“M Country began researching atomic fission suppression technology in 1990, but the results at that time were not ideal. In contrast, the individual soldier armament research that M Country started in the same year progressed exceptionally smoothly. Rumor has it that over 3,000 missing persons per year in M Country are used for this research. The purpose is simple: now that atomic bombs have become scrap metal, the strength of individual soldier armament will be the absolute power on the battlefield. It’s been 20 years now, and M Country has always acted very low-key. But last July, M Country suddenly announced its withdrawal from the United Nations, which was very different from their usual low profile. Three days later, M Country was to send new weapons to TW for testing. What do you think M Country is up to?”

“Do they want to start an all-out war? But even if atomic bombs have really lost their effectiveness, the armies of various countries aren’t rookies holding little rifles like in World War II.” David Clark broke out in a cold sweat.

“You’re right, that’s why M Country proposed testing new weapons at this critical time. The method of testing is that just four units of individual soldier armament can allow the weak TW army to win. Now, the eyes of the whole world are on this place. The war to recover TW is no longer as simple as imagined. To say it’s a war that will determine the future direction of the world is not an exaggeration at all.” William Harris pushed up his glasses.

“It really is complicated.” David Clark smiled helplessly, “Aren’t you afraid you’ll crush me by giving me such a heavy burden?”

“David Clark, known as the ‘Number One General’ of Z Country, is afraid of a heavy burden? That’s strange, isn’t it?” William Harris teased, “Then why didn’t you say it was a heavy burden when the higher-ups only gave you 1,000 men to wipe out the Turkic terrorist organization?”

“There’s nothing strange about it.” David Clark lit another cigarette, “Everyone feels fear, I’m human too. But I know that the head of the Central Political Department’s Secret Section coming to visit me now can’t just be to catch up with an old classmate, right?”

“Do you know about Special Operations Team Seven?” William Harris asked expressionlessly.

“You mean the Central is sending them here…” David Clark’s cigarette fell to the ground.

“I have to go.” William Harris said, then got up and walked toward the door.

“Hey! You’re leaving before you finish talking?” By the time David Clark reacted, William Harris had already pushed open the conference room door.

“Some things are better left unsaid, but please remember, in these 20 years, we haven’t just sat by and watched others develop!” William Harris turned back and smiled.

David Clark watched William Harris’s plane take off through the conference room window. He sighed, “It’s begun! Even though I knew long ago there was no escape, now that it’s really starting, I still feel regret. Sigh, I hope Z Country can see what the Earth looks like in the end.”

February 10, 2011, in front of the White House, M Country

“Thank you all, journalist friends, for coming. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone here.” Edward (Deputy Minister of Defense of M Country) smiled and applauded. The reporters gave a perfunctory clap, then pointed their cameras and microphones at him like a row of guns.

Edward didn’t feel embarrassed; on the contrary, he thought this showed the world’s attention to M Country. “I won’t take up everyone’s time. The reason I’ve called you here today is to announce M Country’s latest weapon research achievement. Please take a look…” As he finished speaking, everyone turned to look where Edward was pointing, and at the same time, everyone was shocked. Watching the live broadcast from the TW operations command center, David Clark laughed exaggeratedly and said, “Am I watching a ‘Gundam special’ or something?”

Twenty meters behind the crowd stood a robot 2.3 meters tall and 1.2 meters wide at the shoulders. Its sharply contoured arms, chest, and legs not only gave a strong visual impact, but its whole body radiated a sense of formidable power.

“Everyone, this is M Country’s latest individual soldier protective armor.” Edward stepped off the stage and walked to the side of the armor. This scene made David Clark, watching on TV, laugh for a long time, because the 1.8-meter-tall Edward looked like a child standing next to the armor.

“Excuse me, Minister, can this robot move so everyone can see?” The Z Country reporter was the first to recover from the shock.

“Reporter, you’re mistaken. It’s not a robot, it’s armor! Individual soldier armor! It’s directly controlled by personnel inside. It’s the most perfect individual combat equipment.” Edward squinted happily at the armor as he spoke.

“Minister, could you please demonstrate the performance of this armor?” asked a reporter from Y Country.

“All right, all right, I have another announcement to make.” Edward returned to the podium. “To recognize the efforts of TW scientists in the entire weapon development process, the M Country government has agreed to TW’s request to lease four units of individual soldier armor. I hope everyone doesn’t misunderstand—our M Country has always adhered to the One Z Country policy. This lease is purely for scientific research and has nothing to do with the war between TW and Z Country.”

“You can say something so blatantly false with a straight face? You’re really thick-skinned!” David Clark said disdainfully.

“Minister, I’d like to repeat, we just want to see this weapon in action.” The reporter from E Country stood up.