“This is the map we got using a bionic flycatcher. The security monitoring center is here, and the server room is right next door. The guards are quite strict, so we can’t attack and occupy from the front. Therefore, we can only enter through the ventilation shaft above the server room and then connect the lead into the mainframe to infiltrate their security system. This is not difficult for me,” Simon said, adjusting the 3D map he had just simulated while sipping his coffee.

“The more troublesome part is Emir’s study, where the weapon contract is kept. The study is located on the -2 floor of the building, essentially the basement. From the footage we captured, we can see that outside the study is a long corridor. There are two guards at the door to the study, and soldiers are stationed at both the end of the corridor and the elevator entrance. There are also surveillance cameras along the corridor.” Simon took a sip of his coffee and zoomed in on the location of the study on the map. The footage captured by the bionic fly was displayed on the screen for everyone to see.

“Have you calculated the guard shift times?” Arthur asked, staring at the LCD screen.

“Yes, the guards rotate in three shifts: 7 AM, 3 PM, and 11 PM,” Simon replied.

“As for the guards in the corridor, JR and I can handle them easily. We can sneak in during the 11 PM shift change. As for the cameras, we can use a signal jammer and you can infiltrate the mainframe system to control them,” Arthur nodded.

“But the most critical part is the security in the study. Look, the study door has two locks. First, the palm print scanner and the password must be used to open the first lock. The second lock is controlled by a facial recognition system. When both locks are opened, the door will unlock. If any step fails or if the door is attacked, an alarm will sound immediately. Once inside, the weapon contract is stored in a safe. The safe is protected by an iris recognition lock and a traditional mechanical combination lock. Again, if either one fails or is tampered with, an alarm will be triggered, and the safe’s self-destruct mechanism will be activated.” Yise pointed at the screen. In the shaky footage, Emir was shown going through all these security measures, completely unaware that his most secretive plan was being exposed right before Arthur and his team’s eyes.

“So, to open these locks, we need Emir’s palm print, face, and eyes, along with the password…” Simon shrugged, summarizing.

“Heh, we might as well just kidnap Emir, point a gun at his head, and make him hand over the contract. That would be much easier,” JR sneered, his hand instinctively resting on the gun at his waist.

“Well, it’s not that simple. Cracking the password is my specialty, but it will take some time. As for the palm print and facial features, as long as we can get Emir’s palm print and a high-resolution photo, I can use 3D simulation technology to create a replica of his ‘hand’ and ‘face.’ But the iris is a different story. I can’t replicate it because the scanner reads the iris every time it scans, the person’s iris to be exact.”

Arthur listened quietly to Simon’s analysis without speaking, his fingers resting on the tip of his nose, his eyes half-closed, and a cold, stern line forming at the corners of his mouth. After a moment, he opened his eyes and said, “The safes with iris recognition locks have a backup emergency function. In the event of a fire or other emergencies, the access control system can be fully opened or locked through the mechanical button or software on the door access system. When the access control system loses power, all locks must be manually opened, which gives us an opportunity.”

Upon hearing Arthur’s words, the usually cold and expressionless Isaac suddenly smiled. “Right, Simon can create a fake fire alarm by controlling the security system, which would lure the security personnel to cut off the power and disable the safe’s automatic destruction function. Of course, what they will see on the cameras is a pre-recorded video of everything appearing normal, as if nothing happened. They will definitely be suspicious and send someone to check.”

At that moment, Arthur and JR in the study were using a laser cutting gun to slice open the outer shell of the safe and retrieve the contract. But they likely only had less than five minutes, and they had to get it done before the guards at the security center arrived at the study.

“Five minutes is enough,” Simon waved his hand, looking quite pleased with himself. “Last time, when we stole the blueprint for the latest fighter jet from the National Aerospace Agency in Country A, my boss and I only took less than three minutes.”

Tang Mi had been quietly listening nearby. They spoke quickly, and their thoughts were very scattered. Some things she still hadn’t fully understood, like how Arthur and JR could cut open a safe made of two layers of ultra-thick steel and a layer of concrete in five minutes, then escape from a study that was sealed on all four sides?

But it seemed that everyone, except her, understood and took it for granted, as simple as stealing a few tomatoes from an empty orchard.

Simon, while watching the screen, was making crude jokes with JR. Arthur and Yise, smoking, casually discussed the details of the operation. They covered almost every detail, except for one—what to do if the operation failed? Tang Mi suddenly wanted to ask this question but chose to remain silent in the end. Maybe everyone deep down already knew the answer. Perhaps, from the moment they accepted the mission, they had already anticipated the outcome if it failed. But no one said it out loud, because regardless of the outcome, the plan had to be carried out.

Even if they all died, someone would take their place and continue, until the mission was completed.

Tang Mi quietly looked at Arthur, and suddenly a strange thought flashed through her mind: Does he have a family? When he leaves home for a mission, does he ever think that it might be his last time saying goodbye to his family? She could almost picture how Arthur, on a bright morning, might be adjusting his tie while kissing his parents and siblings sitting at the dining table, casually saying, “I have some work to do, I need to go on a business trip to XX for a few days. I’ll bring you a souvenir when I return.” Then he would gently pat the head of his pet dog, who was wagging its tail at him, close the door softly, and turn back with a silent, serious glance.

No, maybe he doesn’t live with his parents. Perhaps he’s kissing goodbye to his wife and children. Suddenly, Tang Mi realized that she knew nothing about this man—his real name, his background, his past and present. He had entered her life like a puzzle, pulling her into a whirlwind of inexplicable events, and now, he wanted her to trust him, to accept him under such a beautiful starry sky.

Tang Mi swallowed hard, the thought tightening her throat, and a bitter taste filled her mouth. The dim yellow light cast a twisted and illusory shadow of Arthur on the ground, like a crouching beast. Beneath his beautiful and soft fur, there could be sharp claws hidden, patiently and eerily waiting for her to fall into his trap.

She suddenly realized that for her, whether to trust him or not wasn’t the issue anymore. The question was how much to trust, and which part of him to trust.

“You’re not looking so well. Go get some rest. Women can’t stay up late like men,” Arthur said, noticing her gaze. He stopped talking and turned back to her.

His voice was gentle, and the green in his eyes shimmered with a captivating, lingering light, causing Tang Mi to involuntarily twitch her lips and give a small smile. “Alright, good night.”

Tang Mi calmly turned and walked toward the bedroom, her lips still smiling, but her heart gradually sinking.

---

Author’s note: Well, Tang Mi is starting to struggle again. She’s such a cautious kid. I can’t help it, I have a bit of a mischievous streak and enjoy teasing my own characters now and then.

For those who love the Chief, he’ll appear in the next chapter. He’ll have some important scenes with Tang Mi, hehe, just a little spoiler.