Chapter 7: Silent Testimony
Location: Science Castle, Isolation Area & Thunderhawk's Quarters
Time: Day after Old Chen's death
Death, especially unnatural death, was like a powerful cleanser that instantly washed away all of Science Castle's veneer. Chaldea Tech's attempt to handle the matter internally failed to contain it, or rather, someone didn't want it contained. The next morning, an investigative team from the NCMPD (Neo-Chinatown Metropolis Police Department) arrived at Science Castle. Thunderhawk immediately recognized them as belonging to the newly established MTU (Mobile Tactical Unit) of the Neo-Chinatown Police Bureau—unrestricted by district boundaries, capable of executing police duties throughout Neo-Chinatown Metropolis.
Leading this squad was Constable Valeria Mendoza. She wore an immaculate police uniform, not Science Castle security's gray but a deeper navy blue, representing external authority and order. Her expression was stern, gaze sharp, surveying Science Castle's interior environment with undisguised scrutiny and suspicion. Her arrival immediately created tense confrontation with Chaldea Tech's internal security, especially with Viktor Graham.
Graham attempted to characterize Old Chen's death as "sudden physiological failure caused by long-term psychological pressure," emphasizing this was an "internal matter." But Valeria wasn't buying any of it.
"Director," her voice was clear and calm, unquestionable, "a death occurring within a closed community, regardless of the deceased's identity, must undergo independent police investigation. This is legal procedure. Now, please take me to view the scene and the body."
Thunderhawk, as the first responder to the incident, was required to accompany and submit to questioning. In the isolation room, he saw Old Chen's corpse. Face cyanotic, expression twisted, as if having endured tremendous pain at the moment of death. Valeria crouched down, wearing gloves, examining very carefully. She noticed the old digital watch on Old Chen's wrist, and also the standard-type cyberbrain interface beneath the skin of his neck. She glanced at the materials her assistant handed over, showing that Old Chen's torso hadn't undergone cybernetic augmentation and that he had an internal pacemaker.
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"Where are his pacemaker records? His cyberbrain's final physiological logs?" Valeria looked up at Graham.
"Data extraction and recovery are in progress. Our system faces threats from the 'Devourer' virus, the process takes time..." Graham's answer was watertight but carried a delaying implication.
Valeria snorted, clearly unconvinced. She turned to Thunderhawk: "Mr. Thunderhawk Morningstar, according to reports you subdued the assailant. Describe the situation then, especially his mental state."
Thunderhawk accurately described Old Chen's madness and those unclear mutterings, but omitted finding the photograph and copying the ID card. He felt Valeria's gaze sweep across his face like a searchlight, trying to find any trace of inconsistency. She questioned very professionally and rigorously, repeatedly confirming every detail of Thunderhawk's security identity.
After the questioning, Valeria told Thunderhawk: "Your response was quick and prevented a worse outcome. But until my investigation concludes, please remain available on call." Her tone was businesslike, maintaining distance.
Thunderhawk knew that Valeria's appearance was both a major threat to Chaldea Tech and a potential obstacle to his investigation. She represented rules and truth, but her rules might not work in this city where rules themselves might be twisted.
That evening, Thunderhawk received Black Cat's more detailed report. Information projected directly onto his optic nerves:
"Autopsy (remote scan version): Deceased suffered from heart disease, could only undergo limited cybernetic augmentation, and required long-term use of a pacemaker. At the time of incident, abnormal current appeared in the pacemaker. Clearly, its control chip was 'hacked' via the paired digital watch at close range and reprogrammed, then delivered a 'fatal strike' to the deceased's heart. Professional silencing, clean and efficient."
"In-depth ID card analysis: Authority genuine and valid, but authorization time was four hours before the attack. Authorization directive source... encryption level too high, temporarily untraceable, but points to system high-level. "
"Conclusion: Maintenance worker was a pawn and a sacrifice. Someone gave him the key to ram the door, then made him permanently silent before he could speak. Science Castle's calm surface hides deeper waters than imagined. Beware those who give you keys."
The report disappeared, and Thunderhawk felt a chill. Old Chen's death was not only due to his personal revenge but because he had been used as a tool by some force hidden in the depths to test something, or cover something up. And that "high-level" person with "Omega" authority who could easily decide a person's life or death was currently lurking within this gleaming "hive."
Valeria was openly investigating rule-breakers, while Thunderhawk, in the shadows, began tracking the mastermind who made and manipulated the rules. Two forces pursuing truth were about to collide within this sealed city.
