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

“This is our urban warfare training ground,” Colonel Reynolds explained. “Today’s training will simulate scenarios of confronting armed groups in a complex urban environment.”

A new instructor stepped forward; he was a very professional-looking military advisor, and the badge on his chest indicated that he was a former special forces soldier.

"I am Instructor Johnson, and I will be in charge of today's tactical training," he began. "You will learn urban tactics, team coordination, command and control, intelligence analysis, and other related topics."

“First, a situation briefing,” Instructor Johnson said, pulling out a tablet that displayed an overhead view of the training ground. “Scenario: An armed criminal organization has taken over this area of ​​the city. They have both regular armed men and individuals with superpowers. Your mission is to eliminate the threat and rescue the hostages.”

Lynn carefully observed the layout of the training ground. It was indeed a complex urban environment with many possible ambush points, sniping positions, and escape routes. Dealing with such an environment required meticulous tactical planning and perfect team coordination.

“The training is divided into four phases,” Instructor Johnson continued, “Intelligence gathering, tactical planning, coordinated attack, and target elimination. Each phase has specific evaluation criteria.”

The first phase was intelligence gathering. The agents were divided into four three-person teams, each responsible for reconnaissance of different areas of the training ground, gathering information such as enemy deployment, hostage locations, and terrain features.

Lynn, Marcus, and Carmen naturally formed a team and were assigned to scout the northeastern area of ​​the training grounds. This area comprised two three-story buildings and a main street.

“We need to gather information systematically,” Lynn devised the reconnaissance plan. “Marcus will be in charge of observing the ground floor, Carmen will be responsible for the second and third floors, and I will be in charge of the overall assessment and recording.”

They cautiously approached the target area. The training ground was filled with "enemies"—actually training robots and holographic projections, but they looked incredibly realistic.

Marcus discovered six simulated militant targets on the ground floor, positioned at the entrances of two buildings and key locations on the street. Carmen, observing through the windows, spotted sniper positions on the second floor and what appeared to be a command post on the third floor.

Lynn synthesized the information he gathered and marked enemy positions, firepower distribution, and possible attack routes on the map. He also noticed some important details: there were sky bridges connecting the buildings, which could be used by the enemy as rapid movement routes; and there was a sewer system under the streets, which could be used as a concealed approach route.

Thirty minutes later, all the teams gathered at the command center to report their reconnaissance results. Lynn gave the report on behalf of his team, detailing the enemy deployment and terrain features they had discovered.

"Excellent reconnaissance work," Instructor Johnson commented. "Comprehensive information gathering and accurate analysis."

The second phase is tactical planning. Based on the intelligence gathered, the agents need to develop a complete attack plan.

Deputy Director Stone paid particular attention to Lynn's performance at this stage. As the team leader who was ranked first, Lynn was required to lead the entire planning process.

“Based on reconnaissance, the enemy has deployed in four areas,” Lynn spread out a map on the tactical table. “I suggest a multi-point simultaneous attack strategy to prevent them from having time to support each other.”

He pointed to the map and explained in detail: "The first group will attack from the southwest to draw the main fire; the second group will approach through the underground passage and assault the command post; the third group will be responsible for eliminating the snipers; and the fourth group will serve as a reserve, ready to provide support at any time."

“Time coordination is crucial,” Lynn continued. “All teams must begin operations simultaneously to achieve maximum effectiveness.”

Marcus added, "We also need to consider the safety of the hostages and avoid friendly fire during the attack."

Carmen suggested, "What if we encounter someone with superpowers? We need to prepare specific countermeasures."

“Based on previous training experience,” Lynn replied, “when encountering superpowered individuals, prioritize using specialized equipment and avoid close contact. Also, maintain teamwork and avoid acting alone.”

Instructor Johnson and Deputy Director Stone observed from the sidelines, nodding in approval from time to time.

The third phase is a practical exercise in coordinating attacks.

All agents were equipped with full gear: protective suits, communication equipment, various weapons, and real-time tactical displays.

“Remember, in this exercise you are not just facing ordinary simulated targets,” Instructor Johnson emphasized, “but also three real superhumans who will do everything in their power to stop you from completing your mission.”

Upon hearing this news, all the agents felt tense. Previous training had been in relatively controlled environments; this was a real-world simulation.

"Begin the operation!" Instructor Johnson gave the order.

The four groups began their operation simultaneously. The second group, consisting of Lynn, Marcus, and Carmen, was tasked with the most difficult mission: to approach and storm the enemy command post through underground tunnels.

The underground passage is more complex than the surface environment; it is dimly lit, narrow, and has many branching paths. The three must rely on map navigation and communication devices to maintain coordination.

“There’s a light source fifty meters ahead; it might be an exit,” Marcus reported from the scout ahead.

“Be careful, there might be an ambush,” Lynn warned. “We’ll approach according to the training procedure.”

Sure enough, as they approached the exit, they encountered their first superhuman—a woman capable of invisibility. She suddenly appeared behind Marcus and attempted to subdue him with a stun gun.

But Lynn was prepared. He used thermal imaging to locate the invisible man in time and successfully hit him with a tranquilizer gun. Thirty seconds later, the invisible man was incapacitated.

“First target cleared,” Lynn reported via communicator.

They continued forward, eventually reaching the basement of the building housing the command post. The defenses here were much tighter, with multiple armed simulated targets and a superhuman capable of manipulating metal.

“The metal manipulator is at three o’clock,” Carmen observed the target. “He’s controlling some metal objects as weapons.”

“We’ll attack simultaneously,” Lynn commanded. “Marcus will draw attention from the front, Carmen will attack from the flank, and I’ll look for firing opportunities.”

The battle was intense. The metal manipulator was highly skilled, transforming surrounding metal objects into projectiles to attack the three. However, their teamwork was excellent, allowing them to successfully evade most of the attacks.

Lynn seized the opportunity, using an electromagnetic pulse grenade to disrupt the metal manipulator's abilities, and then successfully subdued the target with a tranquilizer gun.

“Command post cleared,” Lynn reported.

Meanwhile, the other three groups were also engaged in battle in their respective areas. Through the communicator, Lynn could hear the sounds of intense fighting and reports from his teammates.

Twenty minutes later, the exercise concluded. All enemy targets were eliminated, the hostages were successfully rescued, and no agents were injured.

"Excellent performance!" Instructor Johnson announced. "This is one of the most successful urban tactical drills I've ever seen." Deputy Director Stone nodded in satisfaction, "Your teamwork, tactical execution, and emergency response all reached a professional level."

The fourth stage is task summary and evaluation.

All agents gathered in the conference room to review the entire exercise, analyze the success factors, and identify areas for improvement.

"Today's drills demonstrate that you have mastered the ability to counter hybrid threats," Instructor Johnson concluded. "Whether it's ordinary militants or superhumans, you can deal with them effectively."

"In particular, Captain Lynn's command abilities," Deputy Director Stone specifically mentioned, "his tactical planning was clear, his execution decisive, and his team coordination excellent."

Lynn was pleased to hear these comments, but he knew this was just training, and the real challenge might be much more complex.

At 4 p.m., all agents were summoned to the base's main conference room. It was a state-of-the-art conference room with a large-screen monitor and advanced communication equipment, looking like a venue for important meetings.

Colonel Reynolds, Deputy Director Stone, and several senior officials whom Lynn had never met before were present at the meeting.

“Agents,” Deputy Director Stone began, “it’s time to tell you the real reason we’ve gathered here.”

The meeting room was silent, everyone listening intently.

“The training over the past few days wasn’t just about skills enhancement; it was also preparation for a specific mission,” Deputy Director Stone continued, “a very important and dangerous mission.”

An organizational chart appeared on the large screen, revealing a complex criminal network.

“This organization is called the ‘Shadow League,’” Deputy Director Stone explained, “and is one of the most dangerous underground criminal organizations in the eastern United States.”

Lynn carefully examined the information on the screen. The organization was much larger than he had imagined, with hundreds of members spread across major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston.

“What makes the Shadow Alliance special is that they have both a large number of well-trained ordinary militants and more than a dozen mutants with different superpowers,” Deputy Director Stone explained.

The screen displayed the organization's hierarchical structure: the bottom layer consisted of ordinary militants and technicians, the middle layer consisted of squad leaders and area managers, and the top layer consisted of a core leadership team composed of five superhumans.

“Their criminal activities include: arms smuggling, human experimentation, extortion, assassination services, and even involvement in terrorism,” Deputy Director Stone listed. “More seriously, they are trying to recruit more superhumans to expand their influence.”

A technician operated the equipment, and more detailed information appeared on the screen.

"Their headquarters is located in an abandoned industrial area outside Philadelphia, where there are complete training facilities, weapons arsenals, and even human laboratories," the technician explained.

"Human experimentation?" Carmen couldn't help but ask.

“Yes,” Deputy Director Stone replied seriously, “they are trying to artificially create superhumans, just like the previously destroyed ‘Vulcan Project.’”

Hearing this, Lynn's heart sank. It seemed that the destruction of "Project Vulcan" had not ended everything, and other similar organizations were continuing this horrific research.

“To date, we have confirmed that the Shadow Alliance has conducted at least twenty human experiments,” Deputy Director Stone continued. “Most of the experiments failed, but there have been a few successes.”

Photos and information of several people appeared on the screen; they were all core superpowered members of the Shadow Alliance.

“This is their leadership,” Deputy Director Stone explained. “The organization’s leader is Viktor Sadov, a Russian-American with mind control abilities. His deputies include: a woman who can manipulate gravity, a man who can create clones, a young man who can manipulate the flow of time, and a mutant who can absorb and reflect energy.”

Looking at this information, all the agents felt the immense challenge. This wasn't a few isolated superpowered individuals, but an organized, planned, and well-resourced criminal syndicate.

"Why choose us?" Marcus asked.

“Because you all have actual experience fighting superhumans,” Colonel Reynolds replied, “and after these few days of training, you have developed the ability to work as a team against hybrid threats.”

"What are the specifics of the mission?" Lynn asked.

"Destroy the Shadow Alliance's core facilities, arrest or subdue key members, and rescue the imprisoned experimental subjects," Deputy Director Stone explained. "This will be a large-scale joint operation, and you will be cooperating with other FBI departments, local police, and even military special forces."

"When to take action?" the agent from Boston asked.

“A week from now,” Deputy Director Stone replied, “these few days will be the final preparation phase, including detailed mission planning, equipment allocation, and team cohesion.”

The conference room was silent. Each agent was processing the information they had just heard. This was no longer training; it was a real life-or-death mission.

“I know this mission is dangerous,” Deputy Director Stone continued, “but the Shadow Alliance threat has reached a point where immediate action is necessary. Their recent activities have become increasingly rampant, and the consequences would be dire if they are not stopped in time.”

“What’s been happening lately?” Carmen asked.

“Three days ago, they raided a government research facility in Washington and stole a large amount of classified information,” Deputy Director Stone revealed. “This information pertains to the government’s superpower research projects and, if it falls into the wrong hands, could be used to create more superpowered weapons.”

“Furthermore,” Colonel Reynolds added, “we have intelligence indicating that they are planning a large-scale terrorist attack, potentially targeting important buildings in New York or Washington.”

This information made the agents realize the urgency and importance of the mission.

“You have 48 hours to consider,” Deputy Director Stone concluded. “This mission is voluntary; no one will force you. But I want you to understand that this may be your only chance to prevent a disaster.”

After the meeting, the agents left the conference room in silence. Everyone needed time to consider this important decision.

In the restaurant, Lynn, Marcus, and Carmen sat together, discussing the news they had just heard. (End of Chapter)