Chapter 1350 - 1349: Dr. Hayward

"Right now, it's a race against the clock for us. We have to find that scientist you mentioned before those guards get in here!" Lin Fan warned the Queen.

The Queen nodded. The two of them stopped hesitating and headed straight into the lab.

"Who are you people?"

Suddenly, a shout rang out right in front of Lin Fan.

A middle‑aged man in a white lab coat with long hair appeared in front of Lin Fan.

Lin Fan didn't want to waste a single second. He ignored the man's question, strode up to him, and without another word drove a kick straight into the middle‑aged man's gut.

"Argh~"

The middle‑aged man let out a scream as he was kicked four or five meters away, dropping to his knees on the floor, clutching his stomach with a face twisted in pain.

Lin Fan stepped up to him, grabbed him by the collar, and asked, "Where is Dr. Hayward?"

"I…I won't tell you." The middle‑aged man gritted his teeth and forced a hard tone.

"My time is precious. If you don't talk, I'll just find someone else to ask. But…you might be going to meet God."

Lin Fan let out a cold chuckle as he raised his gun and pressed the muzzle against the man's forehead.

At the sight of the gun, the middle‑aged man's face changed instantly; his body started trembling nonstop like he'd been hit with a seizure.

"N‑no…don't!" the middle‑aged man blurted out.

"Cooperate with me, or…choose death," Lin Fan said coldly.

"I…I'll cooperate, I'll cooperate!" the man stammered in a panic.

"Where is Dr. Hayward?" Lin Fan asked again.

"H‑he's in the innermost room," the middle‑aged man said.

"Good. Thanks."

Lin Fan gave a faint smile, lifted his hand, and chopped the man on the back of the neck, knocking him out cold.

Then Lin Fan and the Queen didn't waste another thought and rushed toward the rear of the lab.

The farther in they went, the more high‑tech gear there was. Lin Fan even saw small aircraft buzzing through the air and floating robots drifting about, so many it made his eyes swim.

On the way, they passed an assembly platform where a group of scientists were putting together a robot. When they suddenly saw Lin Fan and the Queen burst in, they all froze in shock.

Lin Fan didn't bother with words. He raised his gun and fired at the ceiling. A deafening bang echoed through the room.

Lin Fan shouted, "Heads on your knees, squat down and don't move! Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens!"

These scientists were just workers; they didn't have that kind of spine. Hearing Lin Fan, they all hurriedly squatted down with their hands over their heads.

Right after, Lin Fan quickened his pace and soon reached the very back of the lab, where a steel‑walled room appeared in front of him.

He strode up to the door and kicked it hard, blasting the entire door panel off its hinges.

"Swish~"

Lin Fan had just stepped into the room when a gust of force suddenly swept in from his side.

With Lin Fan's reflexes, he only needed to shift his body slightly to dodge it with ease. The thing that came swinging at him was a steel rod.

Lin Fan snapped his head around and saw a middle‑aged man standing to the side.

The man had a head of curly hair, gone mostly gray, with round glasses and a walrus mustache under his nose. He wore a white lab coat and looked to be in his sixties.

Seeing his attack miss, the middle‑aged man's body trembled with panic. He hastily raised the steel rod again and swung it at Lin Fan.

Lin Fan lightly lifted his arm and caught the rod in one hand, then twisted hard.

The middle‑aged man's palms flared with pain; he immediately let go and backed away in terror.

"Wh‑who are you? What do you want?" the man asked, frightened.

"You're Dr. Hayward?" Lin Fan asked.

"That's right. I'm Dr. Hayward," the middle‑aged man nodded.

"Good. You're exactly who I'm looking for. Dr. Hayward, no need to panic. I'm not going to hurt you," Lin Fan said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, Hayward let out a long breath, though there was still fear on his face as he asked, "What do you want with me?"

"I want your help," Lin Fan said bluntly.

"What organization are you with? Or which conglomerate?" Hayward asked quickly, assuming Lin Fan and the Queen were under some power's orders to grab him and make him work for them.

Lin Fan shook his head. "I'm not with any organization, and I don't belong to any conglomerate."

"Then what do you want with me?" Hayward asked, his face full of curiosity.

"I heard you're very knowledgeable about robots, Dr. Hayward, so I want your help researching some robots," Lin Fan said.

"Research robots? What kind of robots?" Hayward asked, puzzled.

"Attack‑type robots," Lin Fan said, without hiding anything.

Since he was asking for Hayward's help, there was no need for lies.

But when Hayward heard this, his expression changed sharply and he blurted, "You mean robots from the Alpha Conglomerate?"

"You know the Alpha Conglomerate?" Lin Fan was overjoyed. Looked like he'd found the right man; risking coming here had been worth it.

"I never thought the Alpha Robot was more than a legend—that it actually exists. I've been looking for it for a long time. I didn't expect that in my lifetime I'd get to see it with my own eyes. Good. I'll help you."

Against expectations, Hayward agreed without hesitation.

Judging by his expression, he was clearly fascinated by the Alpha Conglomerate's robot.

"Excellent. Dr. Hayward, here's to a good partnership," Lin Fan said with a small laugh.

Just then, a chaotic clamor sounded from outside the room.

Lin Fan looked out through the glass wall and saw figures rushing toward them—fully armed guards, dozens of them at least.

"Dammit! I didn't think they'd get here this fast," Lin Fan growled, clenching his fist.

With that many guards, it was going to be another tough fight.

But then Hayward suddenly spoke up: "Come with me. I can get you out of here safely."

Lin Fan turned, staring at Hayward in confusion. This guy was being awfully generous.

Seeing his doubt, Hayward hurried to explain, "I've been stuck in this lab for over ten years. The Americans grabbed me and won't let me leave. I've been sick of it for a long time. And the Alpha Robot is my life's pursuit. If I can study it, I'll die without regrets. Come on, follow me!"

Lin Fan and the Queen exchanged a glance, then both nodded.

With that many guards outside, they'd be at a disadvantage in a straight fight. For now, they had no choice but to follow Dr. Hayward's lead.