At the dock of the San Diego Military Port, diesel engines emitted a distressing low-frequency tremor.
As ten M1070 heavy transport vehicles rolled over the steel gangplank, the sound of metal fatigue echoed through the ship's hold.
Monica Lanqi sat in an administrative car at the dock, her gaze locked on the heavy trucks slowly entering the hold of the "Watson".
She took out an encrypted phone and dialed a number. A low voice answered on the other end: "This is Dias. What's the situation?"
"The cargo has boarded successfully. The Navy has taken over; the fleet is expected to set sail in two hours."
Monica reported concisely, "The fleet will travel at high speed, expected to arrive in Southeast Asia in twenty days."
"Very well. I'll arrange for close monitoring," Dias responded. "Be extra careful, there are signs that the 'DOGE' from the Ministry of Efficiency is targeting us."
