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Bang!
With the sound of the gunshot, the prisoners in the cell grew silent, all eyes turning to the man standing in the center of the hallway.
Brigadier General Fran Hammer.
The man had a strong, determined face, a prominent nose, and deep-set eyes, but his gaze was sharp and bright.
He surveyed everyone, slowly lowering his raised pistol, and then spoke politely, "From now on, you are my hostages. Please cooperate with me until I receive the ransom."
Upon hearing this, the tourists didn't seem frightened. Instead, they began cheering excitedly.
However, some started to grow puzzled.
This doesn't feel right...
Just as they were about to ask the guide, two tour guides were suddenly shouting and were also locked into the cells by those soldiers who had been posing as actors.
Even if they wanted to provide an authentic experience, locking the guides up seemed a bit excessive.
"Let me out!"
Finally, some tourists, growing fearful, began shouting.
But… nothing happened.
The soldiers, whom they had assumed were actors, simply stood there expressionlessly, staring at them.
It didn't take long for everyone to realize that this was no longer a joke, and panic ensued.
"Let us out!"
"Please, let us go!"
"Oh my god, what do we do now?"
The tourists cried out in fear.
Bang, bang!
With several gunshots, the general's lieutenant stepped forward. His cold eyes scanned the now-silent tourists as he spoke, "Quiet down, or things won't be so friendly."
The tourists huddled together, visibly terrified.
Mike stood behind the kids, his face calm. Even Hope, aware of her father's identity as Ant-Man, remained composed.
In contrast, Coulson seemed unusually agitated.
He gripped the iron bars of the cell, shouting, "Why? General Hammer, why are you doing this?!"
The tourists, stunned, turned to look at the general.
This man was actually a general?
General Hammer glanced at Coulson, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Do you know me?"
"Yes!" Coulson replied loudly. "I served in the Marine Corps. I just transferred to a different department this year."
Hammer nodded and saluted Coulson. "I apologize for today's events, soldier."
"But I have to do this."
Coulson stared at him, disheartened.
Hammer was someone who had fought in numerous battles, a legendary figure in the Marine Corps, admired by those around him. But…
"Why?" Coulson asked again.
Hammer looked at him solemnly. "I've led my men through countless battles. They bled and died. Those who survived were honored, but the dead are forgotten. That's the way it goes—soldiers' fate. But... they had families. They had parents and children. How are they supposed to live now?"
"Don't they get compensation?"
"Compensation?" Hammer replied calmly, locking eyes with Coulson. "What use is that? And some of them don't even get that."
"So, the ransom... is for the families of the fallen soldiers?"
"Yes."
Hammer nodded, once again apologizing to Coulson. Then he addressed the tourists. "Don't worry. Once I receive the ransom, you'll all be released."
Upon hearing his words, the tourists grew quiet. They began to view this general in a somewhat more sympathetic light, as if he wasn't really a villain.
"Heh..."
Mike watched the general and shook his head with a smile.
This was truly a twisted form of justice.
While the families of the fallen soldiers were indeed tragic, were the tourists not innocent?
One mistake in handling this, and the consequences might spiral out of anyone's control.
Moreover, a general leading soldiers to commit crimes was a scandal for any country. If Washington gave in so easily, it would be a laughingstock.
Someone would come to rescue them, and it probably wouldn't take long.
Whispering quietly to himself, Mike gestured for the kids to sit on the cot inside the cell.
Coulson took a few steps back, sighed, and glanced at Mike and the others. Seeing their calm faces, with no hint of fear, he was secretly surprised. But then, recalling the first time he met Mike, he couldn't help but smile wryly.
This man was no ordinary person.
At that moment, he saw Eric and Charles pull a bag of chips from their backpacks.
Coulson's mouth twitched slightly. Could they show a little respect for the situation?
Crinkle!
The bag was opened, and the five of them sat together.
Crunch, crunch…
Their nonchalant behavior made Coulson want to hit something.
Meanwhile, the Marine Corps soldiers accompanying General Hammer in this operation, watching the five of them, wore expressions of disbelief. The other tourists had already been stunned by their actions.
General Hammer's eye twitched as he pulled out a phone, dialed a number, and calmly explained to the person on the other end what was happening on Devil's Island, saying, "In addition to the hostages, I've placed four VX nerve gas warheads on the island. If I don't receive the ransom by the designated time, or if you interfere, not only will these hostages die, but the gas warheads will be launched toward San Francisco."
Upon hearing this, Mike, Clark, and the others exchanged a glance and simultaneously rolled their eyes. Hope, however, crossed her arms and chuckled softly.
Coulson looked at them with admiration, shaking his head with a bitter smile, sighing and falling silent.
For a moment, the entire prison was filled only with the low sounds of breathing and occasional sobbing, mixed with the unsettling crunching sounds of chips being eaten.
Mike glanced at Coulson and offered him some chips. After being politely declined, he said, "Don't worry, nothing's going to happen."
After all, this world had superheroes, and there was one in San Francisco. Though he was in the hospital now, he should be able to receive the news soon enough.
As it turned out, the situation unfolded just as Mike had expected.
One hundred million—while not a small amount—was nothing too significant for a nation. However, if this played out like this, it would become an international laughingstock.
So, after an emergency meeting, the federal government decided to organize a special forces team to infiltrate the heavily guarded Devil's Island prison, rescue the hostages, and disarm the gas warheads.
"So boring..."
Charles laid his head on Mike's lap, looking completely listless.
They had been stuck here for half the day.
Glancing at the outside sky, Hope sighed and said, "Looks like today's travel plans are ruined."
Mike smiled at the four of them. "Let's just treat this as a special experience."
They all nodded in agreement.
Coulson couldn't help but feel envious. He truly admired their calm attitude.
Interestingly, when it was time for lunch, the Marines—who were supposed to be the criminals here—served the hostages army rations for their meal.
To be honest, the taste wasn't half bad.
(End of Chapter)