124: Chapter 124 Satellite Attack: The Doctor's Public Provocation

Chen Fan devoted himself entirely to the satellite construction this week.

He applied Amplification to all launched satellites, enabling them to resist intense cosmic rays and pushing their tolerance for extreme high and low temperatures to the limit.

Simultaneously, he searched for information on Lei Zhen and David.

Chen Fan stood before the holographic star map, watching the orbital models of the satellite constellation slowly rotate on the screen.

These were not ordinary commercial satellites—each one, modified by the Amplification system, possessed crucial functions.

"Stardome 1-1, communications and reconnaissance satellite, has completed on-orbit testing," Lin Hao called up the data. "Quantum encrypted communication coverage is global, reconnaissance precision reaches 0.1 meters, capable of penetrating cloud cover and shallow subsurface layers."

"Stardome 11-20, meteorological and environmental monitoring satellites, laser defense platforms," Chen Fan pointed at the satellite cluster. "After Amplification modifications, laser power reaches 500 megawatts. They can intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, destroy low-orbit craft, or, if necessary... conduct precision strikes on ground targets."

Director Zhao looked at the laser power data and drew a sharp breath. "This already surpasses any country's publicly acknowledged defense system. Comrade Chen Fan, how did you..."

"Used some 'special technology'," Chen Fan said evasively. "The key point is, if Alpha Capital really intends to release the virus from space, we can use the lasers to destroy the delivery vehicles in advance."

He pulled up the latest intelligence. "According to Xiao Zhi's analysis of global aviation and aerospace data, there have been thirty-seven 'unidentified launches' in the past three months—rockets that didn't enter a public orbit post-launch and had no official registration. The orbital parameters of eleven of these show a geometric correlation with the forty-three drop points mentioned by the Doctor."

"They are deploying delivery platforms," Academician Wang said, his expression grave.

"Correct. But our satellite network can stop them." Chen Fan switched to the control interface. "The missions of star dome 5 and 6 are even more critical—deep space detection and lunar exploration."

The screen displayed models of two oddly-shaped satellites. Their surfaces were covered with arrays resembling solar panels, but the center of each array was embedded with a crystalline structure that gleamed with a dark golden light under simulated illumination.

"These two satellites are equipped with Stellar Core Energy detection devices," Chen Fan explained. "They can detect Stellar Core Energy substances from outer space—like those virus-bearing meteorites. More importantly, they will conduct a full-surface scan of the moon, especially... the far side."

The far side of the moon, the hemisphere forever turned away from Earth. Since the dawn of the space age, it has been shrouded in mystery.

"You suspect there are Sower facilities there?" Director Zhao asked.

"If the North Pole is the entrance, the moon might be the outpost." Chen Fan pulled up historical data. "Trace amounts of unidentified isotopes were detected in lunar soil samples brought back by the Apollo Program, initially attributed to 'cosmic ray byproducts'. However, Xiao Zhi's reanalysis found that the decay curves of those isotopes do not conform to natural patterns."

At that moment, the large screen in the command center suddenly lit up with an alarm.

[Alert: Stardome 2 detects anomalous energy burst. Coordinates: 78°15′N, 12°30′W—only 120 km from the North Pole. Energy signature shows 98.7% similarity to Stellar Core Energy within the host.]

[Simultaneous detection of large-scale ice sheet displacement, area approximately 5 square kilometers. A massive cavity structure detected beneath the ice, initial volume estimate exceeds one cubic kilometer.]

"They are making their move." Chen Fan immediately issued orders. "star vault 1, adjust orbit, conduct high-precision scan of the area. Stardome 11-20, enter combat readiness, prepare to intercept any objects launched from that area at any time."

The satellite orbits began adjusting.

Fifteen minutes later, the first high-definition image was transmitted back.

On the Arctic ice sheet, a nearly circular area about three kilometers in diameter was slowly sinking. The ice had cracked open into massive fissures, revealing a deep darkness below. Even more bizarrely, the ice at the fissure edges wasn't melting naturally; it appeared to have been cleanly cut by some kind of energy field, the cut surface smooth as a mirror.

"What kind of technology is this..." Director Li murmured.

"Spatial Cutting," Chen Fan stared at the image. "Using an energy field to directly 'excavate' a chunk of space. Ice, seawater, rock... all vanished. This isn't achievable by any engineering means we currently possess."

The images continued streaming. Beneath the ice layer, a massive metallic structure was emerging.

It was shaped like a regular tetrahedron, each face covered in intricate geometric patterns. At the center of these patterns was the emblem of a triangle nested within three circles. At the apex of the tetrahedron, a circular platform was slowly rising.

On the platform, faint human figures could be seen.

"Magnify!" Chen Fan ordered.

The image zoomed in, resolution pushed to its limit.

Three people stood on the platform.

In the center was the Doctor, clad in a bulky white protective suit. On the left was David Cohen, held by two armed personnel, pale-faced but still standing.

On the right... was Lei Zhen.

Lei Zhen was not restrained, nor was he being escorted.

He wore a protective suit similar to the Doctor's, standing at the Doctor's side, his expression eerily calm.

"Captain Lei, he..." Lin Hao was horrified.

"He's been controlled," Chen Fan said, his voice low. "Brain-Machine Interface, Mental Implantation, or worse—genetic-level Loyalty Modification."

Director Zhao immediately patched into the military channel. "Prepare for a North Pole assault operation! Objectives: rescue hostages, destroy the facility!"

"Wait," Chen Fan stopped him. "Look first."

On the screen, the Doctor looked up at the sky—as if he knew the satellites were observing.

He raised a hand and made a gesture.

The next second, one face of the tetrahedron suddenly lit up with a blinding white light.

A beam of energy shot skyward, directly targeting star vault 1 satellite!

"Evade!" Chen Fan shouted.

But it was too late.

star vault 1's live feed shook violently, then dissolved into static.

Data indicated the satellite had suffered a high-intensity electromagnetic pulse attack, all systems offline.

[star vault 1 lost contact. Stardome laser platforms have locked onto target. Engage?]

"Do not fire!" Chen Fan prevented it. "David and Lei Zhen are on that platform. And..." He looked at the gradually dissipating energy beam. "Their ability to instantly disable our satellite means their defense systems far exceed our estimates. A rash attack would only cause more losses."

He forced himself to calm down. "First, figure out their objective. Since the Doctor has shown himself publicly and demonstrated force, he must have something to say."

Sure enough, one minute later, an encrypted communication request came in. Its origin was the Arctic facility.