Juniper spent the entire night in theboratory, repeating experiments and analyzing data. Finally, she uncovered something useful.
"Specter, you''ve been up all night. You should get some rest," one of her subordinates said respectfully, approaching her side. "Breakfast is ready."
"Alright." Juniper stood up, stretching her shoulders and neck, and gave a weary grunt. "How are the researchers?"
"Their vital signs are stable," the man replied, following closely behind her. "Thanks to your medicine, Specter."
If they had been sent out anyter, they might not have made it.
"Good to hear." Juniper walked to the decontamination room, stripped off her protective suit, put on a disposable mask, and then headed to the dining area.
The dining hall had already been equipped with air purifiers and infrared sterilization, making it safe to remove masks within the controlled space.
"Specter, we weren''t sure of your preferences, so we prepared a little bit of everything." Her subordinate arranged the breakfast spread.
"Thanks." Juniper sat down and looked at the wide array of food. Bread, boiled eggs, milk, pastries, and hot soup... It was the same kind of breakfast Dana prepared for her every day at Cloudscape Community.
She had been starving for nearly a day, but now she had no appetite. She managed to eat two small pieces of bread, but it felt like something was stuck in her throat, and she couldn''t eat another bite.
"Specter, is it not to your liking?" the man''s expression turned serious. "Should I have the kitchen prepare something else for you?"
"No need." Juniper put down her fork and knife. She wasn''t sleepy, so she decided
to head back to theb. "The work ahead is critical. No one is to disturb me."
"Yes, Specter." The man nodded respectfully and quietly withdrew.
---
Meanwhile, at the Australis Hotel.
Shanley stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking utterly haggard.
"Any news on Juniper?"
"Not yet, sir," Felton answered respectfully. ording to our intel, Ms. Payne has returned to Australis, but she hasn''t gone to Subterra Vanguard''s main headquarters. And there''s no trace of Mr. Langley''s movements either."
Australis was too big and teeming with Subterra Vanguard agents. They had to be extremely careful with their investigation, lest they expose their boss''s presence.
"Contact the main base in Australis directly. Tell them I want to see Specter," Shanley ordered, his brow furrowed.
He couldn''t stand this silent treatment. Whatever she wanted-to kill him or torture him—he just needed Juniper to give him a clear answer.
"C-contact Subterra Vanguard''s main base?" Felton stammered, so shocked he could barely speak. "Sir, perhaps we should investigate a bit more."
Ms. Payne hadn''t returned to the main base; maybe she was busy with something else. Besides, her brothers were in Era City; she wouldn''t stay away forever Couldn''t the boss just wait a little longer? If he rashly revealed his location like this, Subterra Vanguard mightunch a sneak attack.
More importantly, they hade in a hurry. The boss only had him and Flint for
backup. If a fight broke out, it would be extremely dangerous.
"No more excuses," Shanley''s voice wasced with frost, leaving no room for argument. "Do as I say."
It was the only way he could see Juniper.
"Yes, sir."
Felton and Flint didn''t dare say another word and immediately went to carry out the order. If the boss really was captured by Subterra Vanguard, Ms. Payne woulde to his rescue, right?!
At Subterra Vanguard''s Main Base.
Five middle-aged people-three men and two women in their forties or fifties—sat around a table.
"I heard Specter has been at Base 1
for a full day and night," said
Michael, who was dressed in a long, dark coat that resembled a cleric''s Cassocked His graying hair was
back in a neat bun, and he sported a well-groomed, curling mustache.
"Nothing''s happening at the main base," said Catherine, a sharp-looking woman
with a chic short haircut. "We should go take a look."