Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 2013

"Where exactly?" Gab asked.

Estelle rummaged through her desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. She hastily sketched the topography of Tripe and then superimposed the constellation of the Big Dipper, aligning it with the corresponding locations. "It should be around these spots!" she said, her voice heavy with certainty.

The positions of two stars, Alkaid and Mizar, had shifted slightly, a detail whose significance was unclear.

Jonathan and Gab exchanged a glance, squinting slightly, their tone icy. "Triceratops, such grand ambitions!"

Seven cobalt bombs had been strategically placed around the borders of Citadel, the Mystoria Federation, and the remote region of Silver Valley, areas mostly uninhabited yet secretly harboring Triceratops's military bases.

Four bombs were placed to the northwest, and then the pattern shifted, with three more along the border with the Mystoria Federation.

Gab studied the locations of the four bombs, double-checking the local geography. His voice turned grave, "Triceratops isn't aiming at me."

"Hmm?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.

"Look at the positions of Alkaid and Mizar. If I'm not mistaken, the real target of their threat is the entire coastal line of C Country!"

Estelle's expression darkened. "How dare they? What's their endgame?"

"It's clear that Triceratops isn't acting alone. We all know who's backing them," Gab stated.

Gab was stationed in Silver Valley, at the northwest juncture between Tripe and C Country, guarding the C Country border. Yet, there were those still relentless in their efforts, using Triceratops to threaten C Country.

Estelle and Jonathan's expressions turned somber. Jonathan's voice was frosty as he spoke, "So the microwave weapons were a decoy. Bernard's real project was the cobalt bombs. Does Raiden know about this?"

If they were developing cobalt bombs at the twelfth floor underground, then Raiden would likely have objected to his and Lambert's descent.

So, was Raiden out of the loop?

"It's hard to say. Bernard might be coordinating remotely with Triceratops, handling only the theoretical aspects. Considering the current situation, it seems they've already succeeded," Gab surmised. Estelle declared, "No matter what Triceratops is planning, we must destroy those seven cobalt bombs. We can't allow such a threat to linger!"

Gab turned to Jonathan. "We need to move quickly. We'll split up tomorrow. You take out the three bombs at the Mystoria border, and I'll handle the other four. Triceratops will soon catch on to us. When Raiden moves out to back them up, and he's away from Zion, that's Estelle's chance to hit the twelfth floor underground and take out Bernard!"

By now, Bernard's fate was sealed.

Jonathan paused for a moment, "Are we sure the twelfth floor underground is safe?"

Gab nodded confidently. "Bernard is too valuable to Triceratops for him to rig him with explosives. He also wouldn't easily destroy the twelfth floor underground; after all, the microwave weaponry is another key project of his. Don't worry."

Estelle looked at Jonathan, her expression earnest. "Jonathan, you said we stand side by side."

Jonathan turned his gaze to the darkening sky outside the window, knowing well that there was no room for sentimentality at this juncture. Of the three tasks, the twelfth floor underground should be the most straightforward, and Estelle's skills should see her through without issue.

Yet in this volatile place, where situations could change in the blink of an eye, the thought of letting Estelle out of his sight was unsettling.

"Jonathan!" Estelle grasped his hand, her eyes clear and determined. "Trust me!"

Jonathan's hand tightened around hers, and he nodded slowly, "Alright, but wear the necklace I gave you. If anything happens, your safety comes first."

Estelle nodded solemnly, "I will!"

"I'll have people on standby outside for Estelle," Gab said calmly. "I'll draw Raiden to me. As long as he's away, Estelle will be safe."

After all, Raiden was the only one who could pose a threat to Estelle and knew their identities.