Dudley

Frank and Russ left.

Emerson walked in, his eyes flickering with thoughts he didn't voice.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"I spoke with the Commander."

"Oh, what did he say?" Born asked, feigning indifference, though he had already guessed the topic of Emerson's conversation.

His slightly clenched fists betrayed him.

"The Commander wants to communicate with you again, but only with you."

Born was taken aback, then nodded slightly.

"Tell everyone to clear a path straight to Star Labs. Also, we must stay vigilant. We're the closest to Star Labs, so this is our home ground."

"They need a hundred people to attack Star Labs, but we can set up along the way. I'll leave that to you."

Born said, standing up and patting Emerson on the shoulder before turning to leave.

He could see the hesitation in Emerson's eyes.

It seemed Emerson had a deep conversation with the Commander and learned some things.

But there were still matters Born wanted to understand for himself.

...

Star Labs.

Fern stood beside Aileen, and several red exclamation marks flashed on the screen in front of them.

Then the screen changed, displaying a five-pointed star shining with multicolored light.

"Aileen, take the data and leave. The Red Sea branch can be abandoned. Come to the Kyoto branch."

A processed voice came through.

Aileen narrowed her eyes, pondering for a moment before replying, "I have a way to protect the Red Sea branch. I built this place from the ground up. I can't bear to see it destroyed."

"Your experiment is over. The results prove your direction was wrong. Do not..."

Aileen abruptly cut off the communication.

The screen was once again filled with red exclamation marks.

Fern, anxious, said, "Miss, the entire lab has fallen except for Area A."

"I can lead a team to clear a path to the rooftop. There's a helicopter that can evacuate you and the other miss."

Aileen gave Fern a cold stare, saying nothing.

Fern, sweating profusely, lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Aileen turned and began typing rapidly on the keyboard, lines of code appearing on the screen.

Soon, the screen showed zombies with strange forms.

Their location was clearly the lab, with silver-white metal walls and tables covered with experimental equipment.

"Class B and C zombies losing control is a minor issue."

"But why can't Angelica control Class A anymore? Has her bioelectricity mutated again?"

"Or are the zombies evolving in a way that rejects bioelectricity, with the virus taking full control?"

Aileen muttered to herself, pulling up document after document, engrossed in her review.

Seeing this, Fern quietly left the lab, leaving Aileen alone.

As soon as he stepped out, blaring alarms sounded around him.

"Captain, a Class B zombie is trying to break through into Area C."

"Seal off Area C. No, seal off all areas except Area A where we currently are."

Fern frowned and instructed.

"If we weren't preoccupied with our own issues, Born and his group would have been wiped out long ago. It's laughable, calling it a shelter or base—it's just a gathering of the weak."

As Fern spoke, he drew a knife.

An orange-red flame rose from his knife, its heat distorting the surrounding air.

His abilities had grown significantly stronger.

...

Exhibition Hall.

In front of Born was a radio communicator. Unlike Star Labs, which still had satellite access for video calls, they only had radio communication.

"As I mentioned, Dudley's personal information is accurate. I can even tell you that Dudley once joined the Supreme Research Institute."

"He used his marriage to Dawn as a reason to quit his research project and signed a confidentiality agreement, but secretly joined Star Labs."

"This matter was suppressed by higher-ups."

The Commander's voice came through the radio.

He paused, then continued, "The global leadership is aware that Star Labs is researching the zombie virus."

"We just didn't expect the virus to be so highly contagious, nor did we foresee today's outcome. The global alliance also imposed strict controls on Star Labs' work with the zombie virus."

"Born, don't worry. The shelter in Longzhong City is actively searching for Dudley. The truth will come to light eventually."

Born wasn't worried; he was just feeling very agitated.

Dudley wasn't a fabricated figure. In fact, this seemingly ordinary name belonged to someone with a legendary life.

At 17, he was in an advanced youth class. By 19, he was studying at Dover Academy, graduating with dual degrees and top honors. At 21, he published a renowned paper and earned a master's degree in bioengineering.

At 22, he published a significant paper in genetics, earning a master's degree in genetics.

At 24, he led genetic engineering research and was recruited by Dover's Supreme Research Institute. After a year, he married Dawn and signed a confidentiality agreement to leave the institute.

At 25, his wife Dawn disappeared, and Dudley secretly joined Star Labs.

Due to the global alliance's oversight, the following year, Dudley's theft of the zombie virus sample was reported, revealing his secret involvement with Star Labs.

Consequently, Star Labs was held accountable, and the higher-ups at the Longzhong City branch faced repercussions.

When Dudley reappeared later, he looked ten years younger, seemingly rejuvenated, and presented his theory of human evolution, shocking the scientific community.

However, because the theory was so shocking, it was suppressed.

"Commander..." Born exhaled slowly. "I have only two questions."

The Commander sighed and interrupted, "I know what you're going to ask. With this matter resurfacing, the higher-ups indeed have two hypotheses."

"Only Star Labs and Dudley have access to the zombie virus, so the outbreak could be related to them."

"Additionally, while the police system does have a genetic database, it currently can't help you confirm any relationship between you and Dudley. But once Dudley is found, I will inquire immediately."

Born covered his head with his hands and slowly lowered it.

After talking with the Commander, his doubts remained unresolved.

All he had learned was Dudley's background.

But once a question arises, how can it be ignored?

Born admitted that Aileen's move was indeed brilliant.

If he couldn't deal with Star Labs and wanted to know the truth, he would have to join them.

Fine.

Born didn't like sitting around waiting.

"Commander, tell me about your mission. Here in Dover City, we are uniting with Edwin and Stanley to take action against Star Labs."

Born chose to push forward!

"Good, good, good!" the Commander laughed.