The supply ship had departed, and Owen had no choice but to find another way off the base. There was no way he could stay here through the weekend, waiting for the next supply ship—this was counterterrorism, and time was critical.
"Damn it…"
Eddie was clearly on edge. He had been watching Owen closely ever since they arrived. Now that Owen had gotten what he wanted, Eddie was deeply concerned he might not keep his word.
His plan had been simple: leave on the same supply ship, and once ashore, go their separate ways. But with the ship gone and the seaplane nowhere in sight—he remembered seeing one docked here last time—he felt unease creeping in.
Owen, meanwhile, was growing frustrated with himself. In his haste, he hadn't prepared adequately. His phone had no signal this far out to sea, and the satellite phone they retrieved required a password. That left the base's communication systems as his only option to reach the outside world.
He glanced toward the tower. But before he contacted anyone, there was something else he needed to do.
He didn't for a second believe that Avril would rent a room here just to hide out. She had to have another reason. Considering this was a biomedical research facility, the first thing that came to Owen's mind was biochemical weapons. Occupational reflex.
"We're heading to the second floor…"
Scott had previously mentioned that the second floor housed labs and work areas. Owen wanted to take a look—maybe he'd find some clues.
According to Eddie, this was just one of Avril's many safehouses, and she wasn't likely to return soon. Owen had no intention of alerting anyone prematurely. Once he got back, he'd have the place put under surveillance. If Avril ever returned, they could capture her immediately. In the middle of the ocean, he doubted she'd have many options for escape.
Eddie didn't object. Until he was off this base, he had no interest in antagonizing Owen.
It was likely because it was the weekend that the base seemed so deserted. On their way from the surface down to the second floor, they didn't encounter a single person.
The entire base still retained its World War II utilitarian aesthetic—steel and concrete everywhere, no decorative touches. The starkness lent it a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, especially with the knowledge that it lay deep beneath the ocean's surface.
They reached the second floor quickly. The labs were in the central section. The main entrance was locked. Owen inspected the surrounding offices, and the two began searching.
They found quite a few documents—varied and technical. Honestly, most of it was beyond Owen's comprehension. Too specialized. He could only photograph what looked important. These would need to be analyzed by experts back on land. If it turned out to be pharmaceutical data, fine—but if it was biochemical weaponry, CTU would have a full-scale operation on their hands.
…
Up in the sky, an orange-red seaplane sliced through the clear blue. As it flew over the ocean, Avril glanced at the shrinking supply ship below and slowly looked away.
Down on the water, the seaplane began its descent. Glaz's piloting was masterful. The plane glided smoothly across the water, gradually slowing down and eventually making a graceful turn as it taxied into its berth.
The propeller slowed. The hatch opened. Avril and Glaz jumped down, shaking off sea spray from their boots. Glaz waved up at the control tower. Susan inside waved back. The animal caretakers and other workers in the aquatic section greeted them with casual familiarity. Seeing this, both Avril and Glaz lowered their guard and walked toward the main building.
They took the elevator to the third floor, descending beneath the sea. As they reached their room, Avril was about to enter the code when Glaz suddenly raised his hand to stop her. He crouched down and examined a spot near the bottom of the door, then gave her a look.
Avril instantly went on alert, pulling out her gun and taking position beside the wall. Glaz mirrored her on the other side.
As a sniper, Glaz was always cautious. Before they had left, he'd placed a single hair across the doorframe as a tamper-evident marker. Now, one end of the hair had shifted—someone had entered their room while they were away.
Ready, Avril entered the code. Glaz opened the door and swept the space.
The room was tidy, undisturbed at first glance. They exchanged looks. Avril began checking drawers and corners. Glaz pulled out a signal detector and scanned for bugs.
After a thorough inspection, Glaz found nothing. But Avril, opening a drawer, found the hidden compartment empty.
"The satellite phone is gone…"
Her mind raced. Her first thought: CIA. A particular face popped into her mind—the ordinary but infuriating one of Jason. Avril remembered the horrific moment he smashed in Zheng Anshun's head with a wrench. Her arm trembled.
"We're leaving. You plant the bombs. I'll grab the gear."
She gave her order with sharp precision. Glaz responded instantly, pulling out a cloth bundle and unzipping it to reveal a full load of C4. Avril removed a wall-mounted painting, revealing an MP5 taped behind the frame.
As they organized their gear, a knock came at the door, followed by a head poking in.
"Hey, guys, I just wanted to ask—tonight is Dr. Susie's birthday. We're planning a little surprise for her, and wondered if you two—uh…"
The guy had been smiling until he saw the gun in Avril's hand. His face went pale.
Avril gestured with the muzzle. "Inside."
He stepped in, trembling. Glaz peeked outside, saw nothing, then closed the door.
"Birthday party? Lovely. Tell me—where is Dr. Susie right now?"
A gun pressed to his forehead. Cold sweat poured down the man's face. After a long pause, he stammered, "Uhh… at this hour… she's usually in the lab…"
Bang!
Glaz shot him point-blank. Then he grabbed the C4 bag and sprinted to the elevator. Avril took the stairs up to the second floor.
"All personnel, attention. We've received a warning from the Coast Guard: a storm system is approaching. Please prepare accordingly…"
The base-wide broadcast echoed from the control tower, Susan's voice delivering the message. But no one panicked—storms were routine at sea. As long as they were prepared, it was fine.
Avril pushed on. She headed straight for the lab. On the surface, Glaz emerged from the elevator. Rain was pouring heavily now. The work area was deserted. As he passed the control tower, he waved to Susan, who waved back. As he walked by, he discreetly attached a block of C4 to the base of the tower.
When he reached the fuel depot, he spotted Scott struggling to turn a large valve.
"What are you doing?" Glaz shouted, rain thundering all around.
"Gotta shut the fuel flow before the storm hits!"
Scott yelled back.
"I'll help you."
Glaz approached, and—pop pop! Two silenced shots to the head. Scott collapsed, blood mingling with the rain on the concrete.
With the obstacle removed, Glaz began placing C4. The heavy rain masked the gunfire perfectly.
Once he finished, he tucked the remote detonator into his pocket and returned to the elevator.
He didn't notice the shadow silently following him through the darkness.
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/Mutter
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.