33: Chapter 33 "Patriot X" - The Third Gift
"Hidden Dragon" Base, Network Information Center.
Su Xiaowan sat bolt upright almost reflexively. When that unique encrypted signal appeared again, she could even hear her own heart suddenly pounding. Even though she had experienced this twice before, each appearance of Patriot X meant the arrival of information capable of altering the landscape.
"Report! Signal captured! It's Patriot X!" Her voice, carrying a trace of barely suppressed excitement, was quickly relayed to Elder Chen and Long Zhantian via internal comms.
As before, the data stream ghosted through the defenses, leaving behind an encrypted package. But this time, while attempting to crack it, Su Xiaowan distinctly felt the other party's encryption method had advanced yet again, its complexity reaching a new level, as if demonstrating even deeper technical prowess. The hidden "key" still existed, carrying a sense of guiding her, testing her.
"Is he... teaching me?" This thought flashed through Su Xiaowan's mind, making her focus even more intently. Her slender fingers danced across the keyboard, like unraveling an intricately designed puzzle.
When the outer layer of encryption was peeled away and they saw the titles of the attachments, both Elder Chen and Long Zhantian, who had rushed over, drew sharp breaths.
Attachment One: 'Conceptual Framework for Regional Smart Grid Optimization ("Weaving Net" Proposal)'
Attachment Two: 'Detailed Manufacturing Process and Key Parameter Guidance for the First-of-its-kind Plasma Confinement Chamber of the "Golden Crow" Demonstration Reactor'
"Grid optimization... a fusion chamber!" Elder Chen's voice trembled with disbelief. "He... can he foresee the future?! We just suffered energy sanctions and urgently need grid optimization! The 'Golden Crow' project was just approved and launched, desperately needing core component manufacturing processes! And he delivers them!"
This feeling of being precisely fed by an invisible hand filled Elder Chen with elation, yet also sent a shiver of cold down his spine. This Patriot X seemed to have an intimate understanding of the difficulties Dragon Nation faced and its internal progress!
Long Zhantian's gaze grew even sharper. He immediately ordered, "Strengthen internal security vetting! Especially personnel related to the 'Golden Crow' project! Also, Xiao Wan, can you analyze whether this information delivery carries any possibility of location tracking or reverse tracing?" He had to rule out whether this was an enemy's meticulously designed trap.
Su Xiaowan operated swiftly, shaking her head after a moment. "General, the encryption method still prevents tracing the source. The data packet has a self-cleaning protocol, no trace of tracking. On the contrary... it seems more like it's helping us improve our defensive capabilities." She pointed at several newly appeared encryption nodes on the screen. "If we can assimilate these structures, our firewall's grade could improve by at least one generation."
Long Zhantian frowned deeply, nodded, and said no more, but the vigilance in his heart did not lessen in the slightest.
Elder Chen, meanwhile, could hardly wait. Along with several energy and grid experts urgently summoned, he threw himself at the decrypted documents.
The AI-based dynamic scheduling algorithm proposed in the "Weaving Net" proposal, the intelligent consumption strategy for distributed energy, and the application hypotheses for several new materials to enhance transmission efficiency left the grid experts slapping the table in admiration!
"A genius concept! If this algorithm can be realized, our grid utilization rate could increase by at least ten percent! Our capacity to accept new energy sources would be greatly enhanced!"
"Look here, this 'virtual power plant' concept he proposes seems tailor-made for the regional power shortages we might face in the future!"
The 'Detailed Manufacturing Process for the Plasma Confinement Chamber' plunged the fusion project experts into even deeper astonishment. The document not only provided the precise formula for the special ceramic-metal composite material required for the chamber and the nano-level coating process, but also detailed a unique method for precision welding and stress relief in a microgravity environment, along with a series of extremely stringent tolerance standards and online inspection procedures.
"These... these process requirements are almost impossible to achieve with our current capabilities..." A materials expert said with a troubled expression.
"But it's theoretically completely feasible!" Another senior engineer's eyes burned with fervor. "Look at this welding solution, using sound waves of specific frequencies for assistance... unheard of, but the computational model shows it perfectly solves the deformation problem caused by thermal stress! If we can conquer it..."
Listening to the experts' excited yet anxious discussion, Elder Chen took a deep breath and said decisively, "Impossible? Before the Guanghan Palace ascended to the heavens, some also said it was impossible! Patriot X has already pointed the way for us, even laid out the most difficult technical details before our eyes! What remains is for us to realize it with determination and sweat!"
He looked at Long Zhantian, his tone extremely grave. "General Long, the success of the 'Golden Crow' project is tied to the nation's fate! The confinement chamber is the first, and most critical, test! I request the S.H.I.E.L.D. provide the highest level of security and resource coordination support!"
Long Zhantian nodded heavily. "Rest assured, Elder Chen. From now on, the 'Golden Crow' project will enjoy the same security level as the Chasing Light Project. I will personally oversee it."
Orders were swiftly issued. Dragon Nation's vast state machinery began operating efficiently once again, with a clear goal—to digest and absorb the third major gift from Patriot X. Simultaneously, within an even more secretive base somewhere in the northwest, the manufacturing battle for the "Golden Crow" demonstration reactor officially commenced!
Meanwhile, in the rented room, Lin Mo looked at the status prompt 【Assistance in Progress...】 appearing below 【Mission Two】 in the system, along with the slowly beginning progress bar, and softly let out a breath.
The seeds had been sown. Now, it was time to wait for the moment they pushed aside the boulder and broke through the soil.
He did not know that, at the same time, with the CIA's launched "Vulture" plan, several pairs of eyes hidden in the shadows had already, like true vultures, fixed their cold and greedy gazes firmly on every trace of anomalous signal in the region where he was located.