Chapter 100: Lost and Hidden Underground Data
The riots in the quarantine area gradually subsided after a few hours. Security forces suppressed the remaining rioters, and the air was filled with disinfectant and the disgusting smell of blood.
Xiao Ran and Lu Zhao wore masks and mixed in with the patrol team, trying to avoid other people's sight as much as possible and searching along the predetermined route.
"Found some things." Lu Zhao whispered, pointing to a destroyed office with documents scattered all over the floor.
"The material warehouse on the edge of the infected area was smashed open."
Xiao Ran squatted down and flipped through the documents on the ground. Most of them were administrative records and material lists, and were unremarkable.
It was not until he picked up a report with a red seal on it that he realized the seriousness of the matter.
"Is this... the batch identification for the gene expansion experiment?"
The report records in detail a series of virus sample numbers and the corresponding experimental data.
These data appear to be directly related to the speed at which the virus mutates and the pattern of its spread within the quarantine zone.
"These data suggest that the spread of the virus is not natural but is being artificially directed."
Xiao Ran frowned and said, "They seem to have deliberately designed the virus's transmission mode to achieve a certain purpose."
Lu Zhao took it and studied the report carefully. "This document shows that the virus samples in the quarantine area should have been included in the base's 'rhythm management scope' for virus transmission, and monitored and controlled by a special department. But from the records in the report, it seems that unauthorized independent activation behavior has occurred."
"Unauthorized activation?" Xiao Ran repeated, feeling uneasy.
"Does this mean that someone is secretly controlling the virus and bypassing the base's security system?"
Lu Zhao nodded. "It's very likely. Moreover, the report also mentioned an experimental code name, 'Project Zero'. We have to find out what this plan is."
They continued searching in the warehouse and soon found another piece of relevant information.
This document is a virus point configuration case analysis report, which contains a large amount of data and coordinate information.
"These coordinates... appear to be directly related to the distribution of virus infection points within the quarantine zone."
Lu Zhao stared at the map on the screen, his finger moving between the coordinate points.
"I analyzed it carefully and found that these coordinates seemed to be directly linked to time and virus transmission data. It was like some kind of complex algorithm that was used to accurately control the spread and speed of the virus."
"Algorithm?" Xiao Ran was surprised. "They actually used mathematical models to control the spread of the virus?"
"This shows that they have a very deep understanding of the virus," said Lu Zhao.
“They don’t just know how to make viruses; they know how to exploit them.”
"Take all these documents back." Xiao Ran said. "Su Wanqing needs to see this data as soon as possible."
The communicator suddenly rang, it was Ye's voice. "I supplemented the data clues of the experiment number after the operation. One of the fragments seems to be inconsistent, but it is not intentional to reduce specific information. The specific motive will be explained later."
Xiao Ran and Lu Zhao looked at each other and could feel each other's confusion.
"What does Ye mean?" Xiao Ran asked.
"Not sure." Lu Zhao shook his head. "His words are always so obscure and hard to understand. But from his tone, he seems to have discovered some important clues."
Su Wanqing's voice came from the communicator. "Xiao Ran, Lu Zhao, be careful. Return as soon as possible. I need you to bring back all the information."
"Understood." The two responded in unison.
In the research room inside the base, Professor Yang was facing a group of documents with a frown on his face.
He carefully studied the materials brought back from the quarantine area, trying to find more clues.
"The owner of this file is a biologist named Aaron Kane."
Professor Yang pushed up his glasses. "He has a high reputation in the field of virus research, but he is a loner and his whereabouts are erratic. As far as I know, he once participated in a secret project on genetic modification, but the details have never been made public."
"Aaron Kane?" Su Wanqing repeated the name.
"What is his research area?"
"It mainly focuses on the genetic recombination and directed evolution of viruses," said Professor Yang.
"He believes that the virus's genes can be modified to have specific functions, thereby achieving the purpose of curing diseases or enhancing human capabilities. But his research methods are very radical, even a little crazy."
"Radical?" Su Wanqing asked. "How exactly is it manifested?"
"He believed that in order to achieve a breakthrough, whatever it took must be done, including human experimentation."
Professor Yang said, "He once tried to convince the base's top brass to allow him to conduct human experiments, but was rejected. Later, he left the base and conducted research on his own."
"Keep investigating him," Su Wanqing said. "I want to know his recent whereabouts and his relationship with the riots in the quarantine zone."
Lin Che sat in the room, his face pale and his body weak. Ye's mental control made him miserable, and his consciousness seemed to be torn into pieces, and he was in danger of collapse at any time.
“Ye, what exactly do you want to do?” Lin Che asked weakly.
"I'm helping you." Ye's voice was cold and heartless. "I'm making you stronger and freeing you from your fate of being weak."
"This is not helping me at all!" Lin Che said angrily. "You just want to control me and use me!"
"Control and utilization are the laws of life." Ye's voice was emotionless.
"The strong control the weak and use them to achieve their own goals. This is a natural selection."
Lin Che closed his eyes helplessly, knowing that he could not compete with Ye.
Ye's power was too strong and he couldn't break free from his control.
“Su Wanqing…” Lin Che silently called her name in his heart.
“Save me…”
After Xiao Ran and Lu Zhao returned to the base with the data, they immediately submitted all the information to Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing studied the information carefully and then called everyone to a meeting.
"According to the information we have collected, the riots in the quarantine zone were not accidental but artificially created."
Su Wanqing said to everyone. "They seem to be conducting a secret experiment on viral gene expansion, and have successfully controlled the virus's transmission pattern."
"Gene expansion?" Lu Zhao asked. "What do they want to do?"
"I don't know." Su Wanqing shook her head. "But this is definitely not a good thing. They are probably trying to use the virus to create a more powerful weapon, or conduct some evil experiment. We must find their mastermind as soon as possible and stop their plan."
"The biggest problem now is that we don't know where the initial batch of the virus was generated."
Xiao Ran said, "If we can't find it, we can't completely destroy the virus, nor can we stop them from continuing their experiments."
Lu Zhao analyzed the data in the virus point configuration case and suddenly said, "I found some clues. These coordinates point to an abandoned underground laboratory located in an abandoned mining area near the base. This laboratory used to be the biological research center of the base, but due to long-term idleness, it has become dilapidated."
"Abandoned underground laboratory?" A gleam of light flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes.
"That's probably where the initial batch of the virus was produced. Let's head there immediately."
Ye's message came again. "There are some hidden areas in the underground laboratory, which contain some important information.
That information might be helpful to us.”
Su Wanqing was silent for a moment, then said, "Ye, are you sure this information exists?"
"I'm just offering a suggestion." Ye's voice was cold and heartless.
"Whether you believe it or not is up to your own judgment."
Su Wanqing took a deep breath and said, "Let's go."
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