Morning, May 23, 2013, Beijing.
This city, having weathered millennia of storms and changes, was destined today to add another stroke to the annals of history, a stroke concerning 13.
During the bustling morning commute, sirens suddenly wailed continuously. Squad after squad of armed police completely blocked the roads, forcing vehicles to pull over and stop. It seemed a major figure was passing through, but people remembered that even the US President's visit didn't warrant such a spectacle. Everyone forgot their work, gazing intently into the distance, hoping to catch a glimpse of this important person's style.
The wait was short. Neat footsteps echoed from afar, shaking the ground. A Special Operations soldier appeared before everyone's eyes. They recognized him as such because he wore the iconic armor. Yet, it felt different, as he wore black battle armor, creating an even stronger psychological impact.
He carried an old man on his back, holding the familiar COOL-FIRE in his hand, walking slowly. While the public wondered how a single Special Operations soldier could wield such power, causing the vast city of Beijing – China's capital – to clear the roads for him, the scene behind him silenced the initially restless hearts.
Squad after squad of neat Special Operations troops formed square formations, following ten meters behind this person. The nation's pride, truly revealed to the world for the first time, marched on the country's main road like a military parade. What a stunning sight. Consider this: since its establishment, the Special Operations National Defense Force had never appeared in uniform before the public. Even during National Day military parades, the Special Operations force, as a state secret unit, did not participate. Although everyone knew of this proud force within the country, being unable to witness it firsthand always felt like something was missing.
Now, he appeared, appearing on the national stage, on the world stage.
Some people started asking those around them what day it was today, why a military parade was suddenly happening? No one could answer.
Their gazes unconsciously returned to the leading black-armored Special Operations soldier. He was so unique: not just his attire, his gait, his appearance. He lacked any imposing aura, more like a leisurely idler taking a boring morning stroll, occasionally looking up at the rising sun.
People again asked those around them: "Who is he?"
Looking at the Special Operations team behind him, they seemed exceptionally nervous, perhaps due to lack of experience in such large-scale events. Some were already drenched in sweat, some looked terrified, most bodies trembled, seemingly experiencing stage fright. No one mocked their performance; instead, they felt they saw a cute side of the Special Operations military.
"Adam! Explain this clearly!" In the Zhongnanhai conference room, Zhao Xiang clenched his fists, staring at the Special Operations Commander, Nie Adam, before him.
Beside him, Liu Tao remained silent, eyes closed, contemplating something.
"13 broke into our base and rescued Nie Yun." Adam sat down in the leather chair beside Zhao Xiang; he wasn't used to standing while talking to someone seated. "A very clear matter, do I need to repeat it?"
"That's not what I'm asking. Why did you let him parade through the streets of Beijing holding SEED?" Zhao Xiang was truly angry now, completely forgetting the consequences of falling out.
"SEED is in his hands. He infiltrated my base to rescue someone. Do you want me to pretend I didn't see? It wasn't me who forced him to use SEED to threaten China; he forced me," Adam said composedly.
"On this matter, I believe Commander Nie cannot be blamed," Liu Tao opened his eyes. "Besides, the most important thing now is how to resolve the current situation."
"How else can it be resolved?" Zhao Xiang was so angry he nearly fainted. "Upon receiving the news, I immediately mobilized all available forces in the city to block the roads. He's the master now. A slight movement of his finger, and China's millennia-old foundation ends. That's for later; first, think about how to conceal this from the public. If they find out what 13 holds is SEED, the sky will fall."
"I've already considered these," Adam said. "I've had the following troops form square formations, pretending it's a military parade. 13 can be explained as a new type of Special Operations soldier. As long as he doesn't reveal his face, it'll be fine."
"Let's hope so," Zhao Xiang sighed, leaning back in his chair, feeling like he had aged hundreds of years in an instant. He originally intended to use 13 to restrain Adam, but now he had played with fire and burned himself. If Adam was a potential crisis for China, then 13 was the most direct threat. In short, both were the sharpest double-edged swords for China; whether hurting the enemy or oneself, both were fatal.
"Why do you think 13 is walking on the street? The 13 I know dislikes being in the spotlight. Every action of his must have a purpose," Liu Tao looked at Adam.
Adam glanced sideways out the window; everything had actually been rehearsed in his mind long ago. But when he turned back to look at Liu Tao, he smiled and said, "I can't guess either."
"Alright, I'm tired. Adam, you may leave first," Zhao Xiang said. He truly felt tired.
"Farewell." Adam politely stood up and left, closing the door behind him.
"Thank you," Zhao Xiang said as soon as Adam left.
"Chairman, I don't understand," Liu Tao smiled faintly.
"If you hadn't stopped me, I probably would have fallen out with him already. By then, I dare not imagine what China would become," Zhao Xiang finally calmed down.
"I think even if you did fall out, Adam wouldn't do anything. He's a smart man, definitely won't be swayed by emotions. Now is not the time, he understands. It's not hard to see; when 13 was killing government officials, he should have acted already," Liu Tao analyzed.
"How do you think this drama will end? I really can't figure it out. Adam will definitely not let 13 leave easily. If he does, the invincible image of Special Operations he crafted will be completely ruined," Zhao Xiang said, troubled. "But if he refuses to let go, and handles it improperly, China cannot afford that twitch of 13's finger. Besides, you and I both know he has absolutely no concept of nation or ethnicity, nor will he calculate consequences. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used SEED in Taipei."
"You can rest assured on this point." Liu Tao looked firmly at Zhao Xiang. "Isn't Nie Yun still by his side? Since 13 would risk rescuing him, it proves Nie Yun still holds weight in his heart."
"How could I forget that?" Zhao Xiang came back to life. "Nie Yun won't let 13 launch SEED, because he understands the consequences better than anyone, and loves the country more than anyone."
"Yes, that's it." Liu Tao began thinking again. "The current situation indeed seems uncontrollable, but no one wants to see the end of this drama. We are all waiting..."
"For a way out..." Adam silently thought.
Unconsciously, they had reached Tiananmen Square. The parade procession finally fell into disarray because 13 suddenly stopped moving, just staring blankly at the ancient gate tower not far away.
"What is that single-celled bastard trying to do?" Guo Mingqing roared upon receiving the news.
There was no choice; the troops had to halt in place as well.
"Why did you stop?" Nie Yun felt the vibration of 13's body.
"It's nothing," 13 didn't want to say.
Nie Yun understood 13. He was staring at the spot where Special Operations soldiers were awarded the title of National Honor Soldier, something that should have belonged to him. The desire for honor is also part of being human. That 13 felt something indicated he was growing.
"About ten kilometers left. Let's hurry," Nie Yun patted 13's shoulder.
13 resumed walking.
"Why must we return to your research institute?" 13 didn't understand.
"Because that place is 'a way out'," Nie Yun smiled.
"Finally moving. Just a little more..." Guo Mingqing also smiled, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
The "parade" procession started moving again.
The drama continued.
But interruptions kept coming. Overseas nations reported one after another on China's strange "military parade." Except for Japan, everyone believed China's action was a warning against Japan's recent provocative moves. But Aota Ryuichi watched the TV broadcast with a smile, because Adam had already stated in the plan document that 13 would make some moves recently, perhaps forcing Special Operations into the open. From each soldier's expression, it was clear this was the exposure Adam mentioned. The leader must be 13, and what he held was likely the legendary SEED. Seeing China's current chaotic state, Ryuichi became even more determined about the invasion plan, as if the world was already in his grasp.
The research institute building came into faint view. 13 slightly quickened his pace. The public wasn't stupid; everyone felt something was fishy. Fortunately, Liu Tao promptly released a piece of news.
The reason for the Special Operations parade this time was the development of new equipment, namely the "Night" armor worn by 13. To commend the meritorious service of Nie Yun, Director of the National New Weapons Research Institute, it was specially arranged for Nie Yun to lead the parade contingent, meaning the old man on 13's back. The final destination of the parade was the birthplace of Special Operations, which was Nie Yun's research institute. Although the explanation was somewhat far-fetched, it provided a plausible narrative.
"Where to now?" 13 stepped into the research institute gate.
"The warehouse behind," Nie Yun pointed in a direction.
All troops surrounded the research institute, three layers deep inside and out, airtight. The joke-like military parade was finally over.
Closing the thick warehouse door, Nie Yun descended to the ground. This was a sealed area.
In the center, various miscellaneous strange parts were piled up, along with some unnamable instruments.