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Five days later, the user with the online account ID 'Exposing Alkali's Conspiracy' released a new video.
The video began on a highway leading to an unknown location, with a young man, referred to as Kevin in the video, sporting stubble and sunglasses, facing the camera.
"Long time no see, everyone. I'm Kevin, and I'm also the mutant currently exposing Alkali's conspiracy. As you can see, I'm… well, I've put on a bit of a disguise."
Kevin took off his sunglasses and touched his stubble:
"I have no choice; the Alkali-Transigen must hate me now. If I show up in the city openly, they definitely won't let me off, so I can only disguise myself in the city.
"But you don't have to worry; I won't be disguised for long. Once the video is released, I won't need to be disguised anymore, because by the time the video is out, I'll probably have arrived at 'Eden'."
He paused here, as if just realizing something, and said with sudden understanding:
"Oh, right, I haven't told you what Eden is yet. I'll explain slowly. I think everyone should remember that I found a plan called 'Weapon-X Program' in the office of that Alkali branch head.
"Through my friend Paul's investigation, we found that what the plan said was true: the Alkali-Transigen is indeed trying to create their own mutants!"
While saying these words, Kevin's tone became agitated, and his expression was a mix of anger and mockery:
"It's ridiculous. On one hand, they're carrying out genocide against mutants, and on the other, they're trying to create their own mutants.
"I finally understand. All that talk about 'mutants being a threat' and 'mutants being dangerous' is all nonsense! They just don't want mutants to be beyond their control! So they just want to create mutants they can control! Bah! Disgusting!"
Kevin spat on the ground and took a long moment to calm himself down as much as possible.
"Sorry, I got a bit emotional just now. Getting back to the point, in short, Paul and I did discover that they are manufacturing mutant 'weapons,' and… we… or rather, I, also found their planned 'test subject.' Look—"
As Kevin spoke, he turned the camera outwards.
Outside the parked car, a small girl wearing a baseball cap and children's sunglasses could vaguely be seen.
Next to the little girl was a burly, leather-jacketed old man.
He had a full beard and looked somewhat disheveled, appearing like the little girl's father.
Kevin aimed the camera at them and then explained:
"See the little girl over there? Her name is Laura Kinney. She might only be a little over ten years old this year. The reason I say 'might' is because she's a test subject of the Alkali-Transigen, and we don't know her exact birth date…
"That's right, you didn't mishear. This seemingly adorable little girl in front of you is one of the Alkali-Transigen's test subjects. Her codename is X23-23. Before this… the people from the Alkali-Transigen just called her X23."
Kevin briefly introduced the little girl's identity and took a deep breath:
"She's very cute, right? And she looks very well-behaved. But a girl like this, she isn't in school, nor is she enjoying her parents' affection at home. Instead, she's with the former X-Men, wandering the world, avoiding capture by the Alkali-Transigen…"
Kevin spoke these words calmly, but the anger was hidden in his eyes in the video.
That was anger at the Alkali-Transigen for doing such inhumane things.
"What's even harder to accept is that she's a mutant cultivated artificially! That is to say, she could have enjoyed the life she deserved, stayed in school like other children, and enjoyed her parents' love!
"But now, she can only be here, living a life of exposure and uncertainty!"
Kevin's expression became agitated again, but those watching the video didn't find his agitation inappropriate.
Yes, a child of this age should not have to endure such things, especially a girl named Laura, who is just an ordinary person. If it weren't for the Alkali-Transigen, she would never have become a mutant.
As Kevin in the video spoke these words, his eyes reddened slightly, but he didn't shed tears and quickly composed himself.
Because someone was calling him—the man Kevin referred to as a former X-Men.
"Kevin, let's go!"
"Got it, I'm coming."
Kevin responded and then addressed the camera:
"…I've already gained their approval and can go with them… Oh, I don't think I've explained what 'Eden' is yet. I'll gradually explain it to everyone during the upcoming journey."
As he said this, the video footage suddenly changed.
The original daytime turned into dusk, and Kevin was no longer in his previous location. From the time shown in the video, it seemed they had been traveling all day.
Kevin sat in the passenger seat, looking very tired, and said to the camera:
"It's 5:50 PM now, and we're resting at a service station on the road.
"Also… at my request, Laura and her current guardian agreed to let me release a portion of the video recorded about them. I'll play the video shortly… Please note, the video footage may be disturbing, so please watch with caution."
Kevin issued a serious warning to everyone, and the video switched again as he spoke.
In the new video, the person filming was no longer Kevin, but a female nurse in a white uniform.
She was secretly recording everything inside the Alkali-Transigen's laboratory, including the origins of the mutant children and what Alkali was doing.
Compared to Kevin's dry descriptions, everything filmed by this nurse was much more impactful.
Because the experiences of Laura and the other children were no longer just described in words; they were presented as raw, bloody facts.
The nurse's video wasn't long, only about three minutes, but these three minutes felt like a century to those watching it.
When the nurse's video ended, Kevin reappeared on screen. He looked quite tired, rubbing the bridge of his nose:
"This nurse who filmed the video, her name is Gabriela Lopez. She risked her life to rescue these mutant children from the laboratory, which is why Laura is able to be here.
"Compared to what I'm doing now, she is the true hero… But I have to say something very regrettable: Ms. Lopez has passed away.
"She was shot and killed in a hotel by people from the Alkali-Transigen.
"The reason, I think everyone is very clear. Yes, the Alkali-Transigen does not allow such things to spread, including those mutant children; they also intend to eliminate them.
"And because of this, they will not spare anyone involved with the test subjects. Ms. Lopez was like that, Laura's current guardian is like that, and I… am also like that.
"But I won't give up! At this point, I have no retreat. I will do everything in my power to expose everything about the Alkali-Transigen! And now… I will go with Laura to Eden, which Ms. Lopez mentioned.
"A place… said to be the last sanctuary for mutants. This location is in North Dakota. Ms. Lopez said that once we get there, Laura will be safe."
At this point, the video was nearing its end, and at the very end, Kevin spoke again:
"Once we arrive that day and meet Laura's friends, if I can get their permission, I will live stream all day. At that time, I will answer all your questions. We… will see you then."
With the final farewell, the video ended.
And as expected, this second video released reignited the previously waning public interest.
The Alkali-Transigen was once again put on the hot seat.
Incidentally, this video, like the previous one, simply could not be deleted.
…
"Good, good, good! Another three skill points in the bag!"
Shortly after releasing the video, Kevin saw his skill points increase by another +3, which made him excitedly rub his hands together.
Rubbing hands.jpg
Perhaps because this video had fundamentally damaged the Alkali-Transigen, the skill tree was so generous. If so, Kevin really had to thank the Alkali-Transigen properly.
However, the benefits from the video probably ended there.
After this, Kevin would replace videos with live streams, and if handled properly after the live stream, they would transition from being fugitives to being under protection.
By then, the Alkali-Transigen would probably figure out a way to deal with the videos, and even if Kevin released more videos, he likely wouldn't gain many skill points.
But by that time, the Alkali-Transigen would probably be finished anyway.
Kevin thought about his future plans and called Paul, who was waiting far away:
"Hello? Did you contact the TV station I asked you to?"
"…Yes, I did. And I've already submitted all the video evidence you sent me. They said they'd go to North Dakota as soon as possible for a live broadcast…"
"Good. You come with them then. We'll put on a good show for the Alkali-Transigen."
Hearing that Paul had successfully completed the task he was given, Kevin nodded in satisfaction.
Kevin had thought all night but couldn't figure out how to solve the live stream signal problem.
Even if he could get a broadcast van, if the Alkali-Transigen created a shielding device, his live stream would be useless.
So, in the end, Kevin decided to directly contact the TV stations that had recently launched public attacks against the Alkali-Transigen.
He would have the hosts of these well-known TV stations personally bring broadcast equipment for a television broadcast.
Under the camera, the Alkali-Transigen probably wouldn't dare to be so insane as to kill everyone.
Unless they wanted to be listed as terrorists by the United Nations.
After hanging up the call with Paul, Kevin looked up ahead.
They had already left the city and arrived near the coordinates Laura had given them.
The surroundings were a valley, almost devoid of trees, with only a few scattered bushes as adornments in the wilderness, giving the place a slight hint of life.
And at the highest point within this valley, there was a simple wooden watchtower.
The watchtower was very far from here; with ordinary eyesight, one could probably only see a tiny black dot.
But besides the black dot representing the watchtower, Kevin could also see several young children around the watchtower.
They were the other mutant children, who had arranged to gather here with Laura.
Seeing them meant one thing.
The 'Eden' Laura had been searching for had arrived; it was right before their eyes.
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