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

"How many passengers are there?" Emily couldn't help but ask.

Wilson glanced at Emily. "There were about four or five people, including an older man with thick glasses who looked like an academic. They were all wearing heavy winter coats and seemed very cautious, unwilling to talk to anyone else."

“An older man with thick glasses,” Lynn thought, certain this was the doctor they were looking for. “Mr. Wilson, could you provide the registration number of that aircraft?”

Wilson nodded and walked to the computer terminal. A few minutes later, he found the relevant records.

“Found it, registration number N847JK, aircraft type Gulfstream G650,” Wilson said. “Flight plans show the destination as Barrow, but…”

“But what?” Lynn keenly noticed the unusual tone in Wilson’s voice.

“But based on the fuel load, the aircraft’s range far exceeds what’s needed to get to Barrow,” Wilson explained. “I suspect Barrow is just a transit point; their real destination is probably much further.”

This information worried Lynn. If the criminals were to actually leave the United States, the difficulty of apprehending them would increase significantly.

“Mr. Wilson, what’s the situation at Barrow Airport?” Michael asked. “Can we get in touch with air traffic control there?”

“Of course, but Barrow’s communication conditions aren’t very good, especially in bad weather,” Wilson replied. “However, I can try to make contact for you.”

Just then, David walked over, holding a laptop in his hand.

“Detective, I’ve found some important information,” David said excitedly. “That Gulfstream G650 did indeed take off from here the night before last, bound for Barrow. But according to satellite tracking data, it only stayed in Barrow for two hours before continuing its northward flight.”

"North?" Lynn frowned. "There are no airports in the Arctic Ocean. Where are they going?"

David fiddled with the computer and brought up a map. "Based on their flight path, they disappeared somewhere in the Arctic Ocean. There are some research stations and oil drilling platforms there; that's probably their destination."

Emily looked at the trajectory on the map. "They really did escape to the ends of the earth."

Lynn realized the situation was more complex than he had anticipated. The Arctic environment was extremely harsh, and international legal relations were complex, with jurisdiction over many areas unclear. If criminals established a base there, the pursuit would face enormous challenges.

“Mr. Wilson, we need to get to Barrow immediately,” Lynn decided. “Could you arrange a flight for us?”

Wilson glanced at the weather outside the window. "The weather conditions aren't great right now, and the facilities at Barrow Airport are quite basic. I suggest you wait until the weather improves before you depart."

“We can’t wait,” Lynn said firmly. “This is an emergency; it involves the safety of many people.”

Seeing Lynn's resolute attitude, Wilson had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Alright, I'll contact some local pilots and see who's willing to fly in this kind of weather."

Half an hour later, a pilot named Jack McBride appeared in the waiting hall. He was a 45-year-old Alaskan native with 20 years of polar flying experience and was one of the best pilots in the area.

“FBI friends,” McBride said in a thick local accent, “Wilson told me you’re going to Barrow, and it’s urgent. I must warn you, the weather conditions are terrible right now, and the flight is very risky.”

“We understand the risks,” Lynn replied, “but the mission is urgent, and we must reach Barrow as soon as possible.”

McBride carefully examined the group. "Alright, my plane is a twin-engine propeller aircraft, suitable for polar flights. But you must wear specialized cold-weather gear and be prepared for emergencies."

“We all have professional equipment,” Mark said, “and we’ve all been trained in polar survival.”

McBride nodded. "Alright, we'll take off in an hour. Now, get the plane and fuel ready."

While waiting, Lynn contacted FBI headquarters to report the latest situation.

“Deputy Director, the target has escaped to the Arctic region,” Lynn said via satellite phone. “The situation is more complicated than we anticipated.”

McLaren's voice sounded worried. "Lynn, the Arctic environment is extremely dangerous, and the legal jurisdiction is complex. You must be very careful."

“I understand, Deputy Director,” Lynn replied, “but we must stop them. The consequences of allowing them to establish a permanent base in the Arctic would be unimaginable.”

“I will contact international law enforcement agencies to provide you with support,” McLaren said. “At the same time, I will prepare follow-up support.”

An hour later, the team arrived at a small helipad at the airport. McBride's plane was a red and white twin-engine aircraft that looked a bit old, but was well maintained.

“This plane may not be new, but it’s extremely reliable,” McBride said proudly. “It’s been with me for fifteen years flying in Alaska and has never let me down.”

The team members began loading their equipment. Due to limited space in the plane, they could only carry the most essential items. Everyone wore heavy, cold-weather gear, looking like an expedition team heading to conquer Antarctica.

“Emily, are you sure you want to come with us?” Lynn asked one last time. “Conditions in Barrow are extremely harsh, and the upcoming operation could be even more dangerous.”

Emily nodded firmly. "I'll go. I'm the only one who's seen the experimental equipment; I might be able to help you in a pinch."

The plane's engines started, making a roaring sound. Through the small porthole, one could see snowflakes falling outside, and visibility was very low.

"Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts," McBride announced over the intercom. "The flight will take approximately three hours, and we may encounter turbulence along the way."

The plane taxied on the runway and then accelerated for takeoff. As the altitude increased, the scenery below became increasingly desolate. Occasionally, a few rivers could be seen glittering in the sunlight across the endless snowfield.

During the flight, Lynn continued analyzing the case. "The question now is, why did they go to the Arctic? There's nothing there but ice and snow."

“Perhaps it’s precisely because there’s nothing there that it’s suitable for clandestine experiments,” Lisa speculated. “Besides, the Arctic region has complex legal jurisdictions, and if they establish a base in international waters, it will be difficult to track them down.”

Jack added, "Another possibility is that they need the low temperatures of the polar regions to conduct certain special experiments."

Emily suddenly remembered something. "Wait, I remember now! In the lab, I heard the professor mention terms like 'cryopreservation' and 'low-temperature activation.' Maybe their experiments require extremely low temperatures." This clue excited everyone. If Emily's memory was correct, then the Arctic polar environment might be exactly what the criminals needed.

“That explains why they went so far,” Michael said. “Ordinary refrigeration equipment probably couldn’t reach the temperatures they needed.”

The plane continued flying north, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly monotonous. Apart from the white snowfields and the occasional mountain range, there was almost no trace of human activity.

"Barrow is just ahead," McBride announced over the loudspeaker. "Prepare for landing."

Through the porthole, the outline of a small town could be seen in the distance. Dozens of low-rise buildings were scattered across the snow-covered plain, looking quite lonely. Barrow Airport was right next to the town, with a short runway and no other facilities around it.

The plane landed on the runway, and the wind and snow outside immediately pounded against the windows. After the engines stopped, it became very quiet all around, with only the whistling of the wind audible.

“Welcome to Barrow,” McBride said, “the northernmost city in the world.”

As the team stepped off the plane, they were immediately enveloped by a biting wind. The temperature here was more than ten degrees lower than in Anchorage, and the wind was so strong that it felt like being pierced by countless ice needles.

Barrow Airport has extremely basic facilities, consisting of only a small waiting room and a control tower. There are only two airport staff members, one of whom is an Inuit and the other is a technician from the south.

"Are you here for tourism?" the Inuit staff member asked curiously. "Few outsiders come to Barrow this time of year."

Lynn showed his identification. "We're FBI agents investigating a case. Was a private plane that landed here the day before yesterday?"

The Inuit nodded. "Yes, a large white plane. They stopped here for a while to refuel, then continued flying north."

"Did they say where they were going?" Michael asked.

“It wasn’t explicitly stated, but I heard their pilots speaking in Russian and on the radio,” the Inuit replied. “And they were carrying a lot of special equipment, which looked like scientific instruments.”

“Russian?” Lynn noticed this detail keenly. “Are you sure it’s Russian?”

“I’m sure. I’ve worked for an oil company before and I’ve met some Russians. I remember their language,” the Inuit said confidently.

This clue is extremely important. If the criminals have ties to Russia, the nature of the entire case could fundamentally change, escalating from a simple criminal offense into an international espionage operation.

David immediately got to work, using his portable device to contact FBI headquarters and report the latest findings. Due to the poor communication conditions in the Arctic region, the signal was intermittent, but contact was eventually successfully established.

“Headquarters, this is David,” he said into the satellite phone. “We’ve found a crucial lead in Barrow; the target may be linked to Russia.”

Just then, another airport staff member approached. He was a white man in his thirties who looked very nervous.

"Are you the FBI?" he asked in a low voice. "I have some important information to tell you."

Lynn immediately became alert. "What information?"

The man looked around to make sure no one else was listening, then whispered, "The people from that plane two days ago gave me a large sum of money, telling me not to tell anyone about their whereabouts. But now, seeing your identification, I think I should tell the truth."

"Where exactly did they go?" Lynn asked eagerly.

“Based on their conversation with the radio station, I heard the code name ‘Arctic Station Two,’” the man said. “That’s a Russian research station located in the Arctic Ocean, about 800 kilometers from here.”

This news shocked everyone. Arctic Station 2 is an important Russian research base in the Arctic region, and if criminals did indeed go there, things become extremely complicated.

“Are you sure you heard ‘Arctic Station Two’?” Michael asked again to confirm.

“Absolutely certain,” the man nodded, “and they also mentioned a timeframe, saying something like ‘the plan must be completed within 48 hours.’”

48 hours! Lynn realized the urgency of the situation. If the criminals were indeed conducting the final stage of their experiment there, they didn't have much time left.

"McBride, can your plane fly to North Pole Station Two?" Lynn asked the pilot.

McBride shook his head. "It's too far, and it's all over the sea with no landing sites. We need larger aircraft, preferably special-purpose planes capable of landing on ice."

Lynn fell into deep thought. Arctic Station 2 was located in international waters, and even if they could reach it, they would face complex legal and political issues. However, if they didn't act immediately, the consequences could be dire.

“David, contact headquarters immediately,” Lynn decided. “We need international cooperation and special equipment support. At the same time, investigate the details of Arctic Station Two.”

Emily walked over to Lynn. "Agent Lynn, although the situation is difficult, we cannot give up. Those innocent victims are still waiting for rescue."

In the temporary command post in Barrow, Lynn urgently contacted FBI headquarters. After two hours of complex coordination, Deputy Director McLaren finally brought good news: through diplomatic channels, they had obtained limited operational clearance to proceed to Arctic Station 2 for "humanitarian relief." Simultaneously, a heavy-duty helicopter specifically designed for polar operations was being urgently dispatched from a Canadian military base.

“This helicopter is a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-147F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter,” McLaren explained via satellite phone. “It is equipped with specialized polar navigation systems and survival equipment, enabling it to fly in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Ocean.”

"What's the arrival time?" Lynn asked.

“We’ll arrive in Barrow in about six hours,” McLaren replied. “Lynn, I must warn you, the political risks of this operation are very high. If an international conflict arises, the consequences will be severe.”

“I understand, Deputy Director,” Lynn said firmly, “but if we don’t act, more innocent people may die.”

While waiting for the helicopter, the team members began final preparations. The local Inuit people of Barrow offered them invaluable advice on polar survival. (End of Chapter)