Actually, both elites had plenty of useful information ( dry goods/substantive content). Although they looked soft and weak, unable to fight, just thinking about them dressing up as burly guys, standing outside with large shields without trembling, showed that the combat power held by these two seemingly very beautiful girls was not inferior to the capable fighters of Penguin Logistics.
As operators of Blacksteel International, although many things were under confidentiality agreements, there were also many things without confidentiality agreements that could be discussed freely. Although these two had only been officially engaged in combat for just over two years, they had perfectly completed various high-intensity missions, qualifying as veterans from any perspective. They might not compare to the strongest batch of Blacksteel who fought in the Columbia civil war, but their abilities were also unquestionable.
And being elite meant they were widely experienced, had seen many incredible things, and knew many matters inaccessible to ordinary people.
Even if some were covered by confidentiality clauses, the things revealed that weren't confidential were already astonishing enough. Under Liskarm's—the girl with two long blue horns on her head—calm and soft voice, Li Lin could easily imagine the smell of blood and gore conveyed within. In this chaotic world, the things security companies witness definitely far exceed those seen by others. Just hearing some of the things they described made Li Lin feel it was a great pity.
Novel settings he originally thought were very innovative, unexpectedly, others had already produced real objects and evidence. How could he write a novel like this? This world was developing too fast, even novelists' imaginations couldn't keep up. What could be done? Could it be he had to switch to another genre? He'd have to write new settings again…
"Didn't expect this world really has zombie-like things existing… Eternal life and undeath, truly a tempting idea."
Unsure when she had escaped Sora's entanglement, Texas pulled up a chair and sat beside them, sighing slightly after listening to their descriptions.
"In my hometown, there are many families who fight and kill each other for various benefits, but even so, they never imagined pursuing eternal life and undeath. After all, such things sound truly too incredible. Didn't expect Columbia has actually already started on a large scale…"
"And it's human experimentation. But this kind of thing is usually reported secretly, so it's not within the scope of confidentiality. As for what is within the scope of confidentiality, let your imagination run wild, okay?"
"I knew it, these big companies must be doing some shady things behind the scenes, how could everything spread online be true."
Li Lin looked at Francka's flirtatious manner, then at the notebook in his hand filled with red crosses, also feeling a headache.
Damn it, that group of fools claiming to be Columbian biological researchers before swore vehemently that this thing didn't exist, looking now, isn't this bullshit? The operators from Blacksteel International themselves said there are zombies and mechanical bodies causing trouble over there, and here I was naively thinking this setting was very innovative, planning to use it to write a novel. If people who have actually experienced it saw this, wouldn't they laugh their heads off? This novel can't be written.
Asked three months ago, they had zombies within two months; does your side think launching a project takes no time? Doesn't scientific research need face?
Can scientific research be figured out just by thinking?
"This little brother is right, many things in these biotech fields are confidential, I almost contracted an incurable disease during one operation. How much shady stuff goes on inside these tech companies and bio companies, they absolutely won't publicize it outside. For example, confidentiality clause number one, confidentiality clause number two, confidentiality clause number five, those are things that look very scary just thinking about them. Francka feels like something bad is going to happen just thinking about it."
"…"
Didn't you not go to any of them?
Liskarm glanced at her companion smiling with narrowed eyes beside her, having no intention of interrupting her colleague's bragging , but continued speaking to Li Lin:
"If you want to write a documentary-style novel, the zombies and flesh-and-blood mechanical puppets you mentioned do indeed exist in Columbia. But if according to fantasy novels, these are clearly insufficient. They already exist in real society, right beside us."
"Thanks, if you hadn't told me, I would have really been deceived by people online. A bunch of people insisting zombies don't exist, no one in this world pursues eternal life, etc. I really thought they didn't exist. Sigh, but this way, I have to rewrite a whole bunch of settings again, don't know if it will work… Writing novels, if the setting isn't done well, it's hard to proceed later. In short, thank you both very much for the information provided, really, thank you."
"You're welcome, this is my business card. If needed in the future, you can contact us directly."
"Here, this is my business card too, little brother. You can call me anytime, whether something's up or not, okay? But calls are rejected during missions, please understand."
Seemingly prepared long ago, Liskarm nodded, then seriously pulled out a business card from under her clothing hem and handed it to Li Lin. Then Francka, drinking black tea beside her, quickly took one out from her bosom, stuffing it over first as if competing. Making Liskarm raise an eyebrow.
Feeling that if these two continued competing, he would likely be the unlucky one, Li Lin quickly accepted both business cards and tucked them into a special pocket in his notebook. After nodding at the two who had already started pressing thumbs against each other in an arm wrestle , he hugged his book and squatted aside, lost in deep thought. Feeling that the brainstorm for biological research seemed to have hit a dead end, he had to approach it from other aspects.
Should I write about space hegemony? Industrial era, gothic style giant ships and cannons? I've never written this kind of sci-fi before?
Li Lin went back, sat on the chair, and started racking his brain for settings. Texas, meanwhile, thoughtfully recalled the words of the two Blacksteel operators, falling into a daze. And Sora, the idol, for some unknown reason, very diligently started cleaning the room. Croissant and Exusiai were still fast asleep on their chairs, just having slightly changed their sleeping positions, looking even more awkward.
Just as things were peaceful like this, with Li Lin hugging his notebook lost in thought, a knock suddenly came from the door outside.
'Knock knock knock!'
"Who is it?"
Seeing that none of the others intended to open the door, placing the notebook in his lap, Li Lin pulled the door open while slowly reciting from memory:
"Penguin Logistics working hours are Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and this is a private area, we don't handle work matters here…"
"Hello, Lungmen Guard Bureau. I am Superintendent Ch'en. This is my police ID. I received a report, and after investigation, found an explosion case related to Penguin Logistics. Case consultation, please assist with the investigation."
The black-haired, horned girl gave a salute and spoke powerfully and resonantly.