In New York, while the police often did things that annoyed people and made them seem like fools, they were still part of the largest police force in the USA. Equipped with advanced technology and dealing with the city's persistently high crime rate, New York cops were always on edge.
So when news spread that someone had brazenly attacked officers, injuring two and leaving them waiting for rescue, the rest of the force responded with fury. They mobilized quickly.
Within minutes, at a roadblock just a few kilometers away from Fox and Carlos, more than ten police cars formed a barricade across the road, with dozens of officers aiming their firearms.
The officers had made up their minds: if the suspects refused to stop, they would unload on the two vehicles involved in this audacious act of assaulting officers and engaging in a public shootout.
Watching the scene unfold from the comfort of his home through a virtual imaging system, William was engrossed in the action when Sunday suddenly reported, "Sir, I've intercepted police communications. The officers at the barricade have no intention of negotiating. If there's any sign of resistance, they'll open fire immediately.
"Based on my calculations, Fox's chance of safely passing through the police barricade is 14%. If a gunfight breaks out, Wesley Gibbs has a 70% chance of being injured and a 41% chance of dying."
"Fk. Does that mean one of the cops Fox hit is dead?" William asked in surprise.
"From what I've intercepted, one of the two officers she struck is in critical condition."
"Ha, if a cop dies, Fox can expect to be on the USA's most-wanted list, and Wesley's situation won't end well either."
Realizing the implications, William sat up and frowned. "This won't do. I still plan to have Wesley join Kingsman after finishing his training with the Assassin Brotherhood.
"I can't let him die, and I definitely can't have him end up on the U.S. most-wanted list."
After a few seconds of thought, William gave an order. "Hack into the NYPD command system, obtain their operational codes, and fake an emergency call in Wesley's voice reporting that he's been kidnapped. With a recorded report of a kidnapping, things will be much easier to deal with later."
"Understood, sir."
As Fox's car closed in on the barricade in the virtual feed, William grew increasingly concerned. He had promised Carlos that Wesley would remain safe. Otherwise, he could have easily ordered the 500 self-destructing spider robots stationed at the Brotherhood's textile factory to eliminate everyone there in the middle of the night.
Thankfully, it took Sunday less than five seconds to hack into the NYPD's system. She informed the commanding officer at the barricade that the sports car approaching them carried a hostage, and the pursuer in the pickup truck was a secret operative on a mission.
The fabricated call added that the operative was pursuing the kidnappers to secure the hostage, emphasizing that the hostage's safety took precedence. The commanding officer was urged to let them pass to avoid escalating the situation.
Although the order didn't come from the NYPD's higher-ups, the operational code was correct. Moreover, the idea of accidentally harming a hostage in a firefight made the commanding officer wary. If things went south, he'd be held responsible.
After a few seconds of thought, the officer decided to clear the road. Following orders meant he wouldn't be blamed if something went wrong.
Not only did the officer clear the path, but he also took his men and drove away entirely, ensuring the road was completely open.
With no barricades to slow her down, Fox's sports car quickly demonstrated its speed advantage. Within ten minutes, she had widened the gap between her and Carlos significantly.
Watching Carlos's relentless pursuit on the feed, William had to remind him, "You're only eleven kilometers from the textile factory. Don't forget that we're supposed to be acting here. Don't let the heat of the moment make you storm the Brotherhood's base alone."
Carlos paused for a moment before responding, "Sorry. Seeing Wesley taken away got to me. I was so focused on getting him back that I momentarily forgot the plan.
"But if I don't keep up the chase, it'll look too suspicious. Wesley might end up in real danger."
"No. What you don't know is that Wesley has already awakened his superhuman abilities. Even if Sloan suspects he's not your son, he won't let Wesley go.
"So, take it easy. Think about how you're going to deal with the assassins Sloan will send after you later. Don't let yourself get caught off guard and end up dead."
"Wesley has awakened? Are you sure?" Carlos asked, both surprised and delighted.
"Absolutely. No normal person can run 100 meters in six seconds and keep it up for several minutes before stopping," William said with a smile.
"That's good to know. Putting Wesley in danger might actually help him grow," Carlos remarked, glancing at the bridge ahead that led to the textile factory. He knew Sloan would have an ambush waiting just beyond it.
About a kilometer from the bridge, Carlos hit the brakes and pulled over. He asked Sunday for intel on the assassination squad.
When Sunday reported that Sloan had sent six of his best to take him down, Carlos smirked.
It wasn't surprising. Sloan was ruthless, and with a rare chance to catch Carlos out in the open, he wouldn't let it slip by.
Sending six highly skilled assassins to launch a simultaneous surprise attack might have been enough to catch Carlos off guard. However, now that he knew their numbers and movements, thanks to Sunday's tracking, the tables were turned. It wasn't they who were hunting Carlos—it was Carlos who would be hunting them.
Hearing Sunday's warning that the assassins were only 300 meters away, Carlos decided this wasn't the right place for a fight. Being so close to the textile factory and in a busy urban area made it unsuitable for combat.
He turned his car around and drove off, instructing Sunday to inform Bob Lee Swagger to set up an ambush in a canyon outside the city. Carlos planned to deal with his pursuers there.
When Sloan's men reported that Carlos had left, Sloan was both disappointed and unsurprised. Someone as experienced as Carlos wouldn't fall for a simple ambush.
Still, the operation wasn't a complete failure. They had located Carlos's son and forced Carlos to show himself.
Turning to his subordinates, Sloan asked, "Did the assassination squad follow him?"
One of them, speaking into a radio, replied, "The six-man team is tailing him quietly. This time, he won't escape."
"Let's hope so," Sloan said, his tone laced with doubt.
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Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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