Chapter 283

"Beep—" The horn of the military armored SUV blared at the base entrance.

Two foreign teams turned simultaneously, just in time to see the Chinese squad emerging alongside armed forces personnel. Their eyes gleamed with recognition—the special broadcast announcement hadn't escaped their notice.

"Captain Boone!" The blond team leader strode forward, intercepting Xavier Boone before he could board the vehicle. "A word?"

The brunet leader from the rival team closed in. "We've got questions too."

Xavier exchanged a glance with Lucy White before turning with a diplomatic smile. "Of course."

The three teams formed an uneasy triangle at the gates.

"That's Lieutenant Leo, isn't it?" The blond leader nodded toward the SUV. "Running an op?"

Xavier confirmed with a tilt of his head. "Just assisting with a minor military request."

"The broadcast mentioned you found the second clue?" The brunet cut to the chase. "Where's Professor Roland's lab?"

Finn Wallace muffled a snicker behind them until Lucy's elbow found his ribs.

"We did locate it." Xavier produced a folded slip from his pocket. "However..."

Every rival operative leaned forward.

"Let's make a deal." He waved the paper. "One point for the lab's coordinates. Two points for the actual clue."

Silence descended for three heartbeats.

"You're joking." The blond leader's eyes widened. "Points are transferable?"

Xavier's smile turned cryptic. "The system confirmed it. Just initiate the transfer via captain's watch."

The rival teams immediately huddled, voices rising in heated debate. Lucy leaned against the SUV, watching their flushed faces with quiet amusement.

"Deal!" Both teams ultimately opted for the one-point intel.

Xavier accepted their point transfers and handed over the note with a "helpful" addendum: "Fair warning—the lab's got a biometric lock. Might need... specialized skills."

The rivals departed in high spirits. The moment they disappeared, Finn exploded with laughter. "Captain, that's brutal! Even the military couldn't crack that lock—"

"Business strategy," Lucy corrected coolly. "When they hit that dead end, they'll return for the real clue."

Lieutenant Leo revved the engine. "Move out! We need to reach the armory before nightfall!"

The convoy rolled through apocalyptic streets—cars strewn like broken toys, zombies shambling through rubble. Every few hundred meters required stopping to clear roadblocks.

"Ping!" A stray bullet ricocheted off their window.

"Ambush!" Leo wrenched the steering wheel.

Lucy rolled down her window and fired in one fluid motion. A distant scream preceded a body tumbling from a rooftop.

"Push through!" Leo floored the accelerator.

By the time the armory's silhouette appeared, full darkness had fallen. Moonlight glinted off the reinforced concrete structure—a slumbering behemoth awaiting their arrival.

"Here." Leo killed the engine, turning to Lucy. "Your show now."

Lucy flexed her fingers, studying the intricate electronic lock glowing coldly under the moon. "Leave it to me."