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

On the other wall of the room, Lynn discovered a huge whiteboard covered with complex diagrams and formulas. Although Lynn wasn't a biology expert, he could tell that the diagrams were related to genetic structure. More importantly, several places on the whiteboard were highlighted in red, one of which was marked "Ominous."

Martin heard Lynn's words and looked up at the whiteboard. "Detective," he said, "these formulas look extremely technical; they're definitely not something an ordinary person could understand. The person who created these charts must have profound knowledge of biology or genetics."

Lynn nodded and continued searching the room. In a corner, he found a filing cabinet filled with various documents and materials. He randomly picked out a few files to examine and discovered that they contained detailed information about several different individuals, each of whom was tagged.

“This records at least twelve different individuals,” Lynn told Martin, “and each individual has detailed aptitude test records and genetic analysis data.”

“Martin, come and see this!” Lynn called out.

Martin approached, and the two read the document together. The document revealed that Emily's emotional perception was far more powerful than she realized. The experimental program aimed to enhance and control her abilities, enabling her not only to perceive others' emotions but also to influence and manipulate their emotional states.

“This is terrifying,” Martin said. “If this kind of control could actually be achieved, it would be equivalent to having the ability to control minds.”

Lynn continued reviewing the documents and discovered that the experiment had progressed to its second phase. The first phase primarily involved testing and evaluation, while the second phase concerned the actual enhancement procedures. The documents stated that the experiment required specialized equipment and environment, as well as the complete cooperation of the participants.

“The subject’s complete cooperation,” Lynn repeated, “explains why Emily wasn’t treated violently. They needed her cooperation to complete the experiment.”

Just then, Sarah's voice came from outside: "Detective, something's up!"

Lynn and Martin immediately stopped what they were doing and quickly slipped out of the secret room. Sarah stood at the warehouse entrance, looking tense.

"What's wrong?" Lynn asked.

“I just got a call from headquarters,” Sarah said quickly. “Columbia University’s security department reported that Emily Zhang’s lab was broken into last night, but strangely, nothing was stolen. The intruders seem to be looking for something specific.”

Lynn frowned. "Did they find any signs of intrusion?"

"Yes, the surveillance footage shows that there were three intruders. One of them was able to easily break the electronic lock, while another seemed to be able to see clearly in the dark without using any lighting equipment."

“Mutants,” Lynn said definitively, “Emily’s kidnappers and the lab intruders were very likely the same group. They first searched her lab, looking for her research data, and then kidnapped her.”

Tom rushed in from outside. "Detective, I've contacted Emily's mentor, Professor Williamson. He said Emily is indeed working on an independent research project, but he's not entirely clear on the specifics. However, he mentioned that Emily asked him about the theoretical possibilities of mutant power enhancement a few weeks ago."

“Ability enhancement,” Lynn repeated. “It seems our hypothesis was correct. Sarah, contact the technical department immediately and have them analyze all the devices in this chamber. I need to know their specific functions and whether they truly enhance mutant abilities.”

“Understood, Inspector,” Sarah immediately began making contact.

Lynn walked back to the entrance of the secret room and carefully examined the scene again. Now, the outline of the whole incident was beginning to become clear. Emily Zhang was not just a missing student; she was a mutant with special abilities, and her research touched on some very sensitive areas. Someone—most likely another mutant—was very interested in her research and abilities, and therefore orchestrated this kidnapping.

But what are these kidnappers' true motives? Do they want Emily's research findings, or do they want to exploit her abilities? Or do they want to enhance her abilities through experimentation and then use them for some larger scheme?
“Detective,” Martin emerged from the secret room, holding a small device, “I found this in there. It looks like some kind of communication device, but it uses a very special frequency.”

Lynn took the device and examined it closely. It was small, only the size of a palm, but its craftsmanship was extremely precise. Most importantly, fingerprints remained on the device.

“Martin, send these fingerprints for comparison immediately,” Lynn said. “If we’re lucky, these fingerprints might tell us who the kidnappers are.”

“There’s one more thing, Inspector,” Martin said. “When I was analyzing those electromagnetic signals, I discovered that some of them were being emitted outwards, not originating from inside the equipment. This means someone is remotely monitoring activities in this secret room.”

Lynn's expression turned serious. "You mean, we might be being monitored right now?"

“Very likely,” Martin nodded. “Moreover, if the kidnappers could monitor this place remotely, they probably already know we’ve discovered this secret room.”

This discovery heightened the tension at the scene. Lynn immediately made a decision: "Everyone evacuate the warehouse immediately and regroup in a safe place outside. Martin, take all the important evidence, but be careful not to trigger any possible surveillance alarms."

The three quickly and carefully collected the key evidence and then left the warehouse. In the open space outside, Lynn gathered everyone together.

“The situation is clear now,” Lynn told everyone, “Emily Zhang has been kidnapped by a group of mutants. The purpose of the kidnapping is to use her abilities and research findings for some kind of experimentation. The kidnappers are very professional, with sophisticated equipment and a meticulous plan. More importantly, they likely already know that we have discovered their secret base.”

"So what should we do next?" Tom asked.

Lynn thought for a moment, then said, “First, we need more information about Emily’s research project. Sarah, arrange for a team to go to Columbia University immediately to speak with her advisors and classmates in detail. I need to know exactly what her research involves and why it has attracted their attention.”

“Understood, Inspector,” Sarah wrote down.

"Secondly, Martin, you'll be in charge of analyzing all the technical evidence we've collected, especially the electromagnetic signals and communication devices. I need to know the kidnappers' potential level of technical capability and whether they have connections to other known mutant criminal organizations."

“No problem, Inspector,” Martin replied. “Finally, Tom, contact the local police department to expand the search area. The kidnappers have likely moved Emily to another location, and we need to look for any possible clues, especially that black van.”

Just then, Lynn's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID; it was an FBI call.

“Detective Lynn,” came Deputy Chief McLaren’s voice on the phone, but it sounded tense, “Where are you now?”

“We’re investigating the scene of Emily Zhang’s disappearance, Deputy Chief,” Lynn replied. “Is there any emergency?”

“Return to headquarters immediately,” McLaren ordered. “We received an anonymous call claiming to be related to Emily Zhang’s kidnapping. The caller says they have important information to tell us, but only want to speak with you face-to-face.”

Lynn was surprised. "Anonymous callers? What did they say?"

“They claim Emily Zhang is currently safe, but her situation could become dangerous if we continue our investigation,” McLaren said. “Furthermore, the caller seems to know about the secret room you just discovered.”

This news shocked Lynn. The kidnappers were not only monitoring the secret room, but also the FBI's operations. This meant their organizational capabilities and technical skills far surpassed those of ordinary criminal gangs.

“We’re returning to headquarters immediately,” Lynn told McLaren, then turned to his team. “Change plans. Everyone back to headquarters immediately. It seems this case is far more complex than we initially thought.”

The next morning at six o'clock, Lynn Hall drove away from Manhattan alone.

He didn't tell Sarah and Tom about this solo operation because he realized there might be a leak of information within the team. The kidnappers' level of knowledge about the FBI operation was worrying, and in this situation, acting alone was actually safer.

The scenery outside the car window gradually changed from a bustling city to a desolate industrial area. The morning mist hadn't completely dissipated, and the outline of the steel plant in the distance was faintly visible in the thin fog, like a sleeping behemoth. Lynn parked the car about a kilometer away from the steel plant and then walked on. He needed to remain vigilant, as this could very well be a trap.

Approaching the steel mill, Lynn saw that it had indeed been abandoned for many years. The massive chimneys pierced the sky, but no longer emitted smoke; the once bustling production workshops were now empty, with only the sound of the wind echoing within. The entire factory area was vast, containing dozens of buildings, and a thorough search would take a long time.

Lynn first inspected the main production workshop. Pushing open the rusty iron door, a harsh metallic scraping sound came from inside. The workshop was dark and damp, with abandoned machinery piled up everywhere. He carefully shone his flashlight into every corner, searching for any possible clues.

In the third workshop, Lynn noticed some unusual signs. The dust on the floor had been deliberately wiped away, and there were tire tracks from vehicles. More importantly, he found some fresh food packaging next to an abandoned machine tool, indicating that someone had recently been there.

Just as Lynn crouched down to carefully examine the packages, he suddenly sensed light footsteps behind him. Years of law enforcement experience immediately made him realize someone was approaching. He slowly turned around and saw three people standing at the workshop entrance.

The leader was a tall man, around forty years old, wearing a dark coat, with a prominent scar on his face. On either side of him stood a man and a woman, both of whom looked relatively young, but their eyes were unusually cold.

“Detective Lynn, we finally meet,” the scarred man said, his voice low and menacing. “You shouldn’t have come here alone.”

Lynn slowly stood up, his right hand stealthily moving towards the pistol at his waist. "You're the ones who kidnapped Emily Zhang?"

“Kidnapping?” The scarred man chuckled. “We prefer to call it an ‘invitation.’ Miss Emily is safe now; she’s helping us with a very important research project.”

"What research?" Lynn asked, while observing the three people's positions, looking for a possible escape route.

“You don’t need to know that much,” the scarred man said. “All you need to know is that if you continue to interfere with our work, Miss Emily’s safety cannot be guaranteed.”

Lynn noticed that the three men were positioned strategically, forming a triangle that effectively blocked all escape routes. Moreover, judging from their movements and expressions, they were definitely not ordinary criminals.

“Let me see Emily,” Lynn said. “I need to make sure she’s safe.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work,” the scarred man shook his head, “but I can give you a choice. Stop investigating this case, forget everything you’ve seen, and then we’ll pretend nothing ever happened.”

“What if I refuse?” Lynn asked.

The scarred man's smile grew even more dangerous. "Then I'll have no choice but to stay here forever."

The words had barely left his mouth when the young woman standing to the scarred man's left suddenly moved. Her movements were astonishingly fast; she appeared in front of Lynn almost instantly, throwing a punch straight at his chest. Lynn barely managed to dodge, the woman's fist grazing his ribs, creating a whooshing sound.

Lynn immediately retaliated, throwing a straight punch at the woman's face. But the woman reacted even faster, easily grabbing Lynn's wrist and twisting it forcefully. Lynn felt a sharp pain in his wrist, but he didn't stop. Instead, he used the momentum to knee the woman in the abdomen.

The woman released her wrist and leaped backward, avoiding Lynn's knee strike. Her movements were as light as a cat's, and she landed almost silently.

“A speed-enhanced mutant,” Lynn judged to himself. This type of mutant possesses speed and reaction abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people, making them extremely difficult opponents.

Just then, another young man joined the battle. Unlike the woman, he didn't attack directly; instead, he stood still, his eyes suddenly gleaming with a strange light. Lynn felt the air around him grow heavy, as if an invisible force was pressing down on him. (End of Chapter)