"So, what's the plan?" Emma asked, as usual, leaving the thinking to Morgan.
"Our only clue is his name. He published a paper related to genetics six months ago, and now he's working with the military. Let's start from there," Morgan said, laying out her plan.
"In this time, without the internet, investigating him is gonna be hard," Emma said with a little irritation.
"Let's check the library for newspapers from the last six months. Since he released a paper related to genetics, there should be some clue there," Morgan said.
With the help of a few kind citizens asking for directions, the two eventually arrived at one of the largest libraries in New York.
Tall stone pillars stood at the entrance, and dozens of people quietly walked in and out carrying books under their arms. Inside, endless rows of wooden bookshelves stretched into the distance. The scent of old paper filled the air as readers silently flipped through newspapers and books, while librarians pushed small carts stacked with more volumes.
Emma looked around in amazement.
"So many books..."
Morgan ignored her and walked straight toward the newspaper archives.
"Let's search through every newspaper, scientific journal, and magazine from the past six months."
The librarian brought over several large bundles of newspapers tied together with string. Dust rose into the air as Morgan untied them and spread them across a long wooden table.
The two quickly split the work. Morgan searched scientific journals and research columns, while Emma took the newspapers and scanned each page for Nathan Mercer's name.
Time quietly passed. The only sounds were pages turning, pencils scratching on paper, and the occasional footsteps of people walking between the shelves.
"This is really hard..." Emma muttered, rubbing her tired eyes as she flipped through another newspaper.
Several more minutes passed.
"Here." Morgan suddenly stopped turning pages. "I found it."
She carefully slid an old newspaper across the table. A bold headline immediately caught Emma's eye.
American Scientist Dr. Nathan Mercer Makes Breakthrough in Genetic Research
Below the headline was a black-and-white photograph of Mercer standing inside a laboratory, wearing a white lab coat.
Emma immediately leaned closer and began reading.
Dr. Nathan Mercer, an American scientist who recently returned from Switzerland after several years of advanced research, has published a groundbreaking paper on genetic adaptation. His work proposes new methods to improve the human body's ability to recover from injuries and adapt to extreme environments.
Several leading scientists have praised his research, calling it a promising step forward in military medicine. According to sources, Dr. Mercer has recently accepted an invitation to assist the United States Army on a classified research project.
Emma lowered the newspaper.
"He's really famous now, huh? But there's no mention of his current address or anything else useful."
Morgan remained silent. Instead of replying, she walked toward another shelf and returned with several older scientific journals and newspaper clippings that mentioned Dr. Nathan Mercer.
She spread them across the wooden table.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked.
"I'm checking his previous research."
The two began flipping through the papers one by one. The earliest articles dated back nearly two years. They described Nathan Mercer as a promising young scientist studying abroad in Switzerland. Over the following years, he had published several research papers covering genetics, biology, and military medicine. His work had earned praise from many scientists, gradually building his reputation.
Emma picked up one of the older papers.
"These are good..."
She reached for one of the papers published during the last six months.
"...but these are on a completely different level."
Morgan compared them side by side.
"The earlier research belongs to a talented scientist." She tapped the newer papers. "But these..."
"They're decades ahead of their time."
Emma folded her arms.
"He's really using knowledge from the future without holding back. No wonder he's getting achievement after achievement."
Morgan's eyes remained fixed on the publication dates.
"...There's something else."
Emma looked over.
"What?"
"If these older papers were published nearly two years ago..." She tapped the dates with her finger. "...then this identity already existed long before he traveled back in time."
Emma froze.
"...You're saying, like we once guessed, he didn't create Dr. Nathan Mercer?"
Morgan slowly nodded.
"Most likely."
"We don't know exactly when he traveled back in time. Our guess that he arrived only six or eight months ago could be wrong."
She pointed at the publication dates.
"But these papers go back nearly two years."
"Even if he arrived two years ago, creating years of research papers, university records, recommendations, and newspaper articles from nothing would be almost impossible."
She looked at Emma.
"The most likely explanation..." She paused. "...is that he somehow took over the identity of the real Dr. Nathan Mercer."
Emma stared at the newspaper for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Poor guy... the real Nathan Mercer. He even lost his own identity."
Emma rested her chin on her hand, thinking.
"And to pull something like this off without anyone noticing... someone had to be pulling the strings behind the scenes."
"University records, years of research papers, recommendations... even getting him into a classified military project."
She looked at Morgan.
"Whoever's backing him must have a lot of influence."
Morgan nodded in agreement.
She neatly stacked the newspapers back together.
"Unfortunately, we still don't know where he is. Let's keep searching. There has to be another clue."
The two spent the rest of the morning searching through old newspapers, scientific journals, and war reports. By the time they finally stopped, small piles of books and newspapers surrounded their table. Sunlight streamed through the library windows, replacing the morning light, while more readers quietly filled the hall.
Although they hadn't found Mercer's location, they had gained a much better understanding of the current state of the war and several organizations involved in military research.
Emma stretched her arms with a yawn.
"I'm starving. Let's go eat something."
Before Morgan could protest, Emma grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the library.
After finding a nearby diner, the two sat down with their meals. Morgan looked over the notes she had taken in the library.
"So, based on everything we found, Mercer accepted an invitation to join a classified military research project."
Emma nodded while eating.
"Yeah... but that's the problem. It's classified. We have no idea where he is."
Morgan sighed.
"Without an address or any public records, we could spend weeks searching every military facility in the country."
Emma suddenly froze.
"...Wait."
Morgan looked up.
"What is it?"
Emma slapped her forehead.
"We should've followed Steve yesterday!"
Morgan blinked.
Morgan nodded.
"You're right."
"But it's too late now."
"By now, Steve is probably already at the training camp. If Mercer is really following him, he's likely there as well."
Emma frowned, trying to remember everything that had happened the previous day.
"I remember Dr. Erskine gave Steve some papers..." She closed her eyes. "I think I saw the place where he was supposed to report..."
Morgan waited patiently.
Emma muttered to herself.
"Camp... ...Camp..."
Her eyes suddenly widened.
"Camp Lehigh!"
Morgan looked at her.
"Are you sure?"
Emma nodded confidently.
"Yeah! When Dr. Erskine handed Steve his training papers, I saw 'Camp Lehigh' written on them."
Morgan thought for a moment before nodding.
"It makes sense. If Steve is reporting there for the Super Soldier Project, then that's our best lead."
Emma grinned.
"And if Mercer accepted the Army's invitation, there's a good chance he's there too. Even if he isn't, we'll definitely find some clues."
Morgan smiled.
"Looks like your memory finally came in handy."
Emma puffed out her cheeks.
"Hmph. Don't act like I'm only a troublemaker."
Morgan chuckled.
"I wasn't." She stood up. "Let's head to Camp Lehigh."
With Friday guiding them, the two soon arrived near Camp Lehigh. They hid behind a cluster of trees on a small hill overlooking the military base.
Tall chain-link fences surrounded the entire compound, with armed soldiers standing guard at every entrance. Watchtowers overlooked the perimeter while military trucks rumbled in and out through the heavily guarded gates. Beyond the fences, rows of barracks, training grounds, and several large military buildings stretched into the distance. From where they stood, they could even hear the faint shouts of soldiers training.
Emma let out a low whistle.
"They weren't kidding about security."
Morgan quietly observed the base for a few seconds.
"Getting in normally isn't an option."
Emma grinned.
"Good thing I'm not normal."
She slammed the Omnitrix down and transformed into Ghostfreak. Hovering in the air, she slowly peeled back the skin around her face with an eerie grin.
"How do I look?" she asked in a creepy voice, floating toward Morgan.
Morgan looked up from her binoculars for a brief second.
"...Finished?"
Emma blinked.
"That's it?"
Morgan sighed.
"You've tried that prank on me at least twenty times. It stopped being scary after the fifth."
Emma's shoulders slumped.
"I keep forgetting you're immune now."
Morgan pointed toward the base.
"Go before the guards notice a floating ghost."
Emma pouted.
"One day I'll scare you."
"I'll believe it when it happens," Morgan replied without looking up.
Emma huffed before turning invisible and silently flying toward Camp Lehigh.
A/N: The Patreon version is already updated with 20 advanced chapters. If you'd like to read ahead of the public release schedule, you can join here:
š patreon.com/BenBlazecraft