S3: Nan Cao was test subject number 0014 in Dr. Xiang's research lab. Nan is able to neutralize the ability of others around him, within a certain radius.

He lasted for 1 year and 2 months, a total of 52 tests.

Luckily large amounts of his blood and sperm were collected and after 3 years, after hundreds of failed attempts, a successful specimen was created. This specimen was named 2622. The researchers discovered something amazing in 2622's blood; it was poisonous to ability users. Subjects injected with 2622's blood solution will permanently lose their ability.

Aria's fingers trembled as a numbing sensation slowly suffocated her chest. A bead of cold sweat dripped down from her forehead.

She still remembered the cold hard metallic "bed" she was strapped to. How it would tilt to an upright position for the people in the research lab to hose her down on the daily in the wet room. They couldn't risk letting their subjects move their bodies and escaping, so this was the easiest method to keep them clean and odor free.

Aria remembered feeling ashamed at being stripped of her clothing, baring her body for all to see. But the feared lustful gazes never came. Only the cold indifferent looks fell on her with bursts of scientific interests.

She wasn't the lab's most interesting or favorite subject. But was used on and off throughout the year when someone had a thought to test something on a wind ability user. She survived 38 tests herself before being injected with a very unique poison during her escape.

Eros: Master? Master? Are you okay?

The little fluff ball flew worriedly around Aria. It rarely comes outside the G Space now since it was too cold. But it sensed the weird emotional fluctuations as the first time the master entered the cellar.

So it came out to see what's going on. After calling its master several times, it can sense Aria's emotions stabilizing so it calmed down too.

Aria: It's alright. I'm okay now.

Aria squeezed her cold fingers to bring back the circulation as she snapped out of her unpleasant memories.

Aria suddenly stood up as she made a decision internally. She is going to go after Nan.

Quickly changing into her white temp suit, Aria left her room. Pausing in front of the Chens' door, she scanned her card and knocked on their door, her foot tapping impatiently as she waited.

The door was opened by a familiar red helmet and Aria walked inside. Walking to the office area, 3 pairs of male eyes fell on Aria's body.

Aria: "I'm heading out to pick up someone."

Joseph: "Do you need one of us to go with you?"

Aria's mind raced at this option. To get there in the quickest amount of time, she needed to fly instead of drive. And to take away people, she needed a large transportation. But since the whole area is under military surveillance, she can't take anything in and out of her space carelessly.

Aria: "Yes, I need one person to fly a shuttle and another to keep an eye on surveillance while I search and pick up people."

John: "David and I will go with you. I can fly anything."

Aria: "Okay. Let's go."

Within 2 minutes, 3 people left the room all in their temp suits. One white and 2 in black instead of their iconic red. Aria didn't want the base to know that only half of the management team are leaving with her. Quickly making their way to the top floor, Aria bumped into Alex as they exited the building.

Aria: "We are going to pick up someone. Please be on alert and keep an eye on the gang war. Contact me on the satellite phone if there's anything urgent."

Alex: "Where are you going? Close to the gang location?"

Alex guessed since that's the most significant event that is happening currently.

Aria: "Yes."

Alex: "Okay. We will help keep an eye on you. Do you need extra support? I can provide 6 sharpshooters."

Aria was momentarily conflicted with the offer but hearing from S3 that the gang fight was getting more violent, she agreed before rushing to the back of the building to the dedicated blindspot and took out a shuttle.

David and John immediately entered and buckled themselves down and turned on the Engine. Aria buckled herself in and heard hurried steps entering the shuttle and the doors locked as everyone buckled down. Only when the shuttle lifted did Aria turned her attention to the 6 sharpshooters.

Wait. What? Why was Alex sitting next to her?

Aria: "Why are you here too?"

Alex: "I'm one of the sharpshooters."

Looking at the cold but handsome face, Aria felt a complicated feeling in her chest. Luckily her face was covered so she didn't reveal much. After making a noncommittal sound of acknowledgment, Aria turned her attention away from the MG and noticed a bundled up body of a female staring curiously at her from across the walkway.

Alex: "That is Captain Jen Lee of the mech division from Team India. That's Captain Dave Gu of Team Charlie, Captain Michael Shen of Team Delta, Captain John Fu of Team Hotel, and Captain Jim Shen of Team Tango."

Aria nodded at the other 5 in greetings without saying anything.

As always, S3 pulled up the other 5 people's details for Aria to see. The 4 men were in their late 20s while the female's age caught Aria's attention. Jen is considered very young to be a captain, so either she has a backer or her ability is really that good.

The young woman's eyes held curiosity as she looked between the mysterious base leader Artemis and the MG Zhou.

Although no one has ever seen Artemis' face before, and she rarely appeared in public, people can't help but be intrigued by this female clad in white.

No one knew her age or how she looked like. She never spoke nor mingled with people in the base. She is usually accompanied by either those decked out in red or black. People only get glimpses of her whenever she walks through the floors between her room to the exit.

But everyone knew this base was named after her and even the mech division leaders respected her. Jen, who has always admired powerful females and strived to become one herself, is very interested in Artemis.

Plus, she is also a fan of Artemis who is able to attract MG Zhou's attention. Everyone knows the MG is cold and uninterested in others. His head is filled with training and military politics all day long. She suspected the MG might be interested in this Artemis. And she intends to get a front row seat to watch the MG fall in love.

John: "ETA 7 minutes."

John's deep and mellow voice interrupted Jen's thoughts as the shuttle stabilized in the air and raced towards their destination.

Aria released the seat buckles and stood up, taking things out from her space in front of a few puzzled eyes.

Her movements were fluent and quick. Before they had a chance to react, Aria had already strapped on an exoskeleton to her frame and a few discrete weapons to her body.

The eyes of the 3 captains all raised up in surprise when they saw all the high technology accessories she brought out. The majority were all made and sold abroad since Country C highly regulated the weapons for its citizens.

Alex's eyes deepened in contemplation as he observed her actions. Although he has continued to train her every day, he wasn't able to get closer to her. After learning the basics, there was nothing else she could teach her. So the majority of her training was to complete the simulations one by one and to watch and learn from other people's recorded training.

As the weather got colder and colder, she became more quiet. This made him feel uncomfortable for the first time in his life.

Aria: "I'm going to retrieve someone. The two in front will monitor the situation from inside the safety of the shuttle while the sharpshooters will protect the shutte.

In case of an emergency, get inside the shuttle and move to another location and we can rendezvous after."

Alex: "Are you going alone?"

Aria: "Yes."

Alex: "Take 2 sharpshooters with you for protection. Captain Lee and Captain Shen will accompany you."

Aria didn't argue with Alex. Taking her silence as acquiesce, the two captains armed themselves while Alex's lips slightly curved upward for a second before it disappeared.