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墨書 Inktalez
Everything happening in the video was quietly observed by An Xiaotian, whose mood was not much better than Nars's. Yet, he maintained a consistent attitude with Qin Weishan; as soldiers, they had to make any possible concessions for victory.
"Is he one of the Moon People?"
Wu Xiaolong's voice came from behind. An Xiaotian was so engrossed that he didn't even notice Wu Xiaolong had come a few steps closer. The video had been playing for too long, and Wu Xiaolong was getting impatient, but he dared not disturb An Xiaotian and could only watch from behind.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," An Xiaotian said, patting Wu Xiaolong on the shoulder. "Let's move immediately. Target: Major Gao Ling."
"But..."
"No need for evidence," An Xiaotian stated firmly. "When dealing with them, civilized reasoning is utterly ineffective; it will only lead us into chaos. We will proceed with the capture first, and I have my ways to determine the truth. Lock down the entire center for 48 hours; if we catch the wrong person, we can always release them and try again."
Ten minutes later, An Xiaotian's proposal was approved by the United Nations Embassy. The Security Team quickly mobilized under Wu Xiaolong's command, coordinating with the Peacekeeping Forces stationed in the lockdown area. The two teams, led by An Xiaotian and Wu Xiaolong, stormed into Building 02. Since it was already 3 AM, orders had been given to all personnel in Building 02 to remain inside until further notice. Wu Xiaolong insisted that any actions taken by the Security Team must be as quiet as possible; they should not fire unless absolutely necessary, as most of those inside were international friends and researchers, not regular soldiers. If chaos erupted in the corridors, it would significantly increase the difficulty of their operation.
Watching his team members fully armed, Wu Xiaolong insisted on shoving his sidearm into An Xiaotian's hands. "How could anything happen to me? Just be careful yourselves."
An Xiaotian reluctantly accepted the handgun.
"This time there's no armor," Wu Xiaolong whispered as they walked side by side into the first floor.
"Hmph." An Xiaotian was displeased with Wu Xiaolong's comment and scoffed, "Even without armor, I will still be one of the best Special Forces Soldiers in the country."
The first floor was a lobby illuminated by lights for the Security Team; however, once they ascended the stairs, each level was pitch dark. Apart from An Xiaotian and Wu Xiaolong at the front, everyone else directed their flashlights toward the ground. The corridor was equipped with voice-controlled lights, yet not a single one lit up as the Security Team made their way to the eighth floor. At the corridor entrance, An Xiaotian and Wu Xiaolong crossed their weapons. Suddenly, one of the team members accidentally stepped on Wu Xiaolong's heel; the sound caused all the lights in the eighth-floor corridor to flicker on one after another. Wu Xiaolong shot a fierce glare at his clumsy teammate while An Xiaotian nudged him with his elbow. They both turned toward where the lights illuminated—a door several steps away stood wide open.
"801." An Xiaotian counted down from the nearest room number; it was Room 813—Major Gao Ling's room. Wu Xiaolong instantly became alert and gestured to An Xiaotian: Could this be a feigned retreat to lure the Security Team inside and then detonate something?
An Xiaotian pondered what he would do if he were Gao Ling. In this situation, there would be no immediate support from "familiar faces"; they could only hide as perfectly as possible. But what if they were discovered? A saying flashed through An Xiaotian's mind—never chase a desperate foe.
When prey is cornered, it can do anything.
"Come here." An Xiaotian ushered Wu Xiaolong and his team back to the stairwell and whispered, "You need to seal off all exits. If I can't control him, at least you can block him off. I'm worried there might be traps inside; if we all go together, it could lead to mistakes or even total annihilation! I will resolve this within ten minutes; if anything goes wrong, you can come support me."
"Absolutely not!" Wu Xiaolong grabbed him. "Who knows what he's set up inside! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"I won't die," An Xiaotian assured him nonchalantly. "I've done this too many times before and I'm still alive."
"No! I know you're a great hero, but don't be reckless at a time like this! You don't have armor for protection; if..."
"What if!" An Xiaotian broke free from his grip and looked at Wu Xiaolong and his teammates. "I told you that without armor, I am still one of the best Special Forces Soldiers. If you're so concerned about your teammates' lives, then be prepared for sacrifice at any moment—that's our fate."
Wu Xiaolong had no choice but to take off his bulletproof vest and let An Xiaotian wear it while the Security Team watched him approach before quickly moving down to secure exits and elevators.
"Colonel Gao!"
An Xiaotian's profile appeared outside the door as he quickly glanced inside but found only a single candle flickering weakly—it was about to burn out. In the dim light of the living room behind it lay Major Gao Ling reclining on a sofa without making a sound; clearly pretending to be asleep.
"Gao Ling!" An Xiaotian called again, but there was still no response from him on the sofa. He lifted his foot high with each step—he noticed a very thin string connecting the table holding the candle to a cabinet across from it; he wondered if there were more traps elsewhere.
An Xiaotian stood before Major Gao Ling, who lay as still as death. The more he observed, the more he felt something was off; even if he were pretending to sleep, there should at least be some sign of breath. He reached for the grip of his sidearm at his waist, cautiously extending his left hand—there was no sign of life at all.
Major Gao Ling was dead.
"Xiao Long, the plan has changed. Gao Ling is suspected to be dead," An Xiaotian immediately relayed the message to the Security Team.
Was this the ultimate fate of their "acquaintance"? To die far from home, ending an unclear life?
The Security Team began to ascend the stairs, instructing through their earpieces to prepare for sealing off the scene. Just then, the candle completely burned out, plunging the room into darkness. An Xiaotian turned back and saw the door slam shut with a loud bang as if commanded by the extinguished candle.
A loud ringing filled An Xiaotian's head as he realized that things were not as simple as they appeared: this was internal human affairs, not just a simple crime! But in that darkness, he could only feel anxious; he had no idea how many threads of potential traps surrounded him.
"I've lived on Earth for over a decade, and this is my first time using a candle for light. It feels so romantic," he said, glancing around in the dark until his gaze landed on where Major Gao Ling had been lying—this voice was his!
"You’re not dead!" An Xiaotian fought to overcome his fear, striving to maintain his composure. His peripheral vision darted around in search of movement as his breathing quickened. "You know we would eventually find you, so you simply opened the door and set a trap for us, right?"
"You’re half right, Fierce Eagle," Gao Ling's voice shifted behind him, sending chills down An Xiaotian's spine. Was his body… moving silently?
"Let me share my thoughts since arriving at your Military Base. Xiaotian, your life is indeed impressive and enviable. I watched you rise from the new barracks and don Liang Muqi's prized Fierce Eagle Armor—something we could have destroyed if we had the chance. But Liang Muqi is a crafty one; he wisely shelved that project. You’re so young yet capable of completing mission after mission, growing under Jiao An and Qin Weishan’s protection to become an unstoppable leader. In terms of spirit, I truly admire you; it’s just a pity you were born into the wrong race. You know full well that you’re trying to change something that has essentially become a foregone conclusion. You realize your life isn’t as bright as your dreams, yet you still throw yourself into danger like a moth to a flame."
"It’s not just you; Jiao An and Qin Weishan also grew up in my sight. The twenty-something Jiao An was stunning but too aloof; I could never find an opportunity to get close to her—it’s quite unfortunate… What? Don’t tremble; I’m just reminiscing."
An Xiaotian jolted back to reality, recalling where he had noticed the light switch upon entering. He couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer; in the darkness, he felt an imminent threat and drew his gun toward the door behind him. The lights flickered on, but instead of hitting the switch as intended, his shot went awry and struck Gao Ling's ear instead—the very figure standing before him had activated the light.
An Xiaotian clearly saw the bullet shatter Gao Ling's ear without any sign of blood. He turned back toward where Gao Ling had been lying; that person was still there—a perfect replica! He remembered Jiao An mentioning 3D-printed skins; it seemed they hadn’t just printed a surface.
"I advise you to come out with me and surrender," An Xiaotian aimed his gun at him.
"An Team Leader, what’s going on inside?" After the gunshot rang out, frantic knocks and inquiries came from outside. "We’ll be right there… uh ah!"
Wu Xiaolong's scream suddenly echoed through the quiet corridor, causing chaos outside. An Xiaotian heard Security Team members shouting a name before hearing someone being forcefully thrown down and pinned to the ground. "I’m sorry! My grandmother really needs this money..."
"Release him! Hold down his hands! Hold him!"
"You!" An Xiaotian realized with sudden clarity and fury surged within him. "How many people have you sold?!"
"Sold? That sounds so harsh." The acquaintance known as 0049 spread his hands wide. "I’m playing a grand game here. Since we’ve come this far, let’s be frank—An Xiaotian, look at yourself; becoming Fierce Eagle has all been part of my play! Everything about your alliance has long been customized by us. I heard you were coming; I meticulously arranged three plans for you. But luck was on your side—you managed to dodge explosions and navigate my traps thanks to your good comrades outside. But ultimately, it depends on whether those good fellows can avoid triggering my sensors now. But let’s be honest: without your loyal Fierce Eagles, what would you be? Just a soldier prone to random seizures?"
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