Chapter 002: The Underground Archive
Research Log Archive Date: March 18, 2024 - Overcast
The discovery from last night left me restless. Though my sister's message on the USB was abruptly cut off, it had revealed enough. The research conducted by Bureau 756 was far darker than I had imagined. The true identity of Test Subject No. 7 and my sister's disappearance were undeniably intertwined. I needed more evidence to unravel the truth.
In the morning, I went about my usual tasks, though my mind was elsewhere. I needed a plan—a way to infiltrate the heart of Bureau 756. This wasn't just a risky endeavor; it was outright dangerous. But I had no choice.
At lunch, I sought out Zhang Lin again. There was something in her eyes, a secret she wasn't sharing.
"Zhang Lin," I said softly, "I need your help."
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Help with what?"
"I need access to the underground archive," I said firmly. "There might be records about my sister there."
Zhang Lin hesitated, then lowered her voice. "That's dangerous. You know that, right?"
"I know," I replied resolutely. "But I have to go."
She sighed deeply. "Meet me at the B2 records room at 11 p.m. But, Wang Ming, be careful. That place isn't somewhere you can just walk into."
At 11 p.m., I arrived at the B2 records room. Zhang Lin was already there, holding a small electronic device.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A signal jammer," she replied. "It can temporarily disrupt surveillance, but it won't last long. We'll need to be quick."
We moved stealthily to the entrance of the underground archive. Surprisingly, it was marked only by an unassuming metal door with a sophisticated electronic lock.
Zhang Lin approached the door and connected her device to the lock. The small screen on the jammer displayed an array of rapidly changing codes as her fingers danced across the keys.
"Got it," she whispered a few minutes later. With a soft click, the lock disengaged.
We slipped inside, and Zhang Lin shut the door behind us. The room was vast, with rows upon rows of metal shelves, each crammed with neatly labeled files and records.
"We're looking for records from the B4 level," Zhang Lin said. "They should be over there."
We moved quickly to the designated area and began searching. It didn't take long before Zhang Lin found something.
"Here it is," she whispered, holding up a file titled "Test Subject No. 7 Research Report."
We flipped through the file, and what we found was shocking. It detailed the experiments conducted on Test Subject No. 7, her unique abilities, and references to a secret project named "Project Phoenix."
"Project Phoenix…" I murmured. "What could that be?"
"I don't know," Zhang Lin said, frowning. "But from these records, it seems to involve research on extraordinary abilities."
As we continued digging, my eyes landed on a folder labeled "Lin Wei." My heart skipped a beat.
I opened the folder and found my sister's work records along with some personal notes. The last page of her notes caught my attention.
"I can't continue this work anymore. I've uncovered too much, and they won't let me go. Wang Ming, if you're reading this, be careful. The truth about Bureau 756 is far darker than we ever imagined."
The handwriting was frantic, as if written in desperation. My sister had been terrified. Whatever she discovered had sealed her fate.
"We need to go," Zhang Lin said suddenly, her voice tense.
I looked up to see the archive door slowly opening. Several men in black uniforms entered, their faces expressionless but their presence exuding menace.
"What are you doing here?" one of them demanded.
Zhang Lin quickly concealed the jammer and responded calmly, "We're here to retrieve files."
"Which files?" the man asked sharply.
"Records on Test Subject No. 7," I said, trying to sound authoritative. "We were sent by Director Li."
The man's eyes narrowed as he pulled out a walkie-talkie, speaking into it quietly. Zhang Lin and I exchanged nervous glances. If our lie was uncovered, we were doomed.
After a brief exchange, the man's expression hardened. "Director Li says he didn't send anyone here. You're under arrest."
The moment he finished speaking, the others moved toward us.
Panic surged through me. We had walked straight into a trap. If we couldn't escape, both our secrets and the truth about Bureau 756 would remain buried forever.