15: Return to Hong Kong! The heroes' triumph and the fallen souls' repose!

The listing Deep Blue 01, trailing long streaks of oil and white foam, sailed laboriously towards Shenlan Port like a wounded Leviathan. The gruesome tear near the starboard waterline was barely covered by emergency-welded steel plates, but the leaking seawater still kept the damage control team scrambling. The port side thruster emitted an uncoordinated groan, its power output barely maintained at 40%, and its speed was agonizingly slow. On the bridge, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the sea before a storm; the relief of surviving had long been replaced by heavy losses and grim reality.

Lin Feng stood before a damaged porthole, his gaze penetrating the bulletproof glass riddled with cracks, looking towards the gradually clearer outline of the port on the distant horizon. The watchtower of Deep Blue Port Outpost cast a long shadow in the setting sun, and the Deep Blue flag still fluttered defiantly. That was the direction of home, and also a haven for mending wounds.

“Captain, the engine room pressure is stable, but the port propeller shaft is severely deformed and requires drydocking for complete repair before power can be restored,” the Chief Engineer’s voice was filled with exhaustion.

“Damage Control Team Three reports, Compartment A-15 sealing failed, attempting secondary reinforcement! Water ingress speed… has slowed, but not stopped!” Zhang Meng’s hoarse but resolute voice came through the comms.

“Medical bay reports, vital signs of the critically wounded are temporarily stable, but they urgently need more comprehensive medical facilities and medicines ashore!”

Each report felt like a stone weighing on Lin Feng’s heart. This initial deep-sea exploration had cost far more than anticipated. Deep Blue 01 had suffered the most severe damage since its commissioning, and numerous officers and crew were injured in the Leviathan’s impact and subsequent damage control efforts, with several soldiers forever remaining in that dark sea. But… what they brought back was equally invaluable.

“Hold on! We’re almost home!” Lin Feng’s voice, broadcast through the ship’s intercom, conveyed an undeniable determination, “The shore is ready! Everyone, stay at your posts! We… are bringing our brothers home!”

When the scarred Leviathan finally eased into the embrace of Shenlan Port, docking alongside the urgently reinforced L-shaped pier, everyone was already gathered ashore. Zhang Defu led the engineering team, pushing welding equipment and various materials, standing by. Zhao Tiezhu directed the shore defense team to set up searchlights and temporary medical stations. Zhang Weiguo’s family and other survivors stood silently at the back of the crowd, their eyes filled with worry and respect.

The gangway was lowered, and the first to be carried off the ship were the coffins of the fallen soldiers, draped with the Deep Blue flag. The shore instantly fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the whimpering of the sea breeze and suppressed sobs. Everyone spontaneously removed their hats and saluted solemnly. The names of the fallen were called out one by one, their voices echoing in the silent port, etched deep into everyone’s memory. They had given their lives to explore the unknown abyss; they were the backbone of Deep Blue!

Next came the critically wounded on stretchers. Under the command of Lieutenant Li Mei, the medical team swiftly and orderly transferred them to the temporary medical tents set up ashore, where conditions, though simple, were much better than on the ship. The lightly wounded helped each other off the ship, greeted by the silent embraces of their comrades and encouraging pats on the shoulder.

Finally, Lin Feng and Gao Qiang, along with the other command staff, descended from the bridge. Their uniforms were stained with oil and sweat, and their faces showed undeniable fatigue, but their eyes were still as sharp as ever.

“Captain!” Zhang Defu was the first to greet him, looking at the shocking scars on the Leviathan, his old face filled with sorrow, “What do you need? We’ll start immediately!”

“Old Zhang,” Lin Feng clapped him firmly on the shoulder, his voice low but full of trust, “First, stop the leaks! Reinforce the main breach on the starboard side! Stabilize the hull! Then… focus all efforts on repairing the port side thruster! I need it to provide at least 70% power! Materials, manpower, full support! The outpost upgrade and patrol boat construction ashore… put them on hold for now!”

“Understood! Leave it to me!” Zhang Defu nodded heavily and immediately turned to rally the engineering team to begin emergency repairs. Huge welding sparks soon lit up in the twilight, and the clang of hammering became the main melody of the port.

“Captain,” Gao Qiang looked at the busy repair site and whispered, “Power restoration will take time, and those deep-sea Leviathans… will they pursue us?”

“Not for now.” Lin Feng shook his head, a trace of lingering fear flashing in his eyes, “The simulated signal confused them, but that pheromone sample (system reward) is very unstable, and its effect is unknown. The top priority is to repair the warship and enhance defenses. Also…” He turned his gaze to Professor Wang Hai, “Professor Wang, the deep-sea data analysis and the 'Leviathan' bio-pheromone research must start immediately! We need to understand them to fight them!”

“It’s already in progress, Captain!” Wang Hai immediately replied, a scientist’s fervor on his face, “The data transmitted from the abyss is astonishing! The structural model of that ‘obelisk’ is being constructed! And those acoustic signals… they’re like a lost language! As for the pheromone sample… it’s extremely complex, I need time!”

“There’s one more thing,” Lin Feng’s expression was serious, “The special talent lead—Dr. Isabel Chen. She is the key to unraveling the mystery of the ‘obelisk’! We must bring her to Shenlan Port before UNC or other forces find her! Chen Hai!”

“Here!” Chen Hai immediately stepped forward, though also wounded, his eyes remained sharp.

“How are your injuries?” Lin Feng asked.

“Just superficial wounds, won’t affect my movement!” Chen Hai straightened his back.

“Good!” Lin Feng nodded, “I’m giving you a small, elite team, take the fastest RHIB! Destination: Manila! Mission: Find Dr. Isabel Chen and bring her back safely! Intelligence indicates she was last at the 'Pan-Asia Deep Sea Research Institute', and that place… is probably hell now. Take the best equipment, be careful! Maintain contact at all times!”

“Mission accomplished!” Chen Hai saluted, his eyes gleaming with determination, and immediately turned to select team members and prepare equipment. Rescuing key personnel was an urgent matter!

As night fell, Shenlan Port was brightly lit. Emergency repairs on Deep Blue 01 were proceeding against the clock; in the medical tents, Lieutenant Li Mei led the medical team, working through the night; in the outpost command center, Professor Wang Hai led his team, battling through the night with the massive data and peculiar acoustic signals transmitted from the abyss; along the shore defense line, Zhao Tiezhu led his men on patrol, vigilant against threats from sea and air; and Chen Hai’s team, like an arrow shot from a bow, had disappeared into the vast night en route to Manila.

Lin Feng did not rest. He stood in the newly constructed, rudimentary “Combat Intelligence Center” of the outpost (converted from a container), where the large screen displayed multiple views:

Real-time progress of warship repairs (starboard breach sealing 70% complete, port propeller being disassembled…).

Preliminary 3D energy model of the abyssal obelisk (a huge, regular geometric shape emitting a terrifying energy vortex, partially covered by sediment).

Manila city map and satellite ruins map of the 'Pan-Asia Deep Sea Research Institute' (pre-disaster data).

And… a moving light dot representing Chen Hai’s team’s position.

【Ding!】

【Mission: Anchor of Deep Blue - Objective 1 (Clear and control the entire port area) Completed!】

【Obtained: Energy/Points +1000 (Phase Reward)】

【Mission: Anchor of Deep Blue - Objective 4 (Outpost technology level upgraded to Level 1) Completed!】

【Obtained: Energy/Points +500 (Phase Reward)】

【Mission: Anchor of Deep Blue Total Completion Assessment: Class A (Core objectives achieved, but patrol boat construction not completed)】

【Total Reward Obtained: Energy/Points +3000!】

【Obtained: 'Small Drydock (Primary)' full function unlocked!】

【Unlocked: 'Tech Tree: Deep Sea Technology' branch!】

【Obtained: Special Building Blueprint [Primary Anti-Submarine Sonar Array (Shore-based)] × 1!】

【Current Energy/Points: Original (approx. 1000 before mission) + Deep Sea Exploration S-Class Reward (1500+1000) + Anchor of Deep Blue Completion (1000+500+3000) + Newly Obtained (1000+500) = 9500 points!】

The massive points reward was like a timely rain! Lin Feng’s spirits lifted! 9500 points! This could solve so many problems!

He did not hesitate and immediately acted:

“System! Exchange all resources required for [Primary Anti-Submarine Sonar Array (Shore-based)] construction (Basic Building Material Pack × 10, Special Cable and Sensor Pack × 3, Small Generator × 2, Energy/Points: 2500 points)!”

“Order the engineering team! Prioritize the construction of the shore-based anti-submarine sonar array on the high ground near the main channel entrance of the port! Compress the construction period! I want to see it operational within three days!”

“Zhang Defu! The small drydock is unlocked! Immediately assess whether, while repairing the warship, we can simultaneously begin the launching and outfitting of the first ‘Light Armed Patrol Boat’? Resources are plentiful!”

“Professor Wang! Allocate 2000 points! For deep-sea data analysis, bio-pheromone research, and 'sea god's tears' application research! If any special equipment or materials are needed, buy them from the exchange store!”

Command after command, accompanied by resource allocation, made Shenlan Port operate at high speed as if injected with a stimulant. The foundation pit for the shore-based anti-submarine array was dug overnight; in the drydock, the sparks of warship repair and the cutting sounds of patrol boat construction intertwined; the laboratory was brightly lit, and the cooling fans of the supercomputer (exchanged high-performance server cluster) hummed softly…

The abundant resources brought unprecedented confidence and efficiency. Lin Feng watched as all the progress bars on the screen advanced rapidly, feeling a little relieved. He walked to the edge of the observation deck, looking down at the brightly lit port and the Leviathan lurking in the darkness in the distance. The heroic spirits of the fallen needed solace, and the best way to solace them was to continue forward with Deep Blue, uncover the mystery of the abyss, and forge a true path of hope in this apocalypse!

“Captain!” The radar officer’s voice suddenly came through the bridge comms, with a hint of abnormality, “Receiving… a directional broadcast on the UNC public channel! Not a drone, it’s a satellite signal! The content is… encrypted text information!”

UNC? Satellite? Lin Feng’s eyes narrowed: “Patch it through!”

On the screen, a line of decrypted text appeared:

“To Captain Lin Feng of Deep Blue 01:”

“Your abnormal activities and energy burst in the South China Sea High-Risk Zone (Coordinates: XX.XXXX, YY.YYYY) have been recorded by our ‘Insight’ satellite.”

“This area has been marked as an ‘Abyssal Exclusion Zone (AEZ)’, where uncontrollable high-risk energy and biological threats exist. Any unauthorized entry will be considered a significant threat to regional security.”

“Reiterate: Do not expand north. Do not touch the abyss. Be warned.”

“—Northern Remnant United Defense Command (UNC)”

Cold warnings, condescending surveillance, and… the naming of an “Abyssal Exclusion Zone”! UNC clearly knew something, perhaps even more about the terror of the “obelisk” than Deep Blue! They were not only watching from above but also trying to define exclusion zones and restrict Deep Blue’s exploration!

Lin Feng looked at this message, a cold sneer forming on his lips. Warnings? Exclusion zones? In the face of the truth that Deep Blue had only glimpsed at the cost of blood and steel, this level of intimidation was pale and powerless!

“Reply to them:” Lin Feng’s voice was calm and powerful, transmitted through the communicator into space, “Deep Blue’s course is ours to decide. The secrets of the abyss belong to all humanity, not an exclusion zone defined by a single power. Any attempt to obstruct exploration and monopolize the truth will be scorned by history. We have no intention of conflict, but… we fear no challenge.”

The reply was sent, like a stone dropped into silent deep space. Lin Feng no longer paid attention to UNC’s reaction. He turned, his gaze once again directed south—towards Manila. Dr. Isabel Chen… he hoped Chen Hai would find her successfully.

Behind him on the large screen, the progress bars for the shore-based anti-submarine array and patrol boat construction were steadily advancing. Shenlan Port’s defenses and strength, tempered by blood and fire, were becoming even more powerful. The next time they faced the abyss, they would no longer be so passive!

The Deep Blue flag flapped in the night and sea breeze, as if declaring: Returning to port, only for a longer journey! The secrets of the abyss will eventually be revealed!