Hypocrisy War

Preface: The Shattering of the Mask In June 2030,Jason Leeward, a scientist from the United States, announced to the world that the United States had developed technology to suppress atomic fission in May of that year. In July 2030the United States officially announced its resignation from its permanent seat on the Security Council and its withdrawal from the United Nations. In August 2030,Country Y announced it had mastered the technology to suppress atomic fission and produced the first suppressed atomic fission missile, named STOP WAR. In September 2030,Country R announced it had mastered the technology to suppress atomic fission. In October 2030,Country E announced it had mastered the technology to suppress atomic fission. In November 2030,Country H announced it had mastered the technology to suppress atomic fission. In December 2030,Country Z announced it had mastered the technology to suppress atomic fission. It formally demanded the return of Taiwan from Country Z, reserving the right to use force if Taiwan failed to comply. On Christmas Day 2030, a tabloid in Country Z was shut down for publishing an article titled "When the Mask Shatters—On the Atomic Bomb's Ineffectiveness Today." In January 2031,the Taiwanese government, against the will of the people, rejected Country Z's request for reunification and officially declared the establishment of Taiwan, thus separating from Country Z's territory. At the end of January 2031,Country Z declared war on Taiwan... History calls this war a "dry run for World War III..." I don't know my name. The people around me don't have names either. The instructors told us that those things are unnecessary, things that make us weak. We are the strongest warriors, and we don't need weakness. It will kill us on the battlefield, so we have no names. My number here is No. 13, Sniper. I've lived here for as long as I can remember. Back then, there were 875 people around me, but now there are only 67. Tomorrow I'll take our school's first "graduation exam." Maybe tomorrow I'll die. Every "pre-test" ends with someone dying. I've become accustomed to a life where the people I'm talking to today won't be around tomorrow. I'm not afraid of death; I look forward to it. When I was seven years old and killed my lower-bunker, No. 27, he thanked me. I'll always remember the look on his face: no fear, no anger. For the first time, I saw what everyone around me calls a "yearning smile." I wish I could see that smile on my face, but I can't. Because I'm a coward, I both look forward to and fear death. Every time, I do my best to survive, whether it's attacking a terrorist base or assassinating a national leader, I've survived. At 2 a.m., I fell asleep "awake," truly looking forward to tomorrow's "exam." Truly, I just wanted to die... ———Excerpt from "Sniper King's Diary," December 20th On February 1, 2011, Country Z officially launched its offensive against Taiwan. After encountering token resistance from Taiwan, it completely occupied GX City and established a forward operations command post. The Chinese people were brimming with confidence in the recapture of Taiwan. They all looked forward to enjoying the May Day holiday alongside the Taiwanese people. On the 7th of the same month, in the GX City forward operations command post meeting room... "How can they do this! Damn you, F-b***h! What the hell is their business about our own internal reunification? We've put up with their financial and labor contributions, but now they're also sending us their newly developed weapons. I simply don't believe those four humanoid armored suits can withstand our planes and artillery!" Liu Tao (Taiwan's chief operations commander) leaped from his seat in anger. "Alright, alright, you're already 40 or 50, and you still can't keep your composure," Zheng Yu (Head of the Confidentiality Section of the Central Political Department) said with a smile. "The dignified Taiwanese Commander-in-Chief is jumping and shouting like a child." "Then what do you think? He's got N riding on your neck, so why are you still keeping your composure?" Liu Tao pulled a cigarette from his pocket and smoked it alone. "You're not exaggerating. This is a military secret. The United States won't release this information until three days later. Overall, the United States' true purpose is probably to conduct combat tests of new weapons." Zheng Yu gently waved away the smoke rings Liu Tao exhaled. "Old Zheng," Liu Tao stopped smoking and asked Zheng Yu, "What the hell is Country M up to?" "Comrade Liu Tao!" Zheng Yu said seriously, straightening his collar. "You're spying on state secrets, are you aware of that?" "Even if I'm spying on state secrets, will you tell me?" Liu Tao also turned serious. "Remember you just bought a batch of high-end goldfish..." "Oh, I'm scared of you," Zheng Yu sighed helplessly. "Do you know which country invented the first STOP WAR?" "Country Y? What does this have to do with Country M?" Liu Tao was confused. "Actually, Country M developed it first, but it just hasn't been announced. Country Y was able to take the lead on Country M's behalf thanks to its technical support." Zheng Yu took a sip of tea, a habit he used before launching into a long speech. Liu Tao, knowing there was something interesting going on, pricked up his ears excitedly. "M began researching technology to suppress atomic fission in 1990, but the results were less than ideal. In contrast, the research on individual weaponry, which M began that same year, has been remarkably successful. Rumor has it that M uses over 3,000 missing persons annually for this research. The underlying purpose is simple: with atomic bombs now obsolete, the power of individual weaponry will be an absolute force on the battlefield. It's been 20 years, and M has been quite low-key. But last July, M suddenly announced its withdrawal from the United Nations, a stark departure from its usual low-key approach. Three days later, M will send new weapons to Taiwan for testing. What do you think M is up to?" "Is it trying to start an all-out war? Even if atomic bombs are truly ineffective, the armies of various countries are no longer the rookies armed with small rifles from World War II." Liu Tao broke out in a cold sweat. "You're right, that's why Country M is proposing to test new weapons during this critical period. The method is that a single, single-armed unit of four can defeat the rubbish Taiwanese army. The eyes of the world are now on us. The war to retake Taiwan is no longer as simple as imagined. It's no exaggeration to say it's a war that will determine the future of the world." Zheng Yu pushed his glasses. "It's really complicated," Liu Tao smiled helplessly. "Aren't you afraid of being crushed by such a heavy burden?" "Liu Tao, known as the 'Number One General' of Country Z, is also afraid of a heavy burden? That's bizarre, isn't it?" Zheng Yu asked provocatively. "Then why didn't your superiors mention the heavy burden when they only gave you 1,000 men and asked you to destroy the Turkic terrorist organization?" "It's not surprising." Liu Tao smoked again. "Everyone is afraid. I'm human too. But I know the head of the Central Political Department's Confidentiality Section is visiting me now. It shouldn't just be a reminiscence with old classmates, right?" "Do you know Special Service Team 7?" Zheng Yu asked expressionlessly. "You mean the central government will send them here..." Liu Tao's cigarette dropped to the ground. "I'm leaving," Zheng Yu said, standing up and heading for the door. "Hey! You're leaving before you even finish your sentence?" Before Liu Tao could react, Zheng Yu had already pushed open the conference room door. "Some things are not good to understand too well, but please remember that over the past 20 years, we haven't been idle watching others develop!" Zheng Yu turned around and smiled. Liu Tao watched Zheng Yu's plane take off through the conference room window. He sighed, "It's begun! Although I've known for a long time that I couldn't escape, it still feels regretful now that it's finally begun. Alas, I hope Country Z gets to see Earth in its final form." February 10, 2011, in front of the White House, Country M "Welcome, journalists! I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone." Edward (Deputy Minister of Defense of Country M) smiled and applauded. The reporters snapped a few perfunctory shots before pointing their cameras and microphones at him like guns. Edward wasn't embarrassed; on the contrary, he saw it as a sign of the global attention paid to Country M. "I won't waste any more of your time. The reason I've brought you here today is to unveil the latest weapons research findings from Country M. Please look..." As he finished speaking, everyone turned to look behind him, where Edward was pointing, and everyone was stunned. Liu Tao, who was watching the live broadcast from the Taiwan Operations Command Center, laughed exaggeratedly, "Isn't this a 'Gundam Special'?" Twenty meters behind the crowd stood a 2.3-meter-tall, 1.2-meter-breadth robot. Its sharply defined arms, chest, and legs not only created a striking visual impact but also exuded a powerful strength. "Everyone, this is Country M's latest individual protective mecha." Edward stepped off the stage and approached the robot. This sight made Liu Tao, watching from the TV, burst into laughter. Edward, at 1.8 meters, looked like a child next to the mecha. "Excuse me, Mr. Minister, could you please show us this robot?" The reporter from Country Z was the first to recover from his shock. "Mr. Reporter, you misunderstood. It's not a robot, but armor! Individual armor! It's controlled directly by the personnel inside. It's the most perfect individual combat equipment." Edward said, narrowing his eyes and gazing at the mecha with a look of happiness. "Mr. Minister, could you please demonstrate the capabilities of this mecha?" the reporter from Country Y asked. "Alright, alright, I have another announcement to make." Edward returned to the podium. "In recognition of the efforts of Taiwanese scientists throughout the weapons development process, the M government has agreed to Taiwan's request to lease four individual mechas. I hope everyone will not misunderstand. We in M ​​have always upheld the position of Country Z. This lease is purely for scientific research and has nothing to do with the war between Taiwan and Country Z." "You're so shameless!" Liu Tao said disdainfully. "Mr. Minister, I want to reiterate that we just want to see this weapon in action." The reporter from Country E stood up. "I understand your concerns, but the mecha isn't as perfect as you might imagine. Testing it here could easily endanger everyone's safety. Let's wait and see the detailed test report from the Taiwanese scientists! But one thing, journalists, please remember: there's no single soldier in the world capable of harming it. Well, that concludes today's press conference. There's a cocktail reception in the restaurant back there. If you have time, I sincerely invite you all to attend," Edward said as he headed backstage. Rumor has it that only reporters from Country M were in attendance that evening. "Okay, Country M's show is over. Now it's our turn." Liu Tao turned off the TV and picked up the phone. "Secretary Chen, immediately notify all armies to halt their offensive plans. We'll rest and recuperate for seven days. In addition to normal patrols, other soldiers will be granted three days of local leave. Also, tell the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to release a reason for Country Z's soldiers' rest and recuperation." "Commander, what reason should we release?" Secretary Chen was confused by Liu Tao. "Stupid! Just say, 'Country Z is worried that the four imperfect mechas loaned to Taiwan by Country M may cause accidental injuries to its soldiers during testing. Therefore, we're suspending all military activities. We're waiting for Taiwan to complete the mecha testing as soon as possible so we can resume the return campaign.' Say whatever makes Country M embarrassed." Liu Tao hung up the phone. Leaning back in his chair, he sighed, "I'm so tired! Why has a good battle turned into a competition of new weapons? Now we just have to wait for the arrival of Special Service Team 7 from the central government. I hope Country Z's 20 years of work haven't been in vain." At this moment, Liu Tao's mind suddenly flashed with the image of a man. Excited, he stood up from his chair again, muttering to himself, "Could he be from the Special Service? My God, if that's true, Country M, it looks like your plan is going to be incredibly difficult to pull off!" At that moment, a military transport plane waited at the vast airfield of the Kinmen Military Base, waiting to depart for GX City. "Finally, confirming the order, you will be heading to GX City in Taiwan. There, you must obey Commander Liu Tao's orders completely. This is your first mission since graduation, and you must not fail!" A burly man roared at the four people in front of him in the darkness. "Sir, if he orders us to make a senseless sacrifice, can we follow the rules of the Special Service Unit?" a female voice asked. The commander thought for a moment and said, "Yes, you can refuse to carry out the order and kill him. Now, grab your equipment and board the plane." "Yes, sir!" the four men replied in unison. Three of them picked up the 100-kilogram black bag on the ground and sprinted toward the airport. "No. 13, do you have anything else to say?" the commander asked, looking at the remaining person. "Sir, has the authority to fire the SEED special rounds been transferred to Commander Liu Tao?" "No! When the Central Committee appointed you as a sniper for Special Service Team 7, we officially transferred the authority to fire the SEED. Whether and when to fire is entirely yours..." the commander said expressionlessly. But by the time he finished speaking, cold sweat had soaked his uniform. "No. 13, I understand!" The speaker was a boy of only seventeen or eighteen. He quickly grabbed the black backpack beside him and ran toward the airport. Soon, he had caught up with the team members running ahead. The commander looked at his back and muttered to himself, "The Taiwanese army probably doesn't know what kind of life they're about to face, right? I hope the 'graduation exam' incident doesn't happen again! I believe you can make Country M realize that we're just as powerful..."