Under the increasingly strict supervision of the National Security Department, Chen Hao's team's research work was challenging.
Every experimental application had to go through layers of approval, and time quietly slipped away in the cumbersome procedures.
However, the sense of crisis brought by the mysterious signals was like a shadow, becoming increasingly oppressive.
Chen Hao stood by the laboratory window.
Gazing at the gloomy sky outside, the anxiety in his heart was like rolling dark clouds.
He was well aware that time was running out for them.
The panic in society was spreading continuously with the dissemination of rumours.
If they couldn't decipher the signals as soon as possible, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Dr. Chen, this is the latest approval result. Two more experiments have been rejected," a young researcher entered the room with a dejected look and handed the document to Chen Hao.
Chen Hao took the document, his brows furrowed tightly.
"What's the reason?"
"They still claim that the experimental plan poses risks and may damage the research equipment," the researcher said helplessly.
Chen Hao snorted.
"That's just an excuse. They simply don't want us to conduct the research smoothly."
He knew clearly that there must be some forces secretly manipulating behind the scenes, trying to prevent them from uncovering the secrets of the signals.
Despite the numerous difficulties, Chen Hao didn't give up.
He turned around and walked back to the workbench.
Looking at the dense signal data on the screen, a determined resolve shone in his eyes.
"Everyone, come over. Let's reorganize our current research ideas," he summoned the team members, ready to find a new solution.
"We made some progress from the interdisciplinary perspective before, but now, with the restrictions, it's hard to continue this way," Chen Hao analyzed.
"We have to change the direction and start from the characteristics of the signals themselves to find a breakthrough."
The team members gathered around and each expressed their opinions.
After a heated discussion, they decided to start from the transmission mode of the signals.
They would analyze the propagation path of the signals in the universe and the possible interference factors, trying to find hidden patterns in them.
In the following days, Chen Hao and the team members worked day and night.
They continuously adjusted the algorithms and analyzed and compared a large amount of data.
Every attempt was full of hardships and uncertainties, but they never gave up.
During the intense research process, Chen Hao didn't forget to look for the mysterious person.
He kept an eye on his phone all the time, expecting that mysterious number to appear again.
However, the mysterious person seemed to have vanished into thin air, without any news.
Late one night, the laboratory was still brightly lit.
Chen Hao had been working continuously for more than ten hours, his eyes bloodshot.
But he was still concentrating intently on the screen.
Suddenly, he noticed an abnormal data fluctuation.
"Everyone, come and take a look!"
Chen Hao shouted excitedly.
"This fluctuation is very unusual. The frequency and time interval of its occurrence seems to have some kind of pattern."
The team members immediately gathered around and carefully observed the data on the screen.
After some analysis, they found that this data fluctuation was related to a signal content they had previously deciphered.
"Could this be the encryption key of the signal?"
Lin Yun guessed boldly.
Chen Hao's eyes lit up.
"Very likely! If we can determine the pattern of this fluctuation, maybe we can crack the entire signal encryption system."
So, they began to focus on studying this data fluctuation.
After several hours of continuous effort, they finally found the pattern.
Chen Hao quickly wrote a new algorithm, trying to use this pattern to crack the signal encryption.
At the moment when the program ran, the atmosphere in the entire laboratory was tense to the extreme.
Everyone held their breath, staring at the screen, looking forward to a miracle.
As the progress bar advanced, the numbers and symbols on the screen kept changing.
Finally, after a nervous wait, a complete set of information appeared on the screen.
"We've made it! We've succeeded!"
A cheer erupted in the laboratory.
Chen Hao and the team members hugged each other excitedly. Their efforts had finally paid off.
The newly - deciphered information shocked them.
This set of information describes in detail an impending disaster.
It was an unknown energy fluctuation from the depths of the universe.
It would impact the Earth shortly, triggering global natural disasters.
These included super-earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, etc., and their power was sufficient to destroy the entire Earth's ecosystem.
"This... this is terrifying," a researcher said with a trembling voice.
"We must announce this news as soon as possible to let people prepare."
Chen Hao nodded.
"That's right, but we can't act rashly. The government has been keeping this matter a secret, and there must be their considerations. We need to report this news to Professor Wang first and hear his opinion."
Just as they were about to contact Professor Wang, the door of the laboratory was suddenly pushed open.
Several men in black suits walked in, and the one in the lead was the national security department official who had contacted Chen Hao before.
"Dr. Chen, we received a report that you've made a major discovery," the official said expressionlessly.
"Please hand over the research results to us."
Chen Hao's heart tightened.
He knew that this moment had finally come.
"This is the result of our team's hard work. We have the responsibility to make it public so that humanity can prepare for the disaster," Chen Hao said firmly.
"Dr. Chen, you should be aware that this matter concerns national security and social stability," the official said coldly.
"Any unauthorized dissemination of information may lead to serious consequences. Now, please cooperate with our work."
The two sides reached a stalemate, and the atmosphere was tense.
Chen Hao knew very well that what they held in their hands was key information related to the fate of all mankind and could not be handed over easily.
But he also understood that confronting the national security department was not a wise choice.
Just then, Chen Hao's phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID. It was an unknown number.
His heart skipped a beat.
After a moment of hesitation, he answered the phone.
"Chen Hao, take your research results and leave the observatory immediately. Go to the abandoned factory in the western suburbs. Someone will pick you up there. Remember, don't trust anyone," a deep voice came from the other end of the phone, and then it hung up.
Chen Hao hesitated.
He didn't know if this call was real or not, nor did he know whether he should trust the other party.
But at this moment, he didn't have many options.
"Everyone, pack up. Let's go," Chen Hao said decisively.
He decided to take a risk. Perhaps the abandoned factory in the western suburbs could bring him answers.
The team members quickly packed up the research materials.
Under Chen Hao's leadership, they tried to avoid the national security department personnel and secretly leave the observatory.
However, their actions were still discovered.
"Stop! You can't leave!"
the official shouted and led his subordinates to chase after them.
Chen Hao and the others quickened their pace, shuttling through the complex corridors of the observatory.