SniperKing

Chapter 10: The Sorrow of Power

March 2, 2011

Special Operations Team 7 received notification at noon: they were to be at the airport by three o'clock in the afternoon to meet the arriving aircraft carrying Liu Tao and Nie Yun. When they arrived at two o'clock, however, only Nie Yun was present, waiting for them.

"Grandpa Nie, didn't Commander Liu return as well?" 1 inquired curiously, picking up the luggage from the floor.

"Yesterday, Zheng Yu was assassinated," Nie Yun stated, closing the book he had been idly perusing while waiting.

"What?! Zheng Yu, the Section Chief of Military Intelligence? Where was he assassinated?!" 1 appeared somewhat agitated.

"Right in his own office. His neck was snapped clean in one motion. Subsequently, the Central Political Department's archives were also bombed." Nie Yun glanced at 1, then asked, "Why isn't 13 here?"

"Grandpa Nie, you know, 13 he…" 1 looked troubled.

"Grandpa, don't mind him; he's always had this foul temper. Did Grandpa bring me any presents?" 36 asked with a smile, tugging at Nie Yun's hand.

"You're the most mischievous one. Already fourteen years old and still lacking any mature demeanor," Nie Yun gently stroked 36's head.

"Grandpa Nie, what kind of individual could carry out an assassination within the Political Department?" 1 asked, his countenance solemn.

"I know what you wish to ask. I'll provide the details once we're in the vehicle; this isn't the place for discussion." Nie Yun exited the military airfield with a smile.

On a highway in Kaohsiung City, a military jeep sped past…

"The latest classified intelligence indicates it was perpetrated by a mech of an unprecedented design. It occurred during daylight; the mech infiltrated Zheng Yu's office completely undetected—truly hard to fathom. Liu Tao has already returned to Beijing on the same aircraft. All signs suggest the United States does not wish for this mech's existence to surface. Its appearance was captured only by a considerably concealed camera within the archives," Nie Yun stated pensively.

"Assassinating the Chief of Military Intelligence? Likely to acquire specific intelligence. But what intelligence could compel the US to deploy covert assets they wished to keep hidden?" 24 analyzed.

"13's file. His file is missing from the archives," Nie Yun stated gravely. "America wants to ascertain our final trump card, so they risked exposing their own hidden hand to steal a glance."

"13 has no detailed file; whatever they obtained is merely superficial information. Thus, we prevailed this time; at least we now know they possess cards yet unplayed…" 36 countered.

"Indeed. It appears America, beyond its currently demonstrated capabilities, has held something further in reserve. An asset capable of imperceptibly infiltrating the heavily fortified Political Department, executing assassination, demolition, theft, and then withdrawing unscathed… Their final ace is somewhat formidable," Nie Yun concluded, closing his eyes to rest.

Silence returned to the vehicle.

The approximately two-hour journey passed in a flash. Nie Yun hadn't truly rested; he merely urged 1 to take him to see 13 immediately. In Nie Yun's mind now, 13's importance surpassed everything else. Furthermore, judging by 13's actions on the battlefield—letting the American mech escape—it was plausible his 'emotional insulation' mechanism, crucial for stability, was nearing breakdown.

"Grandpa Nie! 13… 13 has left!" 1 reported frantically, standing before Nie Yun.

A sharp c***k echoed! Ashen-faced, Nie Yun delivered a furious slap that sent 1 sprawling to the floor. The gentle, benevolent grandfather from moments ago seemed merely an illusion. Nearby, 24 and 36 trembled violently in fear.

"Is this how you 'protect' 13?! You have profoundly disappointed me! I must reconsider the very purpose of your existence! Perhaps you've forgotten the nature of the 'Black House'?" Nie Yun's glacial tone seemed to freeze the very air in the office.

"Grandpa, we were very obedient, following your instructions precisely! Why is it always 13 who errs, yet we who are punished?! It's utterly unjust!" 36 couldn't help but weep, voicing his discontent.

"36! How dare you speak to Grandpa like that! Apologize immediately!" 1, still on the floor, reprimanded 36 frantically.

"Child, in the world today, the word 'fairness' no longer exists…" Nie Yun stroked 36's hair, then suddenly gripped it forcefully. "I offer you one chance: bring 13 back, completely intact. If I receive any news of 13's demise, as long as you remain alive, you will comprehend the meaning of 'the sorrow of breathing'! Go!" With that, he abruptly released 36.

"Yes, sir!" 1 immediately sprang to his feet, replying solemnly.

"Do not disappoint me again. Go now." Nie Yun waved dismissively. 1 led 24 and 36 out of the office.

"Why?! Why didn't you let me argue back?!" Just outside, 36 shook off 1's restraining hand.

"Are you ignorant of Grandpa Nie's temperament? Do you wish to experience an existence where even suicide is impossible?" 1 growled lowly.

"But are you content? The distinguished Special Operations Team 7, China's finest soldiers, relegated solely to safeguarding a psychologically unstable test-tube infant…"

"Utter one more word, and I will kill you!" A cold glint flashed in 24's eyes as he interjected icily.

"You think I fear you?" 36 clenched his fists, glaring angrily at 24.

"Both of you, silence!" 1 slammed his fist into the corridor wall; tiles shattered on impact. "I care not whether you harbor hatred or affection for 13! Our sole objective now is to find him!"

Meanwhile, within the National Security Section office of the Central Political Department in Beijing…

Liu Tao confronted a young man in his twenties, demanding, "Tell me, how did Zheng Yu die?"

"Apologies, Commander Liu, you are not permitted to know. This matter is now classified at the highest level of state secrecy," the man replied calmly.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't be told." Liu Tao's fists clenched, knuckles white.

"You do not require such knowledge. Enough. Commander Liu, you've traveled a long way without respite. I will first arrange for someone to escort you to rest. Comrade Zheng's funeral will be held in three days…"

"Zheng Yu was my closest friend…" Liu Tao cut him off. "Li Lei, I, Liu Tao, have never begged anyone in my life. Today, consider this my plea…" As he spoke, Liu Tao's knees buckled, and he sank directly to the floor. Genuine grief wracked him, sorrow for a brother he had known for thirty years. All fortitude, all dignity, seemed insignificant in that moment…

"Commander Liu!" The young man named Li Lei hastily helped China's highest-ranking military general to his feet. "Zheng Yu's death pains me as well! You must understand, security for the Political Department falls under my responsibility! For such an incident to occur… I, Li Lei, have failed both you and him! However, I truly cannot disclose the details. This order comes directly from the Chairman, citing your ongoing command of the Taiwan campaign. Once Taiwan is secured, I will immediately divulge everything to you. I, Li Lei, swear this to heaven!"

"Understood." Liu Tao rose fully and patted Li Lei's shoulder. "I won't make things difficult for you. Just remember your promise today; that is sufficient. I will ask nothing further."

Liu Tao turned and departed Li Lei's office. Without a moment's rest, he proceeded directly to the airport from which he and Nie Yun had arrived the previous day, boarding a flight back to the Kaohsiung base.

Aboard the aircraft, Liu Tao dialed Secretary Chen's number.

"This is Liu Tao. Relay my orders: Tri-service command initiates a large-scale, full-spectrum offensive against Taiwan! Within seven days, I want the troops to see the high-rises of Taipei! Also, convey to the soldiers that this is my personal, unreasonable demand; I owe this to my brothers-in-arms. After Taiwan is taken, I will treat the entire army to a meal!"

Ending the call, Liu Tao gazed out the window. Night had fallen deeply, the sky ablaze with brilliant stars. Perhaps moved by the tranquil beauty, Liu Tao shed the first tear of his adulthood…

March 3, 2011. The Taiwanese military finally experienced the definition of a "battlefield nightmare". "The Chinese Army Has Gone Berserk!"—this headline dominated international newspapers that day. Since Liu Tao's command was issued, the soldiers' morale transcended mere "high spirits". Observers noted that during assaults on enemy positions, often before the artillery bombardment had even fully ceased, attacking soldiers were already upon the enemy, guns aimed at their heads. The customary call to "surrender arms for your life" was forgotten as a waste of time. Anyone seen holding a weapon was deemed resistant; resistance meant obstructing the advance—eliminate! Eventually, a ludicrous spectacle unfolded on the battlefield: upon Chinese forces breaching enemy positions, the Taiwanese soldiers' immediate reaction was often to cast away their weapons instantly.

All personnel forgot danger, forgot injury; some even seemed to forget they fought for their nation.

Their current focus was singular: partake in the meal Liu Tao had promised, avoid disappointing him, avoid witnessing his grief again. Zheng Yu was Liu Tao's brother; his sacrifice was known. The Commander's plea resonated with everyone; nobody would forget. That was enough. A preeminent national general, humbling himself so profoundly before them, mere rank-and-file soldiers.

The prevailing sentiment was not pride, nor excitement, but a profound sense of responsibility.

"We must let the Commander see the high-rises he desires!" This cry echoed in the hearts of all soldiers.

Later, the Chairman would comment, "The successful reunification with Taiwan could have been achieved without aircraft or artillery, perhaps even without tactical guidance, but it was utterly impossible without Liu Tao!"

At this moment, however, Nie Yun had no time for the Taiwan conflict. He focused solely on deducing 13's potential location based on the faintest traces left behind. Yet, all efforts proved futile.

Nie Yun lay back wearily in the plush office chair, massaging his eyes, sore from prolonged work.

He suddenly found his own actions rather amusing. How could one possibly predict the behavior of a psychologically unstable individual using conventional logic?

"This, perhaps, is the sorrow inherent in possessing strength. In pursuit of power, we forget morality, forget compassion. Ultimately, the headache remains ours," Nie Yun remarked with self-mockery. "Yet, even so, we cannot afford to be without strength."

"13, will you forgive me?"

In the jungle…

"Completely clueless. 13 left not a single trace, and his camouflage and infiltration techniques are beyond our detection capabilities. At this point, we can likely only wait for 13 to return on his own," 1 sighed.

"Grandpa doesn't have time to wait for him! If we haven't found him by the time Liu Tao's forces enter Taipei, Grandpa will probably…" 36 made a suffocating expression, still shaken by the earlier encounter.

"I've been contemplating…" 24 stated slowly, looking at 1 and 36. "13 never acts without purpose, at least not the 13 we know. His departure, ostensibly to avoid Grandpa, likely masks an imperative task he needed to accomplish."

"I concur, but what task could it possibly be?" 1 pondered.

"Heaven knows what he's planning! He's been so enigmatic ever since viewing that recording the other day…" 36 said irritably.

"He went after that red mech!" A sharp glint lit 24's eyes as he exclaimed suddenly. "That's it! He never understood why he let the enemy escape that time; it must have deeply perplexed him!"

"Where would he search for it?" 1 inquired urgently.

"Taipei! Naturally, the enemy's most valuable assets would be kept at their main headquarters! If we think so, he certainly must think so too!" 36 analyzed swiftly.

"Let's go! We head to Taipei!" 1 declared, his gaze fixed resolutely northward.

All questions and answers seemed to converge on Taipei. Everything appeared poised to conclude within these final seven days…

Yet, the object of their frantic search, 13, was currently dressed in plain civilian attire, standing quietly at a street corner in Taipei, waiting for the traffic light to change.

He merely sought to comprehend why he had spared an enemy he was fully capable of eliminating. Such an incomprehensible act had never occurred in his life before. He sensed he had… changed.

This transformation excited him, yet also instilled fear. Perhaps, upon meeting the "Angel", everything would become clear…