Chapter 1108 Jinling Ancient Brain

The underground core command center of the Zhoushan Islands in the Eastern Theater Command - "Longyuan Base"

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The heavy alloy door closed silently behind him, isolating him from the outside world.

Inside the command center deep in the mountain, the air carries a hint of the chill and circulating wind unique to underground facilities.

Soft shadowless lights illuminate the huge circular command platform in the center, on which is an electronic sand table covering the entire East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and parts of the mainland's coastal areas.

At this moment, a clear red route track was lit above the sand table, extending from the northwest and eventually disappearing in the area near Jinling City.

Sitting around the conference table were the few remaining core members of the Eastern Theater Command.

The theater commander is General Gao Jianguo, a veteran with gray hair but eyes still as sharp as an eagle; the director of the political department, Lieutenant General Zhou Wei; the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Li Qirui; and several deputies in charge of intelligence, logistics, and the navy and air force.

"Is everything clear?" Commander Gao Jianguo's voice was low, carrying the majesty of a long-time leader and a hint of subtle fatigue.

"Radar Station 1301 captured the target yesterday afternoon. The technical department analyzed it overnight, and everyone has seen the results."

He pointed to the red tracks on the sand table. "Target cluster: 24 large platforms and 12 high-speed escort platforms. Radar reflection characteristics... unrecognizable."

The Minister of Intelligence immediately interjected, his tone filled with disbelief:

"We carefully compared all known models in the database, including those in active service, reserve, and experimental domestic models, as well as all publicly and secretly recorded models of potential adversaries (the United States, Russia, Japan, South Korea, etc.)... and found no matches."

"This is not any known model, but a completely new and unknown model."

As soon as the words fell, a suppressed gasp sounded in the conference room.

In the already complex apocalyptic environment, a new, large-scale aircraft has now appeared. The significance behind this is truly astonishing...

Variables, the most annoying variables have come again at the right time. It has to be said that this has caused a headache for the core leaders of the Eastern Theater.

After all, just maintaining the current situation is exhausting enough...

"What is their purpose? Does the General Staff have any speculation?" Political Commissar Zhou Wei frowned. "Just a transit point? Or..."

"Based on radar reconnaissance data and analysis of their formation composition," Chief of Staff Li Qirui took over the conversation in a serious tone.

"The large platform is presumably some kind of large transport aircraft, with a long range and heavy payload. The high-speed platform has the characteristics of a fighter jet and is likely used for escort."

"So the conclusion we can draw at this point is that this should be a standard long-range strategic delivery formation. The nature of its mission is most likely to transport important personnel or equipment to a specific location and establish air protection."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Jinling's location. "And the area where they last disappeared, after extrapolating their flight paths and analyzing signal attenuation, is highly suggestive of Jinling City."

At this time, a relatively young member of the Standing Committee, Major General Wang Feng, the Deputy Commander in charge of operations, could not help but speak up, his tone filled with bold speculation:

"Commander, fellow members of the Standing Committee. Is it possible... that these planes are heading for Nanjing?"

He stood up, walked to the sand table, and pointed at Jinling:

"What is Jinling? It was once the headquarters of our Eastern Theater Command. It was a strategic hub in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. A large amount of supplies were stored there before the apocalypse."

"Although it's now occupied by those ghostly creatures, its strategic value is unquestionable. Such a powerful air force of unknown origin is heading straight for Nanjing. Its purpose is definitely not simple!"

"What does Deputy Commander Wang mean?" Gao Jianguo's eyes were sharp.

"I suspect there's another powerful force we're unaware of that's eyeing this piece of juicy meat in Jinling."

Wang Feng said confidently, "They're capable of developing and mass-producing new fighter jets we're unfamiliar with, and they're capable of organizing a strategic airlift on this scale... This proves they possess at least a complete, high-level industrial system and logistical supply chain! Their sphere of influence and level of organization may far exceed our imagination!"

"Could it be the remnants of other war zones? For example, the Central War Zone? Or the Western War Zone? The Southern War Zone?" someone asked.

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Li Qirui shook his head:

"The possibility is extremely low. After the Li Weihe Incident at the beginning of the apocalypse, although we have been in a state of retreat..."

When the theater chief of staff Li Qirui mentioned the three words "Li Weihe", the atmosphere present was obviously stagnant, and many members of the Standing Committee showed a trace of unnaturalness from the bottom of their hearts on their faces.

"But if the remnants of other theaters of operations had such strength, it's impossible that there wouldn't be any news about it, and it's even more impossible that they possessed new aircraft that completely jumped out of the existing tech tree."

"In my opinion, this is more like a new force... or it has technical support that we cannot understand."

"New forces..." General Gao Jianguo, commander of the Eastern Theater Command, chewed on the word, his eyes deep.

"There shouldn't be such a force in or around Zhou, right? Could it be the Russians from the north? But that doesn't make sense. They're so far away from Nanjing, there's no reason for them to wade into this mess..."

Gao Jianguo's question caused the entire conference room to fall silent again.

The unknown is the most terrifying thing. If the other party is a known enemy, no matter how powerful it is, there are strategies to deal with it.

But facing an opponent with unknown identity, unknown origin, unknown equipment, and a technological level that may be higher than your own, every step must be taken with caution.

"If our previous speculation is true, then they are putting on this display, determined to capture Nanjing!" Zhou Wei, director of the Joint Political Department of the War Zone, sighed.

"I just don't know if they know what the current situation is in Jinling City... It's not something that can be resolved with just a few planes."

Chief of Staff Li Qirui took a deep breath and took over the conversation. His voice was heavier than before, even carrying a subtle hint of fear:

"Director Zhou hit the nail on the head. The most terrifying things in Jinling City...are far more than the fungal mats, spore clouds, and various fungal beasts we've observed so far."

"It's the 'mother nest' or 'Jinling Ancient Brain' that's entrenched in the Zifeng Building area..."

These words were like a piece of ice, thrown into the already solemn atmosphere, making the faces of all the Standing Committee members instantly gloomy, as if they recalled some extremely unpleasant memories.

Regarding the 'Jinling Ancient Brain', it was discovered by the war zone at the beginning of the apocalypse. Due to its incomprehensible and extremely terrifying learning and imitation abilities, it was once highly anticipated by the war zone, and a large amount of scientific research resources were invested in trying to develop it into an advanced form of biological computer.

However, just as things were looking up and the situation was about to stabilize, the Li Weihe Incident broke out. Amidst the intense internal strife within the war zone, the Jinling Ancient Brain project was affected and went out of control...

This then triggered a series of adverse reactions, including the spread of spore infection and the complete withdrawal of the war zone, which rapidly worsened the situation...