"Regarding travel to China, given the limitations of the Greyhound’s range, how are we planning to approach this?" Captain Reynolds asked, looking for a straightforward logistical solution.

Richard explained concisely, "We’ll use an A400M Airbus, designed for long-range and high-altitude missions. It’s capable of performing HALO jumps, which will be crucial for our insertion into the area of operations."

"A400M Airbus? So you even have those as well huh?" Reynolds mused, seemingly amused at the arsenal Blackwatch has.

"We have everything we need," Richard simply replied. "Well, you guys are familiar with the HALO jump right?"

"Absolutely," Captain Reynolds responded without hesitation. "HALO jumps are part of our standard training. We’re fully qualified for that type of insertion."

Richard nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Good. We’ll schedule the jump for 2000 hours tomorrow. The A400M will take off from Clark Air Base. You’ll be jumping under the cover of night, minimizing visibility to enemy radar and ground forces."

Reynolds took a moment to process the details, then turned to address his team. "You heard the plan. Let’s make sure we’re all prepped. Review your HALO protocols and gear requirements tomorrow evening. We need to be sharp."

Richard added, "I’ll provide you with all the necessary intel and maps of the landing zone. The objective is to land undetected within a 2-kilometer radius of Lin Feng’s last known location. From there, you’ll trek to the target area. Stealth is paramount; we can’t afford any alerts."

"Got it," Reynolds affirmed, already running through the mental checklist of what his team would need. "Anyways, since this is going to be a joint operation, how many of your guys are going to come with us?"

"That would be that gentleman over there," Richard tilted his head to where Graves was standing.

Graves raised a hand and waved, acknowledging the question. "We’ll be joining you with ten of our special forces operatives, making the team twenty-strong," he informed them.

Reynolds nodded, processing the numbers. "Twenty. A good size for mobility and maintaining a low profile. Your team, I assume, has extensive experience with this kind of operation?"

"Absolutely," Graves confirmed. "Every one of my team members has been in multiple engagements against similar threats. We’re well-versed in unconventional warfare and have operated in high-threat environments."

Richard chimed in, "The composition of our joint team is designed to maximize our operational capabilities. Your expertise combined with our intel and local knowledge should give us the upper hand."

Reynolds looked over at Graves and his team, assessing them with a professional eye. They were a diverse group, each with a demeanor that spoke of experience and readiness. "Before we leave, I’m going to need to watch all the videos you have on Lin Feng. We want to know how that monster fights."

"No problem, we will provide it to your room," Richard replied. "And if you have any specific preparations or requests, let us know. We want to ensure you have everything you need for the operation."

"Thanks," Reynolds said, feeling a bit more reassured by the support. "We’ll also need to sync our communication gear to ensure compatibility. The last thing we need is a comm failure in the field."

Graves nodded in agreement. "We’ll handle that first thing in the morning. Our techs will work with yours to make sure everything’s interoperable."

"Is there anything else we need to be aware of about anything?"

"Oh, there is one," Richard said, thinking that this was the perfect time to bring that up. "Graves, can you show it to them?"

"With pleasure," Graves walked forward and with a tap on his chest, the Titan’s Guard Mark II materialized, wrapping and coiling around his body as the nanotechnology activated. The suit, sleek and evidently advanced, clung to Graves like a second skin, enhancing his silhouette with an almost futuristic aura.

Reynolds and his team looked on, a mix of awe and surprise evident on their faces. The technology was unlike anything they had seen, even in their extensive training and operations.

"All of our special forces will be equipped with this suit for the operation," Richard informed them, noting their intrigued expressions. "It offers enhanced protection, agility, and a variety of integrated combat systems."

Reynolds, still eyeing the suit, asked the question on everyone’s mind, "Will we have access to these suits as well?"

Richard shook his head, a slightly apologetic tone in his voice. "I’m afraid not. The Titan’s Guard Mark II is exclusive to Blackwatch personnel. It requires extensive training and practice to master its technology. It’s not something that can be used effectively without that background."

"But how were these suits developed?" Reynolds inquired, curiosity piqued by the blend of advanced materials and technology.

"That’s classified, I’m afraid," Richard responded with a firm yet polite tone. "What I can share is that it’s the culmination of years of research and development, incorporating both existing military tech and advancements that our R&D teams have achieved."

"Well, if we are fighting the same threat that wants the extinction of humanity, wouldn’t it be best to share the technology with us?"

"I agree with your logic but this suit is what gives us the edge. We are going to defeat Lin Feng, and when we do, the world will return to normal and it’s in everyone’s self-interest to maintain certain advantages. Plus, the technology embedded in these suits is highly proprietary and sensitive. Sharing it isn’t as straightforward as it might seem," Richard explained.

Reynolds, while not fully satisfied with the answer, understood the complexities involved. "Understood. Operational security and technological edge are critical."

"Exactly," Richard said, eager to steer the conversation back to the mission at hand. "Let’s focus on the operation. Our priority is to ensure that we are all prepared and on the same page. The success of this mission could very well hinge on our ability to work seamlessly as a unit. After all, the United States is an ally of Blackwatch. We did things without informing you and now we are making up for it by letting you join this operation."

"Ahh...that’s how you see that huh?" Reynolds mused and continued. "Right. Let’s get down to brass tacks then. You’ve got the tech and the intel, we’ve got the training and experience. Together, we’ll make this work."

Richard smiled slightly. "I have no doubt. Now, if there are no further questions, I suggest we all get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Reynolds agreed, signaling to his team that the meeting was over. "Alright, team, let’s get ready. Review everything once more, check your gear, and then get some shut-eye. We move at 2000 hours."

As the team dispersed, Reynolds lingered for a moment, his gaze falling once again on the Titan’s Guard Mark II suit. Once he witnesses its capabilities, he’ll report it back to the president.