On the morning of March 14th, 2011, the sun ascended languidly over Taipei, illuminating the throngs who had been staging a sit-in before the Presidential Office Building for two days. Global media outlets had recently fixated on their movements. This was the most significant demonstration of the century. Yet today, they had another event to report—terrorist attacks across Taiwan. The world was once again stunned by this island adrift in the vast ocean. Within a mere few hours, over five hundred assaults occurred within the Chinese-controlled zones, resulting in civilian casualties exceeding one hundred thousand. A premonition resonated in everyone's heart that this conflict was spiraling out of control.
In the narrow alleyways of Taipei City, 1 moved furtively, evading the soldiers patrolling the streets. Upon reaching the entrance of a subterranean bar, 1 halted. Gently pushing the door open, the distinct, synchronized sound of firearms being chambered echoed from within. Without hesitation, 1 swiftly raised both hands. Beneath the dim illumination of the bar, 13, 24, and 36 were visible, aiming their weapons.
"The patrols were numerous just now; I'm late." 1 entered the bar, closing the door smoothly behind.
"Here!" 13 lowered the weapon and tossed the black bag beside them to 1.
No words were exchanged; everyone was donning their equipment. This engagement differed from previous ones; uncertainty lingered in everyone's mind. Within the enemy's stronghold, attacking such a defined target, ambushes were inevitable, yet the most formidable mechs remained stationed in Taipei.
"Here…" 13 lifted a large section of tiles from the floor, "From here, we can access the sewers."
Without a second thought, 36 jumped down, followed by 24. 1 glanced at 13's serene countenance and leaped down as well. Guided by the lights affixed to each person's shoulder, the four individuals navigated the fetid tunnels.
After thirty minutes of silent trekking, with no one uttering a word, 36 could no longer endure the oppressive atmosphere. "What's wrong? No one's talking? We all understand what's being calculated in your minds, let's just address it openly." 36 stopped walking, "Later, if we encounter mechs, since I possess substantial firepower, I will delay them. You can proceed…"
"Kid, don't be so presumptuous?" 1 extended a large hand, patting 36's head, "I am the captain; such a task naturally falls to me. You're underage, not qualified to play the hero yet."
"Don't you know ladies first?" 24 interrupted their exchange, "I can handle it."
The three individuals argued thus in the silent sewer…
"After the mission is accomplished later, just focus on leaving. I will handle the covering fire," 13 stated softly. However, everyone fell silent.
"You rest. Personnel of national treasure status are prohibited from facing danger…" 36 retorted contemptuously.
"No need for you to act; I will resolve everything," 1 looked gently at 13.
"Are you underestimating women? I'm not so fragile as to require your protection," 24 touched the dual firearms on their back.
"If, in the end, we are truly ambushed by all the mechs, just focus on escaping quickly. I will use SEED." 13 ceased speaking and walked forward.
"You…" 24 attempted to speak again, but 1's large hand covered their mouth.
"It's futile. Haven't you noticed the look in their eyes? They are no longer uncertain…" Gazing at 13's erect back, 1 remarked.
"Indeed, indeed. Like a monk who has seen through everything. I'm truly unaccustomed to being near 13 today…" 36 sighed, shaking their head, "I feel like such a child."
Silence returned; everyone continued forward. Although unspoken, everyone knew in their hearts that 13's choice was the most prudent; apart from them, likely no one else was confident in simultaneously holding off three mechs. Furthermore, utilizing SEED here at the end could bring the war to a perfect conclusion. From any perspective, no flaw could be found. Consequently, everyone inwardly detested this decision, which was almost too impeccable.
Unconsciously, they arrived at a junction with four diverging paths.
"We've reached the villa's location. Each take one path; they lead to the four sides of the villa. Attack simultaneously in twenty minutes!" 13 consulted the map displayed on the holographic helmet.
1 and 36 quickly chose their respective entrances and proceeded, but 24 did not move.
"Why must it be this way?" 24 asked calmly.
"Do you question it?" 13's tone was colder than Antarctic ice.
"Why face everything alone again? I thought we were teammates; we should share the burden together!" 24's voice trembled.
"Precisely because we are teammates, we cannot perish needlessly!" 13 declared firmly, "This is the only option. Upon arriving, I knew departure was impossible. I deceived Grandpa Nie; this time, if I don't stay behind, there isn't even a ten percent chance of survival. Your duty was to protect me until the moment SEED could be safely deployed. Now that I have chosen to deploy it at this juncture, your duty is fulfilled!"
"But you will die!" 24 emotionally embraced 13, holding tight, tears welling up once more.
"It doesn't matter anymore. When I perish, I will remember someone grieved for me…" 13 smiled, gently tapping 24's still-sniffling nose.
24 remained rooted to the spot, watching 13 swiftly disappear into one of the entrances ahead. At that moment, 24 was unsure what to say. It seemed as though all words were superfluous. Perhaps this was sufficient. Not all narratives require a perfect resolution…
This was already enough…
1, 36, 13, 24 fixed their gazes on the second hand sweeping across their watches. As it reached the 12 position once more, the operation commenced!
Around the Black Dragon Villa, four manhole covers were blasted skyward. Simultaneously, intense firepower strafed the openings. Large-caliber rounds forcibly widened the narrow manholes.
"They have arrived," the one-eyed man stated, pushing open the living room doors.
"That old fellow Chen Bian indeed intended to use a borrowed knife to kill. He didn't even notify me when the previous assassins arrived…" Black Dragon, embracing a beauty, waltzed to an elegant melody, "But he vastly underestimates my, Black Dragon's, strength? I received the intelligence even earlier than he did."
"Boss, would you like to see their faces? I can instruct the brethren to avoid hitting the face as much as possible…" the one-eyed man inquired.
"That old fellow actually intended to borrow this blade, which indicates this blade is truly swift." With a spinning motion, Black Dragon flung the beauty aside; the mm, utterly unprepared, collided with the wall.
"An ordinary existence is exceedingly dull…" Removing the diamond-studded black tailcoat, clad only in a white shirt, he drew a pistol from behind his back, chambered a round, and declared, "Eliminate them. I want a pile of mince, hehe… haha…"
The strafing persisted for a full five minutes before the gunfire finally ceased.
"Black Dragon is not as simple as imagined. Don't consider retreat for now. Let's speak after completing the mission!" 13 communicated via the intra-oral device.
"Didn't need you to state the obvious," 36 tightened the armor on their right hand.
"Don't get distracted; 13 is correct," 1 chambered a round.
"13!" 24 wiped the tears from the corner of their eyes, "Promise me, until the very end, never relinquish the will to survive!"
Gazing at the manhole-sized patch of sky, "I promise you."
"Engage!" four voices declared simultaneously, as four spherical objects soared straight out of the manholes. Before anyone could react, the spheres detonated, emitting flashes as blinding as the midday sun.