Chapter 36: The Data Labyrinth
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Time: 3:00 AM
Location: Singapore, Zenith Data Center
The smell of gunpowder still lingered in the main control room. On the screens, the data streams had begun to stabilize, and the flashing red warning lights slowed, signaling that the data transfer had been successfully intercepted. However, 30% of the core data had still been successfully transferred by the enemy, its destination unknown.
Zhao Ming’s voice crackled through the headset, weary yet resolute: "Yun-chuan, we successfully intercepted 70% of the data, but the remaining 30% has been routed to a node we cannot track. This means the Abyss Syndicate’s 'contingency plan' is still active."
Shen Qing-wan clutched the wound on her shoulder, leaning against a bunker as she gasped for air: "They were prepared for every step of this. This was a calculated strategic diversion."
Xu Yun-chuan stood before the main console, his gaze sharp: "Zhao Ming, did the remaining 30% of the data leave any trace? Even the slightest clue?"
"Yes! I found a hidden coordinate fragment in the log files, but it’s incomplete. I need time to piece it together and decrypt it."
"Return to headquarters immediately, Zhao Ming. There can be no mistakes this time," Xu Yun-chuan commanded decisively.
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Back at Headquarters
Several hours later, Xu Yun-chuan and Shen Qing-wan returned to the Shen Group Global Command Center. The command hall was brightly lit, with every technician working frantically amidst screens filled with complex data streams and flashing alert icons.
Zhao Ming projected the data fragments recovered from the Zenith Data Center onto the holographic screen. Massive, disjointed coordinate maps floated in the air, complex and chaotic.
"These are the fragments we pulled from the logs, but the missing parts cannot be directly spliced; they must be reconstructed using quantum algorithms," Zhao Ming explained.
"How long will it take?" Xu Yun-chuan asked.
"At least 48 hours."
"That’s too long. The enemy won’t give us that much time," Shen Qing-wan frowned.
Zhao Ming sighed: "It’s the only way."
Xu Yun-chuan scanned the command hall, his voice cold and firm: "Zhao Ming, utilize all our computing resources. Give it everything you have. We must locate that node, no matter what."
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Shadows Emerge
Meanwhile, on a hidden offshore platform, Kane stood before a holographic screen, staring out at the endless sea with a cold smirk on his face.
A technician approached and reported in a low voice: "Sir, 70% of the data was intercepted, but the 30% containing the core control code has been successfully transferred to the Shadow Node. We can initiate the contingency plan at any time."
Kane turned around, his eyes cold: "Excellent. Initiate the contingency plan. Target: The East Asian Energy Hub."
"Sir, if we take control of the East Asian Energy Hub, we will be able to completely dismantle their global energy defense system."
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"This time, we will not fail," Kane sneered.
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Emergency Breakthrough
Time ticked away second by second. Inside the Shen Group command center, Zhao Ming and his technical team had been working for over ten hours, their faces etched with exhaustion.
"Zhao Ming, what is the progress?" Xu Yun-chuan walked over to the technical console, his eyes sharp.
"We’ve pieced together 90% of the coordinate fragments, but the final portion is deeply encrypted. It’s a self-destructing encryption program; if we decode it incorrectly, the entire coordinate will be permanently wiped," Zhao Ming’s fingers flew across the keyboard.
"We cannot take that risk. Continue trying, but proceed with caution," Xu Yun-chuan said.
Just then, a green light flashed across the screen. Zhao Ming jumped up, his face filled with surprise: "I’ve cracked the final sequence! Target location confirmed—East Asian Energy Hub, Tokyo Branch Center!"
The hall fell silent. Everyone stared at the red dot marked on the holographic map.
Shen Qing-wan said softly: "Their target is the Tokyo Branch. It is the largest new energy control hub in East Asia. If it is breached, the entire new energy network in the East Asian region will collapse."
"Prepare for action immediately," Xu Yun-chuan’s gaze was icy. "This time, we must arrive there before they do."
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To Tokyo
The private jet flew toward Tokyo in the morning light. The atmosphere inside the cabin remained heavy.
Zhao Ming’s voice came through the headset: "The defense system at the Tokyo branch is incredibly complex, but the enemy has already begun infiltrating. They might launch their attack before we even arrive."
"We cannot give them another chance," Xu Yun-chuan said coldly.
Shen Qing-wan looked out the window, her expression resolute: "This time, we will destroy their plan once and for all."
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Tokyo Branch Center
The Tokyo Branch was located in a high-tech building in the city center, serving as the core hub for new energy dispatch in East Asia.
When Xu Yun-chuan and Shen Qing-wan arrived, the entire facility had entered the highest level of security alert. Outside the building, security personnel were fully armed, the surrounding streets were cordoned off, and the air was thick with tension.
"Zhao Ming, we have arrived. Have the enemies begun their move?"
"Yes, data streams are flooding into the Tokyo branch’s main control server. They are attempting to take over the energy dispatch authority!"
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"Qing-wan, let’s go!"
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The Battle of Offense and Defense
Inside the control room, the alarm blared, and red warning lights flashed incessantly. On the screens, attack data poured toward the servers like a violent storm, attempting to breach the defense system.
"Zhao Ming, how much time do we have?" Xu Yun-chuan shouted.
"Ten minutes at most! If we can’t seal this node in ten minutes, the Tokyo Branch will fall completely!"
"Zhao Ming, give me an entry point! I’m going to manually terminate the source of the attack!"
Zhao Ming tapped the keyboard, sweat beading on his forehead: "I’ve opened a backdoor for you, but this channel will only hold for five minutes!"
Xu Yun-chuan stood before the main console, calmly executing complex commands while Shen Qing-wan kept a vigilant watch on the surroundings.
"One minute left!" Zhao Ming’s voice was strained.
Countdown: 00:00:10
"Success! I’ve locked onto the source of the attack and am cutting off all data streams!"
The attack data on the screen dissipated instantly, and the alarms fell silent.
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The Battle Continues
Peace returned to the control room. Zhao Ming’s voice came through the headset: "The crisis at the Tokyo Branch is temporarily averted, but the source of the attack hasn't been completely eliminated. They have other contingency plans."
Shen Qing-wan said softly: "The enemy is still in the shadows; we must trace this to the root."
Xu Yun-chuan’s gaze was firm: "The foundation of the Abyss Syndicate must be completely eradicated. This war is not over yet."
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The shadow war over new energy continues. While the crisis in Tokyo has been temporarily resolved, a greater conspiracy is brewing in the dark. Under the storm, every step is a walk on the edge of a blade.