Calista walked into the underground laboratory of Rock Fortress.
The workbench was buried under a mess of documents:
Honeywell's notes, the contents of the black USB drive recovered and printed into a thick stack of charts and text, and the high-definition photos, thermal images, and spectrum analysis reports brought back from the reconnaissance operation.
Dr. Jenner stood at the front of the table, his eyes bloodshot. Dr. Milton assisted beside him, constantly handing over documents and taking notes.
They had been working nonstop all night.
"Calista, the cross-comparison is complete." Jenner's voice was unusually hoarse from the long hours without rest.
"Honeywell's testimony, the fragments of project logs from the USB drive, the lists of abnormal chemicals and incident alarm codes found in scattered files,
along with the electromagnetic interference spectrum we observed and the behavioral traits of the mutants...
All these pieces can be assembled into a logically consistent model of the incident."
He picked up a laser pointer and aimed it at the simplified structural diagram of the Singularity Polymers plant projected on the wall.
"'Project Black Fire' established an advanced applied laboratory here. Its core purpose was the synthesis and testing of third-generation nerve agents, while publicly disguising itself as research into 'special pesticide synergists.'
They worked with Oak Ridge and obtained preliminary nerve-agent formulas, as well as 'biological substrates' infected with the Wildfire virus. In other words, early-stage walkers.
The goal was to verify the agent's ability to suppress walker neural signals and guide basic behavior.
At this stage, a small number of workers exposed to low concentrations of the agent began showing neurological symptoms. The matter was covered up as 'industrial poisoning.'"
The laser point moved to the core reaction area. "On the eve of the full-scale viral outbreak, the laboratory was preparing to carry out a high-concentration nerve-agent synthesis verification experiment.
The aim was to test how effectively different formulas could suppress indiscriminate walker attacks, as well as the stability of controlled motor responses.
A large number of walkers were being held in the adjacent special specimen room."
Then the laser point stopped on a location labeled "Main Reactor." "The global collapse caused the power grid to fail.
The emergency power supply did not activate in time, and the critical synthesis reaction already underway went out of control due to the loss of temperature and pressure regulation.
Because of power fluctuations, the safety sealing valve failed to close completely, causing a leak. But what leaked was not the pure nerve-agent stock solution they had designed."
Dr. Jenner pulled up another complex diagram of speculative chemical molecular structures. "Based on the remaining records and a fragment from a 'Catalyst Stability Anomaly Report' on the USB drive,
we infer that the leaked material was a mixture of incomplete reaction intermediates, high-concentration catalysts, and a small amount of already synthesized agent.
Inside the leaking pipeline and in the air, these substances underwent a violent polymerization reaction outside the original design parameters, producing a yellow aerosol-like mutated polymer with unknown properties."
Finally, the laser point drew a circle around the entire core area. "This mutated polymer interacted unpredictably with the walkers exposed to it. It catalyzed some kind of violent biochemical symbiotic mutation."
He switched to close-up images of the mutants' limbs and thermal imaging scans captured during the reconnaissance operation. "The observations support this inference.
We all know walkers are cold, but these mutants have body temperatures higher than ordinary walkers, around a dozen degrees Celsius. The crystalline material covering their bodies was most likely formed when their metabolic byproducts combined with residual chemicals in the environment.
The mutants display agility, as well as aggression toward ordinary walkers, or possibly intimidation.
The most critical evidence is this."
Dr. Jenner brought up an electromagnetic spectrum chart. "This mutated polymer, or the metabolic process produced after it bonds with biological bodies, continuously releases electromagnetic pulses in a specific pattern.
That is the source of the interference field!
It is not equipment leakage. It is a 'field' emitted by the active contamination core itself.
The avoidance behavior of ordinary walkers most likely comes from a residual instinctive aversion to, or fear of, this 'field.'"
Milton added in horror, "This has practically created a whole new self-sustaining 'ecosystem.'
The contamination core is the 'heart,' the electromagnetic field is the 'domain,' and the mutants are the 'guards.'
We still don't fully understand how they exchange energy with the outside world, but clearly, in some form, they have 'digested' the original toxic-agent incident and transformed it into part of their own existence."
Dr. Jenner summarized with a grave expression. "Therefore, the Singularity Polymers core facility is not simply a contaminated building.
It is an active biochemical hazard symbiote with field-like properties.
Conventional explosions or incineration cannot completely destroy its core. On the contrary, they may cause the contaminants to spread uncontrollably.
The only possible way to eliminate it at the root is to go deep into its core and physically destroy or permanently seal the contamination source that is still emitting interference and sustaining the mutations.
It is most likely located beneath the original leaking reactor, or in a nearby deep storage area."
Calista had listened in silence the entire time. When Jenner finished, she slowly said, "In other words, we're facing a 'living' contaminated zone.
The objective of the operation is to find and cut out that 'heart.'"
"Yes, Calista," Dr. Jenner said firmly. "And the operation must be carried out in the highest level of sealed protective gear.
The mutated polymer aerosol may still be present in low concentrations. The consequences of direct inhalation or contact are unknown.
Electromagnetic interference is another obstacle that must be overcome."
Calista nodded, the last of her doubts cleared away. "Good work, Doctor. We're about to get busy."
...
In the Rock Fortress command room, only Calista, Leah, and Rickson sat on either side of the long table.
Spread across the table was a thick stack of reconnaissance data reports that had been preliminarily analyzed and organized, along with interference-field spectra, structural risk assessments, and those chilling image captures.
Calista looked away from the last blurry yet vicious image of the "claw reaching from the crack." "We now have enough intelligence to make the next-stage strategic decision.
Singularity Polymers must be cleared. That is our consensus.
Because of the unknown electromagnetic interference and mutations inside, neither large-scale demolition nor long-term isolation is acceptable."
Leah and Rickson both nodded slightly.
"So there is only one answer: precise internal clearance." Calista lightly tapped the blueprint of the core facility.
"But this is not a military assault, at least not in the traditional sense.
We have three layers of obstacles to face.
The ordinary walker groups outside the facility and in the non-target areas inside; the electromagnetic interference field in the core zone; and the Black Fire mutants themselves, entrenched near the source of the interference."
Calista paused and looked at Leah. "So first, we completely clear every part of Block D except Singularity Polymers and eliminate all ordinary walkers.
We will also search the other chemical plants, warehouses, and auxiliary buildings, focusing on collecting every usable heavy-duty industrial-grade chemical protective suit, respirator, and any chemical detection equipment that may still exist.
That is the foundation for the follow-up operation."