Chapter 369

Luna White stood atop the rocky outcrop, squinting at the two figures below.

Dressed in allied uniforms, their behavior was off. Their strides were too deliberate, like bad imitations of military bearing. Worse, their shifty eyes kept darting around.

"Comrades!" Luna's sudden call made them jump.

One instinctively curled his finger around the trigger—a tell that made Luna's pupils contract. Real soldiers didn't startle like that, nor would they make such a threatening gesture toward allies.

"Care for some water?" Her smile didn't reach her icy tone.

The sentries exchanged glances. Since when did the famously aloof Dr. White offer hospitality?

After a silent consultation, the leader-like one declined, "We're on duty."

As they hurried away, Luna raised her voice: "That route's closed! New sentry posts and passwords were set yesterday—didn't your CO brief you?"

Four baffled sentries stared. There were no new posts. No new codes.

Luna moved closer, whispering, "They're imposters."

A young guard protested, "But their—"

"Silence!" Luna snapped. "What did I just say?"

The veteran sentry gasped. "We never changed protocols!"

Rifles snapped up as four pairs of eyes locked onto the retreating figures. The suspects had frozen mid-step, heads bent in urgent discussion.

Luna's lips curled. The foxes had shown their tails.

Real soldiers would've challenged the claim immediately. Only guilty men hesitated over nonexistent orders.

"Stand ready," she murmured. "Disarm them when they turn."

The sentries tensed. This was no small catch.

The duo turned back with strained smiles. "Comrade, we—"

Four soldiers pounced like tigers.

Watching the scuffle, Luna allowed herself a cold smile. The cat-and-mouse game was over.