undercurrent
The base's lighting was always adjusted to a soft state, ideal for prolonged screen time. Elaine sat in front of the terminal, her new blue-light glasses behind her, her eyes carefully scanning the painstakingly repaired data streams salvaged from the wreckage of a server. This server had been acquired by Ghost and his team during a recent hostage rescue mission for a multinational corporation in a conflict zone in Africa.
They vanished for a week, returning in a sorry state, each bearing numerous new injuries, large and small. Logan was even half-lying on Keegan, limping as he walked. Before she could even ask, Price tossed her a half-burnt memory stick. Through her collaboration with Konig, the data was extracted—vast and fragmented, like starlight scattered in the darkness. After days of tireless piecing together and deciphering, a massive and grotesque outline was gradually becoming clear.
This data belongs to a company called "Purgatory," which is ostensibly a cutting-edge biotechnology and military security contractor with operations worldwide, providing "crisis response solutions" and "security services" to governments around the world.
But beneath its glamorous exterior, information analysis reveals it to be a highly militarized, ruthless conglomerate whose tentacles extend into arms trade, energy control, and even the instigation and manipulation of regional conflicts. It is not loyal to any nation, pursuing only absolute power and profit, a predator parasitically feeding on global instability.
The one who leads all the clues to the ultimate, horrific truth is the name that dragged Elaine into the abyss—Makarov. Data fragments indicate that Makarov had a deeply strategic partnership with a "partner" or "chief strategist."
He was a pure nihilist and a believer in chaos, convinced that only through utter destruction and fear could the old order be broken and a "new world" defined by the strong be rebuilt.
His ideology aligns perfectly with the "Purgatory" corporation's model of profiting from creating panic, dumping weapons, and controlling key resources. Their ultimate collaborative plan is known as the "Purification Protocol."
This is not a simple terrorist attack, but a systematic conspiracy aimed at instigating prolonged global chaos and seizing ultimate power from it.
Its core strategy is to utilize the biotechnology resources of "Purgatory" company, under the strategic guidance of Makarov, to develop and spread a gene-edited virus that is highly infectious and has a long incubation period, but whose lethality is relatively controllable.
In the briefing room, Elaine calmly explained her analysis, drawing on her expertise as a PhD in sociology and her experience in NPO work: the insidious nature of this plan lies in its potential to contain multiple and far-reaching sinister objectives.
The virus will target specific immune systems or ethnic markers, creating long-term weakness and paralyzing healthcare systems, and symbolically inciting hatred and fear, fundamentally tearing apart social trust and the foundation of international cooperation. Deeper still, Makarov has already secretly made deals with several massive multinational pharmaceutical giants. When the virus breaks out, these companies, with the cooperation of "Purgatory," will likely quickly launch "miracle drugs" or "exclusive vaccines," exploiting panic and medical needs to monopolize the treatment market and reap unimaginable profits. This wealth will then be continuously channeled into Makarov and "Purgatory's" coffers through a complex money laundering network, providing virtually unlimited financial support for their global subversive operations. Simultaneously, Makarov can use this artificially created global crisis to coerce, bribe, or support vulnerable or corrupt politicians in various countries, planting proxies amidst the chaos, gradually eroding national sovereignty, and ultimately forming a global power network controlled behind the scenes to serve their "new world order."
In short, the "Purification Protocol" is a demonic plan that combines bioterrorism, economic plunder, and political subversion, aiming to fundamentally enslave modern civilization.
When she finished speaking, the briefing room fell into a deathly silence. The air seemed to freeze, broken only by the low hum of the machines. Everyone realized that they were not dealing with a madwoman or a group of terrorists, but with a highly organized, cancerous organization aiming to devour the entire world.
Price's face was so dark it could drip water. He slammed his fist on the control panel: "These lunatics! They want to sacrifice all of human civilization!"
Ghost's voice, icy cold as a knife, came through the skull mask, but this time it carried an unprecedented gravity: "This means that our adversary possesses national-level research capabilities, virtually unlimited potential financial resources, and an ambition to infiltrate governments around the world, and has no bottom line."
Keegan stood silently to the side, his sharp gaze behind his goggles sweeping over every word in the report, finally settling on the words "Makarov" and "political manipulation," his jaw clenching.
As the team digested this startling intelligence, Elaine discovered an anomaly in the encrypted logistics network of the "Purgatory" company, which she was continuously monitoring. A shipment of goods marked as "special industrial equipment" was being disguised through several layers of shell companies and was about to arrive at a loosely controlled port on the Black Sea coast.
The origin of the shipment pointed to several shell companies controlled by "Purgatory," and the final recipient information was erased. Even more disturbingly, Elaine cross-referenced recent global databases of unusual events and discovered several small-scale incidents that closely matched the timing and route of this shipment—an unexplained mass weakness incident in a border village, a suspected leak at a small chemical plant… These incidents were hastily classified as accidents by local authorities, but the patterns were strikingly similar to the early, small-scale "effect tests" of her deduced "purification protocol."
“They may be transferring key components of the ‘purification protocol,’ or… preparing for the next, larger-scale test, paving the way for further pharmaceutical monopolies and political infiltration.” Elaine’s calm analysis carried a subtle unease, and her conclusion was chilling.
After the briefing, the atmosphere at the base suddenly became thick and tense. The wounds of the African mission had not yet fully healed, and a new, larger shadow loomed over the area. The team members dispersed in silence to conduct their pre-battle preparations, and a low pressure, like the calm before a storm, hung in the air.
Elaine felt an unprecedented pressure. Her analysis had pushed the team to the brink of an even more dangerous abyss. She buried herself in the data terminal, frantically searching and cross-referencing every clue related to the Black Sea port and the cargo, trying to provide more assurance for the upcoming operation. Fatigue brought out faint dark circles under her eyes.
Everyone's workload had increased dramatically, and they all appeared in a hurry. Elaine, carrying a heavy stack of documents, quickly walked down the corridor and nearly bumped into Konig, who was also walking briskly with his head down, deep in thought. The tallest and smallest figures in the base collided, and the result was predictable: Konig didn't budge, while Elaine almost flew out of her arms—just almost… Keegan appeared from behind, catching her back with one hand and scooping up the documents that had flown from her arms with the other.
Konig hurriedly apologized, while Keegan withdrew his arm, glanced at Elaine to make sure she was alright, told her to be careful, nodded slightly, and turned to leave with Konig. Elaine, suppressing her wildly beating heart, stared at their retreating figures for a long time before calming down.
Preliminary reconnaissance intelligence has been relayed back. Keegan and Hesh confirmed that the target port was unusually heavily guarded, with unidentified armed personnel active there, their style matching that of "Purgatory's" private militia. However, a more troublesome situation arose: the "special equipment" was not being transported directly, but was about to be dispersed and loaded onto a convoy of a reputable international medical aid organization, heading to a border region where conflict had just subsided and medical resources were extremely scarce! Intelligence indicated that the medical convoy was transporting mostly genuine, urgently needed life-saving medicines.
The debate in the briefing room was heated.
Hesh's stance was firm: "They must intercept them! Preventing weapons of mass destruction is the priority; we cannot take this risk!"
Logan frowned: "But that's a medical team! How many people are waiting for medicine to save their lives? If we take action, we might harm innocent medical staff and civilians, delaying real medical assistance. How would that make us any different from those bastards?"
Ghost preferred to infiltrate stealthily, but he acknowledged the extremely high risks and uncertainties. The enemy was heavily armed, and if discovered, the medical team could be taken hostage, leading to a complete failure of the operation.
Price remained silent, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Elaine, who had been intently staring at the map and data in silence. "Doctor, your proposal?"
Elaine pondered for a few seconds, then pulled up detailed information about the medical organization, its convoy itinerary, vehicle specifications, and epidemic data for the destination region, quickly building an analytical model.
“Based on the organization’s past operating patterns, vehicle load lists, and the epidemic situation at the destination, they urgently need antibiotics and specific vaccines, which require strict temperature control during transportation.” She projected the data onto the main screen. “As for the ‘special equipment’ from ‘Purgatory,’ according to the logistics records, it does not have this requirement for temperature control, but its size and weight characteristics are statistically significantly different from standard medical equipment.”
She pointed to the convoy's route map: "We can use the checkpoints they will pass through along the way to screen vehicles that do not meet the temperature control requirements for medical supplies and that are abnormal in weight/volume, using non-invasive remote detection equipment (such as long-wave scanning and thermal imaging analysis).
Then, a planned rest stop was highlighted: "Once a suspicious target is identified, a quick and accurate verification or replacement can be carried out during the brief interval when the convoy makes a temporary stop and the target vehicle is briefly separated from the main convoy. This can minimize the impact on innocent parties, keep the conflict to a minimum, and reduce the risk of the other party using the situation as an excuse to cause trouble."
This plan precisely struck a balance between action and morality, blending technical rationality with a deep understanding of the situation. After carefully studying Elaine's plan, Keegan looked at Price and succinctly stated, "The plan is reasonable, and the risks are manageable. I will lead the team to carry out the verification mission." His support was the most direct affirmation of her abilities.
Price finally made the decision: "Okay. Develop the 'Mantis Stalks the Cicada' plan. Monitor, lock on, and strike with precision. Keegan, you'll be in charge of frontline command. Doctor, you'll be responsible for rear intelligence support and real-time data analysis, while Ghost will provide support."
On the Black Sea coast, near a border highway of a certain country, the night wind howled. The Ghost Squad, like shadows, lurked in their designated positions. Elaine sat in the rear command vehicle, multiple screens displaying satellite images, real-time drone footage, and various sensor data streams. She needed to quickly sift through this massive amount of information to identify anomalies and provide crucial guidance to the front lines.
Keegan, along with Hesh, Logan, and konig, disguised as local workers, were already in position near the designated rest stop. The atmosphere was tense, like a taut bowstring. Everything was proceeding according to plan.
The convoy arrived at the rest stop. A remote scan identified two suspicious vehicles. Just as the target vehicles briefly separated from the main convoy, and the Keegan team prepared to move in, a sudden change occurred! A team of unidentified but well-equipped armed men suddenly appeared and headed straight for the two suspicious vehicles! They seemed to have also sensed something amiss and were preparing to either relocate or eliminate any witnesses!
"Operation exposed! Execute Plan B! Keegan, stop them from moving the vehicles!" Price's voice came through the communicator, calm yet urgent.
"Hesh, Logan, establish crossfire, Konig, provide long-range coverage, cover me! Doctor, report the enemy's real-time location and equipment!" Keegan gave the order instantly, and pounced like a cheetah, stealthily approaching under the cover of darkness and obstacles.
“There are eight of them! They’re in two groups, four approaching the front of the train and four surrounding the carriages! They’re armed with assault rifles, and the carriage crew is suspected of carrying firearms!” Elaine spoke rapidly, her eyes glued to the thermal imagery, her heart pounding.
A brief but intense firefight erupted in the darkness. Gunfire ripped through the silence. Keegan, with his superior tactical skills and precise shooting, held the enemy back. Hesh and Logan provided suppressive fire. The enemy, well-trained, retaliated fiercely.
In a moment of crisis, an enemy attempts to throw a projectile at a suspicious vehicle! At the last second, Keegan risks his life, leans out, and fires a rapid burst of fire. The bullet strikes the enemy's arm, and the projectile goes out of control in mid-air, exploding in the distance with flames shooting into the sky! The shockwave from the explosion causes the bunker where Keegan is located to shake violently.
"Sergeant!" Elaine cried out in alarm as she saw Keegan's figure briefly engulfed in the flames and dust of the explosion on the screen behind her.
“I’m fine.” Keegan’s calm voice came almost immediately, accompanied by heavy breathing and coughing. “Hesh, clear the left flank. Logan, suppress the right flank. Doctor, check vehicle status!” His voice remained steady, as if the near-miss had never happened.
"Vehicle structure intact! Unaffected!" Elaine quickly confirmed. With perfect coordination, the team swiftly eliminated the threat. Keegan rapidly infiltrated the suspicious vehicle, installed a tracker and a miniature weapon, and successfully extracted some samples. "Samples acquired. Target marked. Withdraw!" Keegan ordered. The team quickly disappeared into the night, leaving behind burning vehicle wreckage and a chaotic scene.
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