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Chapter 10: Operation on Hold
🕑 Added 2025-05-12 19:04:39 +0000 UTC
Aside from the quantifiable stats on Alex's panel, the unquantified abilities had also received a significant boost.
Take, for example, X-ray vision and enhanced hearing.
Previously, his X-ray vision could only penetrate up to ten meters, nothing more. But now, he could effortlessly see through everything within a fifty-meter radius.
As for his hearing—
So long as Alex willed it, he could clearly hear Charles and the others' conversation in the office, as if he were standing right there.
> "We must take this to the grave. Act like none of it ever happened!"
"Whatever William Stryker and his mutant squad are up to, it has nothing to do with us. We were never involved!"
"What about Bradley?"
"Wipe his memory and send him away. As far as we're concerned, he was never here."
"What if Stryker sends people after him again?"
"If Stryker does that, he must have a reason. Charles, we shouldn't meddle in other people's business."
"At most, we can send Bradley somewhere safe and let him live quietly. That's all we can do!"
Charles, Erik, and Moira were engaged in a fierce debate inside the office.
After what felt like an endless exchange of arguments, the three finally reached a consensus: erase Bradley's memories of meeting Erik and being brought here, then quietly relocate him to a secure location.
Moreover, since the matter involved a high-ranking CIA official, they agreed to bury it completely.
No reports. No leaks.
At least, not until they could confirm whether Jason Stryker was involved.
For now, the only thing they could do was move fast—erase all possible traces before Stryker caught wind of it.
They had to make sure he wouldn't trace anything back to them.
---
Ohio.
Amusement Park.
Once bustling with life, the amusement park was now completely cordoned off. Police tape covered every entrance, and officers stood guard at key locations.
Whup-whup-whup—!
The sound of rotor blades roared overhead as a military helicopter slowly descended onto an open space in the park.
A man in sunglasses stepped down from the chopper.
It was William Stryker.
A young man with two long swords strapped to his back, who had been waiting on-site, quickly approached.
> "Sir, did the chopper run out of fuel mid-air or something? You stopped to refuel, didn't you? You're thirty minutes late. Even if you're the boss—"
> "Shut up, Wade! I swear, one day I will sew your damn mouth shut!" Stryker interrupted impatiently. "Has the scene been preserved?"
> "Sure has. It's a small town—nobody dares disobey a military order. The sheriff practically sent half the force over."
> "Anything useful?"
> "Last night, two out-of-towners showed up at the park looking for Bradley. Some witnesses saw them fight, but it was dark, so they couldn't make out much.
Oh, and sir—you have to see Victor's body. Poor bastard's head was sliced clean off—"
Wade's rambling kicked in again, and only when Stryker shot him a cold glare did he finally shut his mouth.
Wade was one of Stryker's elite mutant operatives, and a powerful one at that. When those twin blades got moving, he could take out a whole squad on his own.
Obedient, too.
Not like Victor—who was always a pain to manage.
Just one problem: Wade never stopped talking. And he had no concept of timing.
> "Anything else?"
> "The two out-of-towners asked around about Bradley. They were clearly here for him."
Stryker frowned. Bradley was weak—why would anyone be targeting him?
Something didn't feel right.
> "Sir, let me handle this. I know you want to find whoever killed Victor. Honestly, I'd love to see whether their blade is faster than my sword—"
> "No, Wade." Stryker cut him off. "Victor's dead, so you're taking over his assignments. I'm handing this investigation to someone else. Just get me that serum."
> "No problem on the Ghost. But what about Logan? Didn't you have other plans for him?"
> "You don't need to worry about Logan. Besides the Ghost, there's someone else. I think you'll really like what he can do."
Stryker handed over a file.
Wade glanced at it, and his eyes lit up.
> "Whoa. He can shoot lasers from his eyes? That's badass. I like him already!"
> "Good. Do your job. I'm going to talk to the witnesses."
---
CIA Base.
Shaded Pathway.
Alex and Charles strolled leisurely under the trees—or at least, that's how it looked to an outsider.
> "Alex, I've erased Bradley's memories. Moira will have him discreetly relocated tonight," Charles said casually, despite the gravity of the matter.
"This incident is serious. None of us can breathe a word about it—not to anyone. Are we clear?"
> "Crystal," Alex nodded without hesitation.
> "Good."
Charles seemed pleased with Alex's understanding, then changed the topic.
> "Also, recruitment is on hold for now."
> "Someone saw you and Erik at that amusement park. Stryker might come sniffing around. Don't worry—we've already erased most of the evidence."
> "As long as you stay put, there'll be no trouble."
> "Anyway, I have to go—Moira's waiting. Relax, everything's under control."
They stopped at a fork in the path.
Charles gave Alex a small wave, then walked off to meet Moira and Erik, who were waiting ahead.
Alex returned the wave, watching them leave.
> "Avoiding Stryker, huh? Honestly, I'm not afraid of him," Alex muttered with a shrug.
Laying low in the CIA wasn't part of his original plan. In fact, he'd been hoping that wandering outside might trigger another mission like the one at the amusement park.
But after some hesitation, he dropped the idea. Running around now would only create more trouble for Charles and the others.
And Alex wasn't the kind of guy to stir the pot just for fun.
Besides, his stats had just seen a major boost—it was the perfect time to get used to his upgraded body.
And if he remembered correctly, something big was about to happen inside this very base.
Why go chasing opportunities… when the opportunity might come knocking?
