplies for transportation.
Have the Netherworld Dog transportation team ready; our incoming and outgoing shipments over the next few days might be large, so be prepared for back-to-back operations.
Also, we must quickly supplement some personnel... Gago, go prepare several new standard contracts later; the contract content has already been discussed with Lieutenant Colonel Mercer and will follow his wishes.
Alright, that concludes our meeting. When you return, be sure to tell that bunch of idiots, as long as I'm alive, I absolutely won't allow anyone to collude with Arasaka.
At the same time, after lifting the lockdown, ensure product logistics can quickly resume circulation and that Arasaka's people will have no opportunity... damn it, they actually managed to get Gem Cyan to assassinate me; what on earth was our security doing?"
When talking about Arasaka, the hatred on Hansen's face was clearly genuine. Especially those very familiar with him could tell from his murderous rage and small movements when angry—this guy was unquestionably Hansen himself.
Mercer sighed and looked exhausted: "Colonel Hansen, I'll leave the subsequent matters to you. During this period, I've come to realize that focusing on scientific research suits me best."
"Don't say that, Mercer. You've done quite well. Those Arasaka bastards aim to divide us and then infiltrate us—they want more to kill me, but I won't let them have their way."
Hansen snorted coldly, then looked at Mercer with appreciation: "It's been tough on you during this time, oh, and your special task force too. Rest assured, after I've negotiated with the clients, I'll duly reward you all.
Take some time to rest and get a good sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, the burden on your shoulders will be even heavier."