Chapter 12: The Quantum Labyrinth

When Yan Xiu and the others arrived at the command center, the scene was one of utter chaos. Firefighters were putting out the remaining flames, while medical personnel tended to the wounded.

"Where's Nightcat?" Yan Xiu grabbed a paramedic and demanded.

The paramedic shook his head. "We only found these injured people."

Lin Xia suddenly pointed into the distance. "That's Nightcat's wheelchair!"

They rushed over to find the wheelchair overturned, a pool of blood beside it.

"Look here," Zhang Hao crouched down. "There are drag marks."

Yan Xiu followed the trail and noticed some strange symbols on the ground. He immediately took out his phone and snapped a picture.

"These symbols..." Lin Xia frowned. "They look like some kind of code."

Yan Xiu quickly analyzed the photo. "Not a code. Coordinates. Nightcat is leaving us a trail."

Following the symbols' guidance, they arrived at an abandoned building.

"Be careful," Zhang Hao warned. "There could be an ambush."

Yan Xiu nodded, pulling out a specialized detector. It was something they had developed based on Nightcat's designs, capable of detecting mechanical devices.

The detector suddenly beeped, indicating multiple mechanical signals inside the building.

"At least five," Yan Xiu whispered. "All armed."

Lin Xia checked her pistol. "We need a plan."

Yan Xiu studied the building's structure. "We'll go in through the ventilation ducts. Nightcat must have left more clues."

They quietly made their way to the side of the building and found a vent. Yan Xiu carefully opened the cover and crawled inside.

The duct was narrow and dark, the air filled with the smell of metal and oil. Yan Xiu could hear his own breathing echoing through the pipes.

Suddenly, he felt a slight vibration in the duct walls. Something—or someone—was approaching.

"Stop," he whispered through the earpiece.

The vibrations grew closer. Yan Xiu held his breath, gripping his stun gun tightly.

A mechanical spider crawled around the corner, its eight red eyes glowing ominously.

Yan Xiu immediately activated the stun gun, but the spider dodged with surprising agility. It lunged at him, its sharp claws extended.

Yan Xiu barely managed to evade, but his arm was grazed, leaving a bloody gash. He quickly thought of a countermeasure, recalling a trick Nightcat had taught him.

He pulled out his phone and rapidly entered a string of code. The screen began to flicker, emitting a specific frequency.

The mechanical spider's movements slowed. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Xiu struck its core with the stun gun.

"One down," he panted. "But there could be more."

They continued forward, finally reaching another vent. Through the grate, they saw the scene below.

Nightcat was tied to a chair, surrounded by five fully armed mechanical guards. A masked figure was interrogating her.

"Tell me the core code of the ultimate algorithm," the masked man said. "Or else..."

He pressed a button, and Nightcat convulsed in pain.

Yan Xiu clenched his fists. He recognized that mask—it was Q.

"We have to save her," Lin Xia whispered.

Zhang Hao nodded. "But five mechanical guards? We're outmatched."

Yan Xiu carefully observed the room's layout and noticed a fire sprinkler system on the ceiling.

"I have an idea," he whispered. "But I'll need your help."

He quickly explained the plan. Lin Xia and Zhang Hao nodded, splitting up to execute their roles.

Yan Xiu pulled out a small device—a quantum disruptor Nightcat had given him earlier. He adjusted its parameters and dropped it through the vent.

The device landed with a clink. The mechanical guards immediately turned to investigate.

Now!

Lin Xia and Zhang Hao burst in from both sides, opening fire. The guards returned fire, but their movements suddenly slowed—the quantum disruptor was working.

Yan Xiu seized the moment, jumping down and rushing toward Nightcat. But Q had already raised his gun.

"Don't move," Q said coldly. "Or I'll—"

Before he could finish, the fire sprinkler system activated, drenching the room in water.

Q's electronic devices short-circuited, and he collapsed in agony. Yan Xiu took the opportunity to free Nightcat.

"Are you okay?" he asked urgently.

Nightcat nodded weakly. "Be careful... he still has..."

Suddenly, Q's body began to swell. His mechanical components emitted a piercing noise.

"Self-destruct protocol!" Nightcat exclaimed. "Run!"

Yan Xiu scooped up Nightcat, and they all bolted for the exit. A massive explosion rocked the building behind them, the shockwave knocking them to the ground.

When they got up, the room was in ruins.

"Q?" Lin Xia asked.

Yan Xiu shook his head. "He's probably..."

Nightcat suddenly grabbed his arm. "No, look!"

In the rubble, a broken mechanical arm twitched. Its fingers were scratching a series of symbols into the ground.

Yan Xiu immediately recognized them. "This is... the core code of the ultimate algorithm?"

Nightcat's face turned pale. "No, it's a warning. Q isn't the real mastermind. He's just..."

Before she could finish, she passed out.