The high brass of the American military, and the senior officials of the US government, were all gathered in a secret chamber for an in-depth discussion, the subject being that group calling themselves warriors from the future, and the man named Chu Xuan.

"I believe everyone is aware that while the possibility of these people originating from the future exists, it is certainly slim. That is why I ordered surveillance to commence two days ago, and the latest monitoring equipment was installed in the rooms of several key individuals. Based on their current reactions, they haven't detected these devices, but precisely because of this, we have discovered the anomaly that is Chu Xuan."

Aslan Roosevelt nodded toward the guards behind him. A guard promptly moved to the wall and pressed a series of buttons. The room instantly dimmed, and a screen materialized on the desk directly in front of the assembled group. The scene currently playing showed Chu Xuan sitting, utterly absorbed, using a computer.

Aslan Roosevelt watched the screen intently and stated, "This man's computer proficiency is extremely high. After he left his room, we sent professionals to examine his machine, but all usage traces had been completely erased. Furthermore, because this computer is connected to the military base’s internal network, the specialist subsequently analyzed it from the inside and discovered... this man was attempting to breach the base’s classified areas. A fissure had already been created in the firewall, and the exact location he intended to enter was where the nuclear launch codes were stored."

At these words, everyone present felt a surge of shock and anger. One dark-suited officer exclaimed loudly, "Then what is the Commander waiting for? Arrest them all immediately and interrogate them to find out who is backing them! Should we tolerate this situation? I always suspected they were lying. What lie is less convincing than claiming to be from the future..." Aslan Roosevelt, however, turned his attention directly to the researchers seated opposite the table. He looked at one of them and said, "Perhaps you should tell us about the few items that Chu Xuan presented. Oh, and that piece of metal..." The researcher appeared older than Aslan Roosevelt, perhaps in his late sixties or early seventies, but still sharp. The elderly man stood up, consulted the data report in his hand, his expression still tinged with fervor: "These small gadgets can be set aside; they are no more advanced than fifty years beyond our current technological level. Of course, they are useful technologies. The crucial element is the metal. I cannot precisely quantify how far beyond our modern technology its level surpasses, but one thing I can guarantee: the standard of this metal exceeds that of the composition materials used in both Autobot and Decepticon robots. In other words, this metal represents a high-tech world that completely surpasses our own!"

"Beyond the metal, there is the spatial technology they are already utilizing. Do you know what that signifies? Mature spatial technology represents a level at least three to five centuries ahead of our current technological standing! This is irrefutable evidence that cannot be faked! Therefore, I maintain that they genuinely hail from a future world! As for the political machinations you deal with, I am ignorant of those matters. I am merely a researcher, solely focused on studying that incredibly wondrous spatial technology!" The old researcher's words caused several politicians to flush with embarrassment. Their strongest evidence against the idea of these people being future warriors was that their weapons couldn't withstand the radiation from the AllSpark, and they seemed unaware of humanity's greatest hope. However, hearing the researcher now, it suggested that this group of future warriors might be sacrifices deliberately sent to this world by a future government—perhaps due to unstable temporal technology, or outright political sacrifice—preventing them from accessing high-level classified information, with the future government likely retaining control of the AllSpark themselves.

If that were the case... Aslan Roosevelt said with slight awkwardness, "Whether it's political maneuvering, it is too early to draw a conclusion. However, certain pieces of information do suggest elements of future warriors, such as high-tech weaponry, spatial technology, and physical conditioning far exceeding normal human capacity. All these factors point toward them being from the future. But simultaneously, they possess numerous inexplicable flaws. In short, we must continue to monitor them closely..."

Before Aslan Roosevelt could finish speaking, the conference room door was violently slammed open, startling everyone into stillness. All eyes inexplicably turned toward the entrance, where several figures in black suits stood. They shouted urgently, "Mr. President, this is terrible! Chu Xuan, whom we were monitoring—from the surveillance feed—he... he has entered the nuclear launch code vault!"

"Impossible!" Aslan Roosevelt shot up in alarm, shouting, "That is impossible! Although the nuclear codes can be input into the base via the black box and transmitted to the missile guidance systems, opening that black box requires a key, and I have the key! How could it possibly be cracked externally?" As he spoke, he retrieved an ordinary silver key from around his neck—this key symbolized the nation's highest authority, the control key for its nuclear arsenal. Despite his words, everyone present broke out in a cold sweat. This was no ordinary technological theft; this involved nuclear weapons, each capable of wiping out a city, especially at this critical juncture of human catastrophe where the launch of a single nuclear weapon could push humanity toward annihilation.

"Quick! Monitor Chu Xuan rigorously! Do not let him contact any other member of his team! Confine him to his room! Cut the network connection to the computer in his room, and if he attempts to leave forcibly... execute him without question!" Aslan Roosevelt barked the orders before abruptly turning and sprinting toward his own quarters without another word.

The black box was a portable computer, unlocked by a key. To launch a nuclear weapon, not only did the President need to use the key to open the computer and generate a passcode, but three other individuals also had to simultaneously confirm that code, transmit it to the missile guidance system, verify the code, and then two senior officers and their deputies had to jointly unlock the security lock before the missile could be launched. The entire process hinged on the key to the black box, which was the ultimate symbol of state power. And now, this symbol of authority had seemingly been stolen! It was utterly unbelievable.

"How could this be! The key is right here with me! How could it have been stolen!" Aslan Roosevelt muttered under his breath, sweat chilling his body as he walked toward his room. Even though Chu Xuan seemed to have acquired the nuclear codes, he refused to believe it. He needed to personally confirm the security of his black box, or confirm that Chu Xuan had indeed stolen it; either outcome would grant him some measure of peace.

Guarded by several sentries outside, Aslan Roosevelt charged directly into his room, locking the door tightly behind him. He moved silently to the wall and pressed a specific sequence of codes. Once the sequence was complete, the wall slid open, slowly revealing a rack holding a black box. With a trembling hand, Aslan Roosevelt removed the key from around his neck and carefully inserted it into the keyhole on the front of the black box. After turning it a few times in either direction, the entire black box sprang open, revealing a compact black computer nestled inside. The moment the box opened, the small computer illuminated.

Aslan Roosevelt took several deep breaths and nervously keyed in dozens of numerical passwords. A series of menus appeared on the black computer screen, but the entry displaying the new passcode read only 'zero.'

"Hah... No, the code wasn't stolen, I was so scared..." Aslan Roosevelt gasped for air, wiping sweat from his brow, feeling almost on the verge of collapse. Just then, a telephone rang, making him jump violently. He then angrily pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

"Mr. President, they have re-checked the entire internal network; there are no traces of unauthorized entry. The nuclear code sector is completely secure; the firewall shows nothing—the monitoring division's intelligence was flawed!" Aslan Roosevelt breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood. Lift the surveillance on Chu Xuan; he is no longer a suspect..."

As Aslan Roosevelt ended the call, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, plunging him into a state of detached confusion. From the shadow of a corner, a small girl emerged—this was Zhao Yingkong. She quietly stepped past Aslan Roosevelt and walked directly to the small black computer. She inserted a small optical disc into the portable computer's drive. A stream of data immediately flooded the screen. After about ten seconds, the entire screen returned to its original state, and Zhao Yingkong carefully retrieved the disc.

"Chu Xuan, delivery complete. I will remain concealed until the next guard rotation," Zhao Yingkong murmured in her consciousness. Simultaneously, Chu Xuan's voice echoed in her mind: "Good work. The nuclear launch codes are secured. Zhan Lan, release his mental control now, and erase this sequence of memory..."

Thus, the US nuclear launch codes had been pilfered by Chu Xuan. Those who watched the entire theft unfold reacted differently: Zheng Zha was filled with immense admiration, while Xiao Honglv merely sneered dismissively, even though he privately acknowledged the brilliance of Chu Xuan's maneuver. Cracking the firewall externally might be extremely difficult, but obtaining access and issuing commands from within? Xiao Honglv admitted he might not have conceived of such a stratagem himself... Next, four days after Luo Gandao departed, he located the Decepticon gathering point. However, the sheer number of Decepticon robots far exceeded everyone's previous estimations... Jump to