Chapter 196: Quake
Xi Nian's gaze fell on Skye.
Before he could think further, the armed men surrounding the armored car opened fire all at once, the vehicle rocking violently under the barrage.
At such close range, over a dozen assault rifles poured bullets into the car. In seconds, the reinforced armor was riddled with holes, while the windows cracked with spiderweb patterns, ready to shatter at any moment.
This wasn't intimidation. They were aiming to kill.
"It's fine. Conventional firearms won't break through this vehicle's defense armor," Skye reassured Xi Nian.
"What if they use unconventional weapons?" Xi Nian asked idly as he stroked Xiao Huang.
"Unconventional weapons… depends on the type—"
Her explanation cut off sharply.
Through the window, several attackers hefted a massive breaching ram and positioned it against the glass.
"Skye, does this count?" Xi Nian asked curiously.
Pure curiosity.
"Of course it does!"
Grinding her teeth, Skye gave a sharp command to the onboard system: "Initiate propulsion system now. Punch through!"
The system responded: "Propulsion system damaged. Ten seconds required to reboot…"
Bang!
The metal ram slammed into the window, cracks spidering wider across the glass.
"Window integrity at 60%!" the system warned.
Bang!
The second strike followed. The glass frosted over white, on the verge of collapse.
"Window integrity at 32%!"
It couldn't take a fourth blow. And ten seconds was far too long to wait.
Coldly, Skye said, "Activate vehicle weapons!"
"Xi Nian, get down! Watch out for bullets!"
"Oh, okay."
Xi Nian obediently ducked down with Xiao Huang in his arms.
Bang!
The third strike landed. The glass wavered, the system groaning: "Window integrity at 2%!"
"Now!"
With a sharp motion, Skye yanked a lever. The driver's seat split open, revealing a hidden Gatling gun.
Ratatatat!!
Skye gripped the trigger tight, unleashing a storm of bullets outward. The firepower rivaled or even surpassed the enemies' rifles, shredding over a dozen attackers into blood and ruin.
Boom!!
She pressed another hidden switch. The Gatling fired a rocket, blasting one of the black SUVs sky-high. The explosion engulfed multiple enemies in flames.
"Propulsion system rebooted!"
Slamming the accelerator, Skye rammed through the front police car. The modified vehicle roared forward like a wild horse breaking free, tearing out of the encirclement at high speed.
Counterattack and escape, all in one breath.
"Skye, not bad at all," Xi Nian said lightly as he settled back into his seat with Xiao Huang.
Breathing heavily, Skye gripped the wheel tighter, still shaken. The ambush had been too well-prepared, too deliberate. Who could be behind it?
"There won't be more enemies up ahead, right?" Xi Nian asked curiously.
"You're asking me? How should I… know?"
His words planted unease in her chest.
And then—
In the middle of the busy highway ahead, a disheveled man stood unmoving. His face was hidden behind a mask, only his cold, merciless eyes visible.
In his hands was a strange weapon shaped like a cannon. He fired a disc-shaped projectile straight toward the car's undercarriage.
"Not good!" Skye's eyes widened.
The disc burrowed beneath the car and clamped onto the underside. But instead of exploding—
Nothing happened.
The armored car sped on, forcing the masked man to dive out of the way as it roared past.
Inside, Skye exhaled in relief, though her eyes filled with doubt. That should have been enough to destroy the entire vehicle.
If it had exploded, the blast would have flipped them instantly.
…
If it had exploded, I wouldn't be able to keep my cover.
Xi Nian's lips curled faintly as he stroked Xiao Huang's fur.
Just moments before, one of his jellyfish split-bodies had intercepted the detonation mechanism.
From the start of the ambush until now, Xi Nian had been nothing more than an observer. Modern weapons, conventional or not, couldn't harm his Kryptonian body in the slightest.
So he simply watched, like watching clowns perform.
But he still preferred letting Agent Skye handle things.
If she failed, he wouldn't be in real danger, but he would have no choice but to reveal his powers.
…
"They're catching up again."
Glancing out the window, Xi Nian spotted two cars speeding after them, the masked man clinging to the roof of one. He turned to Skye with a grin.
"Come on, Skye! Don't be afraid of difficulties—"
"Shut up."
Skye shot him a glare before ordering the system: "Activate vertical flight!"
"Flight system damaged."
"Autopilot then?"
"Autopilot damaged."
"What's still working?"
"Air conditioning system functional."
"…," Skye fell silent, then asked, "Xi Nian, you ever driven a car before?"
"I've driven bumper cars. Why?" Xi Nian blinked innocently.
"…You drive!"
Without hesitation, Skye unbuckled his belt with one hand.
"You sure?"
"Positive. Hurry!"
Xi Nian didn't argue. He set Xiao Huang on the passenger seat, slid into the driver's side—straight onto Skye's lap.
She was clad in a black tactical suit, smooth and sleek against him.
The seat felt far too soft, too comfortable.
"Eyes on the road."
Releasing the wheel to him, Skye inhaled deeply and spread her palms outward.
Wait—this posture…
At the same time—
The pursuing cars closed in on both sides. On the roof of one, the masked man crouched low, ready to leap toward them.
"Get away from us!"
Skye's voice rang out like a queen's command, cold and imperious.
Hum!!
A powerful, invisible force rippled through the air, vibrating reality itself.
Shockwaves burst outward.
This was—
Quake's power.
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