The sign reading "Atlantis Station" gleamed with a cold light beneath the searchlights.
Su Nuan stood before the submarine's observation window, staring at the enormous complex hidden within the underwater canyon—a hemispherical metal dome, a network of extending tubular passages, and a pyramid-shaped central structure. Everything was shrouded in the eerie blue glow unique to the deep sea.
"This is it."
Han Lie adjusted the submarine's stabilizers. "Lin Xue's final secret base. She called it 'Humanity's Last Safe.'"
Su Nuan unconsciously raised her fingers to the glass, as though touching it could bring her closer to the traces her mother had left behind.
Three days ago, she had obtained the activation code through a strange connection with Fu Linyuan inside the medical chamber. After that, the Siren had sped toward these coordinates at full power. During the journey, General Wang's fleet had nearly caught them several times, but Han Lie's superb piloting skills had allowed them to shake off their pursuers.
"How is Fu Linyuan?" she asked, turning around.
Ever since that strange mental connection, Fu Linyuan had remained in a deep coma, although his vital signs had stabilized.
"Same as before."
Dr. Lu walked over to her.
"But his brain waves are showing unusually high activity. It's almost as if he's going through some kind of... internal repair process."
Su Nuan nodded, her thoughts returning to that bizarre moment.
When she had called Fu Linyuan "Uncle Linyuan," a sudden connection had formed between them. The images that had flashed through her mind, along with the string of numbers and symbols that had appeared on their own...
None of it could be explained by science.
"Get the diving suits ready."
Han Lie interrupted her thoughts.
"We need to enter the base ourselves. The submarine is too large to get close to the entrance."
Half an hour later, Su Nuan was fully suited in a specialized deep-sea diving suit and stood inside the decompression chamber.
The silver-gray suit was lightweight and flexible, equipped with an integrated life-support system and communications equipment. The helmet visor provided a 270-degree field of vision.
Han Lie and two crew members were ready as well, while Dr. Lu remained aboard the submarine to watch over Fu Linyuan.
"Remember, the base may have defensive systems."
Han Lie checked his weapon.
"Stay close to me. Don't touch anything you don't recognize."
The hatch opened, and seawater rushed in.
Su Nuan took a deep breath and followed Han Lie into the pitch-black ocean.
The beams from their searchlights pierced through the darkness, illuminating a tunnel leading toward the base.
As they descended deeper, the pressure gradually increased, but the diving suit automatically adjusted itself, leaving her barely aware of the change.
As they approached the entrance, Han Lie signaled for everyone to stop.
At the end of the tunnel stood a circular metal door engraved with the symbol of the Prometheus Project—a human silhouette holding a flame.
"The identification panel is over there."
Han Lie pointed toward a square device on the right side of the door.
"It requires a password and biometric verification."
Su Nuan swam forward and entered the sequence that had appeared in her mind.
The panel lit up green.
A mechanical female voice sounded:
"Voice verification required."
She hesitated for a second before speaking the phrase mentioned in her mother's holographic recording.
"Dawn will come."
The metal door silently slid open, revealing a dry passage beyond.
To their surprise, there was no seawater inside. It was as though an invisible barrier completely separated the interior from the surrounding ocean.
"Force-field technology."
Han Lie lowered his voice.
"Lin Xue was always ten years ahead of her time."
They passed through the corridor and entered the main body of the base.
The interior was far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. Laboratories and storage rooms lined both sides of the corridors, all of them spotless, as if their owner had merely stepped away for a moment.
"The central control room should be inside the pyramid."
Han Lie studied a directional map on the wall.
"That's where the core systems are located."
They followed a spiral corridor downward and eventually reached a metal door covered in intricate patterns.
This time, there was no identification panel.
Instead, there was a palm-sized indentation in the center of the door.
"Genetic lock."
Han Lie looked at Su Nuan.
"It requires Lin Xue or one of her direct descendants."
Su Nuan took a deep breath and pressed her palm against the indentation.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then came the sound of machinery turning behind the door.
The engraved patterns began to glow, spreading outward from the center until they formed a luminous double helix of DNA.
"Welcome home, Xiaonuan."
A familiar voice echoed through the chamber.
It was her mother's holographic image, even clearer and more lifelike than the one she had seen before.
"If you're hearing this recording, it means you're ready to fulfill your mission."
Lin Xue smiled within the hologram, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow.
"Atlantis Station contains the core of my life's research—the Dawn Project."
"This is not a weapon. It is not a tool for control. It is a true cure, capable of permanently reversing the effects of the Blood Moon Virus."
She pointed toward a three-dimensional projection that suddenly appeared behind her.
It displayed a series of complex molecular structures.
"But the cure requires two key components: your genetic code and Fu Linyuan's activation sequence."
"You were designed to complement one another, like a lock and a key."
Su Nuan stared in shock at the two DNA models displayed side by side.
Hers.
And Fu Linyuan's.
They matched perfectly.
"Fu Linyuan was my first successful case—and my only one."
Lin Xue continued.
"His genetic modification stabilized the risks associated with your mutation. The antibody activated by the two of you together will be the key to ending this nightmare."
The hologram paused.
Lin Xue's expression became much more serious.
"But be careful. The Purifiers have infiltrated numerous organizations, including the Watchers."
"Trust... must be given carefully."
The holographic image disappeared.
The metal door slowly opened, revealing the true appearance of the central control room.
It was a circular chamber with a massive holographic projection of Earth floating in the center. Various control terminals and data screens surrounded it.
But the most striking feature was the two transparent chambers positioned in the middle of the room.
They resembled medical pods, but their interiors were filled with complex sensors and interfaces.
"Neural connection chambers."
Han Lie spoke quietly.
"They're used for deep genetic activation. Lin Xue's theory was that only through a specialized neural connection can the complete antibody code be released."
Su Nuan walked toward one of the chambers.
Her pale face was reflected in the glass.
Her mother's words continued to echo in her mind.
You were designed to complement one another.
The realization left her confused—and strangely comforted.
"We need to bring Fu Linyuan here."
She turned to Han Lie.
"Only he can complete the activation procedure."
Han Lie nodded and pressed his communicator.
"Dr. Lu, prepare to transfer Mr. Fu. We need him—"
His words were suddenly cut off by a shrill alarm.
The lights inside the base abruptly turned red.
A calm mechanical voice announced:
"Unauthorized intrusion detected. Security protocol activated."
"What happened?"
Su Nuan cautiously looked around.
Han Lie quickly examined the control console.
"Someone triggered the outer defense system. It could be..."
His voice suddenly stopped.
His eyes locked onto the surveillance screen.
The footage showed three black submersibles surrounding the area where the Siren was located.
The insignia of General Wang's fleet was clearly visible on their hulls.
Even more troubling was the fact that one of them had already docked with the Siren.
"They followed us!"
Han Lie cursed.
"We have to get back immediately!"
They hurried back the way they had come.
But halfway there, Dr. Lu's urgent voice suddenly came through the communicator.
"Han Lie! They've boarded the ship! Xu Zheng is leading them! We can't hold them—"
The transmission abruptly cut out.
Su Nuan's heart nearly stopped.
Fu Linyuan was still aboard the submarine.
Completely defenseless.
"Move!"
Han Lie quickened his pace.
"There's another passage!"
They changed course and turned into a concealed maintenance tunnel.
Eventually, they emerged through a small exit on the side of the base and returned to the ocean.
From there, they could see the Siren surrounded by three enemy vessels.
Several armed men had already boarded.
"We have to save them!"
Su Nuan said urgently.
Han Lie grabbed her shoulder.
"Stay calm. We can't win in a direct confrontation. We need to—wait!"
His gaze suddenly fixed on the bottom of the Siren.
A small escape pod was silently detaching from the submarine and moving toward the base.
"Dr. Lu activated the emergency procedure!"
Han Lie immediately switched communication frequencies.
"Dr. Lu, respond if you can hear me!"
After a brief burst of static, Dr. Lu's voice came through.
"We escaped with Mr. Fu. But they've taken control of the submarine. They'll realize we're not aboard soon."
"Move toward the eastern entrance of the base."
Han Lie instructed.
"We'll meet you there."
Ten minutes later, they reunited with the escape pod at the eastern entrance.
The hatch opened.
Dr. Lu and two crew members emerged, supporting the unconscious Fu Linyuan between them.
Seeing Fu Linyuan's pale face, Su Nuan felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"They didn't find you?"
Han Lie asked.
Dr. Lu shook his head.
"We used a false signal to make them believe we were still inside the medical chamber. But it won't last long. Xu Zheng will realize he's been fooled soon."
"Back to the central control room."
Su Nuan spoke firmly.
"We have to finish my mother's research. This is our only chance."
They quickly returned to the control room and carefully placed Fu Linyuan onto a temporary stretcher.
Su Nuan knelt beside him and checked his vital signs.
Fu Linyuan's breathing was steady but weak. His forehead was burning hot, and his lips were cracked from dehydration.
She gently took his hand.
To her surprise, his fingers moved slightly.
"He can hear us..."
she whispered.
Han Lie was working at the main control console.
"The base's defensive systems can hold them off for a while, but General Wang's fleet has heavy weapons. They'll break through eventually. We have to complete the activation procedure as quickly as possible."
"How?"
Su Nuan asked.
Han Lie pointed toward the two transparent chambers.
"According to the data, you and Fu Linyuan need to enter the neural connection chambers simultaneously. The system will guide your genetic sequences into alignment and release the complete antibody code."
Su Nuan frowned.
"But he's unconscious!"
"Consciousness connection doesn't require the subject to be awake."
Dr. Lu examined the system instructions.
"In fact, a deep coma may help reduce psychological barriers and allow the connection to become more complete."
The explanation made Su Nuan uneasy.
What exactly would a neural connection mean?
Would her consciousness and Fu Linyuan's somehow...
merge?
Thinking back to the strange sensation she had experienced in the medical chamber, she felt both anticipation and fear.
"There's no time to hesitate."
Han Lie looked at the surveillance screens.
"The enemy has begun attacking the outer defenses."
Su Nuan took a deep breath and nodded.
"Prepare the chambers."
With Dr. Lu's help, they carefully moved Fu Linyuan into one of the chambers and connected him to various life-monitoring devices.
Su Nuan entered the other chamber.
As she lay down, the cold metal beneath her made her tremble slightly.
"Once the procedure begins, you'll enter a deep connection state."
Han Lie explained before closing the chamber door.
"In theory, the process will complete itself. But if anything goes wrong—"
"We'll terminate the connection."
Dr. Lu finished, handing Su Nuan a small emergency button.
"Press this, and the procedure will stop immediately."
Su Nuan nodded and lay flat.
The chamber door slowly closed.
She heard the system beginning to charge, accompanied by a low humming sound.
A warm current of air rose from beneath the chamber, gently enveloping her body.
"Neural connection preparing."
The mechanical female voice announced.
"Countdown: five... four... three... two... one..."
A blue light descended from above.
Su Nuan felt a faint prickling sensation, as if countless tiny needles were piercing her scalp.
Then—
the world suddenly disappeared.