His value

Thirteen, the director office. Director, vice director, thirteen heads of the sub-departments, all get together. The topic for the meeting is how to treat Xiao.

"There are many secret intelligence in Xiao's hand. We could strike the Sprout more precisely with them. At the same time, he is a machinist who is well-trained. Power lever is similar to an elite agent but not close to the super power level yet. His will for cooperation is certain." The head of intelligence department reports on meeting, "My personal opinion is to trust him and cooperate."

Several seconds silence follows his report. The head of internal affairs opposes his idea, "No, what if they are fake?"

Here it comes!

There are two factions in Thirteen. The head of internal affairs leads the left faction while the head of intelligence leads the right. The line between the factions could be seen even on the seat map. Obvious, they are against each other in many aspects.

"May I remind all gentlemen here. Xiao is a betrayal form the Sprout. Cooperation is the only way for him to survive. It is highly likely what he offers is true. " The head of intelligence argues.

"Maybe that is what the Sprout wants us to believe! I suggest a controlled measure should be taken and Xiao should be put into custody. There is no need to comply!"

"That is nonsense and not necessary at all! Xiao is willing to cooperate. The tough measure will lead to unexpected accident or enemy!"

"That is coward!"

"That is reckless!"

Two fractions start arguing with each other loudly. The target is to get the intelligence from Xiao and the key argument is how. The left wings wants to imprison him and the right wings wants to cooperate with him. The argument goes louder and louder, it seems these people in suits are going to have a fight.

The director sits on the front chair. He looks at the ceiling, "Cooperate and control, that is easy. Recruit him to work for Thirteen." Silence follows his idea. The left wings heads are shocked.

Wtf is that? Director?

They can't hold themselves. "No way!" "What if he is a spy!" "That is a violation to the secret rules!"….

The director is determined, "Follow the rule. I propose a vote!" The right wings are happy and all support the director. Except one neutral head, there are six heads in each faction. With one more vote from the director. This proposal passes.

The left wings are shouting in their head but there is nothing they can do.

The next decision to make is which department should Xiao join in. The head of internal affairs proposes, "The logistics department is the best for him. It is in the base and we can watch him all the time while making full use of his ability as a machinist." The right wings nod as well. This is a good suggestion. There are not many chance for logistics agents to go outside which is safe for Xiao.

The director suddenly says, "Let's trust him as one of us. Xiao has fighting ability. He would surprise us in the department of secret movement."

It is a awkward moment. All heads looks at this neutral head who is the head of the department of secret movement.

"Why me?" He is confused.

"Okay, that is settled. Words and behaviour might be deceitful. His target is solid. As long as the base Xiao told us is correct, he will be one of the secret movement." The director announces his decision.

All the heads shake their head. Alright, you are the boss, as long as you are happy…

…

After the meeting, the head of intelligence and logistics go to the the department of logistics together. They want to know the progress of the study on Xiao's light powered arm. They want to know if Xiao's machine is special. If possible, they want the blueprint to be derived as a clue to know more information about Xiao.

The researcher who is assigned to study the light powered arm is known as 'Ace' in the department of logistics - Xuan, who is top student from the West capital college. He was enrolled in Thirteen right after graduation. He is hard working and talented. The heads have been discussing about moving him to the department of secret movement. Except cockiness, he is a good guy.

Xuan wears a pair of rubble gloves. He is confident on dissembling which he did many times before on other machines. "Let's start." Xuan starts and stops after two minutes. He is surprised, "It is encrypted."

Encryption prevents the derivation attempt while dissembling. |Basic assembling| include encryption method. With Xiao's max-level |Elementary modification|, common agents have no way to crack his machine unless the they are machinists above Class E. Xiao predicted that light powered arm will be collected by Thirteen thus he already put encryption in it. Ranger was encrypted too but it was already self-destroyed.

"Can you crack it?" The head of intelligence asks.

"No problem!" Xuan is confident. Cracking the encryption is a battle between the cracker and the creator. Xuan is confident. What can an unknown machinist do? He is the top student from the department of machine in West capital college!

However, twenty minutes later. Xuan has no progress. He sweats profusely and shouts,"Quadruple encryption? Whoever made this shit must be crazy!" Quadruple encryption is complicated. Any mistakes while dissembling, the whole machine would break apart itself and the blueprint won't be derived. Xuan is not sure about the next step.

"Can you crack it or not? Don't waste our time" The head said.

Xuan feels his face turns red but he can't shout at the heads. He puts his head down, "The encryption is more complicated than I thought. I need more time…."

"Enough, we don't have all day here. Tell me what do you think of this machine."

Xuan senses the distrust from the head of intelligence and he blames Xiao for it, "Nothing new in the machine level and only the encryption is well-done. The machine is not useful to fight. The creator must be a layman!"

The head of intelligence frowns and takes light power arm away without any response. Considering Xiao killed an elite mercenary in one punch with this machine, the head thinks the best way to test it is to make use of it. Thirteen plans to send some agents to destroy the three secret bases of the Sprout which Xiao offered. This is a great chance. In fact, he is more interested in the Ranger robot which is now a pieces of black parts.

Although Thirteen is a giant power, new equipments are always welcomed here. R&D are full of idiots who only invented wield stuff with billions of fundings, such as sticky bomb, curved trajectory machine gun which can't aim, falsies which block the metal detector that can be used to hide poison needles etc.. Different falsies are invented for male and female! After two agents who are taken to hospital because of stabbed by the poisoned needles in the falsies, the 'inventions' from R&D are blocked by the other agents.

…

The head is on the phone with Geezer Gao:

"I have put Xiao into the department of secret movement."

"Thank you."

"Is he worth it? Old man."

"Haha, his value is more than the intelligence. I have a feeling. He will be a significant chip in our battle with the Sprout."