147: Chapter 147 New Security Level: Peerless Hero
As Craig's safe house in the Alps turned into a symbol of smoke and shame, the "Bright Dawn" base, located deep within the Western Hills of the Dragon Kingdom's capital, was officially welcoming its first and only long-term resident.
Rather than calling it a base, it would be more accurate to describe it as a small, intelligent fortress tailor-made to protect the "seed of civilization."
It is deeply embedded within the mountain, with only the necessary concealed entrances and exits, as well as imitation natural ventilation and lighting structures, remaining on the surface.
The main body extends over a hundred meters underground, encased in multi-layered composite armor, energy damping layers, and the latest "quantum signal maze" technology, sufficient to withstand any known conventional and even some unconventional attacks.
The interior space, however, is not oppressive.
In the center is a thirty-meter-high domed main hall, where soft artificial skylight simulates the natural changes of dawn and dusk, surrounded by several functional levels.
The residential level is simple and comfortable, equipped with a top-tier ecological circulation system; the work level is directly connected to the "Fuxi" mainframe via an independent quantum link, possessing data processing capabilities and a holographic interactive environment that are in no way inferior to the national supercomputing center; deeper inside, there are also special laboratories and material preparation areas reserved exclusively for Lin Mo to test miniaturized prototypes.
At this moment, in the base's core command room, a high-level, small-scale commissioning and authorization ceremony was taking place in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
There were not many participants; apart from Lin Mo himself, there were only Elder Chen, Long Zhantian, and two special representatives from the Supreme Command Headquarters.
There was no media, no audience, but every word carried immense weight.
A military representative with three stars on his shoulders held a dark blue folder inlaid with the national emblem and read out in a resounding voice:
"In accordance with the special resolution of the Supreme Council and the emergency authorization order for national security and technological development, it is hereby formally confirmed:"
"Comrade Lin Mo, effective immediately, is granted the title of 'Lifetime Chief Consultant of the Dragon Kingdom's Supreme Academy of Sciences,' enjoying ministerial-level treatment and corresponding authority."
"Granted the 'National Special Meritorious Scientist' honorary medal." (A dark gold star medal with a simple yet substantial design was pinned to the left chest of Lin Mo's Zhongshan suit.)
"Granted a permanent seat on the 'Dragon Kingdom Strategic Technology Decision-Making Committee,' possessing one-vote advisory power on the highest technical routes and veto power over major special projects."
"Granted the highest technical guidance authority for top-secret projects such as the 'North Heaven Gate' project and the 'Firewood' project."
"His personal security protection level is permanently set to the 'Peerless national scholar' level. This level is the highest national security protection level, and his security work is fully handled by the 'Zhulong' special guard team, with Captain Major General Long Zhantian reporting directly to the Supreme Command Headquarters. The 'Zhulong' guard team is authorized to mobilize all necessary national forces within the necessary scope during emergency states and to take all necessary measures to ensure the absolute safety of Comrade Lin Mo."
With each item read, the look of gratification on Elder Chen's face deepened.
Long Zhantian stood straight, his eyes resolute, as if making a silent vow.
After the reading was finished, the other civilian representative stepped forward and solemnly handed Lin Mo a card that shimmered with a faint blue luster and appeared to be made of a special crystal material, as well as a pure black personal terminal with a streamlined design and no visible interfaces.
"Comrade Lin Mo, this is your identity authorization card. It uses quantum encoding and is deeply bound to your biological characteristics; it cannot be copied or hacked. With this card, you can call upon resources matching your authority and issue verified instructions at any node connected to the national core network."
"This personal terminal integrates the latest 'Mozi' quantum communication module, the 'fuxi' lightweight computing power access interface, and the highest-level security protection of the 'Weaving Net' system. It is your work partner and also one of the core beacons for the 'Zhulong' guard team to locate and protect you."
Lin Mo took them with both hands, feeling the perfect weight and texture of the card and terminal.
He did not feel much excitement, but rather a heavy sense of responsibility.
These honors and authorities were an affirmation of the past, and even more so, a trust placed in the future.
"Thank you to the nation, and thank you to all the leaders for your trust," Lin Mo said earnestly.
"I will make good use of these authorities and live up to the trust placed in me."
The ceremony was simple and efficient, ending quickly.
The two special representatives did not linger and soon took their leave, as they still needed to report back to the Supreme Command Headquarters.
Elder Chen stayed behind, accompanying Lin Mo for a brief walk around the base, and finally arrived at the spacious and bright office, where the window looked out onto a simulated natural landscape (which was actually a high-resolution screen).
"How do you feel, Lin Mo?" Elder Chen asked with concern.
"From now on, this will be your 'home' and your main battlefield. If you have any needs, feel free to bring them up at any time. In terms of daily life, the nation has assigned you the best logistics support team; in terms of work, Comrade Su Xiaowan will serve as your Chief Liaison Officer and technical assistant, helping you handle daily affairs and coordination with various parties. She will arrive shortly."
Lin Mo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the simple yet tech-filled furnishings in the office: "Very good, Elder Chen. Even better than I expected. It's very quiet and very safe here, suitable for thinking and tackling difficult problems."
"Indeed, safety is the top priority," Elder Chen sighed with emotion.
"'Peerless national scholar' level, this level... since the founding of the nation, it has never been granted to anyone still living. Its meaning is not just the highest level of protection, but also means that your very existence is already regarded as a 'national treasure' that is equally important to, or even more precious than, the core interests of the nation. Your safety will be deeply bound to the nation's destiny."
He paused, his tone turning serious: "Of course, this also means that the potential risks you face have not disappeared; on the contrary, because of your public appearance and such high-profile treatment, you may attract more attention and even hostility from more levels and in more forms. It is easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Future public activities will be extremely rare and carefully planned. Your daily research and life will mainly take place within this 'Bright Dawn' base and a few affiliated facilities of the National Academy of Sciences that share the same security level."
"I understand." Lin Mo had long been mentally prepared for this.
"The public appearance was to break the passive situation, but it doesn't mean I want to become a public figure. My value lies in the laboratory, on the blueprints, and in those concepts concerning the future."
"We are relieved that you think this way," Elder Chen said with gratification.
At this moment, the office door was gently knocked, and after receiving permission, Su Xiaowan walked in, dressed in a sharp professional outfit.
Her complexion was much better than when she was busy with the 'Weaving Net' anti-tracking, and her eyes were still clear and intelligent, but when she looked at Lin Mo, besides the professional respect, there seemed to be a hint of imperceptible softness that belonged to a personal relationship.
"Elder Chen, Consultant Lin Mo." Su Xiaowan greeted the two first, then said to Lin Mo, "Your exclusive permissions have all been activated, and the deep integration tests with 'fuxi' and 'Weaving Net' have been completed. In addition, 'fuxi' has already produced a preliminary report on the material strength simulation data for the first phase of the 'North Heaven Gate' project that you were previously concerned about, and I have synchronized it to your main workstation. Also, Director Long asked me to remind you that at 3:00 PM, the entire 'Zhulong' guard team will have a brief meeting with you to confirm security protocols."
Her report was clear and organized, her tone capable, and it was obvious that she had fully stepped into her new role.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Engineer Su," Lin Mo responded, then looked at Elder Chen, "Elder Chen, shall I start coordinating work with Engineer Su now?"
"Alright, you two go ahead. I'll head back; there's still a pile of things at the academy." Elder Chen stood up with a smile, patted Lin Mo on the shoulder, nodded to Su Xiaowan, and left the office.
Only Lin Mo and Su Xiaowan were left in the room.
The atmosphere seemed to change slightly, but both were determined people who prioritized their work, and they soon entered a working state.
Su Xiaowan skillfully operated the holographic console on Lin Mo's desk, called up data, and began her report.
Lin Mo listened attentively, occasionally raising key questions or giving instructions.
Sunlight (simulated) shone through the "window," casting light on the two, outlining their quiet and efficient silhouettes.
Outside the window, the "mountain forest" scenery was serene and beautiful, with "birds" occasionally flying by.
And in places they couldn't see, on the surface of this mountain, within a radius of several kilometers around it, and even at key nodes throughout the capital, the figures of the "Zhulong" guard team and the "hummingbird" drone network had already, like the most precise gears, silently engaged and started operating.
Long Zhantian stood at a hidden command point near the base entrance, in front of a panoramic screen that integrated all monitoring and sensor data.
His fingers swept quickly across the virtual interface, adjusting the levels and personnel deployment for each alert zone.
"Zone A, increase the infrared fence sensitivity by one level."
"B3 air corridor, increase the patrol frequency of two 'hummingbird' drones."
"All material channels entering and exiting the base, initiate particle-level scanning; no unidentified substances are allowed to enter under any circumstances."
"Engineer Lin's daily diet and drinking water will be handled by a dedicated team; the sources must be absolutely reliable, and the entire process must be monitored."
His orders were concise and powerful, transmitted through encrypted channels to every team member.
These elites, selected from the military's top special forces and security departments, had only one mission at this moment: to protect the young man working in the room with their lives.