A preliminary ruling outside the holding room, recusal for a family member of classified personnel

The air froze.

The smell of disinfectant in the quarantine room seemed to become particularly pungent at that moment.

Gwen Stacy's dry words, like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pool, sent ripples through everyone's hearts.

Lynn's gaze shifted from the virtual code Wanda had simulated to Gwen Stacy's bloodless face. He didn't speak immediately, his gaze calmly sweeping over the other two people present.

Wanda's brow was furrowed, and her Scarlet eyes reflected a pure technical confusion and inquiry; she seemed to be assessing the impact of this new variable on the code-breaking work.

Hela's reaction was much more direct.

Her expression, which had been somber due to the murder in her territory, softened somewhat. She looked at Gwen Stacy, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curving her lips.

"Oh?"

Hela broke the silence, her voice calm and unreadable.

"Chief Stacy, are you implying that this top-level security incident might be related to your immediate family?"

She wasn't using a questioning tone, but rather stating a fact.

Gwen Stacy's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed it back. She straightened her back, an unconscious movement that made her seem less vulnerable.

"I was just saying that the encryption methods were part of my father's personal habits," she corrected, emphasizing each word. "That doesn't mean anything."

"Doesn't mean anything?" Hela chuckled, took a step forward, and the Aura of Death emanating from her made the surrounding temperature drop several degrees.

"B-15, head of the Inspection Group of the Multiverse Coordination Committee, the only clue he delivered with his life, its encrypted method pointing to a long-lost Earth police officer. Chief Stacy, you are now one of the key investigators in this case, don't you think there are some... procedural issues involved?"

Hela turned her gaze to Lynn, bowed slightly, and adopted a very respectful posture.

"Sir, I'm not questioning Chief Stacy's loyalty. On the contrary, it's precisely to protect her and to ensure the absolute impartiality of the subsequent investigation, free from any external scrutiny."

Her words were eloquent and perfectly in line with the rules.

"I suggest that, in accordance with Article 7 of Chapter 3 of the ' Negative Zone Confidentiality Regulations,' which stipulates the principle of recusal for relatives of personnel handling classified information, Director Stacy should be temporarily suspended from all duties in this case pending internal review. The work of the Liaison Office can be temporarily managed by our Stability Maintenance Office to ensure the continuity of the investigation."

The true intentions are revealed when the map is unrolled.

Wanda glanced at Hela, then at Gwen, whose face was growing increasingly Gwen Stacy, and remained silent. She crossed her arms, appearing detached.

Gwen Stacy's body trembled almost imperceptibly. She knew very well that Hela's proposal was procedurally flawless. Once the recusal principle was invoked, she would not only lose the control she had just gained, but would also be labeled "under investigation," casting a huge shadow over her political life.

She looked at Lynn, her eyes filled with panic, but more so with a calm awaiting judgment.

The entire corridor outside the detention room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Lynn finally turned his gaze away from Gwen Stacy, then walked over to the already cold corpse, as if re-examining the bizarre scene of death.

"B-15 is dead."

He spoke, his voice not loud, but it made everyone's hearts jump.

"They died in our detention center, within the territory of the Stability Maintenance Office. This is an indisputable dereliction of duty."

The hint of smugness on Hela's face froze instantly.

Lynn didn't look at her and continued, "The enemy used this method to cut off the leads and leave behind encrypted intelligence. Their purpose was to make us fight amongst ourselves, to throw us into disarray, and to shift our focus from investigating ' Battleworld ' to internal distrust."

He reached out and gently brushed his hand across the string of scratches on the table, his movements very light.

"Now, we've got our only lead: a piece of code that requires professional decryption."

Lynn turned around, his gaze meeting Hela's for the first time.

"Director Hela, your suggestion sounds very reasonable. But I have a question: if we initiate the recusal procedure and hand over the Liaison Office's work to you, can you guarantee that you can decipher this code within 24 hours?"

Hela's lips pressed into a straight line. She could lead an army to conquer a world, but asking her to deal with a bunch of complex data logic was nothing short of a fantasy.

"Technical issues can be handled by the Department of Technology," she replied, forcing a smile.

Wanda, who had been silent all along, raised her eyelids slightly and said coldly, "The encryption logic of this code is unconventional. I need a reference point familiar with this kind of logic; otherwise, twenty-four hours won't be enough."

She was indirectly supporting Gwen Stacy.

Lynn nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He looked at Hela again.

"You heard that. The current situation is that Chief Stacy might be the key to solving the puzzle the fastest. And you suggested that I lock that key in a safe, seal it, and then leave us all staring blankly at a lock that can't be opened."

His voice remained calm, but the weight of his words made Hela feel breathless.

"Sir, I..."

"In case of doubt, presume innocence; trust those you employ." Lynn interrupted her directly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"The death of B-15 has been classified as a 'major work safety accident,' with the Stability Maintenance Office bearing primary responsibility. Director Hela has submitted a profound self-criticism report. That's the first point."

"Secondly, the deciphering of the ' Battleworld ' code is currently the highest priority task. The Liaison Office will lead the effort, with the Department of Technology providing full support. I'm giving you twelve hours; I need to see initial results."

"Third," Lynn's gaze finally settled on Gwen Stacy, his eyes sharp, "Director Stacy, whether your father has problems is important. But right now, what's more important is your professional competence. Put aside your personal emotions; I need a Liaison Office officer who can solve problems, not a subordinate troubled by family matters. Can you do that?"

Gwen Stacy looked up abruptly, her chest heaving. She saw a hint of reproach in Lynn's eyes, but also a barely perceptible protectiveness.

She nodded vigorously, her voice regaining its usual crispness and firmness.

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

Lynn didn't say another word and turned to walk back towards the spatial rift he had come from.

A near-successful cyberattack against Gwen Stacy was thwarted on the spot by his direct and domineering leadership authority.

Hela stood there, her face ashen, watching Lynn's disappearing figure, the coldness in her eyes almost freezing the air.

Wanda glanced at her, then at Gwen Stacy, who had regained her composure, said nothing, and turned to follow Lynn.

Only Gwen Stacy and a squad of Undead Soldiers responsible for sealing off the area remained at the scene.

Gwen Stacy took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and began to re-examine the code. Lynn had given her a chance; she had to deliver results.

As her mind became completely absorbed in the familiar encryption logic, a long-forgotten fragment of memory uncontrollably surfaced from the depths of her mind.

That was the last phone call my father made before he disappeared.

On the phone, my father's voice sounded tired and unusually serious.

"Gwen Stacy, remember, if anything happens to me... go to the old Police Department archives in Queens, find the metal cabinet marked 'L-74'. Inside is a file about the ' Tahiti ' project, that's my last resort for you."