Chapter 526
4-way installation
"understood."
Engineer Chen's voice came through the communicator.
"Give us the explosives on the north and south sides, and we'll install them. When will you start on the east and west sides?"
Jiang Nian glanced at the time.
"Installation takes one minute, and it will detonate thirty seconds after activation. We must complete the installation within three minutes."
"Xiao Li, catch the explosives on the south side. Xiao Wang, here's the one on the north side."
Two more small openings appeared in the pale blue force field.
He stretched out both hands, each grasping a piece of explosives.
“The western node is over there.” Jiang Nian pointed to a protruding structure on the left side of the spherical space. “It’s eighty meters away, and you have to pass through the main energy transmission pipeline area in the middle.”
“The east side is on the opposite side.” Old Dao looked to his right. “The distance is about the same. But my leg…”
"Can we walk?"
"We have to crawl over there, whether we have to or not."
Jiang Nian nodded and turned towards the force field: "Engineer Chen, what's the situation on your end?"
"The south node is on the lower level; we need to go down to the maintenance level first," came Xiao Li's voice, young but firm. "I have the blueprints and know the route."
"The north side is behind the upper control panel." Xiao Wang's voice trembled slightly, but it was still clear. "I often go there to do maintenance, so I know the way."
"Okay." Jiang Nian took a deep breath. "Listen up, everyone: Once the installation is complete, immediately return here to regroup. The escape route is above the maintenance cabin we came in through. Got it?"
"remember."
"start!"
Five people acted simultaneously.
Jiang Nian pushed open the door of the maintenance cabin and stepped into the core control room.
The heat wave hit me instantly, and I could feel the burning sensation even through my diving suit.
The temperature reading on the mask's display jumped to 120 degrees Celsius and continued to rise.
Jiang Nian moved forward close to the wall, holding the resonant blade in his hand. The blue light on the blade appeared somewhat dim in the hot air.
"What does the structure of the western node look like?" he asked as he ran.
Engineer Chen's voice came through the communicator: "Cylindrical, five meters in diameter and twelve meters high. There are six energy channel grooves on the surface. The explosives should be attached to the intersection of the channel grooves, where the structure is weakest."
"Found it at the confluence of the guide channels."
Jiang Nian has already rushed to the bottom of the western node.
The enormous cylinder stretches from the floor to the ceiling, its surface covered with intricate metallic patterns.
Six dark blue energy channels extend upwards from the bottom, converging into a hexagonal platform three meters above the ground.
In the center of the platform, there is a fist-sized depression, exactly the size of an explosive.
"It's pre-designed?" Jiang Nian frowned.
“All support nodes have standard interfaces,” Engineer Chen said. “These are for the convenience of installing monitoring equipment during maintenance. But now they’re perfect for us to use.”
Jiang Nian exerted force with both legs, and the energy of the marking system surged into his legs.
He leaped into the air, three meters high, grabbed the edge of the platform with one hand, and flipped himself onto it.
The platform was narrow, barely wide enough for one person to stand on. Beneath one's feet was a boiling energy tank, its eerie blue light painfully bright to the eyes.
Jiang Nian took out the explosives and pressed them into the dent.
“Installation of Unit 1 on the west side is complete.” He pressed the red button.
The ore crystals at the top of the explosive flashed blue light once.
"Activation successful. Countdown will begin in thirty seconds."
"Received," said Engineer Chen. "We have a situation on our end!"
"what's the situation?"
"The automatic defense system in the southern node area has been activated." Xiao Li's voice was filled with terror. "I just triggered the laser mesh! I'm trapped!"
"Calm down!" Engineer Chen shouted. "Xiao Li, report your location!"
"In the lower B area, the third passage! The laser mesh has blocked both the front and back! I can't get past the node!"
Jiang Nian glanced at the time.
"Three minutes left. Xiao Li, can you see the node?"
"Yes! It's just twenty meters in front of me! But there are three laser grids in the middle! I can't get past them!"
"Where's the explosives?"
"It's in my hands!"
Jiang Nian's brain was working at lightning speed.
Twenty meters away, three laser grids. Xiao Li was wearing ordinary protective clothing; without the propulsion system of a deep-sea diving suit, he couldn't possibly force his way through like they had done earlier.
"Engineer Chen, can you remotely disable the defense system?"
"No! The defense system is independent, and the local control room is in my main control room! But I can't leave here; I'm going to activate the backup power for the emergency escape route!"
Where is Xiao Wang?
"I've reached the north node," Xiao Wang's voice came through. "Alright! North node two installation complete! Activated!"
Has the countdown started?
"No! The 30-second countdown will only start after all the explosives are installed and I press the master start button," Engineer Chen said. "This is a safety design to prevent accidental activation."
“So Xiao Li has to go.” Jiang Nian understood.
He looked to the east; Old Dao should have just arrived there.
"Old Dao, how's it going over there?"
"Just arrived." Old Dao was panting heavily, his voice tinged with pain. "My legs aren't cooperating. I've found the node. I'm climbing up now."
"Hurry! Xiao Li is trapped and needs help."
"I'm barely able to protect myself," Old Knife said with a wry smile. "There are automatic turrets around the eastern node. I just triggered the alarm."
"what?!"
Almost simultaneously, a piercing alarm sounded throughout the entire anchorage!
"Damn it!" Chen cursed, "It's all over now!"
"It's not over yet." Jiang Nian stared at the area below the western node.
From the edge of the platform, you can see what's happening on the other side of the control room.
Six automatic turrets are descending from the ceiling, their muzzles beginning to charge, a ghostly blue light gathering within the barrels.
Old Dao was hanging on the maintenance ladder halfway up the east node, two meters away from the platform.
"Old Knife! The gun is aimed at you!"
"I know!" Old Dao gritted his teeth, used his injured leg to kick the ladder hard, and shot himself upwards.
The energy beam grazed Old Knife's back and pierced through the step he had just been standing on.
The metal melted into a crimson liquid and dripped down.
Old Knife grabbed the edge of the platform and rolled up.
Energy beams followed one after another.
Old Dao lay prone on the platform, too afraid to look up. Bullets struck the edge of the platform, sending up scorching metal fragments.
"I'm up here! But how do I plant the explosives? I'll be riddled with bullets if I stand up!"
Jiang Nian looked around.
The western node is safe for now; the turret hasn't turned around yet. But once he plants the explosives, activates them, and leaves the platform, he'll become a target.
The problem is more complicated for Xiao Li.
In Zone B on the lower level, Xiao Li's breathing became increasingly rapid over the communicator.
"The laser grid is shrinking! They're going to crush me!"
"Xiao Li, listen to me." Jiang Nian forced himself to calm down. "The explosive in your hand has a boron carbide ceramic shell, which can withstand high temperatures. A laser can't cut it."
"What's the use of that?"
"Throw the explosives over there."
"what?"
"Aim at the node and throw it hard," Jiang Nian said quickly. "The explosive has a magnetic attraction device; it will automatically attract the metal structure as long as it gets close. You don't need to go and install it yourself."
A brief silence.
Then came Xiao Li's voice, suddenly realizing: "That's right! How come I didn't think of that!"
"Be careful, don't throw it crookedly."
"understand!"
The communicator came through the sound of a forceful throw, followed by the click of metal snapping together.
"Success!" Xiao Li shouted excitedly, "The explosive is stuck to the node! Now how do we activate it?" "Remote activation," Engineer Chen interjected, "There's a small button on the side of the explosive, press it."
"The marrow crystals are glowing!"
"Great!" Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief. "The installation on the south side, number three, is complete. Lao Dao, how's it going on your end?"
"Not good at all!" Old Knife roared. "The gun emplacements are still firing! I can't even stand up!"
Jiang Nian looked towards the eastern node.
The six gun emplacements were arranged in a fan shape, all aimed at the platform where Lao Dao was. Lao Dao lay prone on the platform, holding the explosives in his hand, but he was unable to get up and install them.
"Engineer Chen, can you interfere with the gun emplacement?"
"I'm testing it!" Engineer Chen's voice was accompanied by the rapid typing of the keyboard. "The core protocol of the automatic defense system! I can send false commands to make the turrets misjudge the target. But it will take time!"
"It's too long!" Old Knife roared. "If they fire a few more rounds, this platform will collapse!"
Before he could finish speaking, another energy beam struck the edge of the platform.
The entire platform shook violently, and Lao Dao was almost thrown off. He grabbed the edge of the platform with one hand, and the explosives flew out of his hand, tumbling through the air as they fell towards the energy tank below.
"The explosives have fallen!"
Jiang Nian's pupils contracted.
Time seemed to slow down.
He could see the cylindrical explosive spinning in the air, tracing a parabola, before falling toward the boiling, dark blue energy tank.
If the explosives fall into the energy tank, the marrow crystals may be activated prematurely.
The entire anchor point will explode into the sky immediately.
"Old Knife! Grab it!"
"I can't catch it! I..."
Old Dao's words came to an abrupt end.
Because he saw a figure leap down from the west platform.
Jiang Nian.
Energy from the tagging system surged through his body, and the thrusters of his deep-sea suit were turned up to maximum.
He adjusted his posture in mid-air, swooping down on the falling explosive like a predatory eagle.
"Jiang Nian! Are you crazy?!" Engineer Chen roared into the communicator.
Jiang Nian's fingers touched the outer casing of the explosive.
catch!
But just then, an automatic turret turned around.
A bright blue light shone from the muzzle of the cannon.
"Watch out!" Old Knife shouted.
Jiang Nian also saw it.
The explosive flew out of my hand, tracing an arc, and flew precisely towards the installation interface in the center of the platform.
At the same time, Jiang Nian twisted his body with all his might, using his back to meet the cannon's muzzle, and the energy beam hit the back armor of his deep-sea suit.
A burning sensation instantly spread throughout my body, like being branded with a hot iron on my back. The outer armor melted through, the inner lining charred, and my skin felt an intense stinging pain.
Jiang Nian let out a muffled groan as her body lost control and plummeted downwards.
"Advisor Jiang!" Old Dao reached out to grab him, but couldn't reach him.
Ten meters high, with a hard, gold-flake-covered floor below.
Jiang Nian gritted his teeth, forcibly adjusted his posture in mid-air, and rolled to dissipate the force upon landing.
But the impact was still too great.
A crisp cracking sound came from his right shoulder as his helmet visor slammed against the floor, leaving spiderweb-like cracks.
He coughed up blood, which splattered bright red on the inside of his mask.
"Jiang Nian! Report the situation!" Engineer Chen asked urgently.
"Still alive..." Jiang Nian struggled to get up. "Where's the explosives?"
"Installation successful!" Old Dao's voice was filled with excitement. "Magnetic attachment secured! Installation of East Side No. 4 is complete! All explosives in place!"
Jiang Nian leaned against the wall, panting, "Engineer Chen, start the final countdown."
"Wait, the signal on the north side is unstable!"
"What?!" came Xiao Wang's voice. "I clearly activated it just now!"
"It could be signal interference."
Engineer Chen quickly operated the system, saying, "The energy field at the anchor point is too strong, interfering with wireless communication. Xiao Wang, you need to manually confirm it again."
How do we confirm this?
"Climb to the node and check the state of the myelite crystal. If it is glowing blue, press the reset button at the top."
"I'll go right now!"
"Hurry! We only have two minutes left!"
Jiang Nian looked towards the north.
Xiao Wang has left his original position and is climbing up the maintenance ladder on the wall. The north node is behind the upper control console, requiring a 10-meter-high vertical ladder to be climbed.
"Xiao Wang, be careful," Jiang Nian said.
Xiao Wang's heavy breathing could be heard through the communicator.
Suddenly, the entire anchor point shook violently again!
It was more intense than ever before.
The metal structure on the ceiling began to deform, some pipes burst, and high-pressure steam gushed out. Cracks appeared in the floor, and eerie blue energy seeped from the fissures.
"Energy leak!" Engineer Chen roared. "The core meltdown has accelerated! We might not even have two minutes left!"
"Xiao Wang! Hurry!" Jiang Nian shouted.
"I've reached the top!" Xiao Wang climbed onto the platform and staggered to the node. "Explosives... the explosives are here! The marrow crystals are flashing! Blue light is flashing!"
"It may have already entered a state of readiness."
"It's lit up! It's lit up steadily!" Xiao Wang shouted excitedly.
"Signal number two on the north side has been restored!"
"Run!" Jiang Nian roared, "Everyone, back to the maintenance bay! Quickly!"
Five people acted simultaneously.
Jiang Nian rushed toward the nearest maintenance ladder. Unable to use his right arm, he could only climb up using his left hand and legs.
Old Dao jumped off the east platform, but his injured leg buckled upon landing, almost causing him to fall. He gritted his teeth, got up, and limped away.
Xiao Wang came down from the north platform, his movements clumsy but quick.
Xiao Li rushed up from the lower B area and was almost at the main control room level.
After completing the final operation at the control panel, Engineer Chen turned and ran towards the maintenance compartment.
Jiang Nian climbed up to the main control room floor and saw that Lao Dao was almost at the door of the maintenance cabin.
"Old Dao! Go up first!"
Old Dao glanced at him, nodded, and climbed into the maintenance bay.
Xiao Li rushed over from another direction, and the two met at the door of the maintenance cabin.
"Where's Engineer Chen?" Xiao Li asked anxiously.
"They're here!" Engineer Chen rushed over from behind, holding a data board in his hand. "We can't leave the final research data to them."
"No time!" Jiang Nian grabbed Xiao Wang and pushed him to Xiao Li. "Take him up! Quickly!"
Xiao Li helped Xiao Wang up and crawled into the maintenance compartment.
Engineer Chen followed closely behind.
Jiang Nian was the last to go in, and he closed the sealed door behind him.
Inside the maintenance compartment, Lao Dao had already activated the escape pod system. The circular cover on top slid open, revealing a vertical passage leading to the sea surface.
Jiang Nian did not refuse and grabbed the handrail in the passage to climb up.
Behind him, Engineer Chen also climbed in.
Finally, there's Lao Dao.
The moment Lao Dao's feet left the maintenance cabin floor.
"one."
"zero."
The world turned white.
Jiang Nian felt a tremendous force coming from below, as if an invisible hand had grabbed his body and hurled him upwards. (End of Chapter)