After stocking up at the maximum level, all the handsome men in the apocalypse are looking for suppo

Chapter 96 Remains from the Underground Passage

Su Wanqing stared at Lin Che, or rather, Ye. His face was pale, his teeth were clenched, and the veins on his forehead were bulging.

"Night, how's the situation now?"

Ye took a deep breath, trying to calm his erratic breathing. "I... can barely control it, but fragments of memories keep surfacing, it's painful."

"Lu Zhao, prepare a tranquilizer." Su Wanqing said, then looked at Xiao Ran.

"Xiao Ran, how are things on your end?"

Xiao Ran put down the communicator, his expression somewhat grave. "I've made contact with a few, but they're all very cautious. They're waiting to see how things develop, wanting to know how much crucial information we have, especially regarding Zhou Licheng."

"It's good that they're being cautious. Now, let's address the immediate problem."

Su Wanqing turned to Lu Zhao. "You said before that there's another underground passage inside the base that connects to the quarantine zone?"

Lu Zhao nodded and pulled up the base's list of old supplies. "Yes, this list shows that during the early stages of the base's construction, a backup connection route was designed to deal with emergencies. This route was marked as a 'safe route,' but was later marked as 'long-term sealed.'"

"'Long-term storage'? Why?" Su Wanqing asked.

“The list didn’t explain the reason, it only showed that Engineer Zhao, who was in charge of the project at the time, believed that this passage had safety hazards and was not suitable for long-term use. But based on my research on the base structure, this passage is likely to directly connect to the central hub of the isolation zone and is the core protective access point of the base,” Lu Zhao explained.

"Why didn't you tell me about this secret passage before?" Su Wanqing asked, her tone questioning.

“We had limited access to information before, and this list was found in a backlog of files. Plus, at the time, our main focus was on researching the virus and finding supplies, so…” Lu Zhao said hesitantly.

"Alright, what's done is done, there's no point in assigning blame now."

Su Wanqing waved her hand. "Xiao Ran, you lead the team to investigate this secret passage and see what's inside. Lu Zhao, you're in charge of monitoring the movements inside the base and paying attention to any unusual situations. Professor Yang, you're coming with us; in case we encounter any special samples that require your professional identification."

Xiao Ran responded and immediately began preparations. "Understood. I'll take a few elite soldiers and move out as quickly as possible."

A short while later, Xiao Ran, along with several soldiers, disappeared into the depths of the base's corridor.

Su Wanqing, Lu Zhao, and Professor Yang followed closely behind, heading towards the entrance of the secret passage.

After searching for a while, they finally found the entrance to the secret passage.

It was hidden in an abandoned storage room, the entrance of which was sealed off by thick steel plates.

“This entrance is very well hidden,” Lu Zhao said, skillfully manipulating the tools in his hands and quickly opening the steel plate.

A musty smell that had been there for years wafted over. Su Wanqing used her flashlight to illuminate the interior of the passage and found it to be a narrow corridor covered with dust and cobwebs.

"Be careful, there might be unknown dangers inside," Su Wanqing warned.

Xiao Ran led his soldiers into the secret passage. They advanced cautiously, their hands gripping their guns tightly.

After walking for about a few hundred meters, they suddenly stopped.

"Captain, we've found something ahead," a soldier's voice came through.

Su Wanqing and Lu Zhao also rushed over and were somewhat surprised to see the scene before them.

In one corner of the secret passage, there were rows of metal boxes.

These boxes were labeled with various terms such as "early virus sample", "special medical reagent", and "gene repair reagent".

"What are these?" Su Wanqing asked.

"These are early samples of the virus, along with special medical agents used in the research."

After quickly inspecting several boxes, Professor Yang said, "These samples are very well preserved. They appear to have been prepared at the beginning of the base's establishment as backup supplies to deal with a virus outbreak."

Xiao Ran opened a metal box, inside which were neatly arranged small glass bottles filled with a pale blue liquid.

"These medications look very advanced and may be effective in treating viral infections."

Professor Yang picked up a glass bottle and examined it carefully. "The ingredients of these medicines are very complex, and they contain some very rare gene repair factors. If we can analyze the formula of these medicines, it will be of great help to our treatment of viral infections."

Lu Zhao suddenly said, "Professor Yang, take a closer look at the sample numbers and production dates; you might find some clues."

Professor Yang nodded and began to carefully examine the sample labels.

A few minutes later, his expression turned somewhat serious.

"The production dates of these samples are all concentrated in the period before the outbreak of the virus. Moreover, these samples are not single virus strains, but contain multiple artificially propagated design patterns."

Professor Yang said, "This means that Zhou Licheng and his team started trying to create stronger viruses and genetically modify them very early on."

Su Wanqing frowned. "So, this virus crisis wasn't an accident, but rather something that was deliberately created?"

“Very likely,” Professor Yang said. “These samples clearly show that Zhou Licheng and his team have been researching the virus for a long time and have developed a far-reaching plan.”

Just then, Ye suddenly said, "This secret passage has another entrance, which connects to a hidden location underground in the base. There seem to be some... special weapons hidden there."

"Special weapons?" Su Wanqing asked.

"Yes. I can sense the powerful energy source hidden in the secret passage through the energy fluctuations. It is a very dangerous energy, which, if used, could cause enormous destruction."

Night said, “I suggest that if the situation allows, we should go there and take a look; perhaps it can be used as a means of extreme retaliation if necessary.”

Looking at the structural diagram of the secret passage, Lu Zhao said, "The structure of this secret passage is very strange. The style of the expansion is different from the current overall design of the base. It is very likely that it was added to the plan midway, which makes people feel suspicious."

Su Wanqing nodded. "I feel the same way. This secret passage seems to be designed to deal with a more serious crisis, or... to facilitate the escape of those on higher floors."

A hint of doubt flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes. "So, this secret passage is likely an escape route designed by the higher-ups? If that's the case, it confirms our previous theory about the internal fission within the base."

"Don't jump to conclusions. Now, let's go check out the burial site that Ye mentioned."

Su Wanqing said, "Xiao Ran, leave a few people here to keep watch."

Xiao Ran responded, leaving a few soldiers to guard the entrance to the secret passage, and then led Su Wanqing, Lu Zhao, and Ye deeper into the secret passage.

After a difficult trek, they finally reached the end of the secret passage.

There was a heavy metal door, covered with complex electronic locks.

Lu Zhao began trying to crack the electronic lock, his fingers flying across the keyboard, complex code flashing on the screen.

“This electronic lock is very complex and will take some time to crack,” Lu Zhao said. Ye suddenly said, “No need to crack it, I can open it for you.”

Night walked to the metal door, reached out, and gently touched the control panel on the door.

Just then, a series of mechanical sounds came from the metal door, and then the door slowly opened.

Behind the door was a huge underground space filled with all sorts of strange equipment and objects sealed in glass containers.

Su Wanqing illuminated the underground space with her flashlight and was stunned by what she saw.

What...where exactly is this place?
Su Wanqing stepped into the underground space, where the air was filled with a nauseating smell of disinfectant mixed with decay.

She scanned the area with her flashlight, finding countless glass containers filled with various biological tissues, some already rotten, others still retaining a strange vitality.

"This place... is simply a living hell," Xiao Ran said in a low voice, his tone filled with disgust.

"This must be a secret research facility used by higher-ups, much more covert than the experiments we saw in the quarantine zone before."

Lu Zhao analyzed, his gaze lingering on a metal plaque on the wall, which bore a blurry mark, resembling the logo of some kind of research institution.

"Professor Yang, take a look at these samples. Can you analyze anything?" Su Wanqing asked, trying to ignore the suffocating smell around her and focus on the work in front of her.

Professor Yang put on gloves, carefully opened a glass container, and took out a small tissue sample for testing.

"The virus strains in these samples are extremely complex, and they have all been artificially modified. Judging from their degree of mutation, there are at least dozens of different versions. What exactly are Zhou Licheng and his group trying to do?"

"It is very likely that they are looking for a more powerful virus, or they are researching a targeted vaccine."

Lu Zhao speculated, "But his choice to conduct secret research here indicates that he doesn't fully trust the base's interior and is worried about being discovered by others."

“Then let’s take advantage of this,” Su Wanqing said in a deep voice. “Xiao Ran, take a few people and transfer some of the supplies in these secret passages to the open area of ​​the base to create the illusion of a leak of experimental materials. Remember, you have to be careful not to cause too much panic, but you also need to attract the attention of the higher-ups.”

Xiao Ran hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Understood. I'll arrange it right away."

Su Wanqing noticed Xiao Ran's expression, which seemed to indicate that he still had some reservations about her plan.

In the past, Xiao Ran always obeyed orders and rarely raised any objections.

"You can speak your mind directly," Su Wanqing asked.

Xiao Ran took a deep breath and said, "At first, I didn't completely agree with the strategy of exposing these supplies, thinking it might backfire. But considering that the most important thing now is to disrupt Zhou Licheng's plans and ignite internal conflicts within the base, I think your idea is right. I will do my best to cooperate."

Su Wanqing nodded slightly, satisfied with Xiao Ran's attitude. "Very good. I'll extend your mission authority. At the same time, continue to be responsible for communicating with those defecting soldiers and understanding the information they possess."

"Understood," Xiao Ran replied, turning and walking out of the underground space to begin assigning tasks.

Lu Zhao walked to Su Wanqing's side and said softly, "Xiao Ran's attitude changed very quickly, which was beyond my expectations."

"He is a man of principle, he just needs time and trust."

Su Wanqing said, "Our most important task now is to use these supplies to force Zhou Licheng and his men to reveal their true colors."

“I’ll think of a way,” Lu Zhao said. “I discovered a vulnerability in the base’s management system. We can use this vulnerability to send information about some of the supplies inside the secret passage to the base’s high-level monitoring center.”

"We need to act quickly," Su Wanqing said. "Time is of the essence."

Lu Zhao nodded and immediately began operating the computer; black code scrolled rapidly across the screen.

Ye remained silent, standing beside Su Wanqing, observing everything around him.

Suddenly, Ye frowned and said, "This secret passage has another entrance, which connects to a separate area underground in the base. That area... is somewhat similar to the laboratory, with a large number of specimen storage devices."

Su Wanqing's heart sank. "What did you say?"

"That place... seems to be a secret warehouse used by higher-ups as a rotating storage area for clandestine experiments."

Night said, “We have stored some more hidden, more dangerous samples.”

Xiao Ran returned with his men and reported on the mission's progress. "The supplies have begun to be transferred, and the illusion of a leak is being created. The monitoring center... seems to have noticed the anomaly."

“Very good,” Su Wanqing said. “Lu Zhao, what do you think we should do next?”

Lu Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "I think we must conduct a comprehensive investigation into all the functions of this secret passage. Based on my judgment, this secret passage is not just an escape route or a secret laboratory. It may also have other functions, such as... weapon storage or energy supply. In order to fully understand all the secrets of the secret passage, I suggest that we stay here temporarily and conduct a more detailed investigation."

Su Wanqing looked at the eerie and terrifying surroundings and nodded.

“Alright. Now that we’re here, we can’t leave easily. Xiao Ran, you leave a few brothers here to keep watch. Ye, you’re in charge of monitoring the energy fluctuations in the secret passage. If you find anything unusual, notify me immediately.”

"Understood," Xiao Ran and Ye replied simultaneously.

Professor Yang was still engrossed in the sample analysis, occasionally letting out exclamations of surprise.

"The degree of variation in these samples far exceeded my expectations. Zhou Licheng and his team... have pushed virus research to a very dangerous level."

Su Wanqing walked over to Professor Yang and asked, "What did you discover?"

"I discovered a special code in the gene sequences of these samples. This code... is related to an experimental weapon called 'Obsidian'."

Professor Yang said, "'Obsidian' is a biological weapon created using genetic technology, possessing extremely high destructive power. If Zhou Licheng and his team successfully create this weapon, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Su Wanqing's expression grew even more serious. She knew they had been drawn into a massive conspiracy.

"It seems our mission is more difficult than we imagined," Su Wanqing said in a low voice.

She looked around at the dimly lit underground space, her heart filled with vigilance.

The reactions within the base began to emerge.

Alarms blared incessantly in the monitoring center, and urgent announcements echoed throughout the base's public address system.

"Warning! Warning! Unidentified material leak detected in open area. All personnel to evacuate immediately!"

"Warning! Warning! An unknown virus strain has been detected. All personnel must be quarantined immediately!"

Chaos erupted inside the base.

Su Wanqing looked at the constantly changing data on the screen and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

"Let the chaos get even worse."