manynovel Chapter 59 Virus Database Breakthrough
Chapter 59 Virus Database Breakthrough
Inside the server room, only the hum of the machines and the rhythmic flashing of indicator lights during data transmission could be heard. On the screen, the blue bar representing the download progress had already passed more than halfway, with the number showing 68% complete. Chen Haotian and Tony stared intently at the screen, each passing second feeling like a race against an invisible pursuer.
"Data transmission is stable, but the Red Queen's countermeasures are accelerating," Jarvis's calm voice came through Tony's headset. "She's attempting to encrypt parts of core files and has launched multiple fake data streams to disrupt our download path. I'm prioritizing stripping away the real data, but this will slightly slow down the overall speed."
"Can you estimate how long it will take for her to fully restore her lock on us?" Chen Haotian asked, his gaze sweeping over the entrance to the server room and the moving patrol robots. They seemed to have become more "active," their scanning trajectories beginning to deviate from their fixed routes, occasionally pausing towards the control panel.
"Based on the previous interference intensity and the Red Queen's self-optimization rate, optimistically, we have less than five minutes of safe window left." Tony calculated quickly, his fingers tapping on the virtual keyboard to assist Jarvis in filtering data. "We must obtain the virus samples before then. Data centers are important, but those things in test tubes are one of our main objectives for this trip."
"Has the location of the virus database been determined?"
"Based on the partial structural diagram and security logs I just downloaded, the main virus sample storage area of the Hive is in Area C, a highly isolated laboratory codenamed 'Ark.' It has independent energy, environmental, and security systems, and is even to some extent independent of the Red Queen's direct control, possessing the highest level of physical and biological isolation measures." Tony pulled up a blurry diagram. "Getting in will be no easier than getting in here."
Chen Haotian frowned slightly as he looked at the complex structural diagram. "A direct assault is unrealistic. Since it's relatively independent, and the Red Queen's direct control over it is limited, perhaps we can take advantage of that."
"you mean?"
"A feint, or... using someone else's strength against them." A calculating glint flashed in Chen Haotian's eyes. "The Red Queen wants to trap or eliminate us here. What if we create an even bigger 'trouble' for her, leaving her no time to spare, and even forcing her to mobilize resources from the 'Ark' region?"
Tony immediately understood his meaning, his face lighting up with excitement: "Detonate some less important area? Create a large-scale system failure? Let her handle the crisis there first, creating an opportunity for us to enter the 'Ark'? Great idea! Jarvis, scan the Hive structure and find a suitable area to create 'controlled chaos'. Requirements: non-core, but connected to critical systems, capable of triggering a chain reaction after destruction without causing the entire base to collapse or the virus to leak."
"Scanning... Target locked: Area B-7, secondary energy distribution center. This center is responsible for supplying approximately 30% of the non-core areas of the Hive and has a backup connection to the primary energy system. Destroying this center will cause widespread failure of lighting, ventilation, and some defense facilities, triggering the Red Queen's highest-level infrastructure repair protocol and inevitably diverting a large amount of its computing resources. At the same time, this area is far from the main virus storage area and research laboratory, and the risk is manageable."
"That's it!" Tony snapped his fingers. "Jarvis, once the data download is complete, immediately inject an overload command into the energy core of area B-7, setting a 30-second delay for activation. Then, plan the fastest route to the 'Ark' laboratory!"
"Commands recorded. Download completion: 89%"
Time passed in tense anticipation. Finally, one of the patrol robots deviated from its planned route and moved in a straight line toward the control panel. Its top scanner emitted a red beam and began a detailed scan of the control panel.
"We've been discovered?" Chen Haotian's body tensed slightly.
"Not necessarily, it could just be a routine, heightened patrol. But we can't stay any longer." Tony glanced at the progress bar. "92%...95%...98%...100%! Download complete! Let's go!"
He abruptly unplugged the data cable. Almost simultaneously, the approaching patrol robot emitted a piercing alarm, and the red light on its top flashed rapidly!
"Overload command sent. Optimal path planned, please follow the instructions!" Jarvis urged urgently.
"Go!" Chen Haotian shouted. The two stopped hiding and jumped out from behind the control panel. They ran along the green arrow projected on their armor masks toward the emergency evacuation passage on the other side of the server room.
Behind them, piercing alarms blared throughout the data center, and more patrol robots were activated, closing in from all directions, their dense red scanning beams crisscrossing in the air.
"Bang! Bang!" Without turning his head, Tony instantly fired the small pulse cannons on his armor's shoulder, accurately blasting the two leading robots into pieces and temporarily blocking the pursuers' path.
They rushed into the evacuation tunnel and sprinted down the cold metal staircase. They had barely run two floors when a muffled explosion suddenly came from beneath their feet, causing the entire hive to tremble slightly and the overhead lights to flicker violently a few times before returning to normal.
"Overload successful in area B-7. Red Queen system resources are being massively redirected to this area. The perimeter defense level of the 'Ark' laboratory in area C has been slightly reduced," Jarvis reported promptly.
"Well done!" Tony exclaimed, continuing on his way.
At the end of the evacuation route was a heavy isolation door, prominently marked with biohazard symbols and the words "Zone C - Highest Restricted Area." The access control system was flashing red, indicating that special permissions were required.
"This door is physically locked and has dual genetic code verification." Tony quickly scanned it. "Trying to force it will trigger the most severe countermeasures, including the possible release of nerve gas."
Chen Haotian's gaze fell on the wall next to the isolation door, where there was an inconspicuous maintenance interface box connected by countless cables, similar to the ones they had used in the data center. "The same old trick?"
"We can try, but the security level here is higher, and signal spoofing requires more precise synchronization." Tony popped out a nanosheet. "Same as always, you cut it open, I'll spoof it."
Chen Haotian once again concentrated his inner energy at his fingertips, a faint golden light flashing within. This time, the cutting speed was noticeably slower, the metal wall resisted more strongly, emitting a sharper "sizzling" sound. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Finally, a perfectly circular cut was completed, and the nanosheet instantly adhered.
"Let's do it!"
Tony operated in sync, while Jarvis controlled the influx of nanounits. The isolation door clicked softly, and the red access control light instantly turned green.
The two pushed open the heavy isolation door with force, and a stronger, more pungent smell, a mixture of disinfectant and a strange, sweet-smelling odor, wafted out. Behind the door was a pure white corridor, the walls smooth and reflective, the floor spotless, and the air circulation system humming softly. The silence here was eerie, a stark contrast to the chaos outside with its blaring alarms.
"Inside the 'Ark' laboratory. According to the blueprints, the main virus sample storage facility is the third isolation room on the left ahead." Tony lowered his voice, and all the weapon systems on his armor were on standby.
They moved cautiously down the corridor, each step landing almost silently on the sound-absorbing floor. On either side of the corridor were transparent, reinforced glass isolation rooms, containing various sophisticated instruments and equipment. Some even contained bizarre, writhing biological tissues in petri dishes, sending chills down their spines.
They successfully arrived outside the target isolation room, where the door was also a top-level security door, and next to it was a control console that required triple verification of palm print, iris scan, and password.
"This is the final hurdle." Tony frowned as he looked at the complex verification system. "The defenses here are almost entirely independent, and even Red Queen would have a hard time activating them remotely. Forcing a breakthrough will take time, and that's exactly what we need most."
Chen Haotian stared at the door, circulating his inner energy to sense the structure behind it. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he pointed to the ceiling: "Up there."
Tony looked up and saw a standard ventilation duct entrance in the ceiling, smaller than the one they had crawled through before, but large enough for one person to pass through. "A ventilation system? Isn't there any filtration or sealing?"
"Every system has its limits and design intent. The ventilation system here is mainly designed to prevent the leakage of microbial aerosols. However, it may not be without vulnerabilities for intruders with a specific purpose and unconventional power," Chen Haotian said, lightly leaping up and attaching his hand to the ceiling to carefully inspect the vent cover. The cover was made of fine metal mesh with physical latches along the edges.
He pointed his fingers like a sword, his pure Yang internal energy highly concentrated, like the finest energy blade, gently gliding along the gap of the latch. After a slight "click," the latch was precisely severed. He carefully removed the cover, revealing the dark pipe opening.
"I'll go in first to scout ahead, you keep watch," Chen Haotian said to Tony, his body moving with boneless agility as he slipped into the ventilation duct.
The pipes narrowed further, allowing only one person to crawl forward. The air was poorly circulated, filled with the strong smell of disinfectant and a cold, metallic odor. He held his breath, relying on the faint night vision provided by his true qi and his perception of energy flow to crawl through the intricate network of pipes. Jarvis provided remote guidance based on the structural diagram.
He crawled for about twenty meters, rounded a bend, and saw a faint light below. He leaned closer to the grille below and peered down through the gaps.
Below is a high-tech cryogenic laboratory. In the center is a cylindrical, transparent, sealed chamber, emitting a chilling white aura. Inside, dozens of test tubes are neatly arranged, each containing a viscous, pale blue liquid that flows slowly in the low temperature, creating an eerie beauty. Next to the test tube racks are several sealed metal boxes, printed with the words "T-Virus Original Strain - Purity 99.8%".
This is it! The virus stock sample storage facility!
With a firm resolve, Chen Haotian carefully observed the area below. The laboratory was empty, save for a few surveillance cameras slowly rotating. He estimated the height and location, took a deep breath, and channeled his inner energy into his palms.
He placed his hands on the bottom grille of the ventilation duct, channeling his inner force—not through violence, but by generating a high-frequency vibration. The metal connecting the grille and the duct groaned under the strain, and the screws loosened silently. A few seconds later, the entire grille, along with its edge fixing structure, was silently "vibrated" down.
He landed as lightly as a feather, his feet landing firmly on the cold ground without making a sound.
He quickly scanned his surroundings, confirming there was no immediate threat, before walking to the central sealed capsule. The capsule, constructed of high-strength composite materials and bulletproof glass, required specific codes and authorization to open. Its surface gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen.
Time was of the essence; there was no room for slow deciphering. Chen Haotian's eyes narrowed, and he pressed his right hand, fingers spread, against the glass wall of the sealed chamber. This time, he wasn't unleashing a sharp, cutting force, but rather a subtle yet highly penetrating internal energy. The energy flowed like mercury, penetrating the glass and metal, precisely targeting the complex electronic locks and mechanical structures within.
A faint, teeth-grinding grinding sound came from inside the sealed chamber. A few seconds later, with a soft "click," the locking mechanism of the sealed chamber was forcibly shaken open by internal force! The hatch sprang open a crack, and a rush of eerie white air surged out.
Without hesitation, Chen Haotian reached in and quickly and safely removed the row of test tubes containing the dark blue T-virus stock solution, along with several metal boxes labeled as high-purity samples, and placed them into a specially made storage box that Tony had prepared in advance, which was insulated from temperature and pressure and impact.
"Sample secured, retreat!" he signaled to Tony via a miniature communicator.
The instant he closed the storage box, an alarm far more piercing than before suddenly blared throughout the entire "Ark" laboratory! Red warning lights flashed wildly, turning the pure white space a blood-red hue!
"Warning! Unauthorized activation of the highest-level isolation unit detected! Issue the highest-level biohazard alert! 'Purification' protocol countdown: 60 seconds!"
A cold, electronic female voice echoed in the laboratory, filled with deadly intent.