Reboot: Mechanic

Shi Tian chuckled in response to Vanessa's understanding of the situation. 

"Exactly, you've got it. It's all about perspective and how we frame our actions. Plus, Commander Theobold's soldiers likely have their own grievances against Robert Cook now." He clapped his hands.

Vanessa's laughter echoed with a hint of satisfaction. "Oh, he's in for a world of trouble."

With their strategy aligned and their motivations clear, Shi Tian and Vanessa planned where to set the ambush.

As they were planning, Shi Tian was determined to either thrash Robert Cook to a cripple stage or have him dead. The reason why he dragged Vanessa along was due to his reluctance to silence Robert Cook alone.

After all, Robert Cook's action was equivalent to putting him in danger as well.

Since Robert Cook was a threat to him. Then that threat must be eliminated to ensure his survival.

And with Vanessa joining in to assist him, then with her mysterious identity alone, nothing serious would happen to them. At the very least, if they were truly reprimanded or caught, the repercussions wouldn't be as intense if he were to do it alone. 

"Alright, the plan is set." Vanessa clasped her hands and said. "Now let's move to the vantage point and wait for that bastard to show up." 

Shi Tian nodded his head. 

There was no need to inform Theobold's soldiers regarding their plan, given that they would notice it once they followed them. 

A few minutes later, the two of them walked out of their apartment room. 

As they exited their room, they soon arrived at the main lobby, which was quickly noticed by Theobold's soldiers. 

They were stunned by their appearance, clearly not expecting Shi Tian and Vanessa to still come outside despite the Horology Restaurant incident that had only happened yesterday.

"What should we do, leader?" One of the soldiers asked their platoon leader and asked. "Should we notify Commander Theobold about it?" 

The platoon leader, Cyrus, shook his head in response. 

"No, if they're just going out for a walk, then we just have to ensure their safety. There's no need to notify Commander Theobold right away." Cyrus said, deciding to wait a bit before informing Theobold. 

He was, after all, a platoon leader, so if he needed confirmation with every tiny bit of detail, then what was the point of being a platoon leader.

The soldier nodded his head in response once he heard Cyrus' order. 

While the conversation was going on in the background between them, Vanessa had long detected their presence. Given that the soldiers didn't really plan on hiding their presence, it wasn't hard to detect them. 

Cyrus and the soldiers wanted others to know about their presence from the get-go, creating a deterrence for anyone who still had the thought process to try to ambush Vanessa and Shi Tian.

They were practically announcing that if they wanted to get to Vanessa and Shi Tian, then they must first face the Flameheart Vanguard team. Otherwise, they can just dream about harming either one of them.

"It looks like your deductions are right. They aren't going to do anything regarding our actions." Vanessa smiled softly and said.

Shi Tian shrugged his shoulders, "We're not their enemies, so they wouldn't restrict our movement. If they really did try that, then it's no longer a cooperation, but more of a detainment." 

"You're right, Nathan." Vanessa agreed with his statement. Theobold wasn't a fool to attempt such a thing. 

Sometime later, the two of them head toward the designated area, with Cyrus and the rest of the soldiers following closely behind, albeit in cover.

As they got closer to their designation, Shi Tian motioned for Vanessa to crouch behind a stack of crates, using them as cover.

"We need to approach him discreetly and once he gets close to us, that'll be the time that we strike." Shi Tian whispered, reminding her of their plan. It wasn't that he didn't believe in Vanessa, but given her repeated tomfoolery, he just wanted to make sure. 

Naturally, Vanessa was displeased but decided to be the greater person and ignored his remarks. 

"To the soldiers following us behind, please conceal your presence and aura. I don't wish for you to alert someone." She turned around and shouted. 

Cyrus was stunned by her sudden exclamation, wondering what she was up to. 

A few seconds later, one of the soldiers asked Cyrus if they should really do as told. 

Cyrus held a complicated expression, clearly speechless by Vanessa's words.

  'Seriously, why are you announcing it as if you are commanding us?' He cried inwardly. 

Having zero clues as to what Vanessa was thinking, Cyrus reluctantly told his soldiers to conceal their aura and presence. He used the excuse that if they didn't comply with her request, then she might snitch on them and get reprimanded by Theobold. 

Although the soldiers subtly understood the truth, they didn't say anything and accepted Cyrus' excuse as it was. After all, Cyrus was their platoon leader, so disobeying him was no different than going against your superior. 

"You really are treating the soldiers as your bodyguards huh." Shi Tian spoke up, seemingly speechless at Vanessa's behavior.

"Meh, it's not like they didn't have a choice. They just chose to comply with a small request of mine." Vanessa shrugged her shoulders. "If you want to, you can probably order them as well."

"I'll pass on that," Shi Tian shook his head and outright rejected her suggestion. Unless it was actually necessary, he had no intention of interacting with these military soldiers. 

With Shi Tian rejecting adamantly, Vanessa didn't bother to say much and concealed her presence. And since Shi Tian wasn't proficient in manipulating Magicule, Vanessa did him a favor and helped conceal his presence as well.

"No need to thank me," she said smugly. 

"Wasn't planning on thanking either way." Shi Tian replied flatly, his focus remained on the entrance. 

After waiting some more time, the main target had finally arrived. Robert Cook's hand was holding on a small tablet as he straddled around the warehouse, unaware of his surroundings.