In F-4 Block, a low-profile black armored hovercar slowly drove into an alley and stopped, activating sentry mode.
Inside the car and in the trunk were enough Carapace Armor and helmets for four fully-armed Childer of Loyalty Marines, as well as weapons that might be needed, including Plasma and Melta.
It used to be Navy Department property, but now Horatio uses it.
Louise sat in the passenger seat, while Lydos and Fidio sat in the back.
Horatio had originally applied to go alone, but for safety reasons, Commodore Peru decided to activate the entire team.
The entire series of missions was named 'Dredging' by the Military Intelligence Command.
As an Acolyte of the Inquisition, Horatio was the key leader of this mission, while the others served as support and escort. Even though Louise was the team leader, Commodore Peru hoped she would accept Horatio's arrangements.
However, Louise herself didn't care about these minor details; she only focused on the success of the mission and the safety of her teammates, accepting the mission without hesitation.
Since it was a covert mission, everyone did not wear their naval uniforms over their clothes. Horatio and Louise changed into shirts and trench coats, while Lydos and Fidio both wore leather jackets to cope with the cold temperatures and bone-chilling dampness of the underground.
But without exception, everyone's clothes had hoods to conceal their faces during certain actions.
Although it was plain clothes, everyone wore soft armor under their clothing that was both bulletproof and stab-proof, much like the bulletproof soft armor of the 3K era, providing the team members with the protection level of bulletproof armor in the perilous underground world.
The four got out of the car, each carrying a Lucius-pattern Hellpistol equipped with a large energy cell.
These quiet, fully automatic, high-penetration, and rechargeable precious burst laser weapons were handcrafted by the Tech-Priest of the Lucius Forge World, adjacent to Abyss Port, allowing the vanguard of this special operations team to contend with any enemy.
Horatio also carried his Father's relic, a Gothic Mk3 Naval Revolver Bolt Pistol, and its accompanying speedloaders.
While cleaning the gun body, he discovered its name—'Lucullus' was engraved directly beneath the hammer.
This was the name of the last consul of the Ancient Terra Roman Republic, who formed the Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey.
Horatio did not understand the thoughts of this Father he had never met, but the deceased was gone, and he had his own things to do now.
This was a hiding spot mentioned by Deacon Jonathan, and it was also the Labor Union's largest base so far.
The sentries at the door blocked Horatio's path, but they made way in surprise as soon as they saw his face.
"Welcome back, Boss." Deacon Jonathan walked out of a house made of steel and quick-drying concrete, speaking as he looked at the people following Horatio.
"My comrades and fellow soldiers."
Deacon Jonathan understood and averted his gaze from these Imperial elites.
"How is our intelligence network now?"
"Barely maintained, but our current situation doesn't allow us to focus much on it. Apart from F-4 Block and the two areas where we started in the port district, the intelligence networks in other areas are barely better than nothing."
Deacon Jonathan pointed to the ledger on the table.
Horatio stepped forward and flipped through it. The handwriting was neat, and the calculations were precise, but the overwhelming red deficits made him frown.
"Who is managing the accounts now?"
Horatio asked this because it used to be his job.
"The daughter of a restaurant cook in F-4 Block. Besides bartending, she also does accounts for others."
From the description, Horatio already knew who was doing the accounts.
But this girl didn't know who she was working for; Horatio had once registered multiple shell companies to legitimize the Labor Union's business activities.
"The Labor Union must first solve the problem of survival, and only then can it consider the intelligence network. No one can do good intelligence work on an empty stomach."
"What do you need?" Horatio did not hide anything, asking directly.
"Funds, raw materials, ready-made food, heating energy cells, and… qualification permits. Other needs can be discussed later."
Horatio looked at Deacon Jonathan, signaling him to continue.
"Ready-made food and functional energy cells are to solve immediate needs.
But the workers need work. Although we lost many of our factory industries in Zero Zone, we still have a mechanical and electronic processing factory and a cannery under our control, but the lack of raw materials makes it difficult for the factories to operate.
To make matters worse, the inspection certificates you previously forged were reported by opponents, and hostile gangs also bribed officials to revoke several of our legitimate qualifications and seal our warehouses. All these are urgent problems to be solved."
Zero Zone is a dense industrial area adjacent to the PW-P-15 Megaport Freight Zone. It is called Zero Zone because its last digit is '0'.
"What about the 'Workers' Club'?"
On the surface, it was a restaurant and bar operated by the Labor Union, also serving as a resting and entertainment venue.
In reality, the underground section had secret passages, Thinker Arrays, armories, and advanced listening devices, serving as the Labor Union's former intelligence transit and assassination hub.
Some experienced killers who knew the ropes would also frequent it for leisure, waiting for Horatio to pay them for jobs.
"One night, it was taken over by armed members of the Poison Spider Gang, who had long planned it, and many people were killed. Now it has been converted into a dirty brothel."
It was the building he saw when he first arrived in F-4 Block, where many sexy girls were dancing provocatively.
Because the building had been extensively renovated, with many floor-to-ceiling windows for showcasing hot dances, and the nearby roads widened and re-planned.
When he returned after so long, he couldn't find the building at first glance, and only by inferring from the 3D terrain in his mind did he confirm it was the one he had passed by.
"How is the underground section?"
"They haven't found it. The guards inside are very strict. I wanted to mobilize people to take it back, but many workers have families to support and can't afford the cost of a fight, so we just had to let it go."
Horatio generally understood the situation.
These were all things he needed to solve next, otherwise, the intelligence network could not be restored.
Fortunately, backed by the Fleet Military Intelligence Headquarters, he no longer needed to rack his brains as before, meticulously calculating costs down to the decimal point before acting.
"By the way, during this time, has a Half-cat person come by, mentioning my name?"
"Yes. Over there."
Deacon Jonathan pointed to the house opposite.
The door was pushed open, and the Half-cat person girl was startled, quickly putting down the firearm she was half-disassembling.
After an improvement in her diet, her complexion was much better than before, and her skinny, bony frame had gained some flesh and fat. Although still thin, she was presentable.
"Yoyo is our scout now. She has warned us of three hostile gang attacks. Her movement skills, honed from long-term production in the Middle and Lower Hive, are excellent, and she is good at concealing her whereabouts."
"You did well."
"Thank you… Boss." The Half-cat person girl pursed her lips, thanking him, "I can feed myself now."
Horatio looked into the Half-cat person's eyes and smiled, saying, "Soon, you will have a new mission."
Yoyo's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she nodded.