Strange Symbols

Rakien continued to read through the files, his voice becoming heavy,

"The problem is that these genetically modified seeds have been altered to be toxic and unable to reproduce naturally. Moreover, they leave behind residual pesticides and chemical components that cannot be removed during cultivation. According to long-term animal experiments spanning 20 years, animals that consume this food eventually suffer from liver and kidney failure and die. What's worse, this process is very slow; it takes decades for the toxins to accumulate to a threshold level before diseases begin to manifest. This makes the plan very secretive and difficult for consumers to detect."

Oren's face turned even paler as he quickly flipped through more files, wanting to confirm the progress of this plan. He discovered that many countries had been widely cultivating these genetically modified crops for years. Although some conscientious scientists had spoken out against it, the plan continued smoothly—most of the target countries' grain experts had been economically bribed, and opposition voices were selectively suppressed, allowing the policy to be implemented very smoothly.

"God, hundreds of millions of people have been eating this toxic food for years without knowing it," Rakien involuntarily clenched his fists, feeling an uncontrollable anger.

Oren felt a chill run up his spine, "This is exactly the same as the virus vaccine plan, both reducing the population in a concealed way. In this way, they don't even need to wage war; they just wait for decades until the population of these countries gradually dies off and becomes weak."

"What can we do? Compared to the strength of these countries, we are too weak," Rakien murmured.

"Find an opportunity to make this information public! People have the right to know about this!" Old Kahn said.

Suddenly, an encrypted email popped up on the screen. The email was from Chris, a backup of a newly decrypted email, which repeatedly mentioned a strange location—"Area 85."

"Area 85? Where is this?" Rakien asked in confusion, and everyone looked at each other.

Oren frowned, trying to recall if he had ever heard of this place, but it was clear that the area was heavily hidden, and he had never been there. However, at this moment, Young Kahn looked up, pointing to a corner of the file, "Wait a minute, this symbol... I think I've seen it somewhere before."

Everyone leaned in to take a closer look and zoomed in, and the symbol in the bottom right corner of the file gradually became clear. It looked like the outline of a spaceship, with several strange symbols next to it, like some unknown language. Oren suddenly had a flash of insight, and he slapped his thigh, "I've seen this symbol too! There seems to be the same mark on a building in Ostora Square."

Rakien and Old Kahn immediately sat up straight, looking at each other, "What is that place?"

"I passed by there before, and I found it strange. That building is out of place with the surrounding architecture, with no windows or any signs, the only thing that catches the eye is that strange symbol on the roof," Oren said.

"We have to check it out," Rakien's eyes were bright.

Early the next morning, before dawn, Rakien and Young Kahn drove to Ostora Square. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, Oren and Old Kahn stayed at home, waiting for their investigation results.

On the way, Rakien silently recalled the discussion from last night, what is the connection between the mysterious Area 85 and this building? What is the link between the genetically modified food plan and this building? What secrets does this building hold?

"We're here," Young Kahn whispered, slowly stopping the car, with Ostora Square faintly visible through the morning mist.

As they approached the square, their vision gradually cleared. A black high-rise building stood towering in the center of the square, completely different from the surrounding buildings. The building had no windows, and its exterior was entirely covered by a black glass curtain wall, giving an inexplicable sense of oppression.

"It's a creepy building," Rakien looked around and noticed that there were few people on the square, as if few people paid attention to the strangeness of this building.

The two cautiously approached the building, walking around the exterior wall but found no entrance or sign. The building's surface was smooth as a mirror, the black glass reflecting everything on the square, making one feel that it hid endless secrets.

"This building doesn't seem to have any doors or windows, how do people get in and out?" Young Kahn frowned, trying to find an entrance, but no matter how he looked, he couldn't find any door.

"Maybe the entrance isn't on the ground."

"Or maybe there's no one inside at all?"

Rakien looked up, trying to see the top of the building through the thick clouds. But from the ground, the building seemed to reach into the clouds, as if there was no end in sight.

"Should we get closer?" Young Kahn asked tentatively.

"Let's not act rashly," Rakien whispered, feeling a sense of unease. What they were facing now might be much more complex than they imagined.

Just as they were about to return to the car, a low humming sound suddenly came from the depths of the building, like some machine starting up. The two immediately stopped in their tracks, staring intently at the building.

"Did you hear that?" Young Kahn asked in a low voice, filled with doubt and tension.

"Yes, I heard it," Rakien's voice became even deeper, feeling as if he had touched something unknown.

Young Kahn and Rakien climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, took out a telescope, and quietly observed the eerie high-rise.

The black high-rise building had no lights at all, appearing very conspicuous, like a black giant in the city. However, Rakien keenly noticed that although the exterior seemed lifeless, there was a faint red glow flickering in some corners of the rooftop. Kahn also noticed this detail: "That's a mechanical device; the whole building is probably automated, with no one inside."

They continued to observe, becoming more and more convinced that this building was not an ordinary structure, but a hidden mechanical fortress. There was no movement of people in or out, and the surrounding air was so still it was unsettling. The two exchanged glances.

Young Kahn whispered, "We need to use some means to see inside it."

So, Rakien took out the infrared thermal imager he carried with him and scanned the high-rise. The instrument's display showed that the interior of the entire high-rise was unusually hot, indicating that there were many machines operating at high intensity inside. To their surprise, through the thermal imaging of the device, they found that there seemed to be a large hidden space underground, with even higher temperatures.

"The core of this building might be underground," Young Kahn speculated, "and the sound we heard might be coming from some large equipment underground."

Following the line of sight of the telescope, they saw several hidden pipes and exhaust ports scattered around the high-rise, which seemed to be some kind of ventilation device. The exhaust ports were emitting steam, clearly connected to some complex facilities underground.