Chapter 633 - 15: The Transformation Base
"The structures on the first and second basement levels are relatively intact, but because they are adjacent to Chernobyl, the radiation levels far exceed safety standards.
The ventilation and drainage systems there showed no anomalies, leading us to believe that the third basement and the last level were in the same condition.
But we were wrong, terribly wrong."
"Upon entering the third basement level via the elevator shaft, what we saw were isolation rooms seemingly attacked by brown bears, human remains, and deep claw marks on the corridor walls.
I immediately realized that, apart from human experiments, biological experiments had also been conducted.
The horrifying part is that, after so many years, those modified creatures are still not dead, lurking in the third basement and deeper, waiting either to be destroyed by time or for prey to walk right into their lair."
"The reason why the modification base was abandoned remains a mystery to me.
Was it the dissolution of the Soviet Union combined with the Chernobyl nuclear leak that hindered the continuation of the modification plans, or did a major accident occur during the modification process leading to attacks on a large scale, which halted the experiments? Perhaps only the survivors who have experienced all of this would know."
"All I know is that after entering the third level, the soldiers following me began experiencing hallucinations as if they were under mental disruption.
They soon started firing at empty walls, and one even pulled the pin on a grenade.
A pair of twin brothers whom I had watched grow up were blown to pieces on the spot.
Then, the smell of blood attracted the real threat—
A type of rat larger than a rabbit, with long brown fur, gathering in hordes and launching a frenzied attack on us."
"We quickly ran out of bullets and had to retreat while fighting, trying to get back to the elevator shaft.
However, the aged base’s third basement collapsed, blocking the elevator shaft entrance, trapping us within the base.
In desperation, we grabbed various tools scattered around the base as melee weapons to repel the rat swarm. It was hard for those used to firearms to adapt quickly and conserve energy.
Before long, several exhausted soldiers were engulfed by the rat swarm. Their protective suits failed to safeguard them, and we watched as they were devoured by the swarm..."
"But we had no choice; it was either all of us dying or a few surviving. Someone was destined to make a sacrifice.
With the cover of soldiers in front, we managed to clear the concrete blocking the elevator shaft and retreated to the second basement using steel cables.
But the base’s ’curse’ still haunted us.
My closest subordinate, Victor, had his palm cut when using tools to fend off the rat swarm. The toxins remaining on the tools entered his bloodstream.
When we paused for a rest, he silently dissolved within his protective suit, like a puddle of sludge."
"By then, only five of the twenty-person team that entered the base with me remained, myself included.
After such great sacrifice, all I got was a pile of documents left in the third basement.
And the other four survivors soon developed severe aftereffects upon returning to Moscow. Some suffered from mental illness, others were infected by unknown pathogens. Even those who did not die were like walking corpses..."
Recalling the fate of his old comrades, Ivan’s tone grew increasingly somber.
He seemed to have forgotten his purpose for finding Chen Zhou, venting only about how dangerous the inside of the modification base was.
It wasn’t until Chen Zhou impatiently interrupted that Ivan returned to the main point.
For a moment, he seemed to revert to the once calm and deeply calculating oligarch he used to be.
He explained to Chen Zhou.
Due to the high radiation levels on the third basement and unknown forces causing mental interference, ordinary people simply cannot linger there for long.
Even with special protective suits allowing for presence on the third basement, the cumbersome suits would impede combat.
Unless tanks or infantry fighting vehicles could be squeezed down the narrow elevator shaft, facing the frenzied rat swarm and unknown dangers deeper down would be suicide for a regular person.
But based on his physical condition, Ivan judged that the ’enhanced humans’ could surely resist the radiation inside the base and improve agility with lighter suits, indirectly strengthening resistance to danger.
At the same time, the mental interference inside the base had a negligible effect on the ’enhanced humans’. As long as they avoided poisoning, they would not suffer mental issues after leaving the base.
...
Alcohol, a potion of madness for ordinary people, acted like a sedative for the current Ivan, having the opposite effect.
His emotions stabilized under the influence of alcohol, and his speech became increasingly clear.
After detailing the dangers within the base, his gaze no longer lingered on Chen Zhou’s youthful face, seeming a bit hesitant to speak.
"I know, to you I am just an acquaintance, not even what you’d call a friend.
You have no reason to risk your life for this venture, after all, I am the one in pain, the one nearing death.
But I can offer whatever I can as the greatest leverage. If you’re interested, you can listen, then decide whether to refuse."
"I know you’re not short on money, but for someone like you, this country has too many restrictions. Should your secret ever be exposed, having an escape route could be invaluable.
About our family’s rise to power, I believe you’ve gained some insights from my father’s confidential letters.
But that’s merely a fraction of our family’s overall influence.
Since the Soviet Union’s dissolution, there have been several major upheavals within Russia. Relying on the wealth left by my father and the remnants of Unit 10003 in military and political circles, we seized several crucial resources.