Morning on Chongming Island was shrouded in mist. The Dongtan wetlands lay veiled; reeds swayed in the breeze, as if the place were a tranquil, otherworldly retreat. Yet deep in that seeming calm, a quiet showdown was unfolding.
Qin Xiao had been glued to the monitoring screens for days, barely leaving the blinking data and satellite images. His desk was buried under empty coffee cups and energy-drink cans; he looked worn, but his eyes remained hawk-sharp.
"Something's moving!" Qin Xiao murmured sharply, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Though his voice was low, it snapped loudly in the hushed control room.
Er-Ge and I crowded around the monitor. Qin pulled up satellite footage and zoomed in: a black SUV was slowly rolling into a derelict fishing hamlet near the Dongtan wetlands. The vehicle stopped in front of a ramshackle warehouse and several men in black coats slipped out, moving quickly and cautiously.
"These people aren't right," Qin said under his breath. "Their tradecraft is professional. The vehicle has no plates—deliberate concealment."
Er-Ge narrowed his eyes at the screen. "Looks like we picked the right spot. They're creepy; definitely up to something."
I nodded, heart tightening. "Qin, can you fix their exact location?"
Qin pulled up the map and pointed to a red dot. "Right here — north side of Dongtan, an abandoned warehouse. I've already asked the Chongming station to shadow it covertly. They reported suspicious activity in the last few days."
Fang Zhiguo stepped into the room holding the latest intel. "Status?"
Qin handed him the feeds and the map. "We've tracked suspicious personnel into an abandoned warehouse. Their movements are highly covert."
Fang studied the screen, jaw tightening. "Looks like Kawashima Fukeirō's base is here. We must move fast—don't let them relocate the virus or the vaccine."
Sakurako came over and stared at the screen; pain and complexity flickered across her face. "These are operatives from the Kawashima network," she said.
I glanced at her. "How long will they stay?"
She shook her head, unsure. "My father is extremely cautious. He won't linger in one place. If we don't act quickly, he'll move everything."
Fang nodded, decision in his eyes. "Okay. We act now. Liu Yu, you keep monitoring their movements and report immediately. Xiudao — handle logistics and ensure comms and equipment are stable."
Er-Ge and I exchanged a look and breathed a small sigh of relief. As much as we wanted to be on the front line, Fang knew our limits: we were better as technical support than as storming teams.
Sakurako suddenly spoke up: "I want to join the operation. There are things I must ask him in person."
Fang looked conflicted. "Ms. Kawashima, your status is sensitive — it's better you don't join."
Sakurako's voice was firm. "I know you don't fully trust me yet. I'll prove myself."
"I trust her," I said without hesitation. Er-Ge chimed, "Second that." Qin gave Fang a nod. Sakurako's eyes shimmered; she hadn't expected we'd already accepted her.
Fang considered, then turned to her. "Get your gear. Move out."
"Yes!" Sakurako answered, loud and clear. From that moment she was no longer alone.
"Er-Ge, we're the behind-the-scenes heroes this time," he said with a teasing clap on my shoulder. "No need to charge into bullets — sounds great."
I forced a smile. "Yeah, let's stay safe in the safe house and not add to the team's troubles."
Qin glanced at us and the corner of his mouth lifted. "You two are important too. Don't let comms or equipment fail."
We nodded, feeling both useful and restless: helping was vital, but watching others risk themselves left a hollow.
Night fell. A thin fog rolled over the wetlands; visibility dropped. The assault team readied itself. Fang and Qin stood at the front, eyes steely.
"Move," Fang said softly, resolute. "Find the virus and the vaccine. Avoid a head-on fight if you can."
The team melted into the mist. Er-Ge and I stayed in the monitor room, glued to the screens, ready to support.
"Do you think they'll make it?" Er-Ge asked quietly, worry in his voice.
I shook my head, uncertainty tightening my gut. "I don't know. But we have to trust them."
Then Er-Ge's voice crackled in my ear: "Fa — car approaching the warehouse. Possible reinforcements."
I switched the feed. A black sedan pulled up at the warehouse gate; several men in dark coats got out, carrying multiple black cases.
"Those cases — could be the virus?" Er-Ge whispered, tension in his words.
I nodded, heart pounding. "Very likely. Send this intel up at once."
At that instant the warehouse door swung open and a familiar silhouette stepped out. Er-Ge and I held our breath — it was Kawashima Fukeirō himself.
He stood framed in the doorway in a dark overcoat, eyes cold and sharp like a predator ready to strike. He murmured to his men, then turned and disappeared back inside.
"Notify Fang now," Er-Ge hissed. "This is bigger than we thought."
I tapped the comms and fed the update. Fang's voice came through — calm, measured, but hard as steel: "Received. Move cautiously. Keep us posted."
We stayed in the monitor room, tension coiled tight. The assault team moved into position around the warehouse; a strike could erupt at any time. All we could do was watch the feeds and pray.
"Fa, do you think they'll succeed?" Er-Ge asked again, quieter.
I stared at the screen. "I don't know. But we must believe. The net is set now — the prey only needs to fall into it."