Moon Shadow：A werewolf's struggle

Chapter 18: Shrouded in Suspicion

The quiet of the hideout was thick with tension as Lin Yue, Chen Xi, and their mysterious informant settled around the single dim light on the table. The air was taut, heavy with unspoken fears and doubts, as they prepared to examine the data files they had risked everything to obtain. Lin Yue cast a wary glance at the man, who lingered in the corner, his face partially obscured by shadow, eyes glinting with some unreadable emotion.

“Let’s see what we’re dealing with,” Lin Yue said, his voice low but charged. He motioned for Chen Xi to start.

Nodding, Chen Xi connected the data drive to her laptop. The screen flickered to life, casting a cool blue glow over the room as the files loaded. The data was complex, a labyrinth of encrypted codes and hidden subfolders, layers within layers, each one more intricate than the last. Chen Xi’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she navigated through the files, her brow furrowing as she encountered yet another wall of encryption.

“This data isn’t meant to be accessed casually,” she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. “It’s protected by high-level encryption. They’re hiding something, something big.”

Lin Yue leaned in closer, his gaze narrowing. “If it’s that well-hidden, it’s likely the heart of their plans. They wouldn’t go to these lengths if it weren’t critical.”

The man cleared his throat, stepping forward hesitantly. “I have experience with encryption,” he offered, his voice steady but cautious. “Let me take a look.”

Lin Yue and Chen Xi exchanged a glance, an unspoken debate passing between them. Trust was scarce in their line of work, and they had no reason to fully trust this stranger yet. But they didn’t have much of a choice. They nodded, and Chen Xi stepped aside, allowing the man to approach the laptop.

With a silent focus, he set to work, his fingers moving deftly across the keys. His eyes, usually guarded, were now sharp and intent, betraying a level of expertise that surprised both Lin Yue and Chen Xi. After several tense minutes, the screen blinked, and a new line of text appeared: Decryption complete. Accessing files…

A list of documents unfolded on the screen, revealing folders labeled Experiment Parameters, Subject Modifications, Control Protocols, and finally, Project Eclipse.

“Project Eclipse?” Chen Xi whispered, her eyes widening. “That was mentioned in passing on the base files, but I thought it was just a codename.”

Lin Yue’s jaw tightened. “It’s more than a codename. Let’s see what it really entails.”

Chen Xi opened the file, and they scanned the documents, their expressions growing darker with each line. The details laid bare on the screen were chilling: the organization had been conducting gene modification experiments on captured werewolves, not only to harness their physical abilities but also to strip away their free will. The ultimate goal of Project Eclipse was to create an army of werewolves, genetically altered to obey every command without question, turning them into relentless soldiers under the organization’s control.

“They’re using our kind like lab rats,” Chen Xi said, disgust evident in her voice. “They’re trying to eradicate free will entirely.”

Lin Yue clenched his fists, his mind racing. “This isn’t about control—it’s about transformation. They’re trying to erase the very essence of what it means to be a werewolf.”

The man looked down, shame flickering across his face. “I knew they were experimenting with genetic modification, but I didn’t realize it was this… comprehensive. They’re not just weaponizing werewolves; they’re destroying them from the inside out.”

Chen Xi scrolled further, uncovering a document labeled Primary Operatives. She opened it, her eyes narrowing as she read. “Here’s something. It looks like a list of operatives assigned to… monitor subjects with high potential.” Her gaze froze as she read on. “Yue, your name is here.”

Lin Yue’s eyes darkened. “So they’ve been watching me all along.”

Chen Xi scanned the document, her voice turning cold. “Li Mo is listed here as your monitor. He was tasked with assessing your loyalty… and eliminating you if you posed a threat to their plans.”

Lin Yue’s expression turned unreadable, though a spark of betrayal flashed in his eyes. “Li Mo was planted as my handler from the beginning. He was never just my mentor.”

The man shifted uneasily. “The organization keeps tabs on anyone they consider high-risk, especially those with exceptional abilities. Your mentor was likely coerced into his role, but if he’s truly loyal to them… he’ll do whatever it takes to follow through on his orders.”

Chen Xi’s face was tense with anger. “We have to find him, Yue. We need answers—and if he’s still part of their scheme, we’ll need to stop him.”

Lin Yue took a deep breath, nodding slowly. “I want to believe there’s more to his story. But if he’s aligned with them, then he’s already chosen his side.”

The man looked between them, a hint of conflict in his gaze. “I know it’s difficult to accept, but the organization has a way of sinking its claws into people. They exploit weaknesses, control their operatives with promises, threats, and leverage. Whatever his reasons, Li Mo might be in deeper than you realize.”

Chen Xi’s gaze hardened as she glanced back at the screen. “There’s another folder here, something labeled Phase II Testing. If this contains what I think it does…”

She opened the file, and a series of graphs, images, and medical reports appeared. The documents revealed details about the organization’s latest test subjects—werewolves who had undergone the “compliance serum” trial. The reports outlined the subjects’ reactions to the serum: many had shown drastic reductions in resistance, and some had even lost their ability to think independently.

“They’re testing it on live subjects,” Chen Xi whispered, her voice tight with anger. “They’re stripping them of their will, one by one, turning them into hollow shells.”

Lin Yue’s fists clenched. “This is worse than I thought. They’re not just looking to control us—they want to destroy everything that makes us who we are.”

The man’s expression grew grim. “There’s more. Look here,” he said, pointing to a document labeled Containment Measures. “They have protocols in place for anyone who tries to resist. They’ve outfitted their facilities with methods to suppress any attempt at rebellion. Once you’re in their grip, escape is nearly impossible.”

Chen Xi met Lin Yue’s gaze, her eyes fierce. “We can’t let this continue, Yue. If they succeed with this, if they’re allowed to deploy this serum on a larger scale… no werewolf will be safe.”

Lin Yue nodded, a steely resolve hardening in his gaze. “Then we start by dismantling their network. We’ll hit their facilities, one by one, until they have nowhere left to run.”

The man hesitated, his voice tense. “It’s not going to be easy. The organization has resources, guards, operatives. But there is a resistance cell operating within the city—one that’s hidden from the organization. They might be willing to help you if they believe in your cause.”

Lin Yue studied him, weighing his words. “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“I didn’t know if I could trust you,” the man replied, his tone defensive. “But after seeing this… we’re on the same side. I have contacts who can connect you to the resistance cell. They’re small, scattered, but they know the organization’s structure better than anyone else.”

Chen Xi nodded slowly. “We’ll need all the help we can get. If we can find this cell and bring them into our plans, it might give us the advantage we need.”

Lin Yue placed a hand on the man’s shoulder, his grip firm. “If you’re truly with us, then guide us. Take us to this resistance.”

The man nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. “They’re careful, cautious. I can take you to their leader, but they’ll need proof that you’re serious—and that you’re not working for the organization.”

Lin Yue’s gaze hardened. “They’ll get all the proof they need.”

They gathered their equipment, checking weapons and loading data drives before heading out. The city streets lay quiet under the cover of night, and they moved swiftly, each footstep measured, every shadow a potential threat. After a winding path through the city’s backstreets, they arrived at an old, nondescript building, its windows boarded and its entrance obscured by weeds and graffiti.

The man led them inside, guiding them down a hidden staircase to a basement room where a handful of figures stood waiting. They eyed Lin Yue and Chen Xi warily, hands resting on concealed weapons.

One woman stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she assessed the newcomers. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

Lin Yue met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. “We’re here because we know what the organization is doing. We have proof of their experiments—of their plans to weaponize werewolves and eliminate our free will. We want to stop them, but we can’t do it alone.”

The woman’s eyes flickered with interest, though her face remained guarded. “And how do we know this isn’t a trap? How do we know you’re not with them?”

Chen Xi stepped forward, her gaze steady. “We’ve risked everything to be here.

“Look at the data we’ve brought,” Chen Xi said, her voice unwavering. She handed over a drive containing the encrypted files they had decrypted. “It has everything—evidence of their genetic experiments, their attempts to strip away free will from werewolves, and the outlines of their plan. We wouldn’t risk exposing this if we were with them.”

The woman took the drive, exchanging glances with her companions before nodding slowly. She inserted it into a nearby laptop, and as the files loaded on the screen, the grim expressions around the room deepened.

One of the men in the back, his face pale, spoke up. “This… confirms everything we feared. They’re turning us into tools.”

The woman looked back at Lin Yue, her expression fierce. “You’re right. If this is their plan, we’ll need to act fast. But understand this: trust is earned. Work with us, and if you prove your loyalty, we’ll stand with you to dismantle them.”

Lin Yue extended his hand, his gaze resolute. “We’re ready to fight, whatever it takes.”

The woman clasped his hand with a firm grip. “Then welcome to the resistance. We’ll bring them down together.”