Volume 2: Empire Chapter 138 Prey
Rebecca, who was always carefree, was like a shy kitten at this moment. Her appearance was too easy to make people fantasize. She wanted to straighten her collar, but because she buttoned it wrong, it was crooked no matter how she tried.
"Mr. Luke..." Rebecca had no choice but to stand up and say to Luke: "Since you have a visitor, I will go home first. Thank you again."
Luke closed the door and said, "You are injured. I will take you back later. Miss Darikova will not stay here for long."
Darikova pulled Rebecca to sit down and said, "I'll leave soon. I ran away secretly and can't leave my post for too long.
Mr. Luke, how do you know my name? I don’t think I’ve ever told you my name. ”
Luke placed the cake on the table and sat down opposite the two ladies. "Chief Helkkin called your name. I only heard it once. I hope I didn't call it wrong."
Darikova thought about it and it seemed that Helkkin had indeed called her name.
"You can pronounce my name correctly after just one hearing. It seems that I have left a certain impression on Mr. Luke." Darikova looked at Luke, her eyes as lively as if they could speak. She was very confident in her appearance, especially her beautiful blue eyes, which could easily make a man fall in love with her.
Luke pointed to his head and said, “Those of us who do scientific research have a better brain than ordinary people, and quick memory is a necessary skill for memorizing formulas.
I don't have coffee as good as your ice cave, but I do have some tea that I like. Would you like some?"
Being left to drink tea, Darikova thought she had taken the first step successfully.
"Of course I'll have a drink."
Luke said to Rebecca, "Go to the kitchen and make us a pot of tea. It's on the third shelf of the cupboard."
When Rebecca heard Luke asking her to make tea, she felt relieved as if she had been pardoned. She agreed and ran to the kitchen.
Darikova waited for Rebecca to leave, and then said to Luke, "I also like to drink tea very much. Especially after a busy day at work, I would make a cup of tea and soak in the bathtub. I would also sprinkle some flower petals in the water and imagine myself soaking in the tea soup.
Isn’t that funny?”
Darikova nonchalantly guided Luke to fantasize about the scenes she described, and the erotic images allowed impulse to overcome reason.
"No, I think it's beautiful that way." Luke, who knew Darikova's true background, said what she wanted: "You just said you wanted to leave the ice cave. It seems that you are not satisfied with your work in the ice cave."
Sure enough, Darikova immediately showed an expression of regret.
"My father is a factory owner and my mother died very early. My father always wanted to train me to be a lady like my mother, and then marry a factory owner and live a happy life.
But, you know girls are rebellious for a while.
I couldn't stand the constraints my father put on me and chose to live an exciting life, so I signed up for the Ice Cave Agent Training Camp without telling him and successfully became an Ice Cave Agent.
But the life of an agent is far different from what I imagined. The boring copywriting work day after day made me realize what a boring life is; those dirty things made me know the darkness of the world.
The only thing that kept me going was Enoch.
I love him, and we were originally planning to get married next month... But, in fact, I had already prepared for this mentally, after all, he was doing the most dangerous job, but I didn't expect this day to come so soon..."
Darikova couldn't help choking up as she spoke, tears rolling down her eyes. She stroked the ring on her left ring finger: "I'm sorry, Mr. Luke. I treated you like that because I couldn't control my emotions about losing him... I was overwhelmed by my longing for him."
Darikova raised her head and looked at Luke again, her watery blue eyes full of regret and longing, perfectly interpreting that women are made of water, and their fragility and loyalty to love are not something that any man can resist.
Moreover, for men, a woman who has just lost her lover is the best time to conquer her, as it can greatly satisfy a man's possessiveness.
High-end hunters often disguise themselves as prey.
Luke looked at Darikova at this moment, and said in his heart: Look at what professionalism is, this is what professionalism is!
Shelley and Pisco should really be sent to Ice Cave Training Camp to learn some lessons.
However, the play still needs to be performed in cooperation. After all, Darikova's current identity is an ordinary civilian staff member in the ice cave, and she doesn't know that she is an ace agent.
“I’m sorry…” Luke showed off his acting skills: “I didn’t expect that you and Agent Enoch had such a relationship. I’m deeply sorry for what happened to Agent Enoch.
In the brief conversation with him, I could tell that he was a very responsible person, but the job he was doing was too dangerous.”
Luke took out a handkerchief and handed it to Darikova very gentlemanly.
Darikova wiped her tears and looked melancholy: "Yes, it's all because of this damn war! My father has advised me to resign from the Ice Cave many times. Now that Enoch is gone, I have no reason to stay there any longer.
It’s just…”
Darikova took a long breath halfway through her speech and didn't continue.
Luke, being a good listener, tactfully asked, “Just what?”
“I’m a civilian employee. Although my position is not important, I still have access to some confidential information. Bingku will not let me leave easily.
I can only hope that my father’s connections can help.”
Darikova threw out another bait.
A woman who has just lost her lover, has complaints about the war, is alienated from the Ice Cave, and has access to some secrets.
They are simply the favorite prey of hostile intelligence agents.
At this time, Rebecca came out with a tray of tea sets. She had tidied her clothes in the kitchen, but her expression was still a little restrained.
Steaming hot tea is poured into the teacup.
Luke picked up a cup and invited Darikova to drink tea, saying, "Although I have only been in Dong for a short time, I know that the Ice Cave has a bad reputation in the Art County Union. They do the dirty work that other departments are unwilling to do, and bear the infamy that other departments are unwilling to bear.
A beautiful girl with good family background and good upbringing should not work in an ice cave. Fortunately, you are so young and have a chance to correct your mistakes. But I don’t have any connections in Dongdu, so even if I want to help you, I’m afraid I can’t do much. ”
Darikova "well-behaved" as she touched the cup with her hands while drinking tea. When she heard that Luke wanted to help her, she immediately said, "No, Mr. Luke, please don't look down on yourself. You are now a fourth-level member of the Steam Engineers Association, and even the head of the Ice Cave, Herkkin, has to respect you.
Moreover, you are favored by the editor-in-chief of Steam Weekly, Morson. If you can speak for me, I will definitely be able to leave the ice cave smoothly.
Of course, I dare not trouble you, so I'll let my father figure it out."
Darikova did not stick to Luke immediately. The most taboo in fishing is to use too much force. Only by relaxing and tensing can you get the final harvest.
Talking about his fourth-level membership in the Institution of Steam Engineers, Luke revealed the arrogance of a young man who had achieved success under the admiring gaze of the beauty.
“Dongdu is worthy of being the holy land in the hearts of all steam engineers in the world. I left my hometown and came here alone across the ocean just to show my talent here.
Facts proved how correct my choice was. In less than two months, I became a fourth-level member of the Institution of Steam Engineers, and Master Molson personally wrote for me.
He also promised that as long as I completed the development of the water molecule dual-phase steam engine, he would recommend me to become a candidate fifth-class member of the Steam Engineers Association. "
Darikova's eyes were wide open, her expression blank.
She wasn't pretending, she was really frightened by the information Luke revealed.
Darikova only knew that Luke had jumped from a first-level member of the Steam Engineers Association to a fourth-level member, and had no idea what happened in between.
Editor-in-Chief Morson, who had not written for three years, wrote for it himself. What a great honor!
What is the water molecule dual-phase steam engine? Is it a secret that the president is not allowed to hear?
If the development of this new type of steam engine is completed, Chief Editor Morsson will ensure that this man in front of him will be promoted to an alternate fifth-level member of the Steam Engineers Association... Given his age, doesn't that mean he will definitely be a fifth-level member in the future?
Me, what am I doing?
Darikova couldn't help but deny her intuitive judgment about Luke. If a steam engineer of this level was a spy sent by the enemy country, how big the enemy's heart would be!
If Luke knew the real reason why I came to see him, Helkkin would not be able to save me even if he sacrificed his own life.
"Mr. Luke, you...you are truly a genius. It is my honor to meet you."
"Genius? I've heard this word too many times these days." Luke looked at Darikova like a man who was successfully attracted to her: "If someone makes things difficult for you because of your resignation and your father can't handle it, come to me.
Ice caves are not for you."
"Okay, okay." Darikova avoided Luke's gaze. She didn't expect to catch a deadly great white shark this time. Darikova hurriedly put down her teacup and stood up: "The tea is very delicious, Mr. Luke. I should go back. If I am found to be away from my post without permission, I will be punished."
"Leaving so soon?" Luke stood up and said to Darikova, "I express my deepest condolences to the deceased Agent Enoch, and I hope you can get out of the emotional haze as soon as possible.
Believe that once you leave the ice cave, your new life will make everything better.
You are always welcome to come here. You can talk to me about anything. I will be a very good listener. "
"Thank you for your hospitality, please stay... There is another lady who needs your care."
Darikova tried her best to remain calm and walked away quickly.
Watching Darikova disappear around the corner of the corridor outside the apartment, Luke sneered and closed the door.
After turning around, he saw Rebecca standing there with the same shocked look on her face.
"First, sir...are you really a fourth-class member of the Institution of Steam Engineers?"
Luke sat back in his seat and opened the cake box. Inside were six beautifully crafted chocolate cakes, decorated with a few big strawberries and some colored candies.
"If I wasn't a fourth-level member of the Steam Engineers Association, how could the ice cave have let you out so easily?" Luke picked up a piece of cake and took a bite. The strong aroma of fresh milk made him exclaim: "It's delicious! You should try it too, it's really delicious."
"Fanny Cake House is very famous in Dongdu. Not everyone can buy it casually." Darikova's departure made Rebecca feel much more relaxed. She picked up a piece of cake and ate it, and couldn't help but sighed: "Sir, you have been promoted to the fourth-level member of the steam engineer. I still thought I heard it wrong.
Mrs. Yolanda, the director of the company's steam technology department, is also a level 4 member. Aren't you at the same level as her?"
Luke said while eating the cake: "In the Steam Engineers Association, we are peers. But in the company, Mrs. Yolanda is still my superior."
Rebecca immediately said, "I understand, Mr. Luke. I won't cause trouble for you in the company because of my relationship with you.
I will work harder than before.”
"It's good that you understand. After you return to work, try to keep a low profile and don't talk to anyone about Norton and Harry's disappearance."
"Yes, sir!"
Luke finished the cake in his hand: "Okay, I'm full! Pack up the rest and take it back for your family."
Rebecca was stunned for a moment: "Sir, this is a gift from Miss Darikova. I will be satisfied if I can eat one... This kind of cake is very expensive."
Luke said, "I can buy this cake anytime I want. Your family must be very anxious these days, so consider this a gift from me to them."
Rebecca had no choice but to say, "Thank you, sir."
"Are your injuries better?"
"Much better now, sir. The medicine you gave me is very effective."
Luke patted the cake crumbs on his hands, stood up and said to Rebecca, "Clean up here. I'll go make you some medicine and send you back when I'm done."
"Yes, sir."
…
When Luke sent Rebecca home, Darikova returned to the Ice Cave headquarters and reported to Helkkin in the chief's office about her meeting with Luke.
When he heard about the water molecule dual-phase steam engine and that Editor-in-Chief Morson would recommend Luke to become a candidate for the fifth-level member of the Steam Engineers Association, his expression was also as if he had seen a ghost.
“It’s true that Editor Molshon would personally write columns for Luke.
But are you sure what Luke said about the water molecule dual-phase steam engine and the candidate fifth-level member is true?"
Darikova smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid we can only confirm this by asking Editor-in-Chief Morsson."
Helkkin thought for a moment and said, "I remember that in the last issue of Steam Weekly, there was a paper on 'the duality of water molecules'.
See the Steam Weekly on the bookshelf? Take the one on the far right. "
Darikova followed Helkkin's direction and saw the "Steam Weekly" placed in the bookcase, full and arranged in an orderly row.
Hulking is indeed a loyal reader of Steam Weekly. He owns every issue and reads every issue.
Darikova brings the last issue of Steam Weekly to Helkkin
"Here..." Helkkin found the paper he was looking for, and then immersed himself in reading.
The way Helkkin read was very inconsistent with his temperament.
Darikova waited anxiously, time passed by minute by minute, she did not dare to disturb the director who was reading seriously.
After waiting for Helkkin to finish reading the paper, Darikova immediately asked, "Mr. General, what did you find?"
Helkkin couldn't help but sigh: "If we can really use the duality of water molecules to build a steam engine, Luke is definitely a genius among geniuses in steam technology!"
Darikova asked: "General, what is a water molecule dual-phase steam engine?"
"I usually tell you to read more and stop being clever. You all don't listen to me!" Helkkin scolded his subordinates, and then showed off his knowledge to explain to Darikova what the duality of water molecules is: "...The author of this paper with the pen name 'Steam Lover' should be Mr. Luke.
In his article, he proposed to use the two different properties of water molecules to heat energy, and to conduct heat energy through the water molecules to circulate, so as to achieve the purpose of generating air pressure difference. If it can be realized, it will greatly improve the utilization rate of heat energy and make a breakthrough in steam technology. "
Darikova blinked her big blue eyes and asked, "The thermal phase and weak thermal phase of water molecules...it doesn't seem to make much difference?"
"Read more! Read more!" Hercules was very disappointed: "Such a good opportunity to learn about the duality of water molecules from Mr. Luke was wasted by you."
"I'm sorry, General Manager, your profound knowledge is beyond our reach." Darikova said aggrievedly, "So... Luke is responsible for the development of the water molecule dual-phase steam engine, and Editor-in-Chief Morsong wants to recommend him to become a candidate for the fifth-level member of the Steam Engineers Association. Is that true?"
“If Luke’s long talk with Morsong was about the development of a two-phase steam engine for water molecules, and there was a breakthrough technology, he deserved to be promoted from a first-level member to a fourth-level member.
The development of the new steam engine had to be entrusted to him.
As for the candidate for the fifth-level membership...it should be because Editor-in-Chief Morsong loves his talent that he made such a high promise."
After getting a positive answer, Darikova asked again: "Are you still going to investigate Luke?"
"Do you think such a talented steam engineer who could bring about a breakthrough in steam technology is a spy sent by the enemy country?"
"No! Such talents should be well protected in the laboratory."
"It seems we overthink it. Enoch didn't arrest Luke, which should have dispelled his suspicion of him. The attack on his way back was just a coincidence.
Occupational diseases have put us all on the brink of making serious mistakes.”
Darikova also sobered up and exhaled: "Fortunately, I found it in time, otherwise I don't know how it would end."
"Let's end the investigation of Luke here. There's news from the underground Steam City that the underground resistance attacked a mine... I really don't know what the agent in charge is doing. After so long, he can't even deal with a group of miners with no fighting ability."
Darikova immediately said, "General, leave this case to me. I promise to make these gangsters disappear completely."
"You?" Helkkin looked at Darikova who was requesting a mission, and then said, "Pack up your personal belongings and go through the resignation procedures."
Darikova was stunned. "Resign? Sir, do you have another special task for me?"
"No! Since you told Mr. Luke that you wanted to resign, I can only reluctantly let you leave to prevent him from discovering that you were deceiving him."
Darikova said in disbelief: "Commander-in-Chief, I am your ace agent and have made countless contributions to the Ice Cave.
You can’t just kick me out like this.”
"So what if you're a Kingsman? The limit you can reach is my position, and there's no room for me to move up. And Luke... maybe in a few years, he'll really be over my head. That's the reality.
Darikova, you have been on so many dangerous missions, you should know what it means to cut off the tail and stop the loss.
Don't worry, go ahead. In Luke's eyes, you are a retired Ice Cave agent civilian. For my own sake, I will not send anyone to kill you..."
When Darikova walked out of the Ice Cave Headquarters carrying a box containing her personal belongings, the sound of a door closing behind her made her shiver involuntarily as if she was sleepwalking.
It was snowing again, and she had never felt it was so cold outside.
She never thought that she, who was like a fish in water in the ice cave, would be kicked out one day.
Still in this way.
It's really ironic that there is not even an agent chasing him!
What are you going to do in the future?
The resume of an Ice Cave agent would not add any color to his job application, and it seemed that he could do nothing except stealing secrets and killing people.
Darikova suddenly understood how well-intentioned General Hulkkin was in emphasizing "reading and studying".
He didn't have a father who was a factory owner to rely on. If he didn't want to find a job washing dishes, he could only go to the underground steam city and become a lowly thief.
How did things turn out like this?
Is the water molecule dual-phase steam engine so powerful?
Darikova walked in the snow carrying a box.
Luke didn't realize that his words had made Helkkin decisively sacrifice his car to save his master. But after sending Rebecca away and returning home, he found that all the Ice Cave agents who were monitoring him had withdrawn.
Everything is back to normal.
The next day, Luke was summoned by Elvis, the owner of Harut Heavy Industries. Harut Heavy Industries then announced the establishment of a water molecule dual-phase steam engine development laboratory, with Luke in charge of the development of the new steam engine.
All the company's manpower and material resources are directed towards the development of new steam engines, striving to develop new steam engines as quickly as possible for use in the war against the Golden Shield Empire.
Luke entered the mainstream society of Dongdu with the water molecule binary steam engine, and became a genius in everyone's eyes from an unknown steam engineer.
With the publication of a new issue of Steam Weekly, the long column written for Luke by editor-in-chief Morson once again pushed Luke's fame to a new height.
Luke became a household name in Dongdu. Almost everyone could talk about the principles of the water molecule binary steam engine and the changes that the new steam engine would bring to steam technology once it appeared.
Luke, who was at the center of public opinion, continued to be busy checking the underground steam pipes, with no awareness of becoming a city star.
Give the company's top management a sense of solidity and hard work.
