The first ray of morning sunlight pierced through the damaged dome of the abandoned military base and fell on the table in the temporary lounge. The screen of the AI prototype was still on, and the vague message marked "Unknown genetic signal" looked particularly dazzling in the morning light. Liam had not slept all night, his fingertips repeatedly touching the collar around his neck, and his mind kept echoing the resonance between the collar and the direction of the northern mountains last night, as well as the faint signal transmitted by the AI prototype—that breath was both unfamiliar and familiar, as if it had a deep connection with the symbiote in his body, but also carried an indescribable weirdness.
"Liam, haven't you rested all night?" Dr. Gray walked in with a nutrition supplement, his eyes falling on his tired face, then sweeping over the unknown signal on the screen, his tone full of concern. "The consumption of symbiotic energy hasn't fully recovered yet. Overdrawing your body like this will affect the progress of subsequent experiments and may also make the suppression of the collar stronger again."
Liam took the nutrition supplement, his fingertips trembling slightly, and his tone was a little eager: "Dr. Gray, I can't sleep. Look at this signal, and the resonance of the collar last night. I'm sure there must be a secret hidden in the depths of the northern mountains, and that secret is definitely closely related to the symbiote and gene purification technology." He reached out and clicked on the screen of the AI prototype, zooming in on the vague coordinates. "This coordinate is near the laboratory we selected. Maybe, while renovating the laboratory, we can send someone to investigate the specific situation of this coordinate."
Dr. Gray leaned forward, carefully observing the coordinates and signal fluctuations on the screen, his brows furrowed slightly: "I understand your feelings, but now is not the time. The renovation of the laboratory has just started, and the Shadow Organization is still lurking in the dark. We are already short of manpower. If we send troops to investigate the unknown area, it may give the Shadow Organization an opportunity. Moreover, this genetic signal is very weird. We know nothing about it so far. Rushing to go may put us in danger."
"But this may be the key to breaking through the technical bottleneck." Liam's tone was a little pleading, and the symbiotic energy at his fingertips flickered slightly. "You also know that although AI can screen star-patterned ore and marine biological extracts, there are still many unknown difficulties in gene purification and local regeneration technologies. If this unknown genetic signal is really homologous to the symbiote, maybe we can find a new breakthrough from it, and even quickly crack the suppression principle of the collar."
Just as the two were arguing, Wang and Elena pushed the door and walked in, both with complicated expressions on their faces. Wang held a tablet in his hand, walked quickly to the table, and said eagerly: "Dr. Gray, Liam, look at this! When we were improving the AI algorithm just now, we found that the unknown genetic signal appeared again, and it was clearer than last night. AI also initially analyzed part of the signal characteristics—the similarity with the symbiote gene sequence in Liam's body actually reached 70%!"
Elena also added with a trace of solemnity in her tone: "What's more strange is that AI detected that this signal is moving slowly, and the direction of movement is exactly the address of the laboratory renovation we selected. In other words, no matter what this signal is, it is actively approaching us. Maybe it itself has a strong sense of perception for the symbiote and our R&D work."
Dr. Gray's face suddenly became serious. He picked up the tablet, repeatedly checked the signal characteristics analyzed by AI, and said solemnly: "70% similarity... This is incredible. Liam's symbiote gene was the core achievement of the R&D team ten years ago. Logically speaking, besides Liam, there should be no other homologous genetic signals. Could it be that the R&D team ten years ago had another experimental base in the northern mountains? Or is there another symbiote carrier?"
"Impossible!" Liam immediately retorted, his tone firm. "Ten years ago, only I successfully fused the symbiote in the R&D team. The others either sacrificed or disappeared. There can be no other symbiote carriers at all. Moreover, I have never heard that the R&D team had another experimental base in the northern mountains." His fingertips unconsciously clenched, and the red light of the collar around his neck flickered slightly. "Unless... this genetic signal is related to the original sample used to develop the symbiote back then?"
Wang's eyes lit up, and he immediately took over the conversation: "This is very possible! When AI analyzed the signal just now, it found that it contains a lot of primitive gene fragments. These fragments are older and purer than the symbiote genes in Liam's body, without any artificial modification traces. If this is really the original sample of the symbiote, then we can not only crack the suppression principle of the collar, but also optimize the gene purification technology, and even increase the fusion degree between the symbiote and the human body to 100%!"
Elena shook her head gently, her tone full of caution: "That's true, but we can't take it lightly. This signal is too weird, and it has been actively approaching us. It's hard to guarantee that it's not a trap set by the Shadow Organization. The Shadow Organization has been looking for our R&D achievements. It's very likely that they have also detected this unknown signal, and deliberately guided us to investigate, then took the opportunity to attack and seize our core data and technology."
"Elena is right." Commissioner Marin's voice came from the door. Behind him were Kane and Eliot, with extremely solemn expressions on their faces. "I just finished communicating with the military. They sent a message that the Shadow Organization has been active frequently in the northern mountains recently, and many unidentified personnel have sneaked into the mountains, presumably looking for something. Combined with the unknown genetic signal we found, it's not difficult to speculate that the Shadow Organization may also have detected this signal, and their goal is the same as ours."
Kane stepped forward, his tone cold: "I have sent a team to the northern mountains to investigate. On the one hand, to check the progress of the laboratory renovation; on the other hand, to track the movement of the unknown genetic signal, and at the same time investigate the latent personnel of the Shadow Organization. However, the terrain in the mountains is complex, and the signal shielding effect is excellent. The team's communication is intermittent. At present, only news has been received that the laboratory renovation is progressing smoothly, the equipment has been delivered one after another, and the renovation is expected to be completed within twenty days. But the unknown genetic signal suddenly disappeared in the depths of the mountains, and no trace can be found."
"Disappeared?" Liam's heart tightened, and his tone was eager. "How could it suddenly disappear? Could it be that the Shadow Organization has found it and taken it away?"
"Probably not." Kane shook his head. "The team found no signs of fighting or marks of the Shadow Organization in the area where the signal disappeared. Instead, they found some strange footprints. These footprints are neither human nor any known animal, with a huge size, looking very weird. Moreover, the team also found some faint black energy fluctuations nearby, which are homologous to the energy fluctuations on the shadow chip we found earlier, but the concentration is lower. It seems that someone deliberately left them to test us."
Eliot nodded gently, his tone capable: "Everyone, the renovation of the laboratory has been on track. The renovation team is pushing forward at full speed. The first batch of experimental equipment has been installed and commissioned. As long as the subsequent equipment is delivered one after another, the renovation will definitely be completed within twenty days and put into use. Mr. Anderson also sent a message that he has contacted the local tribes in the Congo Basin in Africa and prepared for the purchase of star-patterned ore. As long as we need it, the star-patterned ore can be transported to the laboratory at any time."
He paused and continued: "However, Mr. Anderson also reminded us that the Shadow Organization has recently been contacting special material suppliers around the world, trying to monopolize key materials such as star-patterned ore and marine biological extracts, to block our R&D progress. Moreover, the Shadow Organization has also used a lot of contacts to try to infiltrate our cooperative institutions and steal our core data. We must speed up the progress and break through the bottleneck of gene purification technology before the Shadow Organization monopolizes the materials and completes the layout."
Commissioner Marin tapped the table, making arrangements firmly: "Next, we will adjust the work plan and advance in three directions: first, Wang and Elena will be responsible for continuing to improve the algorithm of the brain-computer interface AI, strengthen data encryption, and at the same time use AI to track the movement of the unknown genetic signal, analyze the remaining gene fragments, investigate the network infiltration of the Shadow Organization, and ensure that the core data is not stolen; second, Dr. Gray and Liam will be responsible for continuing the experiment of combining symbiotic energy with AI, and at the same time prepare for the preliminary work of the bone purification experiment, familiarize themselves with the use of star-patterned ore, and start the official experiment immediately after the laboratory renovation is completed; third, Kane will be responsible for strengthening the security of the base and the laboratory renovation site, sending more patrol teams, closely monitoring the movement of the Shadow Organization, tracking the news of the team sent to the mountains for investigation, and supporting immediately once any abnormality is found."
"Understood!" Everyone replied in unison, with extremely firm expressions on their faces. Although the unknown genetic signal disappeared mysteriously and the threat of the Shadow Organization was getting closer and closer, they did not flinch, but became more determined to promote R&D and uncover the secrets.
After the meeting, everyone immediately threw themselves into intense work. Wang and Elena guarded the terminal, their fingers tapping quickly on the keyboard, constantly improving the AI algorithm, trying to reposition the movement of the unknown genetic signal, while investigating the traces of the Shadow Organization's network infiltration. On the AI screen, the codes jumped quickly, constantly analyzing the remaining gene fragments, and more and more clues emerged—these primitive gene fragments not only contain the core sequence of the symbiote, but also an unknown regeneration factor. This factor can greatly enhance the regeneration ability of cells. If we can successfully extract this factor, we can quickly break through the bottleneck of local regeneration technology.
"Wang, look at this!" Elena suddenly spoke, her tone full of excitement. "AI has analyzed a key gene sequence, which contains the core code of the regeneration factor. Moreover, AI has also detected that this regeneration factor has a strong compatibility with the energy of star-patterned ore. The combination of the two can not only achieve 100% purification of bones and skin, but also activate the regeneration potential of the human body, and even repair the damage caused by the fusion of the symbiote and the human body!"
Wang leaned forward, carefully looked at the gene sequence on the screen, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Great! This is the key to breaking through the technical bottleneck! As long as we can extract this regeneration factor, combined with the energy of star-patterned ore and the energy regulation of the brain-computer interface AI, we can completely realize gene purification and local regeneration, help Liam get rid of the suppression of the collar, and at the same time improve the strength of all of us to deal with the threat of the Shadow Organization." He paused, and his tone became solemn again. "However, AI also detected that this gene sequence contains a faint black energy fluctuation, which is very similar to the energy fluctuation of the Shadow Organization. What on earth is going on?"
Elena's face also became serious. She quickly operated the terminal to investigate the source of the black energy fluctuation in the gene sequence, and said solemnly: "I don't know. It may be that the original sample of the symbiote was contaminated by the Shadow Organization, or it may be that the Shadow Organization deliberately implanted black energy into the signal to interfere with our R&D, or take the opportunity to attack when we extract the regeneration factor. In either case, we must be careful. Before extracting the regeneration factor, we must completely eliminate the black energy in it. Otherwise, it will not only affect the experimental effect, but also may cause harm to Liam's body."
At the same time, in Dr. Gray's temporary laboratory, Liam was sitting on the experimental chair. Dr. Gray held a miniature detector and monitored the fluctuation of the symbiotic energy in his body in real time. The AI prototype on the table was connected to Liam's body, and the white symbiotic energy continued to seep into the AI. On the AI screen, the compatibility between the symbiotic energy and the AI algorithm was constantly displayed, which had increased from 68% to 75%.
"Very good, the fluctuation of symbiotic energy is becoming more and more stable, and the compatibility with AI is also constantly improving." Dr. Gray's tone was full of relief. "As long as we continue to promote the experiment, the compatibility can be increased to more than 80%. At that time, AI can completely rely on symbiotic energy to independently regulate energy output and accurately complete various operations of the gene purification experiment."
Liam nodded gently, closed his eyes, and carefully guided the symbiotic energy in his body, his tone calm: "I can feel that while the AI is absorbing the symbiotic energy, it is also constantly transmitting information to me. It seems that it can perceive the position of the unknown genetic signal, but the signal is too weak to be accurately positioned. Moreover, I can feel that the symbiote in my body is becoming more and more active. It seems to be eager to meet that unknown genetic signal, as if it is its 'origin'."
"Origin?" Dr. Gray's eyes lit up. "If that unknown genetic signal is really the origin of the symbiote, then it can explain why its similarity with the symbiote gene in your body reaches 70%, and why your collar resonates with it. Maybe, when the R&D team developed the symbiote back then, they took this origin genetic signal as the basis, carried out artificial modification and optimization, and created the symbiote in your body."
"If that's the case, then this origin genetic signal is the key to solving all secrets." Liam opened his eyes, a trace of firmness flashing in his eyes. "No matter if it's a trap set by the Shadow Organization, no matter where it's hidden in the northern mountains, I must find it. Not only to get rid of the suppression of the collar, but also to complete the unfinished research of the R&D team ten years ago and uncover the truth of their disappearance back then."
Dr. Gray patted him on the shoulder gently, his tone solemn: "I will go with you, but we must wait until the laboratory renovation is completed, until the AI is completely improved, and until Kane checks out the latent personnel of the Shadow Organization. Now, our most important task is to improve the compatibility between symbiotic energy and AI, prepare for the preliminary work of the gene purification experiment, and make full preparations for the subsequent investigation and experiment."
Just then, Kane's communicator suddenly rang. His face suddenly became solemn, and his tone was cold: "Something's wrong, everyone! The team sent to investigate the northern mountains was attacked by the Shadow Organization. The team members suffered heavy casualties, and the remaining members have been forced to evacuate. Moreover, the Shadow Organization left a letter threatening us. If we don't give up the investigation of the unknown genetic signal and hand over the core R&D data and technology, they will completely destroy our laboratory renovation base and kill all of us!"
Everyone's hearts sank instantly. Liam stood up suddenly, the red light of the collar around his neck soared, and his tone was angry: "The Shadow Organization is too arrogant! They dare to openly attack our team and issue threats. We will never compromise!"
Commissioner Marin's face also became extremely cold, his tone firm: "Kane, immediately send more security forces to the northern mountains to meet the evacuated team members, and at the same time strengthen the security of the laboratory renovation base to prevent the Shadow Organization from attacking again. Wang, Elena, speed up the R&D progress of AI, quickly locate the movement of the unknown genetic signal, and at the same time analyze the letter left by the Shadow Organization to see what their conspiracy is. Dr. Gray, Liam, speed up the experiment progress, quickly improve the compatibility between symbiotic energy and AI, and make preparations for responding to large-scale attacks by the Shadow Organization."
"Understood!" Everyone took action immediately. The entire abandoned military base was instantly plunged into an atmosphere of tension. Wang and Elena quickly analyzed the letter left by the Shadow Organization. There was only one line of cold words on the letter: "Give up the investigation and hand over everything, otherwise, we will perish together." Besides that, there was no other information. But when AI analyzed the letter, it found a faint signal pointing to an abandoned mine in the northern mountains, which was suspected to be a latent stronghold of the Shadow Organization.
Kane immediately sent an elite team to the abandoned mine in the northern mountains to investigate and raid, and at the same time meet the evacuated team members. Dr. Gray and Liam continued the experiment of combining symbiotic energy with AI. The compatibility between symbiotic energy and AI continued to improve in the intense experiment, and soon reached 78%. AI could already rely on symbiotic energy to independently screen and analyze gene fragments, and even initially simulate the experimental process of bone purification, the effect was far beyond everyone's expectations.
That afternoon, the elite team sent to the northern mountains sent a message: they successfully met the evacuated team members, raided the latent stronghold of the Shadow Organization, and captured several members of the Shadow Organization. But most of the members of the Shadow Organization had evacuated in advance, leaving only some abandoned equipment and data. Moreover, the team found some materials related to the unknown genetic signal in the stronghold. The materials showed that the Shadow Organization had detected this unknown genetic signal as early as half a year ago, and had been looking for its position, trying to seize the origin gene of the symbiote and transform more powerful symbiote warriors.
What was even more shocking was that the materials also mentioned that the disappearance of the R&D team ten years ago was not an accident, but a conspiracy planned by the Shadow Organization—the Shadow Organization had coveted the symbiote technology and gene purification technology back then. To seize the R&D achievements, they attacked the experimental base of the R&D team, killed most of the R&D personnel, and only a few people escaped successfully. Liam was the only survivor back then, and also the only one who successfully fused the symbiote. Before disappearing, the person in charge of the R&D team had hidden the origin gene of the symbiote in the depths of the northern mountains and set up many obstacles to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Shadow Organization.
"So that's it..." Liam looked at the materials sent by the team, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes, and tears slid down unconsciously. "Ten years ago, my comrades and my mentors all died at the hands of the Shadow Organization, but I was lucky enough to survive and was put on a collar by them, becoming their experimental product. I must avenge them, completely smash the conspiracy of the Shadow Organization, and complete the research they didn't finish!"
Dr. Gray patted him on the shoulder gently, his tone heavy: "Liam, restrain your sorrow. This is not your fault. You were just a child back then, and you have done very well. Now, we have sufficient funds, technologies and resources, comrades fighting side by side, as well as the support of the military and Mr. Anderson. We will definitely avenge the members of the R&D team, smash the conspiracy of the Shadow Organization, and uncover all secrets."
Commissioner Marin looked at the materials, his tone solemn: "Everyone, now we finally know the truth and the origin of the unknown genetic signal—it is the origin gene of the symbiote, the core secret hidden by the person in charge of the R&D team in the northern mountains back then. The goal of the Shadow Organization is to seize this origin gene, transform more powerful symbiote warriors, and realize their ambition of ruling the world. We must speed up the progress, find the origin gene and protect it before the Shadow Organization finds it. At the same time, break through the bottleneck of gene purification and local regeneration technologies, improve our strength, and completely deal with the threat of the Shadow Organization."
Elena picked up the terminal, her tone excited: "Good news! With Liam's symbiotic energy, AI finally repositioned the movement of the unknown genetic signal. It is in a hidden cave in the northern mountains, less than ten kilometers away from our laboratory renovation base. Moreover, AI also analyzed that around the origin gene, there is an energy barrier set by the R&D team back then. Although the Shadow Organization has detected the position of the signal, they have been unable to break through the energy barrier. This is also the reason why they have been lurking in the mountains and have not acted for a long time."
Wang also added: "Not only that, AI has also optimized the experimental plan for gene purification. Combined with the fragments of the origin gene and the energy of star-patterned ore, we can first conduct a small-scale bone purification experiment after the laboratory renovation is completed, then gradually extract the regeneration factor from the origin gene, optimize the fusion degree between the symbiote and the human body, and at the same time crack the suppression principle of the collar. As long as we can successfully extract the regeneration factor, we can completely get rid of the threat of the Shadow Organization, and even use the symbiote technology to protect human safety."
A trace of relief appeared on Kane's face: "I have sent an elite team to the hidden cave where the origin gene is located to guard against attacks by the Shadow Organization. At the same time, the security force at the laboratory renovation base has been doubled to ensure the safety of experimental equipment and core data. As long as we advance steadily, we will definitely find the origin gene smoothly, break through the technical bottleneck, and avenge the members of the R&D team."
The sun set, and the golden afterglow sprinkled on the ruins of the abandoned military base and the firm faces of everyone. Part of the mystery of the unknown genetic signal has been solved; the truth about the disappearance of the R&D team ten years ago has also emerged; the conspiracy of the Shadow Organization has gradually become clear. The renovation of the laboratory is progressing steadily; the R&D of the brain-computer interface AI is constantly breaking through; the preliminary preparations for the gene purification experiment are also proceeding in an orderly manner.
But everyone also knew that this was just the beginning of a bigger war. The Shadow Organization would not give up. They would spare no effort to seize the origin gene of the symbiote and rob their R&D achievements; the energy barrier around the origin gene might be broken by the Shadow Organization at any time; the breakthrough of gene purification and local regeneration technologies still had countless difficulties waiting for them. But they were no longer confused or desperate, because they had comrades fighting side by side, a firm belief, constantly improving strength, and even more the determination to avenge and the responsibility to protect the future of humanity.
Liam stood by the window, looking in the direction of the northern mountains. The red light of the collar around his neck flickered slightly, resonating strongly with the direction of the origin gene in the distance. He raised his hand gently, the symbiotic energy at his fingertips soared, and the white light illuminated the entire room. He secretly made up his mind to find the origin gene of the symbiote, crack the suppression principle of the collar, avenge his comrades and mentors who died ten years ago, completely smash the conspiracy of the Shadow Organization, complete the research they didn't finish, protect everyone around him, and protect the future of human science and technology. And the origin gene in that hidden cave, as well as the covetousness of the Shadow Organization, will become the obstacles that they must cross in their next journey.