CAT Chapter 5: To The Distant Home Planet (1)

I’m just a doctor.

At that moment, Ling Yi happened to pass by the corridor. With hearing far superior to that of an ordinary person, he naturally caught every word of the conversation between Lin Si and Seth.

Gripping the doorframe, he called out crisply, “Lin Si is a bad guy!”

Lin Si turned around with a faint, amused smile, thinking to himself that this little thing seemed to be growing bolder.

Ling Yi was most afraid of that expression on Lin Si’s face and took off running like a startled rabbit.

The docking process went smoothly, but Zone 6 was severely damaged. Its outer shell was battered and dilapidated, standing out awkwardly against the rest of the ship’s pristine structure.

When the hatch opened, Zheng Shu strode in and gave Lin Si a quick hug. “Welcome back.”

Lin Si replied, “Level Seven damage. You’re going to be busy for a while.”

“As long as you’re all okay,” Zheng Shu said, glancing over at the younger crew members and counting heads. “Everyone made it back? That’s nothing short of a miracle.”

Lin Si’s expression flickered briefly with unease. “…Actually, we brought back one extra.”

“Hm?” Zheng Shu looked puzzled.

“The little one in Capsule 97 woke up,” Lin Si said, rubbing his temples. “He’s undergone a significant mutation, remembers nothing, and is proving quite troublesome. For now, he’s not suitable for military handover. I’ll need to go and request custody from Marshal Sius.”

Before he could finish speaking, a piercing scream erupted from behind Zheng Shu.

“Lin!” A blonde female assistant rushed over and threw her arms around him. “Thank God you’re safe!”

After hugging Lin Si, her attention turned to Ling Yi.

“My little darling, my precious angel,” she gushed, gazing at Ling Yi with adoration. “You’ve finally woken up! Nothing we tried before could rouse you.”

Ling Yi stared at the overly enthusiastic woman, his body stiff with discomfort.

“I’ll hand over the navigation logs,” Lin Si said, organizing the data and addressing the assistant. “Bethy, take him for a full-body examination.”

“Got it,” Bethy replied, taking Ling Yi’s hand. “Come along, little angel.”

Ling Yi was entirely unfamiliar with these people. Despite his inner reluctance, he couldn’t help but cast a pleading look toward the only familiar face—Lin Si.

Lin Si ruffled his hair. “Be good and listen to her. I’ll come get you after the tests.”

Each experimental subject had to undergo a meticulous and extensive series of evaluations after a successful experiment. These ranged from sensory acuity and muscle strength to nerve response speed and even neuron count—data that ordinary testing wouldn’t typically cover.

Many of these tests required highly sophisticated and challenging precision instruments, a field outside Lin Si’s expertise but squarely within Bethy’s. That was why they hadn’t been conducted earlier.

The handover process was tedious and involved countless details. Lin Si also had to report the losses to Zone Two’s resource management team and apply for new experimental instruments, tools, and materials. On top of that, he had to endure numerous congratulations from colleagues about their narrow escape. By the time he was done, Bethy had brought Ling Yi out of the testing room.

The little one’s eyes were rimmed with red, and upon seeing Lin Si, his lips quivered.

“She…she poked me…”

For once, the boy seemed to grasp who was in charge. Though he clearly resented Bidi, he knew where to seek comfort. The testing, which involved placing multiple probes, made the earlier blood draws aboard the ship seem like child’s play.

Fixing his gaze on Lin Si, he found that the man’s expression wasn’t angry—in fact, Lin Si even stepped toward him. The moment he felt assured, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Breaking free from Bethy’s hand, Ling Yi threw himself into Lin Si’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

The child’s underdeveloped throat caused him to hiccup between sobs. “You…you gave me to…to the bad woman…”

Lin Si didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He gently patted the little one’s back, afraid he might hyperventilate and pass out.

“He’s such a sweet little thing,” Bethy said affectionately, before turning serious. She handed the test results to Lin Si. “Lin, the findings are astonishing—far beyond our expectations. The military will go mad over this.”

Lin Si’s communicator beeped softly, projecting a holographic display of the data that scrolled automatically.

Even though he had been prepared, some of the results exceeded even his expectations.

“There are gaps in the data,” Bethy noted. “His cellular structure has already changed, and our machines can’t fully analyze it. Lin, have you ever considered the limits of human potential? If we can replicate this mutation—”

“It’s unlikely,” Lin Si interrupted. “His transformation occurred almost instantaneously, followed by an extreme adaptive response. There’s no way we could replicate such modifications within that short a timeframe.”

Gene editing was like dancing on a razor’s edge. A single abnormal break in the genetic chain would halt protein synthesis. If critical enzymes couldn’t meet demand, the cells would die rapidly.

“If we preserve key sequences…” Lin Si frowned slightly. “But first, we’ll need the military to approve Phase Three of the Limitless Project.”

“This is a masterpiece created by a black hole,” Bethy said in awe, gazing at Ling Yi. “Yet he looks like a little angel.”

And that angel was still crying, his sobs bordering on hyperventilation.

Shaking her head with a smile, Bethy asked, “What’s his psychological age? Should I consult Adelaide about it later?”

“No need,” Lin Si replied, patting Ling Yi’s back again. “His genes are still evolving, and his mental development is accelerating by the day.”

“The military will undoubtedly approve Phase Three. This unexpected mutation has shown us immense possibilities.”

“They won’t,” Lin Si said, his tone calm.

He pulled Ling Yi from his arms. “I’ll be gone for a bit.”

Ling Yi shook his head vigorously, his voice choked with fear. “I…I’m scared.”

Lin Si raised an eyebrow. “Were you eavesdropping just now?”

Ling Yi nodded.

“You’re…special,” Lin Si said, tilting the boy’s chin up and speaking expressionlessly. “If you refuse to be poked, I’ll have no choice but to dissect you.”

The little one froze, his tears forgotten.

“Only the most inexperienced parents resort to such tactics to scare a child,” Bethy said with a laugh. “Come, sweetheart. Let’s get you something to eat. No one here will hurt you.”

Reluctantly, Ling Yi let Bidi take him away, glancing back at Lin Si every few steps.

Lin Si remained where he was, still poring over the data.

Ling Yi possessed unimaginable physical capabilities, though he was entirely unaware of them, let alone able to control them. The only time he had utilized these abilities was during the brief, chaotic period after waking.

He required rigorous professional training, but he couldn’t be handed over entirely to the military. They would see him only as a humanoid weapon, grooming him into a monster. Zone Six also needed to conduct further research on his mutation.

Lin Si tapped the send button on his communicator. The interface displayed a notification: “Message delivered to Marshal Sius of Zone 3.” After a few more clicks, he shut off the device and headed toward the rainbow bridge connecting to Zone 3.

Reaching the heart of Zone 3’s command center, Lin Si knocked twice on the door. A steady, authoritative voice sounded from within, “Enter.”

The voice belonged to Marshal Sius. At fifty-seven, he had iron-gray hair and a matching beard, chiseled features, and a towering, imposing frame. Dressed in a black military uniform, he sat behind a wide desk, reviewing the data Lin Si had sent.

Lifting his steely gray-blue eyes, he said, “I’m glad you’re back. But if you’re still insisting on that ridiculous experimental plan, I suggest you leave immediately.”

“I’ve always had a question, Marshal,” Lin Si spoke in an unhurried tone. “What has made you so prejudiced against ‘Limitless’?”

“It’s not prejudice,” Marshal Sius tapped the table with his finger joint. “I hope you would dedicate yourself to projects that can provide tangible benefits to us, like the Lindis Forcefield in Zone 1, the Lucia System in Zone 5, and the bio-neuron mechanics. Lin Si, I too have a question—why won’t you focus your attention on other areas?”

“We still know absolutely nothing about the target planet. We only theoretically believe it’s habitable and don’t even know if it has indigenous lifeforms,” Lin Si replied. “Other zones can create numerous weapons and develop materials for shelters, but Zone 6 knows nothing about nuclear reactions or machinery. All we can do is enhance humanity itself.”

Lin Si looked into Marshal Sius’ eyes. “The environment there might be extremely harsh for survival, and there could be viruses that our immune systems can’t handle. Even if we assume the best-case scenario, the high-damage weapons from Zone 5 are incredibly difficult to use. Ordinary soldiers would never achieve their full potential. While I’ve been away, the second batch of experimental subjects has already been in military service for days. I don’t believe you haven’t seen their advantages.”

“I admit their excellence, but you must stop!” Marshal Sius’ tone grew heavier. “The other research zones contribute to the foundation of our technological civilization, but you—you’ve crossed ethical boundaries!”

He pointed at Ling Yi’s diagnostic data. “Tell me, does he still count as human?”

“Honestly, I’d prefer to study viruses over Limitless,” Lin Si said, word by word. “But unfortunately, Marshal, you banned me from any virus-related projects long ago. You don’t actually oppose the advancement of human genetics, nor are you inflexible. You just don’t trust me. You always suspect I’m secretly plotting a rebellion, assembling a mutant army, or unleashing a virus. Marshal, perhaps you’re overthinking. I’m just a doctor.”

“A doctor who once pointed a nuclear gun at the spaceship’s main control panel?” The Marshal laughed mockingly. “Shall I replay the footage from over a hundred years ago?”

“But I put it down in the end and chose to be frozen,” Lin Si replied. “I still consider myself a competent doctor. Even if my enemy were lying on the operating table, I wouldn’t deliberately drop the scalpel into his abdomen.”

He continued, “I can forgo the approval for Phase Three of my plan, but I want custody of this child.”

“He’s too dangerous,” the Marshal said.

“He’s not dangerous at all.”

“If I transfer custody from the military to you, you’ll just continue studying his body, use his genes as a blueprint, and secretly proceed with your Phase Three plan, won’t you?” The Marshal’s tone carried suppressed anger.

“At the very least, I can raise him to be a person. The military would only train him into a killing machine.”

“Forgive me if I can’t trust you. You would instill hatred for the Voyager into him, and his destructive potential is too great.”

“Why would I hate the Voyager?” Lin Si leaned closer to the Marshal and enunciated each word. “Marshal, have you forgotten what you did?”

“Watch your words, Dr. Lin Si.” Marshal Sius placed his hand on the black pistol on the desk.

Hurried footsteps approached, and someone pushed the office door open. “How many times have I told you two not to meet alone when I’m not here!”

The person who just arrived was Madam Chen, whose authority on the spaceship equaled Marshal Sius’. Her hair was slightly disheveled, evidence of her rush. Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, her voice carried faint anger. “This happened last time too. Can’t either of you tone down your tempers, even a little?”

Lin Si straightened his posture. “The Marshal is prejudiced against me.”

The Marshal retorted, “My biggest mistake was allowing his thawing five years ago.”

Even the composed Madam Chen couldn’t hold back her frustration. “I hope you two can resolve your misunderstandings and biases. Speak calmly and rationally.”

“I’ve tried,” Lin Si shrugged. “I no longer expect the Marshal to approve Phase Three of my experiment. I only want custody of a minor mutant to stave off the loneliness of having no projects. But the Marshal still thinks I’m up to no good.”

“Enough,” Madam Chen shook her head. “Sius, leave this decision to me. Lin Si, send me the data.”

“Thank you, Madam,” Lin Si opened his communicator. The first message displayed was from Bethy: ‘Okay.’ The previous message was one he had sent to Bethy: ‘Tell Madam Chen I went to Zone 3.’

He smiled faintly and sent the data to Madam Chen before saying, “I’ll leave now, Madam. I can’t bear staying breathing in the same air as the Marshal’s any longer.”

Madam Chen nodded helplessly.

When Lin Si returned to his room, he found Ling Yi already burrowed under the covers.

These past days, the little one had been staying in Lin Si’s room, accompanied by Lucia, while Lin Si occupied another. But now that the Zone 6 staff had returned to their positions, there were no spare rooms for Lin Si.

When Ling Yi saw him enter, he buried himself entirely under the blanket and rolled to one side of the bed.

Lin Si lifted the blanket.

Ling Yi shrank further.

Lin Si had no intention of playing hide-and-seek. He sat nearby and began handling other matters related to Zone 6.

After a while, Ling Yi cautiously poked his head out from under the blanket, watching him curiously.

Lin Si found the little one amusing and didn’t interrupt, wanting to see what he would do next.

Ling Yi stared for a long time before finally speaking in a soft voice, “Bethy said, Lin Si came back to sleep with me.”

—So that’s why he had made room earlier, Lin Si mumbled inwardly.