Alex didn't answer right away. He unfolded the parchment and scanned through Shalltear's findings, taking in the detailed sketches and notes she'd managed to send. After a moment, he looked up at the monitors again.
"This Milan Claremont… he might be the opening we need. Look at how much effort they've poured into this place. It's not just about breeding magical creatures, they're turning this into a full-scale resource center. I wouldn't be surprised if they're training wizards inside as well."
Fang's expression darkened. "You think they're getting ready to build another army?" he asked quietly.
Memories of Grindelwald's rise were still sharp in his mind. If the Silver Wand faction was going down that road, they were heading toward disaster all over again.
"We can't afford to dismiss that possibility," Alex said, frowning. "If that's what they're planning, then tearing these bases down has to be our top priority."
He looked over to Fang again. "What about the internal radio feeds? Are you picking up anything? Any movement?"
"Most of the channels are fine," Fang said. "But something's jamming the ones coming from the steeple in the center. We've barely gotten a whisper from that area.
Still, Shalltear's sharp, she slipped out toward the edge of the base a little while ago. Sent a note saying she'd try to find that little thunderbird."
He paused, then allowed himself a rare smile.
"Can't lie, she's got nerve. Not many could keep their cool like that, stuck inside an enemy base with no clear exit. She really knows what she's doing."
Alex hadn't expected her to make that choice so decisively. He had already established a mental link with Little Thunderbird, who had been in a distressed state when they first connected. But after their bond formed, she calmed down and cooperated, clearly placing her trust in Shalltear to support her when the time came.
Alex was fairly satisfied with how Shalltear was handling her role, but his attention had now shifted entirely to the most urgent task, breaking through the magical barrier surrounding the breeding base. Judging by the sheer size of the facility, there was no way in without dealing with that first.
Initially, based on his experiences back in Uk, Alex had assumed this was just another small operation, maybe a few dozen people involved, nothing a dozen field agents from the British side couldn't handle. But now, looking at how things were set up, it was obvious this wasn't some minor setup. The complexity of the place far exceeded his original estimate.
After thinking it through for a moment, Alex glanced down at Fang, who was manning the surveillance station.
He gave his instructions calmly but firmly. "First things first, set up a monitoring center right here in the breeding base. I want a complete aerial map, with clear details.
I need to know exactly how many people are on-site, split between fighters and non-combat personnel. Track their routines, morning, noon, and night. Patrol routes, shift schedules, where they eat, where they sleep, everything."
He paused to let the importance settle in, then continued, "I also need detailed information on the magical creatures being kept here, their types, numbers, behavior patterns. That's going to be key when it comes to containment and treatment later on. Get as much as you can."
His tone sharpened slightly. "Keep a close eye on Shalltear. She'll likely use surveillance spider number 39 to contact us.
If you pick up any signs of trouble, tell me right away. If she's exposed, we pull out immediately, no hesitation. I'll call for a full strike to cover our retreat."
His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind every word.
"In the meantime, I'll try to track down Milan Claremont and get a visual record of him. If he's here, he might be the one responsible for disrupting the magic circle.
We need to identify him. If you spot anyone matching his description inside, flag it."
With the plan clearly laid out, Alex turned his focus to the image of the magical spire at the center of the base. That gate was likely tied to the central barrier, and he had to understand how it worked if he wanted any chance of breaking in.
Wordlessly, he reached into his bag, pulled out a monitoring spider, and stepped into the alchemy lab, deep in thought. Without even pausing to rest, he immediately got to work, tinkering with materials and enchantments while his mind ran through possible ways to pierce the barrier.
Meanwhile, over inside the breeding base, Shalltear was having second thoughts about her earlier confidence. The boldness she'd felt the night before had faded with the sunrise.
As dawn broke, the base sprang to life. Dozens of wizards emerged from their homes, heading to their stations. Compared to the quiet, sparsely patrolled facility she'd seen last night, the morning shift revealed the true scale of the operation. The number of guards had more than doubled.
But these guards weren't focused solely on defending against outside threats. A good portion of their effort was directed inward, toward the magical creatures locked up inside the base.
Many of these creatures were dangerous, some violent or unstable, and their unpredictability made working here a constant gamble. There was always a risk of something going wrong, of a creature snapping and causing chaos. It was clear that just surviving a shift here required nerves of steel.
Alongside the guards, Shalltear noticed a surprising number of non-combatants. These weren't just random workers, they were magizoologists, experts in magical creatures.
Some were focused on healing injuries, others on breeding programs or behavioral studies. There were also plenty of support staff, wizards and witches who helped care for the animals, run errands, or handle repairs.
Not all of them were magical, either. She spotted a few Muggle-born assistants and even a couple of Squibs. Many of them worked like nurses or caretakers, handling the daily grind of cleaning pens, preparing food, mending equipment, or organizing supplies for the researchers.
From her hidden position, Shalltear watched the organized unfold and realized just how deeply rooted this operation was. This wasn't just a breeding base. It was a full-scale, highly structured facility, one that wouldn't fall easily.
Shalltear counted the Muggles moving about and quickly realized she'd underestimated the number of people in the base the night before. With them included, the population easily surpassed two hundred.
She stood quietly under the eaves of a house, watching the scene unfold with a mix of awe and unease. It was her first time seeing wizards, Muggles, and Squibs living and working side by side so naturally. The whole place bustled with activity, like a self-sustaining village, and yet it was all happening inside a secret facility.
Back in Uk, such a sight would've been unthinkable. Most wizards there still clung to old prejudices, keeping their distance from Muggles and rarely associating with Squibs unless absolutely necessary.