Chapter 155 Ambush
“The main control system is destroyed, but I extracted some of the key data.” Ruan Ning took out a small storage chip from her inner pocket, which was actually from her spatial storage—this was the micro device that Shen Yan had given her during the mental shock.
"Wang Jinsong is inside, he should still be alive. Feng Yuanzhou is on the long range."
Qin Li took the chip and handed it to the technicians behind him: "Analyze it immediately." Then he said to Ruan Ning: "You guys go with my men to a safe place first. This place still needs to be cleaned up."
Ruan Ning nodded and, together with Shen Yan, left the chaotic B area under the protection of soldiers.
The subsequent cleanup and arrests lasted all day. The research institute was temporarily taken over by the military. Wang Jinsong was seriously injured and arrested. Feng Yuanzhou was detained in his office, but due to his special status, his subsequent handling involved high-level power struggles.
The chip provided by Ruan Ning contained some of the experimental logs of the "Tracing the Source" team, evidence of illegal human experiments, and data related to attempts to crack the "Origin" carrier.
This evidence is enough to completely expose the institute's "source tracing" team.
But Ruan Ning knew that things weren't over yet. The forces behind Feng Yuanzhou wouldn't stop their ambitions for "Origin" just because of one failure.
Moreover, through this experiment and the unusual movements of the necklace, she vaguely sensed that the secrets hidden behind the necklace were far more complex and dangerous than she had imagined.
The ancient energy network that she sensed in that instant, permeating the underground of the base, and the twisted will within it, made her wary.
A few days later, under Qin Li's arrangement, Ruan Ning, Shen Yan, and General Luo Hong held a secret meeting. The meeting place was a heavily guarded safe house in the inner city.
Luo Hong was a tall, resolute old general with eagle-like eyes.
He looked at Ruan Ning for a long time before slowly speaking: "'Origin' Project was one of the top secrets before the apocalypse, and I was one of the few people who knew about it. Its original intention... was to explore the possibility of human evolution and new energy sources, but it later got out of control, causing a series of inexplicable accidents and missing persons, and was eventually sealed off."
He paused for a moment: "Your maternal grandparents were core researchers in the early stages of the project. Those necklaces were 'proof of concept' created in the early stages of the project, originally intended as energy stabilizers and identification devices. But during the period when the project went out of control, they seemed to undergo some unexpected changes, forming a deep bond with the wearer, and may even have recorded some of the project's core data."
“Feng Yuanzhou, and the forces behind him, have been trying to restart ‘Origin’ or steal its core achievements. They believe the necklace is the key. And you are the ones who hold the key.” Luo Hong looked at Ruan Ning and Qin Li. “I will suppress this matter and give the public an explanation. But the behind-the-scenes struggle will not stop. You must be prepared.”
Ruan Ning asked, "General, do you know what the 'Origin' project actually studies? What happened with those accidents and disappearances?"
Luo Hong remained silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "I can't say the specifics, due to insufficient authority and for your safety. I can only tell you that the realm touched by 'Origin' may involve the essence of life and some deep-seated reasons for the apocalypse. It is dangerous, more dangerous than zombies, more dangerous than any mutant."
He stood up: "From this moment forward, you two are officially on the military's special protection list. I will provide you with the necessary support and resources. But you will also assist the military in dealing with any subsequent crises that may arise from 'Origin.' This is not only a private matter, but also concerns the survival of the base and many others."
It was already late at night when we left the safe house.
Shen Yan took his leave first, deciding to temporarily accept the military's protection.
Qin Li escorted Ruan Ning back to the outer city. On the way, he said, "General Luo will increase the number of people protecting your grandparents. You'd better move to the inner city and live with them."
Ruan Ning shook her head: "I'll stay in the outer city for now."
Qin Li did not insist further.
Back in the small building, Zhou Min and Lin Yan had been waiting without sleeping. Only when they saw Ruan Ning return safely did they finally relax.
After hearing the gist of what had happened, both of them looked serious.
"So, we've officially come to blows with that force in the shadows?" Lin Yan asked.
“Yes.” Ruan Ning nodded. “But at least we are not fighting alone now, we have the support of General Luo Hong and the military.”
Zhou Min asked worriedly, "Is the necklace... really that important?"
Ruan Ning touched the warm, smooth jade pendant around her neck, feeling the vibrations within it.
“It’s important. And it might be more than just a key.” She recalled the strange sensations she had during the experiment. “It might also be a recorder, or even part of some kind of guardian or seal.”
She looked out at the boundless darkness of the night: "Feng Yuanzhou won't give up, and others who covet 'Origin' may also appear. We need to become stronger and learn more."
"What's next?" Lin Yan asked.
Ruan Ning withdrew her gaze, her tone firm: "Rest for a few days to digest the information we've gained. Then, take on missions, improve our strength, and secretly investigate any possible ruins or energy nodes related to the 'Primordial Beginning' beneath the base. Although General Luo didn't say it, I have a feeling that those things are right beneath our feet."
She paused, then added, "Also, we can maintain cooperation with Shen Yan. He has a better understanding of the research institute and other forces."
Two weeks later, Ruan Ning's team began to take on some exploration missions that went deeper into dangerous areas.
The target this time is an abandoned industrial park 70 kilometers to the southwest, where there are said to be remnants of precision instruments from the old era. The base's research institute (part of which has been taken over by the military) needs specific parts.
Ruan Ning, Zhou Min, Lin Yan, Shen Yan, and Da Huo drove two modified off-road vehicles.
Shen Yan drove the lead car, demonstrating his accurate judgment of the machinery and terrain. Ruan Ning and the other two followed in the car behind, with Da Huo trailing behind.
The journey was smooth, and we arrived at the outskirts of the industrial park in the afternoon. The park was vast, with dilapidated factory buildings and a silence broken only by the sound of the wind.
"According to the map, the target warehouse is in Zone C." Shen Yan stopped the car and took out the blueprints. "This area was a precision manufacturing zone before the apocalypse. There aren't many zombies, but there might be mutated animals or special plants inhabiting it. Stay vigilant."
Five people and one dog entered the park in a guard formation. Da Huo led the way, its ears perked up and its nose twitching frequently.
The warehouse in Zone C was large, with the door ajar and the interior dimly lit. Shen Yan and Lin Yan went in first to investigate, and only after confirming there were no major threats did the rest of the group enter.
The warehouse was filled with a large number of dusty machinery and parts boxes. Shen Yan quickly found the target parts box and began to select them. Ruan Ning and Zhou Min stood guard at the door, while Lin Yan observed from the side window.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Just as Shen Yan was putting the last piece of the required component into his backpack, suddenly, the fire roared furiously towards the depths of the warehouse, and golden flames uncontrollably spilled out from between its teeth!
Almost simultaneously, Ruan Ning shouted, "Scatter!"
Ten figures suddenly sprang from the shadows of the warehouse! They were dressed in black combat suits and wore helmets, moving swiftly and silently, instantly forming an encirclement.
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