Chapter 444 - 399: Base Parasite Detection

Chapter 444: Chapter 399: Base Parasite Detection

The next morning, Guan Tong arrived at the Strategy Research Room base as scheduled.

Strictly speaking, this was his first time here. Although he had worked closely with the Strategy Research Room during the "Earth Dragon Flipping Over" Rule Stage, he had never been deep inside the base itself.

The entire Strategy Research Room base was built underground. Ordinary vehicles couldn’t be used to enter; one had to take a dedicated train.

When Guan Tong arrived at the boarding point, someone was already waiting for him.

The person waiting wore a beige jacket, dark blue work pants, and a pair of standard-issue military boots.

Hearing footsteps, Silver Fox turned her head and smiled. "Right on time."

"We enter the base from here?" Guan Tong asked, walking to Silver Fox’s side and gazing at the long tracks ahead that disappeared into a tunnel.

"Of course. You need to be taken in by a special transport."

Silver Fox took out her phone and sent a signal. Before long, a black train emerged from the tunnel and stopped in front of the two of them.

Guan Tong observed the train’s design. Its complex system of mechanical levers made it look like an antique from many years ago.

The door opened with a HISS. Silver Fox boarded first, turning back to wave at Guan Tong. "Come on up."

Guan Tong stepped onto the train, and the door closed.

"This train..."

"It’s ancient, right? Apparently, the base’s designers believed it would be too dangerous to rely entirely on electronic and automated equipment for all facilities," Silver Fox said.

Guan Tong nodded.

’She has a point. Electronic and automated systems are convenient, but they’re also less secure.’

’It was like a hard drive—capable of storing massive amounts of data, but liable to lose it all from a single jolt or impact. For the most critical information, it was always safer to keep a physical, paper copy.’

Soon, as the train moved back into the tunnel, they were plunged into darkness.

"How long until we reach the base?"

"About ten minutes. What, can’t wait for the tour?"

’A tour?’

Guan Tong thought to himself that he was definitely not here for a tour.

’But if that’s what Silver Fox thinks, it means she doesn’t know the real reason I’m here.’

Guan Tong figured that only a few people, like Gao Liangwei and Zhang Minglu, knew he was here to test for latent Parasites. Silver Fox herself was one of the people who needed to be tested.

Taking his silence as confirmation, Silver Fox grew curious. "I thought you were never interested in the Strategy Research Room. What’s this, thinking about joining now that you’re getting a tour?"

"That’s not it," Guan Tong said. "I’m here on business."

"Oh, so that’s how it is. Sounds like it’s classified, so I won’t press you."

Silver Fox was quick on the uptake; she knew that if Guan Tong wasn’t elaborating, it meant he couldn’t.

"Did you just get back from a mission out of town?"

Guan Tong changed the subject. He remembered Silver Fox hadn’t been at their last team meeting, and Li Meng had said she was away on a mission.

"Yep. A small but urgent mission. I only got back three hours ago, just in time for you. So? I didn’t even have time to rest before coming to pick you up and bring you to the base. Are you touched?"

"It’s fine."

"Honestly..." Silver Fox shook her head. "That’s no way to win a girl’s heart. Hmm, but I’m sure plenty of girls like you, right? Have you thought about dating? This may not be the best time to be having kids, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love."

"..."

"Seriously, have you?"

"Not until the forty-nine Apocalypse Rules are over."

"Oh? So you’re one of those ’I must save the world before I can think of myself’ types? Like, ’How can I settle down while the Rules are still active?’ You don’t seem the type. Aren’t you at that age where your hormones should be going crazy?"

Unable to stand Silver Fox’s gossipy questions, Guan Tong ignored them and changed the subject. "We’re going to Fahe later this month. Section Chief Li mentioned one of our team members won’t be able to make the trip. Do you know what’s up with them?"

Silver Fox chuckled, then said, "I do know, but I can’t tell you."

"Why?"

"I think it’s better to leave a little mystery for a first meeting, don’t you? If a third party introduces them first, it’s easy to get a biased first impression. You think I have a point, or not?"

"...I suppose you have a point."

Guan Tong didn’t really think a few words of introduction from someone else would give him a biased impression. But since Silver Fox was being so mysterious, he didn’t press the issue. He’d be meeting the person soon enough anyway.

A few minutes later, the train slowed and gradually came to a stop.

The doors opened. When Guan Tong stepped off, he saw a large, square gate made of some unknown material directly ahead.

Silver Fox stepped forward to have her retina scanned, and an electronic voice immediately rang out.

[Silver Fox, Level 3 Clearance, Access Granted]

The top half of the gate rose as the bottom half lowered, revealing a corridor.

Silver Fox entered first, then turned to Guan Tong. "You should have temporary clearance. Go ahead and get verified."

Guan Tong walked up to the scanner, and the electronic voice rang out instantly.

[Guan Tong, Level 7 Clearance, Access Granted]

"Is Level 7 the lowest?" Guan Tong asked after walking through the gate.

Silver Fox shook her head. "Level 7 is for ’Temporary Visitor Clearance.’ When people from other official departments need to visit the base, they’re granted Level 7. This clearance only allows access to the base’s public areas for a limited time. You can’t enter any classified zones."

"I see. So your Level 3 must be considered pretty high."

"It’s somewhere in the middle, I guess?" Silver Fox explained as they walked. "Clearance for permanent base personnel is ranked from 1 to 6. But rumor has it there’s also a Level 0—the highest-level administrator clearance. Maybe only Mr. Gao has Level 0? Of course, I have no idea if that’s true. The list of personnel with Level 2 clearance or higher is classified."

"And you telling me all this doesn’t count as leaking secrets?"