Chapter 461: Targeted? Beau Soto

Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Targeted? Beau Soto

"Soldier! I’m Sophia Ford. Before the catastrophe, I worked at the Bexley Biological Research Institute!

I’m a researcher!

These people with me are my assistants and students. We made an extremely important research breakthrough while we were on the run!

It’s a key technology for effectively countering, and even killing, the Cataclysm-Class Monsters that possess Biological Energy Shields!

We need to see the Shelter’s head of science or a military commander immediately!

This is of the utmost importance! Please report this at once!"

Dr. Ford had assumed that announcing her identity as a researcher, especially with the bombshell news of "countering Cataclysm-Class Monsters," would make the other party take her seriously at once.

At the very least, they would report it to their superiors.

However, to everyone’s surprise...

The moment Dr. Ford uttered the words "countering monsters"...

...and "key technology"...

the officer’s gaze suddenly became exceptionally sharp.

A cold glint even flashed in his eyes!

He abruptly raised his hand and barked:

"On alert!"

CLACK! All the surrounding soldiers raised their rifles in near-perfect unison.

Every single one was aimed squarely at Dr. Ford.

The dark muzzles radiated a deadly chill.

Startled by the sudden turn of events, Dr. Ford stumbled back a step, her face a mask of shock and disbelief. "What... what are you doing?! I’m a researcher! I have important research findings!"

Sharon Lynn, frightened by the display, hid behind Flora Sullivan.

Seraphina Sullivan and Chet Lucius’s hearts tightened. They immediately went on high alert, their hands stealthily moving toward their weapons.

But they didn’t make any rash moves, only fixing the officer with icy stares.

Flora Sullivan furrowed her brow even deeper, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes as the tips of her hair began to stir.

The officer stared hard at Dr. Ford, then glanced at Chet Lucius, Seraphina Sullivan, and the others behind her. His voice was cold and filled with suspicion. "Technology to counter monsters?

Hmph!

We’ve had several groups lately claiming to have important discoveries or counter-methods, all trying to infiltrate the Shelter!

And the result?

They’re either lunatics or people with ulterior motives! Some have even led monster attacks right to us!

Orders from above are clear: any survivor claiming to possess special counter-methods must undergo the strictest possible screening.

Until their safety has been confirmed, they are forbidden from contacting core personnel, and they are absolutely forbidden from entering the inner sectors!

Now, drop all your weapons and personal belongings immediately and prepare for a full inspection.

Anyone who resists will be shot on sight!"

Seraphina and Chet Lucius exchanged a look, their hearts sinking.

’Looks like the situation is even more complicated than we thought.’

It seemed that due to certain past incidents, the Shelter had developed an extreme distrust, even hostility, toward outsiders.

The crucial part of their escort mission—

handing over the research findings—was clearly not going to be easy.

Dr. Ford, both anxious and angry, tried to argue, "Soldier! Listen to me! My research is real! We have samples, we have data..."

"Shut up!" the officer cut her off harshly.

"You can say whatever you have to say in the interrogation room after the inspection is complete!

Now, follow the order!

Drop your things, hands on your head, and get on the ground!"

The situation instantly grew volatile.

Faced with the soldiers’ cold muzzles and unquestionable orders, Seraphina and the others chose not to engage in a direct confrontation.

They understood that with the situation unclear and the other party on such high alert, any act of resistance could be seen as a threat and lead to the worst possible outcome.

Dr. Ford, though anxious and angry,

could only suppress her fury upon seeing their unyielding attitude and tried to communicate in a more official manner.

"Fine, we’ll follow your orders and submit to an inspection.

But you must report my name, Sophia Ford,

to your superiors or the research department!

I came all the way from the Bexley Safe Zone because of a joint research invitation sent out by your Shelter Three!

The person in charge of your research institute, someone like Beau Soto, should know my name.

You can verify it!"

However, the officer merely shot her a cold glance without any response. He had clearly developed a severe crisis of faith in the identity of "renowned researcher," or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

He waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately moved forward, gesturing for Seraphina and the others to hand over all their belongings and submit to a simple search.

Seraphina and Chet Lucius exchanged a helpless look and complied. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Seraphina’s [Universal Sniper Rifle] quietly dissipated before the inspection, so she only handed over a regular backpack and some miscellaneous "scavenged" items.

Chet Lucius likewise only handed over his ordinary equipment.

Dr. Ford’s research samples and data case received "special attention," guarded by two dedicated soldiers.

Afterwards, the five of them were led into the Shelter’s outer perimeter and locked in a temporary quarantine room with no windows, only a long bench and a surveillance camera.

The heavy iron door SLAMMED shut and locked behind them.

Sharon Lynn was terrified by the ordeal. Huddled next to Seraphina, she whispered, "Seraphina... are we... not going to be allowed in the Shelter? Are they going to lock us up?"

Seraphina gently put an arm around her and soothed her in a calm voice. "Of course not.

You heard them, didn’t you, Sharon?

They need to check us to make sure there’s nothing wrong.

It’s a protective measure to stop bad people or... bad things from sneaking in.

As soon as we pass the inspection and they see we’re safe, we’ll be able to enter the Shelter and find your mom and dad."

Sharon Lynn nodded doubtfully, but the tension on her little face didn’t completely disappear. She began to worry about her parents again. "I wonder... if Mom and Dad made it to the Shelter safely... I wonder if they were locked up like this, too..."

The wait felt exceptionally long.

The quarantine room was dead silent, save for the faint sound of air flowing from a vent.

Seraphina and Chet Lucius both closed their eyes to rest, secretly adjusting their condition while remaining vigilant for any sudden developments.

Dr. Ford, meanwhile, paced back and forth anxiously, worried her research would be damaged or lost.

After what felt like an eternity, footsteps and the sound of a key turning in a lock came from outside the iron door.

The door opened.

Standing in the doorway was an old man in a white lab coat with graying hair and glasses. His face bore some resemblance to Dr. Ford’s, though fuller, and was a mixture of incredible surprise and lingering fear.

"Sophia Ford?! Is it really you?! You’re not dead!"

The old man strode in, grabbed Dr. Ford by the shoulders, and looked her up and down. "I just got the report, and I couldn’t believe it.

The evacuation convoy you were leading... didn’t we get news last month that it was attacked by the Cataclysm-Class Monster, Gerard, and completely wiped out?!

I thought you were..."

Seeing the man, Dr. Ford’s eyes welled up. She grabbed his hand in return, her voice choked with emotion. "Beau Soto! You old coot, of course I’m not dead.

It takes more than that to kill me.

It’s all thanks to meeting Lucius and the others on the road!"