March 10th, 2011, within Liu Tao's office...
Special Operations Team 7, excluding 13, assembled in its entirety.
The three operatives and Liu Tao exchanged glances, yet silence pervaded, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere. Nie Yun had previously issued explicit orders: information regarding 13's current situation was strictly confidential, not to be disclosed to anyone, including Liu Tao, should inquiries arise.
"An assignment awaits you..." Liu Tao finally broke the silence. 1 felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"Awaiting orders!" 1 declared loudly.
"Our agents transmitted a classified report today..." Liu Tao handed a folder to 1. "That reprobate Chen Bian has decided to confine the citizenry to the peripheral suburbs of Taipei City, forming a human bulwark to impede our army's advance. Reliable intelligence indicates he is covertly relocating Taipei's heavy industrial equipment, precious metals, and all financial assets."
"He intends for us to occupy an empty metropolis?" 36 queried.
"Precisely. Consequently, time is now our most critical commodity," Liu Tao emphasized. "Reinforcements transported from the mainland have reached two million, seven hundred thousand personnel."
"What does the Commander require of us?" 24 inquired.
"Infiltrate Taipei City. Exert maximum effort to disrupt the enemy's relocation efforts. Persist for four days, and your mission shall be concluded."
"A supplementary point..." The office door abruptly swung open, and Nie Yun entered slowly. "Combat suits are prohibited. Heavy weaponry is likewise forbidden. Your current objective involves masquerading as terrorists to execute the mission, necessitating integration within the populace."
"What resources are available to us then?" 1 asked.
"Nothing may be carried. Taipei City is currently under complete martial law, encircled by a dense minefield extending over five hundred meters. We shall employ alternative means to insert you," Nie Yun offered a faint smile.
"Why do I harbor a premonition of misfortune..." 36 muttered under his breath.
As Special Operations Team 7 departed for their mission,
Liu Tao withdrew a cigarette, offering it to Nie Yun. "I am uncertain how to articulate this, but I must express my gratitude."
"Gratitude for what?" Nie Yun, having abstained for three years for health reasons, nonetheless accepted the cigarette.
"I had initially resolved to dispatch them without equipment as well, but after prolonged contemplation, any phrasing seemed tantamount to ordering their demise..." Liu Tao exhaled smoke rings resignedly.
"It bears no significance," Nie Yun ignited the cigarette, taking a tentative drag. Fortunately, the technique remained familiar; choking would have been mortifying. "They possess the means to manage. Should a mission exceed their capabilities, they themselves will decline execution."
"But can the three of them suffice? Without 13?" Liu Tao voiced his concern.
"Commander Liu, please remember..." Nie Yun regarded Liu Tao sternly. "13 is also a member of their unit. They are equally exceptional soldiers. Your personal affinity for 13 has clouded your assessment of their capabilities."
"My apologies," Liu Tao acknowledged his error. "Nonetheless, the peril remains substantial."
"Rest assured," Nie Yun expelled a large smoke ring. "Peril is an element they confront daily..."
Night of March 10th, 2011
Taipei at night presented a tableau of tranquility. Following 13's previous "performance," the city's curfew had become significantly more stringent. Yet, this night too was destined to be extraordinary.
At Taipei Airport, dormant for half a month, a small passenger aircraft slowly taxied towards the runway.
Chen Bian had been reluctant to authorize this aircraft's arrival, but it bore the insignia of the International Red Cross. Within the delicate prevailing international climate, mishandling any organization bearing the "International" designation invited accusations of human rights violations or hegemony. Consequently, stringent inspections were mandated to preclude espionage infiltration.
Scarcely had the aircraft come to a halt when several hundred rifle-wielding members of the "welcoming committee" converged upon it.
The aircraft door opened, accompanied by the resounding symphony of weapons being chambered, akin to a welcoming salvo.
The first physician to emerge instinctively raised his hands.
"A cordial welcome to all," a hoarse voice emanated from the crowd.
With all personnel disembarked, attention shifted upwards, seeking the voice's origin.
"My designation is Yang Wei," the speaker was a refined gentleman. Upon stating his name, those present proficient in Chinese chuckled. (Note: The name "Yang Wei" sounds like "impotence" in Mandarin Chinese.)
"I am President Chen's primary secretary..." Face flushed, Yang Wei continued his introduction. "Specifically representing His Excellency the President to oversee everyone's reception arrangements."
"For everyone's safety, please cooperate with our soldiers' inspection procedures..." Upon concluding his statement, all rifle muzzles targeted the assembly. The implication was unambiguous: non-compliance equated to death.
"Secretary Yang, your reception methodology appears somewhat inhospitable? We are, after all, a delegation dispatched to assist you..." Fluent Chinese flowed from a middle-aged man with dark hair.
"May I inquire as to this gentleman's identity?" Yang Wei scrutinized the individual. When the Red Cross proposed assistance, Chen Bian had specifically stipulated against the inclusion of Chinese physicians.
"My name is Kim Jeong-myeong, Korean," the middle-aged man, 1 in disguise, responded.
"How fares your esteemed nation of Korea recently? The financial situation seems rather volatile. Our investments there are quite substantial; we hope you can extend due consideration to our people. Allow me to express President Chen's gratitude in advance," Yang Wei inquired in reasonably standard Korean.
"Many thanks for Secretary Yang's concern. Our nation's finances remain quite resilient. Were it not for the President ordering all Taiwanese investors to retract funds for war reserves, rumors of instability would likely not have surfaced. As for the people of Taiwan, our President will naturally receive them with warm hospitality..." 1 replied in fluent Korean, albeit with a slight accent.
Yang Wei's apprehension eased somewhat. "I shall await everyone outside the airport terminal. Personnel who have completed inspection, please convene there. We have arranged dedicated transport." With that, he strode towards the airport exit.
"Truly baffling why his father bestowed upon him such a name," murmured a youth with a cascade of golden curls.
"Perhaps hoping he would mature into a person of greatness?" responded a red-haired beauty clad in a nurse's uniform.
"Chen Bian is America's lapdog, yet he follows Chen Bian. He has truly failed the name his father bestowed. Became a magnificent dog," The nurse was amused by the youth's remark.
"Cease the jests; prepare for mission execution," 1 turned, communicating via lip-reading.
"Understood!" The pair responded in unison, also using lip-reading.
"Your turn," the lead soldier approached 1.
1 smiled, opening the satchel in his hand. The soldier, devoid of courtesy, rummaged through it haphazardly.
"Aiya!" The lead soldier suddenly cried out in pain. His surrounding comrades swiftly encircled 1, several fingers resting on triggers. 1 raised his hands, indicating his innocence.
The soldier, clutching his bleeding finger, cursed, "Damn it! Why carry so many surgical scalpels unnecessarily?"
"I am a surgeon, after all," 1 observed the surrounding soldiers lower their weapons and subsequently lowered his own hands. "Incising others' bodies is my specialty."
Though a commonplace statement, uttered by 1, it evoked an unnerving chill.
"Your presence is no longer required; proceed," the somewhat intimidated lead soldier pushed 1 towards the group that had already undergone inspection.
"Now it is your turn, beauty!" he declared, practically salivating.
24 exhibited an expression of disgust, cursing in French.
The bewildered lead soldier had no inkling of the beauty's utterance, though her expression suggested it was unfavorable.
"She stated that if you dare touch her inappropriately, she will employ the anti-pervert technique taught by her grandmother to rupture your 'little bird'," 36 translated with a sigh nearby.
"And what manner of entity are you?" Understanding the translation, he glared impatiently at 36.
"Kindly mind your terminology," 36 adjusted the spectacles on his nose. "I hold a doctorate in linguistics from Newton University in America, specially invited this time to serve as the medical team's interpreter. Be aware, I am merely fourteen years of age, a prodigy of legend. A diminutive soldier such as yourself lacks even the qualification to touch me."
Hearing he was American, and a prodigy at that, the soldier abandoned the notion of searching him. However, the beauty before him could not be overlooked.
"Apologies, could I trouble you to translate? Searching is our duty; we hope she cooperates..." the lead soldier struggled to maintain the most upright demeanor of his life.
36 sighed and began translating. Upon hearing the translation, 24 adopted a look of resignation and raised her hands. Perhaps the movement was too large, or perhaps the collar was indeed very low.
24 inadvertently revealed the lace trim of a red brassiere. The surrounding soldiers silently vowed, "Damn it, must climb the ranks in the future. Perhaps one day, we brothers could also land such a desirable assignment."
The lead soldier commenced the search with a lecherous grin. Due to 24's prior warning, he dared not be overly intrusive, yet minor liberties were unavoidable.
Finally, the entire group completed inspection; no weapons were discovered.
The leader guided everyone towards the airport exit.
"Men are all lechers, behaving as if they haven't encountered a woman in their past life..." 24 muttered angrily under her breath.
"You harbor such antipathy towards men? Then why develop feelings for 13? Is he not also a man? And a peculiar one at that," 36 teased.
"He is different..." 24 retorted defensively. But noticing 1 and 36 suppressing laughter, she realized they were mocking her. Angrily suppressing her fury.
She whispered close to their ears, "You two are dead shortly!"
1 and 36 couldn't help but shiver slightly.