"I am cognizant of your intended query. I shall apprise you of the particulars once we are en route in the vehicle. This locale is not conducive to such discourse," Nie Yun responded with a faint smile as he exited the military airfield.
On the thoroughfare in Kaohsiung, a military jeep sped past...
"I have received the latest classified intelligence, indicating the presence of an unprecedented mecha. It was during daylight hours, and the mecha infiltrated Zheng Yu's office without raising any alarm. This is rather perplexing. Liu Tao has already returned to Beijing via the same aircraft. All indications intimate that the United States is reluctant for this mecha to become public knowledge. The mecha's configuration was nonetheless captured by a highly clandestine surveillance device within the data repository," Nie Yun mused.
"To assassinate the Chief of the Confidential Section? It must be motivated by the acquisition of certain intelligence. Yet, what intelligence would compel the United States to deploy a clandestine force?" 24 pondered analytically.
"13's data. 13's data is absent from the data repository," Nie Yun stated gravely, "The United States seeks to ascertain our ultimate strategy. Hence, they were compelled to risk exposure of their own assets to surreptitiously observe ours."
"13 possesses no specific data. Even if they were to obtain it, it would merely constitute superficial details. Therefore, we have emerged victorious in this instance, for we are at least aware of whether they retain any further resources," 36 asserted.
"Indeed, it appears the United States retains a concealed advantage beyond their currently observed capabilities. They possess the capacity to infiltrate the heavily fortified Political Department undetected, commit assassination, detonation, and theft, and subsequently withdraw unscathed. Their ultimate recourse is rather disconcerting," Nie Yun concluded, before closing his eyes to repose.
Silence permeated the vehicle once more.
The approximately two-hour journey elapsed swiftly. Nie Yun did not avail himself of rest, but rather requested 1 to escort him to 13 with haste. In Nie Yun's present estimation, the significance of 13 superseded all else. Moreover, 13's decision to permit the American mecha to depart the battlefield suggested that his "emotional" safeguards were on the verge of collapse.
"Grandfather Nie! 13... 13 has departed!" 1 exclaimed慌张地 to Nie Yun.
"A sharp retort echoed as Nie Yun delivered a forceful slap to 1, sending him sprawling to the ground. The gentle grandfather of moments prior seemed a mere figment of their imagination. 24 and 36, standing nearby, also trembled visibly.
"How did you all 'safeguard' 13? Your performance has been profoundly disappointing. I must re-evaluate your raison d'être. Perhaps you have forgotten the 'black house'?" Nie Yun's frigid tone seemed to congeal the very air within the office.
"Grandfather, we have all been obedient and adhered to your directives! Why are we invariably penalized for 13's transgressions? It is grossly unjust!" 36 lamented through tears, voicing her discontent.
"36! How dare you address Grandfather in such a manner! Offer an immediate apology!" 1, still on the ground, rebuked 36 with alarm.
"Child, the concept of fairness no longer holds sway in this world..." Nie Yun murmured, stroking 36's hair before abruptly seizing it and declaring, "I shall grant you a single opportunity to retrieve 13 intact. Should I receive any tidings of 13's demise, for as long as you draw breath, you shall comprehend the true meaning of sorrowful existence. Depart!" He then released 36.
"Affirmative!" 1 responded resolutely, rising to his feet.
"I trust you shall not occasion further disappointment. Go," Nie Yun gestured dismissively. 1, accompanied by 24 and 36, turned and exited the office.
"Why? You will not even permit me to offer a rebuttal!" 36 exclaimed, shaking off 1's restraining hand.
"You are well-acquainted with Grandfather Nie's temperament. Have you contemplated a life wherein even self-destruction is not a permissible option?"
"But are you amenable to allowing the esteemed Special Task Force 7, the most distinguished military personnel in China, to be relegated to the sole purpose of protecting a psychologically fragile test-tube infant..."
"Utter one more syllable, and I shall terminate you!" 24 stated icily.
"Do you believe I am intimidated by you?" 36 clenched her fists in defiance.
"All of you, silence!" 1 roared, his fist impacting the tiled wall of the corridor, causing it to fracture. "I care not whether your sentiments towards 13 are of animosity or affection. Our present mandate is to locate him!"
At that juncture, within the National Security Section office of the Central Political Department in Beijing...
"Recount to me the circumstances surrounding Zheng Yu's demise," Liu Tao commanded, his gaze fixed upon a young man in his early twenties.
"I regret to inform you, Commander Liu, that such information is beyond your purview. It constitutes a matter of utmost national secrecy," the man replied.
"Furnish me with a justification for this withholding of information," Liu Tao demanded, his fists clenching tightly.
"You have no need for such extensive knowledge. Very well, Commander Liu, you have endured a protracted flight without respite. I shall dispatch personnel to arrange for your accommodation. Comrade Zheng's interment will be conducted in three days..."
"Zheng Yu was my closest confidant..." Liu Tao interjected, "Li Lei. I, Liu Tao, have never beseeched anyone for a favor in my entire existence. Consider this as my entreaty..." Liu Tao knelt down, his grief palpable, mourning the loss of his comrade of three decades. All his fortitude and all his dignity were rendered insignificant at this moment...
"Commander Liu," the young man named Li Lei assisted the foremost general of China to his feet. "I, too, am experiencing profound anguish over Zheng Yu's passing! You must understand that I bear responsibility for the security of the Political Department. For such an incident to occur constitutes a dereliction of duty on my part, Li Lei, towards both you and him. However, I am genuinely unable to divulge this information. It is an order personally mandated by the Chairman, the rationale being your current command of the Taiwan conflict. Upon your successful capture of Taiwan, I shall immediately impart all pertinent details to you. I, Li Lei, swear this before heaven!"
"I comprehend," Liu Tao responded, patting Li Lei's shoulder. "I shall not place you in an untenable position. It suffices that you remember your pledge today. I shall inquire no further."
Liu Tao turned and departed Li Lei's office. Without seeking respite, he proceeded directly to the airport from which he had flown with Nie Yun the previous day, and boarded a flight back to the Kaohsiung base.
Aboard the aircraft, Liu Tao initiated a call to Secretary Chen.
"This is Liu Tao. Transmit my directive: the three armed forces are to commence a large-scale, comprehensive offensive against Taiwan. I intend for our troops to have a visual of Taipei's skyscrapers within a seven-day timeframe. Furthermore, convey to the soldiers that this is my personal, perhaps unreasonable, request. I owe it to our comrades. Upon the subjugation of Taiwan, I shall treat the entire army to a repast."
Concluding the call, Liu Tao directed his gaze towards the window. It was now the dead of night, and resplendent stars shimmered in the heavens. Perhaps moved by the scenic splendor, Liu Tao shed his first tears since reaching adulthood...
March 3, 2011, the Taiwanese military finally bore witness to what could only be described as a "battlefield nightmare." "The Chinese army has unleashed its fury!" This was the headline that dominated international news outlets that day. Since the issuance of Liu Tao's command, the soldiers' morale transcended mere enthusiasm. It was a common sight to behold that immediately following the cessation of artillery bombardment, the soldiers had already reached the enemy's lines, their firearms trained upon their adversaries. The customary exhortation to "lay down your arms and you shall not be harmed" was dispensed with as a superfluous expenditure of time. Anyone observed wielding a weapon was deemed an individual unwilling to yield. Those unwilling to yield were obstructing the advance—eliminate them! Ultimately, a paradoxical scene unfolded on the battlefield: upon the Chinese army's incursion into enemy territory, the Taiwanese soldiers' immediate reaction was to discard their weapons.
All personnel disregarded peril, disregarded injuries, and some even lost sight of the fact that the conflict was waged for the nation.
Their sole aspiration now was to partake in a meal with Liu Tao, to avoid disappointing him, and to spare him the sight of their distress. Everyone was aware of the fraternal bond between Zheng Yu and Liu Tao. Everyone was also cognizant of Zheng Yu's sacrifice. No one would forget Commander Liu's appeal to them. That sufficed. A distinguished foremost general of the nation had humbled himself to implore ordinary soldiers for their service.
The prevailing sentiment among all was not one of pride or exhilaration, but rather a profound sense of responsibility.
"We shall ensure the Commander beholds the skyscrapers he wishes to see!" resonated in the hearts of all.
Subsequently, the Chairman offered the following assessment: "The successful reintegration of Taiwan could have been achieved without aircraft and artillery, without tactical guidance, but it could not have been achieved without Liu Tao!"
At this juncture, Nie Yun was preoccupied with matters beyond the Taiwan theater of operations. He was solely focused on deducing 13's potential whereabouts based on the residual traces he had left behind. However, all such efforts proved futile.
Nie Yun reclined in his plush office chair, massaging his eyes, which were fatigued from prolonged exertion.
He suddenly found his own actions ironic. How could he possibly anticipate the behavior of an individual whose psychological state was compromised?
"Is this the inherent sorrow of possessing power? In our pursuit of power, we forsake morality and neglect care. Ultimately, it is we who bear the consequences," Nie Yun remarked with a touch of self-deprecation, "Yet, even so, we cannot relinquish our hold on power."
"13, can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Within the jungle...
"Absolutely no leads. 13 has not left even the slightest indication of his whereabouts, and his mastery of camouflage is simply beyond our capacity to detect. Our only recourse at this juncture is to await 13's voluntary return," 1 lamented.
"Grandfather does not possess the luxury of time to await his return. Should we fail to locate him by the time Commander Liu's forces breach Taipei, I surmise Grandfather will..." 36 made a gesture indicating suffocation.
"I have been contemplating..." 24 began, addressing 1 and 36, "13 never engages in frivolous endeavors, at least not the 13 we are acquainted with. His departure may ostensibly appear to be motivated by a desire to avoid Grandfather, but in actuality, he must have departed with a specific objective in mind."
"I concur with that assessment, but what could that objective possibly be?" 1 mused.
"Heaven only knows what he intends to do. He has been acting rather enigmatically since viewing that recording..." 36 remarked with a hint of exasperation.
"He has gone in pursuit of that crimson mecha!" 24 suddenly exclaimed, "Precisely! He has been grappling with the reason behind his decision to permit the enemy to escape, and this has caused him considerable disquiet."
"Where might he possibly seek it?" 1 inquired.
"Taipei! The enemy's prized weaponry would undoubtedly be housed within their primary headquarters. That is our logical deduction, and it must be his as well!" 36 analyzed.
"Let us proceed! We are en route to Taipei!" 1 declared, his gaze directed northward.
All the unresolved questions and potential answers converged upon Taipei. All matters would reach their culmination within the ensuing seven days...
Meanwhile, the individual for whom they were conducting an exhaustive search, 13, stood at a street corner in Taipei, clad in unremarkable attire, awaiting the change of the traffic signal.
He merely sought to comprehend the rationale behind his decision to spare an adversary whom he was entirely capable of eliminating. Never before in his existence had he committed such an inconceivable act. He sensed a transformation within himself...
This realization elicited both elation and trepidation. Upon encountering the "angel," all would become clear...