221: Undercurrents resurface and suspicions of an "insider" emerge.

The "Homeland" base was immersed in an unprecedented surge of vitality, fueled by technological breakthroughs.

The knowledge granted by Beacon Gamma acted like sweet rain, spurring explosive development across various research fields.

The efficiency of the new energy core had increased by three hundred percent; nanoscience achieved revolutionary progress; and the prototype defense system, based on the "Watcher" energy manipulation theory, successfully completed testing.

Every day, the base's bulletin boards were covered with exhilarating achievement reports.

On the training grounds, soldiers equipped with new gear maintained high morale; in the labs, researchers worked through the night, their eyes burning with the fire of exploring the unknown.

All of this resembled the calm sea surface, gilded by the setting sun, just before a storm was about to break.

Yet, beneath this veneer of prosperity, a few strands of discordant "noise," like drops of ink cast into clear water, quietly began to spread.

Initially, these were just minor anomalies, attributed to "cosmic environmental interference" or "system instability during the debugging phase."

An exploration team collecting rare minerals in a nearby asteroid belt briefly lost contact for seventeen minutes during their scheduled communication window before contact was spontaneously restored.

The log merely indicated "unknown strong signal blockage."

Simultaneously, several operators monitoring the "Homeland's" peripheral space using the new "Wide-Area Psionic Sensing Network" reported capturing fleeting, unnatural energy "peeping" pulses at the edge nodes E-7 and W-3.

The waveform characteristics did not match any known natural phenomena or the "Homeland's" own signals.

Yet, by the time additional computing power was mobilized for retrospective analysis, the traces had vanished without a trace.

Next, the situation began to escalate.

During a full-power field test of the "Phase Shift Shield" three thousand kilometers outside the base, the research vessel *Insight*, responsible for data collection, recorded an extremely brief, unauthorized surge of outbound high-frequency data in its internal security logs.

The data volume was minute and almost undetectable, buried within the massive data flood generated by the shield test.

It was Evelyn, during a routine check of all external interaction records, who, relying on her extraordinary data sensitivity and deep understanding of the new shield's energy characteristics, managed to isolate this discordant "vibration" from the immense noise.

The data stream's destination pointed toward a desolate void before immediately dissipating.

Crucially, the intercepted content was a fragment of the critical parameters for adjusting the shield's internal resonant frequency while enduring simulated supernova-level energy impact.

This could no longer be dismissed as coincidence or a false alarm.

Not only did the enemy exist, but their infiltration methods had become extremely covert, professional, and highly targeted.

They seemed capable of always stepping right on the edge of the perception blind spots of "Homeland's" upgraded defense system, like the most skilled ghosts, touching lightly before instantly retreating.

More unsettlingly, they showed an unusual and precise "interest" in "Homeland's" recent technological advancements, especially the new defense and energy technologies that were highly classified and not yet fully public.

The atmosphere of the Emergency Security Council meeting was more solemn than ever before.

In the center of the oval conference room, detailed data flow analysis charts of the abnormal events were constantly replayed on the holographic projection, the red warning markers glaringly conspicuous.

"The situation is very clear," stated Security Minister Chen Feng, a former special forces commander with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as a hawk, his voice low.

"We are being targeted, and the opponent is significant, employing extremely seasoned methods.

They can so precisely evade our newly deployed 'Watcher'-class early warning network, and even accurately 'fish' out those most critical 'fish scales' from the data torrent of the *Insight*—what does this indicate?"

He looked around at the high-ranking officials present, his gaze sweeping over Wang Jianguo, Zhuo Yue, Evelyn, Su Mu, and the others, stating deliberately: "It means the opponent has a considerably deep understanding of our current technological level, the operational mode of our defense system, and even the procedures and time windows of some internal tests.

This is definitely not something achievable solely through strong external technical reconnaissance.

We may be facing an adversary who knows our 'recent status' intimately."

Silence filled the conference room, broken only by the faint hum of running instruments.

Chen Feng had not explicitly said it, but the chilling word already hung heavy in everyone's mind—the mole.

Had an external force successfully subverted a "Homeland" member?

Or had they utilized higher-dimensional mind control or consciousness implantation technology that the base had yet to master?

Alternatively, when they initially accepted survivors fleeing from various galactic civilizations, had a handful of malicious "seeds" been intentionally or unintentionally mixed in, lying dormant until this moment when they were activated?

Once this suspicion surfaced, it brought a bone-chilling coldness, like a tumor attached to the bone.

The composition of "Homeland's" membership was relatively pure; everyone here were compatriots who had endured hardships and gathered for a shared ideal of survival.

Mutual trust was the most crucial cornerstone maintaining this fragile community.

If this cornerstone cracked...

Wang Jianguo's brow furrowed deeply.

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying undeniable authority, yet tinged with a subtle weariness: "Minister Chen's concerns are not unfounded.

But we must not cause internal disorder.

Without concrete evidence, any baseless suspicion could cause greater damage than external infiltration."

He looked at Chen Feng.

"I order the Security Department to immediately launch a top-level secret investigation.

However, note two points: First, strictly control the scope of knowledge, limiting it only to those present and your absolutely trusted core investigators.

Second, the investigation must proceed secretly.

Until we have irrefutable proof, no ordinary member shall be disturbed, and no tension shall be created within the base.

Our unity is more precious than gold."

The secret investigation quietly unfolded in the shadows.

The Security Department’s most capable investigators acted like invisible tentacles, starting to check communication records, access logs, material flow, and even behavioral pattern analysis of members during specific time periods, using the utmost caution.

However, the enemy was clearly a master of this game, and the traces left behind were frustratingly clean.

Despite Wang Jianguo's best efforts to control it, a subtle change, like ink dripping into clear water, slowly spread throughout "Homeland."

High-level meetings became more frequent, and expressions grew more serious; researchers responsible for sensitive projects subconsciously strengthened the physical isolation of their terminals; the eyes of patrolling soldiers, besides being wary of the outside, occasionally glanced inadvertently at the backs of their comrades.

An inexplicable, faint sense of distance and mutual scrutiny began to permeate among the formerly close compatriots.

Laughter in the mess hall seemed to diminish, and during technical discussions, some would suddenly hesitate to speak.

Trust, this intangible yet vital resource, was being silently consumed.

Zhuo Yue perceived this change most clearly.

His sensitivity to energy and emotion had long surpassed normal boundaries.

He could "hear" the subtle anxiety waves permeating the air and "see" the occasional shadow of doubt flickering in some members' mental fields.

This turbulence of negative emotions, generated internally, made him extremely uncomfortable, making him even more wary than when facing a powerful external enemy.

This reminded him of Beacon Gamma's warning: the whisper of "Entropy" often causes collapse from within.

During a top-secret high-level meeting attended only by Wang Jianguo, Evelyn, Su Mu, Chen Feng, and himself, when Chen Feng reported that the investigation was deadlocked and again emphasized the possibility of a mole, Zhuo Yue finally spoke.

His voice was calm, yet carried a strange penetrative power that instantly drew everyone's attention.

"Minister Chen, Commander Wang, everyone," Zhuo Yue's gaze was clear and firm as he slowly swept over the group, "I understand everyone's concerns and support the necessary security measures.

However, I have a different perspective."

He paused, organizing his words: "Suspicion, in itself, is like a virus.

It doesn't need concrete evidence to spread, eroding trust, creating barriers, and ultimately collapsing a collective from within.

The enemy might be hoping to see us descend into endless self-doubt; that is far more effective than a direct attack."

Seeing Chen Feng about to object, he raised a hand, signaling him to wait, and continued: "I believe in every person in 'Homeland.'

We are family who crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood together, gathered here for the same faint hope.

Active betrayal? I dare not say it's impossible, but deep down, I refuse to readily accept that answer."

"Then how do you explain the technical leaks?" Chen Feng asked in a deep voice.

"The channels might be more numerous than we imagine; it doesn't necessarily require active transmission by internal personnel," Zhuo Yue analyzed calmly.

"Since the enemy could develop that gravitational trap, their technological level, especially in spatial sensing and covert communication, might far exceed our previous estimates.

Perhaps they possess quantum eavesdropping technology we don't yet understand, or can directly 'read' information radiated by specific energy fields?

Or, perhaps, our own technological system, during the integration of 'Watcher' technology, generated certain 'backdoors' or information leakage patterns that we haven't fully detected ourselves, which can be exploited?"

Evelyn's eyes lit up, and she quickly interjected: "Zhuo Yue's conjecture makes sense!

Our recent technological leap has been explosive, and many systems were integrated and built in extremely short periods.

They might be perfectly designed in theory, but at the level of actual physical implementation or energy coupling, there might be minute, undetected vulnerabilities related to harmonic resonance or information radiation.

If the enemy possesses corresponding reception and analysis technology, they could absolutely achieve 'plucking things from the air' [remote data extraction]."

Su Mu, however, looked worried: "But we cannot completely abandon the internal investigation... What if..."

"I am not against investigation," Zhuo Yue said, looking at Su Mu, his tone gentle but firm.

"But I believe our current passive, covert internal screening may be inefficient and have too many side effects.

The enemy is hiding in the dark, watching us consume ourselves.

Why don't we try a different approach?"

"What approach?" Wang Jianguo leaned forward slightly, showing intense interest.

"Active offense—setting a trap to fish."

A sharp light flashed in Zhuo Yue's eyes.

"Instead of passively searching for a 'mole' who might not exist, or defending against eavesdropping from unknown sources, why don't we actively create a 'target'—a piece of 'technical bait' that holds an irresistible temptation for the enemy—and then quietly observe to see who comes to 'take the hook,' and where exactly the 'fishing line' leads."

He elaborated on his concept: "This 'bait' must be half-truth, half-fiction.

The true part must be core and advanced enough for the enemy to believe it is invaluable and worth another risk; the false part must be carefully designed, containing unique, hard-to-detect, and hard-to-erase energy markers or logical traps.

Once the enemy attempts to acquire or analyze this 'bait,' the marker will be triggered, allowing us not only to track the data flow but potentially to reverse-plant interference or positioning information."

Evelyn became excited almost immediately: "This plan is feasible!

I can take charge of designing the 'bait.'

We can fabricate a 'breakthrough progress report' on a 'miniaturized spatial warp engine,' mixing in real fundamental principles (which are enticing enough), but the critical energy conversion formulas and stability control parameters will be carefully designed 'logic bombs' and 'tracking watermarks.'

As soon as the opponent attempts to verify or use this false data, they will expose themselves, and we might even be able to reverse-infiltrate them!"

Su Mu still had concerns: "Isn't this too risky?

What if the 'bait' is seen through, exposing our intentions and methods instead?

Or... what if, during the deployment process, it is genuinely leaked by our internal... uh, unreliable personnel, for different reasons, causing unintended harm?"

Chen Feng also expressed caution: "The plan is very bold, but the execution requires extremely fine control.

A mistake in any single step could backfire."

Wang Jianguo listened silently to everyone's statements, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the tabletop.

After a long time, he looked up, his gaze falling on Zhuo Yue's calm and confident face, then on Evelyn's eager expression, and finally made his decision.

"Zhuo Yue's proposal, while risky, is certainly more proactive than our current state of passive defense and internal suspicion, and holds more promise for breaking the deadlock."

Wang Jianguo stated definitively.

"I approve the 'Fishing Operation' plan.

Dr. Evelyn, you are fully responsible for the design of the 'technical bait.'

Ensure it is indistinguishable from the truth, and that the tracking markers are covert and robust.

Minister Chen, you will cooperate with Dr. Evelyn to formulate a strict 'bait deployment' and 'monitoring' plan, ensuring the entire process is under our complete control, minimizing the risk of accidents and unintended harm.

The operation codename... shall be 'Net Capture.'"

He looked around at everyone, his tone exceptionally serious: "This plan is top secret, known only to those in this room.

We must trust this plan as we trust each other, and ensure its execution is flawless.

The enemy wants to see us fractured; we must become even more united.

Zhuo Yue is right—trust is our foundation.

This time, we will use wisdom and unity to drag the rat hiding in the shadows out into the open!"

A precise "fishing operation" targeting the unknown infiltrators quietly commenced under the decision of "Homeland's" highest leadership.

On the surface, the base seemed to return to its usual rhythm, but beneath this calm, an invisible net was being carefully woven.

Everyone stood firm at their posts, the internal doubts suppressed and replaced by a firm sense of shared mission to protect the homeland.

Zhuo Yue's composure and insight had once again pointed the way through the fog.

He trusted his comrades, but he would never tolerate any worm that threatened "Homeland."

The outcome of this silent battle of trust and wisdom was about to be revealed.