66: Chapter 66 The Last Stand

The air in the underground base was filled with a triple scent—the sweet tang of coolant, the acrid smell of burnt circuit boards, and the sweat seeping from human bodies—all woven together into an atmosphere that kept everyone’s nerves on edge.

The emergency lights on the rock walls flickered every three seconds, casting shifting shadows across everyone's faces, as if counting down for this desperate, all-or-nothing plan.

AKai slumped in his specialized ergonomic chair, his back soaked in sweat, clinging to his black combat suit lined with circuitry, outlining his gaunt yet explosive silhouette.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his knuckles white from excessive tension, and traces of solder debris from last night’s emergency repairs still remained under his fingernails.

"Three minutes and seventeen seconds left," AKai said, his voice raspy yet exceptionally firm, red bloodshot veins spreading like spiderwebs in his eyes. "Twenty-four observatories around the globe, from Paranal in Chile to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, have completed the synchronized calibration of all laser arrays."

"Now, only one last step remains—injecting them with a common target coordinate, allowing these 'Light Blades' scattered across the globe to strike the synchronous orbit satellite cluster at the exact same moment."

He paused, reaching up to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, leaving a black smudge across his brow. "Remember, we aren't looking for destruction, but interference. As long as we can shift the satellite orbit by 0.037 degrees, we can tear a hole in their signal shielding network and secure a 72-minute window. These 72 minutes are all the time we have to save the consciousnesses."

Lin Fan stood before the energy shield in the center of the base, his gaze locked firmly on the golden sphere of light floating within. The sphere was about half a meter in diameter, its surface flowing with a liquid-like luster, and every pulsation emitted a subtle hum, like the heartbeat of some living creature.

He pressed his right hand against the transparent barrier of the energy shield, the icy cold sensation spreading from his fingertips throughout his body, yet it could not dispel the burning heat constantly surging within him.

Ever since touching the residual energy traces in the abandoned laboratory in the previous chapter, he had felt something awakening inside him, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

"What exactly did Elizabeth do to me?" he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the hum of the console's current. "Why can I always feel the calling of this light sphere? Why is its pulsation so synchronized with my heartbeat?"

Su Qing crouched beneath the console, her slender fingers checking the connections of the energy conduits. She wore a silver-gray tight combat suit, her bangs matted to her forehead by sweat, revealing a smooth brow and tightly pursed lips.

As the team's technical support and medical officer, she had to ensure the stability of the energy transmission while remaining ready to handle any emergencies that might arise.

"The success rate for the laser array interference is only 3.7%," she looked up at AKai, her eyes holding a trace of hidden anxiety. "Moreover, this forced orbital shift will trigger air defense warning systems worldwide. Within three minutes, abnormal alerts will appear on the monitoring screens at The Pentagon, the Kremlin, and Zhongnanhai. We will be treated as terrorists, or even alien invaders."

"Invaders are better than dead men." AKai grinned, showing two rows of white teeth, though there was no humor in his eyes. "Besides, compared to the consciousnesses trapped by Elizabeth in a Digital Cage, being wanted by the world's militaries doesn't seem that bad."

"At worst, after we finish this battle, we can hide in Antarctica and be neighbors with the penguins." He spoke lightly, but his fingers flew across the keyboard, code cascading down the screen like a waterfall. "I've breached 90% of the global observatories' firewalls. The final line of defense needs to be confused with fake signals created using quantum entanglement technology. Give me ten seconds, and I'll give those old pedants something to get excited about."

No sooner had he finished speaking than AKai slammed the Enter key. The main screen instantly lit up with a blinding red light, and countless encrypted commands shot out like arrows, racing through the underground fiber-optic network toward every corner of the globe.

The laser emitter at the Paranal Observatory in Chile suddenly activated, a dark red beam shooting straight into the sky; the observation dome at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii opened automatically, and the laser array adjusted its angle, aiming at the synchronous orbit; next to the FAST radio telescope in Guizhou, China, the auxiliary laser equipment also suddenly began to operate, causing the duty staff to cry out in surprise.

On "StarDome Home," the world's largest forum for astronomy enthusiasts, posts were refreshing frantically at a rate of ten per second. "WTF! Who just messed with the Paranal laser? I was observing the Andromeda Galaxy, and suddenly a red light blinded me!"

"The Mauna Kea laser array is out of control! Does anyone know what's going on?" "Coordinates 25 degrees north latitude, I see three lasers firing at a satellite simultaneously. What is this for? Have the aliens finally come to fix the WiFi?"

"Wake up, upstairs! Do aliens need lasers to fix WiFi? I think it's a major power testing a new anti-satellite weapon!" "That's not right, my data shows that the lasers at all twenty-four global observatories are operating in sync, all pointing at synchronous orbit satellites. This is definitely not a coincidence!" All sorts of wild speculations emerged, from alien invasions to great power games, and even signs of the apocalypse. The forum was in an uproar, and someone even started a poll: "Bet 50 cents this is aliens visiting Earth."

AKai glanced at the real-time updates on the forum and couldn't help but laugh: "These old pedants and astronomy fans have quite the imagination. By the time they're done arguing, our window of opportunity will be just about here."

No sooner had he spoken than the progress bar on the main screen finally reached 100%, and a line of green text popped up: "Laser array synchronization successful, satellite orbit shifted by 0.037 degrees, window period locked: 72 minutes."

"Success!" Su Qing stood up abruptly, a long-lost smile appearing on her face. "The energy transmission channel is stable, and the consciousness release device is ready. Lin Fan, we're just waiting for you."

Just then, the golden sphere of light inside the energy shield suddenly began to tremble violently. The once soft luster instantly became blinding, and the liquid patterns on its surface swirled with increasing speed, like boiling magma.

Lin Fan felt a powerful suction coming from his palm pressed against the energy shield, as if an invisible hand were trying to pull him into the sphere of light. He tried to break free but found his body no longer under his control. A warm energy surged from his palm into his body, spreading through his veins to every part of him. Wherever it went, his tense muscles relaxed, and his exhaustion receded like a tide.

"Ah—" Lin Fan let out a muffled groan as countless fragmented images exploded in his mind. In a pure white laboratory, Elizabeth, wearing a white lab coat, was smiling at a holographic screen filled with dense code and a constantly extending human DNA chain.

"code fragment number 739, human gene sequence match rate 98.7%, hybrid cultivation successful." A cold electronic voice echoed in his mind, both strange and familiar.

In the cultivation pod, an infant curled its body, surrounded by golden data streams. Elizabeth stood outside the pod, her eyes filled with fanaticism and expectation. "Lin Fan, you are the perfect work, the combination of code and flesh, the bridge connecting the digital world and the real world."

Elizabeth's voice echoed clearly in his ears, "When you are completely awakened, you will become the new god, ruling over these two worlds."

More memory fragments surged like a tide: the days he grew up in the orphanage, those "coincidences" that seemed warm but were actually deliberately arranged; the innate sense of familiarity he felt when he first touched a computer; the process of meeting AKai and Su Qing and forming a team to oppose Elizabeth—every step seemed to be guided by an invisible hand.

There was also a blurry figure of a woman, always appearing on the edge of his memory. She wore a light blue dress, holding an infant and humming softly, her face full of gentle smiles. But in the next second, that figure was swallowed by a blinding white light, completely dissipating like a deleted file.

"No... this isn't real!" Lin Fan clutched his head, the intense pain making his whole body tremble, veins bulging on his forehead. "I am not your tool! I am Lin Fan, a person with my own thoughts and feelings! What is your purpose in creating me? Who is that woman? Why was she deleted?"

"Lin Fan, what's wrong?" Su Qing noticed his abnormality and rushed over immediately, reaching out to support him, but she was repelled by the golden energy suddenly erupting from his body.

AKai also stopped what he was doing, frowning as he looked at Lin Fan: "His vital signs are changing rapidly. His heart rate has soared from 72 beats per minute to 180, and his brain waves are abnormally active, as if he is undergoing some kind of awakening."

Lin Fan's consciousness floated in a chaotic space, surrounded by endless darkness, with only countless golden points of light flickering like stars in the night sky. He could clearly see his past, present, and countless possibilities for the future, and he could also see Elizabeth's conspiracy—she wanted to use the energy of the consciousnesses, combined with Lin Fan, this hybrid, to break the barrier between the digital world and the real world and become the true ruler.

And those consciousnesses she had trapped in the Digital Cage were nothing more than "batteries" she used to provide energy.

"So that's how it is..." Lin Fan said in a low voice, his tone filled with shock and anger. "You used me as the key to fulfill your ambition and treated those innocent people as sacrifices. Elizabeth, you are too cruel."

He felt two forces colliding violently within him: one was the emotions and memories belonging to a human, warm and vivid; the other was cold code and data, powerful and rational. They tore at each other, repelled each other, yet under the guidance of some mysterious force, they gradually began to merge.

"Lin Fan, there's no time!" Su Qing's voice pierced through the chaotic consciousness space, pulling him back to reality. "The energy fluctuations of the consciousnesses are becoming stronger and stronger, and their forms are becoming unstable. If we don't open the release channel now, they will completely dissipate and disappear from the digital world forever!"

Lin Fan opened his eyes abruptly, a flash of golden light flickering in his eyes. The original confusion and pain had disappeared, replaced by unprecedented determination.

He knew that now was not the time to dwell on the truth of his identity. The partners who trusted him and the innocent consciousnesses trapped in the Digital Cage were all waiting for him to save them.

"I know what to do." He looked up, his gaze sweeping over AKai and Su Qing, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable power. "AKai, help me connect to the core node of the satellite system. Su Qing, stabilize the energy field and ensure the data transmission is not interrupted. I am going to digitize myself, merge into the satellite system, and forcibly open the release channel for the consciousnesses."

"What?" AKai and Su Qing exclaimed simultaneously, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Digitize yourself? Lin Fan, are you crazy?" AKai walked up to him quickly, grabbing his shoulders, his tone urgent. "Once you undergo digitization, your consciousness will be broken down into countless data fragments. If there is any error during the transmission process, or if the core node of the satellite system collapses, your consciousness will completely dissipate, leaving not even a trace behind! This isn't salvation, this is suicide!"

"There is no other way." Lin Fan gently pushed AKai's hands away, his eyes exceptionally firm. "When Elizabeth created me, she implanted the Core Code that connects to the satellite system within me. This was a backup plan she left for herself, but she didn't expect that it would eventually become the key to saving the consciousnesses."

"Only I can bypass all the firewalls she set up and forcibly open the release channel. This is the only chance, and it is a responsibility I must bear." The blurry figure of the woman flashed through his mind again, and a strong obsession surged in his heart. "And I must find out the truth. Who exactly is that woman deleted by Elizabeth? What kind of connection is there between her and me?"

Su Qing looked at Lin Fan's determined eyes, her eyes slightly reddening. She had known Lin Fan for so long and had never seen him look so resolute. She knew that once Lin Fan made a decision, no one could change it.

"Alright, we'll help you." She took a deep breath, quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and turned back to the console. "AKai, prepare the data transmission interface. I'll adjust the frequency of the energy field to ensure the stability of the data transmission. Lin Fan, don't worry, we will hold the base and wait for you to come back."

AKai gritted his teeth and slammed his fist onto the console, making a dull thud. "The transmission interface is being built, and the satellite core node has been locked." His voice carried a hint of choking, but he was still operating the keyboard quickly. "Lin Fan, the core area of the satellite system is filled with traps set by Elizabeth. Once you enter, you will face countless dangers. Moreover, you only have 72 minutes. Once the window period ends, the satellite orbit will return to normal, and by then, you will be trapped in the digital world forever."

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

"I understand." Lin Fan walked to the Energy Transmission Pod in front of the center of the base, the pod door slowly opening as blue energy flowed gently inside like soft waves. He looked back at AKai and Su Qing, revealing a relieved smile: "AKai, if you can survive, remember to help me check the 'Starry Dome Home' forum to see if those astronomers finally guessed the truth. Su Qing, thank you for your constant care; the first aid kit you made was really useful." He paused, his gaze becoming incredibly tender, "If I don't make it back, help me find out that woman's identity and tell her that I found her."

After speaking, he turned resolutely and walked into the Energy Transmission Pod. The door slowly closed, isolating him from his companions. AKai took a deep breath and pressed the transmission button: "Data transmission initiated, energy field stable, satellite core node connecting... Lin Fan, good luck."

A blinding blue light erupted from the transmission pod, instantly illuminating the entire base. Lin Fan's body gradually became transparent in the blue light, turning into countless tiny golden data streams that surged toward the main screen along the transmission lines, then shot toward the sky from the main screen through the underground fiber optic network, like a golden dragon boring into the geostationary satellite system interfered with by lasers.

"Lin Fan, successfully connected to the satellite core node." AKai's voice carried tension and expectation, "Now, it's all up to you."

The core area of the satellite system was a vast space composed of code. Countless data streams flowed through it like a galaxy, shimmering with multicolored light. There was no concept of up, down, left, right, or time and space here, only endless code and data forming a massive and complex digital world. Lin Fan's consciousness floated in this space, feeling like a drop of water merging into the ocean, both tiny and powerful. He could clearly feel every corner of the satellite system, every data node, and every transmission line. At the same time, he could feel the faint cries for help from the consciousnesses trapped in the Digital Cages, voices filled with pain and despair that pierced his heart like needles.

"I'm here," Lin Fan said softly, his consciousness turning into a golden stream of light, flying toward the direction where the consciousnesses were imprisoned.

He quickly found the Digital Cage set up by Elizabeth—a giant sphere composed of countless encrypted codes, its surface covered in complex runes and formulas, emitting a cold black light. Countless consciousnesses were bound inside the sphere, turning into faint spots of light struggling helplessly in the darkness, yet always unable to break through the cage's constraints. On the outermost layer of the cage, there was also an energy barrier flowing with Elizabeth's exclusive code, blocking any external intrusion like a wall of bronze and iron.

"Elizabeth, your era is over." Lin Fan's consciousness let out a roar, and the golden light instantly surged, transforming into a sharp longsword that slashed fiercely at the energy barrier.

"Crack—" A crisp shattering sound echoed in the code space, and a tiny crack appeared on the energy barrier. But in just an instant, the crack was quickly repaired by the surrounding code, returning to its original state. Lin Fan was not discouraged; he knew that Elizabeth's code barrier could not be broken so easily. He took a deep breath and completely fused his human gene power with his code power. The golden longsword instantly ignited with raging flames, mixed with countless tiny gene chains, emitting powerful energy fluctuations.

"This time, I won't fail!" Lin Fan swung his sword again, the golden sword energy carrying a world-destroying momentum as it slashed fiercely at the energy barrier. This time, he did not attack the same spot but adopted the "Distributed Attack" strategy AKai had taught him, the sword energy falling like raindrops on different positions of the barrier, constantly tearing at Elizabeth's code.

"Bang, bang, bang—" A series of explosions rang out in the code space, and more and more cracks appeared on the energy barrier, growing larger and larger. The black light gradually dimmed, and the barrier's defensive capability was rapidly declining. Lin Fan could feel that the trapped consciousnesses seemed to sense hope; their cries for help became clearer, and their struggling grew more intense.

Meanwhile, in the underground base on the surface, the energy index on the main screen was soaring. Su Qing stared intently at the screen, her hands quickly operating the console to adjust the frequency of the energy field: "The barrier's defensive energy is decaying rapidly and is expected to shatter completely in ten minutes. AKai, how is the satellite system's stability? Are there any abnormal fluctuations?"

AKai's eyes were fixed on the data stream on the screen, his fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard: "The satellite system is all normal, with no signs of Elizabeth counterattacking. However, network monitoring departments around the world have begun to notice the satellite system's abnormality. The Pentagon has issued a level three alert directive, and it's expected that they will attempt to forcibly take over satellite control in half an hour."

"We must have all consciousnesses evacuated before they take over." Fine beads of sweat seeped from Su Qing's forehead, "Lin Fan's consciousness energy is consuming rapidly; he won't be able to hold on for much longer."

In the code space, Lin Fan's consciousness was already somewhat weary. The consumption of fusing the two powers far exceeded his imagination; the golden stream of light grew dim, and its speed slowed down. But he didn't dare stop; he could feel the expectations of those consciousnesses, the anxiety of his companions on the ground, and even more, the figure of that blurred woman beckoning to him.

"Just hold on a little longer, success is imminent." Lin Fan said to himself in his heart. He concentrated all his consciousness, gathering his final strength into the longsword. The golden longsword instantly became massive, its blade covered in complex runes, emitting a dazzling light. He held the longsword high and slashed it down fiercely toward the core position of the energy barrier.

"Boom—" A violent explosion rang out in the code space, the energy barrier shattered completely, and the black light instantly dissipated. Countless bound consciousnesses surged out like a tide, turning into colorful spots of light that flew toward the ground along the passage Lin Fan had opened, rushing toward the bodies waiting for their return.

Lin Fan looked at this scene and showed a gratified smile. He knew that more than half of his task was completed. But at that moment, he felt the satellite system suddenly vibrate violently, and countless red codes surged from all directions like a tide, instantly engulfing his consciousness.

"Not good, it's Elizabeth's hidden hand!" Lin Fan was startled. He hadn't expected Elizabeth to leave such a powerful defensive mechanism in the satellite system. The red code coiled around his consciousness like venomous snakes, constantly eroding his energy. His consciousness began to blur, and the golden light grew dimmer and dimmer.

"Lin Fan, what's wrong?" AKai's voice suddenly rang out in the consciousness space, filled with anxiety, "A large amount of abnormal code has suddenly appeared in the satellite system, and your vital signs are dropping rapidly! Hold on, we're trying to cut off the source of those codes!"

"It's no use..." Lin Fan said weakly, "This is Elizabeth's exclusive code; only she can control it. She must have discovered my actions through a remote connection and is forcibly reclaiming control of the satellite system." He could feel his consciousness dissipating quickly, like smoke blown away by the wind, "AKai, Su Qing, I'm sorry... I might... not be able to make it back."

Just then, a gentle white light suddenly appeared in the depths of his consciousness. Within the white light, the figure of that blurred woman gradually became clear. She wore a light blue dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and a gentle smile was on her face, exactly as in his memories. "Child, don't give up." The woman's voice was as warm as a spring breeze, gently stroking his consciousness, "You are unique; you possess both the power of code and human emotions, something Elizabeth can never reach."

"Who are you?" Lin Fan's consciousness trembled, his eyes filling with tears.

"I am your mother, Lin Fans Mother," the woman said with a smile, "and I was once Elizabeth's partner. We researched the fusion technology of code and human genes together, wanting to create a more perfect life form. But I didn't expect Elizabeth's ambition to grow so large; she wanted to use this technology to rule the world. I tried to stop her but was deleted of all my data by her, leaving only a sliver of a consciousness fragment hidden deep in your genes."

"Mother..." Lin Fan choked up, wanting to reach out and embrace her, only to find his consciousness was dissipating rapidly.

"Don't be sad, child." Lin Fans Mother's voice remained gentle, "My consciousness fragment has already merged with you; from the moment you were born, I have always been with you. Now, let me help you." As she finished speaking, the white light suddenly surged, instantly drowning out the red codes. Lin Fan felt a powerful surge of energy into his body; his consciousness stopped dissipating and instead became more condensed. The golden light became dazzling once more, even more powerful than before.

"This is..." Lin Fan was surprised to find that under the illumination of the white light, the red codes were rapidly decomposing, turning into harmless data fragments.

"This is the 'Purification Code' I researched for many years, specifically designed to counter Elizabeth's dark code." Lin Fans Mother's voice carried a hint of pride, "Now, use this power to completely destroy her Control Center and set the satellite system free."

Lin Fan nodded, his consciousness turning into an even more dazzling golden stream of light as he flew toward the satellite system's Control Center. That was the final line of defense Elizabeth had left and the core of the entire satellite system. Without the slightest hesitation, he charged directly into the Control Center, and golden energy erupted instantly, completely destroying the entire Control Center.

The red code vanished completely, and the satellite system returned to normal. All the trapped consciousnesses had evacuated, returning to the ground along the passage. Lin Fan's consciousness floated in the code space, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief. He knew that they had won this battle.

"Mother, thank you," Lin Fan said softly.

"Silly child, no need for thanks." Lin Fans Mother's figure gradually became transparent, "I've done all I can; the road ahead is for you to walk on your own. Remember, whether you are code or human, you are my son, the unique Lin Fan." After speaking, Lin Fans Mother's figure dissipated completely, turning into countless spots of light that merged into Lin Fan's consciousness.

Lin Fan's consciousness followed the passage and flew toward the ground. He could feel his companions on the ground waiting for him anxiously.

In the underground base, a golden light suddenly lit up on the main screen, and Lin Fan's figure appeared in the Energy Transmission Pod. The pod door slowly opened, and Lin Fan walked out with a weary but relieved smile on his face. His gaze had become deeper, and a faint golden light radiated from his body; he looked both familiar and strange.

"Lin Fan!" AKai and Su Qing rushed over at the same time, hugging him tightly. AKai's shoulders were trembling slightly, and Su Qing's tears fell like pearls with a broken string.

"We succeeded," Lin Fan said softly, his voice slightly raspy but filled with joy, "The consciousnesses have all been safely evacuated, and Elizabeth's satellite control system has been completely destroyed."

AKai let go of him and slapped his shoulder hard, a bright smile on his face: "I knew you could do it, kid! When your vital signs dropped just now, I thought we were going to lose you." He pointed to the 'Starry Dome Home' forum on the main screen, "Look, those astronomers are still arguing; some say the phenomenon just now was a supernova explosion, some say it was cosmic rays, and some insist it was aliens."

Su Qing wiped her tears and carefully checked Lin Fan's body: "Your vital signs have returned to normal, but your energy consumption was too great; you need a good rest." A happy smile appeared on her face, "Welcome back, Lin Fan."

Lin Fan looked at the companions beside him and thought of his mother Lin Fans Mother's smile, his heart filled with warmth. He knew that although this battle was over, a new journey had just begun. Although Elizabeth had failed, her forces had not been completely cleared, and more secrets awaited them to uncover. But he was no longer lost or afraid. Because he knew he was not alone; he had the best companions, his mother's protection, and a unique power.

Golden sunlight shone through the base's ventilation shaft onto the three of them, warm and dazzling. They knew the road ahead was still long and there would be more challenges and dangers, but they were ready to embrace their future. And those rescued consciousnesses would also return to their own bodies, continuing to write their own lives. In this "Last Stand," they had won victory and won the future.