50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 318 The First Apportionment

At 8:40 p.m., Sun Zhiwei changed his clothes again and left the apartment through the secret passage.

At 9 o'clock sharp, he arrived smoothly at the office of Deputy Director Han of the Liaison Office.

"Zhiwei, what happened? Why do we need to use the emergency contact number?"

"Director, here you go." Sun Zhiwei handed over a roll of film.

When Deputy Director Han saw the film, he was first startled, then looked at Sun Zhiwei with delight and asked, "Is it finished?"

Sun Zhiwei smiled and said, "Yes, we were lucky this time and completed two tasks in one go."

"As expected of Di Ting." Deputy Director Han took the film and carefully placed it into the safe and locked it.

Then she said to him, "Come on, sit down. I don't have any washing equipment here, so just tell me briefly what happened and what happened."

"Yes, sir. The missile that was test-fired last time was a new submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile being developed by the United States, codenamed Trident I."

"The film you just saw contains the complete test report for this test launch, including all the performance data."

"What's special is that at the very end of this report, there are written replies from various departments of the M Army and Jimmy."

"In his approval, Jimmy clearly stated that the purpose of developing this missile was to counter the Russian RSM-50 submarine-launched ballistic missile."

"I think that should be enough to show Jimmy's personal attitude."

After listening, Deputy Director Han thought about it carefully before agreeing:
“You’re right. These kinds of internal documents are for communication between departments, so they can’t be faked. His words are enough to show the current attitude of the United States.”

"That's great. Being able to complete two tasks at once greatly reduces the risk of exposure. Zhiwei, you're lucky."

Sun Zhiwei was also very happy: "I was all prepared. If there was really no other way, I would make a trip to Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland."

"Lockheed's headquarters are there; they must have stored all their research and development data there. So, I was quite surprised that we didn't have to go."

"That's impressive. By the way, where did you find such a confidential document?"

"Pentagon."

"How is that possible? I heard there are tens of thousands of US troops there every day."

Although he was the deputy director of the liaison office, he had never been to a sensitive unit like the Pentagon; he only knew about it through hearsay.

"Hehe, Director, you've been misled by their propaganda."

"There are more than 3 employees in the Pentagon, but the majority of them are civilian employees, and the proportion of military personnel is very small."

"Moreover, it is precisely because there are so many people and the employees in different departments do not know each other that it makes it easier for me to move around."

"I see," Deputy Director Han nodded.

"Moreover, since last year, the Pentagon has allowed civilians to visit. I made an appointment to visit the core area inside."

"This document is kept on the second floor of the Pentagon, in the Department of Defense's confidential room."

Deputy Director Han glanced at Sun Zhiwei with lingering fear: "You're really bold, daring to even break into their confidential room."

For Sun Zhiwei's safety, he decided to try to persuade him again. So, Deputy Director Han earnestly advised him:
“Zhiwei, don’t take such risks in the future. I’ll say it again, we don’t need to use our comrades’ lives to obtain intelligence.”

Sun Zhiwei smiled and said, "Yes, Director, I understand."

Deputy Director Han wasn't sure if he'd taken the advice to heart. However, he wasn't Sun Zhiwei's direct superior, and they hadn't known each other well before, so one reminder was enough. Everyone was an adult, and everyone had their own way of doing things. Intelligence personnel were exceptionally resolute, and couldn't be easily swayed by a few words.

"Director, I feel that while contacting each other like this is safe, it is indeed a waste of time. I'm thinking of setting up a secure email address."

With secure mailboxes, intelligence can be transmitted between the two sides without contact, which seems to take security to a whole new level.

The director thought for a moment and said, "Then let's set one up, and you can choose the location."

"Okay, Director, I'll come over after I've set up the secure mailbox."

After leaving the liaison office, Sun Zhiwei quickly returned to his apartment via the secret passage.

Just as he stepped into the cellar, the doorbell rang.

He immediately removed his makeup and changed clothes in the cellar. In just a few dozen seconds, Sun Zhiwei, dressed in all black, was already wearing bulky, thick pajamas.

When he sleepily opened the door, the doorman, Old Tom, who had been impatiently knocking, was a little embarrassed to see that he had just woken up.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were already asleep, James."

"Yes, I was quite tired from work today, so I rested early."

"It's so late, Tom, is there something you need?"

"Ah, it's like this. There was a murder on the street next door the day before yesterday, and everyone is a bit panicked, so we want to strengthen the security measures in the apartment."

"Really? I haven't been paying attention to what's happening outside lately. However, strengthening defenses is a good thing, I agree."

Old Tom, hearing that he agreed but hadn't taken any action, thought to himself, 'If you agree, just say so! Show some real action!'

Sun Zhiwei certainly understood what he meant. When there were collective matters to be handled in the apartment, they would usually pool their money. They would pool their money every time something happened.

This is different from those community management committees, which are somewhat similar to property management companies in China.

However, community management committees are non-profit organizations, usually formed by people within the local community and responsible for their own profits and losses.

Their funding comes primarily from monthly membership fees collected from various households in the community.

However, because there are few people in the apartment, no management committee has been established. They only organize activities when there is an event.

This time, we need to strengthen the apartment's security measures. For example, the security guards need a high-penetration firearm, and we also need to add an extra person.

But all of this requires money, and that's what Old Tom came for.

Because most people have to work during the day, he can only make house calls at night.

"Mr. James, due to the need to strengthen defenses, the apartment is currently raising funds among its residents. Would you like to participate?"

"How much funding is needed in total? How much has been raised so far?"

Hearing him ask for details, old Tom perked up: "Mr. James, this security upgrade will cost about $2000."

“Our apartment building has a total of 72 units, and 59 units are currently occupied. On average, each unit needs to raise $34.”

Sun Zhiwei thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I'm a new resident. I've been using the apartment's facilities before, but I haven't contributed much. I'll just contribute $200."

Upon hearing the figure of $200, old Tom perked up: "That's wonderful, Mr. James. I will pass on your good deed to the other residents."

(End of this chapter)