Outside the Senate, soldiers of the City Defense Force had formed multiple lines of human barriers, raising riot shields.
They were all holding weapons, but facing the overwhelming number of citizens, each one of them felt uneasy.
They had the courage to use tear gas, but if it proved ineffective and failed to prevent the demonstration from turning into a riot, forcing them to open fire and cause casualties, none of them could decisively make that decision.
Although General Fokas had given the order and stated that he would bear all responsibility afterward, in such a situation, everyone would have their own reservations, considering the development of events, future escape routes, wondering if there were family members, relatives, or friends among the gathering citizens who had insisted on coming despite their advice, and feeling a strong aversion to the imagined scene of corpses strewn across the ground and blood flowing everywhere.
These City Defense Force soldiers were also citizens of "First City," and they empathized with Gaius's speech.
Moreover, even if there weren't people they cared about among the gathering citizens, they wouldn't dare to indiscriminately fire upon them.
This wasn't just a small group of citizens' issue; the vast majority of the city's citizens were echoing Gaius's speech.
If bloodshed truly occurred and they were branded as butchers who had betrayed all citizens, covered in blood, these City Defense Force soldiers couldn't imagine how they would survive in the city afterward.
They couldn't never go home, couldn't forever act alone or in small groups, and the citizens of First City were full of martial spirit, many possessing hunter status with high gun ownership rates. If they were to be ambushed, it would be virtually impossible to defend against.
This would turn their normal walks on the streets into storming an enemy's stronghold, one that was very conducive to guerrilla warfare.
The urban jungle could instantly transform into a forest of slaughter!
As the City Defense Force soldiers prayed to different Arbiters, hoping the demonstration would end peacefully, those in the back rows couldn't help but turn their bodies, sizing up the doors and windows of the Senate.
These kinds of places were guarded by people with pale yellow scales on their faces, or protruding eyes that gleamed with strange light, or four arms, simultaneously holding two rifles...
They were somewhat different from normal humans and were precisely the Subhuman Guard selected and formed by the Senate.
These subhumans were widely hated by the citizens of First City for various reasons. If they dared to leave their settlements near the Senate in small numbers, they would inevitably be attacked, either dying on the spot or being abducted and sold elsewhere.
This situation forced them to cling tightly to the Senate's ruling faction, strictly executing their orders, and they certainly wouldn't care about the so-called deaths and injuries of citizens.
And many mutants in the Subhuman Guard possessed special abilities, and with advanced weapons, they were quite formidable.
"Punish Vallo!"
"Punish Vallo!"
The citizens shouted loudly, and there hadn't yet been any attempts to storm the Senate.
The City Defense Force soldiers only felt their palms were wet with cold sweat as they gripped their weapons.
…………
A seemingly ordinary jeep turned onto Emperor Street.
The defense here was even tighter, already resembling the state of having sentries every three steps and guards every five that Long Yuehong had imagined.
Because the "Old Task Force" didn't turn towards No. 9 and had an authentic pass, and they weren't "carrying" heavy weapons, the numerous gazes, both overt and covert, were withdrawn as they turned to the other side.
Bai Chen forcibly fixed his gaze ahead, driving in silence.
Not long after, they arrived outside the garden villa at No. 15, turned into a small path, and reached a very secluded side door area with few patrols.
The four members of the "Old Task Force" didn't get out of the car; they simply lowered the windows, waiting for the person mentioned in the company's telegram to come and meet them.
After about fifteen minutes, a green parrot flew out of the garden and landed on top of the side door.
It looked at the "Old Task Force," opened its beak, and uttered in perfect Ashlands language:
"Angelica!
"Angelica!"
Ah... Long Yuehong was stunned, completely unable to believe his eyes.
The person the company had sent them to see was actually a parrot?
Is this, is this scientific?
Shang Jianyao was excited:
"You're the company's latest research result, a mutant parrot with a 'Mind Corridor' level of ability?"
The parrot looked at Shang Jianyao and replied:
"Idiot."
"..." Jiang Baimian began to wonder if the parrot's owner had a foul mouth.
Shang Jianyao earnestly retorted:
"Your wording is problematic; you should call me a psychopath."
You have a good sense of self-awareness... In the current situation, Long Yuehong couldn't help but mutter in his heart.
"Psychopath!" the parrot said obediently.
Then, it added:
"Follow me."
It flapped its wings and slowly flew towards the back of the side door.
This garden villa belonged to Elder Meyers, who had a deep friendship with Huang, the chief scientist of "Pangu Biology."
Based on this, Jiang Baimian boldly pushed open the car door and followed it.
Shang Jianyao ran even faster than her.
The side door wasn't locked, just ajar, and there were no guards or servants nearby, giving the impression that this place had been abandoned for a long time.
But the neatness of the lawn and the orderliness of the garden made Long Yuehong and Bai Chen realize that this was just their illusion.
Following the green parrot, the "Old Task Force" crossed the garden, walked over the lawn, and arrived at the main building.
There was also a door ajar here.
After entering the villa, Jiang Baimian and the others saw the green parrot fly into the nearest room.
"There's only one person inside." Shang Jianyao turned his head, saying in a not deliberately controlled volume.
Jiang Baimian gently nodded, indicating that her sensing results were the same.
Knock knock knock.
Even though the door was already half-open, Shang Jianyao still politely knocked three times.
"Come in." A female voice came from inside the room.
The "Old Task Force" pushed open the door and found that it was a well-lit living room.
A coffee table, sofa, chairs, and other items were placed on the dark red carpet.
At this time, a woman who seemed to be less than thirty years old was sitting on the sofa.
She wore her long golden hair up, and her features were not only outstanding, but her skin was also very good, exceeding the limitations of the Red River race.
Genetically modified... Long Yuehong instinctively made a judgment.
Snap!
Shang Jianyao didn't forget to close the door.
The woman stood up, looked at them, and extended her right hand with a smile:
"Let me introduce myself, I'm Elder Meyers's youngest daughter, you can call me Kanna."
"The company sent us to see you?" Jiang Baimian cautiously reached out and shook hands with her.
Kanna smiled:
"Strictly speaking, I also grew up in the company; I just operated in specific areas and didn't have much contact with other employees."
Hearing this answer, Jiang Baimian was stunned.
Had the relationship between "First City" Elder Meyers and the company reached this level?
Kanna wasn't surprised by their reaction at all, casually explaining:
"In the Old World, my family was a noble family that had been left over from ancient times. We have always adhered to a concept: don't put all your eggs in one basket, or rather, the best way to bet is to bet on all possible winners."
Her Ashlands language was extremely fluent.
"My father used to be in the military system of 'First City,' mainly in charge of battlefield rescue. Once, while conquering a certain settlement, he accidentally met Huang, yes, Huang, the current chief scientist of the company.
"They had a lot in common in medicine and biology, and soon became friends. At that time, Orey seized power and proclaimed himself emperor, and many elders of 'First City' were uneasy.
"In order to ensure the better continuation of the family, my father provided the company with biological materials, hoping to cultivate more offspring in the underground building. That's how I was born, the last one.
"My father's worries became a reality in a sense. During the turmoil in 'First City' after Orey's death, many of his children died, leaving only one son. In recent years, although he has worked hard, he only has two more children due to his age and physical condition.
"I was lucky enough to naturally Awaken and received genetic adjustments. A few years ago, I was sent to First City and returned to the family as an illegitimate daughter."
Strictly speaking, she is indeed an illegitimate daughter... Long Yuehong muttered in his heart.
"I see." Jiang Baimian slowly let out a breath.
Kanna wasn't afraid of being questioned by the "First City" intelligence system and could go for a DNA test without hesitation.
"Have a seat." Kanna pointed to the sofa and chairs. "I know what you want to do. Wait for an opportunity, and then try to contact Avia."
"What about Elder Meyers?" Jiang Baimian asked cautiously.
"Resting upstairs." Kanna smiled. "The Senate could break out in chaos at any time, so I told him to feign illness and not go."
…………
Somewhere in Golden Apple District.
Beurys, the governor and commander of "First City," walked out of the gate.
He glanced with his blue eyes and said in a low voice to his followers and guards:
"Go to the Senate."