Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train Chapter 1189 - 459: Surface

In the unfathomable abyss, the Infinity moved as sluggishly as a wounded leviathan through the pitch-black, silent depths. The cataclysmic events of nuclear detonation, volcanic upheaval, and the terrifying vortex that had ripped metal asunder were now behind them. What remained was a battered, distorted pressure hull, and the faint, metallic tang of blood mingling with the cabin's air.

Within the echoing darkness, Lin Xian felt enveloped by the cold, saline embrace of the deep sea.

The submersible's structure emitted intermittent, strained groans, a symphony accompanied by the ephemeral popping of deep-sea bubbles and the spectral ping of sonar, forming the ambient soundscape of this desolate realm.

Seated in the cockpit, Lin Xian's countenance was etched with the gravity of the responsibility entrusted to him by Viola, a burden amplified by his inherent cautious nature.

1:32:07

The countdown inexorably advanced before him, a stark reminder of a ticking time bomb, making it a formidable challenge for Lin Xian to maintain his composure and clarity of thought.

This situation differed starkly from dealing with the Abnormal Body. Even amidst perilous nights and the crushing depths of the ocean, Lin Xian could still deploy his Superpower. Moreover, he had the Infinity, Teacher Chen, KIKI, and his other teammates for support.

Yet, this chilling, inexplicable countdown loomed above him like the legendary Damo Sword. He was utterly ignorant of what awaited them when the timer reached zero, how to halt its progression, or the fundamental reason for its appearance – it was a phenomenon entirely beyond his grasp or control.

[Has dawn and destruction already occurred? Hmm, sounds like a very interesting insight. From a philosophical perspective, Hegel proposed that "contradiction is the root driving force of development." Destruction is the explicit result of the collapse of the old order, while dawn is the latent process of new civilization’s gestation. From a physics perspective, similar to the "Schrödinger’s Cat" thought experiment, when the time dimension is unobserved, dawn (survival) and destruction (death) can coexist as two ultimate states until the causal chain collapses into a single reality.]

Upon hearing Lin Xian's words, Viola paused before offering her reply.

A flicker of unease crossed Lin Xian's features as he rubbed his temples and stated,

"Prepare to ascend. Conduct a thorough patrol of the surrounding waters to ensure our safety until daylight."

Viola met Lin Xian's gaze, responding with characteristic calm, [Acknowledged. Initiating ascent and surface reconnaissance immediately.]

"Ryan, accompany the patrol and stand ready for engagement..."

Lin Xian shifted his attention towards the interior of the cabin, his voice heavy with concern as he called out, "Rouse everyone. Once we confirm safety at dawn and navigate clear of this crisis, organize a rotation for rest. Our current condition is precarious."

"I share your sentiment, Lin, but I propose we ready a portion of our combat personnel first. Those with severe injuries are in urgent need of recovery, and this is the optimal window," Ryan's voice resonated through the communicator.

"Understood."

Having relayed his orders, Lin Xian turned his focus back to strategic planning. He unfurled the Mechanical Heart, extending its influence over the entirety of the Infinity to commence comprehensive repairs. Once they successfully breached the surface and escaped the immediate danger, he could utilize the Sky Dome Level's capabilities for a daring leap, leveraging its informational prowess to pinpoint the Republican Islands or Noah via the Fire Book and Water-Sky positioning system, which should pose no significant issue.

However, before any of that, he had to guarantee their survival, as the unknown threat of the countdown persisted. To safeguard both the Infinity and Beifeng 09, the critical juncture demanded the mobilization of their core team for readiness.

Lin Xian even entertained the unsettling possibility of distancing himself from the Infinity before the countdown concluded...

Swirling with thoughts, both hopeful and dread-filled, Lin Xian's mind raced through countless scenarios.

Blub blub～

A forceful vibration permeated the hull, signaling intense water pressure. Lin Xian's gaze remained locked on the sonar display. Soon after, a procession resembling a train emerged from the dark expanse of the Pacific Ocean, slowly breaking the surface, accompanied by the massive Abyssal-class Nuclear Submarine, Beifeng 09.

[Reconnaissance of a 50-nautical mile radius and low-altitude sea area completed. Currently secure. The weather in this region is anomalous, characterized by dense sea fog, suggesting no surface activity should occur until dawn or until the fog dissipates.]

Whoosh.

The curtain of water cascaded down outside the viewport. Lin Xian rose to his feet, observing the turbulent sea surface beyond the porthole. The Infinity's searchlights offered limited illumination, swallowed by the thick fog blanketing the entire area. Gentle swells created slight surges, adding to the ambient sounds of the waves.

After a swift assessment of his surroundings, Lin Xian turned back, issuing a command: "Deploy drones in four cardinal directions. Probe as far out as possible."

Immediately after, Lin Xian turned to activate the communicator, intending to alert everyone on the Infinity to prepare for any unforeseen emergencies.

Upon turning, Lin Xian saw an indistinct figure materializing by the cockpit door. It hovered in the air, arms crossed, fixing him with an unsettling stare – it could only be KIKI.

"Your countdown has less than an hour remaining, correct?"

"58 minutes," Lin Xian confirmed, nodding. "The sky is nearly bright."

KIKI drifted nearer, coming face-to-face with Lin Xian, and questioned him,

"Why did you not rouse me? Are you unworried about potential dangers when the countdown concludes, or do you intend to confront this peril by yourself?"

Lin Xian found himself momentarily speechless before responding, "I was just about to awaken everyone."

"Is that so?" KIKI's gaze was laced with skepticism as she regarded Lin Xian. "Have you devised a solution to this predicament?"

"Not yet."

Lin Xian stated, "Let's awaken everyone first. I've considered this thoroughly; this countdown is unequivocally not a favorable sign. Before the situation is clarified, I must separate myself from the Infinity, but..."