Xiao Han's brow furrowed tightly.
"Do you have any evidence to back up this intel?" Qi Baijia quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. He trusted Xiao Han, of course, but the Hai Xia agents operated from a different standpoint. Trust was a fragile thing between their sides.
Xiao Han paused. "I've got two prisoners. Put them on a polygraph, and you'll see I'm telling the truth."
Kelte's eyes narrowed. "Then bring them in."
Qi Baijia breathed a sigh of relief. He was curious how Xiao Han had managed the infiltration, but he chose to believe it was one of Xiao Han's special skills.
At least the prisoners would serve as proof that Xiao Han wasn't lying.
But as soon as the communication ended, Kelte called for his adjutant. "Give the order. Troops move out. Target: Raven Valley base."
Qi Baijia froze. This wasn't what they'd just agreed on.
Kelte couldn't be bothered to explain. Waiting for Xiao Han to haul his so-called prisoners back would take hours. If Xiao Han pulled another disappearing act, that meant even more delay. By then, if the Raven Valley personnel had already evacuated, the army wouldn't make it in time. As commander, he wasn't about to alter his plans based on some unverified intel.
He trusted Ye Fan's intelligence more—witnesses, evidence, solid sourcing.
In Kelte's mind, even if Xiao Han was telling the truth, moving out early cost him nothing. Xiao Han could still rendezvous with them later, prisoners in tow. The only difference was that an early assault would put Raven Valley on high alert immediately, and Xiao Han's team would be caught in the danger zone.
But what did he care about a bunch of Star Dragon agents? Even if they bought it, Hai Xia's high command wouldn't bat an eye. Any protest from Bureau 13 would be quietly brushed aside.
Xiao Han had already tipped him off about the inner base. Kelte didn't give a damn whether Xiao Han could prove it or not. Once Raven Valley fell, he'd follow up on that lead himself.
Qi Baijia was livid. "My people are still near that base! Your 'early move' will put them right in the line of fire!"
Kelte's tone was glacial. "Opportunities in war don't wait. We can't stall because of one or two agents. They're operatives—they understand the bigger picture. I'm sure they'll manage."
"I don't agree to this!"
Qi Baijia's face burned with rage.
"Not your call." Kelte pressed the buzzer. A squad of soldiers stormed in, rifles levelled at Qi Baijia. Kelte's voice was ice. "Escort our Star Dragon 'friends' to the vehicles. They're coming with us. Confiscate all their communication devices. I don't want them tipping anyone off about our movements."
The emphasis on "friends" made his meaning unmistakable.
Qi Baijia shook with fury.
"Bloody hell. It's come to this." Ye Fan sighed, helplessly. Xiao Han had urged caution; Kelte was all aggression. Neither was wrong, exactly—but Kelte was the commander, and Xiao Han was just a subordinate. One who wasn't even Hai Xia's own.
Wen Na watched in cold silence.
---
Back at the rendezvous, Xiao Han's expression darkened the moment the line went dead.
He had a gut feeling. Kelte was the aggressive type. He'd probably move out early.
"Bloke's too eager for glory." Xiao Han let out a heavy breath. Time was running out. If he wanted this mission to succeed, he'd have to rely on himself.
He knew the inner base existed now, but he still didn't know the enemy's evacuation route or timing. He needed more intel. This meant another infiltration.
This time, using the identities of his two prisoners, to get inside the inner base.
But Xiao Han wasn't planning to go himself. For what he had in mind, a second solo infiltration wasn't the best play.
The ideal candidate was Lin Yao. A hacker inserted into the enemy's core—like a virus in a computer system. At the critical moment, he could cut their comms, leave them blind and deaf.
That meant crafting false faces for the two prisoners. The truck's cargo hold had moulds and makeup kits. A couple of hours, and they'd be ready for disguise.
Decision made. Xiao Han pushed through his exhaustion, dragging the two captives forward on fumes. By afternoon, they'd made it back to the secret rendezvous. The team waiting there rushed out to meet them.
"You alright?" Lin Yao hurried over to support Xiao Han, who was just about running on empty.
Xiao Han shook his head. "No time to waste. Listen up. We're making false faces for these two prisoners—right now. Lin Yao, Lambet, you're using their IDs to infiltrate the inner base. I'll fill you in on the details once we're set up."
Lin Yao went pale, his voice trembling. "B-Bro Xiao... I've got zero experience in undercover work. Can't you send someone else...?"
"You're the only hacker we've got. If not you, then who?"
Lin Yao turned to stone.
"I'll take the other slot." Li Yalin volunteered eagerly.
Xiao Han shot her a glance and shook his head without a moment's hesitation.
Li Yalin was furious. "What's that supposed to mean? You looking down on me?"
Xiao Han pointed at her chest. "Too big. Awkward to conceal."
Li Yalin turned to stone.
Lin Yao grabbed Xiao Han's sleeve, eyes full of hope. "Bro Xiao, does that mean you're coming with me?"
"Not a chance. That place is way too dang—*ahem*—I mean, so simple. Absolutely no challenge at all!"
"You definitely just let something slip there!" Li Yalin and Lin Yao screamed internally.
Zhang Wei stepped forward. "I'll do it."
Xiao Han shook his head. "No, captain. If you're not here, nobody can operate the armour. Oh, right—and you're still the team leader."
"And here I thought you'd forgotten." Zhang Wei gave a wry smile. Ever since Xiao Han showed up, his authority as leader had been eroding by the day.
The choice was obvious. Xiao Han pointed at Lambet. "I choose you, Lambet-mon!"
Lambet: "..."
"I'm screwed. Properly screwed." Lin Yao looked utterly defeated.
Lambet's face was expressionless as he smacked Lin Yao on the back of the head—a silent protest against the kid's attitude. "What's that supposed to mean? Why's Xiao Han's vote of confidence worth more than mine?"
---
The team worked on the disguises inside the cargo hold while the truck circled, slowly closing in on the Raven Valley base to save the two operatives some travel time. They stopped just outside the surveillance zone.
An hour later, Lambet and Lin Yao were fully disguised—practically identical to the two prisoners. Miniature earpieces tucked away, IDs in hand, they made their way to the side entrance of Raven Valley base.
Lin Yao's voice came through the earpiece, weak and uncertain. "Bro Xiao... you really reckon this'll work?"
"Faith moves mountains."
Lin Yao nearly choked on his own spit. He shot a desperate look at Lambet beside him and whispered, "Uncle... aren't you scared?"
Lambet's tone was calm. "For the mission, even the slimmest chance is worth taking."
Xiao Han applauded through the comms. "Well said. Your party loyalty's impressive."
Lambet: "..."
They reached the side entrance. Lin Yao's teeth were practically chattering with nerves.
"What if they see through us?"
Lambet gripped his shoulder and muttered, "The more nervous you act, the faster you'll blow it."
Lin Yao steadied himself and swiped the ID card.
The gate clicked open. The guard on duty glanced at them, saw the card was valid, and stepped aside.
Following the intel, they made their way to the storage room and found the hidden door. They swiped the prisoners' ID again—and it worked. A metal passageway slid open.
The corridor stretched on. Ten minutes later, they emerged into the real inner base.
The layout here was even more fortified than the outer section. Tight security. Screens lined the walls, displaying data. Personnel bustled about, moving supplies and documents.
The two exchanged a glance.
"Well. We're well and truly behind enemy lines now."
Suddenly, a shrill alarm tore through the base. The lights flickered to red.
Lin Yao's soul nearly left his body. He was sure they'd been made. Lambet frowned and grabbed the pale-faced kid, hissing, "Steady. It's not us."
Inner base personnel murmured among themselves.
"What's going on?"
"Are we under attack?"
Ji Jie strode out, utterly composed. "Everyone, stay calm. Hai Xia's border forces are on the move—heading this way. Our armed personnel at the outer base are already in position at the defensive fortifications. They'll buy us time. We're evacuating."
Lin Yao's face shifted. He dropped his voice to a near-whisper into the earpiece. "You need to pull out—now!"