Chapter 321 This is the only chance
After quickly escaping the abandoned factory, Lynn and Mark drove the stolen SUV deep into the Desert. Outside the car windows, the vast and boundless Desertlandscape gradually unfolded, yellow sand filled the air, and the continuous sand dunes in the distance looked like rolling waves. A sense of oppression permeated the air, as if the entire World had been swallowed by this desolation.
"They'll find out we're gone soon." Mark stared intently at the rearview mirror, a layer of sweat seeping onto his forehead. "Our whereabouts will be tracked sooner or later."
Lynn's lips curved slightly upward, but his gaze remained serious. "We have to find a hiding place, at least to temporarily escape their tracking. Although there isn't much cover in the Desert area, it can at least mislead the pursuers."
As the wheels continuously rolled over the dry sand, Lynnturned the direction towards the small town on the edge of the Desert. This was a sparsely populated place, where almost no outsiders dared to come. Only a few scattered residents and local vendors lived here, life was exceptionally difficult.
The SUV drove along a narrow dirt road, flanked by sand dunes stripped bare by the wind, with occasional withered trees swaying in the wind, as if these lives were struggling against the desolation of the Desert. Gradually, the horizon ahead began to blur, and the outline of a small town finally appeared in sight.
"We've arrived," Lynn said in a low voice, "Let's hide in the town for a while and rest."
The small town was located in a corner of the Desert, with gray buildings scattered irregularly, long since eroded by wind and sand, the outer walls of the houses mottled and worn. Dust flew along the streets, looking desolate and ancient. Beside the town's only store, several elderly people in tattered clothes sat leaning against the wall, staring blankly. Several dogs roamed the streets, their low barks echoing in the empty streets.
Lynn parked the car in an inconspicuous corner, turned off the engine, and neither of them rushed to get out, but instead observed the surroundings. Mark looked out the car window, his brows tightly furrowed. "This place doesn't look like many people live here, and the security is also very lax. Maybe we can stay here temporarily and wait for the pursuers to relax their vigilance."
Lynn nodded, opened the car door, and walked out, with Mark following closely behind. The street was empty, with only some low voices coming from an abandoned bar in the distance. The two walked briskly towards the town center, their heartbeats still not slowing down, as they knew well that although the present seemed calm, once exposed, trouble would follow.
"We have to find a place to hide," Lynn said in a low voice, his eyes scanning the surroundings, looking for a suitable hiding place. "It's best if it can cover our tracks and allow us to gather some information."
Mark looked around, and suddenly his eyes lit up, pointing to a small inn at the end of the street. "That place doesn't look like a normal inn. Maybe we can hide there for a while."
Lynn looked in that direction and nodded slightly. Without hesitation, the two walked towards it. After entering the inn, they found that although the small building looked dilapidated on the outside, the interior was surprisingly clean and simple. The owner at the front desk was a middle-aged man with traces of hardship on his face, his eyes vigilantly sizing them up.
"How many nights will You be staying?" the owner asked in a low voice, a hint of suspicion seemingly hidden in his eyes.
Lynn smiled slightly, his attitude relaxed. "We're just passing through and want to find a place to rest for one night."
The owner glanced at them, seeming not very interested in their answer, and turned to find two keys. "Okay, second floor, the first room on the left. You can go up yourselves." His voice was somewhat hoarse, but he didn't ask any further questions.
Lynn and Mark exchanged glances, feeling slightly relieved. They took the keys and quietly went upstairs. The room was simple and worn, with almost no decoration, just a basic bed, table, and chair. Outside the window was a view of the Desert, with almost no greenery, only lonely sand dunes.
"Stay here for a while," Lynn said in a low voice as he walked to the window. "We don't need to rush into action for now, give the pursuers some time."
Mark nodded, walked to the other side of the room, and placed his backpack on the table. "We need to find Charlie's whereabouts as soon as possible, we can't stay here for too long."
Lynn pondered for a moment, then picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number. "I'll contact Headquarters and see if I can find more information about Charlie." He pressed the dial button on the phone, and a clear ringing sound came from the other end.
"Lynn?" a low voice came from the other end of the phone. "What's the situation?"
"The situation is complicated, the pursuers have already started searching for our tracks. We are temporarily hiding in a small town in the Desert, but I'm afraid we can't stay here for long," Lynn briefly reported the situation. "We are looking for clues about Charlie and trying to avoid exposure."
"Be careful," the other party's voice held a hint of anxiety. "According to the information we have, Charlie might be nearby, perhaps even already in this town. We will continue to track his movements, but You must be more careful."
Lynn frowned tightly. "Has Charlie started conducting experiments through this town?"
"We're not sure, but there are clues suggesting he might be using this Desert area as an experimental Base," the other party's voice was low. "Act quickly, find his laboratory. We will provide support."
"Understood." Lynn hung up the phone, his eyes calm. "We need to hurry. Charlie is likely nearby, and if he's really doing experiments around here, then we must stop him."
Mark walked to the window and looked at the sand dunes in the distance outside. "So next, we need to proceed carefully. We can't just rush in, but we can gather information from the people in town."
Lynn nodded. "Right. We need to find reliable clues to find Charlie's true hiding place."
After discussing for a moment, the two decided to split up. Lynn left the room, preparing to inquire about Charlie. Mark chose to stay in the room, guarding their luggage and communication equipment, ready to react immediately if there was any movement.
The street was still silent, and Lynn walked on the cobblestone road, his gaze constantly vigilant. The residents of the town seemed calm, but Lynn knew that beneath the surface of this small town, unknown secrets were hidden.
He walked into a small bar. There were almost no customers in the bar, only a few local drunkards talking in low voices. Lynn approached a corner of the bar, ordered a glass of Water, sat in the corner, and quietly listened to their conversation.
"Did You hear? Some unknown outsiders have come to town recently," a drunkard said in a low voice. "I heard they built some experimental Base north of the Desert, and some even say that place isn't just for potion experiments, but for doing even more terrifying things."
Lynn narrowed his eyes, secretly becoming more alert. "What kind of things?"
"What kind of things, who knows?" The drunkard waved his hand. "Anyway, I heard those people are very mysterious, always carrying heavy weapons, even the Police in town dare not interfere."
Lynn frowned slightly. These people clearly knew some clues he wanted to know. "Can You tell me where that experimental Base is?" he asked in a low voice.
The drunkard glanced at him, seemed a little hesitant, but finally shook his head. "I can't say clearly, outsiders all say it's a military Base, and people here just know it's a dangerous place. If You want to go, be careful."
Lynn smiled lightly, stood up, and prepared to leave the bar. He didn't ask any further questions, deciding to keep this clue and look for more evidence later. Although the drunkard's words were unclear, he knew that the location of the experimental Base was not far from the small town.
"Time is tight, we can't wait," Lynn thought silently, turning to walk towards the Desert outside.
Lynn and Mark had been hiding in the small town in the Desert for several hours. Although they hadn't encountered pursuers yet, neither of them could relax their guard. The life in the town was so quiet that it made them uneasy, and a silent atmosphere permeated the air. Lynn's thoughts never calmed down, his mind constantly echoing with Charlie and the potentially terrible consequences of the "X-12" potion. And now, the biggest task was to escape this Desert and find more reliable support.
"Have You reached Headquarters?" Mark sat at the simple table, his face solemn.
Lynn nodded, his tense brows relaxing slightly. "Yes, the FBI's overseas branch has confirmed our location. A helicopter is expected to come and pick us up. In about an hour, we can leave this Desert."
"An hour?" Mark was clearly somewhat dissatisfied. "So we still have to wait here for so long?"
Lynn did not answer immediately. He knew that waiting itself was a test, especially in such circumstances. Every minute and second, the enemy might shorten their escape time.
"I know You're anxious," Lynn said in a low voice, "but this is the only chance. We have to be careful and not leave any handle."
Mark sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I understand. It's just that every second is delaying the time it takes for us to reveal Charlie's true face."
"Don't forget, we are getting closer and closer to the truth." Lynn stood up and walked to the window, looking at the scene outside. The vastness of the Desert made the view wider, but at the same time, it made everything seem even more isolated. He couldn't help but take a deep breath, his mind becoming clearer about the future challenges.
Mark stood up and walked to his side, looking through the window at the sand dunes not far away. "Do You think Charlie is really nearby? These clues don't have direct evidence, but our feeling seems to tell us that something has already happened here."
"Yes," Lynn replied simply. "He couldn't possibly place his research in a place that no one pays attention to at all. Every clue here indicates that Charlie's experiments are very likely in this area."
Mark nodded slightly, his face heavy. Although the Deserttown seemed like a place that no important figures would pay attention to, as more and more clues gathered, their intuition told them that Charlie's secret laboratory was likely hidden in this place. And this place, apart from the hidden routes in the Desert and the decaying buildings, had no cover that could withstand such highly confidential activities. No one would have thought that danger would quietly breed in such an inconspicuous place.
Suddenly, Lynn's phone vibrated. The call was from the head of the FBI's overseas branch. Lynn answered the phone and listened carefully.
"Lynn, the situation is a bit complicated." The other party's voice came through the phone, and after a few seconds of silence, he continued, "The helicopter rendezvous encountered an obstacle, and we need You to change your location."
"What obstacle?" Lynn's brows furrowed tightly.
"You're not the only team in the Desert. We have received new intelligence, and the enemy seems to have locked onto your position," the other party continued. "However, You don't need to worry too much, we have arranged another more covert route that can bypass the enemy's tracking."
Lynn took a deep breath, slightly anxious: "What should we do then?"
"From your current location, head southeast. About ten kilometers away, we will send a vehicle to meet You. The helicopter will be waiting there."
"Understood." Lynn hung up the phone and turned to Mark, saying, "We need to leave this place quickly, the enemy is approaching."
Mark immediately stood up, his eyes becoming more determined. "Okay, let's go."
The two quickly packed the necessary equipment and prepared for a brief retreat. They quietly left the inn, choosing a relatively hidden path, avoiding the main streets of the town. Although night came early in the Desert, their footsteps were quickly covered by the sand due to the weak wind between the sand dunes.
"According to the map, the southeast direction should be a relatively open area," Lynn said in a low voice. "We need to try to avoid being exposed within the line of sight and find the rendezvous point."
After walking for less than half an hour, the sky gradually darkened. The moonlight illuminated the edge of the Desert, and the silvery-White sand dunes appeared even more desolate in the night. Lynn and Mark carefully crossed a sand dune, occasionally looking back to check for any abnormalities.
"There are no obstacles nearby," Mark relaxed his guard a bit. "But we still need to speed up, otherwise if the enemy finds us, it will be troublesome."
Lynn nodded, quickening his pace. Although he remained alert internally, he knew that in this environment, they had to act quickly to gain time.
After walking for about an hour, they finally reached a relatively open area. There seemed to be no special buildings ahead, only a few simple dirt mounds. Lynnlooked around, confirmed their position, and quickly said in a low voice, "This is the rendezvous point, we should be able to see the FBI vehicle."
However, when they arrived at the agreed location, the sight before them stunned both men.
An empty Desert area, with no one around, only the wind and sand in the distance and the desolate landscape.
"This... this is wrong." Mark looked around, his eyes becoming serious. "We were guided here, how can there be no one?"
Chapter 322 Don't Try to Be a Hero
Lynn also felt a trace of unease, looking around, something felt wrong. He whispered, "We've been lured."
Suddenly, the rapid roar of engines came from behind the sand dunes in the distance. Several black SUVs quickly drove out from behind the dunes, their headlights illuminating an empty space in the Desert. Lynn and Markquickly hid behind nearby sand dunes, trying to avoid exposure.
"It seems our hiding place was locked onto by them long ago," Lynn whispered. "The FBI's rendezvous plan might have been compromised."
Mark frowned, "What should we do?"
"Continue to evacuate," Lynn said in a deep voice. "Even if we can't contact the FBI helicopter, at least try to find other hiding places."
Just as the two were about to turn and run, several vehicles stopped abruptly, and several armed personnel in black jumped out of the cars, quickly surrounding their hiding place.
"How long do You think You can hide?" a man's voice came from the darkness, carrying an undeniable threat.
Lynn and Mark quickly dodged, but knew that the enemy had completely grasped their whereabouts.
Just then, a low helicopter sound came from Lynn's ear.
The roar of the helicopter echoed in the night sky, gradually becoming clear and heavy. Lynn and Markstood on the helipad, watching the approaching aircraft in the distance. The towering buildings and vast city view before them looked like a brilliant sea of stars from afar, but none of it seemed so familiar to them anymore. Having escaped the chase in the Desert, they finally returned to Manhattan, but the city's prosperity and hustle didn't seem to alleviate their inner fatigue and anxiety.
The helicopter's landing was not smooth; the strong wind pressure kicked up dust from the ground, making Lynn's and Mark's clothes flap loudly. The aircraft's rotor blades drew arcs in the air until it finally settled, and the loud roar gradually disappeared, the air becoming silent.
Lynn watched the several FBI Agent walk down from the helicopter door, bringing a strong sense of oppression. The Agent's steps were firm, their faces serious, clearly having received intelligence and prepared for the rendezvous in advance. Lynn and Mark exchanged glances, tacitly following the Agent towards the pickup area.
"You're finally back," an Agent said briefly, turning towards a black SUV. "We have many things we need to discuss with You."
Lynn nodded, took a deep breath, knowing that this long pursuit, investigation, and chase would not end just because they returned to Manhattan. They were still players in the game, still unable to stop in this complex situation.
They left the helipad by car, driving through the streets of Manhattan. The towering buildings along the road reflected against the night sky, and the colorful neon lights illuminated the streets; the city's rhythm was still fast and busy. Although they were long accustomed to this prosperity, both Lynn and Mark understood that every step from now on would become more complicated.
The car stopped steadily in front of the FBI office building. After the two got out, the Agent led them into the building, passed through layers of security checks, and were finally taken to an underground conference room. The lights in the room were dim, and a heavy atmosphere permeated the air. Two large tables were neatly arranged, piled high with documents, materials, and electronic equipment; clearly, the FBI high command had prepared for their arrival.
"Please sit down," said the head of the FBI, John Smith, a middle-aged man in a neat suit, whose eyes revealed an unsettling seriousness. "Your situation is much more complicated than we anticipated."
Lynn and Mark exchanged glances and silently sat down. Lynn looked directly at John and asked in a deep voice, "We've found clues about Charlie, but behind him, there seems to be a bigger conspiracy. His experiments are not just about developing pharmaceuticals; they also involve international political and military power struggles."
John sighed softly and opened a document on the table. "We have analyzed Your report and the evidence collected. According to intelligence, Charlie's 'X-12' pharmaceutical is indeed not just ordinary drug development. It has been used in military experiments by certain countries, and there are signs that this technology has leaked out, potentially posing a threat to international security."
"What should we do then?" Mark asked eagerly. "Where did Charlie go? How can we stop all this?"
John's gaze became more solemn, and he tapped his fingers on the tabletop a few times. "We are intensifying our investigation and coordinating with international intelligence agencies. But Charlie seems to have disappeared; there's no trace of him at all. According to the latest intelligence, he might be looking for a new Baseto continue his experiments."
Lynn's brows furrowed, "Then how do we know where he will be? He has completely disappeared; we can't track him through normal channels."
"Actually, through some indirect evidence, we have pinpointed one of his possible whereabouts," John's tone became more rigorous. "Charlie has close ties with some multinational weapons companies, and one of them, named 'Black Hawk International', has had large capital flows recently. We suspect that Charlie might have restarted his experiments with their help."
Mark's eyes lit up, "'Black Hawk International'? That's one of the largest arms companies in the World. Their capital flow is unusually large, and their client Base spans multiple countries, including some unknown places."
"That's right," John nodded. "We have found Charlie's name in the 'Black Hawk International' database, although it's vague, it's enough to prove that he had some connection with this company. Next, we need to determine his exact location through Your intelligence."
Lynn and Mark exchanged glances, the sense of urgency in their hearts increasing again. Every minute and every second, they were getting closer to Charlie's experiments, and this confrontation was no longer a simple scientific struggle, but a contest concerning global security.
"We are ready to continue the operation," Lynn said firmly. "Since 'Black Hawk International' might be the clue, we must find their internal information to track down Charlie."
"Okay," John nodded. "I will dispatch more Agent to assist You. Your mission is to infiltrate 'Black Hawk International' and collect all possible information related to Charlie. This might be the only chance to stop his final experiment."
"Understood," Mark replied, his tone filled with determination. "We cannot allow this disaster to continue to spread."
In the following days, Lynn and Mark dedicated all their energy to the investigation. The FBI provided them with relevant files from 'Black Hawk International'; dense documents and figures showed that this arms company had deep connections with multiple military organizations globally and some unknown terrorist forces.
Through analyzing these documents one by one, Lynnand Mark finally found a key point: 'Black Hawk International' had established a secret experimental Baseon a remote island, which might be where Charlierestarted his experiments. At the same time, they also discovered that this Base was not just a weapons manufacturing plant, but also a facility for experimenting on human limits.
"We must act immediately," Lynn said, standing up with the documents. "Charlie's experiments on the island are not just further development of the 'X-12' pharmaceutical; they likely involve more extreme genetic modification technology. If we don't stop him soon, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"I agree," Mark said, packing his equipment. "If these pharmaceuticals are truly controlled by more military powers, then the World will fall into endless war and chaos."
John followed closely, his face heavy with sorrow. "I have arranged air support; You will take an FBI private jet directly to the destination. But remember, this operation is extremely dangerous; once exposed, we may face greater enemies."
Lynn nodded, turned and said to Mark, "Get ready, we must go all out this time."
The next day.
"Are You ready, Mark?" Lynn gripped the armrests of the plane seat, his gaze fixed on the deep blue sea below through the window. His slightly graying dark brown short hair appeared steady and strong under the dim cabin lights, complementing the black tactical suit he wore.
Mark looked up, showing a slightly nervous smile, "Yes, Officer. Although this is my first time executing a secret mission of this scale, I am fully prepared."
"Listen," Lynn's voice was low and firm, carrying the confidence of years of practical experience, "The intelligence we have indicates that Black Hawk International is not just conducting conventional arms research on Tornali Island. They are conducting illegal genetic experiments in their secret research facility on the island, possibly involving biological weapons. Our mission is to infiltrate, collect evidence, and then safely withdraw. Don't try to be a hero, understand?"
Mark nodded, his brown eyes flashing with firm resolve. "Understood, Detective. I won't let You down."
The communication system on the plane suddenly hissed, and the pilot's voice came through: "Detective Hall, we are about to enter the target area. According to the weather report, a storm is approaching. Our window of opportunity might be shorter than expected."
Lynn pressed the intercom button: "Understood, Lyman. Maintain current altitude, prepare for deployment."
He stood up, his broad shoulders appearing even more solid under the uniform, signaling Mark to follow. They walked towards the equipment area at the rear of the plane and began to put on their diving gear. Lynnskillfully checked each connection and air tank, his calloused fingers nimbly adjusting various pieces of equipment, while Mark, though slightly clumsy, diligently imitated his movements.
"We will use these micro-thrusters," Lynn said, pointing to two devices that looked like small torpedoes, his voice carrying professional calm. "They can help us approach the island quickly with very little noise, so they won't be detected by the island's sonar system. Remember, there are regular patrol boats around Tornali Island; we must avoid them."
Mark put on his night vision goggles and adjusted the communication equipment on his helmet. "According to intelligence, there are about fifty armed Guard on the island, mainly concentrated at the northern dock and the main building complex to the East. The research facility should be located in the underground area south of the island's center."
"Correct," Lynn agreed, his voice slightly hoarse from years of fieldwork. "We will land from the southwest corner, where the cliffs and dense vegetation provide excellent cover. Then we will advance inland along the gorge, avoiding the main patrol routes."
The plane began to descend, and the red lights in the cabin flashed, indicating they were ready. Lynn and Markcompleted their final equipment checks and stood on the jump platform at the rear of the cabin.
"One last thing," Lynn said seriously, looking at Mark. There was an old scar on his angular face extending from his right eyebrow to his cheekbone, telling stories of past dangerous missions. "No matter what happens, keep communication open. If we get separated, immediately activate the backup plan and head to the East Coastextraction point. Do not attempt to complete the mission alone."
Mark nodded in understanding, his breathing a little rapid, but his eyes remained firm.
The cabin door slowly opened, and the cold sea wind, mixed with salty and damp air, rushed in. Below was a pitch-black sea surface; the outline of Tornali Island was faintly visible in the distance, with a few lights flickering in the darkness like dangerous signals.
"Ready, three, two, one, jump!" Lynn gave the order, and the two simultaneously leaped into the night sky.
The feeling of freefall only lasted a few seconds; they quickly deployed their specially designed wingsuits, gliding silently towards the distant sea surface. The sea wind whistled past their ears; Lynn maintained perfect balance, occasionally glancing at Mark beside him to ensure he was keeping pace.
As they approached the sea surface, the wingsuits automatically retracted, and the two entered the Water smoothly, barely making a splash. The cold seawater immediately enveloped them, but the specially designed thermal wetsuits provided ample protection. Lynn made a gesture, and the two activated the micro-thrusters on their backpacks, beginning to move stealthily towards the island.
The underwater World presented a strange green spectacle under the night vision equipment; various fish and marine creatures watched the two uninvited guests curiously, then quickly swam away. Lynn maintained a steady speed, occasionally checking the navigation device on his wrist to ensure they were heading in the correct direction.
After about twenty minutes, they approached the southwest coast of Tornali Island. Lynn raised his hand to signal slowing down, then pointed to a black object underwater ahead. It was a hidden monitoring device, possibly part of a sonar or motion sensor. They cautiously bypassed it and continued forward.
As the seabed began to rise, indicating they were approaching the island's coastline, Lynn made another gesture, signaling them to surface and observe. The two cautiously exposed only their eyes and the tops of their heads, scanning the coast ahead.
The southwest corner was indeed as the intelligence stated, a steep cliff with a small, narrow beach below. More importantly, there were no obvious Guard or monitoring equipment here. Lynn nodded, and the two submerged again, swimming quickly towards the beach.
When they finally set foot on land, it was already past two in the morning. Lynn quickly removed his diving gear, revealing the black tactical suit underneath; his sturdy build and muscular lines showed the results of years of rigorous training. Mark imitated his movements, while also cautiously observing the surroundings. They hid their diving gear under a rock, ensuring it wouldn't be easily discovered.
Chapter 323 Data Collection
"Communication check," Lynn said softly, adjusting his headset, his voice low and clear.
"Received, signal clear," Mark replied, his voice low but unable to hide his tension.
Lynn took a small device from his waist pouch, opened it, and a detailed map of the island appeared. "We are here now," he said, pointing to the southwest corner, his rough finger tapping lightly on the map. "According to satellite imagery, the entrance to the research facility should be about two kilometers from here, through this jungle and canyon."
Mark carefully observed the map, his young face looking particularly focused under the blue light of the device. "It looks like there are two routes to choose from. Going along the coastline might be more concealed but the distance is longer; going through the central jungle will be faster, but we might encounter patrol teams."
Lynn thought for a moment, furrowing his brow that was somewhat rough from years of sun and wind exposure. "We'll take the middle route. Time is precious for us, and the night and rainy weather will provide us with extra cover." He looked up at the sky, which was covered with dark clouds, and the air was filled with the humid scent of impending rain.
The two began to move inward along a barely visible path. The jungle was dense and humid, the smell of wild plants mixing with the salty sea breeze, creating a unique and slightly oppressive atmosphere. Their night vision equipment dyed everything around them a ghostly green, making ordinary trees and rocks look like alien landscapes.
After about half an hour of travel, Lynn suddenly raised his hand, signaling to stop. His body tensed instantly, like a leopard ready to hunt. He pointed to a faint light source about fifty meters ahead. It was the light of a flashlight, moving back and forth in the jungle.
"Patrol team," he whispered, his voice almost merging with the night wind. "Two people, armed, moving in our direction."
Mark nervously gripped his weapon, his fingers slightly white from tension, but Lynn shook his head and pointed to the nearby bushes. The two quickly hid, almost blending into the darkness.
Soon after, two fully armed Guards in black uniforms appeared in sight. They looked well-trained but somewhat tired, likely having been on patrol for a long time.
"This damn weather," one of the Guards complained, his voice slightly distorted by his communication device. "The forecast says there's a storm tonight."
"Stop complaining," the other Guard replied, his voice hoarser and more authoritative. "We can change shifts in another hour. Keep following the route, the boss has been particularly sensitive about security lately."
The first Guard snorted and wiped the rain off his helmet. "Yeah, ever since that new project started, he's been like he's sitting on pins and needles. Heard there are government Agents investigating us?"
"Shut up, it's better to say less about things like that. Keep moving." The second Guard said sternly, adjusting the weapon on his back.
The two continued forward, their boots making slight sounds on the wet ground, and soon disappeared into the depths of the jungle. Lynn and Mark waited for a moment, confirming they were far away, before coming out of their hiding place.
"They mentioned the 'new project'," Mark whispered, his eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and tension. "Looks like our intelligence is accurate."
Lynn nodded, a thoughtful expression flashing across his experienced face. "But they also mentioned the government Agents' investigation. Black Hawk might already be on alert, we must be extra careful."
They continued forward, this time even more cautiously. Lynn walked in front, each step precisely calculated, making almost no sound. Mark followed closely, imitating his movements, but occasionally stepping on branches or stones, causing slight noises. As they moved deeper into the island, the terrain began to become rugged, and the path gradually disappeared, replaced by scattered rocks and sloping ground. The rain started, at first just small drops, but soon turned into a steady downpour, making soft sounds as it hit the leaves and the ground, also providing them with extra concealment.
After about an hour, they arrived at the edge of a small canyon. About twenty meters below, the outline of a building could be seen, hidden among rocks and artificial camouflage netting. Several security lights flickered in the rain, illuminating the surrounding area.
Lynn took out a small pair of binoculars and carefully observed the building below. Rain ran down his defined cheeks, but his eyes remained sharp as an eagle's. "That's the entrance," he said, his voice revealing the calmness brought by years of practical experience. "Looks like there are four Guards, in pairs patrolling the entrance, and there are also surveillance cameras and motion sensors."
Mark took out a small device and began to operate it, his fingers moving rapidly on the keyboard, showing professional technical skill. "I can hack into their security system, at least disable the cameras temporarily. But this might trigger an alert."
Lynn thought, his brows tightly furrowed, then pointed to a ventilation shaft on the right side of the building. "That might be a weak point. If I remember correctly, that type of ventilation system has a maintenance passage large enough for one person to pass through."
Mark looked at where he pointed and nodded, rain dripping from his hair. "But it likely also has sensors and an alarm system."
"That's where You come in," Lynn smiled slightly, revealing a row of neat teeth, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes showing his age. "Get your electronic jammer ready. We need precise timing, acting during the gap when the Guards change positions."
They spent twenty minutes carefully observing the Guards' patrol patterns and found that every fifteen minutes there was a window of about twenty seconds when the two groups of Guards simultaneously turned in opposite directions, creating a blind spot in surveillance.
"Now," Lynn said after confirming the timing for the third time, his voice filled with determination. "Prepare to move."
Mark activated the device in his hand, sending out a brief but strong electronic jamming signal. Several cameras below almost simultaneously turned in the wrong direction, and the Guards' communication devices also experienced brief static, distracting them.
Lynn and Mark seized this opportunity, quickly but silently sliding down the slope, approaching the building under the cover of the rain. They pressed close to the wall, their backs tight against the cold concrete, moving to the ventilation shaft. Just as Lynn predicted, there was indeed a maintenance panel outside the ventilation shaft, used for inspection and cleaning.
Mark took out a set of precision tools and began to work on the electronic lock on the panel. His fingers were slightly slick in the rain but remained steady, focusing on every detail. After dozens of seconds, the lock made an almost inaudible "click" sound, and the panel loosened.
Lynn carefully opened the panel, revealing the narrow passage inside. He turned to Mark, rain dripping from his defined chin. "I'll go in first, You follow, and make sure to close the panel properly."
The ventilation duct was narrower and more humid than expected, and they had to crawl forward, carefully controlling every movement to avoid making any sound. Lynn's broad shoulders almost filled the entire duct, and he must move even more carefully to avoid hitting the walls. The inside of the duct was intricate, with multiple branches, but Lynn accurately chose the direction to proceed based on the building blueprints he remembered.
After about ten minutes, they arrived at a vertical downward duct. Lynn took out a miniature endoscope and carefully probed below. The lens showed a large laboratory below, almost empty at the moment, with only one researcher in a White coat working at a computer in the distance.
"Looks like we found the right place," Lynn whispered, his voice particularly clear in the narrow duct. "Below is the main laboratory. Based on the time, most personnel should have finished their work for the day."
He carefully opened the grille of the ventilation shaft, confirmed there were no alarm devices below, and signaled Mark to prepare to descend. They used miniature rope equipment to silently descend to the corner of the laboratory, immediately hiding behind a set of large equipment.
The laboratory was even larger than they had imagined, occupying most of the underground level. Bright White lights illuminated the clean floor and walls, and various high-tech equipment was neatly arranged in every corner of the room. The central area had multiple enclosed glass compartments, each containing various precision instruments and computer equipment. Large display screens hung on the walls, showing various data charts and vital sign monitoring results.
The researcher in the distance seemed completely immersed in his work and did not notice their arrival. Lynnmade a gesture, and the two began to move slowly along the wall, carefully avoiding possible surveillance areas.
As they approached the center of the laboratory, Marksuddenly grabbed Lynn's arm and pointed to one of the compartments. Inside were several large cultivation tanks, each containing a humanoid object floating, connected to various tubes and monitoring equipment.
"Oh my god," Mark exclaimed softly, his face turning pale. "What is that?"
Lynn's expression became unusually serious, his eyes, which had experienced countless dangerous missions, narrowed. "It looks like human experimentation. We need to gather more evidence."
They carefully approached those compartments, and through the glass, they could clearly see what was inside. The humanoid creatures in the cultivation tanks looked like adult males, but their skin had an unnatural bluish-gray color, and certain parts of their bodies had clearly undergone genetic modification or mechanical enhancement. Their muscle tissue was unusually developed, and metallic-like patterns could be seen under the skin, seemingly some kind of strengthening substance implanted in their bodies. Next to each cultivation tank was a control panel displaying various vital sign data and genetic sequence information.
Mark took out a miniature camera and began to record, his fingers slightly trembling from shock. Lynn took out a data collection device and carefully connected it to the nearest computer terminal.
"I need a few minutes to download this data," he whispered, his eyes never leaving the screen. "You continue filming, especially the labels and specific data."
Mark nodded and continued his work, the camera making an almost unnoticeable slight clicking sound. As he moved to another area, he found a row of sample storage cabinets with labels. He approached to check and found that each drawer was marked with a different code name and date.
"Hall," he called softly, using Lynn's surname, showing a tense formality. "I found the sample library. There's blood, tissue, and wait, what is this?"
He carefully opened one of the drawers, which contained rows of small frozen tubes, each filled with dark blue liquid. The label read "Enhancer XR-27, Batch 3, Test Phase 2."
Lynn quickly photographed this information, his eyes flashing with a professional gleam. "This might be their secret weapon development project. The humanoid creatures in those cultivation tanks could be test subjects."
Suddenly, there was a sound from the far end of the laboratory. The researcher stood up, stretched, and seemed ready to leave. He was a tall, thin middle-aged man wearing glasses, looking exhausted. Lynn and Markquickly hid behind the equipment, holding their breath. Lynn's hand quietly moved towards the weapon at his waist, but he hoped he wouldn't have to use it.
The researcher slowly walked towards the exit, paused as if he had forgotten something, then went back to shut down his computer, and finally left the laboratory. After the door closed, the entire space fell into relative silence, with only the low humming sound of the equipment running.
"That was close," Mark let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "We need to speed up."
Lynn nodded, his gaze returning to the data terminal. "The data download will take another two minutes. You go check the filing cabinets over there and see if there are any paper documents we can take."
Mark carefully moved to the filing area on the other side of the laboratory and began to look through the folders marked "Confidential". The filing cabinets were made of metal, making a slight scraping sound when opened. One folder caught his attention, titled "Project Apocalypse: Phase Report". He quickly scanned the contents, his face becoming increasingly solemn.
"Hall," he said, returning to Lynn's side, his voice slightly tense, his eyes wide with the seriousness of the discovery. "This project is much more dangerous than we imagined. They are not only conducting genetic enhancement experiments but also developing a biological weapon that can target specific gene sequences. According to this report, they have successfully created a compound that can cause rapid mutation in target tissues within a short period."
Lynn's expression became unusually serious, the muscles on his weather-beaten face tense. "This has gone beyond the scope of arms dealing and entered the realm of bioterrorism." He looked at the device in his hand, the screen showing the download was almost complete. "Download complete, we have enough evidence to report to Headquarters."
Just then, the laboratory door suddenly opened, and two fully armed Guards walked in, holding automatic weapons. Lynn and Mark immediately crouched down, hiding behind the equipment. Lynn's hand was already on his weapon, ready to deal with a possible conflict.
Chapter 324 Emergency Evacuation
"Strange, I clearly heard a sound here just now," one of the Guards said, slowly patrolling inside the laboratory.
He was a tall, burly man with muscular build and a scar on his face.
"It's probably those damned test subjects moving again," the other responded, thinner but appearing more alert, his eyes constantly scanning every corner of the laboratory.
"One almost escaped last week, scared me half to death.
That thing didn't look human anymore."
"The boss says those are future warriors, but honestly, I'd rather use regular soldiers.
Those things... something's not right," the first Guard said, with clear disgust in his voice.
The two continued to check every corner of the laboratory, slowly approaching where Lynn and Markwere hiding.
Lynn quietly took out a small device, which looked like a flashbang.
His eyes remained calm and focused; years of combat experience allowed him to stay composed in such critical moments.
"Get ready to move," he mouthed to Mark, his eyes conveying confidence.
"I'll count to three, then throw the flashbang.
We'll rush to the emergency exit and evacuate according to the backup plan."
Mark nodded, gripping his weapon, but his expression showed he preferred to avoid direct conflict.
Small beads of sweat dotted his forehead, but his gaze remained firm.
"One, two, three!" Lynn counted softly, then threw the flashbang in the Guards' direction.
The device exploded in mid-air with an intense White light and deafening noise, temporarily blinding and deafening the two Guards.
They covered their eyes and ears in pain, staggering backward.
Lynn and Mark seized the opportunity, quickly rushing towards the emergency exit on the other side of the laboratory.
Lynn's movements were swift and precise, showing the results of years of training, while Mark, though slightly less fluid, still followed quickly.
"Alarm! Intruders in the laboratory!" one Guardimmediately pressed the alarm button after recovering.
A piercing siren began to echo throughout the facility, and red alarm lights flashed, illuminating the previously dim corridor.
Lynn and Mark rushed into the emergency passage, a narrow concrete corridor leading to the ground level.
The corridor walls were rough, the lighting dim, and it smelled of damp mildew.
They could hear footsteps and shouts from behind, indicating that more Guards were arriving.
"We need to speed up," Lynn said while running, his voice steady but urgent.
"According to the blueprints, this passage should lead to a maintenance exit on the East Coast.
From there we can reach the coastline."
They ran quickly along the passage, encountering new forks and doors at every turn.
The gray concrete walls appeared even more oppressive under the red alarm lights.
Lynn, relying on his astonishing memory and sense of direction, accurately chose their route.
Mark followed closely behind him, occasionally looking back to check if anyone was catching up.
"They're behind us!" Mark shouted, seeing several Guards appear around a distant corner.
Several gunshots rang out, bullets hitting the wall beside them, kicking up concrete debris.
Lynn pulled Mark into a side door, entering a space that looked like a storage room.
The room was piled with various experimental equipment, chemical reagents, and cleaning supplies, and the air was filled with a strong smell of disinfectant.
"Here," Lynn said, his voice low and urgent, after a quick glance around the room, pointing to a ventilation shaft on one side of the room.
"This should lead outside."
Mark quickly helped him open the vent cover, and the two climbed inside.
This passage was a bit wider than the previous one, allowing them to move in a crouch.
As the alarm faded into the distance, they knew they had temporarily shaken off their pursuers.
"The data we got," Mark said, panting as he crawled, "are those experiments really being conducted on humans?
I've never seen such a degree of genetic modification."
Lynn's expression in the dim ventilation shaft was unusually serious.
"Black Hawk International has crossed the line of ethics and law.
According to the documents you found, they are creating biological weapons capable of attacking specific gene sequences.
If this technology falls into the hands of terrorist organizations, the consequences would be unimaginable."
The ventilation duct eventually led to a hidden exit on the East Coast of the island, covered by dense vegetation.
Lynn carefully pushed open the cover, confirmed there was no danger outside, and motioned for Mark to follow.
They quickly emerged from the passage, finding themselves in dense tropical vegetation, about five hundred meters from the coastline.
The rain was still falling, now a torrential downpour, and lightning cut across the night sky, illuminating the entire island.
In the distance, they could hear sirens and shouts, and see flashlight beams sweeping back and forth through the jungle.
The entire island seemed to have entered a state of high alert.
Lynn crouched down, took a waterproof map from his backpack, and quickly confirmed their position by the light of the lightning.
"According to the plan, our extraction point is on the East Coast, but now it seems that route is blocked."
He pointed to a spot on the map, "We need to change plans, move south, cross this jungle, and then descend the cliff to the South Coast."
Mark nodded, rain streaming down his hair and wetting his face.
"Will the defenses there be weaker?"
"Not necessarily," Lynn's voice carried a cautious consideration, "but they will prioritize blocking the main extraction point on the east.
We need to create a time difference."
He adjusted his communication device, trying to contact the extraction team, but only received static.
"Communications are jammed.
They might have activated a signal jamming system."
Just then, dog barks came from the nearby jungle, followed by several beams of flashlights.
"Hounds," Lynn whispered, his brow furrowed.
"Their well-trained tracking dogs can maintain their sense of smell even in the rain.
We must move immediately."
The two began to move south, trying to avoid open areas and possible patrol routes.
The rain grew heavier, and lightning flashed intermittently in the clouds above, illuminating their path ahead.
The ground had become slippery and muddy, making progress increasingly difficult.
Mark almost slipped several times, but Lynn always steadied him in time.
"Watch your step," Lynn whispered a reminder.
"Wet ground will leave obvious tracks.
Try to step on rocks or tree roots."
They continued forward, pushing through a dense thicket of bushes, rain sliding off the leaves, soaking their clothes and gear.
Despite wearing waterproof tactical suits, after prolonged exposure to the rain, the moisture still seeped in, making them feel a little cold.
Lynn stopped, took two small devices from his backpack, and handed one to Mark.
"Scent blocker, spray it on your shoes and pant legs.
This will temporarily confuse the tracking dogs' sense of smell."
Mark took the device and used it as instructed.
"How long does this last?"
"About twenty minutes," Lynn replied while vigilantly observing his surroundings, "enough for us to shake them off and reach the South Coast."
After this, they continued forward, this time moving faster, Lynn seemingly deliberately quickening his pace.
Rain mixed with sweat streamed down their faces, but both remained alert, ready to deal with potential threats at any moment.
Suddenly, Lynn raised a hand to signal a stop, his body instantly tensing.
About thirty meters ahead, a patrol team was moving through the jungle, their flashlight beams sweeping across trees and bushes.
"Don't move," Lynn whispered, and the two immediately held their breath, pressing themselves as close to the ground as possible.
The patrol team consisted of four heavily armed Guards, moving cautiously, occasionally stopping to check their surroundings.
One Guard held a communication device, seemingly in contact with command central.
"Sector four, no intruders found," the Guard said, his voice muffled by the rain, "continue searching southeast."
"Received," came the response from the communication device, "maintain vigilance, they are likely still on the island.
All exits are sealed, and the coastline is also under surveillance."
The patrol team continued forward, eventually disappearing into the depths of the jungle.
Lynn and Mark waited for about a minute, ensuring they were far away, before cautiously standing up.
"They said all exits are sealed," Mark's voice carried worry, "can we still get out?"
A determined expression flashed across Lynn's face.
"Headquarters won't abandon us.
According to standard procedure, if the primary extraction plan fails, the support team will activate the backup plan after a predetermined time.
We must reach the designated coordinates on the South Coast before 5 AM."
He looked at his watch, "It's 3:20 AM now, we still have time."
They continued to move south, this time even more cautiously, stopping every few steps to listen to the sounds around them.
The rain muffled most of the ambient noise, but sometimes they could catch distant shouts and dog barks.
Lynn's experience and training allowed him to accurately judge the direction and distance of those sounds, thereby avoiding the pursuers' search routes.
As they approached the South Coast, the terrain began to become more rugged.
Ahead was a steep cliff, about thirty meters high, with violent waves crashing against the rocks below.
Rain poured down from the cliff edge, forming several temporary waterfalls, a sight both magnificent and dangerous.
"We need to go down from here," Lynn pointed to a relatively less steep slope, "use ropes to descend, watch your footing, the rocks are very slippery."
They took out ropes and other climbing gear, and began to prepare for the descent.
Lynn professionally checked every connection and buckle, ensuring they would function properly even in wet conditions.
"I'll go down first," Lynn said, securing the rope to a large rock, "you follow behind me, keep the rope taut, and avoid swaying."
Lynn began to descend, his movements steady and skilled, maintaining good control even with the rain and strong wind.
Mark followed closely, and although his movements were not as fluid as Lynn's, he also showed good training.
When they had descended about halfway, several flashlight beams suddenly appeared from above the cliff.
Their pursuers had found their tracks.
"Damn it," Lynn cursed, "speed up, but don't take risks."
Just then, a gunshot ripped through the night, a bullet hitting the rock face beside them, sending up a spray of stone chips.
"They've found us!" Mark shouted, his voice tense, "we're exposed in the open!"
Lynn calmly assessed the situation.
"Keep descending, use the rocks for cover.
Their shooting accuracy is limited in the rain and darkness."
Several more gunshots rang out, bullets ricocheting off the rock face around them, but fortunately, no one was hit.
Lynn and Mark increased their descent speed, using rock protrusions as cover as much as possible.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the cliff, immediately released their ropes, and crouched behind a large boulder.
The pursuers on the cliff continued to fire down, but most of the bullets missed or were blocked by rocks.
"We need to find cover," Lynn looked around, pointing to a nearby rock cave, "that should provide temporary shelter."
They bent low and quickly moved to the rock cave, entering to find it was a shallow sea cave, but enough to offer them temporary refuge.
Lynn immediately took out his communication device, trying to contact the support team.
"Storm 01, this is Ghost Team," he whispered into the communication device, "position South Coast, coordinates 23-45.
Requesting emergency extraction, encountering hostile Fire.
Repeat, requesting emergency extraction."
There was a brief static from the communication device, then a clear voice: "Ghost Team, this is Storm 01.
Received your request, approaching your position.
Estimated arrival time 10 minutes.
Maintain position, prepare for extraction."
Lynn breathed a sigh of relief, turning to Mark, "Support is on the way, we need to hold out for 10 minutes."
Mark nodded, then looked up at the cave entrance, "They might search every corner of this area.
We need to be ready to respond."
Lynn took out the last few defensive devices from his backpack: flashbangs, smoke grenades, and a small electromagnetic pulse generator.
"If they find us, these might come in handy.
But the best-case scenario is they don't discover us before support arrives."
They crouched in the cave, listening to the sounds outside.
The rain was still heavy, but they could hear shouts from the cliff and static from walkie-talkies.
It seemed the search party was moving down, following their tracks along the cliff.
"They'll find the ropes," Mark whispered, "and then come down them."
Lynn nodded, "Yes, but that will also take time.
We have about a 5-minute window."
He cautiously poked his head out, observing the situation outside.
The rain was still falling, and the waves crashed violently against the shore rocks, but he couldn't see anyone.
However, the flashlight beams on the cliff indicated that the pursuers were approaching.
"We need to leave this cave," Lynn decided, "move south along the coastline for about two hundred meters, there's a small beach there suitable for a speedboat to approach."
They cautiously left the rock cave, bending low and moving quickly, using the large rocks along the shore as cover.
The sounds of rain and waves covered their footsteps, but every few steps they would stop to confirm they hadn't been spotted.
Just as they approached the designated location, two Guards suddenly appeared ahead, patrolling the coastline.
Lynn immediately signaled Mark to stop, and the two hid behind a large rock.
"They're directly blocking our extraction route," Lynnwhispered, observing the movements of the two Guards, "we need to go around them or subdue them.
Chapter 325 High-risk Mission
Mark gripped his weapon, "We can't risk shooting, it will attract more people."
Lynn thought for a moment, "I have a plan. You stay here, I'll distract them. When they leave this area, you immediately go to the extraction point and rendezvous with the support team."
Mark shook his head, "That's too dangerous, I can't let you take the risk alone."
Lynn's eyes became determined, "This is an order, Wilson. We must ensure the collected intelligence is safely delivered to Headquarters. You take the data, I'll distract them."
Before Mark could protest again, Lynn had already taken out a small device, which looked like a remote control, "This will create an explosion sound and flash in the direction we came from, which will draw them away. You must seize this opportunity."
He pressed the button on the device and then threw it into the distance. A few seconds later, a loud bang came from the direction of the cliff, accompanied by a strong flash. Just as Lynn had expected, two Guards immediately turned and ran in that direction, holding their weapons vigilantly.
"Now!" Lynn signaled Mark to move, "Remember, if I don't make it back in time, don't wait for me, leave with the support team."
Mark nodded reluctantly and then began to move towards the designated extraction point. Lynn ran in the opposite direction, deliberately leaving some obvious tracks to attract the attention of the pursuers.
Mark moved quickly but cautiously, using every rock and depression for cover. Rain beat down on his face, blurring his vision, but he still moved forward resolutely. He could hear shouts and commands coming from the distance, clearly Lynn's plan was working, most of the search party had been led in the wrong direction.
As he approached the extraction point, he saw a small sandy cove, surrounded by tall rocks, providing natural cover. He crouched behind the last rock, observing the surroundings for danger, and then carefully walked towards the center of the beach.
Almost at the same moment, he heard the sound of an engine. A black speedboat was approaching rapidly from the sea, almost unaffected by the strong winds and waves. This must be their support team.
Mark walked to the Water's edge and signaled the speedboat with the prearranged signal—a red flash of a specific frequency. The speedboat immediately changed direction and headed directly towards him.
As the speedboat approached, Mark could see four heavily armed Agents on board, who were vigilantly observing their surroundings. One of them waved to him, motioning him to quickly get on board.
"Agent Wilson?" the Agent asked, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the rain, "Where is Detective Hall?"
"He is distracting the pursuers," Mark said breathlessly, "He should be here soon."
The Agent nodded and immediately ordered two of them to get off the boat to stand Guard on the shore, "We will wait for him for five minutes, and then we must leave. The island's defense system has been fully activated, any later and we might all be trapped here."
Mark looked back anxiously in the direction he had just come from, hoping to see Lynn. The rain was still falling, visibility was extremely low, but he could hear shouts and occasional gunshots coming from the distance, clearly Lynn's diversion plan had triggered a small pursuit.
"He will come," Mark said firmly, more like reassuring himself, "He always finds a way."
A few minutes passed, still no sign of Lynn. The Agents guarding the shore began to look anxious, glancing at their watches from time to time.
"Time's up," the lead Agent finally said, "We must leave."
"Wait another minute," Mark pleaded, "Just one minute."
The Agent hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, "One minute, no more than that."
Just then, a Shadow appeared from among the distant rocks, moving quickly towards them. Mark immediately recognized it was Lynn, although he looked a bit disheveled—his clothes were torn in several places, and there were bloodstains on his face, but he was still moving at a surprising speed.
"It's Detective Hall!" Mark shouted, barely able to hide his joy.
But their joy was quickly interrupted, because behind Lynn, several armed Guards were in pursuit, beams from flashlights formed bright columns of Light in the rain. A gunshot rang out, a bullet struck the sand next to Lynn, kicking up a spray of sand.
"Covering Fire!" the Agents on the speedboat immediately ordered, and the two Agents on shore immediately began firing, aiming precisely at the pursuers' positions, forcing them to seek cover and slowing down the pursuit.
Lynn used this opportunity to sprint towards the speedboat, and Mark and another Agent immediately reached out and pulled him onto the boat.
"Everyone evacuate!" the lead Agent ordered, and the two Agents on shore also quickly returned to the boat.
The speedboat's engine roared, the boat quickly sped towards the open sea, leaving the island's coastline behind. The pursuers continued to Fire at them, but the distance was already too great, most of the bullets fell into the Water.
"Is the mission complete?" the lead Agent asked, his voice filled with tension.
Lynn nodded, although he looked exhausted, his eyes were still firm, "It is complete. We obtained key evidence, proving Black Hawk International is conducting illegal genetic human experiments and developing targeted biological weapons."
Mark added, "We have detailed documents and photo records, enough to put those bastards in international court for decades."
The lead Agent nodded in satisfaction, "Well done. The private jet is already waiting at the designated coordinates, we should arrive in about 20 minutes, and then immediately return to Washington."
Lynn leaned against the cabin wall, letting out a long breath, "We almost didn't make it out. Their security level far exceeded our expectations."
Mark looked at his mentor, with an expression of admiration on his face, "Your plan worked. That explosive device drew away most of the search party."
Lynn smiled slightly, although the cuts on his face made the smile look a bit painful, "That was only temporary. They quickly realized it was a diversion and sent a portion of their forces to continue searching towards the extraction point. I had to use some small tricks to shake them off."
"What tricks?" Mark asked curiously.
Lynn took out a small device from his pocket, "Emergency Pulse Generator. It can temporarily interfere with electronic devices within a twenty-meter radius, including their communication equipment and night vision gear. Making them lose their sense of direction in the dark, enough for me to escape."
The speedboat continued to move forward through the waves, the rain began to lessen, and Tornaly Island in the distance gradually became a blurred outline in the darkness. Lynn and Mark exchanged a glance, seeing the relief and joy of victory in each other's eyes.
"First time on a mission like this," Lynn asked, with a hint of teasing in his voice, "How does it feel?"
Mark smiled, "Much more exciting than training exercises. But honestly, there was a moment I really thought we were going to be trapped there."
Lynn nodded, his expression turning serious, "Working in this line, similar situations will happen often. What's important is to stay calm, and trust your training and judgment." He patted Mark's shoulder, "You performed well there, especially with the documents you found in the lab. Without those, we might not have fully understood the danger of the project Black Hawk is undertaking."
Mark felt a surge of pride, but also some unease, "Those experiments... the modifications they are performing on human bodies... I have never seen such a degree of genetic manipulation. Those people—if we can still call them people—seemed to have completely mutated."
"This is exactly why we need to stop Black Hawk," Lynnsaid seriously, "What they are doing is far more than just arms dealing, but attempting to create a new kind of biological weapon and super soldiers. If this technology falls into the hands of Terrorists, the consequences will be unimaginable."
The speedboat continued forward, eventually a small dot could be seen on the horizon—that was the private jet waiting for them. As the distance shortened, the outline of the private jet became clear: a black medium-sized jet, parked on a temporary floating platform.
As the speedboat approached the platform, several Agents were already waiting there, ready to assist them in boarding. Lynn and Mark took one last look in the direction of Tornaly Island, and then stepped onto the platform.
"Will there be follow-up to this operation?" Mark asked, following Lynn towards the plane.
Lynn nodded, his eyes turning sharp, "Absolutely. Once our evidence is analyzed and confirmed, an international joint operation will be formed to completely dismantle Black Hawk's entire network, not just the facilities on Tornaly Island." He paused for a moment, "But that's not what we need to worry about now. Our mission is to safely deliver this evidence back to Headquarters."
They boarded the plane, the cabin door closed, and the engines began to roar. As the plane left the Water and ascended into the cloudy sky, the two men were finally able to relax.
"I need a hot shower, a decent meal, and then twelve hours of sleep," Lynn said, leaning back in the comfortable seat and closing his eyes.
Mark smiled, "Sounds like a perfect plan."
Back at the FBI Headquarters in Washington, Lynn and Mark were immediately taken to a highly secure briefing room. Several senior officials were already waiting for them in the room, including Deputy Assistant Director Richard Clayton from the counter-terrorism division.
"Detective Hall, Agent Wilson," Clayton stood up to greet them, his face serious, "We have received the initial report. Please tell us in detail what you saw on Tornaly Island."
Lynn and Mark took turns describing their findings in detail, especially the genetic experiments and potential biological weapon development. As they presented the photos taken in the lab and the downloaded data, the atmosphere in the room became unusually heavy.
"This is much more serious than we initially anticipated," Clayton commented, his brow furrowed, "Black Hawk International is not just an arms dealer, they are developing technology that could change the nature of warfare."
"What's worse," Lynn added, "According to the documents we found, they have already established contact with several Terrorist organizations, preparing to sell the first batch of 'products.' If this technology falls into the hands of Terrorists, we will face an unprecedented threat."
A brief silence fell over the room, everyone processing the significance of this information.
Finally, Clayton stood up, his voice firm, "We need to take immediate action. I will coordinate with the Department of Defense and the State Department to form a joint special operations team. Detective Hall, given your knowledge of Tornaly Island, You will be a key member of this team."
Lynn nodded, although his exhaustion was evident, his eyes were still firm, "I am ready anytime, Officer."
"Agent Wilson," Clayton turned to Mark, "Your performance in this operation was impressive. I hope You will also join this special team, Your initial understanding of Black Hawk's technology will be very valuable."
Mark felt a surge of excitement and pride, "Thank you for Your trust, Officer. I will not let You down."
After the meeting, Lynn and Mark walked towards the elevator together, preparing to leave the Headquarters building.
The next day.
The morning sun streamed through the blinds into Lynn Hall's apartment in Manhattan, he opened his eyes, feeling the aches and pains throughout his body. After a full night of deep sleep, the fatigue from the Tornaly Island mission had not completely subsided, but his mental alertness had returned. He sat up, looking around the space where he rarely had the chance to stay for long—several old photos hung on the wall, one was a photo of him with his adoptive father George Stacy and his sister Gwen, another was a photo from his police academy graduation.
Lynn stretched, his joints making slight cracking sounds, reminding him that the thrilling escape on Tornaly Island had indeed left its Mark on him. He walked to the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror, examining his injuries—there was a shallow scrape on his right cheekbone, a bruise on his ribs, and several small cuts, all souvenirs from escaping that island.
The hot Water from the shower washed over his body, steam filled the small bathroom. Lynn closed his eyes, but his thoughts returned to his conversation with Deputy Assistant Director Clayton yesterday afternoon.
"Hall, You and Wilson did a great job this time," Claytonsaid from behind his large desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the desktop, "The intelligence department is analyzing the data You brought back, preliminary results show this may be one of the biggest threats we've discovered in recent years."
Lynn nodded, "Black Hawk International's experiments have exceeded our initial estimates. Once those biological weapons are deployed, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Clayton took a deep breath, "Precisely because of this, we need to form a dedicated special operations team. However," he raised his hand to signal Lynn not to rush to respond, "Before that, I hope You first return to the Manhattan branch to handle some paperwork, and at the same time, I'm giving You two days of leave. Get some good rest and recover Your strength." Seeing that Lynnwanted to object, he continued, "This is an order, Detective. You have just returned from a high-risk mission and need time to recover. The matter of the special operations team can wait."
Lynn finally agreed to this arrangement, although deep down he wished to immediately throw himself into a full investigation of Black Hawk International.
Now, standing under the shower, he realized that Clayton's decision might be correct. His body indeed needed rest, and it had been a long time since he had spent time with his family. Thinking of this, Lynn turned off the faucet, quickly dried himself, and decided to call his adoptive father George and sister Gwen to arrange a family dinner.
Chapter 326 We are proud of you
He picked up his phone and dialed George's number. After a few rings, the familiar, slightly hoarse voice came through: "Lynn? Is that you, kid?"
"It's me, George," Lynn replied with a smile, hearing his adoptive father's voice always brought him a special warmth. "I'm back in New York for a couple of days off. I was thinking, maybe we could have dinner together? Are you and Gwen free?"
A surprised laugh came from George on the other end of the phone, "Of course we're free! Gwen just mentioned yesterday that she wanted to see you. She's interning at The Daily Bugle lately and doing really well." Georgepaused, his voice tinged with concern, "Are you alright? You said you were going to handle an important case last time you left."
Lynn knew that George could always sense things. As a retired Police Officer, George Stacy had an almost instinctive nose for danger. "I'm fine," Lynn reassured him, "just a standard procedure mission. It's over now, everything went smoothly." He deliberately downplayed the danger on Tornaly Island, there was no need to worry his adoptive father.
"That's great," George seemed relieved, "Do you have any ideas about dinner?"
"I was thinking of taking you to try the new 'Harbor Star' restaurant," Lynn suggested, "I heard their seafood is excellent. Can we meet there at six o'clock?"
"Sounds good!" George readily agreed, "I'll tell Gwen. She'll be happy to see you."
The Manhattan Headquarters office was much quieter than Lynn had expected. Most Agents were out in the field or handling other cases. Mark Wilson was sitting at his desk and immediately stood up to greet Lynn as he walked in.
"Detective Hall!" Mark's face showed surprise, "I thought you were on leave today?"
Lynn smiled and nodded, "That's right, but I wanted to come in and handle some paperwork first. How are you? Did you sleep well?"
Mark shrugged, "Better than I expected. Although I had some nightmares about those cultivation pods, overall it was okay." He hesitated, then lowered his voice and asked, "Any news about the Special Operations Team?"
"No specific arrangements yet," Lynn replied, walking towards his desk, "The intelligence department needs time to analyze the information we brought back. Claytonsaid he would notify us as soon as possible."
At five in the afternoon, Lynn closed his computer, preparing to leave the office. Mark walked over and handed him a cup of coffee.
"Any plans for the evening, Officer?" Mark asked, sipping his own coffee.
Lynn took the coffee, nodding gratefully, "Having dinner with family. My adoptive father and sister, haven't seen them in months."
Mark's expression softened, "That's great. Family support is very important for our line of work." He paused, "My parents have never quite understood why I chose this job. They would rather I became a lawyer or a Doctor, you know, those 'respectable' professions."
Lynn nodded in understanding, "George - my adoptive father, he's a retired Police Officer. He understands the meaning of this job, although he also worries. Gwen, my sister, she chose journalism and is now interning at The Daily Bugle."
"The Daily Bugle?" Mark blinked, "That's not an easy place to deal with. I heard their editor-in-chief, J. Jonah Jameson, is a rather strict character."
Lynn smiled and shook his head, "Gwen is strong, she can handle it. Alright, I should get going. Have a good weekend, Mark."
"You too, Officer. Have a pleasant time with your family."
Leaving the Federal Bureau of Investigation building, Lynn decided to walk for a while, enjoying the evening air of New York City. Although the city air was always mixed with car exhaust and the smells of various foods, for someone who had just returned from an isolated island, this bustling city life actually felt reassuring.
At the agreed time, Lynn arrived at the "Harbor Star" restaurant located by the Hudson River. This was a newly opened high-end seafood restaurant with a marine-themed interior and large windows facing the river, offering a beautiful sunset view. Lynn gave his name, and the waiter led him to the reserved table - a corner by the window, which offered both a view and relative privacy.
Not long after, he saw familiar figures walking from the restaurant entrance. George Stacy, a man in his sixties, his hair completely white, but his posture still straight and his eyes sharp. Beside him, Gwen Stacy wore a simple and elegant dark blue dress, her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, her face full of youthful vitality. Seeing Lynn, her eyes immediately lit up, and she quickly walked forward.
"Lynn!" Gwen cheered, hugging him, then stepped back slightly, examining his face, "Wait, what is this?" Her finger gently touched the abrasion on his cheek.
Lynn took her hand, gently pulling it away, "Nothing, just a small accident at work."
George walked forward and shared a brief hug with Lynn. When they separated, George's eyes carefully scanned Lynn, as if looking for other possible injuries. "You look thinner," he commented, his voice filled with concern, "Was the recent mission difficult?"
Lynn shrugged, gesturing for them to sit down, "Just regular work. It's just been busy lately, and I haven't taken good care of myself." He turned to Gwen, quickly changing the subject, "George told me you're interning at The Daily Bugle? That must be challenging."
Gwen's eyes sparkled with excitement, "It certainly is! Mr. Jameson is a very demanding editor, but I'm learning a lot." She paused, smiling slyly, "Actually, I'm following a story about corporate corruption that might overlap with your line of work."
Lynn raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What kind of corporate corruption?"
"Black Hawk International," Gwen said directly, "Heard of them? They recently set up a new Headquarters in New York, but there are rumors that they're involved in illegal arms dealing."
Lynn and George exchanged a look. George subtly shook his head, clearly warning Lynn not to reveal too much work information, even to family.
"I've heard the name," Lynn replied cautiously, "But I can't discuss cases that may be under investigation, Gwen. You know the rules."
Gwen sighed, but quickly laughed again, "I know, I know. It was worth a try though. But if you Federal Bureau of Investigation guys find anything, remember to give your sister an exclusive, okay?"
The waiter appeared at the right moment, interrupting the potentially sensitive topic. They ordered the restaurant's signature dishes - scallop seafood soup, grilled lobster, and a selection of side dishes, along with a bottle of good White wine.
When the food arrived, the conversation turned to lighter topics. Gwen recounted interesting experiences at the newspaper, George shared some stories about his retirement life, and Lynn shared as many work anecdotes as he could, of course omitting the dangerous and confidential parts.
"So," George asked after finishing the main course, gently swirling his wine glass, "How long are you staying this time?"
Lynn took a sip of wine, "Two days. I need to go back the day after tomorrow to work on a new project." He saw a flicker of disappointment on his adoptive father's face and added, "But I'll try to make time to come back more often. Maybe I can stay longer next time."
Gwen rolled her eyes, "You say that every time, but you always end up being called back for some case." Despite the slight complaint in her tone, her eyes were full of understanding, "But we understand, saving the World is much more important than having dinner with family."
Lynn reached out and gently squeezed Gwen's hand, "Hey, to me, You are always the most important. It's because I have family like You that I'm motivated to do my job and protect more families from threats."
George looked at his adoptive son with pride, "We're proud of you, Lynn. We just hope you'll be more careful." He pointed to the scar on Lynn's face, "This time, you might have just scraped your face, but next time you might not be so lucky."
The dinner continued in a warm atmosphere, they talked about their lives, sharing laughter and memories. For Lynn, such moments were precious. In his work, he had seen too much darkness and danger, and the presence of his family was like a never-extinguishing light, reminding him why he persisted on this path.
After finishing their meal, the three decided to walk home, enjoying the cool New York night air. The restaurant was located in a relatively upscale area on the west side of Manhattan, but to reach George's apartment, they needed to walk through several blocks, some of which might not be as safe at night.
Lynn walked beside Gwen and George, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, a habit he had developed. As an experienced Agent, he could always sense potential danger.
As they turned a corner and entered a relatively quiet street, Lynn noticed a 24-hour convenience store about fifty meters ahead, with several young people standing outside. Generally, this wasn't a scene to be wary of, but Lynn's intuition told him something was off. One of them kept looking around, his hand in his jacket pocket, his posture tense and alert.
"George," Lynn said in a low voice, "Did you notice the situation over there?"
George followed Lynn's gaze and frowned, "Hmm, it does look a bit suspicious. That kid in the red jacket, his hand is constantly in his pocket."
Gwen looked at them curiously, "What's wrong? Did you find something?"
"Probably nothing," Lynn reassured her, but his vigilance had increased, "Let's take another route, just in case."
Just as they were about to turn around, a commotion suddenly erupted at the convenience store entrance. Lynnsaw the young man in the red jacket pull out a handgun and shout something towards the inside. Two other accomplices also pulled out weapons, one rushed inside, while the other stayed outside on guard.
"Robbery," George said in a low voice, already taking out his phone to dial 911, "We should leave here and find a safe place to call the Police."
Lynn quickly assessed the situation. There might be customers and store employees inside the convenience store, and they were in danger. The Police might take a few minutes to arrive, and during those few minutes, the situation could worsen. As a law enforcement Officer, he couldn't just walk away.
"You two find a safe place and call the Police," Lynn said firmly, already starting to move towards the convenience store, "I'll go see if I can control the situation."
"Lynn, no!" Gwen grabbed his arm, her voice full of fear, "That's too dangerous!"
George also objected, "Lynn, you don't have backup. Wait for the Police to come--"
"No time," Lynn interrupted, his eyes still on the convenience store, "Someone inside might be in danger. I'm trained to handle this kind of situation." He looked at George, "Protect Gwen, find a safe place, and call the Police. Tell them there's a Federal Bureau of InvestigationAgent on the scene."
Without waiting for further persuasion, Lynn quickly but cautiously moved towards the convenience store. He kept a low profile, using cars and other obstacles on the sides of the street for cover, while quietly drawing his sidearm.
Approaching the convenience store, Lynn could see the situation inside more clearly. There were two robbers inside, one standing at the counter, pointing a gun at an older store employee, and the other collecting valuables from the shelves. The lookout outside kept looking around, clearly nervous.
Lynn decided to deal with the lookout outside first. He quietly approached until he was only a few meters away from the person. Then, he quickly stood up and shouted in a firm voice:
"Federal Bureau of Investigation! Drop your weapon!"
The young man turned in surprise, his gun barrel starting to swing towards Lynn. But Lynn was faster, he rushed forward, grabbed the person's wrist, twisted it upwards, and simultaneously delivered a heavy knee strike to the person's abdomen. The young man doubled over in pain, and the gun dropped from his hand. Lynn quickly subdued him and handcuffed him with the special handcuffs he carried.
This action attracted the attention of the robbers inside the store. One of them rushed to the door, saw his accomplice subdued, and immediately opened Fire. Lynnquickly dodged to the side, and the bullet hit the convenience store's glass door, sending shattered glass everywhere.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation!" Lynn shouted again, his gun aimed at the doorway, "Drop your weapon, or I will Fire!"
The robbers inside the store ignored the warning and opened Fire again, this time aiming at where Lynn was hiding. Lynn remained calm, calculating the timing. During the brief moment when the person needed to change magazines, he quickly leaned out from behind cover and accurately shot the person's gun-holding wrist.
The robber screamed in pain, and the gun fell to the ground. Lynn seized this opportunity, rushed to the door, kicked open the convenience store door, and entered the store in a tactical stance.
"Get down! Hands on your head!" he commanded, his gun aimed at the last robber, who was holding a gun, hesitating whether to open Fire.