Black Market Intelligence

The spaceship flew steadily through space. I sat in the pilot's seat, watching the stars whiz by outside the window. Old Gun was treating his wounds nearby, Su Wei was studying a data terminal, and Black Fox was checking the ship's equipment.

"Hao Zi," Black Fox suddenly said, "Do you want to know more about the Genesis Group?"

I turned my head to look at him: "What do you know?"

Black Fox smiled: "I've been in the black market for years. There's not much I don't know. I know more about the Genesis Group than you can imagine."

"Go on, then."

Black Fox sat down, his expression turning serious: "The Genesis Group was founded ten years ago by Zhao Tianxiong. But did you know that behind the Genesis Group, there's actually a bigger force?"

"A bigger force?"

"Yes," Black Fox said, "As far as I know, the Genesis Group is actually a secret weapon of some people within The Alliance. They use the Genesis Group to conduct illegal genetic experiments and then use the results for military purposes."

I frowned: "People within The Alliance?"

"Exactly," Black Fox said, "That's why the Genesis Group can conduct illegal experiments right under The Alliance's nose without being discovered. They have protection from high-ranking Alliance officials."

Old Gun looked up: "Do you have evidence for what you're saying?"

Black Fox nodded: "Of course. I once overheard a conversation among high-level Genesis Group members. They mentioned an organization codenamed 'Shadow.' That organization is the real mastermind behind the Genesis Group."

"The 'Genesis Group'?"

"Yes," Black Fox said, "I heard that the members of this organization are high-ranking Alliance officials who hold the core power of The Alliance. They founded the Genesis Group to fulfill their ambitions."

"What ambitions?"

"To rule the entire Interstellar Alliance," Black Fox said, "They believe that only through genetic modification can they create stronger humans and thus achieve their rule."

I fell silent. If what Black Fox said was true, then things were far more complicated than I had imagined. The Genesis Group was not just an illegal genetic research company; it was a tool for certain people within The Alliance to realize their ambitions.

"What about the Gene Storm Project?" Su Wei asked, "How does it relate to the 'Genesis Group'?"

Black Fox thought for a moment: "The Gene Storm Project should be the ultimate goal of the 'Genesis Group.' They want to use the gene storm to cause genetic mutations in all humans across the Interstellar Alliance, thereby creating a 'new human' society under their control."

"That's insane!" I said, "How can they do such a thing?"

"Because they see themselves as the saviors of humanity," Black Fox said, "They believe that only in this way can humanity break through the existing evolutionary bottleneck and become stronger."

Old Gun sighed: "I knew it wasn't that simple. Zhao Tianxiong is just a pawn. The real mastermind is the 'Genesis Group.'"

"So what do we do now?" Su Wei asked, "If the 'Genesis Group' really exists, then The Alliance may be infiltrated. Can we still trust The Alliance?"

Old Gun thought for a moment: "Old Zhou should be reliable. He served with me in The Alliance for years, and I know his character. But we do need to be careful and not trust anyone easily."

Just then, the ship's alarm suddenly went off.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Black Fox checked the equipment: "A ship is approaching us."

I looked out the window and saw a black ship heading toward us. Its shape was unique, looking like a Genesis Group warship.

"It's the Genesis Group!" I exclaimed.

Old Gun stood up, though his shoulder was still bleeding, his eyes were still determined: "Prepare for battle!"

I gripped my Pulse Gun, and Su Wei raised the pistol Old Gun had given her. Black Fox checked the ship's weapon systems.

The black ship drew closer and then stopped in front of us. The hatch opened, and a man in a black trench coat stepped out.

It was that genetically enhanced warrior!

"We meet again," the man said, his tone mocking, "You won't escape this time."

"What do you want?" Old Gun asked.

"Simple," the man said, "Hand over the woman and the data terminal, and I might consider letting you go."

"Dream on!" I said.

The man sneered: "Then don't blame me for being rude."

He raised his hand, and a red beam shot toward us.

I tried to use the golden power again, but I felt it still hadn't recovered.

"Watch out!" Old Gun shouted, pulling me aside.

The red beam hit the ship's control panel, blowing a large hole in it.

"Hao Zi, take Su Wei and Black Fox to the escape pod at the rear," Old Gun said, "I'll hold him off."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine," Old Gun said, "Go now!"

I looked at Old Gun, my heart full of conflict. But I knew he was right. If we all stayed, we might all die.

"Okay," I said, "Let's go."

I grabbed Su Wei and followed Black Fox, running toward the escape pod.

Behind us, the sounds of Old Gun's battle with the genetically enhanced warrior grew more intense. I knew Old Gun was buying us time.

We reached the escape pod, and Black Fox started the engines. The pod rumbled and slowly detached from the ship.

Through the pod's window, I could see Old Gun and the genetically enhanced warrior locked in fierce combat. Despite his injury, Old Gun was fighting tenaciously.

"Old Gun..." I murmured.

Su Wei patted my shoulder: "He'll be fine."

I nodded, but inside I was thinking: Old Gun, you have to survive.

The escape pod continued flying through space, heading toward a nearby space station.

Just then, the pod's communicator lit up.

It was an encrypted signal from Old Gun's channel.

I quickly answered, and Old Gun's face appeared on screen. Blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes held an anxiety I had never seen before.

"Hao Zi, listen carefully," his voice was choppy, "Don't go to Alliance headquarters—it's a trap! Someone high up in The Alliance..."

Before he could finish, the signal cut off.

The screen turned to static.

"Old Gun? Old Gun!"

I pounded on the communicator frantically, but there was no response.

Su Wei and Black Fox exchanged glances, both looking uneasy.

"Could this be a fake signal?" Black Fox asked.

I didn't answer. I just stared at the static-filled screen.

Old Gun's words echoed in my mind: Don't go to Alliance headquarters; it's a trap.

But if that was true, where should we go?