Chapter Fifty-One: Changing the Plan

At that moment, a tremor drew everyone’s attention back to the main screen. Optimus Prime crashed open the hatch and shot out swiftly. Someone exclaimed, “My God, what is that ship’s hull made of? There isn’t even a scratch on it!”

Nearly a minute had passed; by normal standards, anyone holding their breath that long would already experience accelerated heartbeat and increased blood flow. Sure enough, the warning message appeared on the screen: “He’s nearing his limit!” The staff member monitoring the astronauts’ vitals frowned in concern and glanced at Utter.

While everyone worried about Wang Jing, Duncan, who had been punched earlier, slipped away unnoticed. His identity had been exposed—Jack Rosen didn’t have evidence yet, but it wouldn’t take long for him to piece everything together.

Duncan hurried to the communications room and, after connecting with the Vice President’s operatives, said anxiously, “They’ve found me out. The plan needs to start immediately!”

“What? How were you discovered?” The agent on the video link demanded, both shocked and angry.

“I don’t know. Jack Rosen rushed over and accused me, but they don’t have proof yet. I managed to escape while they were distracted,” Duncan explained.

“Damn it! Now isn’t the time to act. You have to stall them,” the agent said sternly.

“Are you kidding? How am I supposed to stall them all alone?”

“That’s not my concern. If this mission fails, forget about your payment.” With that, the agent cut the communication.

Duncan, wanting to argue further, was left staring at the blank screen. Furious, he kicked the wall hard and cursed, “Damn it, damn it, a bunch of selfish bastards.”

After venting, Duncan regained his composure, gritted his teeth, grabbed a computer, and dashed out of the communications room. Once he finished transmitting the information, he found a warehouse to hide in.

Outside the space station, as Wang Jing’s vitals approached the threshold, he successfully entered the body of Optimus Prime, now transformed. Inside the aerospace shuttle, Wang Jing relaxed, removed his exosuit which had doubled as a spacesuit, and, after a moment, feigned a deep breath and said in a weak voice, “I’ve got the panel!”

Cheers erupted in the control room at the sound of his voice.

“All right, Wang Jing, come back quickly!” Jack Rosen said, relieved.

“OK, Optimus Prime, take me home,” Wang Jing replied, sounding exhausted.

After closing the communication, Optimus Prime said, “Ada Wong has successfully infiltrated the president’s security detail.”

“Really? That’s wonderful. This might turn out to be the fastest mission we’ve ever completed,” Wang Jing said, delighted.

“Indeed, but I think you should disguise yourself a bit. You didn’t even break a sweat—it’s a bit suspicious,” Optimus Prime reminded him.

Wang Jing touched his forehead and nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, after the excitement in the control room, Jack Rosen glanced at Duncan’s spot but found it empty. He cursed aloud, “Damn it!”

His shout drew everyone’s attention. When they saw the vacant seat, realization dawned.

Jack Rosen looked at Utter in shock. “Look, this is the exemplary subordinate you promoted.” With that, he stormed out of the control room.

Utter, feeling guilty, lowered his head slightly. Once Jack Rosen left, Utter gathered himself and instructed Mickey, “Announce to everyone that Duncan Taylor is a dangerous individual. Anyone who sees him must report immediately!”

After giving the order, Utter hurried after Jack Rosen.

At the K3 landing pad, Wang Jing staggered off the shuttle, drenched in sweat. Jack Rosen and Utter rushed to support him.

“Wang Jing, are you all right?” Jack Rosen asked worriedly.

“I’m fine, just a bit exhausted,” Wang Jing replied, pulling a black hard drive from his pocket and smiling, “I got the hard drive!”

“Wang Jing, the data on the hard drive isn’t important anymore. We already know who the traitor is,” Utter said.

“What? Who’s that bastard? I’ll make sure he’s unrecognizable when I’m done with him!” Wang Jing said angrily.

“It’s Duncan. He uploaded the virus. Everything you went through was his doing,” Jack Rosen explained.

“Damn, where is he now?” Wang Jing demanded.

“We don’t know. He’s hiding, but I’ve instructed everyone to look for him,” Utter replied.

“Then hurry up and shut down Dutch Boy, or they might activate the satellite again,” Wang Jing said anxiously.

“But shutting down Dutch Boy requires the ultimate password, which only the president knows!”

“Then contact the president immediately.”

“But we don’t have enough evidence yet. If we catch Duncan, that will be enough, but the problem is we can’t find him.”

“I have the evidence you need.” The three turned to see Doucette holding a digital stylus. “Mahmoud suspected something was wrong with the satellite and made a backup of its data beforehand. That’s why he was eliminated.”

“Let’s see if this data is sufficient,” Jack Rosen said. The group headed to the communications room while examining the satellite data.

“As you suspected, Jack, someone used a virus to bypass our satellite controls and deleted all system logs to make it look like an accident,” Utter said.

“We have enough evidence now. All we need is to contact the president, get the ultimate password, shut down Dutch Boy, and explain everything,” Wang Jing said.

When they reached the communications room, Utter tried to initiate a video call, only to find the system was locked down.

“What’s wrong?” Jack Rosen asked, sensing something was amiss.

Utter frowned, “The system is locked. I can’t reach the White House.”

“Damn it, they’re not even bothering to cover their tracks anymore,” Jack Rosen cursed.

“Who’s behind this?” Doucette wondered aloud.

“I suspect it’s the Vice President,” Wang Jing replied.

“Why?” The three looked at him in unison.

“First, consider why this group would do this,” Wang Jing said before they could answer. “Dutch Boy is set to be handed over to an international organization in two weeks, and only the current controllers—America—have the resources to pull this off.”

“As for why it’s not the president but the vice president, look at Jack.” Wang Jing gestured to Jack Rosen.

“What about me?” Jack Rosen asked, puzzled.

“If it were the president, he wouldn’t have sent you here—certainly not alone. Or he would have dealt with you directly on Earth,” Wang Jing explained.

“But knowing all this doesn’t help; we can’t even contact Earth now,” Doucette said with a frown.

“No, there’s still a way. My ship can connect directly with the Chinese Space Agency. I’m sure they’ll relay our evidence to the president,” Wang Jing said, raising his hand.

“Then let’s go, to your ship!” Jack Rosen moved to assist Wang Jing, but suddenly, the base’s alarm blared.

“What’s happening?” Doucette asked, wincing at the shrill alarm.

“All the satellites have started running automatically,” Utter said, removing his headset and frowning.

“Looks like we have to hurry. Jack, Utter, you head to the control room. Doucette and I will go to the shuttle and contact Earth,” Wang Jing said.

“All right, stay safe!” Jack Rosen nodded.