Chapter 62 Competition

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"To strengthen production safety supervision and management, prevent and reduce production safety accidents, safeguard the life and property safety of workers, and promote economic and social development, the municipal government officially launched the 'Paloser Interim Regulations on Production Safety Assurance' one week ago."
"Numerous entrepreneurs, including those in Krand, have actively responded, rapidly establishing a complete 'Worker Safety Assurance System.' At the same time, the Rota District Industrial Production Committee has been established, inviting the municipal government to station itself for supervision. We believe that in the near future, Paloser will undoubtedly—"
On the oversized billboard screen mounted on the side of a towering skyscraper, the news anchor sat behind the broadcast desk, maintaining an impeccable smile and delivering the news in an extremely amiable tone.
Meanwhile, images flashed past in rapid succession: neat and clean production workshops, on-site inspection visits, interviews with smiling employees... and finally, freezing on a meticulously retouched group photo.
In the center of the group photo, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit looked kindly and warmly towards the lens—
The next moment, this face fluttered and rustled in the wind, quietly sinking into the murky, muddy puddle within a pothole on the road.
The flyer, already covered in grime, quickly soaked through and softened, leaving only a corner of the headline exposed.
[Higher Pay! Safety! Protection! We are not machines!]
This was a protest flyer from the recent demonstrations in the Rota District. Among the rows of printed portraits was none other than Krand, the major factory owner—or rather, the boss of "Grand Chemical Co., Ltd."
However, with the introduction of the "Paloser Interim Regulations on Production Safety Assurance," the entire protest had been declared over. Any illegal gatherings or organized demonstrations that showed the slightest sign of resurfacing would be met with live ammunition authorized by the Security Bureau, so after a few rounds of suppression, there were no more.
Yet, seeing phrases like "government subsidies" and "tax-benefit policies" flash across the news—
Perhaps from the very beginning, the true behind-the-scenes supporters of the entire protest were none other than that group of factory owners themselves...
Watching the flyer sink completely into the stagnant water, Song Shi sighed and cast these thoughts out of his mind.
There were more important matters at hand.
He had already accepted the employment offer mentioned earlier by Jackal.
The background and sequence of the mission were not complicated.
Someone in the medical department of Jade Pharmaceuticals' Paloser branch had offended a superior and had been subjected to one torment after another over the past few years, making life thoroughly miserable.
However, as a megacorporation, Jade Pharmaceuticals offered extremely high entry requirements paired with very generous benefits. Naturally, that person was reluctant to give up such perks and thus endured the humiliation in silence.
Yet during a recent promotion, a position that had been practically guaranteed was given by the superior to someone else. Pushed past the breaking point, that person finally snapped, defected from Jade Pharmaceuticals in a fit of rage, and turned to their competitor, [Kxym Bio-Comprehensive Safeguard]—
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(2/3)
Yes.
Even megacorporations that tower above the clouds and look down upon the masses have competitors.
As early as sixty years ago, the "Arbitration Agency" of the [Corporate Alliance] prohibited any single enterprise from completely monopolizing the market in the name of protecting the free market and preventing monopolies—maintaining that competition brings vitality. But what truly surprised everyone was that, for reasons unknown, all the major megacorporations actually gritted their teeth and accepted this regulation.
Of course, that was just theory. Faced with the oppression of competitors at the megacorporation level, most other companies in the same field simply trailed behind the former, fighting for the meager scraps of nectar and dew falling through their fingers—
Over all these years, the only one to break through this shackles was [Chronos Transit]. But even [Chronos Transit] had relied on the chaotic landscape of the "Fourth Total Corporate War" to break the suppression by [Southern Territory Heavy Industries] and seize a seat among the megacorporations.
As for this [Kxym Bio-Comprehensive Safeguard], it sat somewhere in the middle—possessing a bit of strength and ambition, but never daring to directly confront [Jade Pharmaceuticals]. Still, among Jade Pharmaceuticals' non-megacorporation competitors, this firm was considered one of the absolute best.
The conversation from a moment ago surfaced in Song Shi's mind.
"Judging by what you described, this person确实 has some technical skills, but nowhere near the level that [Kxym Bio-Comprehensive Safeguard] would bother to protect... So, what is his bargaining chip? Frontier technical archives stolen before his defection? Classified documents? Black material?"
"The employer didn't disclose the details on that, but you know how it is—among corporate rats, those are the only possibilities."
"And the employer... what are his superior's demands?"
"I never said the employer was his superior. I must emphasize that this is purely your own subjective speculation, and it has nothing to do with me... Anyway, the employer put forward two demands: first, silence the target permanently, and second, prevent the documents from leaking."
Simply put, this was a case of management attempting to sweep a scandal under the rug.
An employee under their jurisdiction had stolen classified files and fled to a competitor. Once the leak came to light, the employee was certainly dead for sure, but management would not fare any better either—facing severe penalties and a thoroughly ruined career path.
Therefore, instead of deploying corporate armed forces, the person chose to secretly seek out mercenaries.
As for whether mercenaries might leak the documents or learn secrets...
Future problems would be dealt with in the future. If one started worrying about such things at a time like this, nothing would ever get done.
The face-to-face transaction location was a private port in the Gaoge District, commonly known as the "Port District," and the time was tonight—information the employer had already managed to secure.
"The logic of the whole thing checks out, and it's quite common..."
Looking at the location sent by Jackal (which Jackal had received from the employer), Song Shi pondered:
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(3/3)
"Still... whatever, it doesn't matter."
There is no such thing as a risk-free venture in this world. A potentially obtainable "classified document" concerning Jade Pharmaceuticals was worth taking a calculated risk.
What's more.
—Who said that accepting a mission meant he had to finish it?
Glancing at the newly risen sun at the edge of the horizon, Song Shi casually shook the blood off the "Steel Crow," wrapped it neatly in a long cloth, strapped it to his back, and swung onto his motorcycle.
The motorcycle possessed sharp, geometric lines, a full body of matte cool-gray coating, and a restless, throbbing engine roar.
Compatible with ninety-nine percent of the market's onboard systems, intelligent auxiliary driving, dual-fuel capability, reserved empty slots for acceleration modules, and a dual-engine linked power group! Top speed two hundred and fifty kilometers per hour! Purchase comes with a complimentary copy of "Misfortunes Never Come Alone" commercial vehicle insurance!
A replica of the classic "Stranded Wind-Chaser" from Chronos Transit's previous generation, priced at 309,999 credits.
Living in Paloser, how could anyone be without a vehicle?
Song Shi twisted the throttle, and amidst the roaring engine beneath him, he transformed into a swift blur, surging forward and merging into the elevated highway ahead.
The violent airflow tore and howled past his ears, his coat snapping loudly in the wind.
Facing the fierce gale, Song Shi raised his head.
There was still some time.
He would head home first and make preparations.
Then, tonight, he would go take a look at this so-called "classified document"!
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