Free Web NovelChapter 40: The intelligence
An officer handed Leo a pen and a stack of papers. Leo took them and immediately started sketching the alien. Once the drawing was finished, he began writing down every detail he could remember about the creature.
When he was done, he reviewed the pages to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. Satisfied, he handed the stack over to the Colonel.
The Colonel went through the information carefully, reading it point by point. Then, he looked up and met Leo’s eyes.
"You handed over this intelligence before getting paid," the Colonel noted. "Aren’t you afraid I might break my word?"
Leo smiled confidently. "I just lost my entire team to get this information. If you want to push your luck right now, I doubt anyone in this room is ready for the consequences."
The atmosphere inside the tent grew heavy at Leo’s blunt threat.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on the Colonel’s face. "Don’t worry, it won’t come to that. I can’t speak for others, but I keep my word."
"I hope so," Leo replied.
Just then, a soldier entered the tent carrying a box. The Colonel nodded, signaling the soldier to hand it over.
"This box contains the crystals I promised," the Colonel said. "As for the weapons and ammunition you asked for, someone will bring them from the armory as you leave."
Leo nodded in acknowledgment.
"I need to keep you just a little longer," the Colonel continued. "Clarify a few points for me, and then you are free to go."
"Ask away," Leo said.
The Colonel ordered an officer to take notes, then turned back to Leo. "According to your report, this alien has psychic powers and can control others. Please explain."
Hearing about the creature’s abilities made Leo pause. His expression darkened as memories of Elena and Lily’s deaths, and William’s terrifying transformation, flashed through his mind. He forced himself to calm down and took a deep breath.
"The alien can control both zombies and normal humans," Leo explained. "However, I don’t think its mind control works on superhumans or anyone with strong mental willpower. Also, if a controlled person experiences a sharp shock, like sudden pain, the connection breaks."
The Colonel rubbed his chin thoughtfully, looked around at the others in the room, and asked, "What do you all think?"
A man wearing glasses spoke up. "Sir, I think the alien’s power mostly targets weaker minds. Since superhumans have enhanced bodies and minds, they seem to be immune."
The Colonel pondered this for a moment. "But how does it take control? Is it through a toxin, or perhaps a virus in the air?" He looked back at Leo. "If you can bring us the alien’s body, you can trade it for much bigger rewards."
Leo shook his head. "The bullet blasted it into pieces. It was impossible to recover the body at the time."
Leo lied without blinking. He had no intention of telling the military that the alien’s body had actually turned into cards.
The Colonel asked several more questions about the alien’s abilities and how to counter them. Leo answered truthfully, basing his responses on everything he had experienced and figured out during the fight.
Once the Colonel had all the answers he needed, he stood up and offered his hand. "This information will save many lives. It was good to meet you."
Leo stood up and shook the Colonel’s hand. "No problem. It was just business."
"Alright, you are free to leave."
Leo picked up the box of crystals and turned to go, but stopped halfway. Hesitation was clear on his face.
The Colonel raised his eyebrows, watching him closely.
After a brief pause, Leo finally spoke. "My former teammate, William, has mutated into something dangerous. He is neither human nor zombie. If your troops run into him without a superhuman by their side, tell them to run. Don’t take him lightly. If they do get into a fight, tell them to go full force right from the start."
"Understood," the Colonel replied seriously. "We will keep that in mind."
With his warning delivered, Leo held the box tightly, turned around, and exited the tent.
Back at his desk, the Colonel immediately began passing down his orders.
"Make a copy of everything we just learned and send it to Alpha Squad. Tell them to get their gear ready. We are initiating a night raid." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
The officer nodded and turned to leave, but the Colonel spoke again.
"Send Beta Squad as backup in case of an emergency. And tell both teams to retrieve the alien’s body by any means necessary."
Night had already fallen by the time Leo stepped out of the tent.
Staring up at the stars, a melancholic look crossed his face. Even though he had gained the upper hand and all his demands had been met, there wasn’t a hint of satisfaction on his face.
He stopped looking at the sky and walked toward his truck, cradling the box in his arms.
A large wooden crate was already sitting beside his vehicle. A soldier stepped forward to greet him.
"This is the package you requested, sir. Please check the contents."
Leo set his box on the ground and opened the heavy crate. Inside were two large-caliber machine guns, two automatic rifles, and several boxes of ammunition.
Satisfied, he nodded to the soldier and instructed his system to open the truck’s back door.
The soldier offered to help load the weapons, but Leo refused. He lifted the heavy crate all by himself, loaded it into the back of the truck, and secured it.
Once the work was done, Leo climbed into the driver’s seat and pressed his thumb on the ignition screen .
The engine came to life with a low rumble, and the truck slowly drove away into the dark.
After driving around for a while , the truck reached the spot where the survivors had set up camp .
The spot was bustling with activities. Some survivors were pitching up their tents , some had set up utensils to cook food while some were begging others for food .
Leo parked the truck in an empty spot , a little away from the survivors.
Right that instant , a deep rumble emerged from his stomach .
Besides the breakfast he had in the morning , he hadn’t found a chance to have a meal .
Just as he entered the compartment, his boots kicked on an object .
When he looked at what that object was he froze and his expression darkened instantly .
