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

“This isn’t just surveillance,” Lynn whispered. “It’s a complete intelligence network. Black Crow knows every important person in New York.”

He turned to a city map marked with dozens of red dots, each accompanied by a date and a brief description. Upon closer inspection, Lynn realized these were the locations of all mutant-related events from the past few years.

“Sarah, look at this,” Lynn pointed to the map, “They’ve documented every single mutant incident, from the smallest disturbance to a large-scale conflict. And,” he pointed to several specially marked locations, “these are places where mutant disappearances have occurred.”

Sarah thought for a moment: "You think Black Crow is kidnapping mutants?"

“Or recruit them,” Lynn added, “either voluntarily or under duress.”

They continued searching the basement and found a series of medical reports and experimental data in an encrypted filing cabinet. The documents were filled with technical jargon and complex formulas, but the core message was very clear—Black Crow was researching how to enhance mutant abilities, and even attempting to transfer mutant abilities to ordinary people.

“This is insane,” Sarah said, her expression growing increasingly grave as she flipped through the documents. “Most of these experiments ended in failure; the subjects either died or suffered permanent pain. They were treating people as experimental subjects.”

Lynn picked up a document labeled "Project Thor," which appeared to be a research report specifically on electricity: "It seems our friend Current was also one of their experimental subjects. According to this report, he could originally only generate a weak current, but through some kind of genetic enhancement surgery, his ability was amplified at least tenfold."

Just then, Lynn's communicator rang. It was Mark's voice: "Lynn, we've recovered some data from equipment damaged by the EMP. You'll have to take a look at this."

Lynn and Sarah returned to the main warehouse, where Mark was working at a laptop. Seeing Lynn approach, he immediately turned to the screen: "We intercepted an encrypted communication, and just cracked part of it. It was the last message the current sent before transmission."

The screen displayed the following text: "Target confirmed. Agent Hall proceeding as planned. Operation 'Reaper' initiated. Execution in 24 hours."

Lynn's expression turned serious: "'The Reaper' project? What's that?"

Mark shook his head: "It's unclear at the moment, but based on other data fragments we've recovered, it might be related to some kind of large-scale attack."

Lynn immediately realized the seriousness of the situation: "Notify headquarters to raise the security level at all federal facilities. Sarah, contact the NYPD to increase patrols in key public areas."

Sarah nodded and immediately issued instructions via communicator.

At the same time, an agent rushed in: "Agent Hall, the forensic team has conducted a preliminary analysis of the blood sample. The DNA matches our database!"

Lynn quickly walked to the agent's side and took the report: "Max Coleman, 34 years old, PhD in Electrical Engineering from MIT, disappeared five years ago in a laboratory accident, and there has been no record of him since."

The report included a photograph showing a thin, bespectacled man who looked completely different from the muscular, energetic man they had met.

“This is the true identity of the current,” Lynn whispered. “It seems that Black Raven not only enhanced his abilities but also changed his appearance.”

Sarah frowned. "If they can achieve this level of genetic modification, then the 'Reaper' program might be more dangerous than we imagine."

Lynn pondered for a moment, then said firmly, “We need to interrogate the four arrested Black Crow members immediately, especially the liquid metal woman. She appears to be the highest-ranking among them.”

Just then, Lynn's phone rang, showing a call from Chief Wilson.

“Hall,” he answered the phone, “what’s the progress of the operation?”

“Chief, the situation is more complicated than we anticipated,” Lynn reported succinctly. “We’ve captured four Black Crow members, but Current—one of their leaders—has escaped. More importantly, we’ve discovered that Black Crow may be planning some kind of attack codenamed ‘The Reaper’ within the next twenty-four hours.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, then Wilson's voice became unusually serious: "Bring all the evidence and the suspect back to headquarters immediately. I will call an emergency meeting and mobilize all available resources. This has escalated to a national security threat."

“Understood, sir. We’ll be on our way.” Lynn hung up the phone and turned to Sarah and the other agents. “Pack all the evidence, make sure nothing is overlooked. Be extra careful when transporting the suspects, especially that liquid metal woman; she’s far more dangerous than the others.”

It was late at night, but the abandoned dock was still brightly lit. FBI technicians and evidence experts were busy collecting and organizing every item that might provide a clue. The transport vehicle was ready, and the four captured Black Crow members were being held in specially designed cells, each equipped with a suppressor.

Lynn stood at the warehouse entrance, gazing at the dark sea, lost in thought. What should have been a simple tracking mission had instead uncovered a long-lurking, deadly threat. The Black Crow's ambitions clearly extended beyond controlling New York's criminal networks; their goals were far grander and far more dangerous.

Sarah walked over to Lynn: "All the evidence has been loaded onto the truck and is ready to go back to headquarters."

Lynn nodded. "The vehicle carrying that liquid metal woman needs extra escort. I suspect her abilities are far more than what we've seen."

Sarah hesitated for a moment, then said, "Lynn, there's something I've been thinking about. Black Crow seems to be paying special attention to you. Why? Have you had any dealings with mutants before?"

Lynn's expression became complicated: "Ten years ago, I participated in a secret project called 'The Guardians,' whose purpose was to identify and monitor potentially dangerous mutants. At that time, I was just a rookie agent, only responsible for intelligence gathering, but I witnessed a lot of...unseemly things."

He took a deep breath and continued, "Later I realized that the project had strayed from its original purpose and turned into a kind of paramilitary operation, illegally tracking and harassing mutants. I reported this to my superiors, which ultimately led to the project's closure."

“So the Black Crows see you as a threat,” Sarah realized. “They might be worried you’ll interfere with their plans again.”

Lynn nodded. "Very likely. But now is not the time for reminiscing; we need to focus on stopping the 'Reaper' program, whatever it may be."

Just then, an agent rushed in: "Agent Hall, emergency! The liquid metal woman has somehow broken through the suppression system and is struggling inside the prison van!" Lynn and Sarah immediately rushed to the van. Inside, the female mutant's arms had transformed into sharp metal blades, attempting to cut through the cell walls. Several agents were pointing suppression guns at her, but her shapeshifting abilities seemed to be only slightly affected.

"Upgrade the suppressor!" Lynn yelled, drawing his sidearm. "If she breaches the cell, use the tranquilizer darts immediately!"

The liquid metal woman stopped struggling upon seeing Lynn, a sinister smile spreading across her face: "Agent Hall, you think capturing a few of us will stop Black Crow? How naive. Operation 'Reaper' has begun; none of you can stop it."

Lynn approached the cell, remaining vigilant: "'The Reaper' program? What are its objectives?"

The woman sneered, "You'll soon find out. Black Crow will change this world, allowing mutants to rise again, and you—ordinary people—will understand what true power is."

Lynn looked into her eyes: "We can protect you, give you a new identity, a new life. Just tell us Black Crow's plans."

The woman shook her head, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "You don't understand, Hall. We don't need your protection. Black Raven gave us true freedom and power. Before that, I was just a monster, discriminated against and ostracized, but now…" She raised her metal arm, "I possess the power to control my own destiny."

Lynn was about to say something when Sarah suddenly noticed something amiss: "Lynn, her arm!"

On the woman's arm, which appears to be made of liquid metal, tiny cracks are forming on the metal surface, and liquid is seeping out from the cracks, but it is not blood, but some kind of silvery metallic liquid.

"Damn it!" Lynn realized the danger. "Everyone back off! She's self-destructing!"

Almost at the same moment he shouted those words, the woman's entire body suddenly began to tremble violently, silver metallic liquid surging beneath her skin, and the smile on her face became ferocious and twisted.

“For Black Crow,” she whispered finally, then her entire body burst forth with a dazzling silver light, turning into a pool of liquid metal that flowed out from the cracks in the cell and quickly evaporated into the air.

"Everyone out of the vehicle!" Lynn shouted, pushing Sarah and the other agents out of the prison van.

A few seconds later, the pool of liquid metal disappeared completely, leaving only a charred mark on the cell floor.

“It’s some kind of self-destruct mechanism,” Lynn said gravely. “She’d rather end her own life than reveal the secrets of Black Crow.”

Sarah bent down to examine the mark: "This loyalty is unsettling. What methods did Black Crow use to make mutants so devoted?"

Lynn shook his head: "I don't know, but we must find out as soon as possible. Project 'The Reaper' has been launched, and time is ticking away."

At 3:17 a.m., the FBI's Manhattan office was brightly lit, like a sleepless fortress. Usually at this time, there would only be staff on duty and a few agents working overtime, but tonight, the entire Strategic Operations Center was packed with people, and the tense atmosphere was almost tangible.

Lynn Hall strode into the Strategic Operations Center, his fatigue clearly visible, though his eyes remained sharp. His suit jacket was long gone, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his tie loosely draped around his neck, and dust from the dock battle still clung to his shoulders. Sarah Collins followed closely behind, carrying a stack of documents brought back from Black Rook Base.

Chief Wilson stood in front of a huge digital screen displaying real-time data and image analysis of the Brooklyn dock operation. Seeing Lynn enter, he immediately turned to greet him: "Lynn, how's the situation?"

Lynn nodded briefly. "The situation isn't good, Chief. We have three suspects in custody, but the Liquid Metal Woman has self-destructed. The Current—we now know his true identity is Max Coleman—escaped, but left behind a blood sample."

Wilson's expression grew more serious: "Any new discoveries regarding the 'Reaper' program?"

Lynn shook his head: "The details are unclear, but we know two things: first, it will be carried out within twenty-four hours; second, based on Black Crow's communications and the woman's dying words, this will be a large-scale operation targeting 'ordinary people.'"

Wilson took a deep breath and looked around the room full of agents and analysts: "So, we are now facing a pressing terrorist threat, targeting ordinary people, but we don't know the specific location or method."

“That’s right, Director.” Lynn walked to the central intelligence table and placed the black cell phone and several data storage devices he had brought back from the docks on it. “But I believe these things contain the answers. Mark is already analyzing these devices.”

Wilson nodded. “Okay, let’s split up. Mark, you’ll handle the technical analysis. Sarah, you organize a team to interrogate the three suspects and see if you can get any useful information out of them. Lynn, you’ll be in charge of overall coordination and analysis of potential attack targets.”

Lynn nodded in agreement: "I need an analysis team to investigate all possible large-scale gatherings in the New York area over the next 24 hours. The Black Crows want to make an impact; they'll choose the places with the largest crowds and the greatest influence."

“You can utilize any resources available in the analytics department,” Wilson said. “I will notify the Department of Homeland Security and the NYPD to raise the alert level citywide, but without causing public panic.”

Lynn turned to Sarah, who was organizing the information: "Sarah, of those three suspects, which one is most likely to speak?"

Sarah thought for a moment: "The young man number two seems to be a novice, and he showed obvious fear during the arrest. He might be the key."

Lynn nodded. "Alright, you'll be in charge of interrogating him personally. Remember, we don't have time for tricks. Tell him directly that if he cooperates, we can offer a witness protection program; if he doesn't, he'll face charges of mass murder if Black Crow's plan succeeds."

Sarah nodded in understanding and quickly left to prepare for the interrogation.

Lynn turned to the waiting analysts: "I need you to immediately compile a list of all scheduled large events, gatherings, concerts, and sporting events in the New York area for the next 24 hours, any venues that may attract large crowds. Pay special attention to events with more than 10,000 attendees." (End of Chapter)