As a well-equipped enforcer of justice with the authority to decide life and death, Major Steve's team of "Jinyiwei" operatives had state-of-the-art gear. Detective Danny Williams retrieved a handheld infrared thermal detector from the car—resembling a camcorder—and scanned the villa now surrounded by their team. One last confirmation before the operation began revealed the positions of the enemy agents disguised as kidnappers from the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. Just as their prior reconnaissance and the bodyguards' intel indicated, two were in the upstairs study and two downstairs.
The basement, however, remained obscured due to the concrete floor and structure above it.
Nevertheless, based on information provided by Richard Castle and his team of bodyguards, as well as their own surveillance, the evidence strongly suggested this location was problematic. Alexis was likely being confined in the basement, which increased the chances that Steve and his team could rescue the girl without collateral damage.
Once his partner confirmed the positions of the kidnappers, Steve, holding a carbine decked out with tactical accessories, led the charge into the villa.
Officers Hao Cheng-Kerry and Kono Kalakaua had already scaled parts of the villa's exterior and quietly climbed to the second floor. As Steve and Detective Danny stormed the ground floor, Officer Kerry smashed through a window, aiming his loaded gun at two men respectfully reporting something via computer.
Simultaneously, Officer Kono broke another window and leapt into the study.
The two agents reporting to a high-ranking individual back in Japan were caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, but the person on the video call was not. He reacted instantly, ending the communication without hesitation upon seeing the badges and weapons of the intruding officers.
Downstairs, Steve and Danny advanced swiftly. As Steve kicked in the front door, the man lounging on the sofa watching TV tried to reach for his gun but was stopped by Steve's precise triple shot to the chest.
Danny, following closely behind, aimed his weapon at another man in the kitchen who was fumbling with a frying pan. Witnessing his companion's swift demise, the man in the kitchen, realizing he was outmatched, raised his hands in surrender.
With the situation quickly brought under control, the Special Task Force handcuffed the two upstairs suspects and left Officer Kerry to guard them. Officer Kono, the only female member of the team, headed downstairs. Given that Alexis was a young girl, having a female officer present during the rescue was considered more appropriate.
Despite believing the villa was cleared of threats, the three officers remained cautious. They formed a tactical formation as they carefully opened the basement door.
What they saw shocked them: this standalone villa in Pearl City had been heavily modified. The basement, reinforced with steel and concrete, was more akin to a bunker than a standard room. Clearly, the Japanese agents had spent years fortifying it. No wonder they chose it to temporarily hold Alexis.
The man Steve had shot in the living room hadn't been idly watching TV. Instead, he was monitoring the basement through the screen. This explained the basement's setup: it was spacious, brightly lit, and equipped with advanced ventilation—nothing like a typical cramped, musty basement.
With the basement now open, it was clear this location had been a long-standing operational hub for Japanese agents in Hawaii. Yet the officers moved cautiously, worried there might still be hidden enemies. At the end of the hallway was a tightly sealed room where they believed Alexis was held.
Once they confirmed there were no other threats, the team relaxed slightly and approached the locked room. Opening the door, they found Alexis sitting safely on a chair, visibly upset.
Her anger was understandable. What should have been a joyous Hawaiian Christmas vacation with her "friend" had turned into a nightmare. The so-called friend had lured her to Hawaii with the intention of kidnapping her for ransom from her father. Anyone would be livid.
But afraid? Not at all.
Why not?
As Richard Castle's daughter, Alexis was well aware of her father's extraordinary capabilities. With J.A.R.V.I.S. and the "God's Eye" surveillance system at their disposal, she knew help was imminent.
When her captors revealed their plan but made it clear she'd remain unharmed until they got what they wanted, Alexis remained calm. She even felt a hint of excitement. Just months earlier, she had narrowly escaped a CIA kidnapping attempt—her father's prowess in such situations was practically legendary. In her heart, she was certain it wouldn't take long for him to rescue her.
What's more, when the kidnappers confiscated her luggage and phone but overlooked her smart wristband—a device far more than just a tracker, doubling as a communication tool—Alexis felt any remaining anxiety dissolve. The kidnappers' lack of awareness of such advanced technology only confirmed their amateurishness in her eyes.
"Amateurs," she thought. "You seriously dragged me back here without understanding the capabilities of the 'God's Eye'? This kidnapping team is truly incompetent."
Her primary frustration came from her ruined holiday plans.
So when Steve, Danny, and Kono finally opened the door to her makeshift prison, they found a red-haired girl sitting on a chair, pouting angrily. Her adorably frustrated expression made Kono's eyes sparkle. "Oh my God, what a cute little girl!" she thought.
Alexis quickly realized these armed and armored officers, their badges gleaming, were her rescuers. Only five hours had passed since her abduction, and she couldn't help but think, "I knew those kidnappers weren't up to the task!"
Knowing she was safe and her father had likely orchestrated the rescue, Alexis stood up confidently, her usual cleverness shining through. Smiling sweetly, she asked, "Did my dad call you to come save me?"
Danny, who also had an eight-year-old daughter and was as much a doting father as Castle, immediately softened. He lowered his weapon and asked in an uncharacteristically gentle tone, "Sweetheart, are you Alexis? Are you hurt? Did they threaten or scare you?"
Even Steve, a self-proclaimed stoic, was taken aback by Danny's tone. Shaking his head at his partner's unexpected behavior, he stepped away, feigning interest in inspecting the reinforced basement. Meanwhile, Danny and Kono continued their conversation with Alexis, who, despite her ordeal, remained composed and cheerful.
As Steve examined the peculiar layout of the basement, his trust in Castle's intelligence only deepened.
(End of Chapter)
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