NIP #238 - Final goal
#238 - Final goal
Kate decided to pass this information on to Lynn. She called him, her voice urgent, "Lynn, I just found something very important. There are bigger manipulators behind 'Dawn,' and they are using these violent incidents for political and economic gain."
Lynn was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, his tone becoming low and calm: "Kate, are you sure this information is reliable?"
"Yes, I have documents and records to prove it," Kate replied. "Cohen Industries is the key. They fund 'Dawn' to promote certain policies and legislation for profit."
Lynn's voice gained a hint of tension: "Send me these materials, and I'll have the tech team verify them. But Kate, you have to understand that this is beyond the scope of ordinary investigation. These people will do everything they can to protect themselves. If you continue to dig deeper, it will be very dangerous."
Kate chuckled, her tone stubborn: "The danger has always been there, but I can't stop. If we don't expose them, they will continue to use violence to manipulate everyone."
"Okay, but from now on, don't act alone," Lynn said firmly. "I'll arrange for someone to protect you while investigating these leads. If your findings are true, this storm is more complicated than we thought."
After hanging up, Kate looked out the window. The lights of Manhattan shone brightly in the night, but she felt an invisible oppression enveloping the entire city. She understood that this was not just about exposing 'Dawn,' but about fighting a vast network that controlled society.
Lynn quickly forwarded the documents provided by Kate to the tech team for analysis and convened a team discussion. Through further investigation, they discovered that Cohen Industries was indeed connected to several politicians, and these politicians' public statements and legislative proposals were the core force driving the strict control of mutants.
"These people are using 'Dawn' to create violent incidents to prove that mutants are a threat," Carter said angrily as he read the documents. "They don't care how many people are hurt by this violence. Their goal is to create panic."
"The problem is, we need more solid evidence," Lynn said coldly. "We can't move against them based on these documents alone. If we want to shake these forces, we need to find a direct link between them and the 'Dawn' organization."
Lynn decided to step up his actions and send more people to protect Kate.
Lynn brought a mid-level member of the 'Dawn' organization back to the FBI's Manhattan branch interrogation room. The man was in his thirties, thin, with a clear look of stubbornness on his face. His hands were cuffed to the table, but there was no fear in his eyes, only a cold indifference of confrontation.
"It's useless to arrest me," he said coldly, his tone provocative. "If you arrest me, thousands more will stand up. You can't stop this."
Lynn sat across the table, leaning slightly forward, his eyes sharp: "Is that so? Then why don't you tell me their plan? If you can really win, why keep silent?"
The man was silent for a moment, then sneered: "You people will never understand that our actions are to change this corrupt society. You are just tools of power."
Lynn was not provoked. He simply said in a low, powerful voice: "I know your anger, and I know what injustice you have suffered. But using violence to hurt innocent people is not changing society, it's destroying it. What did 'Dawn' promise you? Do you really think they are protecting you?"
The man's face changed, but he quickly regained his indifference: "I won't say anything."
Lynn took a deep breath and turned to look at the monitoring room, signaling the technician to start playing a video. This was information they had seized in a previous raid, restoring a secret meeting of the 'Dawn' organization's leadership. In the video, those senior leaders discussed how to use mid-level members to create chaos while clearly stating: "We need their sacrifice to achieve our goals, but they don't need to know the truth."
The scene on the screen made the man's expression suddenly tense. His fists clenched involuntarily, and a flicker of wavering appeared in his eyes for the first time.
Lynn seized his reaction, his tone becoming more severe: "They are using you. They don't care about you, your beliefs, or whether you and your companions will survive. They just need you to be cannon fodder so they can achieve their own goals. Do you think this is justice? This is betrayal."
The man's breathing became rapid, and a flash of anger and pain flashed in his eyes. He said in a low voice: "You don't know anything. Even so, we have no choice. This society has pushed us into a corner."
"Then tell me their plan," Lynn said, looking directly into his eyes, his voice calm but full of strength. "Tell me what they want to do next. If you want to protect your companions and save more people, then help us stop this massacre."
The man's Adam's apple bobbed, obviously struggling fiercely inside. After a few seconds, he finally spoke, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "They... they are planning a large-scale operation, targeting Manhattan. The time is in a few days."
Lynn's expression sank: "What is the specific target?"
"They want to simultaneously attack several key facilities - Manhattan's financial center, power station, and subway hub," the man said with difficulty. "They believe that only by throwing the entire city into chaos can they force the government to respond."
Lynn nodded, his heart tightening. The scale of such an operation was unprecedented, and if it were successfully implemented, the entire Manhattan would be paralyzed, and innocent civilians would bear the brunt.
"Who is directing these operations?" Lynn continued to ask. "Where are the senior leaders of 'Dawn'?"
The man shook his head: "I don't know exactly who it is, but I know they have sent some core members to carry out the plan. They have a temporary command point, which should be in a warehouse in the dock area."
Lynn stood up and turned to leave the interrogation room. He ordered the team outside: "Immediately lock down the suspicious locations in the dock area, mobilize all resources to search, and strengthen security at the financial center and power station. We don't have time."
Carter stepped forward and asked in a low voice: "Chief, do you think he's telling the truth?"
"His reaction is real," Lynn said firmly. "But even if he's not telling the whole truth, we can't take the risk. 'Dawn's' actions have gone beyond the scope of a single incident. This is an attack on the entire city."
The entire division immediately went on high alert, and the team began to formulate an action plan in full swing.
On the other side.
Kate's article was published on the front page of the 'Manhattan Times'. She used sharp strokes to depict the real plight of the mutant community. The article delves into the poverty, discrimination, and long-term lack of social resources faced by these communities. She interviewed several mutant residents, showing their life struggles and desire for equality, and bluntly criticized the indifference and inaction of some government policies.
The title of the article was eye-catching: 'The Forgotten Group: The Real Voices of the Mutant Community'. Once published, the content caused an uproar in all sectors of society. Supporters praised Kate's courage, believing that she uncovered problems that the public had long ignored; opponents accused her of trying to whitewash 'dangerous groups', and some even threatened to boycott the 'Manhattan Times'.
Kate sat in the editor's office, notifications constantly popping up on her phone, with supportive messages and hostile comments. She sighed, feeling a complex emotion in her heart. She knew that this article was her responsibility, but she also knew what kind of controversy it would cause.
Just then, her assistant knocked on the door and handed her an unsigned letter with a nervous expression. The envelope was thin, but when Kate opened it, she saw only a piece of paper with messy and rough handwriting: "Stop what you are doing, or we will make you regret it."
Kate's hand holding the letter trembled slightly. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. This was not the first time she had received a threat, but this time, she vaguely felt that there seemed to be a greater danger behind it.
She called Lynn, her voice tinged with nervousness: "Lynn, I think we need to talk. I just received a threatening letter, which may be related to 'Dawn'."
Lynn's voice was low and serious on the other end of the phone: "Kate, I warned you, they won't sit idly by your article. Where are you now?"
"I'm in the editor's office," Kate replied. "I'm fine, but I think these people may have really started targeting me."
"Stay there and don't move, I'll be right over," Lynn hung up the phone, quickly packed his equipment, and drove to the editor's office of the 'Manhattan Times'.
In less than twenty minutes, Lynn appeared in Kate's office. He carefully examined the letter and envelope, his face becoming even more stern: "The handwriting looks disguised, but it probably comes from the outer members of 'Dawn'. They have regarded you as a threat."
The corner of Kate's mouth raised a sneer: "A threat? Because I'm trying to let the public know the truth? It seems their courage is smaller than I thought."
Lynn looked at her, his tone with a bit more concern: "Kate, this is not just a matter of courage. These people are extreme and dangerous. Their purpose is not only to intimidate, but to silence you. If you continue to investigate, they may take more direct action."
Kate raised her head, her eyes firm: "Lynn, I won't stop. This report has been published, and I can't let their threats control me."
Lynn took a deep breath, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "I know you won't. But from now on, I will arrange for you to have round-the-clock protection. You can no longer act alone."
"Round-the-clock protection?" Kate raised her eyebrows, her tone with a hint of teasing. "Are you planning to guard me personally?"
"If necessary, I will," Lynn's tone was very serious, with not a trace of joking in his eyes.
Kate was speechless for a moment, the expression on her face softened a bit: "Thank you, Lynn. I know this will make you even busier, but I really appreciate your willingness to protect me."
Lynn nodded and stood up: "This is my responsibility. Also, tell me about any clues or threats that may be involved as soon as possible. Don't bear it yourself."
Kate watched Lynn leave, a warmth rising in her heart. Although the situation became more dangerous, she still felt a rare sense of security with Lynn by her side.
The center of Manhattan under the night suddenly fell into chaos. The usually crowded square was now filled with screams and shouts. Several mutants were wantonly destroying the streets, their abilities varying: one could use telekinesis to overturn vehicles, another could release lightning-like energy, and another released scorching flames from his hands. Nearby streetlights were shattered, glass shards flew everywhere, the shops on the street were shaken open by shock waves, and alarms sounded one after another.
When the police arrived at the scene, they tried to maintain order with loudspeakers, but the mutants obviously did not intend to obey the instructions. Their anger was overflowing, and a man releasing telekinesis directly overturned a police car, while the mutant releasing flames pushed back the law enforcers trying to approach with a fireball. The police tried to use non-lethal weapons to control the situation, but for these power users, rubber bullets and tasers were useless, but made their counterattacks more aggressive.
When Lynn received the emergency report, he was leading the team to analyze the new trends of the 'Dawn' organization. He immediately put down the documents in his hand and strode to the tactical command center, while ordering the agents in the communication equipment: "All personnel immediately rush to the scene. This incident is by no means accidental. This is likely a test. 'Dawn' is observing our reaction."
Carter followed closely behind, while following Lynn, while reading the report just received: "Chief, these rioters do not have the core members of 'Dawn' record, but they seem to be very organized. What's even stranger is that the scope of their destruction is very limited, as if deliberately controlled in the central square."
Lynn's expression became more solemn: "This is not an ordinary uncontrolled riot. Their behavior is purposeful, like a carefully designed performance. 'Dawn' may be using these mutants as pawns to test our police's reaction time and tactical capabilities."
When Lynn arrived at the scene, the riot had escalated. Several police cars were destroyed, citizens fled in all directions, and the mutant rioters seemed even more radical. A police officer was trying to cover the evacuation of an injured colleague, but was struck by a lightning bolt, and the whole person fell to the ground convulsing. Lynn immediately ordered the ambulance team to approach, while leading the team to quickly take over the command.
He shouted at the rioters with a loudspeaker: "Stop your actions! We have mobilized reinforcements, and if you continue, you will be arrested or more serious consequences!"
Those mutants turned to look at Lynn, their eyes full of ridicule and anger. A rioter releasing flames raised his hand, and a scorching flame swept towards Lynn. Lynn quickly dodged to the side, while directing the team to start the special fire extinguishing equipment, a chemical foam sprayed out, extinguishing the flames.
"They are testing us," Lynn said in a low voice to Carter. "They have no intention of a full-scale attack, they are just causing chaos and diverting our attention."
Carter nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings: "But why? Where will the real action be? This doesn't seem like the ultimate goal."