I handed over to another world

The timestamp of the recorded segment was 7 hours and 48 minutes after entering the abnormal area, at which point the source bridge communication recording was played.

Captain Li Zheng's voice sounded slightly tired: "...Headquarters replied, instructing us to proceed with caution and prioritize our own safety...Researcher Li, shut down the zero-point field probe and switch to passive mode..."

Dr. Zhang Wei's sharp voice interrupted him directly: "No! Li Zheng! Didn't you see it?! That data! That's not noise! ​​That's information! That's some kind of... logical structure beyond our understanding! It's behind the membrane! It's calling out! We must make contact! This is a leap forward in human cognition!"

The background noise displayed in the black box was significantly increased, like countless whispers, causing everyone present to frown.

Li Ming's voice sounded tense: "Dr. Zhang! Your emotions... The probe must be shut down! System report..."

Zhang Wei nearly screamed, "You cowards! The truth is right before our eyes! Activate maximum power! Force your way through it!"

(The alarm sounds as the control panel is forcibly operated, and there are sounds of fighting.)
A few seconds later, Li Zheng roared, "Zhang Wei! Are you crazy?! Security! Restrain her! Forcibly shut down the detectors..."

Just then, a piercing, metallic shriek erupted, drowning out all human voices.

The surveillance footage was instantly covered by a violent purple flash!
One minute after the shriek, the black box displayed footage from multiple damaged surveillance cameras. At this point, the bridge was in chaos, with lights flashing wildly.

Several crew members rolled on the ground in agony, clutching their heads. Dr. Zhang Wei stood before the out-of-control control panel, her eyes wide open, her face contorted with a mixture of ecstasy and terror, dark phlegm oozing from the corner of her mouth.

On the walls and floor, purple "mycelium" that looks like living things is spreading and multiplying at a visible speed!
A crew member accidentally touched the mycelium and instantly let out a shrill scream as the skin on his arm began to turn into translucent purple crystals!
The video cut out briefly, then showed Captain Li Zheng's personal recorder footage, with the background filled with alarms, explosions, and frantic screams.

In the audio, Captain Li Zheng's voice was extremely hoarse, terrified, and incoherent: "...Shipwide emergency...contamination...incomprehensible...it's rewriting the rules...space is folding...time is...knotting...thoughts...thoughts are no longer one's own...it's singing in the brain...purple songs...sweet rot...must be isolated...main reactor...safety chamber...I locked myself in...outside...they're all...no longer human...dancing...purple dance...they're eating...eating steel...eating everything...eating thoughts...Omega...fragments...not fragments...they're seeds...it's growing...it's..."

The recorder recorded a violent impact and the sound of some viscous liquid splashing. Li Zheng let out a short, inhuman wail, followed by a crackling sound of electricity and a strange, gurgling sound like flowing liquid...

Recording terminated.

The analysis room was deathly silent.

The last thing the screen captured was the image of the hatch covered in purple slime, recorded in the last few seconds of the captain's log, along with that chilling background sound.

Lin Han, Wang Zhe, Ella, and Zhou Kerui and Chen Lin, who were watching through the screen, all felt a chill run down their spines.

They finally learned what had happened on the "Earth"—it was not a simple equipment malfunction or attack at all, but a terrifying disaster that began with scientific fervor, was lured by whispers of the subspace, and was ultimately disintegrated and transformed from within by an incomprehensible "rule virus".

Dr. Zhang Wei forcibly activated the zero-point field probe, penetrating that "membrane" and releasing, or rather awakening, the "Omega fragment" sleeping deep in subspace—which was not a fragment at all, but a "seed" that polluted reality.

It feeds on information and rules, distorts the laws of physics, erodes biological consciousness, and transforms steel and flesh into part of its distorted existence.

Captain Li Zheng locked himself in the secure isolation chamber, becoming the cocoon that the "Candlelight" task force last saw...

It is also a new monster that the abyss is trying to breed.

Ella covered her face, her body trembling slightly. The mental breakdown at the end of the Captain's Log and that "purple song" still seemed to echo in her mind.

Chen Lin closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked towards the medical observation room. The stubborn purple light on Li Rui's arm now looked even more ominous.

Have the seeds of the abyss truly been completely destroyed?
Or has it left behind even smaller, more hidden seeds?
The real battle between human civilization and this terror from the subspace, which feeds on rules, may have only just begun.

The price has already become too heavy to bear.

……

The atmosphere at the Shangdu Command Center was even more somber than deep space itself.

On the huge star map screen, the spacetime "scar" of the UDF-7243 region is still conspicuous. Next to it, key clips recorded by the "Houtu" black box and the last images of the "Candle Shadow" task force's operation are played side by side. Li Rui's real-time vital signs and close-up of his wounds in the isolation medical pod occupy another corner.

The number of participants was small, but their presence was extremely significant.

In addition to Chen Lin and Zhou Kerui, there were many other high-ranking scientific researchers who attended via ultra-high-encryption quantum channel projection.

Chen Lin sat upright in the main seat, his face calm and deep, his sharp gaze sweeping over the people on Earth's side in the holographic projection.

Dr. Zhou Kerui stood in the central reporting area, her voice clear and calm, tinged with a barely perceptible weariness, as she gave her final summary: "...In summary, the mission objectives have been largely achieved: the main source of pollution and the transformed substance of the 'Houtu' have been confirmed to have been annihilated by the 'Singularity Fang'; the key data black box has been successfully recovered; and all members of the task force, except for Captain Li Rui who was seriously injured, have returned safely."

"The results of the black box analysis have been transmitted to everyone. The core conclusion is: the 'Omega fragment' is essentially a highly dangerous subspace 'rule virus seed'. Its contamination mode is the distortion and transformation at the information and rule levels. Physical destruction cannot guarantee the eradication of all potential fragments."

She paused, her gaze falling on the medical monitor: "Captain Li Rui's condition is the biggest variable right now. The contaminants in the wound are non-biological and have informational characteristics, making conventional treatment ineffective."

"Currently, we are using an entropy-increasing force field derived from 'island' technology to suppress and isolate the wound. Perceptor Ella has confirmed that there are whispering remnants in the wound that are at the same frequency as the source of contamination. The prospects for healing are... unclear, and there is a potential risk of getting out of control."

"That restricted area... what are the scan results?"

The old man asked in a deep voice, his brows furrowed.

"The physical structure of all known contaminated areas has been destroyed, and energy radiation has been reduced to zero."

Zhou Kerui retrieved the data stream, stating, "However, based on the characteristics of 'rule-based viruses,' the possibility of trace amounts of latent information fragments spreading through subspace background or quantum mechanisms cannot be completely ruled out. Contamination risk level: residual, pending observation."

General Zhao Zhenbang slammed his fist on the virtual armrest: "Residue? To be observed?! Dr. Zhou, you and I both know what this means!"

“Li Rui is dangerous enough, but that entire star system is a ticking time bomb! I insist on activating the 'Scorched Earth Protocol'! Designate a ten-light-year zone around UDF-7243 as a permanent dead zone, and deploy the highest-level contamination detection array and automatic cleanup firepower!”

"Any unauthorized entrants will be killed on sight! All relevant information, including details of Li Rui's injuries, must be sealed off! Minimize the scope of those who have knowledge of this! We must completely seal off this threat in an iron coffin! This is the safest approach!"

His words carried the iron will and unquestionable authority characteristic of a soldier.

"General Zhao!"

The chief advisor of the Academy of Sciences immediately retorted, "I agree with physical isolation, but 'scorched earth' is too extreme! With information blocked, how can we study countermeasures? Li Rui is a valuable living sample! Studying him under strict isolation may be our only chance to find weaknesses! Science needs information, it needs research subjects!" "Research subjects?"

Zhao Zhenbang sneered, "Mr. Consultant, that's a human bomb! Can your quarantine guarantee it's foolproof?"

"Haven't we learned enough from the lessons of the Houtu? Getting close to that star system could lead to infection!"

"To put the entire fleet, or even the Earth, at risk for the sake of so-called research? Decisive action is necessary! Sacrificing the individual to save the whole—that's the law of war!"

Zhou Kerui couldn't help but speak up, her tone protective: "General, Captain Li Rui is still holding on!"

"Furthermore, the 'isolated island' technology has been tested in actual combat. We are confident in establishing an absolutely isolated 'Laboratory Zero.' Abandoning research and information sharing is tantamount to going into battle blindfolded in the next encounter. Understanding it is the prerequisite for defeating it!"

"As long as you don't blow yourself up during the research process!"

Zhao Zhenbang refused to back down, "Dr. Zhou, don't forget that your 'island' was almost torn to shreds in the isolation ward!"

The argument resumed, and several high-ranking officials listened in silence, their gazes shifting between the two sides and Chen Lin, who remained silent throughout.

Finally, one of them looked directly at Chen Lin and said, "President Chen, you are the head of the Red Dragon Association, the first line of defense against deep space threats. Your decision..."

The command center fell silent instantly.

All eyes were now focused on Chen Lin, but he did not speak immediately. His deep gaze slowly swept over the scars on the star map, past the glaring purple light in Li Rui's medical footage, and finally settled on the last image of the hatch covered in slime and symbolizing despair, recorded in the black box.

He doesn't need to report to anyone; he's the one who makes the final decisions.

A moment later, Chen Lin leaned forward slightly, tapped his finger lightly on the gleaming control panel, and spoke in a low voice, yet with an authority and decisiveness that could crush stars, instantly quelling all the argument:
"The opinion has been expressed, and the decision is as follows—"

His words were clear and cold.

Adopting General Zhao's physical isolation core, effective immediately, the core area of ​​UDF-7243 and its surrounding five light-years are designated as the highest restricted area of ​​the "Silent Sea".

The "Eye of the Candle Dragon" enhanced detection network was deployed, and the "Candle Dragon" and designated fleets were authorized to exercise the highest level of vigilance against unauthorized intruders, with forceful expulsion as the priority and ultimate destruction as a backup measure.

The guiding principle is to avoid contact, prevent energy bursts, and avoid activating potential contamination.

General Zhao is in full charge of this matter; if anything goes wrong, Chen Lin will contact him directly.

At the same time, the entire Red Dragon Association will adopt limited information control.

The nature of the "Omega fragments," their specific contamination mechanism, and core data regarding Li Rui's injuries are classified as top secret.

The scope of knowledge was limited to the participants of this meeting and the designated core team. The unified statement to the outside world was that the "Houtu" encountered a high-dimensional energy storm and a deadly radiation leak and crashed, and UDF-7243 was designated as a restricted area due to its continued instability.

The "Candlelight" mission successfully retrieved the black box, but Captain Li Rui received treatment for burns caused by high-intensity radiation.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences can conduct basic research based on desensitized energy storm/radiation data in a strictly isolated environment.

Meanwhile, Captain Li Rui and his wound samples are the only living window into the abyss, so it is necessary to establish a "Zero Isolation Research Laboratory" on the "Candle Dragon". Dr. Zhou Kerui is in charge of the research, and Ella is responsible for monitoring.

Based on the lessons learned from this experience, the Red Dragon Association, in collaboration with the Joint Fleet and the Academy of Sciences, immediately launched the "Firewall" plan.

Objective: To develop a detection, early warning, and information/rule-level defense system against “rule virus” contamination, and simultaneously establish the “Night Watch” rapid response force—elite special forces personnel, with top-tier mental resistance screening and equipped with “island” technology to enhance protection.

This team is on standby at any time to extinguish new flames.

The entire Red Dragon Association needs to provide full support in terms of personnel, equipment, and technology.

Chen Lin's gaze, like a cold probe, swept over every high-ranking official: "'Houtu's' tragedy is a warning bell; the abyss is never far away."

"Fear can tempt us to build high walls and cower in self-preservation, which is tantamount to a slow death."

"The true way to survive is to dissect fear within an absolute cage and hone one's skills behind a strong shield. This is not an adventure, but a responsibility!"

"We study it, we defend against it, and our ultimate goal is only one: to destroy it. For Li Rui, for the 'Houtu' spaceship, and for the future of human civilization under the stars."

"The Red Dragon Association is both the shield of the night and the blade of dawn... Carry out the mission."

There were no inquiries, no discussions.

This was an absolute order from Chen Lin, the president of the Red Dragon Association.

The people at the meeting gave Chen Lin a deep look and slowly nodded: "Yes... we will fully support the Red Dragon Association's 'Night Watchers'."

Admiral Zhao Zhenbang took a deep breath and straightened his back: "The fleet guarantees that not even a speck of dust will escape the Silent Sea! The fleet will give priority to supplying the Night Watchmen's needs!"

He carried out the order, but the worry in his eyes did not completely disappear.

The advisor to the Academy of Sciences sighed deeply, with the heaviness of a scientist: "The Academy of Sciences... will exhaust the light of wisdom within its cage, and may this glimmer of light pierce the darkness."

With the decision finalized, an invisible barrier was erected in deep space, and the seeds of danger were placed in an absolutely isolated cage for research. A new shield of defense and a sword of counterattack began to be forged.

The price has been paid, but the road ahead remains unknown.

Chen Lin's gaze finally settled on the medical footage. The purple light on Li Rui's arm flickered slightly under the suppression of the entropy-increasing force field. There were too many complex issues involved in this incident, and Chen Lin knew that he couldn't intervene lightly without preparation, otherwise the consequences would be enormous... (End of this chapter)