American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others

John nodded in agreement, "The Inspector is right, we need more intelligence to ensure the precision of the operation."

Lynn stood up, his eyes resolute, "We'll send a team to scout first, confirm whether this location is related to the 'Mainline Experiment,' and continue decrypting these records. Time is of the essence, but we must ensure every step is effective."

Eric was silent for a moment before finally nodding, "Alright, let's proceed according to your plan."

Soon after.

As the technician was focused on trying to decrypt the experimental data, the screen suddenly flickered, and a string of red warning messages quickly popped up.

"Remote attack! They're trying to track our equipment!" the technician exclaimed, frantically inputting commands to try to stop the intrusion.

Lynn immediately walked to his side, his gaze darkening, "Are they trying to destroy the data or track our location?"

"It's more like they're trying to track our decryption equipment and simultaneously attempt to damage the storage module!" The technician's forehead was sweating as he operated rapidly, "Their technical level is very high, I need time to deal with it."

"We'll buy you time," Lynn said calmly, quickly taking out the communicator and ordering the other technical teams, "All terminals immediately disconnect from the external network and seal off the internal network. Don't let them find a breakthrough."

Eric walked over at this moment, looking at the constantly refreshing code on the screen, a hint of tension in his voice, "They've already entered the outer systems. If we don't stop them, the core data will be completely erased."

Lynn thought for a moment and said to the technician, "Redirect the attack to a virtual node, disguised as the location of the host we are decrypting."

The technician quickly nodded and constructed a fake data node in the system according to the instructions. A few seconds later, the source of the warning message began to shift, and some of the attacks focused on this virtual node.

"Successfully redirected a portion of the attack!" The technician breathed a sigh of relief, but then added, "But another part of the attack is still focused on the core files of the storage module. They seem to have guessed that we are decrypting."

Eric frowned, "Then we can't let them continue. Give me permission, I'll directly block the exit channel of the storage module."

"We can't directly block it," Lynn decisively stopped him. "If the storage module is completely disconnected, the other party may trigger a self-destruct program, and our data will be completely lost."

Eric glared at him, "Then what's your plan?"

Lynn pondered for a moment and quickly said, "We reverse-track their signal source while using real-time backups to protect the integrity of the data. As long as we can confirm their location, we can counterattack."

The technician immediately started operating, establishing a backup channel and activating the reverse-tracking program. The code on the screen scrolled quickly, and a few seconds later, a blurred IP address appeared on the display.

"This is the other party's signal source!" the technician said excitedly, "They are hidden very deep, but we have tracked down the approximate location, which is... somewhere on the East Coast."

Eric sneered, "We've found them, now lock on directly and strike back at their system!"

"Don't rush," Lynn stopped him. "With their technology, it's impossible for them to have only one signal source. Their main control system must be hidden even deeper. Continue tracking, don't reveal that we've already found their location."

The technician nodded and continued to operate, while Lynn stood aside, remaining vigilant.

A few minutes later, the attack gradually weakened. The other party seemed to realize that they couldn't completely destroy the data and began to withdraw their signal. The screen returned to normal, and the technician breathed a long sigh of relief, "The attack is temporarily over, and the core data is completely preserved."

Lynn nodded and looked at Eric, "This time we defended the data, but the other party is clearly very aware of what we are doing. They will take extra precautions in every step of our next action."

"William Coleman," the technician explained, "is a top bioengineer specializing in gene editing technology. He has served as a senior researcher in several multinational research institutions and has published many papers on gene manipulation. But five years ago, he suddenly disappeared from public view, reportedly due to an ethical controversy."

Eric flipped through the files and said coldly, "I remember this guy. He was blacklisted by the industry for trying to cross the line of genetic ethics and was even involved in several undisclosed illegal experiment cases."

"And then?" Lynn asked.

The technician continued, "According to intelligence, his research was suspended, and he disappeared for a while. But now it seems that he may have secretly joined this 'Enhanced Variant Project' and become a key figure."

John leaned against the table, his brow furrowed, "That explains why this experimental data is so complex and advanced. Only a genius like Coleman could design this kind of technology."

"More importantly," Lynn added, "Coleman's disappearance was obviously planned. He may have been recruited by this organization long ago to drive the implementation of the entire project."

The technician nodded, "The decrypted data also mentions that his most recent location is likely to be a private laboratory on the East Coast."

Eric looked at Lynn, his tone filled with tension, "If we can catch Coleman, we can find the core clues to the entire project."

Lynn pondered for a moment and said, "But he's not an ordinary target. His background and intelligence dictate that he will definitely have escape plans and alternatives. We must carefully plan the operation."

The technician uploaded Coleman's possible whereabouts to the combat system and marked several suspected locations. "These places are all near the East Coast, the most likely being an abandoned research facility. We can start there."

Eric nodded, "Okay, then let's immediately prepare for the raid."

Lynn raised his hand to signal caution, "Not so fast. The other party's defense system is very tight, especially for key figures like Coleman. We need to send a reconnaissance team to confirm the intelligence first and ensure that the other party has not set up traps."

Eric frowned reluctantly but nodded in agreement, "Alright, but be quick. Every minute we delay, they might move."

Lynn looked at Coleman's photo on the screen, his eyes sharp, "No matter what his plan is, he won't have a chance to escape this time."

Lynn and the headquarters team split up. He returned to downtown New York City with an assistant to investigate William Coleman's background. By reviewing a large number of old files and talking to informed sources, he gradually pieced together Coleman's activities after his disappearance.

Initially, Coleman's reputation in the industry plummeted due to multiple ethical controversies. Although his gene-editing technology was cutting-edge, it was collectively boycotted due to experiments that crossed the line. However, such a ban did not seem to stop Coleman. Lynn learned from an informant familiar with the black market that Coleman became active in black market gene trading after his disappearance.

"Coleman is cooperating with multiple black market intermediaries under false names," the informant said, handing Lynn a handwritten list recording vague transaction locations. "What he provides is special gene modification technology, and his clients include wealthy individuals, mercenary organizations, and even some small countries."

Lynn looked at the list, his eyes slightly cold: "These clients are willing to take huge risks to buy this technology. Coleman must have given them reasons they couldn't refuse. Are there any direct leads to him?"

The informant shook his head: "He is very careful and never shows his face, but he has several main contacts, one of whom is a business tycoon in New York, James Callahan. This name is a well-known 'broker' in the black market circle."

After Lynn noted this name, he continued to track Callahan's activities. Through bank transfer records and business transaction analysis, he discovered that Callahan had recently conducted large transactions with several gene research companies, even involving the purchase of a large amount of experimental equipment.

"The types of equipment are completely consistent with the experimental equipment we seized," Lynn said to his assistant. "Callahan is likely one of Coleman's sources of funding and may even be involved in the operation of the project."

Subsequently, Lynn began to investigate Callahan's social circle and discovered that he had close relationships with several business people. These people were all wealthy entrepreneurs, but they all had one thing in common—they had invested in multiple biotechnology companies, some of which had even been suspected of being involved in illegal gene experiments.

"These people are not just investors," Lynn analyzed. "They may be the funders of the entire experimental project. Coleman needs a lot of money and equipment to advance the experiment, and these people have provided everything."

The assistant asked: "Should we investigate Callahan directly?"

Lynn shook his head: "He won't open his mouth easily. We need more evidence. Continue to monitor his transactions and communications to see if we can find records of his direct contact with Coleman."

At the same time, Lynn reported the investigation results to headquarters. Eric frowned after hearing this: "This means that our enemy is not just a mad scientist, but a group of capitalists who use wealth and resources to promote dangerous experiments."

"That's right," Lynn said, his tone calm but firm. "This is not just a scientific experiment, but an organized and planned conspiracy. Our goal is not just to catch Coleman, but to uproot the entire network."

Headquarters quickly integrated the intelligence and began to formulate the next action plan.

The next day, Lynn led the team to another suspected stronghold located in the suburbs of New York. This was an abandoned warehouse. The exterior seemed calm, but the messy traces around it and the occasional low rumbling sounds made people shudder.

"Everyone be careful," Lynn whispered to remind the team members, raising his hand to signal them to disperse.

Upon entering the warehouse, a pungent odor immediately assaulted their senses, like a mixture of some kind of chemical substance and blood. Broken equipment and pipes were scattered on the ground, and some areas were even charred, as if there had been a violent explosion.

"Detective, there's blood here," a team member pointed to a large dark red stain in the corner. Following the traces, they extended deep into the warehouse.

Lynn gripped his weapon tightly and carefully approached, taking the lead. Soon, they discovered an astonishing sight at the other end of the warehouse—a mutant curled up on the ground, emitting a faint light all over his body, his skin covered with irregular cracks, as if it might collapse at any moment.

"Oh my god..." a team member said in a low voice, "What happened to him?"

The mutant was obviously in extreme pain, constantly making low growls, his body twitching. The surrounding metal objects were attracted by the unstable magnetic field around him, suspended in the air, and could turn into deadly weapons at any time.

"He is a victim of the experiment," Lynn said in a deep voice, with a hint of grief in his eyes. "The gene modification failed, resulting in a loss of control of his abilities. He may not even be able to control his own consciousness."

At this moment, the mutant suddenly raised his head, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, and rushed towards Lynn and the others. His abilities erupted, and metal fragments in the warehouse shot out in all directions like a storm.

"Take cover!" Lynn shouted loudly, while nimbly dodging a flying piece of iron, raising his gun to aim at the mutant, but did not fire immediately.

"Don't kill him!" Lynn shouted to the team members, "He is a victim, not an enemy!"

Eric also arrived at the scene. Seeing this scene, he frowned and said, "He has no reason now and must be subdued immediately, otherwise it will cause greater damage."

Lynn nodded, agreeing to deal with it in a non-lethal manner. He directed the team members to disperse, using the surrounding obstacles and tools to cover themselves, trying to get close to the mutant. At the same time, he quickly took out specially made suppressor handcuffs, which were specially designed to control the abilities of mutants.

After a chaotic chase, Lynn found the right opportunity, pounced on the mutant, and buckled the suppressor handcuffs on his wrist. As the suppressor was activated, the mutant's abilities gradually subsided, his body also softened, and he fell heavily to the ground, panting, his eyes filled with pain.

"Quickly call the medical team," Lynn said to the team members, while squatting down to check the mutant's condition.

"How long can he last?" Eric asked.

"The situation is very bad," Lynn shook his head. "The side effects of gene modification are destroying his body. He needs professional medical care and isolation."

The mutant weakly raised his head and murmured: "Save... save me... they... will continue..."

Lynn held his hand, his tone firm: "We will stop them, this will not happen to anyone else."

The medical team quickly arrived, carried the mutant onto a stretcher, and sent him to the medical center at headquarters. Lynn looked at everything in the warehouse, feeling heavy. He knew that the scene before him was only the tip of the iceberg, and the truth hidden behind it might be even more cruel.

Eric walked up to him and said in a low voice: "What you see is their failed work. And those who succeed may be more dangerous than this."

Lynn nodded, his eyes cold: "Because of this, we must find Coleman as soon as possible and completely end this experiment."

Lynn came to the black market late at night. This is an underground trading area hidden in the shadows of the city. The lights are dim, and the air is filled with a humid and tobacco smell. The crowd is mixed, and various low-pitched conversations and transactions are quietly carried out, and no one takes a second look at strangers. (End of this chapter)