Lei Hu seemed to be silent for a moment, then said, "Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to doubt you. As a liaison officer, you are not a combatant, but you still bravely participated in the battle and were injured in the process. You have made many contributions beyond your duties! I deeply admire you for this."
Lei Hu then continued, "Could you describe what happened after you woke up?"
Robben sighed: "I woke up after being rescued. After the attack on the African branch, people from the organization rushed over and pulled me out of the rubble. After taking a headcount, we found that six of my colleagues were dead and four were injured. In addition, the African branch was severely damaged, and the main control room was destroyed."
"So, based on your experience here, can you tell what the purpose of these enemies' invasion is?" Lei Hu quickly asked this question.
"Purpose?" Robben frowned. "I'm sorry, esteemed committee member, I personally cannot make a judgment. However, at the time, it seemed their purpose was sabotage; they destroyed everything they could, even the main computer in the main control room. According to the subsequent on-site investigation, our African branch's main computer was completely destroyed. However..."
"But what?"
"However, what's puzzling is that there were no signs of the main computer's data being stolen," Robben said honestly. "Actually, I don't think the African branch has anything of value. The most valuable item there is the data on the main computer, which contains our database, the African branch's liaison personnel, the branch's roster, information on some peripheral members, and many members we've observed who are yet to be developed. That's all. Apart from that, as you all should know, the African branch simply doesn't have any of the truly valuable research data."
Robben continued, "In other words, the only valuable thing is the list, especially the observation list. The African branch has focused its main efforts over the years on finding undiscovered superhumans. We've achieved a lot over the years; last year's data showed that the African branch discovered the most new superhumans among all the organization's branches worldwide. But even these lists don't seem to have been stolen. The main control room was directly destroyed; the main computer can no longer copy data, and even the hard drive wasn't taken—it was burned in the fire. The surveyors later confirmed that the burned hard drive was indeed the main computer hard drive from our African headquarters. It hadn't been switched… So, I really can't judge what valuable things our branch has that would warrant such a large-scale intrusion."
After listening, Lei Hu simply said, "Thank you for your answer. I have no further questions. Mr. Robben, please continue your report."
"Yes!" Robben bowed in the direction of Lei Hu before continuing, "I brought with me the preliminary findings of the post-incident investigation team. First, we carefully examined the identities of the intruders. The footage I filmed at the time underwent multiple analyses and studies. We confirmed that many of the intruders were newly discovered superhumans. For example, the intruder in the footage who manipulated the storm and released a tornado was identified by the investigation team as an air manipulation superhuman. However, based on our database, which has been used to identify all known superhumans worldwide, there are only nine people in the world with similar abilities."
However, after rigorous screening, none of the nine individuals matched the identity of the intruder. Their physique, appearance, energy level, and the location of each person at the time of the incident all ruled out this possibility.
Many similar cases were reported, and after screening, the survey team determined that most of the intruders were strangers.
"What do you mean by 'most of'?" Queen of Hearts spoke up again.
It seems this woman has the most questions, and the most pointed ones.
"Because we have identified a few of the intruders," Robben replied. "However, the results of that identification have prevented us from making a valuable judgment."
As he spoke, he tapped the screen lightly, and soon a row of people's information appeared on the screen, including photos and various other materials.
“These are five people, the last intruders we confirmed. Their identities were confirmed based on eyewitness accounts from other survivors, including myself, and by comparing their information with the database. These five are not strangers; they are known superhumans whose identities are stored in the database.” Robben frowned. “However, as everyone has seen, their information is very detailed. Most importantly, each of the five belongs to a different superhuman organization! These five confirmed intruders actually come from four different organizations! Among them are a small, insignificant organization like the underground skirmishers in Europe and the Dark Revival Society; another is a medium-sized superhuman organization active in Africa called Sunlight… and finally, there’s… the Club!”
Robben seemed to hesitate for a moment when the word "club" was mentioned.
Clearly, for a large organization of the same level that can rival the Service Society, mentioning the club here is a very sensitive topic.
"The club," the Queen of Hearts murmured softly to herself, "Could it be them again?"
Robben paused for a moment, then mustered his courage and spoke loudly: "Fellow committee members, I personally believe that this matter cannot necessarily be confirmed as the club's doing, because the five individuals identified come from four different organizations. Although the club is the largest among them, the other three organizations have never had any connection with the club, nor are they its subordinate organizations. Especially this 'Sunlight of Africa,' based on past experience, this organization called 'Sunlight' is a free organization in Central Africa, and even harbors a certain degree of hostility and hatred towards the club, so they would not accept the club's instigation to do this."
Finally, he turned off the screen and bowed to those around him: "My report is complete."
The King of Spades spoke up: "Mr. Robben, please leave first. We need to make final arrangements."
Robben immediately left with his head held high. Afterwards, only twelve face cards remained in the room. And then there was Scofield.
The King of Spades, clearly the highest-ranking member of the committee, slowly said, "Let me offer a few suggestions, and we'll see if they're feasible."
After waiting a while and seeing no one object, the King of Spades spoke:
"First, immediately establish an investigation team, drawing on at least two field teams. I believe this matter is of great importance, and the investigation team needs a leader. I think we must appoint someone from our committee to specifically oversee the investigation team's duties! We'll discuss this candidate later. Second, the issue of many unfamiliar superhumans among the intruders has caught my attention! Our service has a long history, and we've always invested considerable effort and manpower in searching for undiscovered new superhumans. We strive to bring as many superhumans as possible into our sights, fulfilling our service's duty to protect this world! However, the sudden appearance of so many unknown new superhumans is something we must take seriously: Where did these people come from? Why haven't our various branches around the world been able to find so many strangers? How did so many suddenly appearing new superhumans evade our searches across the globe? And why are so many of them suddenly appearing, yet all of them are our enemies?! This matter… Black Spade Jack, Mr. Thunder Fox, you've been in charge of finding new superhumans; this matter requires your close attention."
Lei Hu immediately replied, "Mr. King of Spades, I think you're absolutely right! Why didn't we discover so many new superhumans who suddenly appeared before? I'm not trying to shirk responsibility, because I can solemnly tell everyone that our search has never slackened. I don't believe my subordinates have neglected their duties. Therefore, I suspect even more strongly that this is a conspiracy! These suddenly appearing new superhumans must have been systematically cultivated by some hostile organization! Otherwise, under normal circumstances, we wouldn't be unaware of so many new superhumans. However, as you said, I will investigate this matter carefully. If I make any new discoveries, I will report to the committee immediately."
King of Spades tacitly agreed with Lei Hu's words and continued, "Third, regarding the reconstruction of the African branch! This issue is urgent. I suggest directly transferring some personnel from headquarters to Africa, and also transferring some from the European branch. Then... the reconstruction of the African branch requires Mr. Shi Gaofei's involvement to reassess the defensive capabilities. Ladies and gentlemen, although we are the world's largest supernatural organization, we have many enemies! We must consider our own safety."
“I have no problem,” Shi Gaofei said calmly. “I will conduct new research and evaluation of the defense equipment.”
"Now, Mr. Shi Gaofei, please leave. We will discuss the final issue of the head of the investigation team."
Shi Gaofei snorted, turned his wheelchair, and headed towards the main gate.
After he left the conference room, the door closed slowly and automatically, and no more sounds could be heard from inside.
After Shi Gaofei left the room, his previously impatient expression immediately turned into a solemn and serious one!
Outside the door, his assistant, the "waiter," was waiting. Shi Gaofei immediately asked, "Where is that guy named Robben who came out first?"
"We went to the lounge."
Shi Gaofei arrived at the lounge alone and found Robben there. Robben looked very serious, sitting there with a cup of coffee in front of him, lost in thought.
"Robben!"
Scofield approached Robben, who immediately stood up. Scofield was of far higher status than him, and Robben bowed respectfully: "Mr. Scofield!"
“I need your help with something.” Shi Gaofei glanced around and gently pressed a button on the armrest of his wheelchair. The action was so subtle that even Robben, standing in front of him, didn’t notice it.
Two small holes silently appeared on the back of the wheelchair's armrests, releasing an invisible audio interference wave to ensure that no one could hear the two people's conversation!
"It's in the main control room of the African branch! Years ago, I installed a backdoor device in the core of the main control room," Shi Gaofei said slowly. "Very few people know of its existence! I need you to go to the main control room after you return to Africa this time and help me retrieve that thing!"
He paused, his expression turning serious. "This is top secret! I want you to not tell anyone until you find it and hand it over to me! Understand? Including... the committee!"
Robben's expression changed: "The Concealment Committee? Mr. Scott, I cannot make that request..."
"Don't you want to find out the truth behind the deaths of your colleagues?" Shi Gaofei said coldly. "Don't you want to avenge them?"
"..." Robben's eyes widened as he stared intently at Shi Gaofei.
“If you’re unwilling, then you can report to the committee now. What I’m saying to you,” Shi Gaofei said calmly, “is not asking you to hide it from the committee, but rather, the fewer people who know about this matter right now, the better! Moreover, this is an unproven conjecture, and before it’s confirmed, I don’t want some unfounded speculation to confuse the committee! What I mean is, once you find it and hand it over to me, I will report it to the committee after I’ve confirmed it! At that time, if I conceal it and fail to report it, you can report me.”
Robben's breathing became rapid. His eyes struggled, and finally, after a moment, he gritted his teeth and nodded firmly.
Shi Gaofei smiled slightly and was about to turn and leave when Robben whispered something behind him:
“Mr. Shi Gaofei, I agree to your request for one reason only! I want to know the truth! I personally have many doubts about this matter! My colleague... one of my best friends, he has a wife and three children, and I am the godfather of those three children! I don’t want to watch him die in such a confused state!! Thinking of his wife’s tears, my heart is in constant turmoil!”