"Commander designation: Omega-12-C-003."
The moment Luo Shu and Peter saw the code, they exchanged glances.
"This is about you, isn't it?" Peter muttered.
Luo Shu sighed. "Most likely..."
As Hammer Down's helicopters touched down, a group emerged from the military tents. Leading them was a towering figure in mountain camouflage—with twin braids.
Barbie.
Her lips curled into a triumphant smirk as she locked eyes with Luo Shu. "Fancy seeing you again so soon. Surprised?"
Luo Shu stayed silent, but internally scoffed.
Even the readers saw this coming. Did you think I wouldn't?
Author: Stop stealing my lines, or I'll edit your suffering.
Readers: Like you haven't tortured him enough already?
Peter, however, wasn't having it. He stepped forward, shielding Luo Shu. "This is personal, isn't it? Back off! I don't care if you're Level-4—you're not touching him!"
Barbie's eyebrow twitched. "Personal? Don't flatter yourself. This is Foundation business."
"Then why drag Hammer Down into it?" Peter shot back.
Luo Shu was touched by Peter's loyalty—defying a Level-4 for his sake. But with dozens of MTF operatives watching, Barbie needed to justify herself.
She tapped her tactical terminal. "Mission details are uploaded. Read them before accusing me."
Luo Shu leaned over Peter's shoulder. The document read:
Incident: SCP-3221-2 Breach
Object Class: Keter
Protocol:
Evacuate facility and surrounding area.
Execute any hostile forces accompanying the entity.
Capture/Recontainment requires joint operation by MTF Nu-7 and 6+ MTF Omega-12 members.
Field command discretion applies.
Peter looked confused, but Luo Shu understood instantly.
SCP-3221-2: The Unbroken Prester John—a medieval Christian king from the East, obsessed with crusading against "heathens."
The file labeled his enemies as "Sarkic Cults", but Luo Shu saw through the propaganda.
"Sarkic" tenets—apotheosis, transcendence, divine feasts—sound awfully like Daoist cultivation.
Just demonized for Western audiences.
Was the Foundation lying about Sarkics? About Chaos Insurgency too?
Focus. Barbie's trap first, conspiracy theories later.
The protocol did mandate Nu-7 and Omega-12 cooperation. Accusing Barbie of vendetta wouldn't work.
But the timing? Too convenient.
Peter whispered, "Stick close. I've got your back."
Appreciated, but futile.
As D-20915, Luo Shu was expendable. Barbie could execute him "for protocol" anytime.
And escape? Impossible.
Altitude: 4,000 meters. Sprinting = suffocation.
Location: Pamir Mountains. No civilization for miles.
Game over before it even began.