During this time, Chris’s public identity has been as an FBI agent, and many of the survivors present know him as such. He reluctantly steps forward, addressing the redhead woman.
“Hi, Ms. Hand. I heard you went back to school for research work?”
The redhead, Victoria Hand, scrutinizes Chris for a moment: “Chris? Long time no see. Research also needs financial backing, and they asked me to lead the team handling things here. Just a job for me. What about you? I heard you’re still planning to set up your BSAA. Why come to Arizona?”
Chris gestures towards his sister: “My sister got involved in this incident.”
He introduces them: “This is my sister, Claire, and this is Ms. Swan. Claire, Bella, this is Ms. Victoria Hand, one of the key directors for the West Coast.”
Chris mentions her responsibility for the West Coast but deliberately omits which organization, and Bella wisely doesn’t ask.
The two posing as FBI agents chat like old friends. Seeing Chris confirm the newcomer’s identity, the survivors start packing up, ready to move to a safe house.
Victoria Hand proves her worth, and she is well-acquainted with many senators and state officials. A few calls clear away bureaucratic hurdles.
Seeking refuge in a safe house seems too passive and doesn’t align with Bella’s plans.
She has to ask: “Do you have any specific measures in place? The ‘killer’ we’re dealing with is extremely cruel and also particularly stealthy.”
Victoria Hand looks Bella over carefully, not fond of beautiful women, especially those younger and prettier than herself.
Typically, she wouldn’t respond to such a question, but considering the eerie nature of this mission, she hesitates before deciding to share some information.
She lowers her voice: “We’ve done some research and understand this guy uses every coincidence around him to kill. Sometimes, there’s a pattern; other times, it’s random. Plans also need to be adjusted according to the specific situation.”
Her answer is very conservative, seeming to reveal much but actually saying little.
Bella feels compelled to demonstrate her value, adjusting her demeanor to appear naive: “Have you considered that this guy might not be human, but some sort of natural law? Or a response mechanism? Or maybe even a collective consciousness?”
Victoria Hand’s expression turns serious, and she probes in an encouraging tone: “Can you elaborate on your findings?”
“Of course, look, why would this guy want to kill the survivors? Who is he? First, eliminate Global Airlines; their management and shareholders, no matter how crazy, wouldn’t commit such inhumane acts. Next, consider the airline’s competitors; they also lack the motive, at least not enough to kill.”
Bella senses that Victoria Hand knows part of the truth.
With such blatant killings by the Reaper, it’s impossible for national levels not to be aware. Victoria Hand wants Bella to disclose her knowledge fully and then combine it with their information to control the situation.
They hold the initiative, and Bella doesn’t mind.
She starts with myths and folklore, from customs to unofficial histories, explaining the nature of the Reaper, almost directly stating this entity is a long-dead Mayan deity.
“What’s the FBI’s plan?” Bella asks, after a lengthy explanation, suddenly becoming wary.
Victoria Hand satisfied that Bella’s information doesn’t exceed her expectations, smiles contentedly: “Whenever a survivor faces a fatal threat and is rescued, we relocate them to a safe house. We use technology to mimic the magnetic field signals of the last survivor. Once all survivors have evacuated, we seal the site with a special alloy, burying your so-called Reaper underground.”
Bella ponders this approach; it’s not bad, but it has too many uncertainties and is overly romantic.
Victoria Hand’s strategy might have a 20% success rate, and likely many will die.
“I don’t understand your magnetic field technology; I’m just a student. Actually, this death mechanism has flaws. While studying Native American culture, I discovered something,” Bella unfolds notes from a missionary she got from Fox Town High School’s library.
Victoria Hand, Chris, Claire, and Storm gather to look.
“Two hundred years ago, in the plains of Oasis, Oklahoma, there was a tribe called Sapulpa living in the canyon, carefree until colonizers arrived, demanding they move. Bows against gunpowder, spears against bayonets.”
Bella doesn’t state the outcome of the colonizers versus natives conflict—it’s understood.
“The tribe’s chief cursed the colonizers, swearing no white man would occupy the canyon again. At the cost of his life and witnessed by all tribal ancestors and gods, he cursed the canyon. Any white man entering would face disease and death.”
Bella concludes: “Only death can combat death. A lethal rule of death can counter another death rule. I’ve checked the follow-up notes; the Sapulpa tribe’s curse caused countless insects to thrive underground. The entity causing the plane crash
can’t accurately predict the involvement of surrounding life.”
Victoria Hand grasps the essence: “You mean we should enter the canyon, trigger the curse, cause confusion for the entity behind the crash, and ultimately neutralize it with the curse?”
Bella nods affirmatively.
Victoria Hand turns to Storm: “Madam, your opinion?”
Storm, with silver hair, considers: “I think it might have a higher success rate than the previous plan.”
Clearly, Storm’s enthusiasm for the operation is almost nil, and Bella, sensing she knows some magic, wisely doesn’t push further.
Victoria Hand controls the situation; she wouldn’t change the planned approach based on a few words from a newcomer. The 42 survivors board a reinforced bus.
Victoria Hand continues making calls, first confirming the specifics of the canyon, then consulting with their ‘FBI superiors, gathering think tanks and experts to analyze the risk of the operation, and finally obtaining a new operational authorization.
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