NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: 74
'.....'= Thoughts
"....."= Conversations
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"Hmm," Tony nodded his head in agreement and said," Let's first search the entire base for any clues."
As the three of them split up to search different areas of the base, they carefully combed through every room, checking for any signs of recent activity or hidden compartments. Tony used his advanced technology to scan for any valuable metals, while John and Banner meticulously examined every nook and cranny for any clues that might lead them to the organization known as 'Red.'
After thorough searching, the team reconvened in the main control room, feeling defeated and exhausted. Tony shook his head and sighed, "I can't believe it. There's nothing here. No valuable metals, no clues... It's like they anticipated our arrival and cleared the place out."
John ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "It doesn't make sense. They knew that we were already attacking their bases, but still didn't clear out the people in this base. What the hell are they even thinking?"
Banner furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "It's possible that they've become more cautious after our recent successes against them. They might have relocated their operations or set up additional security measures to avoid detection whereas setting this base as a decoy or something,"
John nodded in agreement and decided to blow off th base just like the previous one, as they had already checked the base thoroughly.
After planting the explosives, they left for their car hidden nearby.
As they drove away, the ground rumbled and a massive explosion erupted behind them, engulfing the enemy base in flames. Joh looked back at the fiery scene with a sense of satisfaction.
"I guess they weren't expecting that," Tony remarked with a grin.
Banner nodded. "Sometimes, a little misdirection can go a long way."
As they continued on their way, they knew that their work wasn't done yet. There were still other enemy bases to destroy, but for now, they could take a moment to celebrate this small victory.
The journey to the next RED base was filled with tension and anticipation. Tony expertly navigated the rugged terrain, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for any signs of enemy activity. John sat in the back, his mind still reeling from the adrenaline rush of the explosion they had just set off. Banner, always the voice of reason, kept the team grounded with his calm demeanor and strategic thinking.
As they drove, they recounted their previous missions and victories, feeling a sense of pride in the progress they had made. They had already destroyed four out of the six RED bases, crippling the enemy's operations in the region. But there was no time to rest on their laurels; the remaining bases still posed a threat, and they were determined to see their mission through to the end.
The landscape outside the car window changed from rocky terrain to dense forest as they approached the next target.
Suddenly a notification from the system appeared in front of John's eyes. Without hesitation he willed the system to open the panel displaying the details of the notification.
'Huh?' John was surprised after reading the details. Though it was a good surprise, it still confused John on how it was possible.
On the system panel it displayed that the remaining two bases of the RED which John and the group had not approached yet were destroyed simultaneously.
The mission provided to him by the system was already over and at any time he could recieve the rewards for it.
At the same time Tony's phone rang which brought back John to the present.
Tony put the phone on speaker as he answered it.
"Mr. Stark," Phil spoke from the other side.
"Phil, what's the situation?" Tony asked, a mixture of doubt and curiosity in his voice.
"We've successfully taken down the last two bases of the RED organization," Phil replied, his voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "It was a coordinated attack, and we managed to eliminate all the threats without any casualties."
"That's great news, Phil," Tony said, a small smile creeping onto his face. "You and your team have done a fantastic job. We couldn't have done it without SHIELD's support," he continued sarcastically.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark," Phil said despite knowing the meaning of Tony's sentence.. "But I have to admit, it wasn't easy. The RED organization put up a tough fight, but we were able to outmaneuver them and take them down. It's a big win for us. Moroeover it was the least we could do for John and his parents."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the call ended, and Tony turned to the rest of the group in the car. His expression was one of doubt and loss.
"They definitely didn't do this out of sympathy or something. At least there must be something valuable in the next two bases. Maybe like the kidnapped mutants in earlier base," John frowned.
"I don't like this, guys," Tony said, glancing at John and Banner in the rearview mirror. "Something doesn't add up. Why would SHIELD swoop in at the last minute and take down the last two bases themselves?"
As the car sped down the road, Tony couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his mind racing with thoughts about SHIELD's sudden involvement in their mission.
John leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I agree, Stark. It's too convenient. They've been monitoring our every move, and now they show up out again to take all the good things."
Banner, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke up. "There has to be a reason behind their actions. SHIELD doesn't just do things without a hidden agenda. We need to figure out what they're after."
Tony nodded, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "The question is, what could be so important in those bases that SHIELD felt the need to intervene? They're not known for their altruism, that's for sure."
As the car zoomed past the rocky terrain, the trio delved into a heated discussion about SHIELD's motives. John voiced his suspicions about the organization's true intentions. Banner, on the other hand, attempted to find a logical explanation for SHIELD's sudden involvement, suggesting that perhaps they had intel on a more significant threat looming in the next two bases.
"I don't trust them," John stated firmly. "They've been playing us from the start, and I won't be surprised if they throw us under the bus once they get what they want."
The car fell into a tense silence as each of them mulled over the possibilities. The passing streetlights cast fleeting shadows across their faces, adding to the ominous atmosphere.
"Maybe we should confront SHIELD directly," Banner suggested. "We can't afford to be in the dark about their motives, especially if it puts us or others in danger."
"And what if they deny everything?" John countered. "We'd be back to square one, with no clue about what they're really up to."
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