Chapter 70

It was nighttime, the sky was clear, and stars sparkled brightly across the heavens.

An off-road military vehicle sped from the bustling metropolis into the remote southern suburbs.

This was the site of General Vic's latest deployment. Here, powerful weapons had been prepared, including newly developed laser strike systems, ground-launched missiles, and a supersonic force field calibrated to match Bardi's unique physical frequency.

As the vehicle approached the site, Sam Lane's usually composed expression began to shift. Gradually, his face contorted into one of horror, a reaction rare for a man who had witnessed the gruesome realities of war. His pupils contracted in shock.

What was he looking at?

In the distance, he saw a monstrous creature that defied reason. Its grotesque form was riddled with bulbous growths, as if tumors had overtaken its body. Thick, worm-like protrusions stretched across its surface, interwoven with jagged bones jutting outward in irregular patterns. The creature appeared to be in a constant state of evolution, its body violently breaking and regenerating as its bones and cells warped and twisted.

Even from afar, the sight was terrifying. The very existence of such a creature was an affront to nature.

As the vehicle drew closer, Sam's horror deepened. The monster stood nearly six meters tall, an imposing and terrifying presence. Its mere gaze emanated an oppressive pressure that suffocated the air around it. Even at a distance, Sam felt as if an invisible force had gripped him. His breathing hitched, and goosebumps erupted across his body.

The creature was held inside a massive steel cage. The bars were as thick as the arms of a grown man, and their construction appeared almost indestructible. Yet, as solid as the steel seemed, Sam felt no sense of safety.

The monster's cold, emotionless eyes turned toward him, and a jolt of electricity shot through Sam's body. From his feet to the top of his head, he felt paralyzed. His heart pounded violently, and a primal fear spread through him.

Shaking off the sensation, Sam exited the vehicle with a resolute stride. His face was grim as he marched toward General Vic's wartime tent. Fury burned behind his otherwise calm demeanor.

He stormed inside, his voice sharp with anger. "Vic! What the hell are you doing?"

It was obvious that this abomination had been created by Vic. What infuriated Sam was the fact that it had been done without any report to the military. Vic's history of operating outside the chain of command was no secret. From massacres in Vietnamese villages to the catastrophic missile explosion at a military base, Vic had repeatedly acted on his own, showing little regard for oversight or consequences.

General Vic sat behind a temporary desk, his posture relaxed as he went over calculations and plans. At Sam's abrupt entrance and accusation, anger flickered across his face.

Vic rose from his chair with deliberate slowness, his expression dark. He pushed the chair back, his hands pressing firmly on the table as he stared at Lane.

"Lieutenant General Lane," Vic said coldly, his voice laced with disdain. "Where's your salute to your superior officer?"

Sam clenched his teeth, forcing himself to restrain his anger. Straightening his posture, he clicked his heels together and saluted crisply. His tone was flat, devoid of emotion.

"General Vic, you are deploying elite troops and advanced strike weapons here without informing the military. May I ask—what exactly are you planning?"

Sam's composure cracked slightly as he spoke, his voice rising with restrained outrage as he finished the question.

Vic's face grew darker, his expression a mixture of irritation and arrogance. His voice dropped to a cold, threatening tone.

"I will report to the military when I deem it necessary," Vic said. "And let me remind you, Lieutenant General Lane, you are just a lieutenant general. You have no authority over me, and you certainly have no right to question me. Now, get out."

Vic stepped around the desk, jabbing a finger toward Lane's chest as he spoke. His anger was barely restrained, each word carrying a sharp edge.

Sam didn't flinch. His face remained stern as he locked eyes with Vic, refusing to back down.

"What is he, General Vic?" Lane demanded. His voice was loud and clear, cutting through the tense atmosphere. "What is Bardi? He's not the experiment you claim to have created!"

Sam stared into Vic's eyes. The tightening of Vic's pupils and the look of unease on his face told Sam everything he needed to know.

This wasn't a biological experiment created by Vic.

If Sam could uncover Bardi's true origins, it would be enough to bring Vic down.

Vic was already walking a fine line.

"Get out!" Vic bellowed, his voice filled with rage. His breathing was heavy, his chest heaving as he glared at Sam.

Vic knew better than anyone that his position was precarious. His only chance to hold onto power was to capture Bardi—dead or alive—and continue studying him. It was the only way he could regain control and keep himself from being outmaneuvered by people like Sam.

The idea of a lieutenant general daring to question him filled Vic with fury. His hands trembled, his anger barely contained.

Sam took a long, hard look at Vic before turning and striding out of the temporary command tent.

As he stepped outside, his sharp eyes caught sight of a tall man approaching. The man wore a sleek, black mesh bulletproof combat uniform, and a black eye patch covered his right eye.

Sam froze for a moment. His expression remained neutral, but his mind raced in shock.

Slade Wilson.

A man officially listed as dead, a colonel presumed lost long ago. Yet here he was, alive and walking toward Vic's tent.

Sam's gaze lingered for only a moment before he continued walking, his face betraying no emotion.

Slade entered the tent, his presence cold and imposing. Inside, Vic was leaning heavily on the table, his hands gripping its edges so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His eyes were fierce, and when he saw Slade, his anger boiled over.

"Slade," Vic growled, his voice low and venomous. "Kill Sam Lane. He's too eager to take me down."

Slade crossed his arms over his chest, his single eye cold and unyielding as he stared at Vic.

"Vic," he said calmly, "I'm not your dog."

Vic's eyes widened, and a guttural roar rose from his throat. "You dare betray me?"

"This isn't betrayal," Slade replied coldly. "I've done enough for you. I've risked my life for you. I've even followed orders I shouldn't have."

Slade took a step forward, his voice steady but laced with a dangerous edge.

"That alien was right. Without your constant interference, Bardi wouldn't have escaped from the underground research institute. You gave him the opening he needed. You were too focused on controlling everything, on putting your mood above the mission, and that's what allowed him to get away."

Slade's gaze hardened.

"Only a free man can reach his full potential, Vic. And I won't let you cage me the way you caged Jenny."

Vic slammed his fists onto the table, his voice trembling with rage. "She entered the cage willingly! That woman was growing stronger, taller—and losing her sanity every second. Do you think I was cruel to her? She was a threat!"

Slade sneered, his disdain for Vic evident.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the tent's exit.

"The only reason I stayed here was to find Bardi," Slade said, his back to Vic. "I'll finish this myself. Let's see who's stronger, the alien or me."

Pausing at the tent flap, Slade's voice turned cold and dismissive.

"As for your corpse, send someone to pick it up."

With that, he stepped outside, leaving Vic seething in anger.

***

For every 100 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 20+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.