40: Chapter 40 Dragon Battle Sky's Web: Eliminating the Mole
Three kilometers outside of the "Xihe Base," inside a command vehicle disguised as a geological survey truck, Long Zhantian stared at the massive surveillance screen in front of him.
The screen was divided into dozens of small windows, displaying real-time activity at the base's key entrances, supply routes, and even the surrounding high ground.
Unlike the bustling construction scene inside the base, the atmosphere here was cold and austere.
"Falcon One reporting: the target has appeared at the entrance to Supply Channel Three and is undergoing routine inspection."
"The Sky Eye system has captured an abnormal radio frequency signal. It is weak in intensity, the source is being located, and it is suspected to be an encrypted shortwave transmission."
"The behavioral baseline analysis for the target 'Engineer Zhang' shows a deviation; his frequency of visiting non-designated areas during break times has exceeded the threshold by three percentage points."
A series of cold reports were transmitted into Long Zhantian's ears through his headset.
There was no expression on his face; only his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, swept rapidly across the various information streams.
The net he had laid out was not just a series of physical barriers; it was an invisible sky-net covering both reality and the virtual world, composed of big data behavioral analysis, full-spectrum signal monitoring, and the most elite field personnel.
"Engineer Zhang..." Long Zhantian's finger tapped lightly on the console, pulling up the man's full file.
Engineer Zhang, forty-two years old, a senior engineer for an auxiliary system in the base's core area, had a clean background, outstanding professional ability, and simple family relations.
On the surface, there were no flaws.
But Long Zhantian believed in data and intuition.
At the beginning of the "Golden Crow" project, he had established dynamic behavioral models for all personnel who had contact with core secrets.
Engineer Zhang's recent "accidental" "strolls" near the edge of the core area's security perimeter, as well as the abnormally increased volume of underlying data interactions on his personal communication device during specific time periods, had made him a key subject of surveillance.
"Lock onto the signal source and confirm its connection to Engineer Zhang's device. Falcon Team, prepare for contact. Do not startle the snake without my orders." Long Zhantian's instructions were concise and clear.
Half an hour later, the technical team sent confirmation: "The signal source has been confirmed. The encryption method is highly similar to a pattern commonly used by a known foreign intelligence agency. The signal transmission period perfectly matches the periods of abnormal activity on Engineer Zhang's device. It can be determined that Engineer Zhang is a turned agent, codenamed 'Mole'."
A cold light flashed in Long Zhantian's eyes.
As expected!
He did not act immediately.
He was waiting, waiting for the "Mole" to send out that carefully fabricated piece of false intelligence about "Xihe Base" being a "super-large strategic energy reserve."
This was a move he was making to turn the tables, utilizing Craig's misjudgment to further lull the opponent into a false sense of security.
Late at night, the base's living area was silent.
Under the cover of night, Engineer Zhang once again wandered near a ventilation shaft close to the outer edge of the core area, pretending to admire the starry sky of the Gobi, while his fingers rapidly operated a disguised miniature transmitter in his pocket.
Just as he was about to press the send button, several ghost-like figures approached silently from the shadows in different directions.
Before he could even react, a powerful hand covered his mouth, while another hand precisely gripped the wrist he was using to operate the transmitter. A surge of powerful electric current instantly caused him to lose all strength, and his consciousness plunged into darkness.
The entire process took less than three seconds, without making any noticeable sound.
Engineer Zhang was quickly taken away from the scene, and the transmitter in his pocket was taken over by professionals.
Long Zhantian glanced at the captured transmitter; stored inside was the very "confirmation" information regarding the "energy reserve."
"Clean it up," Long Zhantian said indifferently into the communicator.
"Understood!"
The next day, an internal notice at the base stated that Engineer Zhang had taken emergency leave and resigned due to a sudden family emergency.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
But inside the command vehicle, Long Zhantian frowned as he looked at the initial report submitted by the interrogation team.
Engineer Zhang had not been turned through traditional means of money or seduction, but rather by the other side controlling his only son, who was studying abroad, as leverage.
This was a more difficult, and more despicable, method to guard against.
"Strengthen the investigation into the overseas connections of all personnel involved in the 'Golden Crow' and 'Chasing Light' projects, especially those with immediate family members abroad."
Long Zhantian issued new orders, "Notify the 'Net Shield' team to strengthen the protective masking of any potential network traces of 'Patriot X'. The enemy is getting closer and closer."
He walked outside the vehicle, looking at the magnificent dome of "Xihe Base" as its silhouette gradually appeared in the dawn, his eyes cold and firm.
Clearing one "Mole" was just the beginning.
As the "Golden Crow" project neared success, the covetousness and attacks from the shadows would only become more frantic.
His net had to be woven tighter and tougher.
Any enemy attempting to hinder Long Country from igniting this "sun," whether from the outside or the inside, would be mercilessly—cleared—by his invisible and deadly net.