The pinnacle of the Blood Mountain.

The white-robed beastmaster stared at the foot of the mountain, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled into a smile.

No surprises.

These old things have been degraded for too long.

They held the relics of the era of prosperity and immersed themselves in the sweet dreams woven by the relics of the old civilization, but forgot that this was not a pre-war place of singing and dancing, but a wasteland where Ru Mao drank blood.

As long as they completely abandon the bottom line and illusions, and give up everything that can be discarded, even in the face of the encirclement and suppression of the decaying old civilization, the young people are not without the strength to fight.

The alliance is a nuisance, but that's about it.

They have not given up enough, they are not brave enough.

At least it's not as good as not being a human being.

At that moment, a deep voice entered his sea of consciousness, like a hum from the depths of the earth.

"Those people retreated."

The Beastmaster nodded and replied in a very soft voice.

"I see it."

"They took the information from the cave, and I'm afraid my existence has been exposed." There was a hint of hesitation in the dull voice, as if it was concerned about something.

The Beastmaster raised his eyebrows slightly with interest.

"Are you scared?"

"No," the voice paused for a moment, then said slowly, "but I smelled a nasty smell. ”

"'That guy' is getting closer and closer to us."

……

At 12 noon, Task Force Alpha gave the order to retreat, and the two squadrons that were fighting on the Blood Mountain were withdrawn.

The academy put in 300 individual drones, and finally only 100 were withdrawn. The 200 Alpha Task Force Mobile Operators suffered even more losses, withdrawing less than half of them.

And even those who were withdrawn were mostly seriously infected.

The wounded were placed in the Second Frontline Hospital, where they were observed and treated by the Alliance Institute of Biology and the medical team from the Science and Technology Committee.

The composition of the toxic substance and how it broke through the Alpha Task Force's individual three-defense system also needs to be further investigated and studied.

Although both the high command of the coalition forces and the armies outside the academy had long expected the outcome of this first battle, the academy's performance in actual combat still exceeded everyone's expectations.

How so?

It's a little thunderous and rainy.

"Looks like that's the same with those guys up there."

Looking at the Alpha Task Force withdrawn from the front line, General Babita from the Empire had a hint of contempt in his eyes.

Suddenly he felt that his people were doing it again.

Not long ago, Duke Galava, stationed in Dawning City, expressed his dissatisfaction with their inaction on the front lines, urging them to focus more on the battlefield.

Maybe they should do something to gain some face for His Majesty the Emperor.

It wasn't just the Imperial officers who were shocked by the Academy's performance, but even General Lium, who had just changed his mind about those guys.

Unexpectedly, these guys had all the bells and whistles, but they were beaten by the opposite side and fled from the front line.

“…… Maybe I should reconsider my assessment of these guys. ”

Sitting in the bridge of the airship, Leum, with his legs on his knees, tore open an ice cream and stuffed it into his mouth with an intriguing expression on his face.

Of course, another possibility is not ruled out.

The slugs in the swamp are deliberately showing weakness in order to show that they are harmless to humans and animals, so as to find an opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

After all, no one knows what they really have in mind except themselves.

In fact, about deliberately showing weakness, Leum thought too much.

For such a result, even the academy itself was furious.

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 in Yang Kai's opinion.

"How did you guys, with the strongest equipment, you can't even defeat a group of mutants?"

Rarely landed the scientific research ship at the Weifu military base, Yang Kai found the head of the Alpha Mobile Task Force and said in a reprimanding voice.

"Sorry to disappoint you."

The guy named Alpha Zero hung his head, looking like he was seriously reflecting on his mistakes, but Yang Kai didn't feel the sincerity of reflection from him.

Shaking his head, Yang Kai knew that scolding him was also in vain, so in the end, he didn't embarrass this guy anymore, and waved his hand to send him away.

After reprimanding the commander who had drawn up the battle plan, he immediately found Chu Guang, who was inspecting the No. 2 Hospital of the Weifu Military Base, and succinctly recounted what Alpha Mobile Task Force had encountered during the operation.

“…… The mutants on the Ten Peaks Mountain are a bit of a problem, and they exhibit traits in evolution that we have never seen before. Not only that, based on the extraction of samples from the field by the front-line troops, we suspect that there is a brood hidden in the depths of the Blood Mountain. ”

After listening to Yang Kai's statement, Chu Guang nodded.

"That's what we think too."

Yang Kai was stunned when he heard this, and stared at him suspiciously.

"How do you know?"

Chu Guang: "Guess." ”

Yang Kai: "......"

Looking at Yang Kai, who was speechless, Chu Guang coughed lightly and continued.

“…… None of these trivial issues are the point, the key is how we respond to them now. ”

Yang Kai's expression gradually became serious.

"What's your opinion?"

"My opinion is...... Wait for the opinion of an expert. ”

As he spoke, Chu Guang set his eyes on the isolation ward with the door closed on the side.

The Alpha Task Force members who had been withdrawn from the front were lying there, some of them had woken up, but many had not yet woken up. At present, Hea is learning about the situation inside, and I believe that there will be results after a while.

At the same time, Heya, who was standing in the ward, had a solemn expression on her face, staring at the tablet in her hand.

It's an organic protein molecule she's never seen before, it's like a virus, but it's smaller than known viruses, not even 7 nanometers, and the average individual is around 5 nanometers.

And that's not even the most surprising.

The most bizarre 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 is able to store mechanical potential energy like a clockwork and release it to the tail through slow rotation.

At the tail of the substance, there are at least four specially shaped protein chains. They are able to do simple mechanical movements driven by "clockwork" like flagella of protozoa, which propels the substance to slowly diffuse from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration!

To use an inappropriate but graphic analogy, this thing is like a nano-sized missile! Usually lodged in spores, one spore can carry 3~7 of these things, and the spores will be released after they are actively or passively ruptured.

The RNA inside is its "warhead", the folded macromolecular protein is its engine, and the tail protein chain is its "thruster".

In addition to drifting on the particles, it can also complete the "migration" from particles A to particles B in an active way.

This property is most likely the most direct reason why the substance was able to 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 is not that the smaller the particles, the more difficult it is to filter.

According to experimental statistics, 0.3 micron particles are the most difficult to filter, so many times the "filtration efficiency of 0.3 micron particles" is used as a measurement of filtration effect, such as N95 means "the filtration efficiency of 0.3 micron particles reaches more than 95%".

Although the "diameter of 5 nm" is not enough in itself to allow the substance to penetrate the gas mask, it would be difficult to add the clause that "it can rely on endogenous power to complete free migration".

According to the results of clinical experiments, these substances left a passage constructed 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 in a petri dish looking for food.

Strangely, though, while this thing is very similar in morphology to viruses, it is very different from most viruses in its offensive strategy against the host.

After the virus injects nucleic acid into the host cell, it usually uses the material of the host cell to first synthesize the replicase enzyme and some inhibitory proteins necessary for its own replication, and then synthesizes the nucleic acid and structural proteins of the progeny virus. The end result is usually a complete drain of the host's somatic cells, and then a group of disciples will go on to scourge the next target.

However, these special substances are written into the genetic material of the host cell through a series of operations, just like the HIV virus.

However, their purpose in doing so is not to replicate themselves, but to assimilate the host, to completely transform the host's cells into another shape.

As for what exactly it will become, it's a completely random event.

Of the 97 observations, 17 have died, 10 have been unaffected due to their high immunity levels, and the remaining 70 affected have different traits and even the location of the lesion.

For example, some nervous system activity suddenly increases by 200%, while others have degraded to the level of a baby. Someone else has a finger growing out of their shoulder - but this is easier to solve, just amputation.

As for the more stubborn tissue hyperplasia, such as amputation and regrowth, or simply serious lesions in the original limb, other medical methods must be used.

Not only were the researchers of the alliance surprised by this situation, but also the researchers from the Cloud Realm, all of whom were surprised by the surprise on their faces, whispering to the other researchers beside them.

"Unbelievable ......"

"It is composed entirely of proteins and nucleic acids, but it also exhibits the characteristics of life activities...... Can this thing be considered a virus? ”

"I don't recommend using that title...... I've never seen a virus that can exhibit the characteristics of life without the help of living cells, and misleading nomenclature can distract our research from subjective perceptions. ”

"It's debatable whether that kind of movement can be considered a life activity, but I agree with you, Alpha Protozoa...... What is this called? ”

“…… I have no opinion. ”

"Agreed."

This thing was brought back by Task Force Alpha, and there's nothing wrong with naming it by their codename.

……

After a 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 a way he could understand.

“…… In summary, alpha protozoa is known to have high levels of permeability and can tamper with the genetic material of infected individuals. According to the calculations, at least 20 points of the Constitution stat must be at least 20 points to be completely immune from infection. ”

"20 Constitution?" Yang Kai, who was standing next to Chu Guang, frowned and asked incomprehensibly, "What is that?" ”

Without answering the question directly, Heya turned her gaze to Chu Guang and asked him if he wanted to reveal it.

There's nothing to hide from this kind of thing.

Chu Guang said concisely.

"It's the league's physical examination indicator, and we set the benchmark value for each physical function to 5. The 20-point constitution means that the baseline metabolism and immune system work efficiency are about 4 times greater...... By the way, this is not a very rigorous indicator, just for reference. ”

However, 20 points of constitution can completely exempt the influence of the alpha protozoa......

This thing's offensive ability is a bit weak, to be honest.

In addition, the physique of mutants is obviously more than 20 points, and the physical fitness of those guys starts at level twenty or thirty, so even if they soak in the environment of the alpha protozoa, it will not be affected. However, there are still a large number of mutant mutants on the Blood Mountain, and these mutants have extremely strong combat effectiveness and resilience, and I think it is the Torch that helped them find other ways to stabilize their evolution.

For example, pouring a big mouthful of soup soaked in protozoa or something.

After listening to Chu Guang's explanation, Yang Kai probably understood what 20 points of physique meant, and nodded thoughtfully.

"I see."

Task Force Alpha was mostly ordinary people, and as far as he knew, the guys were equipped with some prosthetics, but they didn't strengthen their immune systems in any other way.

Realizing this, his face couldn't help but change slightly.

Boy......

Isn't this being killed by the gram?!

didn't know what Yang Kai was thinking in his heart, Heya saw that the two had no questions, so she continued.

"In addition, we speculate that the alpha protozoa is the product of the mutant slime nest. It is currently uncertain whether their actions are governed by the consciousness of the brood...... Personally, though, I'm more inclined to think that they, like spores, are more of unconscious diffusion, and that their actions on a macroscopic scale are not affected by the unified consciousness. ”

After a pause, she continued.

"In order to facilitate the study, we plan to name the suspected female nest in the blood mountain as the alpha female nest, and combine the alpha protozoan project with it for research."

"It's up to you, it's just how convenient it is," without asking the academy's opinion, Chu Guang nodded, and then asked the question he was most concerned about, "What about the transmissibility of this virus?" Is there a risk of proliferation? ”

"Don't worry about this for the time being, they are not real viruses after all, they don't replicate themselves like viruses, you can understand it as a bullet mounted on the small missile of the spores."

As if he didn't think this was rigorous enough, Hea added after a pause.

"Of course, the premise is that no new mutations appear, after all, the brood will also evolve itself, not to mention that there is a group of crazy people helping it."

Hearing the analogy of missiles and missile heads, Chu Guang, who was still a little confused in his heart, immediately understood the difference between this alpha protozoa and a spor.

Sure enough, this kind of professional report has to be interpreted by professionals.

"And what about the cure?"

Hea said with a solemn expression.

"If the infection is only mild, the infected person can be eliminated by their own immunity after leaving the infected area. However, if the immune system is compromised and most of the stem cells are eroded, the infection becomes irreversible. At that point, the host will undergo macroscopic mutations, and the normal cells carrying the original DNA will instead be the errors that need to be removed, while the diseased cells fused with the alpha protozoa genetic material will become normal...... You can roughly understand it this way. ”

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.

"I can't say that."

Heya's expression hesitated slightly, glanced at the academy researcher, then at Chu Guang, hesitated for a moment and continued.

"According to our analysis, the biological prosthetic body produced by Xiao Yu can play a role in fighting poison with poison. Theoretically, as long as the host still has a little primitive cell, it can use this as a blueprint to create a corresponding mimic replica to replace the diseased limb, but the mimic body will still be quite different from the primitive body...... So whether or not to use this treatment, we have to consult them themselves. ”

Moreover, Xiao Yu's biological prosthesis is currently only used in a small area within Vault 404, on the one hand, to facilitate the observation of side effects, and on the other hand, to control the risk and prevent widespread social controversy.

Whether or not it is used in places other than the residents of Vault 404 requires the approval of Chu Guang himself, who is the manager of Vault 404.

Understanding the inquiry in Heya's eyes, Chu Guang thought for a moment and then said.

"I have no opinion, but Xiao Yu's biological prosthesis is still in the experimental stage, and all the consequences can only be borne by the experimenter himself."

Prior to the establishment of the Cohesion Community, the Contracting Parties had already engaged in limited data exchange on topics related to slime mold research. And because of the disclosure of relevant data, the academy also has some understanding of the characteristics of Xiao Yu, otherwise it would be impossible to leave such a large brood alone.

Therefore, there is no problem of leaking secrets or not leaking secrets, and the harmless treatment plan of slime mold itself is the premise that the slime mold research community can be established and headquartered in Qingquan City.

Faced with the option thrown by Chu Guang, Yang Kai only thought for a moment and agreed without hesitation.

“…… We don't have an opinion on our side, as long as it can play a positive role in raiding the Alpha Brood on the Blood Mountain, although it is a good try. ”

He didn't need to bear any psychological burden to make this kind of decision, after all, the survivors under the Science and Technology Committee were just tools for the academy to achieve their goals.

They had never concealed this, and the survivors of Task Force Alpha were aware of their fate.

Knowing that they had no chance of becoming researchers, they made the most rational choice, deleting the part of their brain tissue about themselves early on, and voluntarily dedicating themselves to becoming "fruiting entities" belonging to the large collection of Task Force Alpha, in exchange for a more decent standard of living for themselves and their families than "hard work".

It's just a deal, and it's clearly priced.

And after becoming a member of the Alpha Task Force, their bodies no longer belong to them, the will of their superiors is their will, even if they die like worker bees, they will not complain, at most they will show biological instinctive fear when they die, but there will be no excessive complaints and hesitation.

However, Heya didn't know the inside story of the academy, and couldn't help but feel a little hesitant about Yang Kai's decisive decision.

At the very least, she understands that patients and their families must be consulted.

But seeing Chu Guang nodding, she didn't say anything more.

After all, this is the result she wants, and it is not necessarily a bad thing for those patients who participate in the experiment......

Seeing Heya return to the isolation ward, Chu Guang looked at Yang Kai.

"You've heard that the situation on the Blood Mountain is going to be tricky for your Alpha Task Force, and I guess you don't use physique as an important criterion when selecting your players."

Yang Kai's brows twitched, and he coughed and said.

"It's not a difficult thing, just replace the three-proof system with a full protection system, as long as you don't inhale the outside air, you won't be ...... Alpha protozoa give infiltration. ”

"You mean bring an oxygen cylinder?" Chu Guang said with a strange expression, "Wouldn't that be too bloated?" ”

And this thing can't be conjured from the front line right away if you want to, and it takes time to get the equipment from the rear. And if the academy does not prepare similar equipment at all, it will have to solve the problem of research and development and production of equipment.

Chu Guang's original intention was to change someone to attack the position of Blood Mountain, whether it was handed over to the Alliance or the Legion, it was better than letting the Alpha Task Force Task Force withstand the "terrain punishment" and the opponent in a place that they were not good at.

However, Yang Kai had no intention of giving up at all.

If he retreated at this time, it would undoubtedly mean that he admitted that the academy was not good.

Even if allies could understand their plight, it wouldn't change the fact that the Academy's prestige in the Adhesive Community had been damaged.

According to his understanding, Mr. Chief Technology Officer is very concerned about the Adhesive Community, not even lower than Vault 0. In other words, it's not a trivial issue that can be fooled around.

Rather than give up, he would rather let Task Force Alpha try again.

Anyway, those people weren't his students, and he didn't even know what their names were, and if these guys couldn't bite that position even if they tried their best, it was also a problem of their lack of ability, and he couldn't blame himself.

After some weighing, Yang Kai suddenly raised his head, but spit out a sentence that made Chu Guang stunned.

“…… If all the people were vaccinated with that biological prosthetic, would there be no problem of being infected by the alpha protozoa? ”

"Theoretically...... I do not know. Chu Guang looked at him with a slight astonishment, 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 or something for themselves, after all, that thing is not without side effects, such as the healed wound will turn into Xiao Yu's fruiting body, etc.

But this guy doesn't care.

"Then give it a try!"

Turning his gaze to the isolation ward with the door closed, Yang Kai said indifferently as if he was comforting himself.

"They have nothing to lose anyway."

(End of chapter)