Xiao Yan knew that no matter how beautiful the land appeared beneath him looked, it was a cruel and inhospitable environment. The average wind speed was over 18m/s and the temperature could plunge below minus 88 degrees C. When walking on ice, it was crucial to stay alert for any cracks or fissures else the next step could be one"s last
They pa.s.sed through the large glaciers to a huge ice sheet. This was where the base was established. It had obviously been hit hard in the attacks. The base was severely damaged; the south tower turret was almost completely demolished.
Xiao couldn"t help but let a sad sigh escape his lips, to think that the Surge had really managed to bring down this base.
The guidance channel platform was damaged and so they had no choice but to land by slamming down atop the base. Heine signaled everyone to exit the craft. Mark unlatched the door to the cabin and the frigid air immediately filled the craft with a whoosh. Xiao Yan"s face scrunched against the wind"s brutal blow and the chill spread up his nasal cavity and into his lungs, seizing his breath in ice.
Liv pulled something from a pocket on her thigh and pressed it to Xiao Yan"s face. Suddenly the biting cold eased.
Liv had placed a constant temperature agent, developed for the armed forces on him. The substance can temporarily protect his skin from extreme temperatures.
Liv smiled slyly. "Don"t freeze your face, someone loves it dearly."
"What?" Xiao had reached the door and was checking the slide rope as he prepared to jump.
Liv shook her head.
Xiao Yan took a breath and jumped down carefully following his training. The wind pounded against ears, and the speed of the fall halted his heart.
When he reached a certain height, he decided to adjust his hold on the rope. He increased the friction and his fall slowed until he calmly landed on his feet.
Heine just stood there looking at him.
"Colonel." Xiao had to admit that he was more than a little nervous. On the other missions he had been taken down from the aircraft by Heine.
"Hm." Heine nodded and turned to enter the channel.
The ground level of the base had lost operation. Heine"s troops entered through the bas.e.m.e.nt. They were greeted by the base"s Commander, Colonel Luther. He was older than Shen Bing with short flaxen hair and impossibly pale skin.
He saluted Heine and then scanned the other special forces.
"Colonel Burton. All of my people are ready to evacuate. The research data has been encrypted and extracted. We have also taken one last sample of the Comet virus. When will the research team arrive? I will personally guide them to the final field a.n.a.lysis."
"Xiao Yan." Heine gestured toward Xiao.
Xiao moved forward to salute the Colonel. "Colonel, I am Xiao Yan of the Central Academy of Sciences. I will conduct a comprehensive a.n.a.lysis of the comet virus!"
Luther was shocked. He stared at the young man in front of him and was immediately enraged.
"Colonel Burton! What is the meaning of this?! This is the last opportunity we have to a.n.a.lyze the comet virus. The Shire should have sent an entire team, instead all I get is a student elite. They dare send me a rookie!"
Faced with Colonel Luther"s wrath, Xiao Yan did not know what to say. Does this mean he won"t have a chance to a.n.a.lyze the virus?
"I only protect useful people."
Heine"s expression was cold and flat. There were no fluctuating tones in his voice.
Luther stood stunned. He gritted his teeth and looked at Xiao with penetrative eyes. "Come on. At least try. We only have 3 hours left before we have to withdraw. I hope you don"t waste this LAST CHANCE."
Xiao Yan did not say anything, he knew any attempt at explaining would be superfluous.
This base deviates greatly from the layout of the other bases Xiao Yan has been to. There are few living facilities. The limited s.p.a.ce is almost solely dedicated to research. The area is cold, concise and lacks any feeling of life. Xiao Yan is not confident that he could have endured living here long as Luther and his team have.
He needs some recreation in his schedule. He likes to chat with other students at the bar, workout and obsess over sports. As he followed the calm steps of Colonel Luther, he couldn"t help but admire the man.
Luther led them to the lowest level. The entire base extends deep into the ice. The area is not large, but its vertical reach is extensive. Through the gla.s.s, Xiao Yan saw the preserved comet virus. Well actually all he saw was ice.
Luther authorized a terminal for him and issued a command to topside. "Allow access to all terminals."
Luther looked puzzled at Heine"s presence but Heine did not bother with any explanations. There wasn"t time and Luther isn"t interested in pressing an unnecessary matter. He simply authorizes the opening of all the terminals.
Xiao Yan sat down and connected with the main terminal. He took a deep breath.
This is his one chance; an opportunity in his life as unique as birth and death. If he messes this up, he will live with a lifetime of regret.
He cannot miss anything.
Entering the system, his mind merges and all the terminals light up simultaneously.
Luther glances at the holographic screen displaying his interface rate and his expression slackens in shock. This research terminal system is constantly used for high speed a.n.a.lysis and data processing. This young researcher has already obtained their previous work. He has all their research results, including environment, ice flow and all data tracking potential viral degradation.
"This...it"s just..." Luther pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. "Is this really a human brain?"
Heine did not say a word. He stood, holding his arm against the wall, quietly staring at the back of Xiao Yan.
All of Xiao"s energy was concentrated on the task before him. In researching the x-2 virus he had come across many questions. He was now in front of the virus that could provide him with answers.
Luther sighed, "I really want to get into one of those terminals, explore his line of thought and a.n.a.lyze the data with him. If he had been stationed here, maybe we already would have had a major breakthrough."
Suddenly the entire base shook violently. Luther steadied himself against the wall and Heine moved closer to Xiao Yan, who was so focused he didn"t notice the structure shake.
"It was an ablation bomb! I did not expect that the Surge would have launched such a large of ablation bomb in so short a time! Colonel Burton, we must evacuate immediately! Otherwise, once the ice melts, we will drown!"
Heine raised his hand and looked at the time on his com device. The s.p.a.ce they were standing was shaking and swaying. Although not intense, at such a deep position in the base they would need more time to evacuate.
"Mark, Liv. Get everyone out of here." Heine issued his order and looked over at Luther.
"Colonel Luther, you leave first."
"I"m leaving? But you are still here..."
"I will protect Xiao Yan. He will persist until the last moment."
"I know that his brain speed is extremely fast and every second is valuable, but..."
"No, Colonel, I cannot protect you while protecting Xiao Yan." Heine"s voice takes on an edge that cannot be argued with.
Luther immediately left.
Heine looked up and felt the quaking overhead. After ten minutes water starts falling down, it dripped along the holographic image. He quickly approached Xiao Yan and touched his connecter.
"You have until the count of three. Any data left, you must store in your brain."
Xiao Yan lifted his brows at Heine"s words.
"one two Three!"
Heine took off the terminal connector. Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes and took a hard breath, as if he had just woken from a long dream.
"Let"s go. We don"t have much time."
The water pressure was gathering against the wall, breaking through the crevices. The main system sounds an alarm that the ice sheet is melting and water is at a critical level.
Hein led Xiao to an elevator. The circuits of the base have been shorted, leaving only standby power along the shaft.
Xiao Yan became increasingly agitated as the shocks ran through the lift car. He doesn"t know how long it can remain functioning.
Heine pressed Xiao"s head onto his shoulder.
He feels the warmth of Heine"s palm and the strength radiating from his fingertips.
"Do not worry."
Suddenly the feeling of a thousand biting teeth along his nerves disappeared and his heart is filled with steadiness. He will leave this base safely!
Gradually the cold water seeped into the lift and pooled at their feet. The speed of their ascent was slowing down. Xiao could feel that the cabin was near collapse.
The minute the water had entered the cabin, Heine secured the lock on Xiao"s waist. There were not going to make it to the ground level of the base. The ice is melting and given the time the ablation bomb went off, and the speed of their ascent, they will be surrounded by water soon. More and more water surged in, their combat uniforms protecting them from the extreme temperature.
Ten seconds later, the dragging lift slows further before eventually stopping.
"Ready?" Heine lowered his eyes.
The lift car let out a screeching wail.
Xiao Yan put on goggles and oxygen replacement device and nodded to Heine. "I"m ready, Colonel."
With a loud bang, water begins pouring from above. Within seconds, the wave pa.s.ses overhead and everything is dark.
Heine took out a light emitter, the yellow light diffused across his features. He moves fluidly. His lean body pierces through the water as he swims upwards. Xiao looks up at him until he lowers his eyes and tilts his chin toward him. He recovers his senses and follows Heine"s lead, leaving the car. They are still in the shaft of the base, dozens of meters from the exit channel. They must get out before the whole base is submerged, otherwise they will be trapped.
Heine"s strokes are powerful and he rapidly cuts through the water, the rope connecting them drags Xiao along. Heine"s legs are at the exit of the channel and he leverages his body to propel himself upward. Suddenly, several figures in wetsuits close in on them.
Xiao"s first thought is that they are part of Heine"s team coming to rescue them. However, the form of the men is familiar and his heart begins to fill with a dangerous premonition. When Heine pulls his blade, the warped reflection on the blade confirms the fears in his heart.
Surge a.s.sa.s.sins!
They will not let them go easily.
Fighting in seawater is completely different from land.
Heine quickly tightened the rope in an attempt to close the distance between him and Xiao Yan, but one of the killers quickly cuts the line. The condensation gun cannot be used in the water. Xiao Yan takes out his sidearm and makes a decision. Their ability to evade will be hampered by the water, but it shouldn"t impact the gun"s tracking function. The killer"s head is. .h.i.t and blood blooms through the sea.
However Xiao didn"t notice that one of the a.s.sa.s.sins had already moved around him until his blade swept his waist. In such cold water, the integrity of his combat uniform was crucial, if broken he would lose the thermostatic protection of the suit. Once exposed to such low temperature he will be unable to move and die. Just as the blade moved in, he avoided the edge and saw that Heine was also in a dangerous situation. Heine had grabbed the killer"s blade, as another a.s.sa.s.sin immobilized him. The other a.s.sa.s.sin swept his blade at Heine, who twisted and kicked to the side.
Xiao Yan reached for his thigh to remove his medication. The injection gun had not even made contact when it was knocked from his hand, along with the x-s sample box. Stunned Xiao went to chase it down as the other a.s.sa.s.sin grabbed him. One hand was on his chin and the other tightened his grip to twist his neck.
Xiao Yan"s heart almost exploded.
He knew he was dead this time!
Before he could even process everything that had happened, the arm holding him went limp.
Xiao Yan kicked out of the hold to discover that Heine had cut off their head. Heine"s chest was pierced through with a sharp object and blood rapidly stained the water around him red.
Xiao Yan"s pupils shook and cracked, threatening to shatter apart at the sight.
Heine"s expression did not display any discomfort. He quickly pulled out the blade, and the a.s.sa.s.sin raised another at Heine. Heine"s shifted his hold swept the blade through the water, slicing the killer"s right hand off. Heine kicked the killers back and ran him through, the a.s.sa.s.sin moved to retreat. Heine threw the blade in his hand and it sped through the water before lodging in the killer"s head.
Xiao sighed in relief but then remembered that Heine"s uniform had been torn open. The low temperature not only reduces the activity of the comet virus but also affects the x-virus in Heine"s body. Heine had to get out of the water as soon as possible!
But instead of moving upward, Heine dove down and deeper into the waters.
What is he doing?!
Xiao Yan was struggling to go after Heine, but he pushed him back preventing him from following.
Heine stretched his fingers and strained to reach deeper into the sea, as though he were attempting to catch something.
Xiao Yan realized he was going after his medicine kit.
Fool! The x-virus can be reformulated, but if anything were to happen to Heine, he...
...couldn"t finish the thought.
Heine grabbed the box and swam to get the injection gun. Once he reached Xiao Yan, he pointed the gun at his neck and injected it.
His exhausted body was instantly animated by a great force. His vision and hearing increased tenfold. He could even hear the calm and steady heartbeat from Heine"s chest. Heine reached out and grabbed the back of Xiao"s head. Beneath the cold water and under the weakening light emitter, Heine"s lips gently touched his nose. The gesture was too soft and too fast. Over so quickly, it felt like his imagination.
Up ahead, the water streams in an unusual isolated current.
Two more a.s.sa.s.sins! These f.u.c.king guys do not die. They are like ghosts haunting Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan cursed inwardly.
Heine lifted his hand and gestured to Xiao Yan underwater. Each of them is to take one.
Xiao Yan is suddenly exhilarated that Heine is treating him like a comrade. They both drift back to back, using the other as leverage and directing the killers.
The a.s.sa.s.sin clearly underestimated Xiao Yan. His blade is lifted toward his neck, but Xiao Yan has already antic.i.p.ated his attack and lifts his hand to still his blade. The water already resisted the action, he simply added to it. The killer"s blade moved between the two and he elbows him in the chest hard. The killer coughs fiercely. Xiao Yan exerts more strength to knee him in the chin. The water weakened the blow and the a.s.sa.s.sin moved away. Xiao doesn"t give him the chance to retreat and stabs in the stomach before breaking his cervical vertebrae. Xiao releases his hold and the body limply flows with the water before slowly sinking.
Xiao Yan looked over at Heine, who had long resolved his opponent. Heine smoothly splits through the water and moved toward Xiao Yan. Xiao remembers, in that moment, when Heine knocked against his mouth in the swimming pool at the base. His heart leapt to his throat and Heine stilled in front of him. He couldn"t wait to grab onto Heine"s shoulder. When Heine halted in front of him, his palm grabbed under Xiao"s armpit and he pulls him to the surface.
He looked up to see the distortion of the surface from beneath the water.
As they emerged from the water, several aircraft were waiting overhead.
Xiao Yan looked to see that the original expanse of ice was gone. The white world of the base was now under a sea of blue. He could still hear the glaciers breaking and slipping into the water. Heine held onto Xiao"s hand and grabbed the robe with the other. He secured it at Xiao"s waist, and he begins to feel the increased weight and drag as he is pulled from the buoyant waters. The heavy sensation causes Xiao Yan to tightly grip the rope. Heine grabs the other robe and they both are lifted to the cabin.
"Boss!" Seeing that they were both safe, Mark visibly relaxed.
Several aircraft move at full speed away from the base, leaving a trail of disrupted water behind them.
As the x-2 loses its effect, Xiao feels his body begin to tire.
Heine sat across from Xiao Yan. His legs were so long that each time the craft maneuvered in the sky, his knees slam against Xiao"s leg. He looks over at Heine, and his eyes began to droop. Even without any expression, he was still the sole occupant of Xiao"s gaze.
But...where he was pierced by the a.s.sa.s.sin...Xiao cannot confirm if the wound has healed yet or not.
"I"m fine." Heine, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
Xiao didn"t expect Heine to so accurately guess his thoughts, nor did he think Heine would care about his feelings.
Xiao Yan couldn"t help but stretch his hands over and press his palms over Heine"s stomach. He feels Heine"s distinct body temperature. Satisfied that he has healed, he moves to withdraw his hand. Heine grabs his wrist.
"Even if you have received the same training as the Special Forces, you are not the same. You have your own battlefield. One they cannot fight on. They don"t belong."
Heine"s words stir Xiao"s heart.
Mark looked over at the two men, as his eyes crossed over them he was nudged by the other soldiers. He turned back around, he had many questions but the gazes of those around him seemed to be screaming at him to keep quiet.
The cabin is warm and Xiao"s fatigue catches up to him, weighing his limbs down. His final a.n.a.lysis of the comet virus has drained him mentally and the x-2 has strained his body past its limits. He took out a ration biscuit. No matter its taste, the nutrients were essential. Keeping his head down, he struggled to swallow the dry substance.
He still feels hungry.
Heine lifted his arm and pressed a b.u.t.ton to open a compartment. A narrow s.p.a.ce above his head is revealed and he grabs an energy bar from it. Xiao knew it was chocolate and compressed, but unlike the biscuits, it is high in protein. Heine opened the package and handed it to Xiao Yan.
"After you eat, get some sleep."
Xiao Yan didn"t say much. They both eat their energy bars. The taste of sweetness lingers in his mouth and Xiao Yan"s head slumps against his safety device as he dozes off.
Hopefully by the time he wakes up they will be back at the Shire.
Xiao Yan begin to feel a sense of weightlessness.
"Xiao Yan! Wake up!" Heine"s cold voice rang in his ear.
Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, all the special forces are readied and alert. The trajectory of the craft is erratic and unstable. Xiao Yan instantly gathers that the Surge must have given chase.
Heine"s forces have more than 10 craft filled with the base"s personnel. It is impossible for the Surge to give up such a large target. Especially one filled with elite researcher brains, and decades of data.
"Xiao Yan, get ready we may have to pop you into an evacuation pod." Mark warns Xiao.
Suddenly Heine leans toward Xiao Yan and unlatches his safety device. He grabs his hand and pulls him into the c.o.c.kpit.