Tracing the Physical Receipt, Secrets of the Old S.P.E.A.R. Site

The physical letter from Chinatown lay quietly on Lynn's desk, inside a transparent evidence bag.

The black, stiff kraft paper and the distorted symbols branded with scalding hot wax exude a roughness that doesn't belong to this era.

"The signal tracing report is out." Gwen Stacy's voice came through the Encrypted Communicator, steady and emotionless. "The physical receipt signal did not originate from the letter itself, but from a short pulse triggered by an external device the moment the letter was placed in the outpost mailbox."

"The coordinates of the pulse source point to 44 Mott Street, Chinatown, an abandoned underground air-raid shelter."

Lynn tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

"Are the personnel in place?"

"As per your instructions, the Stability Maintenance Office's field forces have completed the physical isolation of the surrounding three blocks under the guise of 'gas pipeline leak investigation.' All communication signals have been blocked," Gwen Stacy reported. "My men are also on the perimeter and can enter at any time."

Lynn looked at the wax stamp on the table.

The other party abandoned the untraceable teleportation method and chose to reply in the most primitive and easily revealing way, which in itself is a gesture.

An attitude of being emboldened and fearless.

"You and Director Hela, go in together," Lynn ordered.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the Communicator.

"Sir," Gwen Stacy's voice held a hint of hesitation, "My working style and Director Hela's... may differ somewhat. To ensure the compliance and efficiency of the on-site investigation, I recommend that the Liaison Office conduct the preliminary investigation independently."

"This is an order, Director Gwen." Lynn's tone remained unchanged. "The Liaison Office is responsible for procedures, and the Stability Maintenance Office is responsible for security. I need a site report jointly signed by the heads of both your departments."

"Yes, sir."

Lynn hung up the call.

He leaned back in his chair and picked up his thermos. The water inside had already gone cold.

New York, Chinatown.

The air was filled with the distinctive aroma of roast duck mixed with Chinese medicinal herbs, but the streets were unusually deserted today. Yellow police tape blocked all intersections, and several Undead Soldiers wearing reflective vests from municipal engineering units were expressionlessly dispersing the onlookers.

Hela stood in front of the iron gate at the entrance of the air-raid shelter, her face full of impatience.

Behind her, two Undead Centurion had already placed their hands on the weapons at their waists.

Gwen Stacy arrived late with two technical operators. She was wearing a standard executive jacket, goggles, and white gloves, and was carrying a tablet terminal.

"Director Hela, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Gwen Stacy nodded in greeting, her gaze bypassing Hela and landing directly on the rusty iron gate.

"Director Gwen's work efficiency is always so... meticulous." Hela's tone was clearly sarcastic.

"On-site investigation, procedure comes first." Gwen Stacy remained unmoved and began directing the technical staff to sample the air, dust, and residual energy at the entrance.

Hela snorted and gestured with her chin toward the Centurion behind her.

Break down the door.

"Wait," Gwen Stacy immediately called out to stop them.

She walked up to Hela, and the two were almost touching. One had a domineering aura, while the other was calm and restrained.

"Director Hela, according to Article 3 of the ' Major Safety Incident Scene Handling Regulations,' it is strictly forbidden to damage the original state of the Core Zone before the evidence collection of the surrounding environment is completed. Your actions will be recorded as 'violation of regulations.'" Gwen Stacy adjusted her glasses and looked at her calmly.

Hela narrowed her eyes.

"I'm just ensuring security. Who knows what's behind the door? Clearing it directly is the most efficient way."

"Efficiency cannot come at the cost of breaking the rules." Gwen Stacy stood firm. "This is a joint investigation, Liaison Office is responsible for procedural compliance. If the Stability Maintenance Office insists on forcibly entering, I will state this in the subsequent report. Furthermore, the Stability Maintenance Office will bear full responsibility for all consequences arising therefrom, such as the interruption of leads or the destruction of evidence."

She paused, then added, "This report needs to be signed by both of us before it's submitted to our superior."

Hela stared at Gwen Stacy for a full ten seconds.

The air seemed to freeze. The Death Energy around the Undead Centurion behind her began to surge uneasily.

Finally, Hela forced a cold smile.

"Good, very good. Director Gwen, your grasp of the rules has truly broadened my horizons."

She took a step back and gestured for him to proceed.

"Then let the Liaison Office begin its 'compliance' performance. I'm waiting."

Gwen Stacy ignored her and turned to the technical staff, ordering, "Begin contactless hacking of the access control system."

The technician immediately attached a spider-shaped detector to the lock cylinder.

On the tablet's screen, countless Data Stream flashed by rapidly.

"Reporting to the Director, it's an old-fashioned physical lock from the last century, incorporating the S.P.E.A.R..'s first-generation Energy Encryption Protocol. It's very difficult to crack, but there are corresponding backup emergency Contingency Plan in the database."

"Execute the Contingency Plan."

"Yes."

A few minutes later, accompanied by a soft "click," the heavy iron door slowly opened a crack inward.

A long-dormant air surged out.

Hela's Undead Guard immediately stepped forward, forming a battle formation to protect the front.

Gwen Stacy, carrying a powerful flashlight, was the first to go in.

The air-raid shelter was spacious, empty, and damp. Expired emergency lights hung on the walls, and rusted metal boxes were scattered on the floor.

Deep inside the air-raid shelter, they saw something that should never have been there.

It was a huge, ring-shaped device made of brass and glass, covered with complex wiring and instrument panels. In the center of the device was a small operating platform with only a dusty terminal.

On the wall, a faded emblem is still faintly visible. It is a black spear supported by auspicious clouds.

"It's the old site of S.P.E.A.R..," Gwen Stacy's voice tightened. "This was one of their early physical ports for docking with Project Unknown."

Hela's gaze swept over the circular device, her eyes filled with disdain. In her eyes, it was nothing more than a pile of outdated, bloated junk.

Gwen Stacy ignored her expression and walked straight to the dusty terminal.

She carefully blew away the dust and used the tools she carried to connect the cables.

The terminal screen flickered a few times and then lit up.

On the screen are lines of green code, seemingly performing a system self-check.

"Director, the terminal still has backup power," a technician whispered.

Gwen Stacy's fingers tapped rapidly on the Virtual Keyboard, attempting to access the operation log.

But what popped up on the screen was a bright red warning window.

[WARNING: The Interdimensional Channel is in a dormant/locked state.]

[Reopening the channel requires an application for Special Energy Budget.]

Below that is a long, dizzying string of numbers, and an unfamiliar Energy Unit.

Gwen stared at the string of numbers, her brows furrowing deeply.

This budget is beyond what a single department can afford on its own.

It's enough to drain the annual budget of any department.

This matter must be discussed at the Standing Committee.