NIP #235 - Close range firefight
#235 - Close range firefight
"Do you have any evidence linking Cohen Industries to 'Heart of Flame'?" Kate asked.
The man hesitated, then pulled out a photo and a document from his pocket: "This is an internal contract they signed, with descriptions of the mutants' abilities and mission requirements. This is the only evidence I can leave behind. Take a picture of it, but don't contact me again."
Kate took the documents and said softly, "Thank you. I promise to protect your identity."
The man stood up and left in a hurry. Kate looked at the documents in her hand, her heart racing. "What exactly is this Cohen Industries? They can actually manipulate mutants' abilities for their own benefit."
Kate returned to the newspaper office that night and compiled the clues obtained from the anonymous source into an investigative report. She tried to access Cohen Industries' public information and found that the company did exist, mainly engaged in technology research and development and weapons manufacturing, but there was almost no record of any mutant-related business.
"This shows that they are likely hiding illegal activities," Kate muttered to herself.
Her article pointed directly to a possible core issue: Is Cohen Industries using the abilities of mutants to provide illegal support to underground networks and promote destructive activities against ordinary society?
Before publishing the article, Kate contacted Lynn and handed him the investigative report.
Lynn took the report, carefully read through it, and his expression gradually became serious. He looked at Kate: "Do you know how much attention this report will attract?"
"That's the purpose, Lynn," Kate said firmly, "If Cohen Industries is really related to these cases, we need to expose their actions."
Lynn nodded: "Okay. I will start investigating Cohen Industries internally, but you must be careful. If they find out you have this evidence, they may be detrimental to you."
Kate smiled: "I'm used to danger."
Lynn didn't say anything more, but cross-referenced Kate's clues with the team's analysis. He found that Heart of Flame's actions did coincide in time with some of Cohen Industries' cooperative projects in the past.
"This company is indeed suspicious," Carter said aside, "But if they are really using mutants to do illegal transactions, then we need more direct evidence."
"Then start investigating their financial flow," Lynn ordered, "Find out the behind-the-scenes connections of Cohen Industries, especially their contact points with the underground mutant network."
After several days of in-depth investigation, Lynn's team discovered that a branch of Cohen Industries was hidden in a remote warehouse district in Brooklyn, nominally a logistics center, but actually a secret laboratory.
"We have reason to believe that this laboratory may be where they train mutants or manufacture prohibited equipment," the technician reported, "At the same time, intelligence shows that 'Heart of Flame' has appeared here."
Lynn said coldly: "Contact the assault team and prepare for action. We need to find conclusive evidence."
At night, the FBI task force quietly surrounded the Brooklyn warehouse. Lynn led the team in person, with instructions from the technical team in his headset: "All heat source reactions are normal, and there is no obvious warning in the target area."
"Action," Lynn ordered in a low voice.
The task force carefully entered the warehouse and found that it not only contained a large number of high-performance combustion devices, but also a laboratory filled with research reports on mutant abilities.
Lynn looked through a document and found that it detailed 'Heart of Flame's' abilities, training plans, and execution details of several missions.
"These are key evidences," Lynn said to Carter, "They are not only training mutants, but also trying to weaponize these abilities."
At this moment, a loud noise suddenly came from a corner of the warehouse, followed by a burst of flames. Lynn quickly raised his gun to signal the team to be alert, and then a familiar voice came from the flames.
"You mortals are here again," It was Heart of Flame.
Heart of Flame walked out of the shadows, his hands surging with blazing flames. He looked at Lynn with a sneer: "You think you can stop Cohen Industries' plan by catching me? You are too naive."
"We have enough evidence to expose your relationship with Cohen Industries," Lynn said coldly, "You can't escape today."
"Then try it!" Heart of Flame roared, and the flames in his hands burst out suddenly, and the temperature inside the warehouse suddenly rose.
Lynn quickly led the team to hide, and at the same time requested support from the technical team: "Activate the fire extinguishing device immediately! Don't give him a chance to expand the destruction."
Heart of Flame seemed to have lost his mind, releasing flames frantically, turning the entire warehouse into a sea of fire. Lynn used the bunker to gradually approach, trying to find a chance to subdue him.
At the same time, Kate observed everything from a distance outside the warehouse, recording some scenes of the raid on her mobile phone. She knew that the outcome of this operation would determine whether the truth could be revealed to the world.
"Lynn, hang in there," she said softly, with worry in her eyes.
Inside the warehouse, flames raged, and the air was filled with the smell of焦灼. Lynn hid behind the bunker, carefully observing Heart of Flame's actions. His flames formed a natural barrier in the warehouse, preventing anyone from approaching, and he stood in the center of the barrier, like the king of fire.
"You people will never understand the pain that mutants endure!" Heart of Flame roared, and the flames instantly climbed onto the steel frame of the warehouse, and the iron plates made a harsh cracking sound.
"I understand your pain," Lynn took a step out from behind the bunker, his tone calm, "But this method will only make innocent people pay the price. This is not a solution."
Heart of Flame sneered: "You think you can impress me with a few empty words? I only believe in power, only fear can make this world respect us!"
Lynn clenched the stun gun in his hand, quickly analyzing the situation in his mind. He noticed that when Heart of Flame released a lot of flames, his body would be briefly stiff, and the surrounding flames would weaken.
"This is an opportunity," Lynn's heart moved.
Taking advantage of the gap when Heart of Flame launched another attack, Lynn jumped out of the bunker and threw a special cooling bomb. The bomb exploded in the air, and a cold gas instantly covered the surroundings of Heart of Flame.
Heart of Flame let out a painful roar, the flames around his body quickly shrank, and his movements became sluggish. Lynn seized the opportunity and shot his legs with a stun gun, and the powerful current made him kneel directly on the ground.
"It's over," Lynn quickly stepped forward and buckled a special restraining device on Heart of Flame's wrist. This device can suppress the use of mutant abilities.
"You... don't understand at all," Heart of Flame looked at Lynn weakly, with unwillingness in his eyes, "You stopped me, but 'Dawn' will not stop..."
Lynn did not respond, he knew that this battle was far from over.
Outside the warehouse, Kate photographed the whole process of Lynn subduing Heart of Flame. When Lynn walked out of the warehouse with Heart of Flame, Kate immediately stepped forward, her eyes full of complex emotions.
"You succeeded," Kate said softly.
"Just a temporary victory," Lynn replied coldly, "We only caught an executor, but his employer, Cohen Industries, and 'Dawn' are still a greater threat."
Kate nodded: "That's why I have to continue reporting. The public needs to know the truth and understand the darkness hidden behind it."
Lynn looked at Kate, pondered for a moment and said: "Okay, you can report, but don't mention the name of Cohen Industries. We need more evidence to completely disintegrate them."
Kate smiled slightly: "Understood. I will be careful."
A few days later, Lynn's team obtained key clues about the "Dawn" organization by interrogating Heart of Flame. They planned to cause panic at a large public event in Manhattan, and push the mutant issue to the global focus by destroying the city's core infrastructure.
"We have less than a week left," Carter said, her tone solemn, "If they succeed, Manhattan will fall into complete chaos."
Lynn nodded: "Notify all departments to strengthen the monitoring of possible targets. At the same time, we must go deep into Cohen Industries' interior. They are the root of this conspiracy."
At the same time, Kate did not stop investigating. Through anonymous sources, she discovered that senior executives of Cohen Industries will attend a secret meeting, which may be her opportunity to reveal the truth.
"I must go in person this time," Kate said to her editor, "This is an opportunity to truly understand the behind-the-scenes operations of Cohen Industries."
The next day.
Inside the abandoned industrial building, dim light projected in from the broken windows, and the air was filled with the old smell of mildew and a hint of tension. Lynn led two agents silently searching every floor of the building. They had received a tip that important information about the "Dawn" organization might be hidden here.
However, when Lynn pushed open a rusty iron door, a familiar figure made him frown instantly.
"Kate?" Lynn whispered, his tone revealing suppressed anger.
Kate was squatting in front of a pile of documents that had been rummaged through, holding a recorder and a notebook in her hand. She raised her head, saw Lynn, and was stunned for a moment, but quickly stood up.
"Lynn?" Kate asked tentatively, her eyes showing some innocence, but more of a justified expression, "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that question," Lynn's voice was low and hard, "This is an FBI investigation site. How did you know about this place? How did you get in?"
Kate raised the notebook in her hand and looked directly at Lynn: "I have my own sources. Moreover, this involves the actions of 'Heart of Flame' and 'Dawn', and I have the right to investigate."
"Kate!" Lynn lowered his voice, trying to control his emotions, "You have no idea how dangerous it is here. The people from 'Dawn' could come back at any time, and they won't show you any mercy!"
Kate raised her eyebrows, her tone uncompromising: "Then how do you know? I'm a reporter, and these truths should be reported. The public has the right to know what these organizations are doing."
Lynn walked closer, his voice low but stern: "I will choose the right time to disclose what the public has the right to know. But now, if this information is leaked, it will not only ruin the entire investigation, but also make those people speed up their actions! Do you understand how serious this is?"
Kate's face turned slightly cold: "Lynn, you are always so aloof, thinking you can decide everyone's fate. But have you ever thought that hiding the truth will only make more people lose trust? Ordinary people can't be kept in the dark forever."
Lynn took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "This is our duty. We must ensure that this information is not misused, rather than causing panic because of a news report."
Kate remained unmoved: "So many innocent mutants are being persecuted, are you planning to always treat them as secrets? They need someone to stand up and speak out, and I am willing to be that person."
A trace of struggle flashed in Lynn's eyes. He understood Kate's position, but the current situation could not tolerate her idealism: "Kate, if you continue to insist, I may not be able to protect you. This is not just news, this is a life-and-death battle."
Kate looked at him, her tone softened a little, but still firm: "I know you're worried about me, but this is not just my duty, it's also my belief. If one day you can see that my reports have changed some people, you will understand why I insist."
Just as the two were at a stalemate, an agent suddenly said in a low voice through the headset: "Chief, there is a heat source reaction downstairs, we may be in trouble."
Lynn immediately went on alert, signaled Kate to keep quiet, and said to the headset: "Everyone be on guard. Kate, follow me closely, don't move."
Kate nodded slightly, realizing that danger was approaching.
A few minutes later, hurried footsteps came from the stairwell, and a group of men in black appeared inside the building. They were well-equipped and were obviously members of the "Dawn" organization.
"They're here to destroy the evidence," Lynn whispered, quickly pulling Kate behind cover, "Don't make a sound, I'll handle it."
Although Kate was nervous, she still quietly recorded the pictures of these people with her mobile phone.
Lynn signaled the two agents to disperse, and they coordinated their actions with silent tactical gestures. Several "Dawn" members began to place simple incendiary devices in the piles of documents, obviously wanting to destroy all traces.
Lynn aimed at one of the leading members and shot accurately with a stun gun, and the target fell to the ground. At the same time, the other agents quickly rushed out of the bunker and launched a close-range firefight.
"Go!" Lynn said to Kate in a low voice, escorting her to a safer location.
Kate hid behind a steel beam, watching Lynn fighting fiercely with the "Dawn" members, and complex emotions surged in her heart. He was not only the resistance she wanted to expose the truth, but also the shield that always protected her.
After the firefight, Lynn and his team successfully subdued the "Dawn" members, but most of the documents had already been burned by the opposing side. Lynn stood beside the still-smoldering pile of documents, his expression weary and serious. (End of Chapter)