53: Iron barriers, invisible confrontation

The piercing alarm, like the shriek of Death, tore through the temporary calm of the Deep Blue base. Red lights flashed wildly in every passage and every compartment, painting the cold steel structure with an ominous, bloody hue. The order for Level One Combat Readiness was instantly transmitted to every corner through the broadcast system and internal communication network.

“Whir—”

The base's outermost active defense array was the first to activate. Several high-power phased-array radars, like awakened behemoths, spun their antenna arrays at high speed. Invisible electromagnetic beams scanned in all directions with unprecedented power, weaving a dense detection net. Chaff launchers were automatically loaded and in a critical state, ready to fire at any moment. The barrels of the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) were lowered, and their fire-control radars locked onto predetermined alert airspace and waters, emitting the low hum of servo motors.

“Electronic Warfare Center reporting! Signal scan intensity peak has exceeded the threshold! Unknown characteristics, extremely high encryption level! Attempting reverse tracking and characteristic analysis!” The voice of the Electronic Warfare Supervisor echoed through the command channel, strained with suppressed tension and focused hoarseness.

“Full countermeasures! Active jamming, spectrum suppression! Find it for me!” Lin Feng’s voice came through the communicator, cold and resolute. He had returned to the bridge command center. On the massive tactical display, the signal ripples representing the unknown scan source flickered like a cunning viper amidst complex electromagnetic background noise, its trajectory erratic.

“Understood! Activating 'Abyssal Veil' full-spectrum blocking interference! Releasing 'Phantom' decoy signal cluster!” The Electronic Warfare Center responded immediately. In an instant, the vast electromagnetic spectrum around the base was filled with violent noise, and countless false signal sources scattered in all directions like a startled flock of birds. This was the “Iron Curtain” defense of electronic warfare, designed to crudely mask the true signal characteristics of their core area while confusing and depleting the opponent's detection capabilities.

The Marines reacted with lightning speed. Heavy alloy airtight doors slammed shut under hydraulic power, completely sealing off the passage to the core research laboratory. Elite soldiers in exoskeleton armor, armed with large-caliber electromagnetic rifles and energy shields, quickly established firing positions at critical nodes. In the passages, automatic defense gun turrets rose from hidden compartments in the ceiling and walls, their cold muzzles flashing with red lights, ready to fire. The entire base tightened like an iron fist, every muscle strained to its limit.

Inside the core research laboratory, Old Chen and others had, at the first sound of the alarm, subjected the core data of the Deep Blue Heart blueprint to multiple layers of physical isolation and encrypted backup, and initiated the pre-program for self-destruction. The massive holographic projection was turned off, leaving only the dim light of emergency lamps. Scientists nervously stood at their respective terminals, monitoring internal energy fluctuations and any abnormal data streams within the laboratory.

“The scan source is gone!” A few minutes later, the Electronic Warfare Supervisor’s voice carried a hint of disbelief. “Did the 'Abyssal Veil' work? Or did the opponent actively withdraw?”

“No!” Another technician’s startled cry rang out. “It didn’t disappear! It… it ‘dissolved’! The scan signal changed form under interference, breaking down into countless weak, hard-to-catch sub-signal streams, infiltrating our internal communication network and low-privilege sensor nodes! It’s attempting… internal penetration scanning!”

The atmosphere in the command center instantly dropped to freezing. This was no longer crude external probing, but insidious internal infiltration! The opponent possessed extremely high electronic warfare capabilities, capable of such precise signal evasion and penetration even in a strong interference environment.

“Immediately activate the 'Hive' firewall! Elevate permissions to the highest level! Physically cut off all non-core network nodes!” Lin Feng ordered decisively. The base's internal network defense system was activated to its limit, like a giant honeycomb maze, guiding the invading data streams into preset traps and isolation zones. Simultaneously, many non-essential sensors and secondary systems were physically powered down, forcibly narrowing potential intrusion paths.

An invisible battle raged fiercely at the data level. In the Electronic Warfare Center, the technicians' fingers became blurs on virtual keyboards, sweat soaking their uniforms. On the screens, red lines representing the invading data streams, like maggots clinging to bone, constantly attacked various firewall nodes, trying to find a crack. Meanwhile, the blue light network representing the defense layers, continuously contracted, encircled, and cleared.

“Report! C7 low-altitude alert radar node was briefly ‘hijacked,’ attempting to send inductive detection beams towards the core research laboratory! It has been intercepted and counteracted by the 'Hive'!”

“Report! Abnormal data injection detected in the living area ventilation control system! Target points to… points to B-level power pipeline monitoring! It has been isolated!”

“Report! Intrusion signal characteristic analysis 30% complete… Preliminary assessment: its underlying protocol architecture… does not belong to any known nation or organization! It carries… non-standard quantum encryption characteristics!”

Non-standard quantum encryption characteristics? Lin Feng’s eyes were sharp as knives. This was definitely not the Ark organization's usual technical style! Although the Ark’s technology was advanced, its foundation still lay within humanity's existing technological framework, leaning more towards mature, large-scale integrated systems. But this method of infiltration carried a… nearly “artistic” strangeness and efficiency, full of unknown, non-mainstream technological flavor.

“It’s that ‘common enemy’!” Lin Feng instantly connected Albatross’s warning with the current attack. The Ark wanted the blueprint, but this third party, their methods were more covert, more dangerous, and more… reckless! They didn't care if they were exposed, they just wanted to confirm the target's location in the shortest possible time, and might even attempt direct theft!

“Commander! Peripheral sensors of the core research laboratory have detected a faint spatial distortion!” A new, even more chilling alarm sounded! “Energy readings abnormal… unable to parse! Location… right in the passage three meters outside the main door of the research laboratory!”

“What?!” Lin Feng sharply looked at the tactical screen. The cursor representing the anomaly flashed a dazzling purple outside the heavily sealed door of the core research laboratory! Physical intrusion?!

“Marines! Target location! Highest alert!” Lin Feng commanded sternly.

The Marine Captain guarding the research laboratory passage reacted extremely quickly: “Team A, establish a firing blockade at both ends of the passage! Team B, with me! Shields fully active! Prepare to engage unknown target!” Heavy energy shields instantly deployed in the passage, forming a blue wall of light. Soldiers raised their weapons, muzzles locked onto the area marked as a spatial distortion.

The passage was dead silent, with only the low hum of the energy shields. The area appeared empty. But the next second, a spine-chilling sight appeared!

The air, as if a stone had been thrown into water, began to visibly distort and ripple! A blurry, translucent humanoid outline bizarrely “squeezed” out from the center of the distortion! It had no physical form, more like it was composed of twisted light and a constantly fluctuating energy field, with tiny spatial ripples continuously emanating from its edges. It ignored the muzzles pointed at it and “floated” directly towards the heavy alloy door of the research laboratory, an arm made of pure energy “reaching” for the door's security control panel!

“Fire! Stop it!” The Marine Captain roared.

“Bang bang bang!” “Sizzle sizzle sizzle!”

Electromagnetic rifle rounds and energy beams instantly tore through the air, raining down on the distorted humanoid outline!

However, a shocking scene unfolded! The bullets and beams actually passed directly through the energy outline, as if hitting an empty illusion! They only stirred up a more intense ripple within it, but failed to cause any substantial damage! Its energy hand remained firmly pressed against the control panel!

“Ineffective?! Physical attacks are useless!” The soldiers exclaimed.

"Switch energy frequencies! Attempt resonance interference!" Lin Feng's voice rang out in the communicator, carrying an unprecedented gravity. He instantly recalled the spatial resonance technology mentioned in the blueprint!

The Marines' reactions were well-trained. Several specially equipped rifles immediately switched modes. Instead of destructive beams, their muzzles emitted high-frequency, specific-wavelength energy ripples, like invisible tuning forks, attempting to disrupt the stable frequency of the enemy's energy body.

This time, the attack seemed to work!

The distorted humanoid outline suddenly paused, and the fluctuations on its body's surface became chaotic and unstable, emitting a silent, teeth-grating "hum." Its hand, reaching for the control panel, also became blurry.

"Effective! Keep going!" The Marine Captain saw hope.

Just then, the energy body seemed to be enraged. It suddenly turned around, and in the position of its featureless "head," two deep purple lights abruptly ignited, like a gaze from the abyss, "staring" intently at the Marines in the passage!

An invisible, bone-chilling psychic shock instantly swept through the entire passage!

"Ugh!" "My head!" Soldiers with weaker wills were hit hard, clutching their heads in pain and collapsing to the ground. Even the resolute Captain felt an intense dizziness and nausea, as if his soul was about to be frozen and extracted!

This was an attack far beyond the physical level!

"Psychic attack! Activate anti-psychic interference module!" Lin Feng immediately ordered. The base's neural network-based defense system was activated, releasing specific soothing brainwave frequencies to try and counteract the psychic shock.

In this moment of chaos, the energy body seemed to have achieved some goal. It no longer tried to open the door but slammed its energy hand against the wall next to the alloy door!

Buzz—!

A dazzling purple light flashed and disappeared! On the wall, an extremely complex purple energy rune, exuding an ominous aura, was instantly branded, then rapidly faded, leaving only a faint scorch mark on the metal surface.

As soon as the branding was complete, the energy body's outline suddenly became extremely unstable, flickering violently like a signal with poor reception. It seemed that maintaining this form and launching the attack consumed a huge amount of its energy. It gave one last "look" in the direction of the core research lab, and those two purple lights seemed to carry a hint of... cold "confirmation"? Immediately afterward, its body, like a burst bubble, completely dissipated in violent spatial ripples, leaving no trace.

The psychic shock in the passage also vanished.

Only the shaken Marines remained, along with the eerie scorch mark on the wall, and a dead silence in the command center.

"Target... disappeared. Spatial distortion readings have returned to normal," the monitor's voice trembled with the relief of a survivor.

"Core research lab... not infiltrated. Security system not triggered," Old Chen's hoarse voice also came through the internal communication.

The enemy had retreated. In a way completely beyond comprehension.

Lin Feng stared at the mark representing the scorch mark's location on the tactical screen, his face so grim it could drip water. The opponent's goal was clear: not a frontal assault, but to expose itself to leave a "mark" outside the core research lab! What did this mean? A tracking beacon? A spatial coordinate anchor point? Or some more terrifying unknown method?

"'Hive' firewall reports, all infiltration data streams have been cleared. No data leakage detected," the electronic warfare director reported wearily.

"Casualties?" Lin Feng's voice was icy.

"Marines... three suffered psychic trauma, consciousness blurred, already sent to the medical center. Others have varying degrees of psychic shock after-effects, no immediate life-threatening danger. No physical damage."

Psychic attack... spatial infiltration... bizarre energy branding...

This was definitely not Ark! This was closer to the "common enemy" warned about by Albatross! An unknown force possessing technology far beyond current human capabilities, possibly even involving spatial and psychic domains! Their desire for the Deep Blue Heart carried a naked, inhuman coldness and directness.

"Observer..." Lin Feng softly uttered the temporary designation code for this invasion event, which had just been automatically updated in the system log. This name carried a chilling sense of condescension.

He turned to the tactical terminal and pulled up the communication records with Ark. Albatross's words, full of threat and temptation, resurfaced.

Three days? The quote might change after three days?

A cold, resolute, even slightly mad curve slowly formed at the corner of Lin Feng's mouth.

Passive defense? Waiting for choices? No!

Ark wants the blueprint? Observer also wants the blueprint? Do they both see him, Lin Feng, as a prey to be casually manipulated? As a fish on a chopping block?

"Very good," Lin Feng's voice echoed in the silent command center, clear and full of power, instantly dispelling the lingering trepidation. "Since everyone wants it, let's see who is more qualified to get it!"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes burning with ambition and fighting spirit.

"Comms Officer!"

"Here!"

"Broadcast a global message to all survivor strongholds, remaining factions, and Free City States that have established contact with us!"

"In the name of Lin Feng, Supreme Commander of the Deep Blue Alliance, I announce—"

Lin Feng took a deep breath, enunciating each word like a war hammer striking steel:

"We, in the ancient Antarctic ruins, have successfully excavated and deciphered the blueprint for a super energy core named the Deep Blue Heart! This technology will open a new chapter for human civilization!"

"The Deep Blue Alliance will hold the 'Deep Blue Heart Global Technology Sharing and Cooperation Summit' at the Deep Blue base in seventy-two hours! We sincerely invite all organizations and individuals dedicated to the future of humanity, possessing relevant technical capabilities and sincerity, to participate!"

"We will, with the most open attitude, share some basic research results and seek the broadest and most equitable cooperation to jointly overcome technical challenges and bring the blessings of the Deep Blue Heart to all surviving humanity!"

"But at the same time!" Lin Feng's tone suddenly sharpened, carrying a steely edge, "Anyone who attempts to lay hands on this technology through force or conspiracy, no matter who you are, will be regarded as a mortal enemy of the Deep Blue Alliance! The cannons of the Deep Blue will be the only response you receive!"

With the order given, the entire command center was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

To make the blueprint public?! To actively convene a summit?! To place a core technology capable of changing the world order under global scrutiny?!

This was simply... madness! It was putting themselves at the focal point of all greedy eyes! It was turning the entire base into a giant target!

But the next moment, a fervent flame ignited in the eyes of all officers and soldiers! What courage! What confidence! Rather than passively maneuvering in the cracks between Ark and Observer, it was better to actively overturn the chessboard and thoroughly stir the waters! To use openness as a pretext to divide and win over! To turn potential enemies into "participants" who have no choice but to abide by the rules, or at least outwardly seek cooperation! At the same time, to completely expose the hidden enemies to the light of day!

"The Deep Blue Alliance fears no challenge!" Lin Feng's voice, like an iron torrent, swept through the entire room. "From now on, the base enters the highest level of alert! The 'Fortress' defense plan is fully activated! Let us use steel and will to tell this world that the value of the Deep Blue Heart is defined by us!"

"Yes, Commander!" A thunderous response exploded in the bridge, carrying the desperate resolve and soaring fighting spirit of those who had burned their bridges!

The storm, by Lin Feng's own hand, was pushed in an even more violent, unpredictable direction! The eyes of the world were about to focus on this massive tens-of-thousands-ton vessel, isolated on the sea! Ark, Observer... and countless jackals and tigers hidden in the shadows would all be startled by this earth-shattering declaration!

The Deep Blue flag would flutter fiercely in the eye of the storm!