Invasion of America

Chapter 42 Explosion
At this moment, Deputy Director Carl Vinson stood in front of the dozens of screens in the cruise ship's monitoring room. He stared at Zhou Qingfeng, not anyone else.

Especially since Morris, the researcher who discovered the 'Apocalypse Creature', was also on board, and Professor Aamir Khan's background made Carl believe that Zhou Qingfeng was a major suspect.

The surveillance footage starts from the time Zhou Qingfeng boarded the ship and ends when Professor Aamir Khan was kidnapped. Although no abnormalities were found in Zhou Qingfeng, it was discovered that a bodyguard who boarded the ship with him left alone.

"You little brat, I'm not going to let you go this time." Carl turned to stare at the bodyguard named Luxor, and soon discovered that he had not appeared since he sneaked into the entertainment area of ​​the yacht.

There are more than 5,000 tourists and more than 2,000 service staff on the Caribbean, as well as two casinos, more than a dozen performance halls, more than 20 restaurants, a surfing pool and many other facilities.

After nightfall, seven or eight thousand people were wandering around on the cruise ship. Although there were surveillance cameras everywhere, it was not easy to keep an eye on a particular person's whereabouts in such a crowd.

"That guy used the crowd to disguise himself." Carl sighed in his heart after confirming that he had lost him.

Luxor is a former CIA agent. He did not disguise himself in a place like a toilet, which seemed hidden but actually had only a single entrance and exit and was easily monitored.

Karl instructed his men to carefully watch the surveillance video. "Open your eyes and carefully compare the scenes before and after this video. He should have disguised himself as a cleaner and now he is looking for a cleaner."

At this moment, less than an hour had passed since Carl boarded the ship. The accompanying FBI agents were all excited, feeling that their deputy director was assisted by God in investigating the case and had found the key clue so quickly.

Only Carl himself knew that if he had not seen Zhou Qingfeng on the cruise ship, he would never have listed him as the number one suspect.

But even if I was suspicious, what would it matter? I had to get actual evidence. Karl thought about it and decided to go directly to Zhou Qingfeng.
-
Helen stayed in the second-class cabin, which was much more shabby than Zhou Qingfeng's presidential first-class suite.

The cabin is a single room with a bathroom. There is a double bed in the room, basic furniture, no balcony, and a window with a sea view.

After returning to the room, Helen opened the window, stuck her head out, looked left and right, and then glanced towards the upper deck to confirm the direction of the first-class cabin.

She retracted her head and waited in her room. At eleven o'clock in the evening, she looked at the door of her room, and her heartbeat began to speed up involuntarily.

After waiting for a few seconds, there were regular knocks outside the door, three heavy knocks and two light knocks, and then it became quiet.

After waiting for the knocking to stop, Helen opened the door. There was no one in the corridor outside, only a small package on the ground. She picked up the package and closed the door.

The package contained a mobile phone and a small quadcopter drone.

She turned on her phone first, and when the screen lit up, she had to enter a password to activate it. As for the drone, she installed the batteries, performed a system self-test, and then performed flight tests.

Everything was ready. She typed a text message to the number saved on her phone, "The drone is ready. Who is the target?"

She hesitated for a few seconds before choosing to send.

In the past, Helen Grant was just an ordinary high school history teacher. Her life was extremely monotonous. She had no family, no friends, and no achievements. Her only hobby was reading classical novels.

She is the least visible teacher in the school. She is eager to teach students about their country's history, but few students are interested at all.

Ironically, after meeting Zhou Qingfeng, she discovered that the young people of America's arch-enemy have far richer historical accumulation and knowledge than the American people.

Zhou Qingfeng not only has an understanding of his own country's history, but also knows a lot about European and American history. After the end of the world, mobile phones cannot be used and the Internet is paralyzed. The most convenient entertainment is to read books.

In contrast, America's public schools are shitholes, and so is the country.

Congress is full of "stock gurus," and the president is a yellow-haired real estate developer who disregards public opinion, breaks political ethics, and openly issues currency to make money.

Those who hold power don’t care about the lives of the people at all. They just want to incite populism and cash in on the power in their hands.

Just now at the casino, Helen actually planned to exchange all her savings into chips and gamble wildly.

Over the past month, it wasn't that she didn't want to answer Zhou Qingfeng's calls, but she was undergoing training and was forbidden to answer any calls.

The people who recruited her said that they needed someone with a clean family background, no criminal record, and no signs of training to carry out the mission.

If she hadn't met Zhou Qingfeng, she would have lost everything and had nowhere to retreat. After meeting Zhou Qingfeng, she felt even more ironic.

"Look at the young people on the other side of the ocean. They are not only good at studying, but also courageous. They dare to fight against the forces of darkness and are willing to risk everything to save innocent people.

And what are all those losers I teach doing? Taking drugs, having sex, and throwing parties, each one more stupid and incompetent than the last.

Sure enough, the tree of liberty must be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. I must have made the right choice."

Helen clicked her finger and sent the inquiry message. Ten seconds later, her phone rang softly, sending the target's profile picture, identity, and current location.
-
Zhou Qingfeng had just parted ways with Helen on the outer deck of the cruise ship casino. He was still pondering the look in her eyes as she left, wanting to say something but unable to, when he heard the crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the teak deck.

"Victor." Deputy Director Carl shouted, habitually lifting the corner of his custom-made suit, putting his hands on his hips, revealing the pistol under his ribs.

"Your game is over. Where is Professor Aamir Khan? I hope you didn't kill him. Otherwise, no matter how much money you have, you will spend your whole life in jail."

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at Carl, then at the four armed agents in bulletproof vests behind him. The FBI badges on their chests shone coldly under the neon lights of the casino. "Why are you here?"

"I'm on vacation at home, playing with my kids in the backyard pool." Carl loosened his tie, and the electronic noisemaker around his neck made an angry, strange sound. "Until the director called me out!"

He took a half step closer and growled, "Victor, I warned you not to touch the 'Apocalypse Creatures', but you refused to listen, didn't you?
You shouldn't have been so smart, you shouldn't have met Morris, you shouldn't have kidnapped Professor Aamir Khan. Do you really think you can get away with it?"

Zhou Qingfeng knew that Karl was going to bite him to death, so he could only lean on the deck railing and chuckle, "So you brought enough people to catch him in the act this time?"

"No, I'm here to witness how a conceited idiot ruins his bright future." Carl suddenly grabbed Zhou Qingfeng's shoulders.

"You have no idea what kind of power you're playing with. I've already sent someone to your presidential suite. Let's go and see what my men have found."

Following the deputy director's order, several detectives surrounded him and almost took Zhou Qingfeng back to the 'presidential suite' where he lived.

The group walked through the casino, attracting many surprised glances from tourists. Everyone was whispering, who is this young man being held by the FBI?

Enter the casino elevator and go directly to the suite on the top floor.

"Ding--" The moment the elevator door opened, the personal butler of the presidential suite was waiting with his head bowed, but he saw Karl with a sour face showing his ID and striding towards the door of the suite.

Near the oak door, Karl suddenly stopped, turned around and said to Zhou Qingfeng: "In fact, crimes often happen on luxury cruise ships at sea. Every year, people are killed on cruise ships.

This isn't my first time on the Caribbean, but it's my first time arresting a suspect in the Presidential Suite."

Outside the door, two armed agents had taken over security and pushed open the carved wooden door inlaid with gold foil.

What greets you is a five-meter-high crystal chandelier. Thousands of crystals reflect brilliant light under the light, illuminating the entire living room as if it were daytime.

Six forensic officers in dust-proof suits were meticulously examining every inch of the carpet with ultraviolet light. Two German shepherd dogs, directed by their handlers, sniffed around, their paws leaving faint marks on the carpet.

In a corner of the living room stands an antique piano worth a million dollars, with the figures of Luxor and Morris reflected on the piano lid.

The two men sat side by side on the leather sofa next to the piano, and behaved unusually well in the face of the ferocious FBI agents.

Carl strode in, his leather shoes clacking against the carpet. He habitually placed his hands on his hips, his gaze sweeping across the room like a hawk. "Anything you found?"

His assistant trotted over and whispered, "Boss, we just started the search, but we haven't found anything yet. There are only two people in the room, and the police dog didn't find anything unusual."

Carl was stunned for three seconds, his facial muscles twitching slightly. He turned around abruptly, his eyes piercing Zhou Qingfeng like a knife, "Victor, you hid the person very well."

Zhou Qingfeng was also stunned. He looked at Luxor and asked knowingly, "Who is hiding in the room?"

Luxor is a seasoned veteran, his acting skills worthy of an award-winning actor. He spread his hands innocently, "Boss, we're not hiding anyone.

"These FBI agents came in about ten minutes ago without a warrant and just pinned us down on the couch. I want to ask, what the hell happened?"

Zhou Qingfeng could only look at Karl again, shrugged, and spread his hands. "Karl, we are friends. I will fully cooperate with your investigation. But if you can't find anything, you can't blame me."

Karl's face was so gloomy that it looked like water could drip out of it. He took a step forward, almost getting close to Zhou Qingfeng's face. "Don't play that trick on me! You know who I'm looking for! Where is Professor Aamir Khan?"

"Found it." Suddenly an agent shouted, "We found Professor Aamir Khan."

Carl was delighted, but found that the shouting came from outside the presidential suite.

"We found the professor in Suite A of the first-class cabin, but he was unconscious and seemed... drunk."

Karl was like a fool. He thought carefully for a while, then looked at Zhou Qingfeng, "You sent the professor back again?"

Zhou Qingfeng also looked at Luxor and Morris. The latter two just curled their lips and said nothing on the sofa. It was obviously their doing.

At this moment, the oak door of the suite was pushed open suddenly with a loud "bang", which shook the paintings on the wall slightly.

Governor Weston's portly figure appeared at the door, his silhouette in the backlight like a savage wild boar.

He strode into the living room, followed by Schmidt, the chief of the Miami branch.

Eight armed FBI agents followed closely behind, all wearing bulletproof vests, with pistols and handcuffs on their waists, and marching in unison.

"Are you Victor?" The governor glanced at him and spoke in a low, slow voice, with a condescending tone. "I remember I helped you. But you don't seem to know how to be grateful."

He slowly raised his right hand, habitually adjusting the platinum cufflinks on his cuffs, and shouted coldly:

"You can get a $1.5 billion bonus, that's my tacit consent, otherwise you won't get a penny.

I asked Jeff Connolly to warn you not to touch the 'Apocalypse Creature'; that's what I prepared for myself.

I can help you, or I can destroy you. You think I need proof? In Florida, I can make anyone disappear if I want them to."

The Governor smiled cruelly, "I'll give you one last chance. Hand over Professor Aamir Khan. Otherwise..."

He paused, his voice suddenly rising, "I will make you regret coming into this world!"

Whether in terms of numbers or pressure, the governor's side had an absolute advantage at the scene.

Zhou Qingfeng's heartbeat quickened. He looked directly into the governor's eyes and replied with a smile, "Your Excellency, Governor, didn't you say you've found the professor?"

Governor Weston's face turned, and Carl quickly whispered, "We did find Professor Amir Khan, but he's not in a good condition, and we haven't found the lost encrypted hard drive yet."

Governor Weston stared at Zhou Qingfeng again, "Young man, you're trying to trick me. This is a huge mistake and a waste of your only chance.

Since you don't want to talk, let the professionals do it for you. I just need to wait for the result. Your money and lawyers will be a joke."

All the FBI agents stared at Zhou Qingfeng in unison, and Deputy Director Carl even showed a look of regret - if this kid fell into his hands, there was still a glimmer of hope.

But once the governor spoke, it was all over.

Two detectives grabbed handcuffs and took two steps forward to arrest him. Luxor seemed unfazed, accustomed to it. Morris, on the other hand, was trembling all over, as if he were about to beg for mercy.

Zhou Qingfeng had a cold face and had no intention of giving in - giving in at this time would only lead to his death faster.

Just then, a slight buzzing sound came from the direction of the balcony.

Everyone at the scene subconsciously turned their heads to look, and saw a miniature quadcopter drone coming in from the direction of the dark sea like a ghost.

Its camera swung and quickly locked onto Governor Weston's position. There was a small bag hanging under its rotors, and two tentacle-like collision fuses in front.

"Be careful!" Carl shouted, but his electronic voice was distorted by panic and it was completely inaudible.

Only the closest Secret Service agent reacted quickly and pulled Governor Weston away to avoid any possible danger.

But Director Schmidt, who was standing next to the governor, was even faster. He had just been like a loyal dog, but now he directly pushed the governor who was blocking his way.

The portly Governor Weston fell to the ground.

The drone rushed over at an alarming speed, hit the governor's back, and exploded with a loud bang.

The flames instantly engulfed the entire living room. The shock wave caused the crystal chandelier to shake violently, and thousands of crystals collided with each other, emitting crisp and mournful cries.

When the smoke cleared, Governor Weston lay in a pool of blood. His suit was shattered to pieces, with a large hole in the back, staining it a glaring red.

The light from the crystal chandelier shone through the dense smoke, casting a final ray of light on his eyes that were still open.

Deputy Director Karl climbed up from the floor. Seeing the governor dead, he turned his head and looked at Zhou Qingfeng, who had dodged behind the sofa, and shouted angrily, "Are you crazy?"

Zhou Qingfeng was also in shock and said angrily, "I'm not crazy, I'm here too."

(End of this chapter)