Chapter 95 The Deep Threat of Experimental Data

Su Wanqing watched as Lu Zhao carefully placed each hard drive into a specially made electromagnetic shielding box. The room was so quiet that only the faint sound of the hard drives touching the box walls could be heard.

Xiao Ran stood guard to the side, his gun pointed at the entrance to the laboratory, his expression solemn.

Lin Che stood silently beside Su Wanqing, while Ye's consciousness was sharing fragments of laboratory data with him.

“These data are staggering.” Lu Zhao looked up and pushed up his glasses.

"Initial estimates suggest that there are at least several hundred terabytes of content, including the genetic sequences of virus samples, experimental records, researchers' notes, and some...unusual documents."

"Something unusual?" Su Wanqing asked.

“The gene grouping test report from within the base.” Lu Zhao’s voice became heavy.

“They sampled genes from a specific population, then categorized them and labeled them with different risk levels. It seems they are trying to…design a virus that targets a specific gene.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran frowned. "Selective virus? What's the intention? To control certain specific groups of people?"

Su Wanqing's heart sank. She walked to Lu Zhao's side, took the tablet computer he handed her, and quickly browsed through the gene grouping test reports.

The report lists various genetic characteristics and their correlation with viral infection rates.

"Where is Professor Yang?" Su Wanqing asked.

“We’re analyzing the research instruments we brought back,” Lu Zhao replied.

"He discovered that some of these devices possessed viral gene-editing capabilities far exceeding those of the norm, allowing them to precisely edit the viral gene sequence, making it more infectious and pathogenic."

Soon, Professor Yang's voice came through the communicator. "Su Wanqing, I need to talk to you. These instruments... some things are beyond my understanding. They are equipped with the latest gene-editing technology, and... it seems they are constantly being upgraded."

Su Wanqing walked to the communicator and pressed the call button. "Professor Yang, what did you discover?"

"I discovered that these devices can target and modify the genetic sequence of viruses, enabling them to attack the genetic characteristics of specific populations."

Professor Yang's voice trembled slightly. "This means... they may be developing a virus that can precisely control specific populations."

A terrifying image flashed through Su Wanqing's mind. If Zhou Licheng and his team had truly succeeded in developing this virus, they could use it to control those who harbored resentment towards them, and even to carry out political purges.

“Based on this data, we conducted a simulation,” Lu Zhao added.

"If this virus is released, it could directly target certain physiologically specific groups for ultimate control, such as those with special immune systems or those sensitive to certain drugs. The situation would become much more unstable."

Su Wanqing clenched her fists, feeling an indescribable sense of crisis.

This virus is more terrifying than any threat they have ever encountered before.

It is not just a biological weapon, but also a political tool.

“We need to release this data as soon as possible,” Xiao Ran said.

"Let the soldiers on the front lines know the truth so they can prepare for what to do."

“No.” Su Wanqing shook her head. “Rashly releasing this data could cause panic within the base, or even lead to chaos. We need to carefully analyze this data first, find out Zhou Licheng and his group’s true intentions, and then formulate a response plan.”

Lu Zhao agreed, saying, "I agree with Su Wanqing's view. If we can prove that the base's high-ranking officials were involved in the virus research and development, we can use this evidence to exacerbate internal divisions and undermine their power. This approach is more effective."

Lin Che remained silent, while Ye seemed to be engaged in complex calculations and analyses.

Suddenly, he spoke up: "Night believes that we can use these virus research directions as leverage to directly confront some of the base's high-ranking officials."

Su Wanqing frowned. "Go against them? Are you sure?"

"Ye said, we can provide this data to those high-ranking officials who are dissatisfied with the status quo, so that they will realize the threat posed by Zhou Licheng and his group, and thus unite to fight against them."

Lin Che's voice was slightly hesitant. "Ye's plan is to use data to gain support and dismantle Zhou Licheng's forces."

“The risk is too high.” Su Wanqing rejected Ye’s suggestion. “This approach might anger Zhou Licheng and his men, and they might resort to more drastic measures, even launching a large-scale attack.”

“But this is the fastest solution,” Lin Che countered. “The longer we drag this out, the more powerful Zhou Licheng and his group will become, making it even more difficult for us to fight them.”

“Ye seems to know a lot about the virus’s development process,” Lu Zhao suddenly said.

"Much of the information he provided matched the contents of the experimental reports we had reviewed earlier. Moreover, he seemed to know some secrets that we didn't."

Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Lin Che, her eyes filled with doubt.

Who exactly is Ye? Why does he know so much about the virus's development process?
Is he hiding something?
"Che, is there anything between you and Ye that you haven't told us?" Su Wanqing asked.

Lin Che's expression stiffened. "I...I have nothing to hide. Ye is just...just more sensitive to the virus's genetic structure."

Su Wanqing gave him a deep look. She could sense that Lin Che seemed to be hiding something.

But she didn't press the matter further, because the most important thing now was to resolve the immediate crisis.

"Lu Zhao, encrypt this data and send it to Professor Yang. Let him continue the analysis and find Zhou Licheng and his group's weaknesses as soon as possible."

Su Wanqing said, "Xiao Ran, increase security and prevent anyone from entering the lab. Che, continue analyzing the unpublished experimental data and see if you can find any more clues."

"Understood," Xiao Ran and Lin Che replied.

Su Wanqing walked to the control panel and said to Lu Zhao, "Get ready. Break the data package we prepared earlier into several parts and spread it through the 'rumor channels' we established earlier. The focus should be on the defense layer and the logistics department, those soldiers and support personnel. We need to make them start to suspect what is happening in the base."

Lu Zhao's fingers flew across the keyboard, and complex code flashed on the screen.

“Understood. I'll encrypt the data packets, disguise them as leaked internal documents, and then push them out through several anonymous channels. Technically, there's no problem, but Su Wanqing, this approach is very risky. If we're discovered, we'll be completely locked down.”

“We must take the risks,” Su Wanqing said calmly. “The entire base is shrouded in an eerie calm, a calm that is more terrifying than chaos. We need to break it, at least to let the soldiers on the front lines know that what they are facing may not be a simple zombie crisis.”

"What are you planning to do?" Xiao Ran asked, meticulously wiping his rifle. "Observe first," Su Wanqing said. "See the base's reaction, see what measures they will take. If they try to cover up the truth, then it proves our judgment was correct, and Zhou Licheng and his men are indeed up to something."

Lu Zhao quickly completed the data packet splitting and encryption. "The data has been sent. We're monitoring the base's internal communication channels to see if there's any activity."

Time passed by, and the only sound in the laboratory was the hum of the machines running.

Suddenly, a strange expression appeared on Lu Zhao's face. "There's a reaction. The captains of several squads in the defense layer are discussing the leaked data in private. They've questioned the orders from the base's higher-ups, believing that these orders have loopholes and could lead to unnecessary casualties."

“Continue to observe,” Su Wanqing said. “See how they act.”

Lu Zhao nodded, continuing to focus intently on the screen. A few minutes later, he spoke again: “The situation has become complicated. Some frontline soldiers are gathering together, discussing the data, and beginning to doubt the authenticity of the base command system. The higher-ups are trying to suppress these voices, but with limited success.”

“It seems our probe worked,” Su Wanqing said. “Xiao Ran, contact those fighters who participated in the resistance and tell them the truth about the virus that we know. See if you can attract them to join us.”

"Understood." Xiao Ran replied, immediately turning on his communicator and dialing an encrypted phone number.

"Hello, is this Lao Zhang? This is Xiao Ran."

A slightly hoarse voice came from the other end of the phone. "Xiao Ran? How did you get this number? Didn't you cooperate with the base?"

“Things have changed,” Xiao Ran said. “I’ve learned some truths about the virus, truths that could change everything. If you still want to fight for freedom, come see me immediately.”

"The truth about the virus? What truth?" Old Zhang's voice was full of vigilance.

"It's not convenient to say right now. If you trust me, come to coordinates X-32, Y-47 immediately."

After Xiao Ran finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, Professor Yang was also working diligently in the laboratory.

He is conducting an in-depth analysis of the data brought back from the chemical plant, hoping to uncover Zhou Licheng and his group's true intentions.

"Su Wanqing, I've discovered some new clues," Professor Yang's voice came through the communicator.

"Based on this data, there may be other storage sites for experimental subjects within the base. These experimental subjects are not all zombies; some are genetically modified creatures with powerful combat capabilities."

"Experimental subject?" Su Wanqing frowned. "Where did you find it?"

"The coordinates are D-18, E-22. There is an abandoned underground bunker there, and according to satellite imagery, there has been unusual activity recently."

Professor Yang said, "I suspect that Zhou Licheng and his group are secretly cultivating these test subjects, preparing to use them against us."

"Lu Zhao, check the coordinates of D-18 and E-22, and see what's there," Su Wanqing ordered.

Lu Zhao quickly retrieved the relevant information. "D-18 and E-22 are an abandoned military base on the outskirts of the base. It used to be the site of a secret research project. It is heavily guarded and has a large number of troops stationed there."

"It seems we need to prepare," Su Wanqing said. "A great battle is about to begin."

Just then, Lin Che suddenly clutched his head and groaned in pain.

His face turned pale, and large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Che, what's wrong?" Su Wanqing immediately went to Lin Che's side and asked with concern.

Lin Che did not answer, but shook his head painfully, making indistinct sounds.

"Night...memories...pain..."

Su Wanqing frowned; she knew Lin Che's situation was not simple.

The consciousness of the night had always lingered in Lin Che's mind, and the relationship between them was complex and subtle.

"Night, what are you doing?" Su Wanqing asked Lin Che.

Suddenly, a strange light flashed in Lin Che's eyes, and his voice became low and hoarse.

"Night said, I'm sorry, I have to take control of your body temporarily. I need some time to sort out my memories."

"Who exactly are you?" Su Wanqing asked, realizing that things were spiraling out of control.

Lin Che, or rather Ye, took a deep breath and slowly said, "I... used to be a perfumer. My parents are both French, and my mother is a famous perfume designer. From a young age, I had a keen sense of smell and could distinguish the ingredients and formulas of various perfumes. But I also have another identity..." Ye paused, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

“I used to work under Zhou Licheng and participated in some…unknown research.”

"Zhou Licheng's subordinates?" Su Wanqing's voice was filled with shock.

“Yes,” Night said. “I was used by him and involved in the virus research. But I later realized that what Zhou Licheng and his group did was wrong and evil. I tried to stop them, but I failed. I was imprisoned and subjected to all sorts of cruel experiments. My memories were altered, my consciousness was fragmented…”

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Su Wanqing asked, feeling an indescribable anger and disappointment.

“I’m scared,” Night said. “I’m scared of being used again, I’m scared that my past will drag you down. I thought that as long as I hid the truth, I could protect you. But I was wrong.”

Lin Che's body trembled slightly; he seemed to be struggling to regain control of the night.

Su Wanqing knew that now was not the time to assign blame; she had to help Lin Che and Ye to fight against Zhou Licheng and his group.

"Lu Zhao, strengthen the protection of Lin Che," Su Wanqing said.

"Xiao Ran, continue to contact those resistance fighters and try to gain their support. Professor Yang, expedite the analysis of the experimental subject stockpile site; we need to find it as soon as possible to stop Zhou Licheng and his group."

"Understood," Lu Zhao and Xiao Ran replied simultaneously.

She knew that this battle would be even more difficult and brutal.

But she will not give up; she will do everything in her power to protect those she cares about and save the world.


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