Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

Xuanwu Base Command Center.

Bai Yongxu stood in front of the control panel, his hands resting on the tabletop, staring at the gradually becoming clearer hemispherical structure.

"The structure has a diameter of 317 meters and a height of about 150 meters."

The technical supervisor quickly reported the preliminary analysis results: "The outer shell material is unknown, but judging from the sound wave reflection characteristics, the density is extremely high, at least three times that of a conventional submarine hull."

"The entrance and exit are confirmed to be at the bottom, with a width of 21 meters, a two-way track system, and a track spacing of 4.5 meters, which meets the specifications of large transport vehicles."

General Zhao walked to Bai Yongxu's side and said in a deep voice, "Old Bai, this is no longer an outpost. This is a complete underwater base."

Can you estimate the construction time?

"Based on the growth rate model, this structure has been exposed to the sea for no less than five years."

"Five years..."

Bai Yongxu pondered the number.

"In other words, the organization began building this base deep in the South China Sea at least five years ago."

"And right under our noses."

General Zhao's tone was filled with suppressed anger.

"Such a large-scale project requires a lot of material transportation and personnel mobilization, yet we didn't receive a single word about it."

"They did an excellent job of being covert."

Pointing to the thermal image, Qin said, "The location of this base is very tricky; conventional sonar detection could easily mistake it for natural terrain."

At that moment, a report came from the communications station: "Sir, the speedboat carrying the reconnaissance team has arrived at the dock and is en route for transfer."

"Send them directly to the command center," Bai Yongxu ordered. "I want to hear firsthand reports."

Half an hour later.

Captain Gao walked in with his deputy captain. Both of them still looked tired from the deep-sea operation, but their military posture remained upright.

Their combat uniforms had been replaced with clean training uniforms, but the skin on their hands still showed wrinkles from being soaked in water for a long time.

"Report!" Captain Gao stood at attention and saluted. "Gao Yuan, the captain of the South China Sea Special Reconnaissance Team, has returned after being ordered to carry out a close-in reconnaissance mission and is requesting a report!"

Bai Yongxu returned the greeting, "Sit down and let's talk."

The staff brought over two chairs, and Captain Gao and his deputy sat down.

Captain Gao took a data storage disk from his waterproof bag and handed it to the technician.

"This is all the raw data collected by the robot."

The technician immediately connected to the system, and the processed video clips began playing on the large screen.

"Are these patterns decorative?" General Zhao asked.

“It doesn’t look like it.” Captain Gao shook his head. “We extracted a portion and enhanced it, and found that these textures are actually composed of countless tiny hexagonal units, with extremely fine gaps between the units.”

"It's the sensor layer of the defense system."

Old Qin squinted. "These units are probably some kind of pressure or electromagnetic field sensor, covering the entire surface of the casing. Any object that gets close will trigger a reaction."

"So we were discovered," Bai Yongxu stated the facts.

"Yes," Captain Gao admitted frankly. "When we finished setting up the vibration sensors and were preparing to withdraw, we detected a high-speed target rising from a depth of 900 meters to pursue us."

Could you describe the pursuing unit?

"The speed was extremely fast. Judging from the echo profile detected by the sonar, it should be the same model as the underwater vehicle that Consultant Jiang encountered before."

Captain Gao paused for a moment, then said, "But there's one strange detail."

"explain."

"It did not return to base immediately after ceasing the pursuit."

“It’s not chasing you,” Bai Yongxu said slowly. “It’s checking whether you carry genetic markers similar to Jiang Nian’s.”

"After confirming that there was no such thing, we gave up the pursuit."

General Zhao continued, "This shows that the organization's defense system's primary objective is to prevent targets with specific genetic characteristics from getting close."

"And we ordinary reconnaissance personnel are seen as having a lower threat level in their eyes."

Captain Gao's expression was not good; it was unclear whether he should feel fortunate or be looked down upon.

"Any results with the vibration sensors?" Bai Yongxu changed the subject.

“Yes,” the deputy captain continued. “Before the evacuation, the sensors detected two vibrations in the orbit. The first one lasted forty-two seconds, and the epicenter moved from inside the base toward the entrance/exit, presumably due to vehicles leaving the depot.”

"The second one occurred three minutes later, with the epicenter moving from the outside in and lasting for thirty-eight seconds. It should be the vehicle returning."

He pulled up the vibration waveform diagram: "Based on the vibration frequency and attenuation mode analysis, this vehicle weighs at least two hundred tons, but it runs extremely smoothly, and the vibration mainly comes from the track interface."

"Two hundred tons of underwater equipment," General Zhao murmured. "What can it transport?"

"Personnel, equipment, supplies, or..."

Bai Yongxu didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

"What about the base's energy system?" Old Qin asked. "Did the thermal imaging detect any emission points?"

The technician pulled up a heat source distribution map: "The heat emission is mainly concentrated in the top area of ​​the hemispherical structure, with six symmetrically distributed outlets, each about three meters in diameter, continuously discharging fluid at a temperature about fifteen degrees Celsius higher than the ambient water temperature."

"The composition of the fluid?"

The technician glanced at the progress and said, "Preliminary results show that it is rich in sulfides, metal ions and trace amounts of radioactive isotopes, which is consistent with the characteristics of deep-sea hydrothermal vents."

Old Qin's eyes lit up.

"They really are using hydrothermal vents on the seabed as an energy source!"

"Deep-sea hydrothermal vents can reach temperatures of three to four hundred degrees Celsius and are rich in chemical substances. With appropriate heat engine systems and chemical energy conversion devices, they can provide a stable power source for a medium-sized base."

"But this is extremely technically difficult."

General Zhao frowned. "High temperature, high pressure, and highly corrosive environments place revolutionary demands on materials."

"Therefore, the organization's materials science is ahead of ours."

Bai Yongxu concluded, "This base itself is a demonstration of their technological prowess."

He turned to Captain Gao and his deputy: "You did a great job, mission accomplished. Now go to the medical center for a full check-up, then rest. Submit a detailed report tomorrow."

"Yes!"

The two men stood up, saluted, and turned to leave.

The command center was once again bustling with activity. The technical team began in-depth analysis of various data, the modeling group was refining the 3D structural diagram, and the intelligence department was analyzing the base's potential logistical supply chain.

Bai Yongxu and General Zhao walked to the rest area, where an assistant brought them two cups of strong tea.

"What do you think?"

Bai Yongxu took a sip of tea, and the bitter taste invigorated him.

"This base is a transit point to the Ruins of Return."

General Zhao stated definitively, "The organization cannot use ships like the Poseidon for long-distance voyages every time. They need the South China Sea as a forward outpost for personnel to rest, supplies to be distributed, and possibly for some preliminary operations."

"Transfer station".

Bai Yongxu pondered, "Then its defense level shouldn't be as high as the original Guixu body."

"What do you mean?" "If we are to take proactive action against the organization, this base might be a more suitable target." Bai Yongxu put down his teacup.

"Beat the transit stations, which can weaken their logistical capabilities, acquire more technology and intelligence, and avoid directly touching the core of Guixu, thus preventing a full-scale conflict from happening too early."

General Zhao pondered for a moment.

"But the risks remain significant. Today's reconnaissance has demonstrated that they possess sophisticated underwater surveillance and rapid response capabilities."

"If we launch a direct assault, we would need to mobilize a considerable underwater force, which would be easily detected by other countries' monitoring systems on the high seas."

Therefore, we cannot launch a direct attack.

A cold glint flashed in Bai Yongxu's eyes. "We must outsmart them."

"Outsmart them? How?"

“From the inside,” Bai Yongxu said slowly, “the organization’s base needs supplies, personnel rotation, and the exchange of materials and information with the outside world. As long as it is still operating, there will definitely be loopholes.”

General Zhao understood: "You want to send someone to infiltrate?"

"not now."

Bai Yongxu shook his head, "We know nothing about its personnel entry and exit patterns, supply cycles, or communication protocols. Sending people blindly is tantamount to suicide."

He stood up, walked to the large screen, and looked at the complete hemispherical structure model.

……

8:00 AM, base medical center, isolation intensive care unit.

When Jiang Nian woke up, she felt much better than she had the night before.

"Teacher Jiang, you're awake." Su Qing placed the tray on the portable dining table. "How are you feeling?"

"not bad."

Jiang Nian sat up. "Any new information from the base?"

"The South China Sea reconnaissance team returned in the early hours of the morning, bringing back crucial data," Su Qing said in a low voice while setting out the table. "They confirmed that the heat source is a large underwater base, over 300 meters in diameter, with a complete rail transport system and energy supply."

Jiang Nian's eyes narrowed: "The organization?"

"It's basically certain."

Su Qing handed over the tablet, which contained an analysis report from Qin Lao's team.

"This is both a danger and an opportunity for us," Jiang Nian muttered to himself.

“Yes.” Su Qing put away her tablet. “Chief Bai has already called a meeting to discuss the next steps.”

"Professor Qin's team hopes that you can cooperate with a deep scan this morning to collect complete cycle data of the marker activity under natural conditions."

“Okay.” Jiang Nian had no objection.

After breakfast, Jiang Nian, accompanied by Su Qing, went to the deep scanning area of ​​the biological laboratory.

This is not a simple circular scanner, but a more complex device.

In the center of the room was a transparent cylindrical container filled with a pale blue liquid.

"This is a high-conductivity electromagnetic coupling fluid."

Professor Qin personally operated the control panel, explaining, "You need to immerse yourself in it; the liquid will enhance the sensitivity and resolution of our scans, enabling us to capture more subtle changes in physiological signals."

"The entire scan will take about 45 minutes. During this time, you need to stay relaxed and try not to think or mobilize your internal energy."

Qin Lao's voice came through the built-in speaker, "We will monitor your brainwave activity. If any abnormal fluctuations occur, the scan will automatically pause."

"clear."

The liquid gradually submerged his entire body, eventually even his head. Through a specially designed breathing mask, Jiang Nian could see the busy figures of Qin Lao and the technicians outside the container.

"The baseline labeling activity is stable; we will begin recording periodic fluctuations," the technician reported.

Old Qin stared intently at the curve representing the activity of the marker.

The curve fluctuates slightly at a frequency of about once every three minutes, with a small difference between the peaks and troughs, but it is clearly visible under high-precision instruments.

"The amplitude is slowly increasing."

"Will this growth continue?" a researcher next to me asked.

"I don't know," Old Qin shook his head.

He retrieved the detection frequency data previously obtained from the aircraft and compared it in real time with Jiang Nian's current marker fluctuation frequency.

The two curves have extremely similar waveforms, only their amplitudes are different.

……

morning.

Command center, emergency meeting.

The large screen displayed the data analysis results of Jiang Nian's scan, as well as a 3D model of the South China Sea base.

“Everyone is aware of the situation,” Bai Yongxu said bluntly. “The marker activity in Jiang Nian’s body is increasing irreversibly. The organization’s South China Sea base has been confirmed to have comprehensive monitoring and rapid response capabilities.”

He looked around at everyone: "Now we need to decide on the next step."

"Two options: move Jiang Nian to a more concealed location and try to develop shielding technology to buy time. Or take the initiative and use Jiang Nian as bait to strike the organization's South China Sea base or patrol units."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

The head of the intelligence department spoke first: "From a risk control perspective, I suggest option one. The organization's technical capabilities are unclear, and rash action could lead to unpredictable consequences. Moreover, Comrade Jiang Nian's safety is the top priority."

"I agree."

The head of the technical department echoed, "Qin's team is working hard to develop shielding technology. As long as we can buy enough time, we are fully capable of finding a solution."

The head of the operations department disagreed: "Passive defense is always the worst option. If the organization's detection technology is really that advanced, they will find Advisor Jiang sooner or later."

"At that point, we won't even have the initiative to choose the battlefield."

He pointed to the model of the South China Sea base: "And this base is currently the only forward outpost of our organization that we can reach."

"But how do we fight?"

The intelligence chief countered, "A direct assault? How much underwater force would that require?"

"How could an operation of this scale be concealed from other countries on the high seas?"

"A direct assault isn't always necessary."

General Zhao spoke up, "We can consider special infiltration. If the organization's defense system really only targets specific genetic traits, then ordinary personnel might actually be safer."

He pulled up a document: "If we can grasp its patterns and ambush it near the flight path in advance, using miniature suction devices to infiltrate the outside of the vehicle, it is possible to be brought into the base."

What happens after you go inside?

Old Qin frowned. "The base's internal structure is unknown, its defense system is unknown, and its personnel configuration is unknown. Anyone who goes in may never return."

"Therefore, meticulous planning and support are needed."

General Zhao looked at Bai Yongxu and said, "I suggest a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, continue to monitor the base and figure out its activity patterns. On the other hand, accelerate the training of Advisor Jiang."

All eyes were on Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian had been listening quietly until now, when she finally spoke.

"I agree with General Zhao's opinion." (End of Chapter)