99: Morpheus's madness and the threat of "mutual destruction"

The disastrous failure of the "mirror plunder" project and the exposure of "Deep Shadow" Zhang Ming were like a heavy hammer, shattering the halo of invincibility that Morpheus Li held within the "Prophet Foundation".

The elders of The Foundation's Supreme Council, those conservatives who had long been dissatisfied with his aggressive strategies and arbitrary actions, finally found an opportunity to attack.

In a solemn secret hearing, questions hailed down upon Morpheus.

"Director Li, the 'mirror plunder' project consumed nearly fifteen percent of The Foundation's annual research budget and utilized one of our three deepest-buried pawns. And what was the result? Not only did we gain nothing, but it also led to the loss of 'Deep Shadow' and exposed our technical route and infiltration capabilities! Should you not be held responsible for this major setback?" An elder with white hair and beard, possessing deep seniority, tapped his cane on the floor, his voice low but filled with oppression.

Another elder questioned his fundamental strategy more directly: "Are we too obsessed with this 'seed' called Excellence? For the sake of an uncertain 'pandora' treasure, we take risks again and again, confronting opponents like 'Candle Dragon' head-on, and even going so far as to touch red lines that could trigger an all-out confrontation. Does this align with The Foundation's tenet of 'hidden progress, long-term layout'?"

Morpheus sat in the defendant-like position, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He could feel the gazes that once revered or at least feared him, now filled with suspicion, scrutiny, and even a hint of schadenfreude.

The status and prestige he had painstakingly built were rapidly collapsing with this failure.

Evelyn's betrayal was like a knife stuck in his back, while the elders' pressure was a sword attacking from the front.

However, the extreme pressure did not crush Morpheus; instead, it stirred the most paranoid and insane factors deep within him.

The "ascension path" he had pursued his whole life—that dream of achieving human consciousness evolution and even transcendence with the help of "pandora" fragments—had become the only meaning of his existence.

Excellence, this perfect fusion, was the only key to that path.

Now, the key was about to go out of control, and might even be completely mastered by his opponents; this was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

"Since I cannot obtain it safely... then no one else should be able to!" A radical and dangerous thought sprouted wildly like poisonous ivy when he was backed into a corner.

He remembered that in Greek mythology, Prometheus suffered eternal torture for stealing fire for humanity, but the spark of fire remained in the human world.

What he wanted to do was a more resolute step—if he could not control the fire, then at the moment the flame was most intense, he would forcibly plunder its core light and heat, and then... completely destroy this uncontrollable fire along with the container that carried it!

The code name for this plan was set by him as "Prometheus Fire".

This was no longer theft, but a plunder and destruction of mutual destruction.

"Prometheus Fire": A precise blueprint for destruction and plunder.

Under conditions of absolute secrecy, Morpheus gathered the remaining core technical team and death squads who were absolutely loyal to him.

Most of these members were radicals who had been brainwashed by him or bound by huge interests, and they followed Morpheus's orders without the slightest hesitation.

The "Prometheus Fire" plan was broken down into two closely linked and interlocking fatal steps.

The first step, code-named "Athena's Spear".

This was not a traditional military strike, but a multi-dimensional saturation information-energy attack that integrated the most cutting-edge technology.

The Foundation would use one of its deepest and most powerful strategic deterrence assets—a "Global Precision Strike System" disguised as a global commercial low-orbit satellite communication network.

This network appeared to provide data services for international finance and logistics, but in fact, every satellite was equipped with a high-power directed energy emitter, capable of releasing a mix of ultra-high-intensity electromagnetic pulses (EMP), specific frequency infrasound, and mental interference waveforms based on the research results of the "pandora" project.

The attack target was directed at the "Candle Dragon" base and its surrounding areas.

The plan was to mobilize dozens of satellites to focus simultaneously in a very short time, conducting uninterrupted, wave-like energy pouring.

The EMP was intended to paralyze all electronic equipment, power systems, and communication networks of the base, turning it into an information island; the infrasound attack was aimed at biological organisms, causing personnel dizziness, nausea, and even visceral resonance damage, creating large-scale chaos; and the most insidious part was the special mental interference waveform, which was carefully designed to greatly amplify the fear, anxiety, and cognitive confusion in the human heart, especially targeting individuals with extremely unstable consciousness structures like Excellence, with the purpose of pushing his spirit to the critical point of collapse, forcibly stimulating the violent reaction of the "pandora" fragment in the depths of his consciousness, just like using high-voltage electricity to stimulate an unstable nuclear reactor.

The second step, code-named "hecate".

This was a more daring and unbelievable link that was launched simultaneously with "Athena's Spear".

"hecate" was a quantum consciousness capture device secretly deployed in low Earth orbit and in the experimental stage.

Its theory was based on a conjecture that had not yet been fully verified: when highly ordered consciousness (such as human wisdom) is in an extreme state (such as the moment of collapse or death), it may produce strong "information radiation" or "consciousness collapse waves" similar to Quantum Entanglement.

The goal of the "hecate" device was to attempt to remotely "lock" and "grab" the core consciousness data stream that escaped when the "Athena's Spear" attack reached its peak and Excellence's consciousness was on the verge of collapse or extinction.

This system attempted to capture these theoretically existing "consciousness particles" or "information packets" through complex quantum sensing and superconducting computing arrays, and transmit them back to The Foundation headquarters for storage and analysis in real-time.

This was tantamount to a digital "harvest" at the moment the soul dissipated.

Morpheus knew that the success rate of "hecate" was extremely low, perhaps less than one percent, and this forced grabbing would inevitably cause irreversible, devastating damage to Excellence's brain.

But he no longer cared.

He did not want a living Excellence, but the data fragments of the ultimate knowledge contained in the "pandora" fragment that might erupt at the moment of Excellence's death.

This was a scientific madman's, extremely cold-blooded, ultimate solution.

Just as Morpheus was intensively carrying out the final deployment and was about to issue the execution order, a weak, almost ignored signal became the key to turning the tide.

Evelyn Li's life at the "Candle Dragon" base seemed calm, but deep down, she never truly relaxed her vigilance against her father and his Foundation.

She secretly maintained an extremely hidden communication channel—a one-way, one-time quantum encrypted information receiver, which was the final insurance she agreed upon with a Foundation veteran (an elder-level figure responsible for file management) who watched her grow up and was worried about Morpheus's radical route before she left The Foundation.

This veteran promised to risk sending a warning only when The Foundation might take extreme actions that would lead to irreversible consequences.

Late that night, Evelyn's personal tablet (highly modified and shielded) suddenly emitted an extremely slight, specific frequency vibration.

Her heart tightened, almost stopping.

She quickly unlocked the device, and the screen only displayed a string of seemingly garbled characters and a few keywords:

"Highest emergency... Prometheus Fire... Athena's Spear... hecate... saturation strike... consciousness capture... time unknown... escape quickly..."

The information was extremely short and self-destructed instantly, but the terrifying amount of information it contained made Evelyn feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar instantly!

Her face turned pale, and her whole body couldn't help trembling.

She knew her father too well, and she knew The Foundation's capabilities too well!

She had seen code names like "Athena's Spear" and "hecate" in fragments of The Foundation's top-secret files, and she knew they represented one of The Foundation's most powerful and ultimate means that should not be used.

"He's crazy... He's really crazy!" Evelyn muttered to herself, fear and despair instantly drowning her.

She scrambled, not even bothering to put on her shoes, and rushed towards Wang Jianguo's office like a madman, not even noticing when she bumped into a few duty personnel along the way.

"Chief! Chief!!" She almost crashed into Wang Jianguo's office door, her voice sharply distorted by extreme fear, tears and sweat mixed together, "Morpheus... my father... he is going to launch 'Prometheus Fire'! It's an ultimate strike! The target is the base... it's Excellence! He wants to destroy this place! Destroy Excellence!"

Wang Jianguo was reviewing documents and was shocked to stand up by Evelyn's sudden, near-collapse state.

When he heard the few keywords that Evelyn spat out intermittently and incoherently but clearly, this veteran who had experienced storms also turned pale in an instant!

He immediately realized that this was not the usual penetration, theft, or inducement; this was an act of naked war aimed at complete destruction!

Without a second of hesitation, Wang Jianguo pressed the highest combat readiness alarm button on his desk, which had never been activated before and was covered with a transparent protective cover!

In an instant, the piercing, sharp alarm sound that could penetrate any soundproofing resounded throughout the "Candle Dragon" base and even the surrounding mountains!

The red emergency lights flashed wildly, staining everything with an ominous color.

"Sound the highest combat readiness alarm! Activate the 'Great Wall' absolute defense system! All non-combatants immediately enter the deepest underground shelter! Request strategic support from the highest level! Authorize the use of all necessary means for self-defense!"

Wang Jianguo's orders spread to every corner of the base through the broadcast system, his voice cold as iron, with unquestionable determination.

At the same time, he turned to Xiao Zhang and the head of the medical team who were also alarmed by the alarm and rushed in, and gave the most difficult order: "Immediately implement the highest level of protective isolation for Excellence! Transfer to the 'ark' class impact-resistant shelter! The medical team will accompany the whole way... At the same time, prepare everything... all equipment and medicine needed for the 'Lullaby' plan."

When mentioning "Lullaby", Wang Jianguo's voice paused imperceptibly, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

That was the final insurance to let Excellence enter deep sleep or even... when there was no other choice.

At this moment, in order to cope with the possible attack aimed at destroying consciousness, the possibility of this plan being activated has greatly increased.

Inside and outside the base, it instantly turned from a calm scientific research harbor into a steel Fortress.

Huge composite armor doors closed layer by layer, missile silos hidden in the mountains slowly opened, interference launchers were ready, and the powerful energy barrier "Great Wall System" began to charge at full power, emitting a low hum.

All combat personnel rushed to their posts, and the air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and the atmosphere of a decisive battle.

And in the very center of the storm, in that reinforced rehabilitation room, it felt like two worlds.

Excellence had just woken up from his nap, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and was startled by the piercing alarm and the constantly flashing red light outside the window.

He looked at the window blankly, the sky had turned gloomy at some point, dark clouds hung low, as if the oppression before the storm.

"Squad leader..." He subconsciously approached Su Mu beside him, his voice with a trace of uneasiness, "Outside... so noisy... The sky is also dark, is it going to rain... heavy rain?"

Su Mu's heart was gripped by a cold hand the moment the alarm sounded.

She knew better than Excellence what this alarm meant—the highest combat readiness, a plan that only existed in theory, had now become a reality.

Huge fear instantly swept over her, but when she saw Excellence's pure, ignorant, and dependent eyes, a strong desire to protect overwhelmed her own panic.

She held Excellence's slightly trembling hand tightly, trying to make her voice sound calm and warm, and even squeezed out a seemingly relaxed smile: "Well, maybe it's going to rain very heavily. It's okay, the base's facilities are very strong, we are very safe here."

She reached out and tidied Excellence's somewhat messy hair, comforting him as usual, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Remember when we were at school, when we encountered thunder and rain, we hid in the library to read? After this 'rain' passes, I'll tell you a new story, okay?"

Excellence looked at Su Mu's forced calm smile, seemed a little relieved, and nodded, but still held her hand tightly, as if it were the only driftwood in this suddenly strange and dangerous world.

He listened to the noisy sound of machines running and people running outside the window, his eyes still a chaos and innocence not yet polluted by secular crises.

Su Mu felt the temperature from her palm, looking at the young man in front of her whom she was trying her best to protect, but her heart was full of cold despair and determination.

She knew that the crisis faced this time might far exceed any previous one.

She didn't know if the base could withstand the legendary "Prometheus Fire", didn't know if Wang Jianguo's plan could save Excellence's life, and didn't even know if she and the people around her could see tomorrow's sun.

But at this moment, she had only one simplest thought: no matter what, stay by Excellence's side until the last moment.

She used all her strength to maintain the smile on her face, as if to pass all the warmth and courage to this ill-fated genius boy through her tightly held hands.

In the base's command center, Wang Jianguo stood like a rock in front of the huge tactical panoramic screen.

On the screen, the light spots representing the "Athena's Spear" satellite cluster were quietly changing orbits, gathering above the base.

The long-range early warning radar had captured abnormal energy gathering signals, and although the opponent had carried out superb camouflage, the "Candle Dragon" base also had unfathomable background and preparation.

"Report! 'Great Wall' barrier energy output is stable at ninety-five percent! All defense units are in place!"

"Report! Emergency communication link has been established with the highest command, support forces are on the way, but it will take time!"

"Report! Comrade Excellence has been safely transferred to the 'ark' shelter, vital signs are stable!"

Information gathered one by one, tense and orderly.

Wang Jianguo's eyes were sharp, he knew that this would be a hard battle, an ultimate showdown testing the technology, will, and background of both sides.

Morpheus gambled everything he had, and the "Candle Dragon" base would surely not give an inch.

Meanwhile, at the top of the black tower of the Free Confederacy, Morpheus Li's finger was already hovering over the red button representing the final order.

In his eyes, burning with madness, paranoia, and a kind of martyr-like fanatical light.

"Prophet... will surely lead the way forward..." He whispered to himself, and then, pressed it hard.

The invisible wave of destruction rushed down from space at the speed of light, and on the ground, the steel Great Wall had already stood.

An ultimate storm concerning the future, life, and the essence of consciousness finally arrived.

Inside the window, there was Excellence's ignorant inquiry and Su Mu's forced calm comfort; outside the window, there was the "Prometheus Fire" about to tear the sky and the "Great Wall" barrier that rose resolutely.

Survival or destruction, the answer is right in front of us.