Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train Chapter 1233 - 475: Defection (Part 2)

Chu Yan activated a device on her wrist, and a projection gun ascended, casting a holographic screen into the air before the two individuals. The display continuously cycled through names and personal details, causing Lin Xian to adopt a serious demeanor as he observed.

"Cheng Yu, Female, a scientist at the Phoenix Society’s High-Energy Physics Research Institute. Her background includes being a former core member of the European Nuclear Research Center, where she spearheaded the 'Night Owl Plan' for dark matter detection. Upon joining the Phoenix Society, she took charge of analyzing the properties of Star Abyss and was credited with developing the first-generation Dark Energy Shield Coating. She disappeared on Apocalypse Day, August 21."

"Mike Xiao, Male, Commander-in-Chief of the Southeastern North American Defensive Line and Staff Officer for the Phoenix Society’s Mecha Assistance Forces. He led the 'Anger Wave Defensive Line,' successfully repelling the first large-scale surge of Abnormal Bodies for 72 hours post-Apocalypse Day, thereby securing vital time for the North American United Front’s evacuation. He defected with a contingent of 40,000 troops to join the Descent Faction on Apocalypse Day, July 19."

"Su Lin, Female, former Chair of the Original Federation Ethics Committee, a sociologist, and philosopher. She founded the Post-Apocalyptic Ethics School after Apocalypse Day and authored 'The Human Anchor Point in a Dying Civilization,' which established the groundwork for the Superpower User Human Rights Act. She presided over the creation of the 'Superpower User Wartime Ethics Convention' and actively campaigned against the unethical human experimentation on Superpower Users within the Federation. Civilians affectionately referred to her as the 'Socrates of the Dark Age.' On September 3, she was apprehended by a mysterious unit and later confirmed to have joined the Foundation Organization."

"Du Zhen, Male, Captain of the Ashen Snake convoy. A European Transcendent-level Superpower User, his convoy of 5,300 individuals went missing entirely on August 13..."

As Lin Xian watched the holographic entries scroll by, a sense of solemnity grew within him. It was evident these individuals were no ordinary people; they included renowned scientists, philosophers, military leaders, high-ranking Superpower Users, heads of major convoys or organizations, and even prominent members of the Phoenix Society. The common thread linking them, as documented, was primarily one thing.

Defection! Or perhaps, defection was not the precise term; rather, all these individuals had opted to align themselves with the Descent Faction.

"What happened to these individuals? How did they suddenly..."

"Brainwashing," Chu Yan stated, her gaze fixed on Lin Xian. "The North American United Front and the Phoenix Society’s Nightwalker Unit 1, tasked with safeguarding individuals of significant importance, are currently investigating this phenomenon, which has become increasingly prevalent over the last two months. Our analysis of these individuals' movements has uncovered numerous concealed Descent Faction operations within the Phoenix Society, with some individuals being directly approached."

Lin Xian's brow furrowed. "Did you not foresee the possibility of such direct recruitment beforehand?"

"You are oversimplifying the situation," Chu Yan replied, shaking her head and sighing. "Our investigations reveal that some of these individuals frequented survivor forums, acquired peculiar materials, others experienced mishaps during scientific experiments, and some even engaged in playing a specific game. These appear to be the most innocuous personal activities, yet the outcome invariably remains the same."

"Playing games? What sort of games?"

"It's not precisely a game, more like an AR experience," Chu Yan explained. "Our personnel have recently become involved with it and are actively researching it. They've concluded it wasn't developed by humans; it seems more akin to a... Taboo Item."

Lin Xian's lips tightened. "Civilization Pretense..."

"It appears that what Hua Xiaoling provided you is of the same nature," Chu Yan observed.

Lin Xian shook his head, a look of bewilderment on his face. "But I fail to comprehend. Is recruitment for them so straightforward? I've encountered numerous similar situations before, including with Julius, and even Chen Yanshu of the Holy Revelation spoke of some misguided 'grand unification' ideology. From my perspective, aside from instilling fear and causing people to bury their heads in the sand like ostriches during the apocalypse, the Descent Faction's methods offer no real allure. How did they manage to recruit so many, and such elite individuals at that?"

"Perhaps... the answer lies within that item Hua Xiaoling gave you," Chu Yan said, her expression serious as she looked at Lin Xian. "Currently, the Human Camp is on high alert, and many are unaware of the unfolding events. The Descent Faction must be executing some sort of major operation. Various departments are analyzing the intelligence gathered, and reports from individuals who made contact with Descent operatives have been escalated. Everyone has heard of this 'grand unification' theory, and many have been swayed. Professor Ye has authorized the Nightwalker department to investigate the game, but now, with the Deep Red approaching and this crisis of internal collapse upon us..."

"Is there concern that the Human Camp might disintegrate?"

"Defection isn’t as simple as a few people," Chu Yan explained: "Ordinary people could be overlooked, but these individuals are leaders, thinkers, strong figures within the Human Camp now. Their departure causes everyone to ponder one question: What is the truth? What did the Descent Faction see? Have they truly discovered a way to save the world or prevent Human Civilization’s extinction? If they indeed contacted the Dark Civilization, more people will become restless."

Lin Xian said: "Especially those surrenderists, pacifists?"

"Yes."

Lin Xian pondered a moment, then slowly said: "Hua Xiaoling told me that what’s inside could uncover the truth about the Dark Civilization, perhaps the answer indeed lies within. I’ll thoroughly study it over the next few days, see what sort of bewitching potion the Descent Faction brewed."

Chu Yan remained silent; Lin Xian raised his eyes to her, discovering she was calmly gazing at him, then laughed: "What, are you worried I’ll defect too?"

"Won’t you?"

"Do you think I will?" Lin Xian replied with profoundness: "You know me well, don’t you? You understand all the secrets of my Mechanical Heart."

Chu Yan’s gaze flickered slightly, then she turned her eyes away: "But I don’t understand Hua Xiaoling, don’t grasp what she’s conveying to the public."

She spoke as she raised her head towards Cheng Yu’s information, saying: "She was once Professor Ye’s student, a staunch materialist, her family was all killed by Red Man Gu, including her 12-year-old son. I’ve seen her a few times, she spends each day either in the research lab or Nightwalkers’ database, her team researched how to almost fatalistically resist the dark invasion. Though not very vocal, from her eyes I saw steadfastness and conviction, yet such a person joined the Foundation without warning, the organization that fostered the Deep Red World and created Red Man Gu. This is more terrifying to me than S-Class Abnormal Bodies."

After finishing, Chu Yan was silent for a while, Lin Xian watched her and then said:

"Think positively."

"What?"

Lin Xian said: "If the Dark Civilization needs the Descent Faction to help it ’recruit’, in a way it indicates that the Dark Civilization hasn’t directly destroyed or overtaken Blue Star, or perhaps they want to be more cautious. Regardless of the purpose, that’s actually a good thing, right?"

Chu Yan slightly furrowed her brow, then seeing Lin Xian stand up with a serene smile

"If humans want to crush ants or destroy an anthill, they wouldn’t bother with splitting, supporting reprisal, right?"

Chu Yan paused at the words, Lin Xian’s smile at the moment seemed to hit a certain spot in her heart, immediately, the shadows in her eyes eased somewhat, she looked at Lin Xian, her lips slightly lifted: "With Deep Red upon us and the world about to end, do you still see things this way?"

Lin Xian raised a finger, interrupting: "Deep Red is Deep Red, world destruction is world destruction, the two aren’t causally connected. Blue Star’s been around for billions of years, what hasn’t it witnessed, it’s merely about how we humans save humanity, it’s not the end of the road yet."

Chu Yan looked at him: "What do you plan to do?"

"I’ll soon head to South America to meet up with Dawn Center, I’ve acquired a Taboo Item, supposedly it can traverse Star Abyss, perhaps I can test it in the Deep Red, to get a real understanding of this world-ending scenario. Director Ding at my house has a habit I admire; she says regard life and death lightly, even the most terrifying nightmare can be scientifically explained. We’re not yet at the stage of dimensional reduction strikes."

Chu Yan nodded, looking at Lin Xian: "Then be careful, any issues..."

"Contact you at any time." Lin Xian eyed the house under the cold, dark lamp light, a chill deathly air made him shiver involuntarily, then he told Chu Yan: "Seems like I’m in a much safer situation than you, you’re the one needing caution, you can always contact me with Grace without waiting for me to link with you mentally."

"Oh, right." Before leaving, Lin Xian suddenly said to Chu Yan: "South Heavenly Gate should be used when necessary, the darkness has already made its move, we must..."

"Respond accordingly."