American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

"This is our target." Lynn circled the location of the mountainous area on the map. "They might be hiding there."

Mark nodded, hope rekindling in his eyes. "Then let's go. Let those people know that no matter where they run, we'll find them."

Lynn and Mark begin their solo investigation of the experimental organization's backup facilities. This risky operation, without approval from their superiors, even sparks some controversy within the FBI. Although they carefully conceal their movements, several colleagues still notice them, causing quite a stir.

"Lynn, what are you doing?" One morning, Eric, a senior agent, walked straight into Lynn's office, his face full of displeasure. "You've bypassed your superiors and are doing things you shouldn't be doing. This is not only dangerous, it could ruin your career!"

Lynn raised his head, his gaze calm and resolute: "Eric, you know this is necessary. If we don't continue this investigation, this organization will continue to kidnap innocent people and destroy more families."

Eric sneered, "Necessary? We all know this case is complicated, but without authorization from higher-ups, every step you take is risky! If something goes wrong, no one can take the blame for you."

"Then I'll take responsibility myself." Lynn's tone was calm, but full of determination. "If you can't accept it, you can choose to withdraw, but please don't interfere with my actions."

Eric was stunned, then shook his head and left the office. His attitude weighed heavily on Lynn's mind, but he knew that there would always be moments of misunderstanding on the path to justice.

As Lynn was organizing the documents, Mark pushed open the door and entered. He glanced at Eric, who had just left, and then walked to Lynn's desk.

"Is he questioning you again?" Mark asked, his tone tinged with anger.

"It's alright." Lynn shook her head, putting the documents into her briefcase. "It's normal to have doubts, after all, what we're doing goes beyond the norm."

"But they simply don't understand your persistence." Mark pulled out a chair and sat down, his face full of support. "I don't care what others think, but I know you're right. No matter how difficult things get, I'll stay with you."

Lynn looked at Mark and smiled with relief. "Thank you, Mark. I feel very lucky to have a partner like you."

The two continued to examine the previously discovered logistics lists and geographical data, and through cross-analysis, they finally narrowed their focus to a remote mountainous area. This region was about 50 miles from the nearest town, surrounded only by a small amount of undeveloped forest and a few abandoned mining tunnels.

"If they are really here, we need to be careful," Lynn said, pointing to the map. "This mountainous area is easy to defend and difficult to penetrate. They probably have a tight security perimeter."

Mark nodded: "We need more equipment and support. But without official authorization, we have to do it all ourselves."

Lynn thought for a moment and took out a list of equipment: "We can still draw on some resources from previous operations, but we need to do it discreetly to avoid attracting attention."

The two spent several days preparing the necessary equipment and tools, including drones, thermal monitors, and sufficient supplies. Despite the high risks involved, neither of them backed down.

On the night of the operation, Lynn and Mark drove an SUV disguised as a field survey vehicle slowly into the mountains. They parked in a concealed thicket of bushes, launched a drone, and began scanning the surrounding terrain.

The drone's camera footage showed signs of human activity in the target area. Some makeshift tents and concealed vehicles suggested that some long-term activity was underway.

"It seems our guess was right," Lynn said in a low voice. "But this is only the outer perimeter; we still need to find the entrance to the facility."

The two men entered the target area on foot, carefully searching with the help of night vision goggles and thermal imaging cameras. They bypassed several areas heavily monitored by surveillance cameras and finally found some traces at the entrance of an abandoned mine tunnel.

"There are tire tracks on the ground here, the closest ones," Mark said, pointing to the mine entrance. "This is probably their transport route."

Lynn nodded: "Let's go in and take a look."

After entering the mine tunnel, the two found it dimly lit, but the walls were very clean, indicating that it was frequently used. They carefully followed the tire tracks and eventually arrived at a metal door.

Lynn knocked gently on the door and heard a faint electrical hum coming from inside. "There might be an alarm system here," he said.

"What should we do then?" Mark asked.

"We have no choice but to take the risk." Lynn took out his toolbox and used a portable decoder to crack the lock. A few minutes later, the metal door slowly opened.

Beyond the door was a long corridor, its walls adorned with intricate wiring and instruments, clearly indicating a high-tech facility. Lynn and Mark cautiously crept inside, attempting to find valuable clues.

They eventually entered a laboratory and discovered a large number of data terminals and experimental equipment. Mark immediately began taking photos, documenting every detail of the scene.

Lynn walked to a control panel and found a series of gene sequences and experimental subject numbers displayed on the screen. He noticed that several of the numbers matched the files of Allen's parents.

"This is indeed related to Allen's parents," Lynn said in a low voice, "but we need more evidence."

As they continued their search, they heard hurried footsteps in the corridor. The two quickly switched off their flashlights and hid behind the lab bench.

Several guards entered the laboratory and began inspecting the equipment. Lynn and Mark held their breath, waiting for a chance to escape. But one of the guards suddenly stopped, seemingly sensing something.

"Someone's moved here," the guard whispered. "Notify your superiors immediately."

Lynn realized he couldn't delay any longer, and he gestured to Mark to prepare to break out. Just as the guards turned around, Lynn quickly stood up and used his tranquilizer gun to knock down the nearest one, while Mark used a smoke grenade to create chaos.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the two rushed out of the laboratory and quickly retreated along the route they had come from. Although the alarms behind them were getting closer, they eventually managed to escape the mine tunnels.

"We can't come back, but at least we have some important clues," Lynn said breathlessly.

Mark nodded, though exhausted, his eyes still brimming with fighting spirit: "This is just the beginning; we're getting closer and closer to the truth."

Back at the temporary base, Lynn backed up all the collected data and began analyzing it.

Upon returning to their temporary base, Lynn and Mark immediately began analyzing the data they had brought back from the experimental organization's backup facilities. Although incomplete, the data still contained numerous experimental records and personnel lists. Lynn opened a file, his brow instantly furrowing.

"Mark, here are Alan's parents' names," Lynn said, pointing to a line of data on the screen. "Kathelin Miller and George Miller. They're marked as 'core test subjects,' seemingly part of some special program."

Mark walked over, looked at the screen, and said with a hint of excitement, "This proves they're still alive, right? Since they're core experimental subjects, they should be given priority protection."

"Perhaps," Lynn sighed softly, "but their exact location remains unknown. And look at these names—" He hovered the mouse over another section of the document, "there are hundreds more unidentified individuals here, all 'experimental subjects.'"

Mark frowned. "Several hundred people? That's far more than we estimated. These people are likely all victims who were kidnapped or forced to participate in experiments."

Lynn nodded. "This means the experimental organization is larger than we thought. Finding Allen's parents is important, but we can't ignore the others. They also need to be rescued."

The two continued reviewing the data and discovered that these names were accompanied by serial numbers and experimental project codes. Lynn noticed that some of the serial numbers were related to an experiment called "Project Epsilon," which appeared to be concentrated in a clandestine facility in Manhattan.

"It seems we need to bring this data back to Manhattan." Lynn saved the files to an encrypted hard drive. "We need more resources to decrypt this content, and Manhattan may be the core of their next operation."

Mark nodded. "Let's go then. We've lingered here too long; the experimental organization will find out sooner or later that this data has been taken away."

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The two quickly packed their equipment, hid the data disk in a secret compartment in the car, and set off back to Manhattan. All the way, Lynn's mind kept replaying the names of the missing persons and Alan's innocent face. He knew this investigation wasn't just for Alan's family, but also for the innocent victims.

Back in Manhattan, Lynn and Mark immediately handed the hard drive over to the technical department, hoping to decrypt more data as quickly as possible using more advanced equipment. However, their actions did not completely evade the surveillance of the experimental organization.

A few hours later, Lynn received an anonymous call. The caller's voice was deep and cold: "Detective, it seems you've taken something you shouldn't have. If you're smart, you should return that data."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lynn said calmly, but inwardly she became wary.

"Don't play dumb, Lynn." The other person sneered. "We know everything you do. If you continue to delve deeper, it won't just be you and your team that will be in trouble, but also those you care about, like that female reporter who likes to dig up the truth."

Upon hearing Kate mentioned, Lynn's eyes instantly turned sharp: "If you dare to lay a finger on her, I guarantee you'll regret it."

The other party was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Then let's see if you have the ability." The call was then disconnected.

Lynn hung up the phone, his face grim. He immediately contacted Kate to confirm her safety. Kate clearly sensed Lynn's anxiety and tried to reassure him in a relaxed tone: "Don't worry, I'm safe here. But you, don't bear all the pressure alone."

"Kate, this is no joke," Lynn said urgently. "They may have already noticed you. I need you to keep a low profile and avoid going out alone for the time being."

Kate was silent for a moment, then finally agreed to his request: "Okay, I'll be careful. But if you need any help, don't forget to let me know."

After hanging up the phone, Lynn took a deep breath and refocused his attention on the investigation. He knew that this experimental organization was no longer simply a hidden enemy, but a threat that could launch a counterattack against him and those around him at any time.

The technical department reported progress in the decryption process. They discovered an experimental report detailing the purpose of "Project Epsilon": to enhance the physical abilities of ordinary people through gene editing technology, giving them mutant-like capabilities.

"That's their goal," Mark said angrily, looking at the report. "They're not only exploiting mutants, but also trying to weaponize these technologies for their own use."

Lynn pondered for a moment, then pointed to a section of data in the report: "And they've already achieved some results. Here's a set of 'successful cases,' which seem to be experimental subjects that have already been modified."

"Success stories?" Mark frowned. "Could these people be among those who suddenly disappeared?"

"Very likely," Lynn nodded. "And if they do succeed, these people may have already been turned into dangerous weapons."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the two immediately contacted some trusted colleagues, forming a small team to prepare for a raid on the Manhattan facility mentioned in the report. This was their only chance: to find more clues about Alan's parents and to stop the experimental organization from expanding further.

On the eve of the operation, Lynn sat alone in his office, repeatedly reviewing the names of the missing persons. His finger lingered on the names of Catherine and George Miller, and he silently vowed that no matter the cost, he would find them and bring them back to Allen.

In the evening, when Lynn came out of his office, he found Kate leaning against his car, holding two cups of coffee, smiling at him. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her face, making her smile look especially warm.

"What are you doing here?" Lynn was a little surprised, but a sense of relief welled up inside her.

"I was passing by and figured you must still be busy, so I brought you some coffee," Kate said, handing over a cup of coffee with a smile. "But it seems you need more than just coffee."

Lynn took the coffee and gave a wry smile: "You're right, I do feel a little breathless."

"Let's take a walk then." Kate pointed to the park at the end of the street. "Isn't there a small park here? No matter how much work pressure you're under, you need to give yourself some breathing room."

Lynn glanced at his watch, intending to refuse, but seeing Kate's gaze, he couldn't help but nod: "Okay, you win."

The two entered the park, the air filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers and grass. The path beneath their feet was carpeted with fallen leaves, and children played and elderly people rested nearby. Everything seemed so peaceful, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere Lynn had recently been experiencing. (End of Chapter)