Breaking News 2004

Public relations crisis after televised shootout

The Hong Kong Police face a severe public relations crisis after a disastrous shootout is televised, including a scene where an officer appears to surrender to the mob. The media blitz paints the force as ineffective and hesitant under pressure. Leadership scrambles to manage the fallout and restore public trust.

Cheung and team tasked to catch Yuan

Inspector Cheung and his crew are assigned to track down the mobsters led by Yuan. The mission is framed as a direct response to the media spectacle. The team begins coordinating with other units to close in on the hideout.

Fong pushes media misdirection

Superintendent Rebecca Fong leads an effort to mislead the media and salvage the police reputation. She sees an opportunity in raiding the mobsters’ apartment to stage a decisive success. Her plan emphasizes controlling the narrative as much as the raid itself.

Raid on apartment erupts into gunfights

The raid on the mobsters’ apartment triggers several gunfights as police work to evacuate residents. The chaotic combat tests the officers’ resolve and resources. The violence underscores the fragile line between operation and spectacle.

Yuan rescues Chun during evacuation

Amid the chaos, Yuan accidentally rescues Chun and his companions, complicating the police operation. This turn of events introduces an additional threat and shifts the players’ dynamics. The rescue creates a new focal point for the ensuing conflict.

Propaganda war via media

Yuan and Fong use the media to wage a propaganda war, trying to influence public perception and legitimacy. Each side feeds sympathetic narratives while hiding the darker aspects of their actions. The 'show' becomes a strategic battleground beyond physical combat.

Plan to create chaos and escape

Yuan and Chun decide to create chaos by freeing residents and triggering a wider firefight, buying time and exploiting the confusion. They escape the apartment, sacrificing their companions as the police close in. The plan hinges on turning the situation into a spectacle of breakdown.

Cheung and Fong track Yuan

Cheung and Fong realize through the ruse and go after Yuan, following the trail across the city. The pursuit intensifies as they anticipate where the assassination attempt may occur. Their teamwork shows a rare alignment between the two rivals-turned-allies.

Hostage situation and assassination attempt

Yuan takes Fong hostage and advances toward the site of Chun's planned assassination, attempting to take credit by acting as Chun. However, Cheung’s team closes in, and the plan to leverage the hit collapses. The site becomes a tense standoff as timing hinges on every move.

Yuan sacrifices himself to the police

Facing inevitable defeat, Yuan exposes himself to the police and is shot dead while defending his position. Fong resolves to preserve the integrity of the operation rather than let the 'show' be ruined. The public image effort ends with Yuan's death and the police 'success' partly credited to Cheung and Fong.

Police promote Cheung and Fong as heroes

In the aftermath, the police promote Cheung and Fong as the heroes of the 'show' used to salvage the department’s reputation. The victory is framed as a victory against corruption and chaos, not just a counter-terror operation. The media narrative cements their status within the force and public eye.