Chapter 27 Sample Escort Preparation
The atmosphere in the conference room was so heavy it felt like it could drip water.
The long table was filled with people—Fang Lin sat at the head of the table, Captain Zhao stood before the whiteboard, Lin Mo sat on one side with Zhang Zhe, and opposite them sat several security personnel in dark blue uniforms.
Li Xiao huddled in the corner, holding a notebook, not daring to breathe loudly.
A map was posted on the whiteboard, with red lines marking a winding route starting from the base, passing through mountains, going through three county towns, and finally arriving at the research institute in the provincial capital.
The total distance was 420 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of six hours.
"This batch of samples," Fang Lin began, her voice not loud, but every word clear, "is the first batch of mass-produced materials for our 'tiangong project'. Its mission is to be delivered to the provincial capital's Institute of Applied Physics for actual application scenario testing."
She scanned the room: "Superconducting motors, superconducting cables, superconducting current limiters—three projects testing simultaneously. If all pass, it means Room-Temperature Superconductivity materials have officially entered the application stage."
Lin Mo sat there, a complex emotion surging in his heart.
Three months ago, he was still in that small laboratory, staring blankly at the first synthesized sample.
Now, this batch of samples was about to leave the mountains and face the most rigorous inspection.
"The importance of the samples goes without saying," Fang Lin continued, "so this escort must not fail."
She nodded at Captain Zhao.
Captain Zhao walked to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and drew a circle on the map.
"This is the base, the starting point," his voice was cold and firm, "the samples will be taken from the third basement level and loaded onto vehicles via Channel No. 1. The loading time is set for 4:00 AM, before dawn, when visibility is at its worst."
He drew another line, marking three red dots: "We will set up three temporary stops along the way, one every 100 kilometers or so. Not for rest, but for switching vehicles."
Someone was stunned: "Switching vehicles?"
Captain Zhao nodded: "Yes. We will change vehicles three times throughout the journey, with different vehicle models and different license plates. The first vehicle is a van, disguised as a vegetable delivery truck; the second is an ordinary minivan, blending into the morning rush hour traffic; the third is an off-road vehicle, taking the highway into the provincial capital."
He looked at the group: "This way, even if someone targets the first batch, they won't be able to figure out where the second or third batches are."
The security personnel nodded one after another, their eyes filled with admiration.
Fang Lin added: "The samples in each vehicle are packaged separately. Even in the worst-case scenario, the loss will only be a portion."
Lin Mo listened, inwardly marveling. This plan was interlocking and airtight.
"What about personnel?" someone asked.
Captain Zhao pointed to several positions on the map: "Each vehicle is equipped with two security guards, fully armed but not in uniform, traveling in plain clothes. The lead car departs twenty minutes early to scout the path. The tail car lags twenty minutes behind to cover the rear. The three vehicles in the middle are staggered by five kilometers, maintaining communication."
He paused: "I will personally escort the second vehicle, which is the batch with the most critical samples."
The conference room was silent for a second.
Lin Mo looked at Captain Zhao and discovered that he was also looking at him.
"Dr. Lin," Captain Zhao said, "do you have anything to add?"
Lin Mo stood up and walked to the whiteboard.
He took the marker from Captain Zhao and drew a circle at the destination on the map.
"This is the provincial capital's Institute of Applied Physics," he said, "after the samples arrive, they will go directly into the test room. The environment requirements for the test room are constant temperature and humidity, dust-free, and static-free. Therefore, the stretch of road from the vehicle to the test room is the most critical."
He looked at those present: "One hundred meters. From the parking lot to the test room, one hundred meters. In these one hundred meters, the samples cannot be exposed to light, cannot be subjected to heat, and cannot be subjected to vibration. The hands of the escort personnel cannot directly touch the sample containers."
He took a small metal box from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"This is the sample container. Triple protection, vacuum insulation, with built-in cushioning material. But no matter how good the protection is, it cannot withstand rough handling."
He looked at the security personnel, saying word by word: "Everyone, this batch of samples is the result of three months of work and hundreds of failures by me and my team. They are not cold metal; they are our heart and soul."
The conference room was so quiet you could hear the sound of breathing.
A young security guard stood up and saluted: "Don't worry, Dr. Lin, as long as we are here, the samples are here."
Others also stood up one after another, saying in unison: "As long as we are here, the samples are here!"
Lin Mo looked at them, his eyes slightly hot.
"Thank you," he said, his voice a bit dry, "thank you all."
After the meeting, Lin Mo was kept behind by Fang Lin.
"Your words just now were very well said," Fang Lin looked at him, "letting them know what they are protecting is more effective than giving orders."
Lin Mo nodded and didn't speak.
Fang Lin walked to the window, looking at the mountains outside: "Lin Mo, do you know what it means if this batch of samples is tested successfully?"
Lin Mo thought for a moment: "It means it can enter the application stage."
"More than that," Fang Lin turned around and looked at him, "it means Room-Temperature Superconductivity materials have officially transformed from a 'laboratory miracle' into an 'industrial reality'. It means our country is leading the world by at least ten years on this track."
There was something in her eyes that Lin Mo had never seen before—it was excitement, expectation, and also pressure.
"Therefore," she said, "this escort must not go wrong."
Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then asked: "Director Fang, are you worried that someone will make a move?"
Fang Lin looked at him, not answering directly, only saying: "George has not been caught yet."
Lin Mo's heart sank slightly.
That name was like a thorn, stuck in everyone's heart.
"But he doesn't know that the samples are being sent today, right?" Lin Mo asked.
Fang Lin shook her head: "Theoretically, he doesn't. But we cannot underestimate this person."
She walked up to Lin Mo and looked into his eyes: "Lin Mo, from now on, you must be mentally prepared. What we are doing is not ordinary scientific research. It is worth someone risking their life to steal, and it is worth someone risking their life to protect."
Lin Mo looked at her and suddenly remembered Captain Zhao's words— "From now on, I will protect you with my life."
He took a deep breath and nodded: "I understand."
At 4:00 PM, Lin Mo returned to the laboratory.
The samples were ready.
Five metal boxes were neatly arranged on the operating table, each labeled with a number, batch, and parameters.
Li Xiao stood to the side, her eyes red.
"Teacher Lin," her voice was a little choked, "I just heard that this batch of samples is going to be sent away."
Lin Mo nodded: "Yes. Departing early tomorrow morning."
Li Xiao looked at the metal boxes and whispered: "I'm reluctant to let them go."
Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"Silly girl," he said, "it's a good thing that the samples are being sent away. It means we succeeded."
Li Xiao sniffed and nodded vigorously: "I know, I just... I just feel like they are like my own children."
Lin Mo looked at her, and a warm current surged in his heart.
These three months, this lively girl had spent every day in the laboratory, helping him process data, staying up late to watch parameters, and going to the cafeteria to bring him midnight snacks.
She was right; this batch of samples was indeed like their shared child.
"After the test is successful," Lin Mo said, "I will treat you to a big meal."
Li Xiao blinked: "Really?"
"Really. Eat whatever you want."
Li Xiao broke into a smile: "Then I want to eat hot pot! The spiciest kind!"
At 10:00 PM, Captain Zhao checked the escort plan for the last time.
All personnel were in place, all vehicles were on standby, and all communication equipment had been tested.
He looked at the clock on the wall, waiting for the arrival of the early morning.
His phone vibrated, and a message came in: "Captain Zhao, the perimeter surveillance found a suspicious person. At the county bus station, he bought a ticket to the provincial capital. I've sent you the photo."
Captain Zhao opened the photo.
A blurry back view, wearing a gray jacket and a baseball cap, the face could not be seen clearly.
His brows furrowed.
"Follow him," he replied, "keep your distance, don't alert him."
Putting down his phone, he looked at the night outside the window, his eyes turning cold.
George, is it you?
At 3:50 AM, in the third basement level.
Lin Mo personally put the five metal boxes into a special transport case.
He checked every box three times, confirming the seal was intact, the labels were correct, and the cushioning material was in place.
Captain Zhao stood to the side, watching silently.
After loading the last one, Lin Mo looked up at Captain Zhao.
"Captain Zhao," he said, "I'm counting on you."
Captain Zhao nodded and reached out to take the transport case.
Their hands gripped together and shook firmly.
"Wait for me to come back," Captain Zhao said.
Lin Mo watched his back disappear at the end of the hallway, standing there, not moving for a long time.
Li Xiao walked over and stood beside him.
"Teacher Lin," she whispered, "will it be okay?"
Lin Mo looked at the dark hallway and said softly: "It will be."
At 4:00 AM, the first vehicle drove out of the base.
Captain Zhao sat in the second vehicle, holding the transport case in his arms.
The night outside the car window was thick and impenetrable, with only the headlights illuminating the road ahead.
He took out his phone and sent a message to Lin Mo: "Departing."
Three seconds later, a reply came: "Return safely."
Captain Zhao looked at those four words, the corners of his mouth moving slightly.
He put his phone away and looked out the window.
In the distance, the outline of the mountains was looming in the night.
He knew that this journey would not be peaceful.
But he also knew that what was meant to come would eventually come.