novelraw Chapter 59: Sea of Darkness - (59)
Chapter 59: Sea of Darkness - (59)
“Young ones, don’t recklessly charge forward,” Dr. Huang said earnestly. “When things look dire, promptly run away—blind bravery can lead to severe consequences. You’re still so young; don’t meet an untimely demise!”
Just moments ago, Dr. Huang performed an amputation surgery on Jiang Ming. The nurses then wheeled him into the intensive care treatment room, where they transfused blood and administered numerous medications.
Undergoing prosthetic limb replacement was now inevitable. Once Jiang Ming recovered from his surgery and regained consciousness, the Medical Center’s Investigation Department would provide several options for mechanical prosthetics as references. He could choose among enhanced, speed-oriented, auxiliary, or combat-focused types.
For many people, installing a mechanical prosthetic signifies embracing a new life. They discard their old bodies and welcome new ones, enabling them to work and live better with technological assistance.
The Investigation Department provides security officers with free medical services, including custom-made and installed mechanical prosthetics.
“But if we didn’t charge forward, who would protect the innocent people in the Port Bay District?” Liu Kangyun asked. “Those two Extraordinary Ability Users were not benign; there must have been some ulterior motive behind their presence here.”
“Sigh… You guys.” With a complex expression, Dr. Huang glanced at Liu Kangyun, his gaze resembling that of someone looking at a pig voluntarily walking into a slaughterhouse. “Let me give you some heartfelt advice, just this once,” he said.
Lowering his voice, Dr. Huang patted Liu Kangyun on the shoulder. “Other squads only exert about six or seven out of ten efforts when carrying out missions; they just patrol and run away when encountering danger. If they come across situations beyond their capabilities, they report them instead. Yet your Seventh Squad seems to give everything you’ve got—even more than required! Patrolling is one thing, but whenever trouble arises, you also rush headfirst into it. Are you not satisfied with the number of injuries you sustain? Being overly earnest isn’t good. When others are unwilling to put forth the effort and you take up the slack, they won’t admire or appreciate you. Instead, they’ll view you as fools!”
Liu Kangyun fell silent.
“Count how many times your Seventh Squad has sustained the most casualties during field operations. You guys are practically regulars at our medical center!” Dr. Huang exclaimed. “All of you are good kids, and I don’t want to see any premature deaths. My advice is to work steadily without rushing headlong into danger. After all, someone will eventually handle the situation, no matter what. Why must it always be you?”Liu Kangyun opened his mouth, clumsily repeating, “But if we don’t step forward, who will protect the innocent people? If nobody takes action, then who would willingly do so?”
Dr. Huang rolled his eyes. “Alright, I know you’re not taking this seriously. While everyone else is just coasting through their days, your relentless dedication makes you stand out… Don’t be so conspicuous, got it?”
From the side, Lan Lan quietly interjected, “Dr. Huang, what you say makes a lot of sense. I too wish to take things easy, but sometimes when I see certain colleagues lagging behind in handling emergencies, I can’t help feeling anxious.”
Pointing at Liu Kangyun and Lan Lan, Dr. Huang exclaimed, “You two!” Then, turning his gaze towards Kui Xin with her innocent expression, he added, “I almost forgot about you, the patient lying in the ward, and Xiao Shu… You five truly form quite an eclectic group. It’s rare for the Investigation Department to have such genuinely dedicated individuals like yourselves, hmph.”
“Dr. Huang, there must be some misunderstanding; I’m still a newcomer.” Kui Xin scratched her head. “Who knew other squads could get away with slacking off? I’ve been with the Seventh Squad from the start and haven’t had much interaction with others. I assumed every squad was as hardworking as the Seventh. Since my teammates were giving their all, I couldn’t slack behind either, so I joined them in their efforts. If I had initially joined a laid-back squad, maybe I’d be a master of slacking off by now!”
Liu Kangyun gave Kui Xin a peculiar look, while Lan Lan nearly couldn’t suppress his laughter.
“I’m heading back to my office to get busy with work; you all can do as you please.” With these impatient words, Dr. Huang left.
“Dr. Huang is actually quite nice,” Lan Lan whispered softly, watching his retreating figure. “When I first joined the Investigation Department, I got injured several times, and he was the one who helped treat me. The way he nags while applying medication reminds me of our family elders.”
Liu Kangyun nodded. “Everyone acknowledges that Dr. Huang has excellent rapport within the Investigation Department. Without sincerity, one cannot earn the trust and respect of others.”
Kui Xin remained silent.
Well, you guys sure have been deceived.
Perhaps all double agents possess inherent acting talents; Dr. Huang could practically compete for an Academy Award. His lengthy discourse on “slacking off” portrayed him as both genuine and slightly cunning. While his outward image wasn’t flawless, it felt authentic and relatable, making it easy for him to gain others’ trust.
Moreover, his position as a doctor allowed him to quickly establish closeness with patients, delving into their inner thoughts through his role.
“It’ll be at least three or four days before Old Jiang can rejoin the squad,” Lan Lan said, gazing at the tightly closed intensive care treatment room. “Healing from the wounds and customizing a prosthetic limb requires time.”
“What about the port patrol?” Kui Xin asked. “Our squad doesn’t have enough members now; tasks can’t be properly assigned.”
“I don’t know. Let’s wait for the higher-ups’ arrangements. They might temporarily assign someone from another squad, or they could directly reassign us from the port and send another squad to take over our duties,” Lan Lan said. “The captain probably went to the leadership office to discuss this matter.”
Kui Xin prayed it would be the latter.
Tasks within the Investigation Department typically involve squads operating as units. With incomplete squad personnel, many missions cannot proceed because the members’ abilities complement each other. Lan Lan is the technician responsible for controlling various high-tech devices in the Seventh Squad; Kui Xin is the sniper; Jiang Ming and Liu Kangyun serve as close combat units; and Shu Xuyao is the commander. The number of members in Field Operations squads usually does not exceed ten. The Seventh Squad is considered to be a relatively small squad. Once the Investigation Department expands its recruitment, perhaps new recruits will join their team, fighting alongside them.
Currently, Jiang Ming needs a mechanical prosthetic leg due to his broken limb, their squad has lost a crucial combatant. In theory, until Jiang Ming recovers and rejoins the squad, they won’t be dispatched for field operations again.
Therefore, should they be able to avoid the Investigation Department’s escort mission for The Kraken?
——–
Shu Xuyao stopped at a metal door marked “Deputy Director’s Office.” Below the metal plaque, in small letters, was written the Deputy Director’s name—”Lin Xinji.”
“Captain Shu Xuyao, Deputy Director Lin Xinji, is currently engaged in a conversation with Team Leader Jiang Meimei. Please wait a moment,” Yadang said.
Shu Xuyao quietly stood outside the corridor, awaiting his turn.
After approximately fifteen minutes, the metal door opened.
The Criminal Investigation Unit’s Team Leader Jiang Meimei emerged with a smile and amiably addressed Shu Xuyao, “Xiao Shu, are you here to speak with the Deputy Director?”
“Yes,” Shu Xuyao replied courteously.
“Go ahead inside,” Jiang Meimei said. “I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Have a safe journey, Team Leader Jiang.” With a glance at her retreating figure, Shu Xuyao steadily entered the office.
Inside the cool-toned room, Lin Xinji sat behind a black desk.
“You’re here, Xuyao.” He nodded towards Shu Xuyao. “Please take a seat anywhere. Yadang has already briefed me on the port incident.”
“I didn’t expect you to return from your business trip today.” Shu Xuyao replied. “My main question is whether there’s a hidden organization operating secretly within the Port Bay District?”
“I’ve been back for less than half an hour,” Lin Xinji candidly replied. “Your speculation is correct; indeed, there is a secret organization active in the Port Bay District. Our knowledge about this group is limited; we only know its name ‘Mechanical Dawn.’ The two Extraordinary Ability Users you encountered likely belong to this organization.”
“Only the name?” Shu Xuyao asked.
“Yes, this organization is highly mysterious and maintains strict secrecy measures,” Lin Xinji explained. “Initially, we managed to bribe someone as an insider, but he was very cautious. Each time he interacted with us, he revealed only minimal information, tightly withholding crucial details and attempting to use them as bargaining chips. Unfortunately, before his identity was exposed and he met his demise, our understanding of this organization remained severely restricted.”
Shu Xuyao frowned. “What is Mechanical Dawn’s objective?”
“I don’t know,” Lin Xinji replied.
“What do they aim to achieve by operating in the Port Bay District?”
“I don’t know,” Lin Xinji said, shaking his head again.
“How large is their organization? The two Extraordinary Ability Users we encountered had no low rank; there must be other such individuals within this group.”
“We also don’t know the extent of their organization,” Lin Xinji said. “Everything remains unknown and awaits investigation. We’re facing a venomous snake hidden in the shadows, highly adept at concealing itself. Currently, information about this organization has not been disclosed publicly; only a few high-ranking individuals like us are aware.”
“Can more people be dispatched to search the port? I feel very uneasy… Why are all of the factions focusing on the port? This situation occurred before, but it seems significantly worse now,” Shu Xuyao said.
“Additional squads have already been temporarily assigned for this task,” Lin Xinji responded. “We will get to the bottom of it.”
“Alright,” Shu Xuyao said. “Additionally, I’d like to request an early termination of our port inspection duties. With Jiang Ming injured and me leading a new recruit, although she is very talented, she still requires more training to handle these tasks effectively. At this moment, carrying out missions at the port is becoming quite challenging.”
Lin Xinji pondered for a moment before responding, “Fine, I’ll inform Team Leader Wei Zhi to dispatch other squads there, and you can return to Headquarters.”
“Thank you,” Shu Xuyao said.
“There’s no need for formalities between us,” Lin Xinji replied. “While we’re on this topic, let me share my future plans with you.”
Shu Xuyao furrowed his brow. “Go ahead.”
“I anticipate being transferred to work at the Federation’s Finance Department in about a month. Wei Zhi from the Field Operations Team will be promoted to Director, and Chen Dongchang from the Logistics Support Group will become Deputy Director,” Lin Xinji explained. “At that time, the positions of Field Operations Team Leader and Logistics Group Leader will be vacant. I intend to recommend you as the leader of the Field Operations Team.”
Shu Xuyao fell silent, then said, “I am not yet capable enough to assume such an important position.”
“Whether you have the capability or not is not important.” Lin Xinji chuckled softly.
His smiling demeanor bore some resemblance to Shu Xuyao’s.
“What matters most is that our family must retain a significant position within the Investigation Department—one with influence,” Lin Xinji explained. “Once I’m transferred away from here, only you will be left, and you need to shoulder this responsibility. This isn’t a negotiation; it’s a notification. It aligns with Father’s intentions as well.”
Shu Xuyao looked up at Lin Xinji—his half-brother by their father.
In their youth, they had been bitterly at odds like fire and water. However, now that they were grown, they had learned the facade of adult politics, allowing them to sit down and maintain a superficial peace for meaningful discussions.
“All right, I understand.” Shu Xuyao stood up and calmly exited the Deputy Director’s office.
Lin Xinji observed his retreating figure until the metal door closed behind him.
“Vice Minister Lin,” Yadang’s voice sounded. “The patrol squad discovered a large number of explosive devices at the port.”
Lin Xinji raised an eyebrow. “Fortunately, they were found just in time; otherwise, it could have led to serious consequences… Send the bomb disposal team over immediately and ensure all detonators are dismantled.”
On the other side, Kui Xin’s bracelet vibrated.
If there was extremely urgent news, the bracelet would emit a subtle vibration to prompt her to check it.
Kui Xin found an excuse to use the restroom, distanced herself from Lan Lan and Liu Kangyun, and stepped inside.
Seating herself on the toilet lid, she opened the bracelet to review the message.
What could have prompted Mechanical Dawn to send such an urgent alert?
Red: “Rich Lady, Plan A has failed. The Investigation Department discovered all the detonators at the port; they’re currently organizing people to disarm them. We must now proceed with Plan B.”
“… Damn,” Kui Xin responded after a moment of composure.
She continued typing, “I suggest immediately detonating all the devices. Even if we can’t destroy the port, it will inflict severe losses on the squad conducting the sweep.”
Red: “Thanks for the reminder; I’ve already done so just one minute ago.”