101: Chapter 101 Departure to the Northwest!

"Chen Fan! The meteorite you wanted has been found, a full several hundred kilograms! When can you come over?"

On the other end of the phone, Fu Dong's voice trembled with excitement; his barely contained exhilaration was palpable even through the receiver.

A slight smile touched the corner of Chen Fan's lips as he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk: "Engineer Fu, I really owe you one this time. I'll be there the day after tomorrow. I still have to attend a closed-door military meeting tomorrow."

"Alright! I'll be waiting for you at the research station!" Fu Dong agreed readily and hung up the phone with a sharp click.

The next day, at exactly nine in the morning.

A black military-licensed SUV waited quietly downstairs at Fanxing Technology. As soon as Chen Fan got in, the windows slowly rose, shutting out the outside noise. The vehicle sped along and eventually drove into a secluded military restricted zone.

They passed through multiple security checkpoints, each step meticulously verified. The soldiers conducting the pat-downs were swift and professional; even the pen in his pocket was carefully inspected three times. Only after confirming everything was in order were they allowed to enter the heavily guarded conference room.

The thick alloy door slid open slowly, and Chen Fan stepped inside.

Eight people were already seated at the long rectangular conference table. In the main seat was Lieutenant General Li Zhenjun, along with three middle-aged men in black casual wear whose auras were as cold and hard as iron, and two technical officers with the rank of Senior Colonel, their gazes sharp and piercing.

"Comrade Chen Fan, please have a seat."

Li Zhenjun raised his hand, pointing to the empty seat to the right of the head of the table, his voice deep and resonant like a bell: "Everyone present here has undergone the highest-level security clearance. Today's closed-door meeting is no small matter—it concerns the lifeblood of our nation's defense security for the next five to ten years!"

Chen Fan took his seat as instructed, his gaze sweeping discreetly over the attendees. The three men in casual wear sat ramrod straight, their posture rigid; they were clearly top operatives from the state security system.

"First, the latest situation briefing."

A Senior Colonel officer raised his hand and activated the holographic projector on the table. Instantly, a cold blue light surged upwards, clearly displaying the gruesome scene of the Long Corporation's underground base.

"The on-site investigation of the Long Corporation's experimental base has been fully completed," the Senior Colonel's voice was devoid of any emotion, yet each word carried a chilling undertone. "Forensic analysis confirms that all fatalities at the scene were caused by Long Zaifei alone! The Ω Sample he injected possesses extremely potent biological contamination and a violently corrosive force. Currently, an area with a radius of fifty kilometers centered on the base has been designated a permanent quarantine zone. No one is allowed to approach without authorization!"

The image switched, revealing a satellite aerial map marked with a dozen glaring crimson dots.

"What's more serious is—" the Senior Colonel's tone shifted abruptly, growing heavier, "—we discovered research records for the Ω Sample in all seven of the Long Group's secret laboratories scattered across the country! According to decrypted documents, the Long Group has been colluding with the foreign Graden organization for a full ten years! The scope involves biological weapons, electromagnetic weapons, quantum communications... all highly sensitive fields under strict national lockdown!"

Li Zhenjun took over, grabbing the encrypted briefing from the table and slapping it down heavily, his voice grave: "Comrade Chen Fan! The technical parameters of that electromagnetic artillery shell you intercepted yesterday are a full ten years ahead of the current publicly known international level!"

The holographic projection switched again, revealing three top-secret documents.

"Last month, Eagle Country's Genesis Laboratory conducted an antimatter containment field test on an isolated island in the ocean, with energy intensity surpassing the critical threshold; the Euro-Union's Prometheus Project built a third-generation fusion reactor deep in the Alps, achieving stable operation; even Bear Country's Winter Palace Project has excavated what appears to be alien civilization ruins within the Arctic Circle!"

Li Zhenjun's gaze swept over those present, his voice filled with urgency: "The global technological race has long since become a bloodbath! If we don't keep up, we'll be beaten to a pulp!"

A deathly silence fell over the conference room. You could hear a pin drop.

After a moment, one of the middle-aged men from the state security system finally spoke, his voice low and grating like sandpaper: "Comrade Chen Fan, the nation needs your technology. If other forces weaponize that shield technology you demonstrated yesterday before we do... we'll be strategically cornered, with no chance of recovery!"

In that instant, eight pairs of eyes focused intently on Chen Fan. There was expectation, anxiety, scrutiny, and a profound sense of trust.

Chen Fan interlaced his fingers and rested them against his chin, remaining silent for a full thirty seconds.

Then, he slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade: "I understand the nation's concerns. But my technology... has its peculiarities."

"We are aware of that," Li Zhenjun nodded without hesitation, his tone earnest. "We don't ask you to disclose all your core secrets. We only need you to provide a simplified version of the Plasma Shield System that can be mass-produced! Even if it only achieves thirty percent of the effectiveness you demonstrated yesterday, it would be enough to overturn the current offensive and defensive paradigms and give us a solid backbone!"

Hearing this, Chen Fan finally relented.

He abruptly stood up, his gaze sweeping across the room, each word spoken with resounding force: "I can provide the complete design blueprints for the Shield Generator, along with the core construction method for the Energy Matrix! But I have one condition!"

"Name it!" Li Zhenjun immediately responded.

"Production and manufacturing must be led by Fanxing Technology!" Chen Fan's voice was ironclad, carrying an unyielding authority. "The military can provide facilities, funding, and manpower, but control over the core processes must remain firmly in my hands!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the two technical Senior Colonels immediately exchanged a few low words, then nodded in unison.

Li Zhenjun waved his hand decisively, his voice firm: "No problem! We'll do it your way!"

Chen Fan nodded and sat back down: "You'll have to wait until I return from my business trip. I'll deliver the first version of the design blueprints then."

He looked at Li Zhenjun: "I need to leave Shanghai for a while, about a week. Fanxing Technology has some business in another location that requires my personal attention."

"A minor matter," Li Zhenjun waved his hand. "If you need anything, just say the word. The military will provide full support!"

"Perfectly timed," Chen Fan's lips curved slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I'm heading to the Northwest this time. I'd like to take a look at the site of Long Zaifei's underground laboratory along the way."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhenjun immediately laughed: "What a coincidence! Tomorrow, we have a batch of supplies to transport to the Northwest quarantine zone, with a special plane on standby. If you don't mind, you can travel directly with our personnel!"

Chen Fan stood up and extended his hand: "Then I'll trouble Commander Li."

Their hands clasped tightly together, the grip forceful and weighty.