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

The analysts sprang into action, returning to their workstations to gather information. Lynn headed to his office; he needed a quiet space to consider the Crow's motives and possible attack methods.

The office wasn't large, but it was neatly arranged. On the wall hung certificates of merit for several major cases Lynn had helped solve, and the bookshelves were filled with professional books on criminal psychology and tactical analysis. Lynn walked to the window, gazing at the Manhattan skyline at night, lost in thought.

Why did the Black Crows launch such an attack? What were they trying to prove? To demonstrate their power? To take revenge on society? Or did they have a deeper political motive?

Just as he was deep in thought, there was a knock on the office door, and Mark Zhang walked in, holding a tablet computer: "Lynn, I extracted some information from the Black Crow's equipment. You'll need to take a look at this."

Lynn turned around and took the tablet. The screen displayed fragments of a series of encrypted files, most of which remained unreadable, but a few lines of text were clearly legible:

"Project Reaper Phase Three: Energy conversion device ready, Kalberg gene enhancer production complete, standby location confirmed."

"Target area capacity requirement: minimum of 50,000 people, ideally over 100,000 people."

"Execution time: On the day of the finals, the execution team consists of six people, commanded by Dian."

Lynn frowned: "The finals? What finals?"

Mark pointed to the screen: "I'm trying to recover more data, but from these clips, it seems they're planning an attack during the final of some major tournament, targeting the large crowd gathered together."

Lynn's mind raced: "Sports events. Venues that can hold over 100,000 people. Are there any major finals coming up recently?"

Mark shook his head: "I don't follow sports much, but I can check the recent game schedule."

Lynn nodded: "Investigate, that's the highest priority. At the same time, continue recovering that data; we need to know what the 'energy conversion device' and 'gene enhancer' are."

After Mark left, Lynn immediately called Sarah: "How's the interrogation going?"

“Suspect number two is cooperating,” Sarah’s voice came through the phone. “He confirmed that Black Crow did indeed plan to implement Operation Reaper at a major sporting event, but he claimed he didn’t know which event it was. He was just a minor player in charge of transporting the equipment.”

Lynn thought for a moment: "Ask him about the 'energy conversion device' and the 'Kalberg gene enhancer.' See how much he knows."

“I understand,” Sarah replied. “There’s one more thing. He mentioned that before the current teleported away, he said something like, ‘The time for a mutant explosion is coming.’ It sounded like some kind of declaration.”

Lynn's expression grew even more serious: "So this isn't just an attack, but some kind of shift? What are they trying to trigger?"

After hanging up the phone, Lynn walked back to the strategic operations center. Analysts had already compiled a preliminary list of major events, which was being projected onto the large screen.

“Sir,” a young female analyst stood up and reported, “we have compiled a list of all the major events scheduled in the New York area for the next 24 hours. Ranked by attendance, the three largest are: first, a rock concert tonight at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, expected to draw 18,000; second, an environmental march tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in Central Park, expected to draw 20,000; and third, and the largest, the NFL Finals tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at Metropolitan Stadium, expected to draw over 100,000.”

Lynn's eyes immediately locked onto the last item: "The NFL Finals? Tomorrow afternoon?"

The analyst nodded: "Yes, this is the final game of the season, the New York Bengals vs. the Chicago Lions. Tickets sold out three months ago. The stadium will be packed, and with staff, media, and security, the total attendance is expected to exceed 110,000."

Lynn turned to Chief Wilson, who had just walked in: "Chief, I think we've found our target. Tomorrow afternoon's football championship game, at the Metropolitan Stadium, 110,000 people will be gathered in an enclosed space. This fits the Black Crow's requirements perfectly."

Wilson frowned. "Is there concrete evidence?"

“Evidence is piling up,” Lynn replied. “Data recovered from the Black Crows’ equipment mentions ‘finals’ and ‘at least 100,000 people,’ confirming that the suspects targeted a major sporting event, and tomorrow’s rugby final perfectly fits those criteria.”

Just then, Mark rushed in, his face tense. "Lynn! I just discovered from the Black Crow's communications logs that they've conducted multiple reconnaissance missions to the Metropolitan Stadium over the past two weeks, gathering detailed architectural plans and security information. And," he paused, "they've also hacked into the stadium's security and air conditioning systems."

Lynn and Wilson exchanged a glance, both realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Wilson took a deep breath: "It seems the target has been identified. Lynn, immediately devise a complete action plan. We need to ensure the safety of tomorrow's match without causing public panic."

Lynn nodded: "Do we need to cancel the match?"

Wilson thought for a moment: "No, canceling the match will cause panic, and the Crows might turn to other targets. Our best option is to quietly increase security while preparing for anything that might happen."

Lynn agreed to the decision: "Then we need to coordinate immediately with the stadium management, the NYPD, and the Department of Homeland Security. We need to examine every entrance, every vent, every potential weakness in the stadium."

Wilson nodded. "I will speak with the mayor personally to ensure we receive all the necessary resources. Lynn, you are in charge of the specific action plan."

As Wilson left to make a phone call, Lynn immediately assembled the operations planning team. A 3D model of the Metropolitan Stadium was projected onto the large screen, and agents began marking potential attack points and defensive positions. Sarah entered the room, holding an interrogation transcript: “Lynn, suspect number two has revealed more information. 'Kalberg Gene Enhancer' is a chemical that can temporarily activate dormant X-genes in ordinary people, but its effects are unstable and can lead to serious side effects. And the 'Energy Conversion Device' is a machine that can convert and amplify mutant energy.”

Lynn's expression turned extremely serious: "So this is their plan? To release this enhancer in a stadium packed with 100,000 people, forcibly activating the X gene in their bodies? This would be a disaster."

Sarah nodded: "The suspect said that most people exposed to the enhancer develop unstable mutant abilities in a short period of time, but almost all of them eventually die because their bodies can't handle it. Only a very small number of people are able to successfully 'evolve'."

Lynn clenched his fists: "This is utter carnage. The Black Crows intend to turn the entire stadium into their testing ground."

Mark looked up from his computer: "Based on the data we've recovered, the enhancer may be released through the stadium's air conditioning system, covering the entire stands as an aerosol. The energy conversion device, on the other hand, is likely installed in the center of the field and controlled by electricity."

Lynn quickly marked the key points on the large screen: "So we need to focus on protecting two areas: the main control room of the air conditioning system and the center of the site. At the same time, we need to prepare a large number of suppressors and tranquilizer darts to deal with any potential mutant threats."

Over the next few hours, Lynn led his team in developing a detailed security plan and contingency plan. Agents were assigned to each entrance, the stadium's security system was reprogrammed, and additional surveillance cameras and sensors were added. Special equipment, including more suppressors and a sufficient supply of tranquilizer darts, was urgently airlifted from Washington headquarters to New York.

At six in the morning, Lynn stood at the window of the Strategic Operations Center, watching the rising sun bathe the Manhattan skyscrapers in gold. He hadn't slept for over thirty hours, but adrenaline and a sense of mission kept him highly alert.

Chief Wilson walked up to him: "How's the plan coming along?"

Lynn turned to his superior: “All arrangements are in place. We will have 150 agents deployed at key locations throughout the stadium, and the NYPD will send 300 officers to assist in maintaining order. The air conditioning system has been taken over, and sensors have been installed in all vents to detect any unusual substances. Suppression devices have been deployed in the center and around the perimeter of the stadium, to be activated immediately upon detection of mutant activity.”

Wilson nodded. "Very good. Do you think we've missed something?"

Lynn pondered for a moment: "I'm worried that Black Crow might have some hidden cards we don't know about. The Electric is a clever opponent; he knows we'll be prepared. We need to be ready for unexpected situations."

Wilson patted Lynn on the shoulder: "That's why I gave you this task. Go get some rest; you need to keep a clear head before the operation begins this afternoon."

Lynn shook his head: "I still have a few details to confirm. Mark is analyzing the transmission technology the current might use; if we can understand how it works, perhaps we can stop him from escaping."

Wilson didn't press the matter, simply nodding and leaving. Lynn walked towards Mark's workstation, where the young technical expert was intently analyzing data.

"Did you find anything?" Lynn asked.

Mark rubbed his tired eyes: "The teleportation technology seems to require a lot of energy, and it must be powered by the current itself to operate stably. The good news is that it can't be used continuously for a short period of time; it requires at least a six-hour cooling-off period after each teleportation. This means the current can only use teleportation once today."

Lynn nodded: "Then we must make sure he doesn't have to use it that one time. We need to catch him as soon as possible, before he has the chance to activate the 'Reaper' program."

As they were discussing, Sarah strode over: “Lynn, we’ve got more information from suspect number three. The ‘Reaper’ program isn’t just about releasing the enhancer; it also includes a ritualistic component. The Current program involves delivering some kind of declaration during halftime of a game, followed by the activation of the device.”

Lynn's eyes lit up: "Halftime. That gives us a clear timeframe. We can catch him before then."

He walked back to the central strategy table and re-examined the stadium's 3D model: "We need to focus our monitoring on the players' tunnel and the preparation area for the midfield performance. There's a possibility that someone could infiltrate the area disguised as staff or performers."

Mark suddenly looked up from his computer: "Wait, I just thought of something. If the Current plans to activate the device at halftime, they've likely already installed it in the stadium beforehand. We need to inspect the entire field immediately, especially areas where large equipment might be hidden."

Lynn immediately picked up his phone and dialed the number of the team leader already at the stadium: "Johnson, immediately organize a team to thoroughly inspect every corner of the stadium, especially the underground facilities, storage rooms, and technical rooms. We suspect the Black Crows have already installed devices. Prioritize inspecting the areas closest to the center of the field."

After hanging up the phone, Lynn turned to Sarah: “Prepare a detailed list of photographs and descriptions of the Current and other known Black Crow members, and distribute it to all personnel involved in the operation. They may use disguises, but we must be able to identify them.”

At nine o'clock in the morning, Lynn and his core team arrived at the Metropolitan Stadium. The game wasn't going to start for another six hours, but a large number of early-arriving fans had already gathered outside the stadium, wearing the team's logo and excitedly waiting to enter. Looking at these unsuspecting people, Lynn felt an even heavier responsibility on his shoulders.

Inside the stadium, a joint FBI and police task force had begun comprehensive security arrangements. Lynn entered the specially set-up command center, a temporary operations base converted from the stadium's VIP area, with walls covered by surveillance screens displaying every corner inside and outside the stadium.

Agent Johnson immediately stepped forward to report: "We have completed a full inspection and found some suspicious electronic devices in the equipment room on the east side. The technical team is analyzing them. We haven't found any trace of the 'energy conversion device' yet, but we've detected anomalies at several key points in the ventilation system, possibly in preparation for the release of an enhancer."

Lynn nodded: "Continue the search, paying particular attention to the area beneath the site. The main electrical system might only be installed at the last minute."

Mark had set up various monitoring programs on his computer: "We've taken over all the stadium's cameras and added a facial recognition system. The system will immediately sound an alarm if any current or known Black Crow members are detected."

Lynn walked to the window and looked down at the entire stadium. On the field, staff were making final preparations for the game, checking the field lines and equipment. In the stands, cleaners were sweeping the seating areas. Everything seemed so ordinary, but Lynn knew that beneath this calm surface, a crisis was brewing.

“You look like you need this,” Sarah said, walking over to Lynn and handing him a cup of hot coffee. “You haven’t had a break in over thirty-six hours.” (End of Chapter)