From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 701 "They showed no trace of religious fanaticism or ideology"

We arrived at the survivor quarantine area.

After undergoing basic disinfection and initial quarantine, the survivors were guided into the isolation module one by one.

In stark contrast to the chaotic and filthy environment they had experienced in the fire station, this place was like another world.

The isolation zone is designed in a honeycomb shape, with each individual room strictly separated by energy barriers and alloy walls. The transparent isolation doors shimmer with a cold white light, which brings both a chilling deterrent and a sense of security that makes people feel at ease.

Soon, each survivor was assigned a single room.

From a humanistic perspective, young children can live with their mothers to avoid the panic and psychological stress caused by separation.

Adults who are alone are placed in isolation wards and are monitored and observed around the clock.

The moment they pushed open the door to the single room, almost all the survivors froze on the spot.

The interior was clean to an almost "obsessive" degree.

The floor is made of a soft metallic composite material, so smooth that it reflects people's images. The recessed lighting in the walls is soft and not glaring, like sunlight shining down.

Each bed was covered with clean white bedding, which exuded a faint, fresh fragrance after being washed.

In one corner of the room, there was a small holographic projection terminal, and several snack packages, bottled drinks, and even a refrigerator were neatly arranged on the table.

"Is this really for us to live in?"

A middle-aged woman, looking exhausted, carefully stroked the bedding, her eyes filled with disbelief mixed with a long-lost sense of security.

The survivors, who had been living in ruins and shadows, now even wondered if they were still dreaming.

The mere scent of freshly washed bedding was enough to send shivers down their spines.

The children's adaptability is particularly astonishing.

Soon, the two young children, under their mother's watchful eye, excitedly explored the holographic terminal in the room.

After reading the English instruction manual, they quickly learned how to operate the screens.

With a light tap of the fingertip, beams of light and shadow appeared on the screen, and in no time, a holographic game console was successfully activated.

Light music suddenly filled the room, and children's laughter rose and fell.

They jumped or waved holographic controllers, causing the screen to unfold in mid-air, and the colorful virtual scene enveloped their youthful figures.

Compared to their timid and fearful appearance in the dormitory not long ago, the children at this moment finally showed the innocence and vitality that belong to childhood.

Technicians from the biological department watched all of this through the observation windows of the isolation area.

With expressionless faces, they kept recording and comparing data to confirm that the children's immune systems and mental state were gradually recovering.

After all, being able to bring smiles back to these little lives is itself another victory in the fight against the plague and fear.

In contrast to the children's innocence were the adults who had once fought back fiercely.

The three firefighters and one police officer, who had previously looked at the Honor Warriors with wariness and hostility, are now in a completely different state.

After a thorough shower and inspection, they changed into light gray casual clothes provided by the base.

In the spacious private room, several people were either half-lying down or slumped on the soft sofa, holding ice-cold beer that had just been taken out of the refrigerator.

The transparent glass, glistening with water droplets, looked especially tempting under the cool air.

One of the firefighters, with a full beard, let out a long sigh, leaned back on the sofa, raised his beer bottle to the holographic television in front of him, and muttered to himself, "I never thought in my life I would be able to drink something ice-cold again."

The two firefighters in the other single rooms also showed similar emotions on their faces.

It seems that if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, you would never have believed it. This doesn't look like a front-line base at all; it looks more like a sanatorium in some kind of futuristic world.

A holographic television screen floated in front of them, constantly switching channels.

It could be news broadcasts between planets, cultural and entertainment programs, or even live broadcasts of sporting events.

The group was clearly a bit bewildered by this novel content, but soon, a policeman found a fighting competition.

In the scene, several heavily armored warriors clashed fiercely on the arena. The sounds of fists and feet clashing and energy shields exploding made him subconsciously hold his breath.

"I'll still use this to relieve stress."

The policeman grinned, took a sip of beer, and let the icy liquid slide down his throat.

In just two hours, the survivors' mental state had subtly changed.

They, who were originally on edge and ready to escape at any moment, are now gradually experiencing a strange sense of relaxation.

This place not only provides food, clean water, and safe housing, but also takes into account entertainment and comfort.

But at the same time, they did not forget that all of these seemingly "luxurious" things were built on the empire's strict and ruthless rules.

The monitoring devices, the regular checks, and the layers of energy barriers all silently reminded them of their status as "suspected infected persons."

Only when the final observation period ends can they be truly recognized as safe "humans".

The room temperature was adjusted to the most comfortable level by the air conditioner, and the chaos and stench from the outside world were completely isolated.

For those who have struggled on the brink of the apocalypse, this place is paradise.

However, they could not see where Lei Ruoya and the Glory Warriors were at this moment, nor could they imagine the massive operation of the external base.

To them, it all still seemed like a future shrouded in mystery, and they could only wait within the walls of the quarantine zone for the final "judgment."
The scene shifts to the isolation area for infected individuals in the biological department.

Compared to the comfortable pods where the survivors were, this place felt cold and oppressive, like a microcosm of hell.

Thick alloy walls and energy isolation layers completely seal off each room, making the interior space narrow and cramped, barely enough for one person to curl up in.

There were no beds, no bathing facilities, and not even the most basic excretory devices.

The entire environment deliberately strips people of their dignity, leaving only coldness and confinement.

Through the monitoring screen, one can see those so-called "infected" individuals struggling in their respective cages in ugly and frantic ways.

"I'm going to fuck you all to death!!!"

"I'm going to bite your breasts off!"

A filthy roar continued to erupt, the crude language mixed with the ripping vocal cords of screams echoing between the metal walls, creating a chilling noise.

Some of the infected frantically slammed into the walls, their flesh and steel rubbing together with a sickening scraping sound, their blood splattering onto the alloy floor, yet still failing to stop them.

Some infected individuals fall into a state of self-harming madness, digging their nails into their skin and tearing their flesh apart, yet revealing an almost sacrilegious laugh amidst the excruciating pain.

Some infected individuals, utterly shameless and irrational, defecated directly into the one-way observation window, then deliberately smeared the waste with their hands and smeared it all over the walls of the isolation room. Their facial expressions were so grotesque they were almost distorted, their eyes bloodshot, the whites of their eyes completely submerged in crimson blood vessels.

His breathing was rapid, and saliva kept seeping from the corners of his lips, like a wild beast that had lost its mind, or as if he were being controlled by some more evil force.

Standing outside the one-way observation window were several technicians from the Department of Biology.

They were dressed in spotless white protective suits, their true expressions hidden behind their masks, but it wasn't hard to guess that these technicians' facial expressions were furrowed, revealing their disgust.

A technician in charge of recording muttered under his breath:
Are these even human?

The other person did not answer, but instead rapidly tapped on the data panel, inputting the scene in front of them and the corresponding behavioral patterns into the system.

Various data curves kept popping up on the monitoring screen: unstable heart rate, soaring hormone levels, abnormal nerve responses, accompanied by extreme mental disorder.

All the indicators are far beyond the range of normal human beings.

The air circulation system isolated the stench and blood odor emanating from the isolation chamber, but just witnessing the actions of these infected individuals was enough to cause the researchers present to feel intense discomfort.

They were scientists, not frontline agents of the Investigation Department and the Inquisition. Their knowledge of the warp gods and corruption was limited, but even so, they could see that the actions of these infected were not much different from, or even worse than, those of some of the rumored "heretics".

"Their behavior does not resemble that of a simple viral infection."

One of the technical supervisors spoke in a deep voice, his tone grave, "It's more like a distortion at the mental level, as if their will has been torn apart, their souls corrupted by some invisible force, or perhaps their desires have been amplified infinitely?"

Upon hearing this, the staff members outside the cabin exchanged glances.

Although the Biology Department did not delve as deeply into the study of evil gods and the subspace as the Inquisition Department or the Investigation Department, they had heard some secrets.

Those were records of human will being devoured by demonic power, often accompanied by foul language, insane behavior, and complete loss of rationality, almost identical to the state of these infected people before us.

"No wonder."

Another technician whispered, "No wonder the commander of the Glory Legion suspected they had been contaminated by the warp immediately. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that a mere plague could drive people to this point."

Although their voices were kept extremely low, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere still filled the air.

The infected person on the surveillance footage was still screaming, the sound was noisy and piercing, as if it carried a highly aggressive frequency, making people feel irritable.

The technicians had to turn down the volume and only keep the video feed on to avoid further psychological impact.

Recording continues, with data being uploaded to the central database one record at a time.

Meanwhile, behind the high wall, a large number of automatic defense machine guns stood silently, their cold light flashing on the barrels.

That's to prevent the most extreme situation from happening. Once the energy barrier is breached, the infected will be indiscriminately eliminated in an instant.

This ruthless preventative measure is a reflection of the imperial order:
The empire provides safety and protection to its fellow citizens, but for individuals who have lost their minds and may threaten the survival of the whole, there is only ruthlessness and annihilation.

Meanwhile, inside the quarantine zone, the frantic screams of the infected continued unabated.

They are unaware that they are no longer considered "human".

In the Department of Biology's files, they have only one identification label—

Potential heretical samples.

Soon after;
Inside the conference room in the Department of Biology building area, the cool white lights illuminated the entire hall, making it spotless.

Energy suppressors were embedded in the walls, and a faint disinfectant scent filled the air. Several figures were quietly taking their seats around the long table.

Having removed her heavy armor and changed into a dark training uniform, Lei Ruoya's back remained straight, and her eyes were cold and stern.

Her aura was like a battle blade, and even in this relatively "safe" environment, it still made people feel oppressed.

Standing beside her was the weeping company commander, Forros, whose face, weathered by war and slaughter, remained somber, with a hint of restrained compassion in his brows.

In the remaining seats, the investigators and agents from the Inquisition remained silent, their eyes cold, patiently awaiting the report.

Standing directly in front of the conference room was a supervisor dressed in the white official uniform of the Department of Biology.

He had a thin face and sharp eyes like an eagle. At this moment, the supervisor was operating a holographic projector, displaying images and data in mid-air.

The blue and white light curtain illuminated everyone's face.

"Everyone."

The supervisor spoke, his voice steady yet carrying a cold, sharp edge, "The Biological Department has completed preliminary testing on the infected individuals recovered this time."

As he switched the commands in his hand, a distorted microscopic image appeared on the projection screen.

It is a complex particle with an outer protein shell that encloses the internal spiral genetic material.

The image rotates continuously, as if revealing some unspeakable order.

"Through blood tests, we confirmed that this is a type of unknown virus."

The supervisor spoke slowly, his voice devoid of any emotion, as cold and hard as a machine.

"It uses a special protein shell as a defensive barrier to protect its internal genetic chain, which is why it is extremely resilient."

Based on our experiments and speculation, even after being completely separated from its host, it can still survive in the environment for several days or even longer, and ordinary disinfection methods are almost ineffective in completely eradicating it.

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere around the conference table visibly froze for a moment.

An agent from the Inquisition squinted, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table without uttering a word.

The holographic projection continues to switch.

The image shows the pathology report of the infected person.

The skin showed numerous dilated blood vessels and tears, indicating extensive external injuries caused by frequent self-harm and violent behavior.

The nervous system is overactive, controlled by a persistent, almost manic, aggressive impulse.

While the language function remains, the semantic level has almost entirely degenerated into an outlet for filth and violence.

The most prominent symptom is an indiscriminate desire to attack both the same and different species, manifesting as extreme cruelty and sadistic tendencies.

The supervisor's voice still echoed in the conference room:

“These infected individuals, in terms of their behavior, are very similar to some legendary heretics, but the difference is that they do not have any trace of religious fanaticism or ideology. Their violent behavior is purely a physiological impulse caused by the virus’s interference with the central nervous system.”

The scene switched again, showing several video clips.

Infected individuals screamed, bit the walls, beat themselves, and even sprayed filth into the one-way observation window in the isolation room.

The ugly images projected onto the conference room ceiling caused many people to frown.
(End of this chapter)