Ready for Action

They had said it would take a couple of days, but the very next evening, while Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry were discussing their coursework in the first-floor living room, the phone he had left on the table vibrated.

Lin Hai picked it up, mouthed "Kingpin" to the three friends looking at him, and answered.

"Good evening, Dr. Lin. I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Kingpin's voice came through the receiver. "My team has finished putting together the detailed operation plan. If you're free, you can come over now."

"Not at all, Mr. Wilson. I'm free right now," Lin Hai replied.

When Lin Hai hung up, Gwen, sitting beside him, asked with concern, "Do you need us to come along?"

Lin Hai shook his head as he stood. "I'm just going to confirm the final details of the plan. There's no need for everyone to go. Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

Peter slumped back onto the sofa. "Okay, okay. We'll wait here. Hurry back!"

Lin Hai smiled, stepped aside, and swept a hand through the air, opening a Portal.

He stepped through it and saw Kingpin standing with his back to him before a vast floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over New York's glittering nightscape.

"Mr. Wilson," Lin Hai greeted him.

Kingpin turned and nodded. "Dr. Lin. I didn't expect you so soon."

Kingpin walked to his desk, picked up a document that wasn't particularly thick, and handed it to Lin Hai. "Here's the operation plan, Dr. Lin. Take a look."

Lin Hai took the document, sat down on a nearby sofa, and began reading it carefully.

The plan was remarkably thorough. It laid out everything clearly, from intelligence analysis and personality profiles of the targets to the timing of each phase and contingencies for unexpected developments.