HOMO DEUS part 2

(Outside UNSSD Headquarters, Makassar, Sulawesi, October 2134)

Nanami slung her AMB-17 rifle over her jungle camouflage uniform, walking over to the front doors, opening it, and letting the rest of her comrades in. All of them are wearing the patches that denote them to be UNSSD Commandos, with their faces covered by balaclavas as per security mission requirements. 

A front desk lady noticed them, she sat up from her counter. 

"Sir, Ma'am, what's your business here?" she asked politely in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. 

"Security detail for the meeting," replied Nanami. 

Xiao Tian showed her his access card, and tapped it on the security doors, which promptly opened, and Team Zero entered, all passing the facial recognition cameras, leaving a confused concierge staff behind. 

"Why are the Commandos here? The meeting started long time ago, there shouldn't be additional security personnel coming in now," quipped another desk lady. 

"Raise the silent alarm, something is not right," replied her co-worker, reaching for the soft body armour vests underneath their desks. 

"Pressed the alarm huh," mused Santos, putting his balaclava back on. The actions of the front desk are visible to them. 

Sean chuckled, knowing that things are going just as planned. With the silent alarm pulled, all of the personnel in the headquarters will be evacuated off the facility, which will force the Directors and the members of the Military Commission to leave the conference room where they will have difficulty entering and cordoning them. 

That difficulty will be non-existent if their targets can leave the rooms, and with their disguise as UNSSD Commandos, the Team Zero operators can approach and control them easily. 

(Conference room) 

Secretary Li is seated behind his table, looking at the holo-projector, remaining silent. 

Seated across him are the members of the Military Commission and the other leaders of the Administrative Bureau and Science Divisions, facing each other. Despite all being comrades and compatriots, the entire room feels like a gunpowder keg about to explode. 

This is because, the agenda at hand, is regarding UNSSD's budget and expenditure. UNSSD had once again recorded an overspending. 

The Finance Secretariat, Development Secretariat in charge of overseeing the administration of the UN controlled territories on Earth and space colonies, and developing technology, the Alien Affairs office and the Military Commission represented by Marshal Romanov and General Ling are all bickering and arguing, trying to justify and rationalize their overspending and shift the blame to other departments. 

"And..." said General Ling. 

Just as he is about to start the next portion of the presentation the lights in the room are cut off, and the emergency lights are turned on. 

"Silent alarm is tripped," said the Finance Secretary, alarmed. 

Marshal Romanov and General Ling quickly called the Commandos outside, while helping their colleagues to put on body armour. The 2 Generals in the room loaded their Glock 19 pistols and slotted them back into their holsters, preparing themselves for the worse case scenario. 

Secretary Li calmly put on his body armour vest, pulling out his SIG P250 pistol, checking the magazine capacity. 

Soon, the Commandos taking guard outside entered the room, forming a protective ring around the officials, escorting them out. 

As they headed down the emergency exit, another group of Commandos stopped them. 

"We will take over from here," said Xiao Tian, using his Commando disguise. "Reinforce the North offices, there is a medical emergency," he lied. 

The unsuspecting leader of the legitimate Commandos believed his words, leaving the officials with Team Zero. 

"This way please, sir," said Xu Qing. 

The Team Zero operators led the officials down the stairs and into a corridor. Xiao Tian led the way, bringing them into another room while the remaining members of Team Zero formed a tight circle around the officials, ensuring that the only way they can move is forward and in Xiao Tian's direction.

And just like that, the officials are moved into the room, like sheep being led by shepherds. 

All of the officials are filled with questions on what these "Commandos" are doing to them. 

Finally, seeing Louis closing the door behind them, the finance Secretary spoke up. 

"Aren't we evacuating out?" she asked nervously. 

"That is another arrangement," replied Sean curtly, as he raised his FN SCAR SC at Secretary Li's head. The rest of the Team Zero operators all followed suit, training their guns at them, while Louis locked the door shut. 

"What are you doing?!" yelled General Ling, reaching for his pistol only for Frederica to aim her Glock 48 pistol at his head, stopping him mid movement, his right hand hovering above his holster. 

"All of you, slowly pull out your pistols from your holsters, drop them on the floor and kick them over to us," instructed Sean. "The rest of you stay calm. No one has to get hurt here." 

Secretary Li grabbed his SIG P250 by the frame, slowly raising it, and dropped it onto the floor, kicking it over. 

With that, the 2 Generals reluctantly followed suit, kicking their pistols over. 

James walked over, picking up the 3 pistols on the floor, and dropped them into the opened magazine dump pouch on his belt. 

"Lieutenant Colonel Zhou," said Marshal Romanov, recognising Xiao Tian. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked. 

"It's Team Zero!" said the Development Secretary, and all of the civilian administration officials are frozen in fear. 

Despite Team Zero having their name cleared after Richard was exposed to be the traitor, their reputation among UNSSD's higher ups is still a lousy one. After all, the friendly fire accident involving the Australians back in the Middle East is still under investigation, and Naomi Yashar has yet to have her post reinstated. 

Hence, it is all too natural for the UNSSD higher ups to still be wary, or even fearful, of Team Zero. 

"All of you, please have a seat," said Xiao Tian politely, gesturing to the chairs in the room. 

The officials followed suit, not daring to risk their lives. 

"Who leaked the mission in Taiwan to the enemies?" asked Xiao Tian. 

"Are you suggesting there is a traitor among us?" questioned Secretary Li sternly. "This is a very serious accusation, something you ought to know more than anyone else." 

Xiao Tian nodded, putting down a portable holo-projector, projecting images and files. 

"The Korean mission revealed a UNSSD vehicle which belonged to the UNSSD Military Commission mingling with the enemy. Franz's team in Taiwan now is currently taking heavy fire from the enemy, with countless civilians endangered, all thanks to the traitor among us who sold them out to the enemy through corrupt officers in the Taiwan police!" he exclaimed. 

"And who did Franz report the mission to that so happens to have the rights to mess around with our combat video records?" he said as he walked around, putting his hands firmly on General Ling's shoulders, while Jay traced his SIG MCX compact at him as well. 

General Ling protested, but Xiao Tian was relentless in his questioning, gradually backing him into a corner as Xiao Tian questioned him on every single strange development, from Spain to UK to Israel-Palestine to France to DRK to the Moon. 

Finally, General Ling could no longer cover up his treachery in front of hard facts, and exploded, stunning Xiao Tian which a taser hidden in his watch, causing him to release him. Seizing the chance, he then grabbed Secretary Li hostage. 

"STAY BACK!!" he warned, but before he can do anything else, he is swiftly elbowed in the stomach by Secretary Li. The impact causing all of the air in his body to come out of mouth, simultaneously removing all strength from his body. Secretary Li then tackled him onto the table, applying pressure onto his neck, similar to how police officers restrain suspects, incapacitating him while Ariel and Phineas quickly locked his limbs with zip-ties. 

"Shouldn't have underestimated civilian administrators," remarked Secretary Li, tidying up his suit. "If you treated me like a combatant and used your fighting skills I won't have been able to break free." 

"By the way, Mr Secretary," said Sean, finally addressing the elephant in the room. 

"Where's the Director?" he asked. 

Secretary Li replied that he is on sick leave. 

"And where did he go for his rest?" asked Sean. 

"Libya," replied Secretary Li. 

"Say what?" remarked Xiao Tian. 

A worried frown crept onto his forehead as a strange 6th sense tingled, telling him that there are still some questions unanswered.