Chapter 267 Fang Lin's Report 2

January 25, 2040.

3:00 PM, Security Command Center, Hainan Base.

When Fang Lin pushed the door open and entered, Zhao Gang was watching the surveillance footage. On the screen, inside a simulation module at the Training Center, Zhang Pengfei and his two teammates were conducting their fifth emergency return drill of the day.

"Commander Zhao." Fang Lin's voice was low but clear.

Zhao Gang turned around, and seeing her expression, his heart skipped a beat. He had worked with Fang Lin for many years and was familiar with the meaning behind every one of her expressions—this one meant "something has happened."

"Director Fang." He stood up. "What's the situation?"

Fang Lin walked to the screen and pulled up an encrypted document. The document was stamped with a bright red "Top Secret" seal.

"Information intercepted by the intelligence department." Her voice was calm, but every word carried weight. "An intelligence agency from a certain country may be planning to interfere during the manned test. The specific method is unknown, but the goal is to sabotage the test, or even... cause an accident."

Zhao Gang's pupils contracted slightly.

He stared at the document, silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Is it reliable?"

"Reliability is seventy percent," Fang Lin said. "It's not direct evidence, but multiple clues point in the same direction. Their activities in Southeast Asia have suddenly increased, and several known spies have recently lost contact; it's very likely they have already infiltrated the country."

Zhao Gang clenched his fists.

The manned test was in three days.

Three astronauts, the eyes of the whole world, and the expectations of countless people.

Now, someone wanted to destroy it all.

"Director Fang," his voice was heavy, "what do you need me to do?"

Fang Lin looked at him. "Strengthen security. The platform, the base, the Training Center, the supply transport lines—nothing can go wrong at any stage. Especially on the day of the test, no suspicious personnel, suspicious vessels, or suspicious aircraft can be allowed near."

Zhao Gang nodded. "Understood."

"Also," Fang Lin paused, "tell Lin Mo. Let him be mentally prepared."

At 4:00 PM, Lin Mo received the news.

He sat at his desk in the Chief Designer's Office, looking at the briefing Fang Lin had sent, and remained silent for a long time.

Li Xiao stood beside him, her face pale.

"Senior..." she said softly.

Lin Mo looked up at her.

"Are you afraid?" he asked.

Li Xiao was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm not afraid. I'm just... angry."

Lin Mo nodded. "Me too."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the base. In the direction of the Training Center, the lights of the simulation module were still on. Zhang Pengfei and the others were still training, unaware of this news.

"Senior," Li Xiao walked to his side, "should we postpone the test?"

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds.

Then he shook his head.

"No postponement."

Li Xiao looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

Lin Mo turned around and looked at the briefing.

"We are building the Sky Ladder not to play by ourselves behind closed doors. It's to let the whole world see that humanity can go further," his voice was calm. "If someone wants to stop us, then let them see that we will not be stopped."

Li Xiao's eyes lit up.

"Senior..."

"Notify Zhao Gang to upgrade security," Lin Mo said. "Notify Director Fang for intelligence sharing. Notify everyone to increase vigilance."

He paused and looked out the window.

"The test will proceed as planned."

At 6:00 PM, Zhao Gang convened an emergency security meeting.

Attendees included all security heads for the platform, base, Training Center, and supply transport lines. Fang Lin participated via video link, her face solemn on the screen.

Zhao Gang stood before a whiteboard and briefly explained the situation. Then he began deployment.

"First, in the waters around the platform, double the number of patrol boats and maintain continuous twenty-four-hour radar monitoring. Any suspicious vessel will be intercepted and inspected."

"Second, starting tonight, the Training Center will implement fully closed management. All personnel entering and exiting must undergo dual verification, and outside personnel are strictly prohibited from entering."

"Third, for the supply transport lines, every batch of supplies must be equipped with GPS tracking, and the entire transport process must be monitored. Transport vehicles and vessels will be subject to random spot checks."

"Fourth, on the day of the test, a five-nautical-mile radius around the platform is designated as a no-sail zone. Any unauthorized vessel or aircraft entering will be treated as a hostile target."

His gaze swept over those present.

"Any questions?"

No one spoke.

"Execute."

Everyone stood up, saluted, and then quickly departed.

Zhao Gang was left alone in the meeting room. He stood before the whiteboard, looking at the dense deployments, and remained silent for a long time.

His phone rang. It was Chen Xueming.

"Brother Zhao, I've heard," Chen Xueming's voice was heavy. "I'll keep a close eye on the platform side."

Zhao Gang nodded. "I know."

"On the day of the test, I will personally watch the cables. I'll check them one by one," Chen Xueming paused. "Nothing will go wrong."

Zhao Gang smiled. "Good."

At 8:00 PM, Li Xiao sat in the Data Center, staring at the code on the screen.

This was her third time checking the network security protection system. Firewalls, intrusion detection, encrypted communication, emergency isolation... every link was tested repeatedly to ensure everything was foolproof.

Xiao Zhou walked over, carrying a cup of coffee. "Manager Li, you haven't eaten yet."

Li Xiao took the coffee and took a sip, her eyes never leaving the screen.

"I'm not hungry."

Xiao Zhou sighed and stood beside her, watching.

"Manager Li, do you think those people will really come?"

Li Xiao was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I don't know. But we have to be prepared."

Xiao Zhou nodded and didn't ask further.

On the screen, lines of code scrolled rapidly. Li Xiao's fingers tapped on the keyboard, constantly reinforcing those invisible defensive lines.

For the communication link thirty-six thousand kilometers away, every data packet had to be secure.

For the lives of the three astronauts, every signal had to be reliable.

She couldn't let anyone break in through her.

At 11:00 PM, Lin Mo dialed the video call to the Space Station.

The signal delayed for a few seconds, and then Zhang Pengfei's face appeared on the screen. He looked a bit tired, but his eyes were bright.

"Chief Designer Lin! It's so late, is something wrong?"

Lin Mo looked at him, silent for a few seconds, then said, "There is something I need to tell you all."

Zhang Pengfei's expression turned serious.

Lin Mo briefly explained the situation. After Zhang Pengfei finished listening, he was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Is the test still proceeding as planned?"

"As planned."

Zhang Pengfei nodded. "Good."

Lin Mo looked at him. "You're not worried?"

Zhang Pengfei smiled. "Chief Designer Lin, as astronauts, we've long since looked past life and death. What's the use of worrying? What will come will come; all we can do is do our jobs well."

He paused and looked at the camera.

"Besides, with you all watching from the ground, we're at ease."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Thank you."

Zhang Pengfei shook his head. "No need for thanks. When we get back, just treat us to some braised pork."

Lin Mo smiled. "Alright. As much as you can eat."

After hanging up the video call, Lin Mo stood by the window, looking at the night sky outside.

Thirty-six thousand kilometers above, three people were waiting.

On the ground, countless people were guarding.

The test will proceed as planned.