The cemetery was quiet- not the usual silence; something was different about the environs as a cool morning breeze moved gently through the rows of old headstones.Birds chirped in the distance.The peaceful scene felt strange after everything the team had experienced over the past few days.Over the past weeks of working together, they had experienced how far their enemies were willing to go in hiding or erasing evidence that would throw the truth into the limelight.At this point, nothing much really surprised them.Lucas looked around and lowered his voice. "I suddenly don't feel like talking loudly."They gave him a surprised glance. The Lucas they know would most likely crack a joke or have something to say in any situation. The only thing he hardly talked about was when he was holding a sniper.Nathan glanced at him. "For once, I agree with you: talk less."Lucas teased. "Please remember today's date. I wo

The silver thread was still under the microscope. Its tiny engraved numbers glowed on the computer screen.Lucas stood with a backpack over one shoulder. Nathan looked at him. "What are you doing?"Lucas scratched his brows. "We've got coordinates, so that means we're going somewhere."Nathan folded his arms. "You packed already?""I like being prepared."Nathan giggled. "You like snacks."Lucas feigned an offended face. "I packed those too."Asher’s face remained the same. That wasn't the time to throw jokes.Serena went ahead and enlarged the numbers once more. "I've confirmed the coordinates."Lucas rubbed his hands together. "When do we leave?"Asher instructed without hesitation. "No one leaves."Lucas slowly turned toward Asher. "Really?"Asher nodded calmly. "The moment someone gives me a destination, I'd ask who benefits if we go there."Nathan drew a settled

Morning arrived at Lang Horizon. The strategy room was already busy with maps covering one wall, and old government reports covered another.In the center of the table, the railway closure report was still open.Nathan still couldn't stop thinking about it, as he looked at Asher. "Hmm, Commander, someone is really pretending to be you."Victor nodded. "That's right."Lucas folded his arms. "That's illegal."Arthur chimed in. "I'm glad we've cleared that up."Lucas drew closer. "Did they really think we won't figure that out?"His question was more rhetorical because clearly those involved knew somehow Asher would find out.Serena placed another file on the table. "The National Archives confirmed it. The duplicate report was reserved under your name."Lucas looked at Asher. "They forged your identity?"Asher slowly shook his head. "No."Nathan blinked for a moment. "What's the differenc

Morning arrived with steady rain tapping against the windows of Lang Horizon. The paused security footage still filled the large screen, and the fallen badge was in the middle of the image.Nathan stood with a cup of coffee and stared at the Roman numeral under the black chess king.After a while, he scratched his head. "Can somebody explain Roman numerals again?"Lucas looked up from his laptop. "I refuse."Serena chimed in. "It means four."Lucas nodded confidently. "I knew that."Arthur laughed. "No… you guessed. I wouldn't blame you cause these aren't sniper tutorials."Nathan enlarged the image again. "The question isn't what IV means. I think it's why the Roman numeral is there."Samuel adjusted his glasses. "If it identified the man, he wouldn't wear it openly."Victor nodded. "It isn't a personal number."Everyone looked at Asher as he observed the badge for several moments before speak

The street was loud-silent. Both men had their lips zipped for a while, but their hearts tugged with thousands of words.The man was pondering how to get out of the dicey situation without implicating himself and those who sent him, while Asher was keen on studying the man's shaky countenance.His meeting with the man would determine how far he'd keep searching for the mysteries the enemies were doing everything possible to protect.The old mailbox was positioned directly under the streetlight. The man held the black envelope tightly against his chest as he slowly swallowed.His hands kept shaking despite how much effort he made to keep his body composed.A few steps away, Asher stood calmly with both hands inside his coat pockets. Both men kept observing each other in silence.The wind gently pushed a few dry leaves across the empty road. The man let out an exasperated sigh, swallowed hard, and broke the silence that had eaten u