TIC Chapter 64

 Chapter 64

Aivel rubbed his chin. "I seem to recall you have some whiskey around here, don't you?"

"You old drunkard." Major General Gordon chuckled as he poured a scant half-glass of whiskey and set it down in front of his guest.

Aivel took a sip of the chilled whiskey, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes, lost in thought.

"The Ministry of Military Affairs is currently tightening security at the Central Academy of Sciences; however, their special forces are few in number, making it impossible to station them permanently at the Academy. The most viable approach remains housing our most critical research projects here, at the Special Task Force Headquarters."

Major General Gordon leaned against his desk, shrugging as he smiled. "Don't forget—our main control system was breached just today."

"The main control system here is no joke. For a military base of this strategic importance to suffer a total system collapse... conquering it from the outside would be a monumental task. Yet, the enemy executed this breach so thoroughly that only one possibility remains: a member of the 'Tide' organization is already inside."

"Therefore, Xiao Yan needs to be relocated. I can dispatch my most elite special forces operatives to provide him with protection."

Lieutenant General Aivel shook his head. "Here, Xiao Yan is situated at the very core of the entire Special Task Force command structure; even if 'Tide' operatives are indeed present, they wouldn't dare waltz in and make a move against him openly. However, if we were to transfer him back to the Central Academy... how much protection could a mere handful of special forces operatives truly provide? The 'Tide' organization orchestrated this brazen intrusion into our main control system solely to create a smokescreen—to mislead us into transferring Xiao Yan to a location where it would be far easier for them to strike."

Hearing this, a cold sweat broke out on Xiao Yan's back. If everything unfolded exactly as Lieutenant General Aivel had predicted, the implications were truly terrifying.

He... had become the 'Tide' organization's primary target.

Major General Gordon sighed. "There is certainly merit to your reasoning."

Lieutenant General Aivel patted the spot beside him, signaling for Xiao Yan to take a seat. “Xiao Yan, we are going to make your laboratory system completely autonomous. You will have your own dedicated database. To guarantee the confidentiality of your research, the Academy of Sciences will not assign you any research assistants—though, of course, I am one hundred percent certain that you don’t need any assistants anyway.”

Xiao Yan was still trying to process Lieutenant General Averil’s words. So what if the research system was completely autonomous? Even Xiao Yan himself could find vulnerabilities to exploit; it was merely a matter of how much time it took. No system could ever be truly, completely autonomous.

Noticing his look of apprehension, Lieutenant General Averil flicked a finger against the space between Xiao Yan’s eyebrows. “My boy, do you know what the most perfect form of defense is?”

“...”

“It is ourselves.” Lieutenant General Averil’s index finger tapped against Xiao Yan’s forehead. “The brain—when it is open to everything, it is most easily breached. But when it becomes complex, it becomes impregnable. I imagine the events of today have left you exhausted; you should go get some proper rest now.”

Xiao Yan rose to his feet in a daze and walked out the door, only then realizing that Hein was still waiting for him in the corridor, leaning against the wall.

“Colonel Burton, Lieutenant General Averil wishes to see you.”

Hein walked past Xiao Yan. “Wait right here for me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hein stepped through the door, while Xiao Yan remained in the corridor, staring blankly at the liaison officer.

Someone approached silently, then suddenly wrapped their arms tightly around Xiao Yan’s waist and hoisted him into the air. Xiao Yan didn’t stop to think; his body reacted on pure instinct. He tried to wedge his hands between his assailant’s arms to break their hold, but it was immediately obvious that there was a vast disparity in their physical strength.

“Who’s there—?”

The person released Xiao Yan and turned his face toward them.

Xiao Yan found himself staring into Jian’s eyes—eyes that held a distinct trace of anger.

“So, finally scared now?”

“Jian!” Xiao Yan let out a relieved breath. “I thought you were...”

“You thought I was one of the people from the Tide?”

Jian fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan; gone was his usual languid air, replaced by an expression that carried more than a hint of reproach. “You’re riddled with vulnerabilities—utterly lacking in vigilance. Even now, after all this time, you still don’t possess even the most basic common sense regarding safety!”

Jan pressed his palm against Xiao Yan’s head and leaned in close. His handsome, striking features were reflected in Xiao Yan’s eyes with crystal clarity; his expression conveyed a message that was unmistakable: *I have truly never met anyone as foolish as you.*

“Huh?”

“Hah—.” Jan let out a heavy sigh, then gave Xiao Yan a sharp rap on the forehead with his palm. He didn’t stop until Xiao Yan squeezed his eyes shut and began trying to dodge—only then did he seem satisfied. “Since you knew that the ‘Tide Surge’ organization had infiltrated the main control system via the terminals, why were you stupid enough to enter a terminal yourself—essentially delivering yourself right into their hands?”

“But if they controlled the system, they could release the research-grade toxins! I would have died just the same, trapped inside the lab!”

Jan clenched his jaw tight, pressing his hands firmly against Xiao Yan’s cheeks until they were squashed into a comical shape. “Tell me, Lieutenant Xiao Yan—do you *really* not understand why the Tide Surge organization went to such extreme lengths to attack you—even at the cost of revealing their infiltration of the Special Task Force to Military Command?”

“...Because they need our brains.” Especially since he had recently traveled to Antarctica to conduct environmental research on the Comet Virus.

“If the toxins killed you, or even just impaired your cognitive abilities, wouldn’t all their massive effort have been completely in vain? The *correct* course of action would have been to stay put in the lab and wait for rescue!”

Jan’s words were a sudden revelation for Xiao Yan; he let out a gasp of sudden realization: “So *that’s* how it is!”

Clutching his chest, Jan looked as if he were on the verge of suffering a massive heart attack. “It’s fine...”

“What do you mean, ‘it’s fine’?”

“I thought you would blame me for not letting you report my research findings to Major General Gordon...”

Jane closed his eyes and sighed. “We are both soldiers. Although our duties differ, obeying orders is a soldier’s sacred duty. You are engaged in X-2 research; if you truly achieved a breakthrough—especially now, with the Surge Organization acting so brazenly—your superiors would demand that you keep it confidential. As your supervisor, Hein Burton has the right to know exactly how far your research has progressed. But I am different; I am not your supervisor. The fact that you upheld your principles even with me actually puts my mind at ease.”

“At ease?”

“If there truly is a Surge Organization infiltrator here, they would undoubtedly approach you in the most harmless manner possible to win your trust—only to bare their fangs when you are at your most vulnerable. If you can maintain your professional boundaries even with me, then I needn't worry about you naively letting your guard down with just anyone.”

Jane’s words instantly lifted the heavy burden that had been weighing on Xiao Yan’s heart.

Meanwhile, inside Major General Gordon’s office, Aver sat with his legs crossed, his fingers tapping a rhythmic beat against his knee. Standing before him, Hein Burton wore a completely expressionless face; with his hands clasped behind his back, he maintained a flawless, impeccable military posture.

“Ah... You haven’t changed a bit in eight years, whereas I feel as though I’ve aged considerably.”

“Sir, I trust you did not come here merely to reminisce.”

Lieutenant General Aver and Major General Gordon exchanged a knowing smile. “I find myself missing the days when he was still at the Central Academy. Even back then, he projected an air of inaccessibility, but he was certainly far more—dare I say—*lovable* than he is now.”

“Sir, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Don’t be in such a rush; as I recall, you aren’t typically such an impatient man.” Lieutenant General Aver raised his wine glass to his lips, though he did not take a sip. “We must ensure that Xiao Yan’s research continues.”

Hein remained silent. “This time, too, it falls to you—by linking to the terminal—to expel the ‘Blocker’ from Xiao Yan’s brain. We cannot simply pin our hopes on isolating Xiao Yan’s research system to ensure his mind remains unbreached, for no protective system can ever surpass the human brain itself. Even while he is conducting his research, he requires your protection, Colonel Burton. Do you understand what I mean?”

“You want me to enter the terminal and safeguard his brain.”

“Yes.” Lieutenant General Averell nodded. “For the time being, his brain is of paramount importance.”

“I cannot protect him forever.”

No sooner had he uttered those words than the expressions on Averell and Gordon’s faces instantly grew somber. This marked Hein Burton’s eighth year as a Special Forces operative; he had only two years remaining on his term. If the activity level of the X-virus within his body continued to intensify, he might not even have those two years left.

“Then protect him until... he learns how to safeguard himself within the realm of the mind.” Averell’s voice faltered slightly. “Of course, if he succeeds in developing X-2, none of this will be an issue anymore.”

Hein turned and pushed open the door.

“What do you think? Do you honestly believe Hein has high hopes for Xiao Yan? Ever since *that* incident... I get the distinct impression that Hein no longer holds any attachment to anything in this world.” Major General Gordon poured another half-glass of wine for Averell.

“He will.” The corners of Averell’s lips slowly deepened into a grim line.

The moment Hein pushed open the door, his eyes fell upon Xiao Yan and Jane, who were leaning against the wall, chatting idly.

“Hey.” Jane gave a casual flick of his wrist—his standard form of greeting.

Hein completely ignored Jane, walking straight up to Xiao Yan. Using his customary, flat, and commanding tone, he relayed Lieutenant General Averell’s orders: “Second Lieutenant Xiao Yan, effective immediately, in addition to your physical safety, your brain shall also be placed under my direct supervision. Your system will be completely isolated from the main control network; until that process is complete, you are advised against conducting any research whatsoever.”

The sheer intensity of that oppressive aura made Xiao Yan feel, for a fleeting instant, as though he had been transported back to the very first time he had met Hein. Sometimes, Xiao Yan could sense a subtle indulgence in the way Hein treated him—along with a patience so faint it was almost imperceptible. Yet at other times, that old sense of detachment would suddenly resurface, leaving Xiao Yan feeling utterly at a loss.

"Yes, Colonel." That was the only response Xiao Yan could offer.

"Please report your schedule for this afternoon."

"I... would like to rest in my room."

"Mm."

Hein stepped aside; Xiao Yan cast a brief glance at Jane before walking forward. He could feel Hein’s footsteps following close behind him. Upon returning to his room, Xiao Yan assumed Hein would take his leave; to his surprise, however, Hein followed him inside and sat down—sitting upright and poised—on the sofa directly facing the bed.

This was not the first time Xiao Yan had found himself alone in a shared space with Hein, yet every time, he found himself captivated by the subtle tension hanging between them. At this moment, he sat silently on his bed, while Hein showed no inclination to interact with him whatsoever; deciding to simply give in, Xiao Yan flopped back onto the bed and pulled the covers over himself.

Closing his eyes, Xiao Yan felt utterly bored. He longed to do as he used to—put on his terminal headset to listen to music or exchange a few casual words with someone just to kill time—but clearly, the terminal was no longer a safe device for him.

Instinctively, he glanced in Hein’s direction; the other man simply sat still on the sofa, his eyes closed.

In this moment, Xiao Yan could admire him without any inhibition. He possessed features of exquisite refinement—so alluring one longed to reach out and touch them, yet so formidable one dared not approach. With that stifling, overpowering presence temporarily withdrawn, it felt to Xiao Yan as though he had discovered a small opening—a narrow aperture left behind by Hein Burton, through which he was permitted to catch a fleeting glimpse of the man himself.

Xiao Yan quietly sat up and leaned back against the headboard, gazing across at Hein. The chaotic turmoil and trepidation within his heart slowly settled, drifting down like dust motes in the air; he knew, deep down, that this man was watching over him—protecting him—at every single moment.

A long while passed; eventually, Xiao Yan’s head slumped to the side as he drifted off to sleep.

The man sitting silently on the sofa slowly lifted his eyelids, then rose quietly and approached the bedside.

Xiao Yan’s head was resting at an awkward, uncomfortable angle; in response, his brows furrowed slightly in his sleep. Hein’s hand came to rest against Xiao Yan’s cheek, gently lifting his head; he then slipped his arm beneath Xiao Yan’s knees, effortlessly lifting him up, laying him flat, and pulling the blanket over him.

Xiao Yan was fast asleep—a deep, heavy slumber. He felt as though he had drifted into a place that was utterly cold and alien. Intricate machinery stretched endlessly around him, converging upon the very core of this space: a massive nutrient tank within which a human brain was suspended, connected to the outside world by countless neural sensor lines. Xiao Yan looked around; in an instant, tens of thousands of holographic screens flickered past him, displaying complex calculations and countless theoretical conjectures in constant motion. Suddenly, Xiao Yan’s gaze snapped back to the brain within the tank, for he sensed something cold whispering right beside his ear.

*I’m so tired... truly so tired... Won’t someone just make it end?*

“What?” Xiao Yan hugged his arms tightly to his chest, trembling as he frantically scanned his surroundings; he had no idea where he was, nor could he find a single familiar landmark.

*I don’t want to think anymore...*

“Who? Who’s speaking?”

Xiao Yan spun around, his eyes locking once again onto the nutrient tank. The deep convolutions of the human brain suspended within it appeared pale—almost translucent—with exhaustion and frailty, evoking in Xiao Yan a sense of terror that felt eerily familiar.

*It is I who am speaking to you.*

“Who are you?”

Xiao Yan was overcome with panic.

*I am your brain.*

In that instant, Xiao Yan caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the shimmering surface of the nutrient tank: the upper portion of his skull—everything above his eyes—had been removed, leaving nothing but an empty void within his cranium.

“Ah!”

Xiao Yan let out a piercing scream of terror, stumbling backward step by step.

It felt as though he were drowning; Xiao Yan’s arms began flailing wildly in the air.

Suddenly, a strong force seized his wrists. “Xiao Yan! Wake up! You’re dreaming!”

Xiao Yan’s eyes snapped open; his entire body was drenched in sweat. Gasping for breath, he struggled to bring his surroundings into focus—and only then did he realize that Hein was right there beside him. Hein was lying on his side next to Xiao Yan; one arm was draped around the back of Xiao Yan’s neck, his hand resting firmly on his shoulder, while his other hand held fast to the wrists Xiao Yan had been flailing.

“Where is my brain?” Xiao Yan asked, his voice trembling. Hein released Xiao Yan’s hand, his palm shifting instead to rest against his forehead. "It’s right here."

Xiao Yan closed his eyes and swallowed hard, while Hein drew him close, pressing him against his chest with his chin resting atop his head.

"You are having a nightmare." Hein’s cool voice soothed Xiao Yan’s frayed nerves; though the tone was crisp, clinical, and devoid of warmth, it made Xiao Yan feel far safer and warmer than the space he had inhabited in his dream.

"I... I dreamed that my brain was taken out... placed in a nutrient vat... They forced me to think... to keep thinking, endlessly... I was so, so tired, but they wouldn't let me stop..."

"That will not happen."

"Why...? They can infiltrate Shire; they can breach any central control system... They could find me so easily... They..."

"Because I am by your side."

That single, simple sentence from Hein instantly calmed Xiao Yan.

"You make me..." Xiao Yan turned his face away, offering a wry smile. "...feel weaker than I ever have before."

"You once said that while one may fear death, one must never face it with regret. Since death is, by its very nature, a terrifying thing, you need not feel weak simply because you fear it."

Hein’s eyes were so close to his own—that expanse of icy blue instantly drew him in, appearing both serene and all-encompassing. It was a sensation Xiao Yan had never imagined he would receive from Hein.

"But you... you seem to have absolutely no fear of death."

"I, too, feel fear."

Hein’s fingers gently stroked through Xiao Yan’s hair; that soothing touch gradually calmed the frantic rhythm of Xiao Yan’s racing heart.

"Fear of what?"

"Fear that the person I wish to protect might not be able to protect himself once I am gone."

It was a tone as calm and detached as ever, yet the words landed heavily upon Xiao Yan’s heart.

Throughout his life, Xiao Yan had perhaps felt drawn to many people. He had once held hands beneath a small table with a little girl in kindergarten—a girl with a bob haircut—and had even told his mother he intended to marry her; yet now, he could no longer even recall that little girl’s name. He had once regarded Lily as the goddess of his fantasies; yet now, when Maya brought her up, he felt no surging emotion within his heart.

Xiao Yan reached out and touched Hein’s nasal bridge. Hein neither pulled away nor stopped him; he simply closed his eyes slowly. This, presumably, was the "bottom line" Maya had spoken of—the things others were forbidden from doing to Hein, Xiao Yan was permitted to do.

With the knuckle of his index finger, he gently lifted Hein’s drooping lashes; for the first time, Xiao Yan experienced Hein’s softness. He suddenly propped himself up and leaned in, kissing him with forceful intensity. Hein leaned back slightly, yet ultimately, he did not pull away. The tip of Xiao Yan’s tongue...

He tried with all his might to press his way past the seam of the other man's lips, but Hein kept his mouth tightly pursed. This was the man's sole boundary; he did not want Xiao Yan's arousal to be merely a side effect of the X-virus.

The harder Xiao Yan pressed, the tighter Hein clamped his lips shut. Suddenly, Hein slammed Xiao Yan down onto the mattress, his hands gripping the younger man's wrists like vises. Their foreheads touched, and Hein's scorching breath hovered just inches from Xiao Yan's lips. His lips drifted down to Xiao Yan's cheek, then lingered to kiss his chin; though he had tempered his physical force, the touch ignited every one of Xiao Yan's senses.

"Go take a shower."

Giving Xiao Yan no time to dwell on the moment, Hein placed a hand against his back to help him up, instantly severing the impulse that threatened to spiral out of control at any second.

Only then did Xiao Yan realize that he had nearly soaked the bedsheets with sweat. Mark and Liv had mentioned more than once that Hein detested physical contact—let alone contact with another person's sweat. Even though Hein hadn't said a word, Xiao Yan suddenly felt self-conscious about it.

He stepped into the shower stall. Water—heated to the perfect temperature by the automated system—cascaded down over his head. Xiao Yan braced his hands against the tiled wall; the image of that brain, suspended within its nutrient-filled jar, was seared into his mind as vividly as a brand. He hoped the warm water might wash it all away, but the nightmare had been too visceral; in such a short time, Xiao Yan found it impossible to calm his racing thoughts.

When he finally emerged from the bathroom, he noticed that the bedsheets had already been changed, and a dinner tray sat waiting on the small coffee table in front of the sofa.

Only then did Xiao Yan realize that it was already seven-thirty in the evening.

"Your dinner."

Hein tapped the rim of the tray; as the aroma of the food reached him, Xiao Yan’s stomach suddenly growled with hunger.

Xiao Yan lowered his head and took his first bite, acutely aware that Hein was sitting right beside him.

The situation made Xiao Yan feel just a little bit awkward. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I already ate while you were sleeping.”

“Oh…”

Hein wasn’t exactly a conversationalist. Although Xiao Yan desperately wanted to find something to distract himself from the lingering influence of that dream, without access to a terminal, he couldn't listen to music or watch movies. Besides… he simply wanted to stay by Hein’s side.

“Could you keep teaching me… about combat?”

Xiao Yan made the request tentatively, carefully observing Hein’s expression as he did so.

“Mm.”

Hein stood up. Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief; at last, he had something to do.

Stepping out of the room, Xiao Yan was surprised to find six special forces soldiers standing guard right outside his door—including Liv and Mark.

Two of the soldiers remained posted at Xiao Yan’s doorway, while the others followed close behind him as they headed toward the nearest training room.

Being the center of so many people’s attention made Xiao Yan feel deeply uncomfortable; every now and then, he would scratch his neck or rub his elbow.

They finally entered the training room. Hein turned his head slightly, and in response, Mark, Liv, and two other soldiers took up positions outside the door. Only then did Xiao Yan breathe a slight sigh of relief; he knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate if he felt their eyes on him.

There was no specific new lesson planned; instead, Hein worked with Xiao Yan to review techniques for breaking free after being subdued.

Hein used one hand to pin Xiao Yan’s wrist behind his back while applying pressure to his shoulder; meanwhile, Xiao Yan repeatedly practiced the precise angles and maneuvers required to slip out of his opponent’s hold.

Without the aid of X-2, no matter how flawlessly he mastered these techniques, they would likely prove entirely futile.

And right now, he was pinned to the floor beneath Hein. His arm was twisted back behind him, while Hein knelt at his side, his knee pressing firmly against the small of Xiao Yan’s back.

For Xiao Yan, breaking free from such a hold was simply impossible.

“Don’t use brute force to struggle upward; you’ll only injure your shoulder.”

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and attempted to roll onto his side, but Hein’s knee held him fast, completely blocking his movement. “It’s absolutely impossible for me to get up!”

“Of course you have a chance to get up.”

“How?!”

Hein drew up his knees and hauled Xiao Yan to his feet. “Right now—this is your chance.”

“What?” Xiao Yan stood frozen on the spot. Hein’s lips were mere inches from his own; he recalled a time when he had accidentally brushed against those very lips and nearly paid for it with his life. Everything, it seemed, had changed without him even realizing it.

“Unless your opponent intends to keep you pinned face-down on the ground indefinitely, he will inevitably pull you back up. But before he does so, he will first ensure that your wrists are completely immobilized.”

“I thought... I thought you meant there was some specific technique I could use to...”

Hein released Xiao Yan and turned to face him directly.

“Combat isn’t merely a desperate struggle to the death; it also requires the patience to wait for the right opportunity. When you find yourself trapped in a situation you can no longer control, you must remain calm and wait for your moment.”

“Yes, Colonel.”

“I want you to remember this—not just in this moment, but always.” Hein’s gaze deepened; Xiao Yan understood that, in Hein’s eyes, this principle held far greater importance than any specific combat tactic or martial arts technique.

“I assure you, I’ve got it memorized, Colonel.”

Before they knew it, more than three hours had passed.

Xiao Yan followed close behind Hein as they returned to his room.

Although Xiao Yan was utterly exhausted—his body screaming for rest—he simply couldn't muster the courage to close his eyes.

Hein, meanwhile, sat perfectly still on the sofa, looking as rigid and motionless as a statue. Xiao Yan even found himself wondering: was the man actually planning to sit there like that for the entire night?

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Hein’s voice drifted over—soft, and devoid of the icy coldness it usually carried under the harsh glare of the lights.