In Antarctica, the long-abandoned Amundsen-Scott Station is like a tombstone left behind by the era of human advancement. It is hard to imagine that humans built such a large-scale complex near the South Pole as early as a century ago.
However, it is a pity that today, a century later, mankind has not made greater achievements here, but has taken a large step backward, and civilization has surrendered to nature.
The last organized and large-scale Antarctic exploration operation ended completely after June 17, 2029. That day was also the first day when the corporate war broke out. In the following years, various countries continued to transfer stationed scientific researchers
Call back.
Some of the unlucky ones lost their nationality before waiting for the order to evacuate, and had no choice but to hitchhike with others and find opportunities to leave on their own.
The location where Tang Anran was hidden was below the South Pole, a little further north of the Amundsen-Scott Station. According to Tang Ji's own knowledge, the ice covering the South Pole is moving northward at a rate of approximately ten meters per year.
, scientific researchers used to remap the specific location of the South Pole every year.
But now the South Pole, which was marked by humans for the last time, is a little more than two kilometers north of Amundsen-Scott Station. That section of the pole that symbolizes mankind’s conquest of nature has been mostly covered by frost, and it looks like
Some kind of prehistoric relic.
Tang Anran's specific location was about fifteen meters below the benchmark. Tang Ji relied on the dimensional gate replacement method to dig out a large enough space under the ice.
Tang Ji sat near the benchmark, watching his own ice cap reflect the dazzling light in the sun. It was currently in the extreme daylight period, and the sunny days would end in more than eighty days.
In this way, at least he could comfort himself in his heart, calculating the time according to the alternation of day and night, and An Ran would not be able to stay here for many days.
At this time, the temperature was minus 43°, but Tang Ji did not feel the physical cold. Human skin is the first layer of barrier for humans, preventing external bacterial infections, providing limited resistance to extreme temperatures, providing touch, etc.
Superhumans, especially those of the Red Samurai type, greatly strengthen this concept, protecting their owners like real armor.
As one of the Seven Deadly Sins, Tang Ji doesn't know what kind of superhuman he should be classified as, but his skin has undoubtedly reached the point of being indestructible.
Bullets fired from small weapons could not harm him at all, and the high temperature of 1,200 degrees could only cause slight burns to his skin. Standing in the cold wind of minus 43 degrees, he did not feel any obvious loss of body temperature.
Everything reminded him that he was no longer an ordinary person.
However, although the cold weather did not affect his body temperature, another kind of coldness was spreading in his heart. Wang Zhengdao had been gone for half an hour, and Tang Ji's satellite phone, which should have always been open, was now silent.
If communication satellites in outer space had not suddenly gone offline collectively, the only possibility was that Mikkelsen had cut off his signal.
Recalling that the idea of visiting An Ran today was also proposed by Wang Zhengdao, Tang Ji's face looked colder than the cold wind of minus 43 degrees.
He took out his dagger and began to shave the ice on the spot. In the face of absolute power, it didn't matter whether the tool was handy or not.
Even with his bare hands, Tang Ji could complete the work quickly. He wanted to dig out Enron's life-saving capsule and move it to another place. He no longer trusted Wang Zhengdao.
As for Mikkelson, Tanguy never had any expectations for him, and they only had a cooperative relationship from beginning to end.
He did not believe that Mikkelson would stand against him, but at the same time he also believed that Mikkelson had countless Plan Bs that he could not accept to achieve his preset goals.
Tang Ji is not a fool, on the contrary, he is very smart, but most of the time the problems he encounters can be solved by other simpler ways.
It took him twenty minutes to dig through fifteen meters of ice, and most of the time was wasted on the last few meters of depth. Tang Ji was worried that he had accidentally destroyed the permanent ice that Chris had left to protect An Ran.
layer.
"Little guy, come out and bask in the sun, daddy will change your place." Tang Ji wiped away the slag from the permanently frozen ice, revealing the small face underneath, with a gentle smile.
When he picked up the life-saving capsule protecting Tang Anran, Tang Ji felt more fulfilled than ever before. It was almost his whole world.
Tang Ji stepped on the wall of air condensed by supernatural powers under his feet, rising step by step, walking in the sky like a god. Although the world was big, there was no place he could not set foot on.
However, although the world is big, he doesn't know where he should go or where he should put An Ran to be safe.
Tang Ji knew that something big was going to happen when Mikkelsen ordered Wang Zhengdao to move him away, but at this time, he could only follow the other party's wishes and ensure An Ran's safety first.
Just like when he first met Mikkelsen, when Mikkelsen is in control of the situation, he prefers to use conspiracy to force the target to act according to his guidance.
The first thing Tang Ji thought of was the Moonlight Gold. He stayed on that ship for a while. It can be said that that ship witnessed the growth of Fury. After he was promoted to LV3, that ship was the same as Night City.
Sensitive areas covered by perception.
But according to his perception, the Moonlight Gold was currently docked at the port of Huntington Industrial Group in Newport for upgrade and repair work, and the dedicated ship steward Forman was enjoying a hard-earned vacation.
Next, Tang Ji seems to have no other choice. Perhaps it is the best choice to place Tang Anran in the City of Night and within his sight.
However, this will be a long journey, and he can only walk back on his own legs, from Antarctica to Night City.
Even for the Seven Deadly Sins, this was a long journey, but fortunately Tang Ji's endurance was not bad, and he felt that he could keep running.
"As the commander-in-chief of the Federation, I am honored to announce to you here that human beings are not alone in this universe. We have completed a contact of the third kind." Luther said with a perfect smile in front of the camera.
Speaking to many cameras, he said: "The late Commander-in-Chief Hunter did not lie, nor was he mentally ill. Most of what he said before is true."
No one knows what kind of psychological changes Luther has gone through before. The player suddenly became a new partner, and Tang Ji became a possible enemy. This switch between offense and defense caught him off guard.
But with the instinct of a politician, Luther knew what to do. After all, although Tang Ji was powerful, Mikkelsen was close at hand.
Moreover, with Luther's judgment, he realized that Mikkelson's behavior had another purpose after just a little analysis. He was too well prepared, as if he had planned all this.
"In order to show the generosity of the federal government to these outsiders, we will classify the city of Roswell, New Mexico, as a new special zone to conduct social exploration between human civilization and extraterrestrial civilization." Luther said.
He didn't believe a word of the nonsense, but his tone was sincere, like a conscientious politician who was caring about what you had for breakfast.
"All residents living in the special zone will receive a property subsidy above the market value for relocation and starting a new life." Luther continued: "At the same time, we also welcome all upright people who are willing to participate in this exploration to stay.
Under the plan, the federal government will issue a minimum financial subsidy of 4,500 federal dollars per person per month and enjoy welfare housing in the region."
Luther's speech lasted fifteen minutes, but did not achieve enough ratings and attention from all aspects.
This kind of news about Close Encounters of the Third Kind has been played once by Commander-in-Chief Hunter. The Internet is full of extreme remarks, some are in favor of it and some are against it.
Luther now just wants to complete this process quickly, and then build his own private jet to purchase additional habitable area in the Phoenix Plan.
By the way, the price of the habitable area provided by the Phoenix plan, which needs to be purchased separately, has tripled from the price Luther paid for it.
Luther knew very well that after he spoke today, 80% of the land prices in Phoenix would double again.
"Mr. Luther, you and former Commander-in-Chief Hunter both swore that there was a third type of contact. Do you have any concrete evidence?" The reporters were as enthusiastic as ever, excitedly questioning everything about the federal government.
Even though Luther has been working hard to reverse the weak image of the federal government since he came to power, and he is the financial backer behind a media empire, there are still reporters who dare not give him face. Of course, these reporters are basically people from major streaming media.
.
"No comment, ma'am, information from the federal government shall prevail." Luther replied calmly and looked at the time. Although Mikkelsen had promised that Tanguy would not suddenly appear at this time, he still
I hope to end this press conference immediately and hide in a secret safe house.
When the players were no longer a threat, Tanguy's terror once again enveloped Luther. He knew how terrifying the opponent was. If he really came, even Mikkelsen who was present would most likely run away, let alone himself.
No.
"Will the volunteers left in the special zone encounter any danger to their personal safety? How will aliens get along with us?" A sharp voice penetrated the crowd and asked Luther.
Luther took the time to take a look and found out that the other person was the reporter of the puppy video, and couldn't help but feel a little angry.
Others don’t know, don’t understand, that your puppy video is the mouthpiece of players, don’t you understand? Why are we all acting like grasshoppers on the same line, and are you still targeting me like this?
If he weren't worried about his media image, he would have wanted to take off one of his shoes, throw it in the other person's face, and shout, "Fake news!"
Fortunately, the bodyguards separated the reporters in time and escorted Luther out. He hurriedly asked Mikkelsen on the phone about Tangji's location and made sure that the other party had not yet passed the 30th parallel south latitude.
Take a breath.
"Go to safe house No. 14 and let the double start showing up in thirty minutes." Luther got into his bulletproof car and ordered the security team: "Let the second team protect Mr. Edward in secret, and be careful not to be discovered by him."
The security director nodded and began to assign tasks. The security task for Edward was Luther's reward for Tang Ji after he ascended to the position of commander. Of course, only Luther knew about it.
He doesn't plan to give up this amulet, he just hopes that he won't really use it in the future.
Lost Mountain Base.
Surte was jogging while wearing various instruments. This kind of test happened almost every day. Dr. Sean Westan had been working on further exploring the secret of chronogen. Although the progress was slow and the doctor looked increasingly haggard, he still
I never tire of it, and it seems that watching Sirte run is the greatest happiness.
The base seems a little quiet today. It's almost Christmas. Many research groups have suspended experimental projects and are on vacation. The number of security personnel has increased significantly.
Surte has not seen Tang Ji and Dr. Wu Qianying for a day, but this is normal, especially the latter. Although he is permanently stationed at the Lost Mountain Base, he often does not show up for several days because he is obsessed with a certain experimental project.
"Sulte, you can come back. The experiment is temporarily suspended." Dr. Sean Westan's voice appeared in the ear, making Surte a little confused.
He had just started to warm up, and the experiment was over. Why was he in such a hurry? After all, it took two people half an hour to put on this special external device that was full of equipment and did not affect his running posture.
But Xiao Su didn't think much about it. The experiment was over, and he could just take a day off to visit Night City.
Although Tang Ji and Wang Zhengdao were not in the base, for Surte, it didn't take long to run back to Night City from the Lost Mountain base. If he was not too tired, he could bring one more person with him.
For Surte, after the novelty wears off, Night City is still more attractive to him. Young people naturally like a noisier life, and the Lost Mountain Base is too monotonous.
He planned to ask Vicky later if he wanted to go back together. The girl with a low sense of presence had a good relationship with Surte. They were about the same age and shared some common language.
Thinking of this, Surte suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Vicky for nearly a day, nor had he seen those idiot teammates who often used up their energy in the special gym.
Strange, have they all gone ahead to celebrate Christmas?
Soult also experienced several Christmases when he was in the Skeleton Gang. Basically, he had whatever he wanted to eat, and it was no different from usual times.
Surte, who was thinking wildly, ran back to the huge wind tunnel laboratory and took off the equipment with the help of the staff: "Doctor, what's going on?"
Dr. Sian Westan's expression was a little strange, and the corners of his mouth twitched a few times, as if he had made up his mind, and suddenly shouted: "Sulte! Run! Run!"
Surte subconsciously entered bullet time, and everything around him slowed down. He looked around and suddenly found a potion hidden in the hand of a staff member who was helping him take off his clothes. The slender needle had already pierced it.
His own skin, and he didn't notice it at all.
Doubts and fears appeared in Soult's heart at the same time. He was used to the life here. This feeling of being attacked 'at home' was very unpleasant.