I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 172: The Mountain Fortress

Chapter 172: The Mountain Fortress

Chapter: The Mountain Fortress

Beneath the shadow of an imposing mountain range, a narrow road twisted its way toward an unassuming entrance at the base of one of the peaks.

The air was crisp and still, punctuated only by the low rustle of wind through the surrounding rocky outcrops.

From a distance, the area appeared barren and lifeless, but a closer look revealed a hive of activity.

At the entrance to the mountain, a small contingent of soldiers stood guard, their stances rigid and alert.

Each soldier wore dark green uniforms patterned with camouflage streaks, denoting their status as elite military personnel.

The faint metallic gleam of their automatic rifles caught the dim light as they held their weapons close, scanning their surroundings with practiced precision.

Behind them loomed the mountain itself, a monolith of jagged stone that towered into the sky.

The road led directly into the mountain, disappearing into a concealed tunnel flanked by steel gates.

Surrounding the entrance, stacks of containers and heavy obstacles had been strategically placed, forming a makeshift barrier to deter unauthorized entry.

Some soldiers remained stationed at the entrance, their eyes fixed on the road ahead, while others patrolled the immediate area.

Their boots crunched against the rocky ground as they moved, their heads swiveling methodically to survey every possible angle.

The scene exuded an air of disciplined tension, a place where no detail was overlooked.

The quiet monotony of the patrol was interrupted by the distant hum of an approaching vehicle.

The sound grew louder, echoing faintly against the mountains, until a sleek black car emerged over the horizon.

Its polished surface glinted ominously in the sunlight, and mounted on its roof was a small, unfamiliar device—some form of radar, its purpose unclear.

The soldiers instantly reacted, their postures stiffening as they moved to block the road.

Six of them stepped forward, forming a barrier across the narrow path while the others at the entrance adjusted their grips on their weapons, their eyes narrowing at the approaching car.

The vehicle rolled to a smooth stop a few meters away from the soldiers. Its engine idled quietly, exuding an air of authority rather than menace.

One of the soldiers, a tall man with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward cautiously.

His boots struck the ground with deliberate precision as he approached the driver’s side of the car.

Inside the vehicle sat a lone man. He was impeccably dressed in a black suit that contrasted sharply with the stark white shirt underneath.

A dark tie completed his ensemble, and his eyes were hidden behind sleek, reflective sunglasses.

The man exuded a calm, composed energy, his every movement deliberate as he turned his head slightly to acknowledge the approaching soldier.

The soldier stopped just short of the driver’s window, his weapon held at the ready though not raised.

His voice was firm and authoritative as he addressed the man. "This is a restricted area. You are not allowed to proceed any further."

The man inside the car showed no sign of surprise or irritation. Instead, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket with measured calmness.

The soldier tensed briefly but did not move as the man pulled out a sleek ID card encased in a protective cover.

The soldier leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the card.

The ID bore a prominent government emblem: a rising sun encircled by intricate designs that radiated an aura of official power.

Beneath the emblem, the card displayed a photograph of the man, accompanied by his name and title.

Most strikingly, the words SECRET SERVICE were emblazoned in bold letters across the top of the card.

The soldier’s demeanor changed instantly. Straightening his posture, he snapped to attention and gave the man a crisp salute.

"My apologies, sir," he said, his voice now respectful, almost deferential. "You are cleared to proceed."

The man inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment but said nothing. His silence spoke volumes, a quiet assertion of authority that needed no words.

The soldier stepped back, turning toward his comrades who still stood blocking the road. With a sharp motion, he gestured for them to stand down.

The others hesitated only briefly before falling back to their previous positions, their weapons lowered but their alertness unshaken.

The lead soldier reached up to the communication device strapped to his shoulder.

Pressing a button, he spoke clearly and succinctly into the mic. "Open the entrance. Clearance has been granted."

From his vantage point, the man in the car watched as the steel gates embedded in the mountain began to shift.

With a low, mechanical groan, the heavy doors slid open, revealing a dark, yawning tunnel that led deep into the mountain’s heart.

The soldier stepped aside, signaling for the man to proceed.

Without a word, the car’s engine revved softly, and the sleek vehicle began to roll forward, disappearing into the shadows of the tunnel.

The soldiers returned to their posts, the scene once again quiet but charged with the knowledge that something significant had just passed through their gates.

And with that, the Chapter came to a close, leaving the mountain fortress shrouded in mystery, its purpose known only to those who guarded it.

The dark figure in the black suit sat motionless inside his sleek car, the faint hum of the engine blending seamlessly with the heavy silence around him.

Outside, the large steel gates embedded in the rocky mountainside began to groan open, their mechanical whine echoing faintly through the canyon.

At the entrance, three soldiers remained alert, their dark green uniforms blending into the rugged terrain.

One of them entered a small control post near the gates and began typing commands into a computer.

The sound of clicking keys mixed with the low hum of machinery as the gates opened fully, revealing a dark tunnel leading deep into the mountain.

From his seat, the man in the black suit observed the scene with a calm yet critical gaze.

His gloved hand reached for the gear stick as the gates completed their slow arc. Without hesitation, he restarted the car, the low growl of the engine reverberating as the vehicle rolled forward into the shadows of the mountain.

As the car entered the tunnel, the man noted the stark contrast between the bright, open terrain outside and the enclosed, dimly lit passage within.

The tunnel walls were smooth, carved directly from the mountain’s rock, with no visible seams or cracks.

Overhead, small, evenly spaced lights cast a cool glow, illuminating the path ahead with a clinical precision.

The atmosphere was sterile and unnervingly quiet. There were no other vehicles, no soldiers, no signs of life—just the sound of the car’s tires against the asphalt and the occasional flicker of light overhead.

The man adjusted his sunglasses, his eyes scanning the length of the tunnel. Efficient, he thought. No unnecessary details, no distractions. Everything here serves a purpose.

For several minutes, the car navigated the tunnel’s winding path. The passage stretched deeper into the mountain, its monotony broken only by the faint hum of the overhead lights.

Eventually, a faint glow appeared in the distance, signaling the end of the tunnel.

The car emerged into a large, open space—a vast underground cavern that had been transformed into a secure military facility. The area was bustling with activity.

Soldiers in dark green uniforms patrolled the perimeter, their weapons slung at the ready. Bright floodlights illuminated the cavern, casting long shadows across the ground.

The man brought his car to a halt at a designated spot near the entrance, where another group of soldiers stood waiting.

One of them stepped forward, his boots clicking sharply against the ground as he approached the vehicle.

"Sir," the soldier said, snapping a salute. "Please leave your car here. We will take care of it. Follow us."

The man in the black suit nodded without a word. He reached over to the passenger seat, retrieving a sleek black briefcase.

The case was polished to a mirror shine, its surface reflecting the harsh lighting of the cavern.

Stepping out of the car, the man adjusted his suit and handed the keys to the waiting soldier. Another soldier climbed into the car and drove it toward a nearby parking area.

The man observed the scene, his mind processing every detail. Impressive, he thought.

They’ve managed to construct this in such a short amount of time. The government is far more efficient than I gave them credit for.

The soldier who had addressed him earlier motioned for him to follow. "This way, sir."

The man fell into step behind the soldier, his polished shoes clicking against the smooth concrete floor.

The cavern was alive with movement—soldiers patrolling, technicians working on machinery, and scientists in white lab coats bustling between stations.

They passed rows of advanced equipment and storage crates marked with government seals.

Some scientists carried tubes filled with glowing substances, while others conferred in hushed tones over tablets displaying complex data.

In the center of the cavern stood a massive structure—a room with reinforced steel walls and a single heavy door.

The man’s eyes lingered on the structure as he walked. That must be the heart of this operation, he thought. The central command.

After several minutes, they arrived at a large elevator set into the cavern floor. Unlike a typical enclosed lift, this one was open on all sides, providing a clear view of the cavern’s expanse.

The man stepped onto the elevator platform alongside the soldier.

The soldier reached for a lever mounted on the side of the elevator and pulled it down three times in quick succession.

The platform jolted slightly before beginning its descent, the faint whir of machinery echoing in the open space.

As the elevator descended, the man in the black suit cast his gaze downward. The walls of the shaft were rough, the natural rock of the mountain barely shaped to accommodate the elevator’s path.

The further they descended, the darker and more oppressive the atmosphere became.

"How far down are we going?" the man wondered aloud, his tone calm but curious.

The soldier didn’t respond, his expression stoic as he stared straight ahead.

Eventually, the elevator reached its destination—a massive underground chamber even deeper than the one above.

This area was even more tightly secured, with soldiers stationed at every corner and reinforced steel walls creating segmented rooms and corridors.

The man stepped off the platform, his eyes scanning the scene before him.

Scientists and doctors in pristine white coats moved about the space, some carrying equipment, others discussing readings on their clipboards.

The air was filled with the faint hum of high-tech machinery and the low murmur of voices.

In the center of the chamber stood another large steel structure, even more fortified than the one above.

Its doors were massive, and soldiers flanked them on either side, their postures rigid and unyielding.

The man’s gaze lingered on the structure, taking in the intricate details of its design. "Security is tight," he remarked, his voice laced with a hint of approval.

The soldier leading him didn’t reply, merely gesturing toward the steel structure ahead. "Ranger Logan is waiting for you in the Central Vista," he said curtly.

The man’s expression flickered briefly with annoyance at the soldier’s lack of response to his comment, but he quickly masked it.

Adjusting his grip on the briefcase, he stepped forward, his polished shoes clicking against the floor as he approached the imposing steel doors.

As he walked, he could feel the eyes of the soldiers and scientists around him.

Their gazes lingered on the briefcase in his hand, curiosity and caution evident in their expressions. However, none dared to question him directly.

The man’s thoughts churned as he moved closer to the Central Vista. So this is where it all happens.

Inside the steel-walled structure lay the heart of the government’s secret operation. Whatever awaited him beyond those doors, it was clear that this was the epicenter of something far larger than he had anticipated.

And with that, the Chapter came to a close, leaving the man standing at the threshold of the Central Vista, surrounded by a sea of silent observers and the hum of the hidden facility.