Chapter 66

New York, the largest city in the United States, is the country's top port. It is a world economic center, known as the "Capital of the World." Located in southeastern New York State, it comprises five boroughs. After World War II, New York surpassed London to dominate global finance. It is not only the financial and economic center of the entire United States but also the economic center of the world, with its every move influencing the globe.

In the heart of Manhattan, a place where every inch of land is valuable, skyscrapers stand tall. Among the towering buildings, a ten-story structure stands out for its unremarkable appearance. The sign outside reads "United States Disaster Prevention and Management Administration." The people coming and going through the entrance are all dressed in suits with serious expressions.

If one assumes this is an ordinary government agency, they would be greatly mistaken. There are over a hundred cameras installed at the entrance, and even the glass doors are made of bulletproof glass. An elderly building manager with graying hair leisurely reads a newspaper at the entrance. There are ten elevators in the elevator lobby, each requiring a special work badge to operate. After entering the elevator, one must go through infrared scanning and facial recognition to start it.

This is the location of the most mysterious department in the United States, known as "Zone D10." The thirteen-story building above ground is just a cover. The real key lies in the ten-story underground structure, which cost billions of dollars to build.

Each underground level represents a zone, with each zone covering nearly 3,000 square meters. The entire structure is made of steel, capable of withstanding a nuclear attack. The extensive network and multiple layers of security form this special U.S. department, "Zone D10."

Each level has a different function, representing a different zone.

- The first level is dedicated to collecting information, known as the "Data Collection Zone."

- The second level is responsible for developing weapons for superhumans and other superpowered individuals, known as the "Weapon Manufacturing Zone."

- The third level is responsible for researching various genetic drugs and battlefield emergency drugs, known as the "Medical Zone."

- The fourth level is responsible for studying extraterrestrial life, known as the "Space Zone."

- The fifth level is responsible for monitoring organized crime and intermediary task assignments within the United States, known as the "Normal Affairs Zone."

- The sixth level is responsible for monitoring assassins within the United States, known as the "Assassin Supervision Zone."

- The seventh level is responsible for monitoring all military personnel within the United States, known as the "Mercenary Supervision Zone."

- The eighth level is responsible for monitoring all superhumans within the United States, known as the "Superhuman Management Zone."

- The ninth level is responsible for researching enemy countries, known as the "Enemy Country Research Zone."

- The tenth level is where the superhuman experts of Zone D10 stand ready, known as the "Combat Readiness Zone." This area gathers various superhumans and martial artists recruited by the U.S. government. These individuals receive corresponding treatment based on their abilities. Zone D10 has thirty S-level superhumans, who are the most advanced striking force in the United States, aside from nuclear weapons. These S-level superhumans can enjoy the treatment of a major general within the United States.

Zone D10 is only accountable to the President and is not subject to the jurisdiction of any other department. Each level has a zone chief with the authority to command a regular division. The powerful Zone D10 monitors various industries within the United States and is responsible for special operations against enemy countries.

A few months ago, the FBI issued a task to eliminate "Silver Fox" on Bartella Island, and Zone D10 was aware of it. Since "Silver Fox" was originally an FBI agent, this was an internal FBI matter, and Zone D10 did not interfere. However, as "Silver Fox" fled to Bartella Island, the situation changed. Several batches of powerful mercenary teams failed in this task, and Zone D10 began to pay attention.

Not long after, a mercenary team called "Infiltration" took on the task and completed it with just an eight-person squad. This made Zone D10 start to pay attention to this new mercenary team.

At this moment, the main members' information of the "Infiltration" mercenary team was on the desk of Jenny Dale, the chief of the sixth level, the "Mercenary Supervision Zone." Jenny Dale, a black female lieutenant colonel, became the chief of the sixth level at the age of thirty, a remarkable achievement. In a world dominated by whites, a black woman reaching such a high position demonstrates her strong work ability. The sixth level is primarily responsible for monitoring all military personnel within the United States.

Jenny was reading the information about the members of the "Infiltration" mercenary team.

- "Bob, the heavy weapons specialist, was originally a member of Russia's Alpha Special Forces. He is 2.12 meters tall and 35 years old. He has participated in multiple cross-border combat missions. He is a master of Russian classical wrestling and served as a mercenary in Kosovo after retiring. Nicknamed 'Human Fortress,' he can carry a 100-pound Gatling Vulcan heavy machine gun for a 20-kilometer armed cross-country run."

- "William James, the assault specialist, and Kate James, the sniper, are brothers who were once members of the Navy SEALs. William and Kate have completed multiple missions together. William is nicknamed 'Roving Gun King,' and Kate is known as 'Death Sniper.' They were involved in a shootout with a local gang in Miami, killing 28 gang members, and were sentenced to three years in prison for excessive self-defense. After their release, they became mercenaries in Kosovo."

- "Katharina, the explosives specialist, and Chris, the logistics and field medic, were from the British SAS. They left the military after assaulting an officer who sexually harassed them. They later served as mercenaries in Kosovo."

- "Jian Bing, the team leader, nicknamed 'Little Soldier,' was originally a member of China's X Special Forces, with the code name 0107. He has participated in multiple anti-terrorism operations and has been awarded four third-class merits, five second-class merits, and three first-class merits. He left the military after offending a powerful figure and later became a professional thief in China, handling various thefts of commercial information and valuable artifacts. In September last year, he took on a mission to steal a 'Jade Seal' from a prominent Chinese family, failed, and fled to the United States."

The information of the newly joined members of the "Infiltration" mercenary team, "Viper" Jerry and "Hound" Ralph, was also on Jenny's desk.

Jenny frowned as she looked at the information. Although Chen Bing's information was simple, it took a lot of effort to obtain it, indicating that Chen Bing was not an ordinary person. In China, a first-class merit represents a significant achievement, and the tasks required to earn such honors are extremely challenging. The other members of "Little Soldier's" team are also experts from various special forces.

"Eight people eliminated over 800 fully armed militants on the island. That's quite impressive," Jenny muttered to herself.

She picked up a stamp and marked the "Infiltration" mercenary team's information with a large "A," indicating the team's strength and danger level. An "A" level mercenary team is under 24/7 surveillance.

At the same time, information about Old Cat was on the desk of Decker, the chief of the fifth level. Decker, a 70-year-old expert in organized crime, was also the top intermediary in North America thirty years ago, known as "Golden Finger." He later joined the U.S. government due to offending someone even "Golden Finger" feared. Because of his outstanding abilities, he became the chief of the fifth level in Zone D10.

The fifth level focuses on monitoring intermediaries within the United States. Old Cat, a new intermediary, has been making waves recently. Originally, Old Cat only handled intelligence gathering, but now he also issues assassination tasks and has recruited several assassins. Recently, Old Cat has been involved in multiple murder-for-hire cases. According to intelligence, Old Cat not only provides intermediary services but also sells weapons of unknown origin, primarily individual weapons. These weapons are of superior quality, including 3D-printed ivory Colt pistols and 3D-printed fiberglass revolvers, which can bypass X-ray security checks and are essential for assassinations. This has drawn Decker's attention.

"Old Cat, gender: male, age: unknown. Originally a thief in China, he took on a mission for a prominent Chinese family last year, failed, and fled to the United States. He is skilled in disguise and infiltration and never shows his true face."

The simple personal information includes only a blurry side profile photo. Decker looked at the photo of the standard white face and smiled. "This guy's makeup skills are impressive. Living in the dark, he doesn't even dare to show his face."

While Chen Bing and Old Cat were developing their operations, they were unaware that they had caught the attention of Zone D10. After completing the FBI's $10 million task, "Infiltration" gained a reputation, attracting many people to join. The team now has 33 members, all experts from various special forces. These individuals, having spent years in the military and experienced combat, find it difficult to integrate into society. They can either become mercenaries or bodyguards for the wealthy. Being a bodyguard is stable but less lucrative, while being a mercenary is dangerous but free and more profitable. Many retired special forces choose the mercenary path. As the saying goes, "Only special forces die in battle, none die of old age," reflecting their desire for honor.

Old Cat's "Cat and Mouse" bar remains dilapidated, with many people coming and going. Some are small-time criminals selling information to Old Cat, while others are undocumented immigrants looking for work. Old Cat, disguised as a white man, smokes a pipe and reads a newspaper, occasionally chatting with customers.

A man wearing sunglasses and a low-brimmed hat walked in, dressed in a black trench coat. Old Cat glanced at him but ignored him.

The man sat at the bar, ordered a beer, and said to Old Cat, "I heard you can get things that others can't."

Old Cat took a puff of his pipe and shrugged. "This is a bar. If you can't buy beer at a bank, you can certainly buy it here."

The man reached into his coat and pulled out a piece of paper, placing it on the bar and pushing it toward Old Cat. He whispered, "Cut the crap. Get me what's on this paper, and the price is up to you."

"Hmm, a temperamental customer. I have everything you need here," Old Cat said, grabbing the paper and unfolding it.

"Seven Colt pistols, ten kilograms of high-explosive TNT, seven MP-5s, twenty grenades, twenty flashbangs, and two thousand rounds of ammunition."

"Hmm, quite a lot. Are you planning to rob a bank? Ten thousand dollars. Delivery in two days. Pay a 30% deposit first."

The man took off his sunglasses, revealing a white face, and whispered, "I hope you don't lie to me! Remember, no one can deceive me. If I don't see the goods tomorrow, I'll not only destroy your bar but also skin you alive!"

"Oh, oh, oh! Old Cat is a trustworthy businessman. All products come with a quality guarantee! Similarly, if I don't see the remaining 70,000 dollars tomorrow, I'll cripple you!" Old Cat said, reaching out and smiling.

"Hmph, where do we meet tomorrow?" The man took out a thick envelope and placed it on the table, clearly having already investigated Old Cat's rules.

"Ha! Don't worry, I'll find you. I'll deliver it to your home on the West Coast. No one can hide from me!" Old Cat took the envelope and counted the money.

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