Sudden Turn of Events

Yan Junxun silently bit on a piece of candy, leaning on the third-floor railing as he watched the Supervisory Bureau's central screen.

"The day before yesterday, Black Panther Commander Fu Chenghui attended the North-South talks..."

The media cameras swarmed towards the suit-clad Fu Chenghui. He was 62 years old this year, but he looked to be only around 40. He was one of the Northern Front Alliance's first Black Panther members; his serial number was unknown. The assassination of the Commander-in-Chief was the turning point in Fu Chenghui's political career. After the Commander-in-Chief was assassinated by a sniper, he became a core figure in the Alliance, and thus began a controversial political career.

"The Stagnation Zone issue has once again sparked heated discussion..."

Yan Junxun ate his candy and turned his head. He looked towards the window at the end of the third floor and saw the sky over the Docking Area.

The sky was gray and hazy. There were no birds, only clouds like oil stains floating above.

The central screen was still broadcasting the news, with Fu Chenghui speaking on behalf of the officials. Yan Junxun began to zone out. There was a slight stabbing pain in his head, but it didn't stop him from turning his "eyes."

On the stuffy street, there were few pedestrians. The virtual greenery couldn't block the wind and sand, and the signs of the small street-side shops were all filthy.

Yan Junxun switched the view.

Someone opened a door and hugged the child who rushed into their arms.

No, not this one either. Yan Junxun continued switching views; he wanted to see something else.

Piao Lin was taking notes, talking with the Supervisory Bureau member beside him.

Yan Junxun could clearly hear what they were talking about. This was Jue's perspective.

Piao Lin's screen was exposed before Yan Junxun's "eyes." On it were the detailed confessions of the personnel captured in this operation.

Li Hu: The Clown contacted me first. He knows a lot of things. I didn't want to take the risk at first... Yes, yes, the surveillance data on goods in the Stagnation Zone was all provided by The Clown. I don't know who he is, but he has a lot of this kind of data.

Li Hu: Bai Jingqing's case has nothing to do with me. I have thousands, if not tens of thousands, of girls working for me. How could I possibly remember Bai Jingqing? Besides, she was with a boss. You should go investigate her boss...

Yan Junxun couldn't see anymore, because Jue had moved the camera back to Piao Lin.

"The Lixing case and the Bai Jingqing case need to be separated," Piao Lin said to Jue. "The Lixing case is a follow-up to Mite. We need to give Black Panther a heads-up. Jue, give me the Mite files."

"Okay," Jue said, pulling up the files. "I'm a little dizzy..."

"What's wrong?" Piao Lin leaned closer with a concerned expression. "Is it an aftereffect from last night's attack? We can go to the Main Management System after work to check your basic settings... Are you okay?"

Yan Junxun switched the view.

The Docking Area's Main Management System was at work, receiving all information. Data scrolled rapidly across its display like a never-ending fluorescent waterfall. It had given Black Panther a special information folder, and all the detailed orders concerning Black Panther were in here.

[01AE86's willingness to cooperate is low. If necessary, he can be killed on sight.]

[The regional system's cooperative objective is to monitor 01AE86 and 7-001.]

[Mission termination date is August 8, 2166.]

What mission? The Mite Protocol?

Jiang Lian hadn't mentioned this cooperation from the regional systems—did Jiang Lian know?

Yan Junxun's heart began to race. August 8th was his birthday. He sensed something was wrong from these few lines of text, but he couldn't see any more. The Main Management System was highly alert; it had already started to sound an alarm!

Yan Junxun snapped back to himself. His vision blurred for a moment, then cleared a second later. A few girls nearby were sneaking glances at him. He took two steps back and walked quickly toward the other end.

On the central light screen, Fu Chenghui's speech was still going.

......

Shi Shanyan was waiting in the inspection room to be disinfected.

The system said, "Turn around. Raise your hands."

Shi Shanyan only turned around.

The system repeated, "Raise your hands."

Shi Shanyan tilted his head back. "Can't you fucking see the restraint lock?"

"I see it," the inspection system said coldly. "Raise your hands."

The walls suddenly sank inward and red-light scanner guns pushed out. They all aimed at Shi Shanyan in perfect alignment, in case he tried something.

"Raise your hands," the system said tirelessly, "or I will open fire—"

Its voice broke up as if it had malfunctioned. It paused, and an electronic busy tone came through.

The small window of the inspection room popped open with a snap. Yan Junxun had to stand on tiptoe to get his head into view. He banged on the window and signaled for Shi Shanyan to come out.

Shi Shanyan turned his head and met Yan Junxun's eyes. "...Are you eloping with me?"

"No," Yan Junxun said, stuffing Shi Shanyan's clothes through. "Why is this window so high?"

"They're built for tall people," Shi Shanyan said, pushing the clothes aside. Through the door he said, "Give me underwear."

"Where is it?" Yan Junxun rummaged through the labeled storage lockers. "What color?"

"Hmm..." Shi Shanyan thought about it. "Black."

Yan Junxun got up on tiptoe again and pushed the underwear through the window. "Hurry up. After five minutes it automatically reports to the Main System."

Shi Shanyan looked down at the clothes, looking a little irritated.

"What now?"

"Come in," Shi Shanyan said, clearly annoyed. "I can't put my clothes on."

Damn it.

Yan Junxun shoved the door open.

"Hello, this is Jiang Lian of the Inspectorate."

"Jiang Lian," said the person on the other end of the line. "We've received your report on this operation. Is Yan Junxun still at the Inspectorate?"

"He is," Jiang Lian said, putting down what he was working on. Something felt off. "Is Fu Chenghui looking for him?"

"The Commander isn't looking for him," the voice said evenly. "First, let me give you my number. I'm Black Panther 7-004. I'm taking over from 7-006 on all matters concerning Yan Junxun and Shi Shanyan in the Stagnation Zone. Look outside. Is Yan Junxun still out there?"

Jiang Lian stood up and opened the door. "No... Junxun isn't here."

"All right," 7-004 said. "Next, I need you to shut down the area surveillance system and organize an operations team to arrest him."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Lian thought he'd misheard.

"I said," 7-004 repeated, "shut down the area surveillance system and organize an operations team to arrest Yan Junxun, along with Shi Shanyan."

"Have I lost my mind?" Jiang Lian shot back. "Junxun is our profiler. He's helping with the case..."

"Not anymore." 7-004 moved the communicator away a little and tapped his light screen. "We've found that he has ties to the Stagnant Zone attack group. Last night's infiltration was proof of them working together from inside and out. Act immediately. He's fleeing as we speak."

"I need to confirm the mission with 7-006," Jiang Lian said. "And I need to speak with Fu Chenghui."

"7-006 is under investigation, so he's unavailable. The Commander's sealed directive has been sent to your communicator. Please confirm it now."

Jiang Lian gripped the door handle. "I don't believe you."

"I'd advise you to believe me." 7-004's patience had run out. "In a week, our people will arrive in the Stagnation Zone with the repair system. There'll be a brief area lockdown then. It's a routine measure to keep residents safe, the same as the last 'Mites' arrest operation. No need to panic. If you have any objections, keep them to yourself. The Main System is in position. Thank you for your cooperation."

The call ended.

Yan Junxun hurried down the steps. The hall was crowded. Keeping his expression normal, he stepped up to the door inspection system.

His information appeared on the screen and the glass doors began to open. But just then, the system's light turned red.

"Warning, target individual is at the door check—"

Shi Shanyan grabbed a lounge chair from the side and smashed it straight through the glass door. The glass exploded, and the clerical staff in the hall screamed and ducked, covering their heads.

Jiang Lian leaned over the third-floor railing and shouted, "Junxun!"

"01AE86 shows low willingness to cooperate. Lethal force is authorized if necessary," the defense system said, opening its weapons cache and repeating the Main System's orders. "Neutralize 01AE86!"

"Shut up!" Yan Junxun cut off the defense system.

The Main System said, "Fire."

But no shots rang out.

Amid the chaos, Jue let out an electronic sound. In Piao Lin's ear, it said in pain, "It's happening again, Piao Lin, I—"

Jue's voice vanished.

Through the static, the Main System stuttered, "Mission order... capture... capture Yan Junxun!"

Jiang Lian got the words out first: "Don't shoot!"

It was too late. The guards on the second floor had already fired. The bullets went a little wide and hit the door frame.

A stabbing pain shot through Yan Junxun's head, like an electric shock. Ignoring the dizziness, he grabbed Shi Shanyan. "Go!"

"Damn it!" Jiang Lian could feel the situation slipping out of control. He shouted down, "I said don't shoot!"

"You've been relieved of duty," the Main System answered coldly. "Jiang Lian."