Chapter 1965: Chapter 825: The Old Acquaintance from Mexico Has Gotten Smarter!_5

"It’s like they’re conducting some kind of... mixed experiment. The residue is quite complex, containing nitrates, organophosphorus, and some metal powders. The smell... is somewhat similar to that ’Black Pearl’ narcotic, but mixed with something else."

Leclerc remembered Durand’s report on "organ harvesting" and the "white powder."

A terrifying notion formed in his mind: these people aren’t just looting corpses and drugs; could they be using the bodies and drugs for some kind of experiment? Or maybe they’re developing a new, more terrible drug or biochemical weapon?

"Collect samples, take photos, then evacuate immediately." Leclerc felt a chill down his spine. This had already gone beyond his mission scope and comprehension.

Just as they were preparing to exit, Durand’s urgent voice came through the headset: "Lieutenant! Unknown vehicles approaching! Three of them, very fast! From the northwest direction! Distance 500 meters!"

"Retreat! Return the way we came!" Leclerc ordered immediately.

The team quickly exited the warehouse and ran towards their designated evacuation point. But the others were faster.

Three modified off-road vehicles roared into the factory area, their headlights blazing, with someone mounted on the roof with a machine gun.

"Open fire!" Leclerc didn’t hesitate; it was clear the attackers were targeting them.

The sound of gunfire tore through the silence. Their opponent’s firepower was intense, and their tactical movements were skilled; they quickly spread out to find cover and used crossfire to suppress Leclerc’s team. Bullets hit bricks and stones, sending up dense sparks and debris.

"Bang!" Durand’s sniper rifle fired, and the driver of one of the off-road vehicles slumped over the steering wheel, crashing the vehicle into some ruins. But the people from the other two vehicles had already disembarked, relying on the vehicles and ruins to exchange fire with them.

Leclerc saw a glint on the arm of one of the attackers—a reflection from that Skull and Snake insignia!

"Call for air support! We are under attack by unknown armed forces! Immediate evacuation required!" Leclerc shouted into the radio.

"Received! Support is on the way, hang on for five minutes!" the command center responded.

Five minutes felt interminably long amidst the intense firefight. A French Army soldier was hit in the shoulder by a bullet, screaming and falling to the ground. Leclerc’s team was pinned down behind a low wall, unable to lift their heads.

Suddenly, the familiar roar of aircraft reached them. Two Tornado fighter bombers reappeared, but this time they didn’t drop bombs, merely passing low, their massive noise and airflow disrupting the battlefield.

The attackers seemed to have received some signal and began to retreat under covering fire, quickly and efficiently. They jumped into the two remaining functional off-road vehicles, engines roaring, disappearing into the depths of the dark ruins.

Leclerc’s team didn’t give chase—they were in shock, racing against time to rescue the wounded and waiting for the helicopter.

When the sound of helicopter rotors finally reached them, Leclerc looked in the direction the attackers had disappeared, then back at the eerie warehouse. Skull and Snake... What exactly are they doing in Bosnia and Herzegovina? This is definitely about more than money or drugs. A deeper, darker chill engulfed him.

...

England, Liverpool, Old Dock District.

Sarah Kent’s community night patrol had been operating for three days. The results... were limited. Violent robberies and shootings hadn’t recurred, but the tense atmosphere on the streets hadn’t eased. The patrol, comprised of volunteers, lacked weapons—just reflective vests, flashlights, and walkie-talkies. It was more of a symbol.

The bigger problem was internal. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The number of people signing up for the patrol was far below expectations. Many residents still feared or distrusted the "Assembly," doubting that such a grassroots organization could solve security issues. The local police had an ambiguous attitude toward the "Assembly’s" involvement, outwardly welcoming "community cooperation," but frequently hinting that "maintaining law and order is the responsibility of professional police," complaining that the "Assembly’s" actions interfered with their investigations.

Worse, rumors began to spread: some said the "Assembly" was colluding with those Mexican drug traffickers, and the patrol was just a cover for drug transactions; others claimed Sarah Kent was taking money from foreign powers to disrupt Liverpool and create conditions for "independence" or "revolution." These malicious rumors were hard to quash and clearly driven by hidden agendas.

"It’s those local Labour councilors and old union people doing it," Allen analyzed. "They’re afraid the ’Assembly’ will replace their influence in the community. The security issue is ammunition for their attacks. We have to strike back."

"How do we strike back?" Sarah asked wearily. She was sleep-deprived from handling the daily organization of the "Assembly," alongside dealing with the security crisis and media attacks.

"A twin-pronged approach," Allen said. "First, openness and transparency. Publicize the patrol’s schedule, personnel list, and activity records. Invite local media to cover a night patrol. Show that we’re filling a gap, not seizing power. Second, regarding the drug issue, we can’t just be defensive. ’Black Pearl’ has appeared in Liverpool, but where does it come from? Who’s distributing it? If the police can’t or won’t investigate, we can do it ourselves."

"Investigate? How can we possibly do that?" Sarah frowned.

"We have a community network." A glint of cold light appeared in Allen’s eyes. "Bartenders, taxi drivers, street vendors, unemployed dock workers... they’re the city’s eyes and ears. We’ll offer a reward for sourcing and distribution information on ’Black Pearl,’ using the anonymous donations we received to pay. It doesn’t have to be much; 500 pounds for any solid lead. Wherever there’s a high reward, there’ll be brave souls. Moreover, this is an act of mobilizing ordinary people to participate in cleaning up their community."