The speedboat cut through the night.
Chen Lin opened the sealed case immediately.
Invitation.
Identity chip.
Credentials.
All intact.
"Confirmed."
Old Wu moved next.
One by one—
He checked the dogs.
Ironfang → minor shoulder bruise.Lightning → clean.Boulder → fine.Tracker → fine.
Silas Moore—
Not a scratch.
"Well done."
Chen Lin rarely smiled.
This time—
He did.
He reached out—
Ruffled Silas's wet fur.
"Especially you."
"Command. Adaptation. Timing."
"Perfect."
Silas shook off the water.
Accepted the praise—
Calm.
But his eyes—
Were already elsewhere.
Locked on Lin Wan's tablet.
On screen:
Poseidon internal schematicsGuest listSecurity layout
He was already planning.
Behind him—
Ironfang howled at the wind.
Still riding the adrenaline.
Lightning bumped him—
Annoyed.
Chen Lin's voice turned serious again.
"Phase One complete."
"Now comes the real fight."
"Forty-eight hours."
"We need:"
Full identity integrationShip layout memorizationOperational plan refinement
Then—
He looked at Silas.
"And most importantly…"
"We need a way to get all of you onboard."
Silence.
Because that—
Was the problem.
Luxury cruises allowed pets.
But—
Small ones.
Controlled.
Decorative.
Not:
A Husky with command authorityA German Shepherd tankA Malinois missileA Rottweiler wallA Springer intelligence unit
This?
Was not a pet group.
This was a strike team.
Lin Wan flipped through documents.
Then—
Her eyes lit up.
"Unless…"
She looked up.
"We don't board as pets."
Pause.
"We board as—"
"Exhibit security."
Chen Lin narrowed his eyes.
Old Wu leaned in.
Lin Wan continued:
"Special invited demonstration unit."
"Rare canine behavior research."
"Guard team for high-value biological exhibits."
Silence.
Then—
Chen Lin nodded.
"…It could work."
The forged identity—
Perfectly matched.
The "collector" they replaced—
Was bringing:
"Rare animal-related artifacts."
That meant—
Security dogs?
Made sense.
Decision made.
48 Hours Later – Total Chaos
The underground base transformed.
Into:
A disguise workshopA rapid training centerA full-scale prep zoneOutfit Phase
Silas Moore—
Was forced into a uniform.
Dark blue tactical vest.
Emblazoned with:
"Polar Research Foundation"
Multiple pockets.
Hidden compartments.
Embedded micro-devices.
A collar—
Disguised as decoration—
Actually:
Multi-sensor arraySignal relayTracking node
Silas stared at it.
Expression:
"This lowers my aesthetic value."
But—
He wore it anyway.
Mission first.
The rest of the Pack:
Ironfang → Heavy guard unit (thick vest, intimidation stripes)Lightning → Rapid response (lightweight, high-visibility marks)Boulder → Defensive anchor (reinforced padding)Tracker → Recon unit (mini pockets, sensor ports)Behavior Training
Rules:
No random barkingNo lungingNo chaos
Must appear:
Professional. Controlled. Elite.
This was torture.
Especially for Ironfang.
Sitting still—
Doing nothing—
Was harder than running ten kilometers.
Every time he twitched—
Silas looked at him.
One glance.
Cold.
Sharp.
Ironfang immediately froze.
Sat straight.
Model behavior.
Tracker adapted fastest.
He loved the vest.
Kept sniffing the pockets.
Poking at devices.
Until—
Tap.
Silas lightly smacked his head.
Correction delivered.
Mission Planning
Chen Lin obtained:
Full deck layoutsVent systemsSurveillance gridGuard rotations
Silas absorbed everything.
Fast.
Too fast.
He built—
A full 3D model of the ship.
Inside his mind.
Routes.
Blind spots.
Kill zones.
Escape paths.
He began simulating.
Different scenarios.
Different outcomes.
Different contingencies.
The Pack adjusted around him.
They weren't just following anymore.
They were becoming—
A system.
Departure Day
A transport van arrived.
Disguised as:
Professional animal logistics.
Inside—
Silas Moore and the Pack.
Fully equipped.
Fully restrained.
Fully ready.
Lin Wan—
Now dressed in:
Elegant low-profile dressWide-brim hatSunglasses
Role:
The collector's companion.
Assistant.
Chen Lin → Head of securityOld Wu → Research specialist
They arrived at the port.
And saw it.
The Poseidon.
A floating city.
White hull.
Towering decks.
Shining under sunlight—
Like a moving palace.
Passengers everywhere.
Luxury.
Noise.
Laughter.
A world of wealth—
Hiding something rotten underneath.
Silas sat inside his transport crate.
Watching through the narrow slit.
Silent.
Focused.
Ironfang and the others shifted slightly.
Uneasy.
Low growls.
Silas made a sound.
Soft.
Steady.
They calmed instantly.
Lin Wan stepped forward.
Arm linked with Chen Lin.
Invitation presented.
Scanner check.
Identity chip verified.
The staff smiled.
Professional.
"Welcome aboard."
"Your suite and exhibit preparation area are ready."
"Enjoy your journey."
The crates were moved.
Carefully.
Through a restricted access route.
Up.
Into the ship.
Inside the Suite
The crate opened.
Silas stepped out.
Stretched.
Shook off the last trace of confinement.
Then—
He walked to the window.
Looked out.
The ocean stretched endlessly.
The port—
Already fading behind them.
The battlefield had changed.
From:
UndergroundCity streetsTheatersPet clinics
To—
The open sea.
A luxury cruise—
Filled with elites.
And secrets.
The wind slipped through the window.
Salt.
Freedom.
Danger.
Silas turned.
Looked at:
Lin WanChen LinOld WuThe Pack
His tail moved.
Slow.
Steady.
A signal.
Clear.
The opening act is over.
Now—
The real show begins.