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

Henderson felt a chill. "Jim, you need to be careful. What if Black Hawk finds out you're investigating them?"

“I know the risks,” Hartley interrupted him, “but I won’t be intimidated by threats. However, I do realize we need to be more cautious. I suggest you be careful too, Robert. If they’re watching me, they’re probably watching you too.”

Henderson agreed with the assessment. "I will take precautions. What about the investigation? Is there any hope?"

Hartley sighed. “Frankly, the chances of success through official channels are slim. Too many people have either been bought off or are too afraid to take action. But that doesn’t mean we give up. I have a few ideas, a few potential allies, influential but not inside the government. Give me some time.”

After the call ended, Director Henderson stood by the window, gazing at the Washington skyline, his heart heavy. He had hoped the system would function properly and justice would be served, but now he realized the enemy was more powerful and more deeply entrenched than he had imagined. This was not merely an overreach by a private military company, but a systemic threat that had penetrated deep into the heart of the government.

Even the FBI, a powerful agency empowered to investigate and enforce federal law, may not be able to fundamentally defeat an organization like Black Hawk Down with its deep political ties. This realization is both disheartening and evokes a renewed sense of urgency.

Chief Henderson decided it was time to try a different approach. If justice couldn't be obtained through conventional channels, then he needed to consider unconventional options. He picked up the phone, dialed another number, and connected to a rarely used secure line.

“It’s me,” he said, his voice low and firm. “We need to talk. It’s about the special circumstances agreement. Yes, that one. Execute it immediately.”

In the safe house in the Bronx, Lynn's prepaid cell phone rang. It was a number he didn't recognize, but it had a specific calling pattern—three rings, a pause, then two more—an old-fashioned code used internally by the FBI for emergency contacts, one that few people still remembered.

Lynn answered the phone, remaining alert. "Yes?"

“Agent Holt,” a familiar voice came through, and Lynn could hardly believe his ears, “This is Director Henderson. Don’t say my name or anything that might reveal the nature of this call. Our communications may be being monitored.”

Lynn immediately became alert, yet also felt a glimmer of hope. "Understood, sir."

“I have received your report,” Henderson said cautiously, noticeably avoiding any words that might indicate what they were discussing. “The content has been reviewed and confirmed as credible. However, we are facing internal resistance. More serious than we anticipated.”

Lynn's heart sank, but he wasn't entirely surprised. "I understand, sir. What are your suggestions for our next move?"

“Officially, I cannot offer any advice or support,” Henderson said, his voice lowering. “Unofficially, I suggest you continue on the current path while preparing to implement the emergency plan, Omega.”

Lynn knew what the Omega contingency plan was—a rarely mentioned agreement designed to protect key witnesses and information in extreme situations where federal law enforcement agencies were unable to function properly or were compromised. This was essentially Director Henderson's admission that even the FBI couldn't resolve the Black Hawk threat through normal channels.

"Understood, sir. How long should Omega be prepared?"

"Everything will be ready within 24 hours. In the meantime, keep a low profile and avoid any communication that could reveal your location. I will provide necessary support through secure channels."

The call was short, but its contents were extremely important. When Lynn hung up, he noticed Gwen, Ethan, and Banner all looking at him nervously.

"Who is it?" Gwen asked urgently.

Lynn took a deep breath. "Chief Henderson. He received our evidence and believes it to be true."

Ethan's eyes lit up. "That's great! The FBI will take action?"

Lynn shook his head, his expression serious. "It's not that simple. It seems Black Hawk's influence within the government is more extensive than we thought. Henderson is trying to gain support through Congress, but he's encountered significant resistance. There might even be someone monitoring him."

Banner's expression darkened. "I told you, Black Hawk's tentacles reach far. Even the highest-ranking government officials can be bribed or threatened by them."

"What do we do now?" Gwen asked, her voice filled with worry.

Lynn looked around and then made a decision. “We’re activating Emergency Plan Omega. It’s an extreme case protocol to protect key witnesses and information when normal channels are compromised. Chief Henderson said he would provide support, but we’re basically on our own.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Ethan commented.

“The Omega Contingency Plan,” Lynn explained, his voice low and steady, “is an emergency protocol that is rarely activated, designed to protect key witnesses and information when regular law enforcement channels are compromised or unable to function properly.”

Gwen and Ethan exchanged a worried look, while Banner looked thoughtful, as if weighing the implications of this new development.

"What exactly does this contingency plan include?" Banner finally asked, his voice filled with cautious curiosity.

Lynn walked to the window, checked the street outside again to make sure there was no suspicious activity, then turned to the three men. “It consists of several parts. First is a secure evacuation—we will be transferred to a completely secret location, one that doesn’t even exist in the official FBI records. Second is ongoing protection—special resources will be mobilized to ensure our safety. Finally, there’s information management—our evidence will be sent simultaneously to multiple trusted recipients through multiple encrypted channels, ensuring that even if some of these channels are intercepted, the truth will still be revealed.”

“It sounds like an enhanced version of some kind of government witness protection program,” Ethan commented.

Lynn nodded. “Essentially yes, but much more extreme and secretive. It's only activated in the face of the most serious national security threats, and usually only someone at the director level has the authority to authorize it.”

“Chief Henderson took a huge risk,” Gwen realized. “If Black Hawk has allies within the government, he could jeopardize his career or even his personal safety.” “Yes,” Lynn acknowledged, “that shows he considers the threat extremely serious enough to warrant such a risk.”

Banner silently stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside. "For years, I've always considered myself isolated—a misunderstood scientist, a fugitive seen as a monster. I never imagined my existence would trigger such a widespread chain reaction, dragging so many people into danger."

Lynn walked over to Banner. "This isn't your fault, Doctor. Black Hawk chose to exploit your condition for unethical experiments. They chose to hunt you down. They chose to use government resources and influence to cover up their crimes. These were their choices, not yours."

Banner turned to Lynn, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for saying that. But regardless, I've taken on this responsibility. So, whatever this Omega contingency plan is, I will fully cooperate. If necessary, if the situation becomes critical, I'm even willing to try controlling that other version of myself to protect you."

Lynn could sense the weight of Banner's promise. For someone who had spent so much effort avoiding transformation, offering to use the Hulk's power was a huge compromise and sacrifice.

“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Lynn said, “but thank you for your willingness. Now, we need to prepare to leave. According to the agreement, our contact will contact us within six hours, and we need to prepare all the necessary items and information before then.”

The four sprang into action: Gwen took charge of organizing and backing up all the digital evidence, while Ethan collected and organized the physical documents and records. Lynn prepared the necessary weapons and emergency supplies, and Banner did everything he could to help while continuing to recover his strength.

About three hours later, Lynn's prepaid phone received an encrypted text message. He quickly decoded it, and his expression became serious and focused.

“The pick-up plan is finalized,” he told the others. “Tonight at midnight, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. We’ll be picked up on a vessel not officially registered, and then transferred to a safe location.”

"Who will meet you?" Gwen asked, closing her laptop.

Lynn hesitated for a moment. "The message mentioned that they are members of the 'Special Assets X Project.'"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Project X? What's that?"

Lynn shook his head. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. It's an extremely secretive project, rarely mentioned even among high-ranking FBI officials. I've only heard rumors—that it supposedly involves collaboration with individuals with special abilities."

Banner suddenly became alert. "Special abilities? You mean someone like me?"

“Not entirely,” Lynn explained. “More like mutants. People who are born with special abilities, not those who acquired them through accidents or experiments.”

A silence fell over the room. The existence of mutants has always been a sensitive topic, neither fully acknowledged nor fully denied by the authorities. Most ordinary citizens believe that mutants are just urban legends or exaggerated news reports, but within certain law enforcement and intelligence circles, their existence is an open secret.

"So, we'll be protected by mutant agents?" Gwen finally asked, her voice a mix of worry and curiosity.

Lynn nodded. "It seems so. This indicates that Chief Henderson is mobilizing all possible resources to ensure our safety."

“This could be good news,” Banner pondered. “If Black Hawk sends enhanced soldiers to hunt us down, some allies with special abilities might be exactly what we need.”

Lynn agreed with the assessment. “Now, we need to develop a plan for safely reaching the rendezvous point. The Brooklyn Navy Pier is quite a distance from here, and we must assume Black Hawk is still searching every corner of the city.”

Meanwhile, atop a towering glass building in Midtown Manhattan, Richard Stern, a senior executive at Blackhawk International, was holding an emergency meeting in his luxurious office.

Stern was a tall man, around sixty years old, with silver-gray hair neatly combed back and sharp blue eyes that seemed to see right through people. He wore a custom-made dark blue suit, and on his left hand was an old-looking, expensive family ring. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the New York skyline, while the others in the room sat around a long conference table, the air thick with tension.

“So,” Stern’s voice was calm and authoritative, without turning around, “you’re telling me that an FBI agent, a journalist, a computer hacker, and Dr. Banner—four people in total—are going against all our resources and influence? And so far, they’ve succeeded?”

No one rushed to answer the obviously accusatory question. Finally, a woman in a military-style black uniform stood up, her demeanor suggesting a high position within the organization.

“Sir,” she began, her voice firm, “we underestimated their resources and resolve. Agent Lynn Hall, in particular, appears to have some high-level support we’re unaware of. According to our intelligence, Director Henderson himself may be assisting them covertly.”

Stern slowly turned around, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Jessica, this is no excuse. We have informants within the FBI, allies in Congress, and influence in the media. That should be enough to suppress any potential threat."

Jessica Wright—head of Black Hawk Special Operations—did not back down. “Yes, sir, usually that’s true. But this time is different. Their leak was meticulously crafted and sent to multiple recipients simultaneously, including some international media outlets we can’t control. And Dr. Banner’s personal testimony is extremely persuasive.”

Stern walked to the conference table, placing his hands on the smooth surface. "So, what's the situation now?"

Another man in a white lab coat—clearly a scientist—opened a folder in front of him. “Public pressure is mounting, sir. Despite our media relations efforts to downplay the impact of the whistleblower revelations, more and more questions are being raised. Several members of Congress have publicly called for an investigation, and some of our less steadfast allies are beginning to waver.”

Stern's expression grew even more somber. "These things are manageable. The important thing is to find Banner and those who are helping him immediately. Project 'Emerald Fist' is too close to success; I won't let anyone stop it. Dr. Adams, where are our prototypes?"

The scientist—Dr. Adams—adjusted his glasses. “Subject 12 is stable, sir. Recent tests show he has maintained 83% of his enhanced abilities, and there has been no mental instability as seen in previous tests. However, he is still not perfect, and there is still a long way to go before he can fully transform into Banner.”

Stern turned to Jessica, “Prepare Subject 12 for field testing. The objective is to find and capture Banner and his companions. Capture them alive, do not kill them—especially Banner; we need him alive.” (End of Chapter)