Here to Get Themselves Killed

"Lin Mo, come here a moment."

Just as he was about to leave, Vogelbaum appeared and stopped him. He clearly had something to discuss.

Lin Mo thought nothing of it. Before his visits with Joanna, researchers sometimes told him what they wanted him to cover that day, whether it was introducing her to an idea or teaching her something.

Vogelbaum kept his gentle smile in place, trying to look as approachable as possible.

When Lin Mo reached him, he asked casually,

"Hey, old man. What is it?"

Vogelbaum showed no displeasure at the way Lin Mo addressed him. It was only a name. What mattered was how Lin Mo responded to the task he was about to give him; otherwise, carrying it out would be difficult.

"Lin Mo, while you're playing with Joanna today, security personnel will rush in as part of a drill. You need to stop Joanna at the right moment. Don't let her know it's staged."

Vogelbaum bent down and patted Lin Mo's small shoulder. "I trust you know what to do."

Lin Mo said nothing. He merely raised his head a little, then gave a slight nod.

The smile in Vogelbaum's eyes deepened. He withdrew his hand and straightened, his tone as gentle as ever. "I knew you'd know how far to let it go."

"Go on." Vogelbaum stepped aside to let him pass.

What's this old man doing, springing a surprise drill on us? Is he sending those people in to die?

Lin Mo was curious, but he couldn't be bothered to ask. The security personnel were only acting, and they posed no threat to Joanna. He set off at an unhurried pace toward the elevator leading down to the underground bunker.

Before long, he arrived at the familiar Game Room. A few picture books and an unfamiliar set of toys still lay on the table, and Joanna was already waiting for him.

Officially, this was simply three hours of free time before dinner.

But there were other plans today, and he had no idea what would happen afterward.

Lin Mo stood in the doorway, thoughts flashing through his mind. Then Joanna's voice brought him back.

"Lin Mo! Lin Mo, come play this with me!" Joanna called delightedly across the Game Room. Her face lit up when she saw him.

She beckoned him over, eager to play together. More than any game or toy, what Joanna enjoyed was spending time with Lin Mo.

"Sure." Lin Mo snapped back to the present and readily agreed. He was used to this by now.

In the Observation Room, everyone waited.

Vogelbaum and Edgar watched the room through the glass.

Security personnel in full-body black protective suits stood ready behind the side door.

Their helmets had been reinforced, composite armor covered their chests and abdomens, and shock-absorbing structures were fitted to their arms and legs.

By design, the gear could disperse most of the force from an ordinary vehicle collision. No one could say whether it would withstand Joanna's strength.

The guards' breathing came through the communicators into the control room, noticeably heavier than usual. Perhaps they knew what awaited them, but refusing was out of the question.

"Let's confirm the assignment."

Marty spoke.

"Once inside, approach Lin Mo quickly. Grab his shoulder with your right hand and drag him toward the exit."

"Remember, no strikes and no weapons."

"If Joanna reacts too strongly, let go immediately and get out."

The guards did not answer at once. Several seconds passed before a voice came through the communicator.

"Understood."

Marty turned to Edgar, waiting for the order.

"Begin."

Edgar gave a slight nod.

The next second, the lock on the seldom-used metal door at the side of the Game Room snapped open with a sharp mechanical clack.

Lin Mo caught the unusual sound first. His languid eyes lifted slightly, his gaze going straight to the closed side door.

The heavy metal door swung inward, and several tall figures in black protective gear rushed into the room. Their swift strides gave them an intimidating presence.

There had been no announcement, no warning from the caregivers. The sudden intrusion felt jarring and out of place.

The intruders had a clear target. Without looking elsewhere, they headed straight for Lin Mo.

Lin Mo knew at once that the test had begun.

Vought wanted to see how they reacted to a sudden attack—or, more precisely, how Joanna reacted.

He couldn't be bothered to stand. Vogelbaum had only told him not to let Joanna know what was happening. He hadn't given him any other instructions.

Everything happened so quickly that a guard had already reached for his shoulder. But the hand never touched Lin Mo.

Joanna was faster. She had been sitting to his right.

The moment the guards entered, she dropped the toy in her hands. Her whole body tensed, and the air around her turned cold.

In a flash, she stood between Lin Mo and the guards, her slight but upright figure shielding him.

Her arms spread wide without conscious thought, covering Lin Mo completely. It was pure instinct.

The guard clearly had not expected her speed. He could not pull back his outstretched right hand in time.

Joanna caught it, clamping down on his wrist through the protective suit. The material gave a harsh squeal beneath her grip.

"Don't move!"

The guard's heart seized, and he barked the words on instinct. He knew all too well how terrifying Joanna could be.

But his warning meant nothing. His heavy helmet hid his expression from her. In her simple, direct understanding, a stranger had burst in and tried to take Lin Mo away. That was an act of unmistakable hostility.

She seized the guard's arm and flung him aside.

The heavily built man, who weighed nearly a hundred kilograms, flew off the ground like a kite with its string cut and slammed sideways into the hard wall.

Boom! The whole Game Room shuddered. The ceiling lights swayed, and a dent appeared in the wall.

The remaining guards froze mid-step. No order had been given, so they stayed where they were, afraid to make another move.

The unlucky guard let out a stifled scream. His arm had broken the moment Joanna grabbed it, and the impact had badly deformed the armor over his chest and abdomen. His internal organs had likely suffered serious damage.

But Joanna did not stop. She rushed to the wall and grabbed his protective suit again.

The guard could no longer resist. Ragged, frantic breathing filled his helmet, and blood seeping from the corner of his mouth spread into a dark red stain on the lining.

Joanna raised her fist, the muscles in her arm tightening as she drew back for a blow. Her movement was crisp, without a trace of hesitation.

She meant to eliminate the threat completely.