Chapter 530
The Invisible "String"
"Are they building a space-based surveillance network? Targeting us?"
“Not entirely. Their satellite payload is also quite unique. Our intelligence suggests it might be some kind of spectrum or anomalous field detection device. They're looking for something, and it's very likely the same thing we're looking for—traces of the Ruins, or… other 'keys'.”
Jiang Nian's heart sank. The organization's tentacles had indeed reached into space. This silent war was escalating in dimensionality.
"We need to accelerate the deployment of subsequent models of 'Crescent Moon,' especially those with certain maneuverability, trajectory change, and stealth capabilities," Qin Lao continued. "But this requires resources and time. Jiang Nian, while you're at the base, besides your technical work, you also need to be vigilant. The organization is everywhere, and although the base is well-hidden, it's not absolutely safe. The data from 'Crescent Moon VII' is crucial and must not be leaked."
I will be careful.
Communication ended.
Jiang Nian leaned back in his chair, gazing at the virtual icon of "Crescent Moon 7" that was about to be added to the star map. Seven years of peaceful (at least on the surface) scientific research life had not diminished the vigilance in his bones. Behind the Gobi Desert's sandstorms and satellite data, there remained that unfathomable dark ocean, and beneath that ocean, that silent, shifting shadow.
He raised his hand, looking at the pale pink "scar" on the back of it. The marking system flowed quietly within him, more solid and controllable than it had been seven years ago, but also more... profound. He could feel a connection, a subtle, almost imperceptible one, that transcended distance between it and the unseen "strings" in the starry sky, and the moving shadow on the seabed.
He is both the observer and the observed.
You can be both the hunter and the hunted.
Three days later, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The night sky over the Gobi Desert was almost cruelly clear, with the Milky Way stretching like a ribbon. The Long March-C5 modified rocket stood majestically on the launch pad, the "Crescent Moon 7" marking on its body reflecting a cold light under the searchlight.
Jiang Nian stood behind the glass curtain wall of the remote observation point, surrounded by the base's main technical backbone and a few authorized "Dawn" members. Lao Dao was also there; after recovering from his leg injury, he transferred to the base's security department and was now one of the security supervisors. He remained taciturn, but his eyes were sharper than they had been seven years ago, like a stone that had been polished by countless winds and sands on the Gobi Desert.
"Ten minutes to prepare," a calm countdown came over the loudspeaker.
Everyone held their breath.
Jiang Nian's gaze, however, passed over the rocket and landed on the northeastern night sky. There, in the direction of Greenland, he seemed to feel again that deep, slow pulse from the deep sea, a strange contrast to the surging power of the rocket engine about to ignite.
"...Three, two, one, ignition!"
Orange-red flames erupted, tearing through the night sky; the immense roar could be felt even through glass and at a distance, conveying its overwhelming power. The rocket slowly detached from the launch pad, accelerating upwards, its exhaust trail drawing a brilliant streak of light across the night sky, piercing the heavens.
"Telemetry signal is normal."
"Level 1 separation".
"Second stage ignition successful."
"'Crescent Moon 7' has entered its designated orbit, and the solar panels have deployed normally."
"Satellite signal received successfully. Initial calibration to begin."
A series of announcements rang out, and the atmosphere in the control center relaxed slightly, with sporadic applause breaking out.
Jiang Nian remained tense. A successful launch was only the first step. "Crescent Moon 7" needed at least 24 hours to complete a comprehensive on-orbit self-check and sensor initialization before it could begin transmitting actual monitoring data.
He returned to the base's temporary command center and, together with the core team, closely monitored the constantly updated data stream. The initial data was all normal, and all satellite systems were operating smoothly.
However, just as the satellite entered its third orbit around the Earth, passing over the North Atlantic—
A spectrum analysis screen on the main control panel, which was originally displaying background noise, suddenly flickered!
An extremely faint but distinctive spike signal flashed by, lasting less than 0.1 seconds.
"What is that?" The technician in charge of monitoring the spectrum was taken aback, thinking it was interference.
Jiang Nian suddenly stood up and strode to the screen: "Rewind! Zoom in on the raw data from that point in time!"
The data was retrieved, amplified, and filtered. The spike became clearer, although the energy was weak, the waveform characteristics...
It is highly similar to the "spectral spike" previously shown by Professor Qin! Moreover, based on the satellite orbit and scanning angle, its geographical location is exactly southeast of the Greenland Trench, which basically coincides with the predicted location of the previously detected "moving shadow"!
"Did you write it down?" Jiang Nian asked, his voice a little tense.
"I've recorded it!" the technician said quickly. "But the signal is too weak, and it only happened once, so we can't pinpoint the exact source depth; we can only determine the general area."
"Continue to monitor that area! Increase the scanning frequency and sensitivity!" Jiang Nian ordered.
Over the next few hours, Crescent 7 flew over the target area multiple times, but the spike signal never reappeared. It was as if it were just a chance "breath" from the shadows of the deep sea.
But Jiang Nian knew that it was no accident.
That "thing" was not only there, but it also responded to the "gaze" of the sky—even though the detection signal from "Crescent Moon 7" was extremely weak, and even though it was in low Earth orbit.
It knows we're watching it.
This thought sent a chill down Jiang Nian's spine.
Just then, his personal encrypted communicator vibrated. It was an urgent internal message from Lao Dao, containing only a few words:
"An unusual heat source signal has been detected outside the base, in the East Third District. It is not our personnel. We have dispatched personnel to investigate. Stay on alert."
Jiang Nian's eyes suddenly turned cold.
The organization's reach came faster than he had anticipated.
Just after "Crescent Moon 7" detected the abnormal signal, unidentified personnel appeared outside the base.
coincidence?
He absolutely refused to believe it.
"Comrade Jiang Nian, right? The moment I saw you, I felt that your face exuded great fortune. Being able to come with Elder Wu, your abilities must be extraordinary. What do you think of our satellite research and development base?"
Although he was speaking to Wu Zhiming, Feng Boyun's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Nian. Before Wu Zhiming could react, he quickly walked up to Jiang Nian, warmly shook her hand, and praised her with a beaming smile.
These words caused several black lines to appear on Jiang Nian's forehead.
The person in front of me is the chief engineer of marine satellite research and development. How come he looks completely different from his serious demeanor just now? Moreover, there's a hint of mysticism in his praise. Even if he's trying to poach him, couldn't he have said it more tactfully?
"Old Feng, you've gone too far! I brought Comrade Jiang Nian here only to attend a research conference, not for you to poach him!"
Wu Zhiming snapped out of his daze, stepped in front of Jiang Nian, and said to Feng Boyun in an annoyed tone.
Are you kidding me? You think you can snatch someone away after just one meeting? Don't you even know how many people in the military are eyeing Jiang Nian? It's not like he has a chance.
If the person is really kidnapped, Wu Zhiming is willing to guarantee that the military will definitely come knocking on his door to demand an explanation immediately.
Jiang Nian is a precious treasure; we absolutely cannot let her go.
Feng Boyun was speechless. Although he had the same idea, since Wu Zhiming had brought it up, he couldn't say anything more. "Hey, look at what you're saying, how could I dare to compete with you for someone? It's just that I see Comrade Jiang Nian has quite a lot of insights into integrated marine surveillance satellites! As you know, this research conference is for this purpose, so I wanted to exchange ideas with Comrade Jiang Nian."
Feng Boyun quickly explained that he didn't want to argue with Wu Zhiming in front of everyone.
"Academician Feng, I've only read a few books on satellites; I can't say I know much about them." Jiang Nian's tone remained humble, and his attitude was polite, befitting a down-to-earth young man.
Hearing his humility, Feng Boyun's lips twitched slightly.
If this is considered a lack of understanding, then wouldn't those who can't even grasp the basic theories be considered idiots?
Especially the data Jiang Nian mentioned at the end—specific data from a comprehensive marine surveillance satellite currently under development. These configuration parameters can't be mastered simply by reading a book.
Feng Boyun genuinely felt that Jiang Nian was being overly modest.
"I see Comrade Jiang Nian is quite interested in satellites. Would you like to visit our satellite research and development base?" Young researchers have far greater potential than these old guys. If Jiang Nian truly has exceptional talent in satellite research and development, I'll definitely keep him here.
Feng Boyun had a plan in mind: he would invite Jiang Nian to visit the base first, and maybe he would want to stay and learn.
Upon hearing the invitation to visit the satellite research and development base, Jiang Nian's eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
The system's task this time is to find the problem with the satellite. How can we complete the mission without going to the research and development base?
Therefore, for Jiang Nian, Feng Boyun's invitation was a timely help, coming at just the right time!
"I am very honored by Academician Feng's hospitality, and of course I am willing to visit the base to learn."
Jiang Nian smiled and agreed.
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhiming's face immediately darkened.
Now, he couldn't stop them even if he wanted to.
Seeing that Jiang Nian agreed, Feng Boyun beamed with joy, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out considerably.
The two quickly arranged a time.
The next morning, Feng Boyun sent a car to pick up Jiang Nian.
Wu Zhiming, with a stern face, also got into the car.
"Old Wu, I invited Comrade Jiang Nian to visit the base. What are you doing here?" Feng Boyun said with dissatisfaction after seeing Wu Zhiming get into the car.
He had originally planned to praise the base when showing Jiang Nian around, hoping to persuade her to stay. But Wu Zhiming's arrival made his plans much more difficult.
"I haven't visited your base in a long time either. I happen to have some free time, so let's go together. What, you're not welcoming me?"
Wu Zhi glanced at him, his tone stiff.
Don't think he doesn't know what Feng Boyun is up to. Hmph, with him around, no one can take Jiang Nian away.
The two academicians, both over fifty, started bickering back and forth in the car. Jiang Nian, sitting in the middle, could only smile helplessly.
The marine satellite research and development base is located in the suburbs and covers a very large area.
After getting off the bus, Feng Boyun eagerly led Jiang Nian on a tour, enthusiastically introducing the various equipment.
"Academician Feng, would you mind taking us to see the prototype of the integrated marine surveillance satellite that has already been built?"
Despite looking at so much equipment, it didn't help Jiang Nian much.
He wanted to see the completed prototype, not these scattered parts. Only by seeing the prototype could he complete the task assigned by the system.
Upon hearing Jiang Nian's words, Feng Boyun abruptly stopped in his tracks, staring at him with a look of utter shock.
The prototype of the integrated ocean surveillance satellite has indeed been built, but it has never been publicly announced. He didn't mention the prototype's existence at this research conference either—how could Jiang Nian know it was already complete?
In just a few seconds, countless thoughts flashed through Feng Boyun's mind, and the clothes on his back were soaked with cold sweat.
"Old Feng, what are you staring at? It's just a sample star, whether you let us see it or not, can't you just be straightforward?"
Seeing that Feng Boyun looked off, Wu Zhiming gave him a push and urged him urgently.
"Comrade Jiang Nian, how did you know... that our prototype star has already been built?"
"I don't know. Academician Feng, haven't you developed your prototype satellite yet?"
Compared to Feng Boyun's nervousness, Jiang Nian appeared much calmer. His face was full of doubt as he looked at Feng Boyun, seemingly not understanding why the other party was asking such a question.
With the system around, Jiang Nian naturally knew that the prototype satellite had already been completed. Otherwise, how could he have completed the task assigned by the system? There was a time limit; without the prototype satellite, it was impossible for him to build a satellite on his own in such a short time.
Jiang Nian solemnly stated: He absolutely does not have that ability!
Seeing Jiang Nian's confused expression, Feng Boyun's heart, which had been in his throat, slowly settled down.
“Prototype…we have indeed developed it. But such a prototype is no small matter, and we can’t just take people to see it casually. However, given Old Wu’s status, it’s not impossible to make an exception. I’ll go and say hello to the other leaders first, and then I’ll take you to see the newly built prototype later.”
Feng Boyun explained earnestly.
The prototype of the integrated marine surveillance satellite is of paramount importance, and the research laboratory storing it is a key area of the base, so it cannot be entered casually. Even though Feng Boyun is the chief engineer, he cannot bring people in without authorization.
"I see. Then I'll trouble Academician Feng to make the arrangements."
Jiang Nian looked at Feng Boyun with expectant eyes, making it hard for the other party to refuse.
"No trouble at all. Come on, let me take you to the lounge first. I'll come pick you up to see Yangxing after I've talked to the others."
Feng Boyun said with a smile.
In his view, this was no big deal. Wu Zhiming had said that Jiang Nian was a researcher, and a talent he highly valued, who might even succeed him in the future. Why shouldn't he take a look at someone like that?
Besides, Wu Zhiming was also present; if anything went wrong, he wouldn't be able to escape responsibility.
Jiang Nian and Wu Zhiming then followed Feng Boyun to the lounge.
The lounge at the satellite research and development base was quite well-equipped, and the two leisurely sipped coffee. Since they had to wait for Feng Boyun anyway, Jiang Nian simply picked up a few books related to satellites and began reading them.
Meanwhile, in the conference room of the integrated marine surveillance satellite base. (End of Chapter)