122: Chapter 122 Key 137 Triangular Challenge

After dealing with the mutants and handing them all over to the military,

Chen Fan returned to the laboratory at the Fanxing Technology factory.

But what lingered in his mind was the Doctor's words: 'He has a faint Stellar Core Energy reaction on him.'

Right at that moment, Xiao Zhi sent a new analysis result:

[Successfully analyzed the control backdoor of the omega virus!]

[Hidden within the viral gene sequence is a set of special base pairs, whose arrangement forms a mathematical function. When the correct 'key sequence' is input, the virus enters a dormant state, ceasing replication and mutation.]

[Key sequence has been cracked: it is a specific arrangement consisting of 137 bases.]

137. This number stirred something in Chen Fan's heart.

The fine-structure constant—a dimensionless constant in physics describing the strength of electromagnetic interaction, whose reciprocal is approximately 137.36. This number holds special significance in quantum mechanics and cosmology.

The control key buried in the virus by the 'Sower' was actually related to a fundamental physical constant.

This further confirmed that the designer's technological level had reached a stage of deep integration between biology and fundamental physics.

'Xiao Zhi, can this key be reverse-compiled into an antiviral agent targeting 'reaper-8'?'

[Theoretically, yes. But verification requires a sample of the virus's original strain.]

What was the purpose of the 'Sower' spreading this energy to Earth via meteorites?

'Xiao Zhi, retrieve all information fragments regarding the 'Gardener'.'

[Searching memory fragments... Keyword 'Gardener' appears 37 times. Relevant segments compiled as follows:]

A series of fragmented images and text appeared on the holographic screen:

·'Sowing Protocol Article Three: Select 3-7 native intelligent entities from each experimental field as 'Gardeners', granting them primary Stellar Core resonance ability.'

·'Gardener's Responsibilities: Maintain ecological stability of the experimental field, assist in the smooth execution of the harvesting protocol.'

·'Selection Criteria: Intelligence, adaptability, leadership potential, and acceptance of the new order.'

·'Warning: Some Gardeners may experience 'Resonance Overload', leading to uncontrollable mutation. Such individuals must be promptly eliminated.'

Chen Fan's frown deepened.

According to this information, he was likely one of the selected 'Gardeners'. But the problem was—he had received no 'instructions' or 'protocols' whatsoever. The Stellar Core Energy had only passively transformed his body, without giving him any mission.

Unless... 'Unless I'm the one with 'Resonance Overload'.' Chen Fan muttered to himself, 'The Stellar Core Energy produced an unexpected effect on me, granting me abilities they didn't anticipate—like the Amplification System.'

This speculation sent a chill down Chen Fan's spine.

If this were true, then he was a bug in the 'Sower's' plan. An anomalous individual who should have been eliminated.

And the Doctor from Alpha Capital clearly hadn't realized this.

A flash of understanding crossed Chen Fan's eyes. 'He's observing me, assessing whether I'm worthy of being incorporated into the management of the 'New World'. Not directly eliminating me.'

This realization was both unsettling and offered a glimmer of opportunity.

At the very least, the Doctor wouldn't try to kill him immediately. And this period was precisely the window for him to prepare his counterattack.

Only one month and sixteen days remained until Christmas Eve.

Just then, Chen Fan received a phone call.

Lei Zhen had already reported the situation. Several leaders came directly to the Fanxing Technology factory the next day.

'Comrade Chen Fan, the central government has approved the establishment of the 'Global omega virus Response Command Center'.' Academician Wang said with a grave expression, 'You have been appointed Chief Scientific Advisor, with the highest level of authority. This is Director Li from the Institute of Biological Defense at the Academy of Military Sciences, and this is Director Zhao from the Intelligence Department of the General Staff.'

Chen Fan shook hands with each of them and, skipping pleasantries, got straight to the point: 'You've come at the perfect time. Last night, I obtained the original strain of 'reaper-8' from the attackers and successfully cracked its control backdoor.'

He pulled up the experimental data: 'This is the key sequence, a specific arrangement of 137 base pairs. I've already verified its deactivation effect on the original strain. Two things are needed now: First, immediately collect omega virus mutation samples globally to verify the broad-spectrum efficacy of the key sequence; Second, begin large-scale production of the antiviral agent.'

Director Li examined the data closely, his eyes widening: 'This... this is a groundbreaking discovery! If this sequence is effective against all mutant strains, we can establish an immune barrier before the outbreak!'

'But there isn't enough time.' Director Zhao analyzed calmly, 'From production to distribution, to global vaccination, it would take at least three months. And the enemy's deployment time is one month from now.'

'So we need a two-pronged approach.' Chen Fan pulled up a global map, 'On one hand, produce the antiviral agent; on the other hand... locate and destroy Alpha Capital's deployment points.'

Forty-three red dots appeared on the map, distributed across major cities worldwide.

'These coordinates were extracted from the attackers' memories, but they might only be partial.' Chen Fan said, 'I need assistance from the intelligence department to verify them.'

Director Zhao nodded: 'Leave it to us. The General Staff has already initiated the highest-level intelligence gathering program. Also...' he paused, 'we have detected that besides Alpha Capital, at least five other organizations worldwide are making similar 'harvest preparations'.'

Five organizations. Plus Alpha Capital, that makes six.

'Did the Sower select a 'Gardener' on each continent?' Chen Fan asked.

'It appears so.' Director Zhao pulled up information, 'These organizations have all experienced sudden, leapfrog technological breakthroughs in the past twenty years.'

'Are they competing?' Lei Zhen frowned.

'More like division of labor and cooperation.' Chen Fan analyzed, 'Alpha Capital is responsible for biological weapons, New Dawn Society for gene editing, Wings of Evolution for mind control... Each organization is responsible for one link in the 'harvest'. When all links are ready, the comprehensive 'Purification Protocol' will be activated.'

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

If Chen Fan's guess was correct, then humanity was facing not a single threat, but an alliance of six super-technology organizations. Each possessed technology capable of subverting a particular field, and together... they were enough to reshape the entirety of human civilization.

'Do we have any allies?' Chen Fan asked.

Academician Wang sighed: 'Very few. Most countries are either infiltrated by these organizations or dare not openly oppose them. However... the global press conference in three days might be an opportunity.'

Just then, Su Qingyue suddenly burst into the laboratory, her face pale: 'Chen Fan, something's happened. Dr. David... he's missing.'

'What?!' Chen Fan stood up abruptly, 'Didn't Captain Lei personally escort him to the new safe house?'

'They were ambushed en route.' Su Qingyue's voice trembled, 'The other side used electromagnetic pulse weapons, paralyzing all electronic devices. By the time reinforcements arrived, the escort convoy had been... completely wiped out. Both Dr. David and Captain Lei Zhen are missing.'

A chill ran down Chen Fan's spine.

'Retrieve the surveillance footage from the scene!'

[Retrieving... surveillance signals were jammed. Only this was found at the scene.]

Xiao Zhi projected a photo: next to an overturned armored vehicle, a simple symbol was drawn on the ground in blood—a triangle nested within three circles.

But in the center of the triangle, an additional vertical line split it in two.

'What does this mean?' Director Li asked.

Chen Fan stared at the symbol and spoke slowly: 'This is... an invitation.'

'An invitation?'

'The triangle represents the 'Sower', the vertical line in the middle represents 'choice'.' Chen Fan's voice was icy, 'They're telling me: either join them and become a manager of the 'New World'; or... be eliminated.'