I handed over to another world

A senior advisor to the Academy of Sciences also spoke up at the opportune moment, adjusting his glasses: "The scientific community has been studying subspace models, but progress has been slow."

"The emergence of 'Purple Eclipse' provides a... brutal but direct observation window. We propose to launch the second phase of the 'Eye in Deep Space' project: in an absolutely safe laboratory environment, using the 'Laboratory Zero' to controllably stimulate and observe 'Purple Eclipse' pollutants, combined with the mental mapping of perceivers such as Ella, we will attempt to reverse-engineer a more accurate subspace information environment model and pollution propagation early warning algorithm."

"But this will take time and is extremely risky."

Some immediately voiced their opposition, arguing that based on the current stance, the research progress and work in subspace would invariably lead related research projects and personnel into an uncontrollable frenzy...

However, as the debate intensified, the focus of the discussion gradually became clear: should we continue to strengthen physical blockade and information isolation at any cost, or take huge risks and invest resources in in-depth research and the establishment of an early warning system, or seek a compromise that can temporarily guarantee navigation?
All eyes turned to Chen Lin once again.

He remained silent, his fingers slowly tapping on the smooth tabletop, his gaze shifting between the risk markers on the star map, the real-time data stream from "Laboratory Zero," and the outline of the second phase of the "Eye in Deep Space" project proposed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The shadow of the abyss looms over every possible path.

After a long while, Chen Lin stopped tapping, raised his eyes, and his gaze swept over Zhou Kerui, Lin Han, and General Zhao Zhenbang, the advisor of the Academy of Sciences, Wang Zhe, and the intelligence chief in the holographic projection.

Without pausing, his voice was steady and powerful, carrying an unquestionable determination, clearly resounding in the heavy air: "The conclusion is clear: cowering is a slow death; but charging forward blindfolded is suicide."

"Our only option right now is to cautiously extend our tentacles of exploration from within our absolutely fortified defenses. That's the strategic direction we've decided on—"

He held up a finger, his gaze sharp as a knife: "First, the 'Firewall' plan is fully upgraded! This is our shield and spear against 'Purple Eclipse'!"

"Lin Han, your team's task is the most important and has the highest priority! Take the data on the 'Deep Diver VII's' corruption and the 'Purple Erosion' characteristic report, and optimize the 'Klein Bottle' protective suit to the extreme! The core points are twofold: the topological structure must be rock-solid, and the efficiency of the entropy increase barrier in 'boiling' those paradoxical information must be tripled! Wang Zhe, give Lin Han a full report on your 'Night Owl' team's combat experience on K-77. The goal is one: raise the collapse limit of the protective shield under the known 'Purple Erosion' attack by a whopping 300%!"

"We can't neglect the spear either! We'll develop two weapons simultaneously: one is a 'logic noise generator,' which needs to be deployed over a wide area with minimal noise, and its purpose is to disperse the seductive 'whispering' pollution; the other is a 'logic paradox bomb,' which needs to be precise and concentrated, specifically designed to eliminate small sources of pollution. These two will be the standard equipment for the future 'Night Watchers' and all our starships!"

"Furthermore, the 'cognitive filter' must be put into practical use as soon as possible! Dr. Zhou, you will lead this effort, with the Academy of Sciences providing full support in neurological terms. Based on Ella's mental resistance model, create a rudimentary filter that can be integrated into the starship's main control system and crew helmets. The goal is simple: filter out all the dangerous 'whispers' spectrum that we currently know of! Minimize the risk of crew members being seduced or contaminated!"

Chen Lin then raised a second finger, his gaze fixed on Zhou Kerui: "Secondly, I approve the execution of the 'Eye in Deep Space' Phase II project! Dr. Zhou, you are fully in charge! This is our 'Eye of Exploration' that we are extending!"

“In your ‘Laboratory Zero,’ set aside a separate ‘observation unit,’ and use the most stringent ‘Klein bottles’ and ‘entropy barriers’ to create layers of nested dolls for me, ensuring absolute isolation!”

"Core mission: Using the 'live sample' from Li Rui's wound and the contamination residue brought back this time, simulate the interaction between the subspace environment and 'Purple Erosion' in an absolutely safe cage. Combined with Ella's depth perception and instrument scanning, we have reverse-engineered three things for us: a dynamic model of the subspace information environment, the core logical structure and propagation trigger points of 'Purple Erosion' contamination, and most importantly—an early warning feature database! We need to know when it will come and how it will come!"

"I understand the risks! Therefore, the circuit breaker mechanism is doubled! This observation unit operates independently, with a dual circuit breaker mechanism. Any data fluctuations or entity anomalies exceeding my established safety threshold will result in the immediate self-destruction of the unit and everything within it! The first-level circuit breaker authority is in your hands, Dr. Zhou; the second-level circuit breaker and final execution authority are in my hands. There is no room for complacency!"

With his third finger raised, Chen Lin turned his gaze to the projections of the intelligence chief and Zhao Zhenbang: "Third, we need a 'way to survive'—a temporary 'safe route' plan!"

"Intelligence Department, Joint Fleet Navigation Center, take immediate action! Based on the latest 'Subspace Erosion Risk Star Map,' replan all official routes! Red high-risk zones: absolutely no entry! Orange alert zones: only ships equipped with the latest 'Island' protection and 'Cognitive Filter' prototypes are allowed to enter, and they must be escorted by 'Night Watchers' or under close surveillance, and must be carrying out the highest priority missions! Yellow zones: strengthen surveillance!"

"All ships entering medium- to high-risk areas must be equipped with the upgraded 'Eye of the Candle Dragon' passive monitoring module! Once this thing detects excessive information disturbances or matches those dangerous spectrums in our database, the captain must unconditionally execute the 'Deep Diver VII' silence protocol! Turn off all field pulses and zero-point energy devices, and remain completely silent, standing by! General Zhao, the fleet is responsible for supervising the execution, and those who disobey will be severely punished!"

"Resource mining in high-risk areas, especially those minerals with zero-point sensitivity, must be stopped immediately. The Academy of Sciences needs to accelerate the search for alternative materials or research safe mining technologies. We cannot risk lives for a few pieces of ore!"

Finally, Chen Lin's gaze locked onto Wang Zhe's projection, his expression filled with an undeniable urgency: "Fourth, 'Night Watchman'! Wang Zhe, this 'blade of night watch' must be sharpened as soon as possible!"

"Three months, the deadline remains unchanged! The first batch of organized 'Night Watchers' will be deployed to three key locations: the route nodes on the edge of high-risk zones, the periphery of important resource star sectors, and the blockade line of the 'Silent Seas,' ready to provide mobile support at any time!"

"Their mission is clear: patrol and monitor, sniffing out any anomalies along the route like hounds; respond quickly, rushing to the scene the moment a problem arises; provide impenetrable protection for missions that have to take high-risk routes; and finally, and most last resort—if necessary, execute the 'Ash' contingency plan to clean up the contamination! They are the night watchmen of the starry sea, and where their blades point, order prevails!"

Chen Lin's voice was resolute, setting the tone for this struggle on the edge of the abyss: "In this strategy, the 'firewall' is the shield, the 'eye in deep space' is the eye, the 'safe route' is the path beneath our feet, and the 'night watchman' is the sword in our hands! Our goal is not to conquer the unknown darkness of the warp right now, but to forge a path for humanity's starships to survive and continue moving forward in its shadow!"

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze unwavering: "I know the research is extremely risky. But this path is imperative!"

"Contracted shipping routes and limited resources will cause growing pains, but it's better than ships turning into floating coffins and living people turning into monsters! Gentlemen—"

His voice carried a heavy sense of responsibility: "Carry out the orders!"

"Yes, President!" Zhou Kerui, Lin Han, Wang Zhe and the others replied with firm voices, their eyes burning with resolute determination.

"The fleet guarantees the safety of the shipping lanes and the enforcement of the ban!"

General Zhao Zhenbang's projection responded solemnly, like a vow made of steel.

"The Academy of Sciences will provide all theoretical and technical support!"

The advisor's voice carried the solemn promise of a scientist.

The strategy has been decided.

Under Chen Lin's cold and firm voice, and under the gaze of the abyss, the course of human civilization underwent a difficult adjustment.

...The echoes of the strategic deployment still reverberated in the room as Zhou Kerui, Lin Han, and others left with a do-or-die determination.

General Zhao Zhenbang's projection disappeared, and the Academy of Sciences advisor also cut off the connection. Only Chen Lin and a few core think tank members remained in the command room. The tense atmosphere eased slightly, but the coldness between Chen Lin's brows did not disappear.

He had just picked up his slightly chilled teacup when his personal affairs terminal on his wrist emitted a sharp and urgent alert, completely different from the communication alerts during the strategic meeting just now, carrying the exclusive frequency of an internal emergency.

Chen Lin paused, put down his teacup, and opened the message.

A holographic screen unfolded in front of him, displaying an encrypted report from the association's internal oversight department.

The report was concise and cold:
[Number: C-439]

[Person involved: Zhang Hongyu, head of the Logistics Support Center for the Seventh Region of East Asia]

[Nature of the violation: serious dereliction of duty, misappropriation of special funds (exceeding 1.5 billion Red Dragon Coins as verified), and abuse of power to benefit relatives]

[Recommended course of action: An internal review process has been initiated, an investigation has been launched, and it is recommended that the case be transferred to the Ministry of Justice.]

The report is accompanied by a summary of several key pieces of evidence, which clearly show that Zhang Hongyu abused his power to divert special funds originally intended for upgrading and maintaining regional protection equipment to purchase a starship and luxury goods for his personal use, and to transfer illicit benefits to companies run by his relatives.

Chen Lin's gaze swept quickly across the report, his brows, which had just relaxed slightly due to the strategic deployment, instantly furrowed, and a suppressed anger gathered in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly, and his fingers unconsciously tapped on the table, the sound particularly clear in the suddenly silent command room.

He abruptly looked up at Secretary Zhao, who had been standing quietly to his side, responsible for internal liaison. His voice was low and carried a chilling undercurrent:

"Zhang Hongyu?"

Chen Lin's voice wasn't loud, but it was as piercing as an icicle: "Right under my nose, at a critical moment when human civilization is facing an existential threat, and every resource is crucial to the lives of frontline soldiers! He actually dared to... embezzle life-saving funds?!"

Secretary-General Zhao immediately straightened up, feeling the powerful pressure emanating from the chairman, and reported clearly, "Yes, Chairman. The Supervision Department has obtained conclusive evidence and is proceeding with the necessary procedures."

"Procedures?" Chen Lin sneered, his laughter devoid of any warmth. "Now is not the time to follow procedures step by step! Allowing these parasites to remain even a day longer is an insult to the soldiers bleeding and sweating on the front lines! It is a trampling on the discipline of the entire association!"

He abruptly stood up, the sound of the chair scraping sharply ringing out.

He walked around the command table to the central holographic star map, but even the vast starry sky seemed unable to quell his anger.

With his back to Secretary-General Zhao, his voice was firm and brooked no argument: "Notify the Ministry of Supervision that I will personally oversee this case!"

"First, immediately freeze all asset accounts of Zhang Hongyu and all his related relatives! Thoroughly investigate the flow of funds, not a single penny can be missing! Where did it go, who benefited from it, dig it all out, one by one!"

"Second, all those involved in the case, including Zhang Hongyu himself, his relatives who participated in profiting from the case, and any internal personnel who colluded with him, failed to report the incident, or provided assistance, shall be suspended from their duties and placed under immediate quarantine for investigation! Not a single one shall be missed!"

“Third,” Chen Lin turned around, his eyes sharp as knives, staring directly at Secretary-General Zhao, “bring Zhang Hongyu to headquarters! I want to ask him personally where his conscience was when he was enjoying himself with money stained with the blood and sweat of soldiers on the front lines! I want him to explain himself to me in person!”

"Yes! President!"

Secretary-General Zhao did not hesitate at all and immediately accepted the order, while quickly recording the instructions on the terminal.

"Fourth," Chen Lin's voice softened slightly, but the oppressive feeling remained, "tell the Supervision Department and the person in charge of this case that within a week, I want to see a complete, watertight preliminary investigation report and a list of people involved on my desk."

"The chain of evidence must be irrefutable and withstand any scrutiny! The association must undergo a thorough overhaul! This kind of unhealthy trend must not be tolerated!"

"Understood! I will relay your orders immediately and oversee the entire process!"

Secretary-General Zhao confirmed again, his tone resolute.

Chen Lin nodded, took one last look at the nauseating report summary, and waved to close it.

He didn't speak again, and sat back in his command chair, but his eyes were cold, and his chest rose and fell slightly, clearly still angry.

Having just finalized his strategy to confront the Abyss, he turned around and discovered that worms had infested the fortress from within. This sense of betrayal weighed heavily on him and filled him with more anger than any external threat.

The command room fell silent again, with only the occasional tapping of Chen Lin's fingers on the table and the cold determination burning in his eyes to restore discipline.

"Similar incidents need to be thoroughly investigated to see if they exist in other regions. Is this a case of people being too far removed from the central government and preparing to become local tyrants?"

After a long pause, Chen Lin coldly said, "To dare to do something like this so close to Southeast Asia, I think the man surnamed Zhang is tired of living!" (End of Chapter)