Chapter 30 The Secret of the Nuclear Power Plant 2
"Biological research," Lu Zhao replied, "mainly virus research."
Su Wanqing looked at the floor plan carefully and noticed several coordinate points circled in red.
"What are these markings?"
Lu Zhao's expression turned serious. "These are the key nodes, the virus sample storage area, the element energy conversion room, and the channel test site."
“The passage?” Lin Che asked in a low voice, “Is it the passage that the research institute wants to open?”
Lu Zhao nodded. "Yes. The core of the Spark Project is to open that channel."
"Where does the passage lead to?" Su Wanqing asked.
Lu Zhao shook his head. "I'm not sure. Theoretically it leads to another dimension or parallel world. But no one really knows what's on the other side."
Xiao Ran frowned. "This sounds like a science fiction movie. Why take such a big risk to open an unknown passage?"
Lu Zhao sighed. "Because our world is dying. Resources are depleted, the environment is collapsing, and the population is overpopulated. The original intention of the Fire Plan was to find a new living space."
"So they decided to take the risk and open an unknown door?" Su Wanqing asked, "This is crazy."
"It wasn't like this at first," Lu Zhao explained. "It was just theoretical research at first. But then, someone insisted on speeding up the process, regardless of the cost."
"What does this have to do with the virus?" Xiao Ran asked.
Lu Zhao took out another piece of paper from the file bag, which was a yellowed photo.
The photo showed a young man standing next to a strange metal device.
“This is my good friend, Zhang Ming. He’s the head of the virus research department,” Lu Zhao said, with sadness in his voice. “He discovered something, and then he suddenly disappeared.”
Su Wanqing took the photo and looked at it carefully. There was a partially obscured sign in the background of the photo, with a strange shape.
"What is this sign?" she asked.
Lu Zhao's expression became serious. "That is the logo of the 'Source Zero' project. It is the predecessor of the Spark Project and is completely confidential. Even I only know some fragmentary information."
"What did your friend find out?" Lin Che asked.
Lu Zhao shook his head. "He didn't have time to tell me the details. But he mentioned that the virus was not naturally produced, but was designed."
"Designed?" Su Wanqing asked in surprise, "Why did you design such a virus?"
"Clear the obstacles," Lu Zhao said, "reduce the population, eliminate the voices of opposition, and at the same time test the reactions and capabilities of the element holders."
The room fell silent as everyone digested this horrible information.
Xiao Ran was the first to break the silence.
"Do you have any evidence?" he asked, his voice tight.
Xiao Ran took out a folded document. "This is a report I got from the military," he said, "It mentioned that a biochemical experiment may be related to the recent epidemic."
He opened the file and saw several blacked-out names. "Someone deliberately hid important information."
Lin Che glanced at the document and suddenly his body tensed up. His eyes turned light blue - Aze appeared.
"These blackened parts can be restored," Aze said. "Give me some water."
Su Wanqing handed him a bottle of water. Aze poured the water on his hands, forming a thin film of water, and then carefully covered the blackened area with the water film.
Water molecules penetrated into the paper fibers, and slowly, the blackened text began to appear.
"How many names are there?" Aze said, "Lin Fuping, Zhao Manlan, Yang Ke, and Lu Zhao?"
Everyone turned to Lu Zhao. His expression did not change.
“Yes, I was involved in the early research,” he admitted, “but once I found out about it, I started looking for ways to stop it.”
"Why are you looking for us now?" Su Wanqing asked.
Lu Zhao looked out the window. "Because time is running out. They have found six element holders, and only one more is needed to open the passage. Moreover, the virus is mutating and becoming more dangerous."
“Six?” Lin Che asked, “Do you know who they are?”
Lu Zhao nodded. "You are water-type, Xiao Ran's sister is fire-type, there is another girl who is wind-type, an old man who is earth-type, a young man who is gold-type, and a little girl who is wood-type."
"Who's missing?" Su Wanqing asked.
"The holder of the Light Element," Lu Zhao replied, "the most powerful and rarest elemental ability."
Xiao Ran clenched his fists. "Where is my sister? Is she safe?"
"She is in the underground laboratory of the nuclear power plant," Lu Zhao replied, "All the element holders are there, preparing for the ceremony to open the channel."
"When?" Su Wanqing asked anxiously.
"Three days later," Lu Zhao said, "on the night of the full moon. That's when the elemental energy is strongest."
Su Wanqing looked at Xiao Ran and Lin Che. "We must stop this."
Xiao Ran nodded. "But we need a plan and more information."
Lu Zhao pulled a small flash drive from his pocket. "Here is all the information I could gather, including the nuclear power plant's security system, shift schedule, laboratory layout, and detailed information on the element holders."
Su Wanqing took the flash drive. "Why are you helping us? What do you want in return?"
Lu Zhao smiled, but there was no warmth in his smile. "I just want to prevent a disaster. My friend disappeared because he tried to reveal the truth, and I owe him so much."
Su Wanqing nodded, but did not completely let down her guard. "We will review the information and then make a plan."
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“Don’t take too long,” Lu Zhao warned. “They’ve noticed that an element holder has escaped. They’re looking for you, especially him.” He pointed at Lin Che.
Ah Ze looked directly at Lu Zhao. "Why did you look for me in particular?"
"Because you are part of the key," Lu Zhao replied, "Every element holder is, but water abilities have a special role."
Aze's expression became alert. "What special function?"
"Water is the source of life," Lu Zhao said, "In the passage ceremony, the water element holder is the first to be activated. Without water, fire cannot be controlled, and other elements cannot coexist harmoniously."
Su Wanqing thought for a while. "So what special role does Xiao Ran's sister, a fire element holder, have?"
"Fire is a symbol of energy," Lu Zhao explained, "Her ability will be used to provide the huge amount of energy needed to open the channel. This is extremely dangerous for her and may cause her to run out of energy and die."
Xiao Ran's expression turned gloomy. "Then we must act quickly."
Lu Zhao nodded. "That's all I can offer. I need to go back, or they'll get suspicious."
Su Wanqing looked at Lu Zhao. "How can we contact you?"
Lu Zhao pulled out a simple old-fashioned mobile phone from his pocket. "This is an encrypted phone. Only I know the number. I'll contact you when there's news."
As he was about to leave, he turned to Lin Che again. "I'm sorry, Lin Che. For the sake of science, we shouldn't have treated you like that."
Lin Che did not respond, but just lowered his head. Su Wanqing guided Lu Zhao back to the outside world, and then quickly returned to the space shelter.
"Do you believe him?" Xiao Ran asked immediately.
Su Wanqing thought for a while. "I don't completely believe it. But the information on the flash drive may be useful to us."
Aze looked at Lu Zhao's departing figure outside the window. "He is hiding something. I can feel it."
"What's the matter?" Su Wanqing asked.
Aze shook his head. "Not sure. But we need to be careful."
Su Wanqing took out the flash drive Lu Zhao had given her. "First, let's see what's here. We need to learn more about the nuclear power plant and how to rescue the trapped element holders."
Xiao Ran nodded, his expression firm. "Three days is not enough time, we must act immediately."
Su Wanqing looked at Lin Che/Aze. "Do you remember the situation at the nuclear power plant? Have you been there?"
Aze closed his eyes, as if searching his memory. "Some blurry images of the underground corridor laboratory. Screams of pain"
His eyes suddenly opened. "The entrance to the lab requires the energy of an element holder to open. That's why they need us."
Su Wanqing looked at the flash drive in her hand. "Then we need a complete plan. How to enter the nuclear power plant, how to find the underground laboratory, how to rescue the trapped element holders, and how to prevent the passage from opening."
Xiao Ran looked out the window. The rain was still falling, but the intensity had weakened.
"There could be a storm coming that's much bigger than we thought."
(End of this chapter)
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