Chapter 44: Shadows Emerging
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Time: Three days later
Location: Shen Group Global Command Center
The victory in the Wall Street capital war temporarily stabilized the order of the global new energy market, but a more covert force was quietly surfacing.
Zhao Ming stood before the main console, his eyes showing exhaustion, but more importantly, a trace of vigilance: "Yunchuan, we have frozen most of Abyss Holdings' assets, but a portion of the funds... has vanished."
"Vanished?" Xu Yunchuan furrowed his brow, his gaze sharp.
Zhao Ming projected a global fund-flow map, where a dark red capital chain extended toward an obscure point.
"They used extremely sophisticated fund-concealment techniques to transfer this sum to Nigeria, Africa, to a place called the Kalum Technology Center."
Shen Qingwan said softly, "Africa? In such a barren region, they actually still concealed a technology center?"
"On the surface, the Kalum Technology Center is a small new energy technology research and development company, but when analyzing their capital flows, I discovered they are procuring high-performance computing equipment and rare metal materials on a massive scale." Zhao Ming's voice carried unease.
"These materials and equipment are likely being used to manufacture some kind of core technological device," Xu Yunchuan said in a deep voice.
"Zhao Ming, prepare for action immediately. We are going to Nigeria in person," Xu Yunchuan said with a resolute gaze.
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Africa · Nigeria
Kalum, a small town hidden in the interior of Nigeria, appeared calm on the surface. Dust-filled streets and crude houses stood under the sun, but on the outskirts of the town, a concealed high-tech building stood quietly, appearing completely out of place with its surroundings.
The transport aircraft stopped at a temporary landing site a few kilometers away from the Kalum Technology Center. Xu Yunchuan, Shen Qingwan, and the special operations team quickly landed, passed through sparse woods, and approached the target building.
"Zhao Ming, we have arrived at the outer perimeter of the target," Xu Yunchuan said in a low voice.
Zhao Ming responded through the earpiece: "I have successfully hacked into the outer surveillance system of the technology center. There are a large number of automated weapon systems and infrared scanning devices there. You must proceed with caution."
Shen Qingwan carefully observed the perimeter of the building, discovering that it was densely covered with concealed surveillance cameras and infrared sensors all around.
"Zhao Ming, can you disable the perimeter defense system?" Shen Qingwan asked.
"I can only provide a three-minute window to shut it down, after which they will automatically reboot," Zhao Ming replied.
"Then let's move."
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Infiltration Operation
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Zhao Ming successfully interfered with the perimeter defense system from a remote terminal, and the special team members quickly crossed the defense zone and entered the interior of the building.
The corridors were dimly lit, and the air was filled with the scent of metal and coolant. The hum of servers echoed through the hallway, giving off an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"This doesn't look like an ordinary R&D center; it's more like a data core hub," Shen Qingwan whispered.
Xu Yunchuan nodded, signaling the team to continue advancing.
As they approached the main data control room, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from ahead.
"The enemy has discovered us. Prepare for combat!" Xu Yunchuan commanded in a low voice.
In an instant, gunfire erupted, and sparks flew across the corridor. The enemy was clearly prepared, and their firepower was exceptionally fierce, with bullets sweeping toward the team like raindrops.
"Zhao Ming, we are trapped in the corridor. Can you carve out a new route for us?" Xu Yunchuan asked loudly.
"Trying now! Give me a minute!" Zhao Ming operated furiously from the remote terminal.
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Core Control Room
With Zhao Ming's remote assistance, the team successfully breached the crossfire zone and entered the core control room.
Inside the control room, dozens of high-performance servers flickered with cold blue lights, and huge screens on the main console displayed complex streams of energy data.
"This is their core data hub," Shen Qingwan said.
Zhao Ming's voice came through the earpiece: "I've accessed the core system. The data streams here show that they are running a project code-named **'Aurora Project'**."
"Aurora Project?" Xu Yunchuan frowned.
Zhao Ming continued, "Judging from the preliminary data, the Aurora Project is a global smart control project for new energy. They are attempting to build an independent new energy dispatch system, bypassing the existing international new energy network to achieve comprehensive control over the global energy market."
"This is their ultimate goal," Xu Yunchuan said in a low voice.
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Countdown Returns
Just as Zhao Ming attempted to download the core data, a warning window suddenly popped up on the screen.
"Self-destruct sequence initiated. Countdown: 00:10:00"
"They're destroying all the data!" Zhao Ming said anxiously.
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"Zhao Ming, is there still a way to stop it?" Shen Qingwan asked.
"The only way is to manually abort the self-destruct sequence, but the main console has three security locks that need to be cracked one by one," Zhao Ming explained rapidly.
"Shen Qingwan, cover me!" Xu Yunchuan quickly rushed toward the main console, inputting the decryption keys provided by Zhao Ming into the system one by one.
The countdown ticked away second by second, and the air was thick with a suffocating tension.
00:00:30
"The final lock has been bypassed! Zhao Ming, take over the system!" Xu Yunchuan shouted.
Zhao Ming's fingers danced frantically across the keyboard, and the countdown on the screen finally froze at 00:00:05.
"Self-destruct sequence aborted. Data intact and fully preserved."
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Core Data Revealed
A hint of excitement laced Zhao Ming's voice: "Yunchuan, we did it! I have copied all the core data regarding the 'Aurora Project'."
Shen Qingwan let out a slight breath of relief: "At last, the core of this storm has finally revealed itself."
Xu Yunchuan's gaze was sharp as he looked at the complex data charts on the screen: "The core server of the 'Aurora Project'... is in Antarctica."
"Antarctica?" Shen Qingwan was somewhat surprised.
Zhao Ming added, "Yes, the Abyss Consortium has established a global energy regulation hub in Antarctica. That place is their ultimate stronghold."
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Under the shroud of night, Xu Yunchuan stood on the high ground of the temporary camp, gazing toward the distant horizon.
"Antarctica... That will be the final battlefield of this war."
The storm had arrived, and the war drums for the final chapter had already beaten.
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