The busy tone on the other end of the phone rang only once before being abruptly cut off. Immediately afterward, T'Challa's voice pierced through the static, clearly striking Ye Mo's eardrums. There were no pleasantries, no formalities, only a direct question, "Intelligence confirmed?"
Ye Mo leaned against the cold iron railing of the abandoned water tower, his finger still hovering over the hang-up button on his phone, a helpless smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He gave a brief reply into the microphone, "One hundred percent confirmed. The prototype sonic jammer, the Hydra elite squad, and Klaue's personal forces. They plan to make their move tonight."
"Okay." T'Challa's reply was short and crisp, as if he had expected this moment. "Stay where you are. I'll send a car to pick you up. Is Miss Emma Frost nearby?"
"I'm here." Emma Frost's cool voice came through the earpiece, tinged with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue, but her tone remained steady. "The mental link remains intact; I'm ready to respond at any time."
"Keep your communication channels open. We'll meet in ten minutes."
The call ended. Ye Mo put away his phone and looked up at the gray sky. The early morning wind was even colder, making the hood of his hoodie stick tightly to his scalp. Without the slightest hesitation, he slid down the rusty iron ladder on the outside of the water tower. His movements were as nimble as a black cat's, and he landed without making much of a sound.
Ten minutes later, a black hovercar silently pulled up at the alley entrance. The door opened, and two guards dressed in traditional Wakanda attire stood respectfully on either side. Ye Mo climbed into the car, where Emma Frost was already sitting opposite him, her violet eyes shining brightly in the dim light. The two exchanged a glance, and without a word, silently closed their eyes to rest and prepare themselves.
As the vehicle entered the tunnel, the surrounding air gradually became humid and warm. When the carriage emerged from the tunnel again, the scene before him made Ye Mo slightly open his eyes. Wakanda's capital was not the primitive tribe he had imagined, but a futuristic city suspended among the mountains. Huge holographic screens flickered in the air, and maglev trains shuttled between buildings. Technology and nature coexisted harmoniously, yet it exuded a restrained majesty.
However, no one was in the mood to appreciate the scenery at that moment.
The vehicle drove straight to the military command hall deep within the palace. T'Challa was already waiting there. He had changed into a suit of jet-black armor, his Vibranium claws gleaming coldly under the lights. His once gentle face was now as cold as ice, his eyes revealing an unquestionable resolve.
"Sit." T'Challa gestured to the three chairs in front of the holographic map.
Ye Mo and Emma Frost took their seats. On the holographic map, Wakanda's border was marked as a red alert zone, with several red dots representing hostile forces slowly moving.
" Klaue thought he could rest easy once he got the Vibranium sample." T'Challa traced an arc on the hologram, pointing to a wasteland in the northwest. "But he underestimated Hydra's greed, and he underestimated our reaction speed. Passive defense will only allow them to probe more of our weaknesses. This time, we must take the initiative."
Ye Mo leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees, his gaze fixed on the target area on the map. "Their base's defense system has likely been upgraded, especially the jamming devices targeting Mutants abilities. A conventional infiltration would be extremely risky."
"So we need unconventional methods." T'Challa turned to look at Ye Mo, "Can your ' Vibranium Sense ' pinpoint the exact location of the sample?"
"Sure." Ye Mo nodded. "As long as it gets close to a mineral vein or an object containing a high concentration of Vibranium, my Gene Spiral Tower will resonate. I can provide precise coordinates, with an error of no more than five meters."
"Very good." A hint of appreciation flashed in T'Challa's eyes. " Emma Frost, can your Telepathy cover the entire interior of the base? We need to know the enemy's deployment and whether there are any mental traps."
Emma Frost frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "If the base is too large, or if there is a powerful mental shield, my abilities will be limited. But I can try to establish a local link to focus on monitoring the consciousness fluctuations of key figures."
"That's enough." T'Challa stood up and walked to the center of the map. " Okoye, gather the elite female guards. Bring all non-lethal weapons and sonic suppression equipment. We'll leave no survivors, but ensure the samples are recovered intact."
A tall female guard entered the hall and knelt on one knee. "Yes, Your Majesty."
T'Challa turned to Ye Mo and Emma Frost, his tone serious. "I'm in charge of this operation, but the tactical execution requires your cooperation. Ye Mo, you're responsible for breaking through the outer defenses, using your physical enhancement abilities to draw enemy fire. Emma Frost, you're responsible for disabling the enemy's communications and mind control devices. Once we enter the core area, Ye Mo, use your Vibranium Sense to guide us, and we'll take the samples directly."
Ye Mo pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses, revealing a nonchalant smile, "Sounds like a perfect plan. But what if something unexpected happens? Like Hydra suddenly pulling out something huge?"
"Then we'll see how things unfold," T'Challa said coldly. "You're Mr. X, not a bystander. If you've chosen to get involved in the storm, you have to bear the weight of its eye."
Ye Mo shrugged and didn't argue further. He knew T'Challa was right. From the moment he made that call, he had no way out.
"Furthermore," T'Challa added, "I'll keep Hydra's involvement from S.H.I.E.L.D.. for now. They're too inefficient right now; by the time they react, it'll be too late. Wakanda is in charge of this operation."
Emma Frost nodded, indicating her agreement with this approach. While concealment was risky, in a life-or-death situation, speed was of utmost importance.
The battle plan was quickly finalized. The time was set for a surprise attack in half an hour, taking advantage of the darkness. Wakanda's technological advantage, combined with the three's special abilities, was enough to make up for their numerical disadvantage.
Ye Mo stood up and stretched his limbs. The Gene Spiral Tower slowly rotated in his mind, the seventh layer's barrier radiating a faint warmth, reminding him of his newly acquired ability. Vibranium Sense was like an invisible net, enveloping everything around him. He could feel the Vibranium particles floating in the air, and that familiar resonance boosted his confidence.
"Are you ready?" T'Challa asked, gripping his scepter tightly.
"We can leave anytime." Ye Mo patted his hoodie pocket, where he kept his spare listening device and some simple tools.
Emma Frost stood up as well, her white dress fluttering gently in the wind. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and quietly released her spiritual energy, like lighting a lamp in the darkness.
The three men walked out of the command center and onto the helipad. Several small assault helicopters had already warmed up, their engines emitting a low roar. The night wind howled, stirring up dust from the ground.
T'Challa boarded the helicopter first, followed closely by Ye Mo and Emma Frost. The cabin door closed, shutting out the outside noise. As the propellers spun faster, the helicopter took off and sped towards the northwest border.
Looking out the porthole at the city lights rushing past below, Ye Mo felt an indescribable surge of excitement. This was no ordinary mission; it was a gamble. The stakes were the safety of Wakanda and the very foundation upon which the three of them would stand in this world.
But he wasn't afraid. On the contrary, a long-dormant fighting spirit surged through his blood.
The helicopter hovered over the border, below which lay a dark wasteland. According to the Vibranium Sense's perception, the target location was an abandoned factory not far ahead. Hidden there was Klaue's secret base, and also the storm about to explode.
T'Challa donned his tactical helmet, his eyes beneath the Vibranium mask fixed intently ahead. He turned to his two allies behind him, his voice clear and firm coming through the internal communication channel:
"Remember, we need samples, not killing. But if anyone gets in our way..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood the meaning of the second half.
The helicopter slowly descended, preparing to land. Ye Mo clenched his fist, feeling the power surging within him. Emma Frost's mental energy extended out like tentacles, probing into the darkness ahead.
Everything is ready.
The wind gradually subsided, leaving only the sound of helicopter rotors echoing in his ears. T'Challa stood up, his Vibranium claws extending with a crisp metallic clang. He looked at Ye Mo and Emma Frost, his eyes showing no hesitation.
"Get off."
Ye Mo was the last to jump out of the helicopter, his feet landing firmly on the ground. Ahead, the outline of the abandoned factory was faintly visible in the moonlight, like a lurking Beast waiting for its prey.
Emma Frost stood beside him, her purple eyes reflecting the distant lights. She didn't speak, but simply nodded gently.
T'Challa at the front, his steps steady and powerful. Each step he took seemed to be on the beat of destiny.
Ye Mo followed behind, his fingers rubbing the frame of his glasses in his pocket. He knew that once he took that step, there would be no turning back.
But he didn't care.
Because it was his choice.
A night breeze blew, swirling up the fallen leaves. The three men formed a triangular formation and approached the factory gate. Fifty meters away. Forty meters. Thirty meters.
T'Challa stopped and raised his left hand to signal to stop.
Ahead, all was deathly silent.
But Ye Mo's Vibranium Sense were frantically issuing warnings. Beneath that silence lay countless dangerous signals.
He looked up at T'Challa.
T'Challa turned around, his gaze beneath the mask sharp as a knife.
"Go in."