The handsome man with glasses seemed to notice Jason Clark's confusion. He smiled slightly and said, "I am Mr. Foster's secretary, Matthew Cooper. If you, Deputy Captain Clark, have any urgent matters, you can tell me first. I will definitely relay them truthfully to Mr. Foster."

Jason Clark couldn't help but glance at Brian Carter beside him. Seeing Brian Carter shake his head slightly, Jason Clark finally said, "No, this matter is extremely important. I must report directly to Mr. Foster in person."

A trace of displeasure appeared on Matthew Cooper's face. Although he was just a secretary, his authority was very high. He was also responsible for executing specific tasks, so his actual power was even more intimidating. Not to mention Jason Clark, a mere deputy captain—even the captain, Henry King, would have to treat him with utmost respect here.

"What exactly is your urgent matter? If you don't make it clear to me, it's impossible for you to see Mr. Foster."

Jason Clark knew he had already offended Matthew Cooper, but he was a man from the military and never liked these cunning and scheming office workers. Besides, having come this far, he could only see it through to the end.

"Your clearance is insufficient. I can't tell you about this matter. You just need to tell Mr. Foster that it concerns the 'Tianlong' project," Jason Clark said loudly. In fact, he didn't know what the "Tianlong" project was, nor did he understand why it would be more important than the invasion the base was facing. But he was very dissatisfied with Matthew Cooper's attitude, and his words were full of momentum.

Matthew Cooper was stunned. The "Tianlong" project was top secret; including himself, only a handful of people knew about it. He never expected someone like Jason Clark to know about the "Tianlong" project.

"Wait here." With that, Matthew Cooper closed the video and quickly left the room. He steadied his breathing before gently knocking on the door of the president's office.

"Come in."

With permission, Matthew Cooper pushed the door open and entered.

The president's office was spacious and luxuriously furnished. Andrew Foster was talking with the base's supervisory commissioner, Samuel Thompson. Seeing Matthew Cooper enter, Andrew Foster finally looked up and asked, "What is it?"

The base had been infiltrated by underground races, and the situation was dire. Andrew Foster was in a foul mood. Although he knew Matthew Cooper must have something important to report, he couldn't help but darken his expression.

Matthew Cooper bowed respectfully and said, "Mr. Foster, the deputy captain of the security team, Jason Clark, requests to see you. He has important information to report regarding the 'Tianlong' project."

Andrew Foster's expression changed slightly. How could an outsider know about the "Tianlong" project? And at such a critical moment, no less. After a moment's thought, he said, "Let him in."

Matthew Cooper nodded and quickly left the room.

The supervisory commissioner, Samuel Thompson, asked in surprise, "Andrew, has the situation changed?"

Andrew Foster's face was as dark as water. "To think that someone from outside knows about the 'Tianlong' project. It's truly unbelievable. Especially at this critical juncture, insisting on seeing me in person. Clearly up to no good! Maybe a spy from some faction, trying to take advantage of the chaos..."

Samuel Thompson agreed with this assessment. This person's arrival was too suspicious—either a traitor or a thief. With a chilling tone, he said, "Hand this person over to me. I'll make sure to interrogate him thoroughly..."

Samuel Thompson's sinister smile made even Andrew Foster uncomfortable. Samuel Thompson was ruthless, and even Andrew Foster was somewhat wary of him. Falling into his hands would be a fate worse than death. Thinking of this, Andrew Foster couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for that unlucky fellow.

Chapter 9 Sophie

The iron-blue building was shaped like a pyramid.

Although the structure wasn't tall, its thick and solid triangular form made it appear especially stable and sturdy. The iron-blue exterior gave it an even heavier, steel-like texture.

Anyone who saw it at first glance would feel that this was an impregnable military fortress cast in steel.

Brian Carter also knew that this headquarters building, located at the center of Zone B, had thirteen underground floors hidden beneath it. The base's quantum mainframe was stored here. Through the quantum mainframe, this place could control the entire base.

This headquarters building, known as the Iron Triangle, was the true core of the base.

Inside the police car driven by a J900 robot, Brian Carter could see the Iron Triangle building ahead from a distance. Jason Clark was also very curious about everything here.

Zone A was the working area; Jason Clark could enter Zone A but had no clearance for Zone B. This was his first time seeing the Iron Triangle building. The fortress-like Iron Triangle left a deep impression on him.

He had been at the base for four or five years and had heard of the Iron Triangle building, but had never seen it with his own eyes.

The police car drove directly into the Iron Triangle building, where two J900 robots came to greet them. Both robots wore iron-gray uniforms and carried guns. Their expressionless iron faces made people feel extremely oppressed.

The two robots led Brian Carter and Jason Clark to an elevator. When the elevator doors opened, one of the robots said, "To enter the security zone, please hand over your weapons."

Brian Carter noticed that one robot pressed the button for the B6 floor, which startled him. He had never been to the Iron Triangle building, but he knew the underground floors were the most important core areas of the base.

Normally, Andrew Foster would never allow two people with unclear intentions to enter the core area. And it must be heavily guarded. If anything happened, there would be no chance to resist.

Just as the elevator was about to close, Brian Carter suddenly reached out to block the closing doors. The two robots simultaneously drew their guns without hesitation.