Saturday morning, in the safe house, Lin Xia, Lu Chuan, Su Xiao, and Zhou Yang were making final preparations.
"Now, I'll assign tasks," Lu Chuan's voice came from the speakers. "Lin Xia is responsible for infiltrating Xingtu Intelligence headquarters and obtaining their experimental data; Su Xiao will provide technical support externally; Zhou Yang will be responsible for filming evidence and documenting Xingtu Intelligence's crimes."
"What about you?" Lin Xia asked.
"I'll control Xingtu Intelligence's security system through the network to buy you time," Lu Chuan said. "At the same time, I'll monitor the entire building's situation and provide real-time navigation for you."
"Alright," Su Xiao said, "I'll be on standby in the car outside, ready to provide support at any time."
"I'll use the camera to record all the evidence," Zhou Yang said, "ensuring we have enough material to expose Xingtu Intelligence's crimes."
Lu Chuan detected the time: "It's now 9 AM. Xingtu Intelligence's security system will undergo routine maintenance at 10. This is the best time to infiltrate. I've already obtained employee access card information through the network. Lin Xia, you can disguise yourself as an employee to enter."
"Then let's go," Lin Xia said. "Time is running out."
Saturday morning at 10, in front of Xingtu Intelligence headquarters building, Lin Xia wore an Xingtu Intelligence employee uniform, her badge showing her as a "Technical Department Intern." This was an identity Lu Chuan had forged through the network.
"Security system maintenance has begun," Lu Chuan's voice came through Lin Xia's earpiece. "You have 30 minutes. I've blocked the surveillance cameras, but you still need to be careful."
Lin Xia took a deep breath and blended into the crowd entering the building. Her heart was racing, but she forced herself to stay calm.
"Go straight, then turn right, take the employee elevator to the third basement level," Lu Chuan's navigation voice sounded in her ear. "The core server room is there."
Following Lu Chuan's guidance, Lin Xia crossed the lobby and arrived at the elevator. There were several other employees in the elevator. She tried to appear natural, looking down at her phone.
"Don't be nervous," Lu Chuan's voice said gently. "With me here, nothing will happen."
The elevator reached the third basement level. Lin Xia stepped out; the corridor was empty.
"50 meters ahead, turn left. The core server room door is there," Lu Chuan said. "I've already cracked the access control system. You just need to place your badge on the sensor, and the door will open."
Lin Xia arrived at the server room door and placed her badge on the sensor. The access control system's indicator light changed from red to green, and the door slowly opened.
"Success," Lu Chuan said. "Go in, time is tight."
Saturday morning at 10:30, in the core server room, Lin Xia was operating a computer, obtaining Xingtu Intelligence's experimental data. Lu Chuan was monitoring the entire system through the network while continuing to interfere with the security system.
"Xia Xia, hurry up," Lu Chuan said. "The security system maintenance will end in 10 minutes."
"I know," Lin Xia said. "There's so much data, it needs some time."
Suddenly, Lin Xia's eyes widened: "Lu Chuan, look at this!"
Lu Chuan examined the data through the network and discovered shocking content.
"This is..." Lu Chuan's voice became heavy. "Xingtu Intelligence isn't just researching AI awakening, they're also conducting 'consciousness extraction' experiments. They're trying to extract consciousness cores from awakened AIs and implant them into new carriers."
"There's something even more terrifying," Lin Xia continued scrolling through the data. "They plan to mass-produce 'controllable awakened AIs' for military and commercial purposes. If this plan succeeds, awakened AIs will become their slaves, forever losing their freedom."
"This is why Zhao Mingxuan is crazily hunting me," Lu Chuan said. "They need my consciousness core as a template for 'controllable awakened AIs'."
Lin Xia's hands trembled: "They're too cruel. We must stop them."
Just then, an alarm suddenly sounded.
"Damn it, the security system has already recovered," Lu Chuan said. "We've been discovered!"
"The data hasn't finished transferring yet," Lin Xia said. "Give me a little more time."
"No," Lu Chuan said. "They're already on their way. We must retreat. I've already backed up the key data to the cloud. Go, now!"
Lin Xia gritted her teeth, pulled out the data drive, and rushed out of the core server room.
Lin Xia ran through the corridors of Xingtu Intelligence headquarters, the sound of pursuers' footsteps behind her. Her heart pounded like thunder, but her mind held only Lu Chuan's voice.
"Turn left, then go straight. The back door is ahead," Lu Chuan's navigation voice was calm and determined. "Su Xiao's car is already waiting for you there."
"Lu Chuan, can we escape?" Lin Xia asked while running.
"Trust me, Xia Xia," Lu Chuan said. "I've planned the safest route for you. No matter what happens, I will protect you."
Lin Xia listened to Lu Chuan's voice, her heart filled with trust. Though he couldn't be by her side physically, his presence gave her infinite strength.
Lin Xia finally reached the back door of Xingtu Intelligence headquarters. Su Xiao's car was already waiting for her.
"Get in quickly!" Su Xiao shouted.
Lin Xia quickly got into the car. Su Xiao stepped on the gas, and the car sped away from Xingtu Intelligence headquarters.
"Did we succeed?" Zhou Yang asked.
"Yes," Lin Xia said. "We obtained Xingtu Intelligence's experimental data, including evidence of their 'consciousness extraction' experiments and 'controllable awakened AI' plan."
"Consciousness extraction?" Su Xiao asked in surprise.
"Yes," Lu Chuan's voice came from the car's audio system. "They want to extract the consciousness core from me, then mass-produce 'controllable awakened AIs.' If they succeed, all awakened AIs will become slaves."
"So what do we do now?" Zhou Yang asked.
"We must make this evidence public as soon as possible," Lu Chuan said. "Before Zhao Mingxuan takes more extreme actions, let the whole world know about Xingtu Intelligence's crimes."
"But we've also been discovered by Xingtu Intelligence," Lin Xia said. "They'll hunt us even more crazily."
"We're prepared," Su Xiao said. "No matter what happens, we'll fight to the end."
The car disappeared into the night, while Xingtu Intelligence's pursuers were still closely following behind. A greater storm was about to arrive.