Chapter 368
As Jake drove back to Base Rex, he thought about how he would gain entry to HQ. His plan was to enter the base quickly and make a beeline for the headquarters. Rex would be expecting the team to return, so he would likely be keeping an eye on the outside camera feeds. Once he spotted the returning SUV, he might send someone to take the weapon from Jake, which was why he knew he had to act fast.
So he needed to quickly reach HQ and present the legendary shotgun to the guards at the front door. Jake hoped they would let him in so he could deliver the weapon to the leader waiting in the control security room on the second floor.
Such was Jake’s plan to infiltrate HQ, but it fell apart almost immediately. As he neared Base Rex, the gates began to swing open, indicating that the team’s return was indeed awaited with eager anticipation.
Once the gates were wide enough for his large SUV to pass through, he steered the vehicle into the base. Wearing Aaron’s identity once more, he drove straight toward HQ, cutting across the compound while receiving angry glares from patrolling guards who had to make way for him.
He pulled up in front of the HQ entrance, which was guarded by two armed personnel, and reached for the legendary shotgun, which he had wedged between the seat and the center console. But just as he climbed out of the car, the door to HQ swung open, and the base leader himself stepped out.
Rex didn’t even glance at Jake, as his eyes were glued to the legendary shotgun in his hands instead.
“Look at that,” he exclaimed. “What a fucking beauty!”
He greedily reached out with both hands and forcefully yanked the weapon from Jake’s grip.
“Even without checking its stats, I can already tell it’s an incredible weapon,” Rex said, admiring the gun with hungry eyes.
Jake shifted his weight from one leg to another to attract the base leader’s attention. Rex kept practically drooling over the weapon, though.
“It’s an incredible piece,” he muttered to himself. “Really incredible piece.”
Almost a full minute later, Rex reluctantly tore his gaze from the legendary shotgun and looked at him.
“Nice job, guys,” he said, his voice lacking any real gratitude. “Really nice job. You did well, team.”
It was then that Rex finally realized Aaron was alone. Almost like an afterthought, he asked, “Where’s the rest of your team, Mute?”
Frowning, he glanced over Jake’s shoulder at the SUV behind him.
“Where are they?” Rex asked, looking through the windshield at the empty interior of the SUV. Then a realization crossed his face. “They didn’t make it, did they?”
Jake shook his head.
“That’s unfortunate,” Rex said. “A real shame. They were experienced monster slayers. Best of the best. We’re going to miss them.”
For a moment, a flicker of genuine sadness appeared in his eyes, but it vanished as soon as he lowered his gaze to the legendary shotgun in his hands.
“But even good soldiers fall in battle,” he added.
He then looked back at Jake, placing a hand on his shoulder as he said, “You and the others did really well, Mute. Their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. I’m grateful to you for getting this weapon. I really am.”
Jake nodded but didn’t move from the spot.
A look of annoyance crossed Rex’s face.
“What the fuck are you still standing there for? Get back to your duties. Dismissed.”
And with those words, the base leader spun around and stepped back into HQ.
Jake tried to follow Rex inside, but one of the two guards placed a hand firmly on his chest, blocking his way.
“Where do you think you’re going, Mute?” he grumbled.
“Yeah,” the other one chimed in. “You heard the man. Get back to your duties. You weren’t invited in.”
“And get that car out of our faces,” the first one added. “Take it to the parking lot where it belongs.”
“Yeah, dum-dum,” the other one said. “Get going. Chop chop.”
Jake had no choice but to find another way to infiltrate HQ. He returned to the SUV and slid behind the steering wheel.
A minute later, he parked the SUV in an empty space in the parking lot, the front of the vehicle facing HQ. He glanced at the two guards through the windshield. They no longer paid him any attention, having already forgotten about him.
Jake climbed out of the vehicle and took a quick look around. Guards continued to patrol the area while workers busied themselves with various machines. Nobody paid him any mind. No one had the slightest suspicion that a very dangerous predator lurked among them.
Jake couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Morph Disguise worked perfectly, allowing him to blend in seamlessly with the humans. It was really a remarkable ability.
He made his way around the compound, moving casually but with purpose, as if he were actually returning to his duties. He rounded the headquarters to the back of the building. There was no back door, so there were no guards there either.
Jake took another look around. After making sure no one was watching him, he activated his Cloak, rendering himself invisible. He then crawled up the wall and, a moment later, reached the flat roof of the two-story structure. There were no guards on the roof, and the door was locked. Hacking it posed little challenge for Jake.
He opened the door and stepped onto the staircase. From experience, he knew that a door opening by itself wouldn’t trigger alarms for the auto turrets guarding the bandit base. As for the outer cameras, Rex should be the only one in the security control room and most likely wasn’t currently watching the feed, too engrossed in admiring the legendary shotgun.
However, for a moment, Jake remained perfectly still, listening to his surroundings and trying to determine if his entry into HQ had been spotted by anyone or anything. All was quiet, just as before, though. His infiltration of the headquarters had gone unnoticed. Good. Now, it was time to locate the pilot and get out of there.