Chapter 158 48: Surfacing (4k)
“According to Japanese intelligence, this possible extraordinary creature has a shape similar to echinoderms and cephalopods such as starfish and octopuses, and is nearly 100 meters long. Due to its size, it is likely to have the ability to absorb radiation.”
“Our mission is to assist the USS Carney and the USS Silver Star research ship in placing seabed monitoring equipment near Bini Atoll to ensure the safety of this operation. Completed, and troubleshoot abnormalities in a timely manner. "
"According to the plan, we will stay at the nearby Kwajalein base for one night and officially start work tomorrow."
Mar Islands, The waters near the Kwajalein base.
Mason repeated the details of the mission to his subordinates, focusing more on Carlos.
Compared to Jamie, Chaofan seems taciturn, but he is very nice, even a little too nice.
What’s more important is that every time you communicate with him, you will subconsciously trust his words, and you need to go through a twist in your brain to react, which is a bit scary.
Perhaps he was also aware of this situation, so Carlos tried his best to remain silent.
“After a joint investigation of this incident, it is believed that the possibility of it being an extraordinary creature is very high. In short, remain vigilant, amplify your suspicions, and protect the scientific expedition personnel on the ship.”
"Understood!"
The scientific research ship docked, and the destroyer had another mission assigned by the military. It would set off with them tomorrow morning.
After getting off the boat, Carlos breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't like staying on the boat and felt very uneasy.
"Hello, Colonel Dylan, thank you for welcoming you."
Mason greeted the person who came to greet him. The person was very enthusiastic and the arrangements were very orderly, but he seemed... It smells fishy.
But this is not surprising. Sea Breeze already has a salty smell, and a guy in his team who doesn't like to take a bath already smells like salted fish.
"You are here just in time. We are almost having dinner. The fish here is very special. I strongly recommend you to try it."
Colonel Dilan smiled broadly and immediately said I want to welcome them to the cafeteria.
"No, thank you for your enthusiasm. In order to maintain the mission status, all of us must eat dry food rations."
This is their mission requirement. Although Mason is not old-fashioned, he will not Feel free to make exceptions.
Dylan's eyes changed slightly, and he seemed a little unhappy, but he still tried his best to maintain a smile on his face, and invited them to visit the canteen. Even if they didn't eat, it would be great to see how they enjoyed the delicious food.
Mason did not continue to refuse, and asked his deputy to settle the luggage of the scientists first, while he chatted with them for a while to understand the situation of the base.
America has built several bases here in the Mare Islands, mainly for conducting missile weapon experiments and monitoring other forces. The total number of them is only about a few thousand people. The biggest trouble is usually encountering The weather is extreme, but overall it is a very peaceful place. The largest town nearby only has a population of tens of thousands, and generally does not encounter any conflicts.
Mason can imagine how life here can be seen at a glance. Among the tens of thousands of people, he suspects that these energetic soldiers have also contributed a lot.
While they were communicating, Carlos looked around alone. He had very good eyesight, and vaguely seemed to see someone in the building looking at them.
This situation may be normal, but the sight made him a little uncomfortable.
When the team members came back with the scientists who had arranged their belongings and saluted, Colonel Dilan couldn't wait to take them to the base cafeteria.
“Come on, come on, as long as you eat a slice, you will never refuse this delicious food in the world.”
When we arrived at the cafeteria, at Colonel Dylan’s signal, the chef had a look on his face. A plate of sashimi was laid out hospitably.
The fish meat on top is pink, and the pieces are stacked on top of each other, trying to maintain the original appearance of the fish.
What's strange is that the meat is in pieces, but the fish's head is still opening and closing to breathe, and the fish's eyes seem to be staring directly at Mason, who is walking in front.
The moment the fish was served, the surrounding eyes immediately changed. The local soldiers kept swallowing their saliva and stared at the plate of sashimi, as if they would not be able to bear it in the next second. Just pounce on it and feast.
Do so many people eat sashimi? Is there no other food?
Very weird. But, I can’t say it’s weird.
Mason was a little confused, always feeling that there was something beyond his cognition.
Those scientists did not have any requirement to eat dry food. Under the excited persuasion of the other party, one of them hesitantly extended his hand and wanted to take a bite.
Colonel Dylan’s smile almost reached his ears.
They all have bright smiles and eyes like crescent moons.
“Wait a minute.”
Carlos spoke.
Those people's eyes turned to him one after another, their eyes were like fish, unblinking.
"Our stomach and intestines are not very good. For tomorrow's work, we can't eat raw fish."
[Saint] played its role. The scientist nodded in approval and put the sashimi down. .
Now it was the soldiers' turn to have indescribably weird expressions on their faces.
What he said makes sense. We should wait a little longer.
Mason suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Looking at the plate of fish and the people, he finally realized something was wrong.
Looking at each other, Carlos suppressed his uneasiness and tried his best to maintain his previous state, expressing his hope to go back to his room to rest as soon as possible.
"Kevin, take the guests around and introduce the facilities on the island."
Dylan was very disappointed when he saw that they did not eat, so he casually arranged for a soldier to receive them. .
After saying that, he stretched out his hand, grabbed a handful of fish fillets, stuffed them into his mouth and chewed them without any politeness.
Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth, but he looked intoxicated.
But the intoxicated look made the facial features extremely distorted, as if there was a unique face hidden under the human skin.
Kevin came out and took them out of the cafeteria.
The moment they stepped out of the canteen, there was complete chaos behind them. Everyone was grabbing food, but Kevin's expression did not change at all. It seemed that this was a common thing everywhere.
Mason made some observations and determined that only Carlos and himself noticed the strangeness, and no one else noticed anything was wrong.
"Is it cognitive interference?"
Mason felt a little tricky. Something was definitely affecting this place. Only someone as extraordinary as Carlos could block the influence and wake himself up.
“We don’t actually need to go anywhere, and there are still things left on the boat, right Kevin? Please thank Colonel Dylan for your warm hospitality. Let us arrange the rest by ourselves. Okay.”
Mason said casually to Kevin as if chatting.
Kevin glanced at the sunset and smiled with a smile that seemed to be modeled on Colonel Dylan: "Chief Mason, there may be some movement on the island at night, but it is normal, don't pay attention to it. That’s it, have a nice night.”
Mason nodded: "Well, I will let them stay in their rooms at night, thank you."
Hearing this, Kevin said nothing more, maintained the smile, and slowly walked back to canteen.
Finally there were no outsiders around. Mason breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his voice: "Carlos, do you see anything?"
"They are strange and cannot be trusted. Besides, that fish It's also weird." Carlos's voice was a little hoarse, a sequelae of swallowing aliens before.
After hearing the exchange between Carlos and Mason, the group realized belatedly that they had just experienced a weird scene, and some discussions arose.
"Let's go back to the ship first." Mason took out the satellite phone and planned to contact the crew members who stayed on the ship.
The phone was called, but as time passed, no one picked up the phone.
Mason's heart sank. Without those crew members, few of them would be able to drive this kind of ship. If they insist on moving, they will definitely be able to move, but it is prone to various accidents.
He could only continue to call for help from the Carney and the nearest military base, and then report the strange situation happening here to his superiors.
The group of people quickened their pace and returned to the boat. As expected, no one was left inside, and there were no traces of blood or struggle left on the ground. It was no different from when they got off the boat.
The surveillance inside the ship had been damaged. He even suspected that the ship's power system had also been damaged, and immediately asked his men to investigate.
"Captain, after checking, the ship can no longer be started." After a while, the subordinate came back to report with an ugly face.
Sure enough, Mason was not too disappointed.
However, this can basically confirm that the people on the island - at least Colonel Dylan, have bad intentions towards them, and are definitely influenced by unknown supernatural powers.
This method has not been seen in extraordinary materials yet.
He didn't know if Dilan's gang had been saved, but he wouldn't risk looking for them again.
Putting away the ladder connecting to the dock, Mason began to assign tasks.
"Everyone, I believe you have reacted. Now, we have encountered some unknown situations. If anyone still thinks that everything is normal, tell us, it is because your perception has been tampered with. It seems that we Everyone has woken up. Next, we need to use the Silver Star as a stronghold to defend against possible battles. I have already sent a request for help to the Carney and nearby bases. As long as we persist for thirty minutes, they will be able to arrive. Arrive!"
"Now, check the weapons on hand and stay awake at all times. Carlos, please repeat these words of mine: 'Don't believe the fish' 'Don't eat the fish' 'Don't Take someone else's word for it but "stay awake"
Carlos understood that he wanted to use his convincing abilities to combat possible cognitive tampering.
So he faced everyone and said those few words loudly in a hoarse voice.
Mason said some more words of encouragement to everyone, and then began to check the weapons on hand.
Because this Bini Atoll survey operation is equipped with destroyers and base support, they basically have some light weapons on hand.
Now considering that there are at least a thousand people on this island, if all of them are controlled, Mason doesn't know if their team can withstand it.
He looked at Carlos beside him and sighed.
"Carlos, if the situation is irreversible, try your best to protect yourself. Remember not to lose your watch. It has a position on it. The director will definitely send someone over as soon as possible."
Carlos shook his head, his voice hoarse and firm: "I will try my best to protect you."
The sun gradually sets in the west, and when the last ray of light disappears on the sea level, this small atoll seems to have something. Normally activated.
The atmosphere suddenly became gloomy, and the strong fishy smell seemed to be strengthening their nasal cavities, making people sick.
Time passed little by little, but the support signal failed to come back. Just when Mason was about to urge him again, the satellite phone rang early.
There was silence on the other side.
As he had an increasingly bad premonition, the other person finally spoke.
“Why don’t you eat fish?”
“Obviously, it’s so delicious.”
Toot toot.
"The Carney is manipulated"
The threat from the other party is greater than Mason expected.
The Carney, which had been separated from them for only about an hour, was actually already under control. He suspected that these bases in the Mare Islands were completely untrustworthy.
So my request for help just now was just a warning.
Dial Director Edgar again and inform him of your suspicions and current situation.
"You are saying that the bases in the Mare Islands may have been controlled by an unknown force, and that our soldiers have become the puppets of the other party?"
White Palace.
The commander took the phone and repeated Edgar's words carefully.
“Yes, that is the case, and there may be extraordinary creatures near the Mare Islands itself. Of course, all this needs further confirmation from the military.”
"I will wait for confirmation from the military. There are not only soldiers there, but also family members and military contractors. If your intelligence is confirmed, I will find a way to rescue Carlos."
Hang up the phone, Commander-in-Chief He put his hand on his chin and frowned.
After a while, a call came in.
"Are you sure?"
". Yes, they leaked a flaw, their language logic is a bit weird, and they rejected our tentative order. Therefore, we initially agree that it is not a bureau investigation. Opinion. They are all manipulated, and we are currently locking down weapon systems that are capable of locking, but are not completely safe.”
"Where is the nearest aircraft carrier battle group?"
Thud, tug, tug!
The Silver Star scientific research ship, the muzzle fireworks are like flickering candlelight on the ship.
If it is extinguished, there may be darkness where no light can be seen.
Between the obstacles on the ship's hull, figures that were too agile to look like humans appeared everywhere, gradually forcing Mason's action team back bit by bit.
Feng——
A flare was struck by Mason into the dark night. Under the light, the deck of the ship suddenly seemed like day.
At this time, they finally saw the faces of those "people" clearly.
A pair of dull fish-eye eyes, blue-black skin, big fish lips, and scattered scales on the body.
Carlos' weapons are two iron rods. No fish head can withstand one of the rods without breaking into pieces. With two rods in hand, no one can defeat him, and his brains will be spilled out one after another.
But these fish were not fools. Slowly, some more agile and powerful fish-men took the initiative to find him, making it difficult for him to get away for a while.
He doesn't really want to use alienation yet. This ability is very difficult to control, and he will overuse it if he is not careful.
What he needs to do now is to delay as much time as possible.
"As long as you are strong and join us, I can let them go."
A fish-man covered in black robes appeared in front of Carlos, and beside him, there were several obviously more advanced ones. of murlocs as guards.
call out!
In response to the flying stick, the fishman turned his head slightly to avoid it, but it still scratched his black robe, exposing his "perfect fish face" to Carlos's gaze.
Kay touched the healing wound on his face, and then stretched out his blood-stained hand. Kevin on the side immediately licked and sucked it greedily.
“Let me see, how does the so-called extraordinary compare to me?”
(End of this chapter)