488 The Not-so-heartwarming Reunion (1/2)
Chapter 488: The Not-so-heartwarming Reunion
Translator: _Min_Editor: Caron_
1000 meters underground.
The vertical tunnel down was replaced by a new elevator supported by a durable graphene beam heading directly into the deep underground.
Jiang Chen, in T-3 power armor, was now on the elevator with his eyes focused on the hologram instructions in the helmet. The decreasing oxygen concentration made Jiang Chen especially wary.
Just like he expected, the fallout shelter underground wasn't designed for humans.
Lin Lin was standing beside him and she was completely covered by an orange protective suit with a large oxygen tank strapped behind her. Although she was a digitalized human, her brain, and vital organs were still made out of organic matter. Even if a lot of organic parts were replaced by mechanical parts, she was still a human.
”Open the oxygen supply device.” When the oxygen concentration dropped below the threshold, Jiang Chen said calmly.
”Mhmm!” Lin Lin obediently put her hand on her neck and opened the switch.
When they arrived at the temporary camp established at the New Age Square, it was already nighttime. But a thousand meters underground, there was no fundamental difference between night and day. In the beginning, Cheng Weiguo was firmly against the idea of going on until Jiang Chen made an order as the General.
It made sense that he was worried since this was the enemy home base.
But Jiang Chen didn't worry too much as he still had 100 cubic meters in his storage dimension, so even a few Reptiles wouldn't be too troublesome especially since Lin Lin was with him and the Harmony creature hidden inside her was a robot killer. Almost no electronic units could survive under the Klein particle ray.
When they were close to the bottom, Jiang Chen took out a tactical rifle and turned on the flashlight attached to it.
Lin Lin beside him gulped and crouched cowardly with a hint of fear on her face.
[Let me do it.] A contemptuous voice appeared in her heart; it must've been Tingting. After learning how to speak, she was more and more ruthless.
[Who-who said I'm scared?] Lin Lin's face turned red as she immediately spoke in her mind.
[It's not me.]
”Just follow behind me.” Jiang Chen noticed Lin Lin's fear and put his hand on her shoulder.
”Mhmm?! Mhmm!”
Lin Lin, who was distracted, flinched at Jiang Chen's actions. It wasn't until she realized what happened that an awkward blush appeared on her face.
Jiang Chen looked at her, puzzled by the sight.
[Is she really okay in her current state?]
The elevator slowly reached the bottom and Jiang Chen's rifle locked onto the door of the fallout shelter.
But just as he expected, the door was locked shut.
He took Lin Lin to the door and he put his hand against it.
[Storage dimension, activate!]
There was no reaction…
”The door and the wall are considered one?” Jiang Chen frowned and muttered to himself.
Just as Jiang Chen was deliberating how he should open the door, Lin Lin walked beside Jiang Chen and proposed to him in a small voice:
”How about I use the ray to take out all the robots inside then we'll go back…”
”Take them all out? Mhmm, that'll be our last resort. If possible, I want to get the stuff inside.” Jiang Chen felt his way all along the gear-shaped door in an attempt to find a switch.
Since it was the home base of the Supreme, if they could invent something like Lin Chaoen, then they must be advanced in electronic technology. Compared to Harmony's genetic technology, electronic technology was more coherent and applicable to the needs of the NAC.
Lin Lin seemed scared of the darkness as she looked around the place, feeling unsettled.
[There seems to be something not good about living inside, could I fire one ray at it?] Tingting said.
[Let's not do it. If we destroy the stuff inside, Jiang Chen will be angry.] Lin Lin said in her mind.
[Then we don't have a solution.] Tingting didn't say anything further.
Without any luck finding a switch, there wasn't even a communication cable similar to Fallout Shelter 27. Jiang Chen took out the laser sword from the storage dimension and stabbed the thick door.
Ten minutes passed by and the energy of the laser sword was completely drained.
Jiang Chen directed the flashlight at only one hol. The size of a nail was burnt out.
”What material is this thing made out of?” Jiang Chen cursed and kicked the door.
The noise echoed back was very deep. Just judging by the sound; the door was at least seven meters thick. It was more fitting to describe it as a wall.
[Is giving up the only option?]
Jiang Chen sighed.
Just as he wanted to ask Lin Lin to use the Klein particle ray at the door, the door suddenly moved.
Jiang Chen was alerted and pulled out his rifle.
”NOOO!”
Lin Lin screamed out in fear and hid behind Jiang Chen's back.
The gear-shaped wall slowly moved forward and caused rock debris to fall down. Jiang Chen moved back slowly with Lin Lin and established a clear distance from the door. The vibrations continued for half a minute before the door came to a sudden halt and started to roll toward the side.
[8.1 meters thick, mhmm… I might not be able to penetrate this.] Tingting said.
[Is there anything you can't penetrate?] Lin Lin was curious.
[Of course. Although Klein particles can cause strong electromagnetic pulses, it doesn't mean they have infinite penetrative power. You research this area and you should know this?]
Although Tingting's voice didn't show any scorn, Lin Lin's face turned uncontrollably red. Just as she wanted to rebut, Jiang Chen stood in front of her and suddenly said:
”Lin Lin, be prepared to fight. Try your best to control the power of the output and don't take apart the noncombat units.”
”Oh, okay!” Lin Lin nodded.
But from inside the pitch black hole, a man with hands up to surrender walked up.
When he saw the face, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes and a red scope was already pointed on his face.
”Lin Chaoen.”
”That's right. It's me.” Lin Chaoen let out a sigh then joked, ”I can't believe we meet again, in this fashion.”
”You provoked me multiple times, so you should've expected this day would come.” With finger rubbing against the trigger, Jiang Chen spoke emotionlessly.
Lin Chaoen shrugged and looked at Jiang Chen.
”Regardless, you won. In the end, Father wants to see you.”
Lin Chaoen then looked at Lin Lin who hid behind Jiang Chen with a bright smile on her face.
”And you, my dear sister.”
”Sis… sister?” Jiang Chen looked at Lin Lin in shock, but she looked puzzled too.
”What?” Lin Lin looked at Lin Chaoen, puzzled.
”You will know once you come in.”
Lin Chaoen smiled mysteriously at her, turned around, and headed into the fallout shelter.
Looking at the pitch black tunnel, Jiang Chen was uncertainty whether it was a trap or if they really did surrender like what Lin Chaoen said.