CAT Chapter 28: Anchored Without Meaning (4)

In the middle of the hall stood five skeletal frames, completely black and standing three meters tall. They exuded a mechanical beauty of power and were crafted from highly durable, high-energy materials capable of withstanding complex terrains and challenging survey environments.

However, no matter how peaceful the external environment might seem, Zone 3 would never entirely abandon the concept of “combat capability.” Thus, the eoskeletons were also equipped with an array of weapons and propulsion systems, marking a significant leap in individual combat ability.

Due to the immaturity of neural chip technology, this batch of exoskeletons utilized probes inserted into the central positions of the human body for interfacing.

Several individuals from Zone 5 approached the skeletons. Most were mechanics responsible for joint design and power systems. They examined the five frames as though appreciating works of art.

“I’ve been frozen for a hundred years, and after waking up, we’ve already mastered such advanced technology,” one mechanic exclaimed in awe. “Back on Earth, this was nothing more than a sci-fi concept—like something out of a popcorn movie.”

“Technological progress is exponential, and our generation is at the tipping point. Plus, the research environment on the spaceship is unparalleled,” another replied, engaging in the discussion. “Now, we can all become Iron Man.”

“You? A superhero?” His colleague mocked him. “Only those ‘Limitless’ modified experimental subjects have reflex speeds fast enough to operate these exoskeletons. We’re way too slow for that.”

The first mechanic shrugged. “Then maybe I should go find Dr. Lin and get myself modified.”

“Well, you can ask the boss to put in a word for you with Dr. Lin.”

As they chatted enthusiastically, their “boss” happened to walk over.

Zheng Shu was in the middle of a voice communication.

“Madam, the project budget was submitted two years ago. I don’t believe a materials shortage should be an issue,” he said courteously, though his tone lacked warmth.

After a response from the other side, Zheng Shu continued, “No collection plans in the near future? Forgive me for being blunt, Madam, but this is a significant oversight by Zone 2. Zones 3, 5 and 6 have invested tremendous effort into the exoskeleton project, and now you’re telling me there’s insufficient material for mass production?”

The mechanics exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss.

Zheng Shu listened to the reply and then said, “We’re not mass-producing yet. Zone 6 is still developing the neural chip project. Until that’s completed, I hope you can allocate the necessary materials to us.”

“Zone 1? What would they need large quantities of bio-protein metal for?”

The other side said something, and Zheng Shu concluded with a few polite remarks before ending the call.

Looking at his subordinates, he frowned slightly and said in a somber tone, “The project has hit a snag. Zone 2 insists that the entire spaceship is experiencing a material shortage, especially high-energy materials.”

“What should we do?” one mechanic asked. “Can’t we mine for more?”

His colleague retorted irritably, “This planet has only iron, and silicon dioxide is rare. Do you want our skeletons to regress to Iron Age armor?”

“I’ll inform Lin Si. Zone Two also mentioned cutting the budget originally allocated for the chip project.”

He dialed Lin Si, but the call went unanswered for a long time.

On the second attempt, Lin Si’s voice finally came through.

“Zheng-ge.” The voice on the other end was faint.

“What’s wrong with you?” Zheng Shu detected a trace of something unusual in his tone.

“Nothing,” Lin Si replied. “What’s the matter?”

“I just received a notification from Zone 2. They’re saying all materials are in short supply. Mass production of the exoskeletons is difficult, and most of the bio-protein metal has been requisitioned by Zone 1. The chips will be affected as well.”

“What’s Zone 1 doing?”

“Zone 2 says Zone 1 had a high-energy physics project whose permission level was re-evaluated, bumped up from S to SSS, allowing them to bypass our budget request for materials.”

“Hold on, I’ll talk with Madam Chen,” Lin Si said. “I’ve already requested to unfreeze Su Ting from Zone 9. No matter what, we’re going to push the project forward.”

“Your junior sister?” Zheng Shu asked in a questioning tone, but that wasn’t really what he was asking. “…Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Lin Si replied. “Last night, I told Ling Yi that his mother is Ye Selin.”

“He should have known by now,” Zheng Shu said. “Even if you didn’t tell him, kids always end up questioning their background.”

“Then today, I took Ling Yi for a check-up and brought him to Zone 9.” Lin Si’s voice remained calm. “I rarely interact with them, so I didn’t know what they…”

He paused here, and Zheng Shu walked out of the hall, heading to a quiet corner to patiently wait for Lin Si’s next words.

Lin Si did not continue his previous sentence but said, “He should have known by now.”

“Ling Yi?” Zheng Shu asked. “Lin Si, you should remember that when you first woke up, I told you that it wasn’t your fault. You need to learn to forgive yourself.”

“I had Ling Yi go visit Su Ting,” Lin Si said. “I lost control a bit at that time, and now I don’t know how to face him.”

“Virus accidents are just accidents, Lin Si,” Zheng Shu’s voice grew heavy. “They have nothing to do with you.”

“If I had sent a communication to Ye Selin that day, she wouldn’t have come to my lab to say goodbye,” Lin Si said. “I’ve been thinking about it…”

A raised monitor blocked the cold, white light in the corridor. Lin Si stood there, half in the light, half in shadow.

**

Meanwhile, in Zone 9.

Su Ting’s face was pale, as if she were desperately trying to recall something.

“You were among the first batch to be frozen, so of course, you don’t know what happened before the ship launched. Most of the people on the ship don’t know either. Only I know,” the woman said. “The virus broke out on the ship.”

Su Ting said, “Why was there a virus? Our screening was so strict, and everyone went through an isolation period.”

“Everything could have been ruled out,” the woman shrugged. “Except for one thing—Ye Selin went to the Wilkins Lab to say goodbye to her most beloved student.”

“The lab’s control is top-level!” Su Ting shook her head.

“It’s true, the lab’s protection measures are perfect, but if Lin Si wanted to, what couldn’t he do?” the woman sneered. “The virus broke out on the ship, and he holds the most effective way to fight the virus. No matter how much he pretends to refuse, the Voyager will open its doors for him.”

“But he didn’t need to,” Su Ting rebutted. “The Voyager invited him from the start, and he actively refused!”

The woman’s voice became sharp. “That’s naturally because he already knew how to deal with the virus. Once you all left, he could bring out the vaccine and become the savior of the entire Earth. Unfortunately, the virus suddenly mutated four times, and it was impossible to eliminate it. Of course, he would change his mind and take some measures to infect Ye Selin with the third-generation virus. As a result, Ye Selin got infected, and those who were not frozen were also infected, which gave him a chance to—”

“Lin Si is not that kind of person.” Ling Yi furrowed his pretty brows. “He’s a doctor.”

A doctor, someone who only saves lives, never harms them.

Su Ting also shook her head. “Shixiong…”

But a greater sorrow overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t speak a single complete sentence.

“Ye Selin… virus…” Her gaze became vacant, and her whole body trembled.

Ling Yi knew how much she loved Ye Selin. He had heard Lin Si say before—Su Ting would cry just from seeing a cut on Ye Selin’s hand.

She obviously knew how painful it was to be infected by a virus.

She had originally been eagerly waiting to see Ye Selin again, only to suddenly learn that Ye Selin was no longer in this world, and in such an unimaginable way.

How much pain would she feel?

But…

She loved Ye SeliN—didn’t Lin Si love her too?

Ling Yi knew that when Lin Si spoke of Ye Selin, his gaze was so gentle, almost tender.

So, no matter how flawless that woman’s words seemed, he could not believe them.

Because, no matter what, a person’s eyes can’t lie, and a person’s character can’t be disguised.

Or perhaps, from another perspective, he instinctively believed in Lin Si. Lin Si was the most important person in his limited memories, and he couldn’t believe something cruel because of a woman’s one-sided story.

So…

At this moment, he could not empathize with the emotions of the people in this morgue, nor could he feel that strange unfamiliarity about Ye Selin’s death.

He only knew that the pain that shattered Su Ting must have also tormented Lin Si and was most likely still tormenting him now.

He just wanted to hug Lin Si, just as Lin Si had embraced him, at least to let him catch his breath in this pain.