"I decided to send out an inquiry instead of the torture unit. I am aware of how much you detest others invading your brain, but I have my responsibilities. No matter if a devil is living inside, I must talk to it."
"Even if it kills you?" Heine's voice is dull and emotionless.
"Yes, even then."
"Then you try to come." Heine tapped his temple.
Xi shook his head and smiled helplessly. "No one can enter the troposphere of your brain. Even if we put you under deep hypnosis, your brain is to highly vigilant."
"Since you can't get into my mind, then you can't get your information. Why have me come here, it doesn't make any sense."
"Then we will have to communicate in a more primitive way, Colonel Burton. I ask a question and you answer. If there is a question that you don't wish to answer, you may remain silent."
"I may not necessarily tell you the truth."
"You will, because you disdain lying." Xi's fingers gently massaged his forehead. His gaze was deep and probing. "The first, are you questioning the mission that General Gordon had you and Wallace perform? Did you have an issue with the task?"
"No."
He looked intensely into Heine's eyes as he answered and tracked his expression. "If it comes between your comrades or the mission, do you choose their safety or do you complete the mission at all costs?"
"There is no task so difficult that it costs me everything."
The answer might sound arrogant from any other special forces commando, but there is no one that will refute anything that comes from Heine's Burton.
"Are you still unafraid?" He sighed in relief as they reached the end of the questioning, he assumed Heine's answer would be the same as always.
This time though, Heine was silent.
There was no expression on this cold man's face, but Xi had a strong sense of foreboding.
"Colonel, tell me the answer."
" You said I could keep silent."
"No one can get into your brain, so what you don't want to say can remain a secret. But are you sure you know what fear is in your heart?"
Hein looked at Major General Xi, he remained silent for a long time. Just when Xi was tired of waiting, he finally spoke.
"When I saw him lying a pool of blood, barely breathing and his heartbeat fading, I thought I would die."
He blinked, "He?"
"From that day on, if he was not where I could see him, I was afraid."
Xi frowned, he knew that what he had heard was not from just any ordinary person, but from the infamous Heine Burton. This revelation completely upturned his entire understanding of the man. He spoke in such a calm tone about even the most important and sacred things to him.
"Colonel, do you know exactly what you are afraid of?"
"I fear losing him."
Any other person might be embarrassed or refuse to answer such a question, but Heine merely answered in his typical straightforward manner.
"No one is born strong, Colonel. This kind of fear may become your weakness. However, when someone has something to protect, he may become stronger than ever before."
Xi's eyes followed Heine's figure as he stood up. He calmly walked to the door and then stopped.
"I think that this conversation is over. You asked me a question and I have answered it."
"Yes, I thank you very much for your cooperation."
When Heine left his office, he opened Heine's military archives from the holographic display and hesitated over the evaluation field. Eventually he checked 'qualified' and the screen closed.
________________________
The physical fitness tests were concluded. The results were as expected. Xiao Yan passed and was set to go on to combat training. Among the researchers, Xiao Yan and two others passed. The others, including Casey, must have their training time extended.
Although Casey insisted that he would man up, he ended up submitting a request to the higher ups to terminate his training. He did not expect it to pass. The Central Academy of Sciences had already determined that, in order to improve their combat capabilities, they could not give anyone special privileges.
.
Gordon gave Xiao a few days off as a reward. This means he can leave the headquarters under the protection of the special forces. Although outside does not really mean the same to Xiao Yan, not to mention he can't move without a special forces soldier nipping at his heels.
After sleeping until noon, Xiao got up and dressed in a casual shirt and jeans. Three months of training has really strengthened his body. There are obvious visible differences, his posture and walking pace have completely transformed. Xiao finds it all amazing.
When he stepped out of the door he saw Mark's big frame. He winked playfully at Xiao Yan.
"What a blessing, because of you, I can also go outside the headquarters."
"Mark! It's you!" Xiao Yan happily launched himself at Mark.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Oh, if I remember correctly, there is a baseball game between the Mars League and the Blade's Cavaliers starting at 2 o'clock this afternoon, we can go together..."
"Don't even think about going to a game. There are too many people, It would be very difficult for me to protect you in such an environment."
"Then how about the second best thing? We can go to the Bermuda Bar to watch the live broadcast and I can drink beer. How about that?"
"Okay I'll pass this onto Major General Gordon."
Mark's unusually serious look amused Xiao Yan.
The Bermuda Bar is famous in the Shire, its holographic screens rival those of the commercial ad square. It also airs the game in real time. Today is not a rest day but, when Xiao Yan and Mark enter the bar, it is packed and quite loud."
Mark's hands are in his pockets, he looked around the bar and Xiao Yan knew that he was keeping a keen eye on the environment.
"Mark, is it only you protecting me?" Xiao Yan's shouted in his ear.
"Rookie! don't you look down on me! I'm an elite of the special mission forces!"
"Then I'm really honored! Sending elites to protect unimportant me!" Xiao Yan grinned.
Mark scratched his head. "I don't know what to say. Today, Winn said that the Boss wanted to send the most trusted person to protect you. I didn't expect him to select me. I thought it would be Liv."
"...Why the most trusted person?"
"Probably... er...anyway, the Boss is very careful with you! You are different from those weak chicken researchers!"
This answer makes Xiao Yan laugh, Mark has such a lovely side.
He also knew the weak chicken remark referred to Casey.
Five minutes before the start of the game, the beers were pushed along the bar counter by the bartender. Everyone was familiar with the process and grabbed their beverage. Finally the game started, lighting up all the holographic displays, Xiao Yan felt full of energy.
Mark appeared to be immersed in the event, but in fact was sending reports via his wrist com.
After a home run, the whole bar erupted in shouts and cheers, a few people groaned and protested. Xiao's eyes widened at the lively atmosphere and he downed three beers.
The beer in front of Mark did not move.
After awhile the game ends and the patrons gather in groups to talk about the details of the game together.
"Mark, I have to go to the bathroom! I had too much Beer!"
Mark is walking behind Xiao Yan.
"I said Mark, can you not look so anxious, you make me feel like I'm in a dangerous situation!" Xiao Yan reluctantly urinates with Mark in the room.
"You are my responsibility and I think we should go, there are too many people here."
"You are always putting a crimp in my fun." Xiao immediately started whining.
The door was pushed open, and two teenagers came out. One of them looked in the direction of Xiao Yan.
Mark moved sideways, blocking the front of Xiao.
"Hey, are you this guy's bodyguards? Don't be so nervous? It's not that dangerous! This is the bathroom!" One of the teenagers said bitingly.
"Please leave after you finish urinating. We don't like being watched." Mark's voice is low and serious.
"You are too much." One of the boys palms push at Mark and then the two left.
Mark's tight muscles relaxed slightly.
"They were just children. You don't have to be so edgy the whole time."
Xiao Yan thinks that Mark has made an unnecessary fuss.
When Mark let out a frustrated sigh, Xiao Yan suddenly understood.
"Unless... this isn't a reward, but rather the researchers have been sent out as bait to see if there are Surge agents inside the Shire...is that what is happening?"
Mark did not say anything.
Xiao Yan angrily clenched his teeth.
Motherfuckers!
The last time, they pulled this shit, he almost lost his life and now he has to do it again?
He glanced at Mark's com and whispered, "Actually it is not just you here keeping watch, several of the guests were not watching the game, instead they were constantly scanning the bar. They seemed to be very alert and very well built. I assume they are special task force as well?"
Mark muttered "You researchers really do have great observation skills"
Suddenly screams filtered in from the other side of the door. Something has happened!
"Don't leave." After barking his order at Xiao, Mark raised his wrist and contacted the other special forces inside the bar. He didn't get a response. He then yelled into it, 'Boss, there is a situation. I have taken Xiao Yan to the bathroom outside the bar."
Suddenly Mark paused strangely and then his face twisted into a horrid expression.
"Mark! Mark, what's wrong with you!"
"I'm okay..." Mark tried to pick up Xiao, but he had no strength and was forced to sit down.
"Mark!"
Xiao stood stunned as he watched Mark fall to the ground, his face was blue and his hands were clawing at his throat. His pupils gradually expanding. He was suffocating.
An image pushed in to Xiao's mind. He remembered the boy that pushed Mark. Their bodies have an amazing ability to heal, so of course there is no trace of an injection.
Xiao Yan immediately grabbed Marks contact and saw the name Heine. "Colonel Burton. Are you there?"
"I'll be there in 30 seconds, protect yourself."
The communication was cut.
Breathing was becoming increasingly difficult for Mark, and his eyes dimmed in a disturbingly desperate look.
"Mark! Hold on! If you can hear me, Colonel Burton is coming!"
The sound of engines flying at low altitude can be heard from the window of the bathrooms.
A lean figure stands at the open cabin door, his hair is dragged along the wind, the golden strands flying around his face. He cuts a majestic figure. Suddenly, he steps off the craft, dropping down onto the window.
"Heine..."
There is no expression on Heine's face. The special forces surround the bar. The soldiers, that were mixed with the patrons, have been hit with some type of bullet and lay on the ground in the same predicament as Mark. The inside of the bar was in complete chaos.
Heine put Mark on his shoulders and gestured to Xiao Yan, "Let's go."
The next moment, Heine's other arm encircled Xiao Yan and he leapt from the window sill.
Before Xiao could utter a sound, they were lifted into the cabin of the aircraft and taken directly to the military medical center.
The medical personnel immediately attempted to revive Mark, but his condition was unknown.
Outside the emergency room, Winn and Liv arrived.
"How is Mark's situation?"
"Is this the same attack that felled Jane Wallace's forces?"
"Yeah." Heine closed his eyes.
"Oh... God..." Winn held his head.
This means that the special task forces are no longer invincible.
The other three special forces, that were sent to the hospital, all died.
Winn clenched his fist. "This bastard! They are still in the Shire!"
Liv bit her lip and clenched her fists. "I can't stay here! The investigation department has called for all the information in the bar! The Surge must be among them! I'm going to drag each and every one of those madmen out!"
Liv turned and walked away.
Heine's expression was cold, as he leaned against the wall a shadow spread across his features.
The doctor, who was responsible for rescuing Mark, came out and told them they now to rely on medical devices to inject synthetic oxygen directly into Mark's blood. However, the inability of the body to supply oxygen would eventually cause Mark's body to fail, and the final result would still be death.
"How much time does he have? Get those researchers to save him! They don't think it's worth it to train every day, let them spend that time finding an antidote."
"He doesn't have more than three hours. Soon his body won't even be able to absorb the synthetic oxygen."
At the doctor's words, Winn furiously punched the wall .
Heine checks his contact and uploads a text message from the Central Academy of Sciences.
Winn immediately stepped forward. "What did they say? Have they already created a neutralizing agent?"
"No."
Heine answers, his voice laced with a slight desperate edge.
Winn opened the message, and suddenly smiled: "They are studying how it works on the X virus! Xiao Yan knows!"
Heine scowled and then looked at Xiao Yan. "You already know?"
"I have a guess..."
Heine steadily steps towards Xiao Yan, his body emitting a pressure that had Xiao subconsciously backing up.
"What are you researching?"
"I ... synthesized an enzyme that can break down the agent, but it doesn't work on the human body!"
Winn blinked and stared heavily at Xiao Yan. "Is that enzyme in your lab!"
"Yes...but you guys don't want..."
"Mark has been less than three hours. We need to take risks."
Heine grabbed Xiao Yan's wrist and pulled him along.
Xiao Yan stopped, resisting Heine's pace. "Wait."
Winn was anxious. "Xiao, I know what you're worried about! He wouldn't blame you even if your work can't save him."
"I am a researcher and I have the courage to bear the consequences, but we only have three hours. For that to be enough time, I need a sample of Mark's blood now!"
Winn was stunned, and Heine hurriedly contacted the medical staff. "How much blood do you need?"
"Five milliliters is enough."
Five minutes later, Xiao Yan rushed back to the lab with Mark's blood sample. He entered the terminal and mobilized three main computers in the research room. He knew he was racing against time. Although he has synthesized the appropriate enzyme, he needs to find a suitable delivery method to target the x-virus.
_________
Major Gordon rubbed his forehead as he sat at his desk. The secretary officer stood in front of him.
"What's going on? Are the guys at the Central Academy of Sciences so wasteful? We have been sending those samples to them for several days. They couldn't synthesize an antidote?!"
"..."
"Where is Colonel Casey?"
"He is now invested in research."
"Either way it is too late for us to rely on the hospital to keep them alive, correct?"
Major Gordon sighed heavily.
"There is only Mark left. He encountered a relatively low dose, but the hospital said that the situation doesn't look good. They are not optimistic... Wait! Major General, the laboratory issued an alert that the terminal was connected at a high speed!"
"Who is it? Is it that the Surge organization trying to stop Lieutenant Colonel Casey from his research?"
"No...no...the other party has placed a terminal call to apply for increased connection speed."
"Who is it? Casey?"
"No... id No. 1665! It's Xiao Yan!"
"Isn't it enough to use the three main computers in his research room?" General Gordon showed an astonished expression.
"That...the three main computers are now operating at capacity! Colonel Burton sent a message, saying I hope you will approve Xiao Yan's application as soon as possible!"
"Heine Burton?" General Gordon was surprised.
"Yes, Major General."
"Approved!"
_____________
At this moment, Xiao Yan's thinking is extremely focused and the entire research office is submerged in a rolling ocean of data. Holographic displays of enzyme conformations, constantly scrolling data points and continuous calculations light up and flash in dense layers throughout the lab.
According to Mark's blood sample, Xiao Yan has successfully synthesized the antidote.
The moment he exited the terminal, he collapsed back into his chair and passed out.
This is the deepest sleep he has ever had from birth to now.
When he woke up, Xiao Yan found himself lying in his room.
Glancing to the side, he sees Heine sitting in a chair by the bed.
"I... I was asleep?"
Xiao Yan leaped to his feet, then wobbles as his sense of drowsiness has not completely dispersed.
"Ok."
Heine's hand reached over and lifted his pillow.
"What about Mark?"
"He will visit you in the afternoon."
"Mark ...........he's okay?" Xiao Yan exhaled.
"Yes, Mark is all right. The enzymes you developed were sent to the Central Academy of Sciences. They will use them to make the detoxification agents. Right now the special forces are accepting injections."
"It's really the enzyme I researched?"
"Yes."
Heine's fingers brush against Xiao Yan's brow bone, gently massaging it. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the comfort from his kneading, eventually Xiao Yan relaxed and drifted off.
"Sleep."
"Mn."
Heine lowered his head and looked closely at the side of Xiao's face, his fingers tracing the lines of Xiao Yan's lips.
He closed his eyes, lingering in the feel of Xiao's warm breath.
When he closed the door, he turned around to see Winn's tightened features and serious expression.
"The application for raising Xiao's security level has already passed. Major General Gordon and the Central Academy of Science mean to keep everything secret."
"I'm afraid it will be hard to keep him secret." Heine's look chills Winn to his bones. " Soon...he will be the only target of the Surge."
Liv has been chasing after the two teenagers Xiao encountered in the bar toilet. However, they seem to just have evaporated into thin air.
Liv and Mark were talking about this when Xiao Yan ran into them, on his way for combat training.
"Hey! Xiao Yan!" Marc grabbed Xiao Yan. "The day I know I scared you, kid! Look! I'm still alive!"
His typical brute force pinched into Xiao's skin. Xiao let loose a relieved sigh.
"I guess those guys in the Central Academy of Sciences are not completely useless, after all! I heard that they developed the antidote within three hours! Suddenly I admire them!"
"Central Academy of Sciences?" Xiao Yan paused, although he was also a researcher at the Academy of Sciences, but...
He spots Win who puts a finger to his lips, gesturing for Xiao to keep quiet about his involvement with the neutralizing agent.
Xiao Yan immediately understands. This is how the military plans to protect him. By distributing credit to the entire institute it keeps the target from focusing only on Xiao Yan.
"Starting today I am your combat instructor. I will not be going easy on you nor will be forgiving just because you saved Mark, so don't get your hopes up."
Winn took Xiao Yan into the training room.
"What? You?"
"What kind of expression is that? You don't think I can teach you?" Winn growled.
"I just think... teaching me is a waste of your time."
Winn did not tell Xiao that the military has issued a very stern order to him. He must ensure that Xiao is able to obtain a certain level of fighting ability in three months time. Xiao Yan must be able to handle at least 2 zombies by himself. If he cannot do this, Winn will be demoted.
As Xiao looks at Winn's very serious and determined expression,he feels inexplicably nervous.