19: Chapter 019 The Second Contact with "Patriot X"
"Hidden Dragon" Base, core area of the Network Information Center.
Su Xiaowan rubbed her slightly throbbing temples. Days of high-intensity work had left her somewhat exhausted, but her eyes remained bright and focused. On the multiple screens before her, encrypted data streams and monitoring logs scrolled continuously. Her core mission was singular—to wait for and capture any signal that might appear from "Patriot X."
Since the two material technologies from last time were verified as authentic, "Patriot X" had seemingly vanished into thin air, with no further activity. Internal experiments at the base were in full swing, and application research based on the "Lunar Regolith Solidifier" and "LC-1 material" had already achieved several breakthroughs. However, everyone knew that the source of the living water still lay with that mysterious "X."
Waiting had become a form of torment, but also a form of expectation.
Suddenly, an extremely discreet indicator light on the console turned from green to red, emitting a faint hum at a unique frequency that only the internal system could recognize.
Su Xiaowan's spirits were jolted. Almost reflexively, she sat up straight, her hands dancing across the keyboard like butterflies through flowers. It was here!
Just like last time, a data stream with an untraceable source penetrated layers of firewalls like a ghost, accurately delivering itself to a specific receiving buffer. The outer layer of the data packet was still wrapped in that breathtakingly complex encryption.
"Report! The 'Patriot X' signal has reappeared!" Suppressing her excitement, Su Xiaowan immediately reported to Elder Chen and Long Zhantian via internal communication. Simultaneously, her hands didn't stop as she began attempting to crack it.
This time, she found that the other party's encryption algorithm seemed to have undergone subtle changes; the structure was more complex, yet the way the decryption "key" was hidden carried a peculiar "guidance," as if testing her, or perhaps helping her.
"Interesting..." Su Xiaowan's mouth curled up unconsciously. This kind of technical confrontation excited her. She concentrated all her focus, mobilizing all computing resources to follow that faint guidance for the decryption.
A few minutes later, accompanied by a crisp notification sound, the outer encryption of the data packet was successfully stripped away.
It was still that calm signature: Patriot X.
However, the titles of the attachments caused the pupils of the rushing Elder Chen and Long Zhantian to contract sharply!
Attachment 1: "Principles of Design and Key Component Processes for High-Efficiency Ion Thrusters ('sky patrol' Type)"
Attachment 2: "Conceptual Design and Preliminary Constraint Field Theory for Miniaturized Controllable Nuclear Fusion Devices ('Jinwu' Type)"
"Ion propulsion... fusion energy!" Elder Chen's voice trembled with disbelief as he snatched the preliminary analysis report from Su Xiaowan's hand, his eyes fixed intently on it. "He... he actually even..."
Although Long Zhantian didn't have a deep understanding of the specific technical details, he knew all too well what the terms "ion propulsion" and "controllable nuclear fusion" meant! These were the cornerstones for truly stepping into deep space and achieving energy independence! Their strategic significance was far greater than the previous two material technologies!
"Has the content been confirmed?" Long Zhantian's voice was low, carrying a trace of imperceptible tension.
"Currently decrypting the core content... Browsing the preliminary framework, the logic is rigorous and the theoretical system is complete; it doesn't look like fiction!" Su Xiaowan responded quickly, her fingers creating afterimages on the keyboard. "Moreover, although the encryption method this time is more complex, it feels as if he knew we could crack it and left a 'backdoor'."
Elder Chen could not wait to lean over the screen, watching the emerging theories on new magnetic field-constrained plasma and the disruptive fusion ignition scheme sketches. His breathing became increasingly rapid.
"Quick! Summon the experts from the Energy Group and the Propulsion Group immediately! Conduct theoretical verification at once!" Elder Chen's voice was unusually high-pitched due to excitement. "Hurry!"
The entire "Hidden Dragon" Base felt as if a depth charge had been dropped into it. The atmosphere, which had just slightly settled after the breakthroughs in materials science, was ignited once again! Top experts from all relevant fields were urgently summoned from their sleep and laboratories. When they saw the titles and preliminary contents of those two documents, every single one of them fell into a state of immense shock and fanaticism.
Long Zhantian stepped aside, watching the busy and excited crowd with a slight frown. He was thinking about more.
"Patriot X" chose this point in time, just after they had completed the evaluation of the first contact, to deliver such heavyweight technology directly concerning the nation's energy and aerospace lifelines. Was this a coincidence, or... was he aware of our movements?
Was this a gesture of goodwill? A proof? Or... a silent warning, demonstrating that he held the power to change the global landscape in his hands?
Long Zhantian looked at the calm "X" on the main screen, feeling that the figure hidden behind this symbol appeared increasingly unfathomable. He was no longer just an anonymous technology provider; he was more like a chess player hidden in the mist, calmly observing and guiding the direction of the Dragon Nation's progress.
"No matter who you are, no matter what you want..." Long Zhantian muttered in his heart. "The Dragon Nation accepts this 'grand gift' you've sent. I hope we remain friends forever, rather than enemies."
The second contact was even more shocking and meaningful than the first. The existence of "Patriot X" had already become the brightest and most mysterious star hanging over the Chasing Light Project.