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The top of Blood Mountain.
The beast king in a white robe stared at the foot of the mountain, and the corners of his mouth gradually turned up into a faint smile.
No unexpected results.
These old things have been corrupted for too long.
They hold the relics of the Prosperity Era and are immersed in the dreams weaved by the relics of the old civilization, but they forget that this is not a pre-war period of peaceful singing and dancing, but a wasteland where hair grows and drinks blood.
As long as they completely abandon their bottom line and illusions, and give up everything that is disposable, even if they face the encirclement and suppression of the decadent old civilization, the young people will still be able to fight.
The Alliance is a problem, but that's all.
They have not given up enough, and they are not brave enough.
At least not as good as my non-human self.
At this moment, a low voice came into his sea of consciousness, like a hum coming from the depths of the earth.
"The men retreated."
The Beast King nodded and responded in a very soft voice.
"I saw it."
"They took away the information in the cave. I'm afraid my existence will be exposed." There was a trace of hesitation in the dull voice, as if he was worried about something.
The Beast King raised his eyebrows slightly with interest.
"Are you scared?"
"No," the voice paused for a while, then said slowly, "but I smell a nasty smell."
"'That guy' is getting closer and closer to us."
…
At 12 noon, Task Force Alpha issued a retreat order and withdrew the two squadrons fighting on Blood Mountain.
The college invested 300 individual drones successively, but in the end only 100 were withdrawn. The 200 Alpha Task Force members suffered even more heavy losses, and only less than half of them were withdrawn.
And even those who were withdrawn were mostly severely infected.
These wounded were placed in the Second Frontline Hospital and were observed and treated by the medical team from the Alliance Biological Research Institute and the Science and Technology Committee.
The composition of toxic substances and how they break through the individual three-defense system of Task Force Alpha also require further investigation and research.
Although both the high command of the coalition forces and the armies outside the academy had already anticipated the outcome of this initial offensive, the academy's performance in actual combat still exceeded everyone's expectations.
how to say?
It feels like the thunder is loud and the rain is small.
"It seems that the guys in the north are just like that."
General Babita from the Empire looked at the Alpha Task Force withdrew from the front line with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
He suddenly felt that he was okay again.
Not long ago, Duke Galawa, who was stationed in Dawn City, expressed dissatisfaction with their inaction on the front line and urged them to focus more on the battlefield.
Maybe they should do something to save some face for His Majesty the Emperor.
It was not just the imperial officers who were shocked by the academy's performance, but also General Liam, who had just changed his view of those guys.
Unexpectedly, these guys performed a flashy operation, but in the end they were beaten into disgrace by the opponent and fled from the front line.
"...Maybe I should reconsider my evaluation of these guys."
Liam, who was sitting in the bridge of the airship with his legs crossed on his knees, had an intriguing expression on his face, tore open an ice cream cone and stuffed it into his mouth.
Of course, another possibility is not ruled out.
These slugs in the swamp are deliberately showing weakness to show that they are harmless to humans and animals so that they can find opportunities to fish in troubled waters.
After all, no one except themselves knows what their true intentions are.
In fact, Liam thought too much about deliberately showing weakness.
Even the academy itself was furious with such a result.
For this battle, they made full and careful preparations, but they lost to a group of primitive people who fought with stones and sticks——
At least that's how it seems to Yang Kai.
"How did you do it? Even with the strongest equipment, you couldn't defeat a group of mutants?"
After a rare scientific research ship landed at the Weifu military base, Yang Kai found the leader of the Alpha Mobile Task Force and said in a scolding voice.
"Sorry to disappoint you."
The guy named Alpha Zero lowered his head and looked like he was seriously reflecting on his mistakes. However, Yang Kai could not sense any sincerity in reflecting on his mistakes.
Shaking his head, Yang Kai knew that scolding him would be in vain, so in the end he did not embarrass this guy anymore and waved his hand to send him away.
After reprimanding the commander who formulated the combat plan, he immediately found Chu Guang, who was inspecting the Second Hospital of Weifu Military Base, and briefly described the situation encountered by Task Force Alpha during the operation.
"...There is something wrong with the mutants on Shifeng Mountain. They have shown characteristics in evolution that we have never seen before. Not only that, but based on the extraction of on-site samples by frontline troops, we suspect that there are hidden things hidden deep in the Blood Mountain.
A mother's nest."
After listening to Yang Kai's statement, Chu Guang nodded.
"We thought so too."
Yang Kai was stunned when he heard this and stared at him suspiciously.
"How did you know?"
Chu Guang: "Guess."
Yang Kai: "..."
Looking at Yang Kai who was speechless, Chu Guang coughed lightly and continued.
"...These trivial issues are not the focus. The key is how we deal with this problem now."
Yang Kai's expression gradually became serious.
"What's your opinion?"
"My opinion is...to wait for the expert opinion."
As he said that, Chu Guang turned his attention to the isolation ward with a closed door.
The members of Task Force Alpha who had withdrawn from the front line were all lying there. Some of them had woken up, but many of them had not yet woken up. Hea was currently inside to understand the situation, and I believe the results would come after a while.
At the same time, Hea, who was standing in the ward, had a solemn expression on his face, staring at the tablet in his hand.
This is an organic protein molecule that she has never seen before. It is like a virus, but smaller than known viruses, even less than 7 nanometers, and the average individual size is about 5 nanometers.
And that's not even the most surprising thing.
The most incredible thing is that in addition to the RNA that stores genetic information, there is also a highly folded knob-like macromolecular structure inside this "unnamed substance", which can store mechanical potential energy like clockwork and slowly rotate it.
It is released to the tail.
At the tail of the substance, there are at least four protein chains with special shapes. Like the flagella of protozoa, they can make simple mechanical movements driven by the "clockwork", thus pushing the substance slowly from high concentration to high concentration.
Areas spread to low concentration areas!
To make an inappropriate but vivid metaphor, this thing is just like a nano-scale missile! It usually resides in spores, and one spore can carry 3 to 7 of these things. After the spores rupture actively or passively, they
will release it.
The internal RNA is its "warhead", the folded macromolecule protein is its engine, and the tail protein chain is its "propeller".
In addition to adhering to particles and drifting, it can also complete the "migration" from particle A to particle B through active means.
This characteristic is most likely the most direct reason why the substance can break through the gas masks of Task Force Alpha.
After all, as we all know, gas masks containing activated carbon and other substances mainly use the electrostatic adsorption effect to filter "tiny particles carrying harmful substances", so it does not mean that the smaller the particles, the more difficult it is to filter them.
According to experimental statistics, 0.3 micron particles are the most difficult to filter, so "filtration efficiency for 0.3 micron particles" is often used as a measure of filtration effect. For example, N95 means "filtration efficiency for 0.3 micron particles."
The efficiency reaches more than 95%."
Although the "diameter of 5nm" itself is not enough for the substance to penetrate the gas mask, it would be bad if it is added that "it can rely on endogenous power to complete free migration".
According to clinical experiments, these substances leave a channel of debris between the pores of the gas mask.
They seem to be able to calculate the shortest path from entrance to exit, like slime molds searching for food in a petri dish.
But the strange thing is that although this thing is very similar to a virus in shape, it is completely different from most viruses in terms of its offensive strategy against the host.
After a general virus injects nucleic acid into a host cell, it usually uses the host cell's materials to first synthesize the replicase and some inhibitory proteins necessary for its own replication, and then synthesizes the nucleic acid and structural proteins of the progeny virus. The final result is usually that the host's body is
The cells are completely drained, and then a group of disciples and disciples go to harm the next target.
However, these special substances write their own genetic material into the genetic material of the host cell through a series of operations, just like the HIV virus.
However, their purpose of doing this is not to replicate themselves, but to assimilate the host and completely transform the host's cells into another appearance.
As for the specific transformation, it is a completely random event.
There are currently 97 cases under observation, of which 17 have died, 10 have superior immune levels and are not affected, and the remaining 70 affected cases have different symptoms, and even the locations of the lesions are different.
For example, some nervous system activity suddenly increased by 200%, while some people's minds have degenerated to the level of infants. Some people have grown a finger from their shoulders - but this kind of problem is easier to solve, just amputation.
alright.
As for more stubborn tissue hyperplasia, such as an amputated limb that grows back again, or simply a serious disease in the original limb, other medical methods will have to be used.
Not only the researchers from the alliance were amazed at this situation, but also the researchers from the Cloud Province, who all had the same surprise on their faces and whispered to other researchers beside them.
"incredible……"
"It is completely composed of proteins and nucleic acids, but it also shows the characteristics of life activities... Can this thing be regarded as a virus?"
"I don't recommend using this name...I have never seen a virus that can show the characteristics of life without the help of living cells. Misleading naming will interfere with subjective perceptions in our research."
"Whether that kind of movement can be regarded as a life activity is still controversial, but I agree with your statement. Alpha protozoa... what is the name?"
"……I have no opinion."
"Agree."
This thing was brought back by the Alpha Task Force, so there's nothing wrong with naming it after their code name.
…
After the short discussion, the clinical analysis report was finally taken out of the laboratory.
Heya handed the report to Chu Guang, who was waiting at the door of the laboratory, and briefly described the contents of the report in terms he could understand.
"...To sum up, it is currently known that the Alpha protozoa has high penetrability and can tamper with the genetic material of the infected person. According to the calculation results, at least the physical attribute must reach at least 20 points to be completely exempt from infection."
"Twenty points of constitution?" Yang Kai, standing next to Chu Guang, frowned and asked in confusion, "What is that?"
Without answering the question directly, Heya turned his gaze to Chu Guang, asking him if he wanted to disclose it.
There is nothing to hide about this kind of thing.
Chu Guang said concisely and concisely.
"It is the alliance's physical examination indicator. We set the baseline value of various body functions to 5.20 points. Physical fitness means approximately 4 times the baseline metabolism and immune system work efficiency... By the way, this is not a very rigorous indicator.
For reference only."
However, 20 points of constitution can completely exempt you from the influence of Alpha Protozoa...
To be honest, the offensive ability of this thing is a bit weak.
In addition, the physical fitness of mutants obviously exceeds 20 points. The physical fitness of those guys starts at level 20 or 30, so they will not be affected even if they are soaked in the environment of Alpha Protozoa. However, there are still a large number of mutant mutations in Blood Mountain.
These mutants have extremely strong combat effectiveness and resilience. It is probably the Torch that helped them find other ways to evolve stably.
For example, take a big mouthful of soup soaked in protozoa or something like that.
After listening to Chu Guang's explanation, Yang Kai probably understood what 20 points of physical fitness meant, and nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
Most of Task Force Alpha are ordinary people. As far as he knows, although those guys are equipped with some prosthetics, they have not strengthened their immune systems in any unnecessary way.
Realizing this, his expression couldn't help but change slightly.
Good guy...
Isn’t this a case of being beaten to death?!
Not knowing what Yang Kai was thinking, Heya continued when he saw that the two of them had no doubts.
"In addition, we speculate that the origin of Alpha protozoa is the product of the mutant slime mold mother nest. It is not yet sure whether their actions are controlled by the mother nest consciousness... but I personally prefer to believe that they are the same as the spores
It is more of unconscious diffusion, and actions on a macro level are not affected by unified consciousness.”
After a pause, she continued.
"In order to facilitate research, we plan to name the suspected brood in the Blood Mountain as the Alpha brood, and merge the Alpha protozoa project with it for research."
"It's up to you, whatever is convenient for you," Chu Guang nodded without asking the college for their opinion, and then asked the question he was most concerned about, "What about the transmissibility of this virus? Is there any risk of spreading?"
"
"Don't worry about this for the time being. After all, they are not real viruses and do not replicate themselves like viruses. You can think of them as bullets installed on small missiles called spores."
It seemed that this statement was not rigorous enough, so Hea added another sentence after a pause.
"Of course, the premise is that no new mutations appear. After all, the mother nest will evolve on its own, not to mention that there are a group of lunatics helping it."
Hearing the metaphor of missiles and missile heads, Chu Guang, who was still a little confused at first, immediately understood the difference between the alpha protozoa and the spores.
Sure enough, this kind of professional report needs to be interpreted by professionals.
"What about the cure?"
Hea said solemnly.
"If it is only a mild infection, the infected person can rely on their own immunity to clear it after leaving the infected area. But if the immune system is compromised and most stem cells are eroded, the infection will become irreversible.
.At that point, the host will undergo macroscopically visible mutations, and the normal cells carrying the original DNA will be the errors that need to be eliminated, while the diseased cells that have been fused with the genetic material of the Alpha parasite will become normal... You can roughly
That’s understandable.”
"That is to say...are those guys completely hopeless?" Yang Kai looked at the door behind her with a complicated expression, not knowing what he was thinking.
"You can't say that."
Heya's expression was slightly hesitant. He glanced at the researcher from the college and then at Chu Guang. He hesitated for a moment and continued.
"According to our analysis, the biological prosthesis produced by Xiaoyu can fight poison with poison. Theoretically, as long as the host still retains a little bit of original cells, it can use this as a basis to create corresponding mimetic replicas to replace diseased limbs.
But there are still big differences between the simulated body and the original body...so we have to ask for their personal opinions on whether to use this treatment method."
Moreover, Xiaoyu's biological prosthesis is currently only used on a small scale within Vault 404. On the one hand, it is to facilitate the observation of side effects, and on the other hand, it is to control risks and prevent widespread social controversy.
Whether it is used outside the residents of Vault 404 requires the approval of Chu Guang himself, the manager of Vault 404.
After understanding the inquiry in Heya's eyes, Chu Guang thought for a moment and then said.
"I have no objection, but Xiaoyu's biological prosthesis is still in the experimental stage, and all consequences can only be borne by the experimenter himself."
Before the establishment of the slime community, the contracting parties had already conducted limited data exchange on topics related to slime mold research. And because of the disclosure of relevant data, the academy also has an understanding of Xiaoyu's characteristics, otherwise it would not be possible to leave it like this
I don't care about the big brood.
Therefore, there is no question of leaking secrets or not. The harmless treatment plan of the slime mold itself is the prerequisite for the establishment of the slime mold research community and its headquarters in Qingquan City.
Faced with the option presented by Chu Guang, Yang Kai only thought for a moment and agreed without hesitation.
"...We have no objections here. As long as it can play a positive role in conquering the Alpha Brood on Blood Mountain, feel free to try."
He does not need to bear any psychological burden to make this kind of decision. After all, the survivors under the Science and Technology Committee are just tools kept in captivity by the college to achieve its goals.
They have never concealed this, and those survivors who joined Task Force Alpha have long been aware of their fate.
Knowing that they had no chance to become researchers, they made the most rational choice. They deleted the part of their brains that related to themselves very early, and voluntarily sacrificed themselves to become "sub-entities" under the huge collection of Task Force Alpha.
In exchange for a more decent standard of living for yourself and your family compared to "hard life".
This is just a transaction, and the price is clearly marked.
After becoming a member of Task Force Alpha, their bodies no longer belong to themselves. The will of their superiors is their will. Even if they die like worker bees, they will not have any complaints. At most, they will show off when they die.
There is biological instinctive fear, but there are not too many complaints or hesitations.
However, Heya didn't know the inside story of the college and couldn't help but feel a little hesitant about Yang Kai's decisive decision.
In her understanding, the opinions of patients and their families must at least be consulted.
But when Chu Guang nodded, she said nothing more.
After all, this is the result she expected, and it may not be a bad thing for the patients who participated in the experiment...
Watching Heya return to the isolation ward, Chu Guang looked at Yang Kai.
"You also heard that the situation on Blood Mountain will be very difficult for your Alpha Task Force. I guess you will not use physical fitness as an important assessment criterion when selecting team members."
Yang Kai's brows twitched and he coughed.
"This is not a difficult task. Just replace the three-defense system with a full-protection system. As long as you don't inhale outside air, you won't be penetrated by that... alpha protozoa."
"You mean to bring an oxygen tank?" Chu Guang said with a strange expression, "Wouldn't that be too bloated?"
Moreover, this thing cannot be produced immediately from the front line if you want it. It also takes time to transport the equipment from the rear. And if the academy does not prepare similar equipment at all, it will have to solve the problems of equipment development and production.
Chu Guang's original intention was to find someone else to attack the Blood Mountain position. Whether it was handed over to the Alliance or the Legion, it would be better than having the Alpha Task Force fight against the opponent in a place they were not good at despite the "terrain penalty".
However, Yang Kai had no intention of giving up.
If he backed down at this time, it would undoubtedly mean that he had admitted that the academy was not good enough.
Even if the friendly forces can understand their difficulties, it will not change the fact that the academy's prestige in the community has been damaged.
According to his understanding, Mr. Chief Technology Officer pays a lot of attention to the Adhesion Community, even no less than Shelter 0. In other words, this is not a small problem that can be solved.
Rather than giving up, he would rather let Task Force Alpha try again.
Anyway, those people were not his students. He didn't even know their names. If these guys tried their best and couldn't take down the position, it was because of their lack of ability. He couldn't blame himself.
On the body.
After some weighing, Yang Kai suddenly raised his head and uttered a sentence that made Chu Guang stunned.
"...If all employees are vaccinated with that biological prosthetic body, will there be no problem of being infected by Alpha Protozoa?"
"Theoretically... I don't know." Chu Guang looked at him in slight shock, as if he was looking at a madman.
Even if the player can be resurrected, he has never encouraged the players to try to install a tentacle on themselves. After all, that thing is not without side effects, such as the healed wound will turn into Xiaoyu's fruiting body, etc.
But this guy didn't care.
"Then give it a try!"
Turning his gaze to the isolation ward with the door closed, Yang Kai said with an indifferent expression as if he was comforting himself.