novelraw Chapter 49: Sea of Darkness - (49)
Chapter 49: Sea of Darkness - (49)
“I hate gloomy weather,” Kui Xin said. “This dreadful weather feels like an ominous sign, making me uneasy.”
“Don’t jinx it by saying such things!” Lan Lan exclaimed loudly, “We haven’t even set out yet.”
“It’s Kui Xin’s first time participating in a major mission, so she’s feeling a bit nervous. Right, Kui Xin?” Liu Kangyun approached Kui Xin, patted her shoulder, and shouted over the noise.
“Indeed, just a little nervous.” Kui Xin had no choice but to raise her voice as well.
They had to speak loudly because they were currently on the Investigation Department Headquarters Skydeck.
The engines of five armed helicopters roared, their rapidly spinning rotors stirring up powerful gusts. The whistling wind and the droning rotor sounds were deafeningly loud; without speaking loudly, it would be impossible to hear each other.
Despite the clear weather during the day, rain unexpectedly started falling by nightfall. Black Sea City’s climate was truly unpredictable.
Kui Xin’s hair whipped wildly in the wind generated by the helicopter’s rotors. The wind also swept the raindrops, causing large droplets to slant downward and strike against people.
Wiping away the rainwater from her cheeks, Kui Xin shook out her slightly damp hair before putting on her helmet.
Someone with a lighter weight could easily stumble due to the wind created by the rotor blades, but she stood firmly without any wobble. This stability was aided by the forty-kilogram equipment box strapped to her back, which contained various weapon components.Every member of the Seventh Squad carried such an equipment box. Lan Lan was responsible for technological devices, while others handled weapons. Bringing fully assembled weapons directly onto the helicopters would have taken up too much space. Therefore, apart from essential standard-issue gear, all other weapons were disassembled into parts. They would reassemble them once aboard the Kraken.
On the Skydeck helipad, Kui Xin’s squad wasn’t alone; the remaining four squads were also ready to depart. Among them, some individuals were familiar with Field Operations Team meetings, while others had more unfamiliar faces, suggesting they belonged to different teams.
This was a large-scale mission involving multiple joint squads.
“What a massive operation,” Kui Xin remarked. “Captain, is this mission particularly important?”
“It indeed is,” Shu Xuyao said. “The Kraken carries flammable ice, and any mishap with the transportation apparatus could easily lead to the entire ship exploding.”
Flammable ice, widely utilized as a clean energy source in recent years, has drawbacks such as inconvenient transport and extraction. It requires specialized mining facilities and transport vessels.
Red had mentioned that the flammable ice being transported on The Kraken was merely a cover, and the ship truly carried something else.
“Why would criminals target a flammable ice transport ship? Is it any use to them?” Kui Xin asked, puzzled. “Would even official organizations go all-out against each other just for that stuff? Are people making their living at sea so desperate?”
“Perhaps it’s not about seizing energy, but simply destroying the ship. Some extreme terrorist groups may carry out antisocial acts as retaliation against the Federation,” Shu Xuyao said slowly. “In any case, don’t overthink it; we just need to fulfil our mission and protect The Kraken.”
A subtle hint of worry flickered imperceptibly across his eyes.
These “outlaws” harassing the transport ship’s composition was highly suspicious.
Kui Xin harbored this suspicion, and so did Shu Xuyao. After all, they weren’t fools. However, the official documents provided by the Investigation Department stated this, leaving those under them with no choice but to follow orders.
The teammates of the Seventh Squad were very close-knit, maintaining good relationships with each other. Even the high-ranking officials of the Investigation Department often displayed approachability towards their subordinates.
However, in reality, the Investigation Department was far from warm-hearted. It was an enforcement agency known for its iron-fisted methods, where warmth and camaraderie merely scratched the surface.
This world had long established a unified global political system, but the reach of the Federation’s control struggled to extend into every corner. In some remote areas, numerous armed forces, varying greatly in size but still formidable, persisted. The Federation continuously launched “counter-terrorism operations,” aiming to eliminate these factions, but inexplicably, like cockroaches, they proved resilient and resurfaced time and again, flourishing amidst adversity.
Every aspect of the Second World—its regulations, laws, social hierarchy, and society—was permeated with distortion.
Everyone had already donned their helmets, and Yadang prompted through the built-in helmet communicators, “Please have squad members board the helicopters. The helicopter numbers correspond to each squad’s identification code.”
“Let’s move out,” Shu Xuyao said.
Tactical boots made heavy splashing sounds on the waterlogged ground as they first proceeded to the cargo hold to drop off their equipment boxes before entering the cabins. The doors of the armed helicopter cabins were high above the ground; team members assisted each other by interlocking hands to climb aboard.
Boarding, fastening seat belts, checking gear, and closing cabin doors.
Rainwater cascaded onto the cabin glass. Through the transparent panes, Kui Xin saw that the other squads had also taken their seats in their respective helicopters.
She took a deep breath, adjusting her heartbeat and physical state.
During the interval between leaving the Coastal Security Office and reaching the Investigation Department Headquarters, the mission operatives had several hours to return home for personal matters. Kui Xin took advantage of this break to contact Red.
Red instructed Kui Xin to stay attentive to his messages at all times. If the planned explosion at the port succeeded, there would be no further need for her involvement. However, if it fails, she might still be required to complete the task.
When Kui Xin heard Red’s instructions, she outwardly agreed readily, but inwardly, she mentally flipped him off.
Completing such a mission was impossible—only someone deranged would willingly undertake a suicide mission like this.
Inside the helicopter, the deafening buzz of the rotor blades and engine noise continued unabated, causing Kui Xin’s thoughts to become increasingly agitated amidst the chaotic din.
The Kraken represented the eye of a storm shrouded in intrigue and mist, and now Kui Xin was about to approach this storm center, venturing deep within to uncover its secrets.
Silently murmuring to herself, she activated the game interface.
“Quest Progress: 30%.”
As the situation became clearer and her understanding of Mechanical Dawn deepened, the investigation progress for the port bombing case had inadvertently risen to thirty percent before stalling. It remained frozen because not all the clues were yet connected, and crucial questions remained unanswered.
What is being transported on the Kraken? Is there a hidden third party involved in the bombing incident? Why does Mechanical Dawn worry so much about the Kraken’s arrival?
Kui Xin continues to explore these questions and is now nearing the truth. The Investigation Department’s maritime escort mission serves as a turning point.
By dispatching security officers for this task, it indicates that they are aware of what’s aboard the Kraken. The high-ranking leadership wants the Kraken to land, suggesting that whatever it carries holds immense value to them. Consequently, they have gone to extreme lengths, sending numerous personnel to guard it, fearing any mishap with the cargo.
The involvement of numerous powerful forces in the Kraken incident was astonishing.
Kui Xin genuinely wondered what exactly this cargo ship was transporting that could captivate the attention of so many factions.
Several other awakened individuals were also present to carry out the mission alongside her. These awakened ones might have been dispersed among various small squads; Kui Xin had no interaction with the other squads, making it impossible for her to identify who among them was awakened.
“The weather conditions are stable, allowing flight operations. Please everyone, get prepared,” Yadang reminded them. “This flight will take approximately three hours. Following that, we’ll stop at the offshore helipad and transfer to helicopters to continue towards Kraken’s location. The total flight time is estimated to be about seven hours and fifteen minutes.”
“Wow, that long?” Kui Xin exclaimed, surprised.
“The Kraken is traversing the vast ocean but hasn’t yet entered Black Sea City’s territorial waters. It will indeed require some time to reach it,” Shu Xuyao explained.
The Investigation Department’s latest model of armed helicopters had a cruising speed of 280 kilometers per hour, while the Kraken’s sailing speed was ten nautical miles per hour, which converts to roughly eighteen kilometers per hour. These massive cargo ships often sailed for months across oceans, delivering goods to designated locations.
It was time to depart. The helicopter, like a falcon seeking prey, tore through the rain curtain and ascended swiftly from its takeoff point.
As they gained altitude, Kui Xin experienced a brief bout of ear ringing before it quickly returned to normal.
She turned her head towards the porthole window, watching as skyscrapers receded away, making her feel infinitely close to the sky itself.
Only by gazing down at Black Sea City from high above could one truly appreciate its prosperity. It was a genuine city that never sleeps, with neon lights casting vibrant hues onto the night while laser beams projected far into the pitch-black sky.
“Security Officer Kui Xin,” Yadang said. “I’ve detected your heart rate consistently exceeding normal levels. Are you experiencing chest tightness, shortness of breath, or feeling nauseous?”
“…Ah? No, I’m not,” Kui Xin replied.
“If the high-altitude environment makes you uncomfortable, you can take medication from the emergency kit beneath your seat,” Yadang dutifully advised.
Her teammates in the cabin looked over, their gazes filled with concern for Kui Xin.
Kui Xin placed a hand on her forehead. “I’m fine; I’m just a bit nervous. Plus, the loud noise in the cabin is causing my head to ache; it should get better soon.”
“Understood,” Yadang said. “Your helmet has a noise-canceling mode, which you can manually adjust based on the environment. Alternatively, I can assist with the adjustments.”
“It’s normal to feel nervous; my first multi-department joint mission was similar,” Shu Xuyao remarked.
“Don’t push yourself if something’s bothering you,” Jiang Ming added.
“How about activating noise cancellation for some relief?” Lan Lan suggested.
“We have nearly seven hours of flight time ahead. If you feel tired, go ahead and sleep; it’ll help keep your energy up for carrying out the mission upon waking,” Liu Kangyun said.
“I’m truly fine; Yadang is just overly sensitive,” Kui Xin responded, somewhat exasperated. “Yes, let’s enable the noise cancellation first. This loudness is giving me a headache.”
“Affirmative, noise-canceling mode activated,” Yadang replied.
As soon as the noise-canceling mode was turned on, it felt like cotton had been stuffed in Kui Xin’s ears, significantly reducing the noise intrusion.
She sighed in relief, leaning back against her seat to momentarily relax her spine.
Kui Xin indeed felt extremely uneasy, with her anxiety stemming from The Kraken itself.
As they approached the eye of the storm, her sense of unease increased. A voice silently reminded Kui Xin that this mission likely would not proceed smoothly.
August 7th, 3:00 AM.
The helicopter reached directly above The Clark and descended, reducing its altitude and speed to maintain parallel with the cargo ship.
Spotlights from the cargo ship illuminated the deck, guiding the helicopter’s approach.
A few scattered sailors on the deck observed, conversing among themselves as they watched the helicopter’s dark silhouette.
Then, the helicopter’s cabin door opened, and a sturdy rope was thrown down. Liu Kangyun led the way, carrying his equipment box, and swiftly rappelled onto the deck using the rope.
Kui Xin was next up.
She fastened her safety harness, steadied the box on her back, and securely gripped the rope with hands protected by anti-wear gloves, coordinating her descent with her limbs.
Amidst the buzzing friction sounds, Kui Xin landed smoothly. The remaining members of the Seventh Squad also touched down one after another on the deck, following closely behind.
“It feels truly delightful to be back on solid ground,” she said.
“Miss, this is far from being solid ground yet! We still need several days before reaching the shore!” exclaimed the burly captain, sporting a golden sideburn beard in his accented but enthusiastic Mandarin. “Welcome! Welcome aboard the Kraken! I am Captain Anton, originally from White Whale City.”
“Hello, I am Shu Xuyao, responsible for the onboard security detail,” he said. “Five of us will take care of the ship’s protection while the remaining squads are on the escort vessels. We will safely escort The Kraken to Black Sea City.”
Escort ships surrounded the cargo vessel from all directions, accompanying it across the sea. This formed an impenetrable iron fortress; unless using unconventional heavy firepower, no pirates or criminals could breach this defensive circle and harm the Kraken.
“Thank you; that puts my mind at ease,” Anton expressed gratefully. “Ah, I’ve truly had a streak of bad luck lately. There was an issue with the drinking water on board, causing crew members to fall sick with vomiting and diarrhea one after another. Only when we reached the previous port city and replenished our food and water did the situation improve. But unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Recently, while my deputy was walking on the deck, a rusty crane hook fell and struck him directly on the head. Ever since then, his mind seems… well, somewhat troubled. I was hoping to get to shore quickly so he could receive treatment.”
“That indeed sounds incredibly unfortunate,” Lan Lan sympathized.
“Yes, quite unlucky indeed,” Anton sighed. “Come along now; after staying aboard for so many days, you’ll need a place to rest. Let me show you the way.” Anton grinned widely.
He led them through the lengthy deck and into the ship’s cabins.
The steps leading down to the cabin on this dark night resembled a deep cavern, almost as if hiding some ravenous beast within.
As Kui Xin took a step downward, she suddenly felt dizzy and quickly grabbed onto the railing, hearing what seemed like auditory hallucinations:
“Thump… thump…”
It was the sound of a heartbeat!
The pitch-black corridor echoed the distant rhythm of a heart’s pulsation.
What creature could have such a loud heartbeat? It was so powerful that it seemingly caused resonance in the passageway, producing faint reverberations in her ears.
“What’s wrong, Kui Xin?” Shu Xuyao asked with concern.
Kui Xin strained to listen, but the heartbeat had vanished, leaving only the continuous sounds of waves crashing against the ship.
“It’s nothing, just low blood sugar,” she replied, her expression peculiar.