r18novel It's a big challenge
It's a big challenge
"Yes, but they are obviously key," the young agent pushed his glasses and continued, "Based on the intelligence provided by our informants, these 'holy objects' seem to have a direct connection with the belief system of the Holy Blood Alliance. They believe These things are not just symbols or legacy, but some kind of tool that can empower them, or even—”
"Supernatural powers?" Hans sneered, "sounds like the script of some low-cost horror movie."
"Enough, Hans." Lynn interrupted him, with a hint of impatientness in his tone. "Whether these things are true or false, the Holy Blood Alliance obviously cares about them. This is the focus we need to pay attention to."
He turned around and pointed to a blurry photo on the whiteboard, which they took from a trading location of “Malco” that Ramos mentioned. In the photo, a blurred figure stood in the dim warehouse, holding a metal box in his hand. Although I can't see my face clearly, the symbol on the box is extremely clear - a dagger-shaped sign surrounded by blood drops.
"Malco may be our breakthrough," Lynn said, calm but majestic, "but we all know that the Holy Blood Alliance already knows that we are investigating them. The attack tonight is the best proof."
"When it comes to that mutant," Hans looked up and turned his eyes to Lynn. "Do you really think he is controlled remotely? It doesn't sound like the style of the Holy Blood Alliance, they don't prefer traditional knife and bloody rituals. Is it?”
"Their style is changing." Lynn's voice was low. "They became more sophisticated and more dangerous. The technology to control that mutant was not like something that ordinary gangs could get. It means-"
"They have a partnership with a larger organization," another older agent took the remark, frowned. "Maybe it was a tech crime gang, or some shadow agency with a government background."
"That's right." Lynn nodded. "Our current intelligence is not enough to prove this, but it is certain that the Holy Blood Alliance is no longer a mere underground gang. Their actions are beginning to show some strategicity—and This time, the goal is obviously more important than ever."
"The question is, what exactly are they looking for?" Hans shrugged, "A talisman that summons demons? Or some kind of antique that can turn them into superhumans?"
"Don't forget that there are a lot of twisted religious elements in their belief system." The young agent opened his notebook and said, "The Holy Blood Alliance believed that they were 'selected people', and they have been pursuing an ancient heritage... …Something that can make them 'beyond the mortals'. This may be a legendary artifact or a technological creation. ”
"If it's true," Hans tickled, "this sounds like a villain plan for a superhero movie."
Lynn ignored Hans' ridicule and turned to an agent in charge of technical analysis. "What about that mutant? Was the body sent for analysis?"
"Yes, it has been sent to the laboratory." The agent nodded, looking a little hesitant, "However, the preliminary report shows that his body is not a completely 'mutant', but more like a biochemical transformation. Product. We discovered the implanted metal organs and neural interfaces…those things may be the key to his control.”
Lynn's expression changed slightly. Although it was not stated clearly, it was obvious that the news deepened his concerns a little. "These technologies cannot be achieved by street gangs," he said, his voice low. "We have to find out who is supporting the Holy Blood Alliance behind this."
"Maybe it's some crazy scientist," Hans said casually. "There are always some lunatics who like to play these human experiments."
"Whoever it is," Lynn turned around and tapped his finger on the whiteboard, "they are the number one target for us now. And our most urgent task is to find 'Marco'. He is what we can do at this stage The only clue to catch."
"Do we have his whereabouts?" asked the older agent.
"Not yet." Lynn shook his head, "However, based on the information we have so far, the Holy Blood League has been frequently active in some abandoned buildings in the West Side of Manhattan. It may be where Marco hides."
"Abandoned buildings, gangs, biochemical transformation people..." Hans rubbed his temples, "It sounds like a nightmare."
"Welcome to reality." Lynn said coldly, "I need you to do your best. Divide into two groups, one continues to investigate the flow of funds and the supporters behind the Holy Blood Alliance, and the other sets to lock in the West Side of Manhattan. Don't alert the enemy, but you can't let go of any clues."
"I understand." The other agents nodded and began to sort out the information.
Hans stood up and picked up his coat, "Well, Lynn, it looks like we're going to the streets again."
"Be careful this time." Lynn whispered, with a deep premonition in his eyes. "The Holy Blood Alliance has realized that we are chasing them, and it will only be more dangerous next."
Hans patted Lynn on the shoulder and grinned, "Dangerous? Man, this is the fun of us doing this job."
Lynn did not respond, but picked up his weapons and equipment, turned around and walked out of the conference room. His steps were steady, but each step was as heavy as if he was pressing on some invisible burden.
The cold wind at midnight was slightly damp, and Lin En drove into a quiet street in Brooklyn. The houses on the roadside were neat but old, and the lights in front of the doors were dim like fireflies, revealing a peaceful atmosphere. For Lin En, this was a rare safe haven. He parked the car in the familiar driveway, exhaled a long breath, rubbed the steering wheel with his fingers, and hesitated to get out of the car.
He rubbed his eyebrows and felt tired. The whole day of chasing, gunfights and mystery-ridden investigations were like a boulder pressing on his shoulders, and the shadow of the Holy Blood Alliance was like an lingering nightmare. He needed a moment to breathe. And he knew that here, he could at least find a little sense of home.
He pushed open the car door, and when he got out of the car, he heard a familiar metal collision. He looked up at the yard, and the light came out from the open garage, and the warm yellow light enveloped an old antique car. The hood of the car was opened, and a thin but still strong figure was half-bent over, working under the car with tools in his hands.
"George," Lynn called out, and couldn't help but smile. He walked into the garage and put his hands in his coat pockets, "It's so late, and you're still tinkering with this old car?"
George Stacy raised his head, and his wrinkled face looked particularly warm under the light. His white hair was a little messy due to the oil stains, and the metal-framed glasses on his nose slipped down a little because of sweat. He glanced at Lynn and grinned, "Why are you back, kid? Shouldn't you be working all night today?"
"You need to take a break once in a while, don't you?" Lynn walked to the car and glanced at the engine of the antique car, "Does this thing still work? Or do you just like to hear the sound of metal hitting?"
George shook his head and knocked the wrench in his hand on the hood, making a crisp sound, "It works better than you think. This was your favorite car when you were a child, don't tell me you have forgotten it."
Lynn squinted at the car, and memories slowly emerged. This Ford sedan was George's favorite many years ago, and it was also the only "luxury" that Lynn could enjoy when he was a child. He remembered that George drove him around the streets of Brooklyn, and the world at that time was not as complicated as it is now.
"I thought it should have been scrapped long ago." Lynn whispered, his eyes sweeping over the car body.
"Don't underestimate it," George stood up and shook off the oil on his hands, "It's tougher than you and me. Just like us, no matter how much damage it suffers, it can always be repaired."
Lin En smiled lightly and said nothing more. Instead, he picked up a clean rag and reached out to wipe the oil around the engine. George glanced at him, but did not stop him. Instead, he handed over the wrench: "Since you are free, come and help the old man."
"Okay, but don't expect me to fix it faster than you." Lin En took the wrench, bent down and started to fiddle with the engine.
The atmosphere in the garage was quiet and warm, with only the sound of tools colliding in the air. Lin En liked this quietness, which made him temporarily forget the gunshots and blood outside. George slowly guided Lin En to repair the car, and the communication between the two was simple and casual.
"You look tired." George suddenly spoke, his voice low but with a hint of concern.
Lynn stopped what he was doing and looked up at George, "It's been a bit busy this week."
"So busy that you're worried?" George frowned, took off his glasses and wiped them, "I know you, Lynn. From the first time you tried to lie when you were ten years old, I knew you were not good at hiding your emotions."
Lynn did not answer immediately, but lowered his head and pretended to continue tinkering with the engine. He didn't know how to explain what had happened recently, especially the Holy Blood Alliance. Although George was once a well-known captain in the police station, the situation this time was far more complicated than any ordinary case. Lynn was not sure if George could fully understand it.
"This case is very tricky." He finally spoke, his voice so low that it seemed like he was talking to himself, "and it's more... dangerous than usual."
George stopped what he was doing and looked at Lynn quietly. There was no urging in his eyes, only patience. He knew Lynn needed time.
"Danger?" George spoke slowly, his tone gentle, "Boy, I've been a policeman for 30 years, and I've heard the word 'danger' more than you've eaten. What kind of danger can make you, a guy who is always calm, feel uneasy?"
Lin was silent for a moment, and finally sighed, "Have you heard of the Holy Blood Alliance?"
George frowned, he put down the wrench, and supported his hands on the hood, "Of course I've heard of it. That crazy underground organization likes to use blood sacrifices and intimidation to promote their 'holy mission'. Why, your case is related to them?"
"They are not just an ordinary criminal organization." Lin stood up and looked into George's eyes, "They are looking for something, something that is enough to make them more dangerous. Moreover, they seem to have higher-level support-some technology or resources that ordinary gangs can't access."
George's expression became serious, and he muttered in a low voice, "This sounds like a more troublesome case than any previous case."
"Yes." Lin nodded, "We have touched their nerves. Last night, they sent a mutant to attack me and Hans. That thing... is not an ordinary human."
George's face became even gloomier. He took off his gloves, crossed his arms over his chest, and fell into deep thought. After a few seconds, he looked up, "Lynn, this kind of thing has gone beyond the scope of ordinary cases. You need more resources and support. You and a few agents alone can't deal with this kind of organization."
"I know." Lynn's voice was a little tired, "but headquarters doesn't think we have enough evidence now. Besides, even if there is, I'm not sure if I can trust everyone."
After hearing this, George's face showed a complicated expression. He was silent for a few seconds, walked to Lynn, and patted him on the shoulder, "Listen, kid, no matter what happens, remember one thing-don't let your intuition go wrong. I watched you grow up, I know you have the ability and judgment, but sometimes, don't be too stubborn."
Lynn raised his head and smiled for the first time in the whole day, "You sound like an exhortation for me to be obedient."
"Maybe." George shrugged, a hint of ridicule appeared at the corner of his mouth, "But it would be better if you could come back alive to listen to me talk."
Lynn laughed, but didn't say anything. He lowered his head and continued to tinker with the engine, while George continued to repair the car body. The two stood side by side beside the car, revealing an indescribable tacit understanding in silence.
The morning sun shone through the mist on the streets of Brooklyn. Lynn leaned against the kitchen counter, holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee in her hand, but her eyes stayed on the clock on the wall. The pointer slid slowly, and the time approached eight o'clock. His mobile phone lay quietly on the table, the screen was dim, and there were no missed calls or message prompts.
"Damn it." He cursed in a low voice, put the coffee cup aside, and then picked up the phone and dialed Hans' number.
The phone rang a few times and then connected. Hans' voice came from the other end, with obvious fatigue: "Don't tell me you don't let me go even in the morning, Lynn."
"Any news?" Lynn got straight to the point.
"No." Hans sighed, "Our people have been searching the West District all night, and they didn't find a single ghost. The Holy Blood Alliance is more cunning than expected, and they won't show up easily."
Lin En was silent for a few seconds, frowning slightly, "What about the laboratory? Have the results of the mutant analysis come out?"
"Not yet." Hans also sounded a little frustrated, "But they said that the technology of the metal implant is very complicated, and it is definitely not something that can be obtained through ordinary channels. This may involve some private laboratories or even military projects."
Lin En clenched his phone, and a trace of irritation flashed through his heart. The shadow of the Holy Blood Alliance was always like a thick fog covering the city. He could see it, but he couldn't catch it.
"Okay." Lin En finally sighed, "Keep watching, and notify me immediately if there is any progress."
"Understood." Hans hung up the phone.
Lin En put down the phone and tapped his fingers on the counter. He knew that waiting was the most exhausting part of the investigation, but every time he waited, his intuition became stronger-the Holy Blood Alliance must be brewing some big and unspeakable actions. At this moment, time seemed like an enemy to them.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Looking back, Gwen was running down the stairs, with a backpack hanging diagonally on her shoulders and a folder of sheet music in her hand.
"Lynn, can you take me to school?" She looked up at him, her voice full of urgency, "I don't want to be late. There's a rehearsal today, and the teacher said that if I'm late, I'll lose points!"
"Rehearsal?" Lynn raised her eyebrows, "Didn't you say you didn't like these performances?"
"Yes." Gwen bit her lip and whispered a little embarrassedly, "But this time it's about the band, not that boring chorus. I'm playing the main melody, Lynn, the main melody! Do you know what that means?"
Lynn looked at her slightly proud expression and couldn't help but smile, "Okay, the main melody. I understand. I'll take you there."
"Thank you!" Gwen turned around and rushed to the door with a relaxed look, then turned back and shouted, "Hurry up! I don't want to be stared at by the whole band."
Lynn grabbed her coat and car keys and followed her out.
As their car drove through the streets of Brooklyn, Lynn remained silent, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His mind was still on the investigation of the Holy Blood Alliance, and he tried desperately to piece together the fragmented clues into a complete picture.
"Lynn, why are you so quiet today?" Gwen sat in the co-pilot seat and glanced at him sideways, "Is there something wrong with your work?"
"No." Lynn replied casually, his eyes still fixed on the front.
"You lied." Gwen exposed him directly, with a brisk tone, "Every time you lie, you subconsciously grit your teeth. I can see it."
Lynn smiled helplessly, "Can't I have some private space?"
"No." Gwen showed a sly smile, "You are my brother, tell me, what happened?"
Lynn glanced at her and finally sighed, "No big deal, it's just that the recent case is a bit tricky. Don't worry, it won't be a problem."
"Then why do you look like the whole world is pressing on your shoulders?" Gwen frowned, obviously not quite believing it.
Lynn hesitated for a while and finally decided to change the subject, "You should tell me about your performance. What is the song today?"
Gwen stared at him for a few seconds, as if she wanted to continue asking questions, but finally compromised, "Okay, since you don't want to say it... It's Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile. I'm responsible for the main melody, and the whole band has to follow my rhythm. This is a big challenge."
"It sounds good." Lynn nodded, "But this also means that if something goes wrong, the whole band will blame you, right?"