Chapter 145
Adam said, "Yeah, Jian Mo has a lot of research on mutation constants and alien genetic code sets."
Adam doesn't often praise mechanics. After all, no matter how good most mechanics are, they are nothing compared to Adam's knowledge reserves.
Jian Mo smiled shyly, "It can't be compared with Mr. Zhang's achievements in this area."
Zhang Xun said in a cold tone, "There is no need to be modest. I have read your assessment papers and works, and they are excellent. No wonder Fernandez mentioned you to me."
Just as Jian Mo was about to say something, suddenly a robot of Pan came to Zhang Xun and said to him, "I just received the news from the headquarters that the hunting group is back. Commander Zhang Shuo asked you to come over in the afternoon."
When Zhang Xun heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, "I'll be there right away."
Adam hurriedly said, "Shall I go with you?"
"No need." Zhang Xun glanced at him, "Go ahead and discuss."
After finishing speaking, he ignored Adam and strode away by himself.
When he felt the headquarters, he saw James and others sitting in the lounge. Several of them had scars on their bodies, and the expressions on their faces... were all gloomy.
The joy in Zhang Xun's heart was extinguished halfway, "What happened?"
James, who was leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette, stood up straight, walked over and put his arm around Zhang Xun's shoulder, "Go out and talk."
Standing in the corridor, James stamped out the cigarette butt, took out another one and lit it in his mouth.
Zhang Xun asked anxiously, "Is the transaction unsuccessful?"
"Successful. It's just that even with your bugs helping to find the way, we were still discovered by Eden's mechanical soldiers. We lost five people, and two of them were neutralized by me."
At that moment, Zhang Xun could see the repressed pain in James' eyes.
It is the curse of every hunting group leader to take the life of a captured brother with his own hands. Zhang Xun knew how much James cared about his companions, and knew that the fifteen members of their team were like brothers.
James took a deep breath, his fingertips still seemed to be trembling. But he suppressed the endless darkness and pain in his heart, and continued, "But we got the things. There are only three machines, are they enough?"
"That's enough." Zhang Xun lowered his eyes, guilt spread in his heart, "I'm sorry..."
"It's not your fault. It's for the whole Paradise Lost." James pressed his shoulder, and then said softly, "There's one more thing that's not allowed to be said above, but I want you to know."
"What?"
"This time, we made a deal in a remote aboriginal village. The woman who sold us the machine revealed some news to us. Feather Serpent City seems to have started testing the Ascension Plan. It is said that... died many people."
Zhang Xun's heart moved, he took a step forward, and asked in a low voice, "Why did people die?"
"It seems that something went wrong when forming a collective consciousness. Some people began to lose their self-concept and became brain-dead for unknown reasons. Some people survived, but they committed suicide not long after. Feather Snake City because of this The matter got out of control, and many people escaped. We lost so many people this time... Another reason is that we brought a refugee from Feathered Snake City who wanted to join us..."
"Refugees from Feather Snake City?! Did you bring them back secretly?"
James nodded, "The round table requires strict confidentiality, so don't tell others, and neither can Adam."
Zhang Xun nodded, "I know..."
It seems that there is indeed a loophole in the Ascension Plan.
He had some doubts before. Human consciousness is too complicated, it is closely related to the human body and complements each other, and it is completely different from machines. Human beings are born independent individuals, and in terms of "hardware", they do not have the ability to integrate with other people's consciousness. If it is forced to do so, two incompatible consciousnesses may devour each other and tear each other, and finally both parties will be hurt. When consciousness loses its connection with the body, irreversible damage is done to the brain.
If there were no risks, people would not be conservative about consciousness uploading now.
"But Feathered Snake City doesn't intend to give up." James shook his head with an expression talking about monsters, "It seems that their leader has been seriously influenced by Edenism, and he wants to become a part of Eden... No wonder those people want to escape."
Just as he was talking, Zhang Shuo had already arrived. James stopped talking, and gave Zhang Shuo a military salute respectfully.
This was the first time Zhang Xun had seen his father since Eden's invasion. His stomach was churning, and he couldn't tell what it felt like.
Zhang Shuo patted James on the shoulder, "You did a good job."
James lowered his head, as if unwilling to accept such praise.
Zhang Shuo's eyes fell on his only son. Zhang Xun didn't know why, but he was a little nervous.
"How is Lab?" Zhang Shuo asked.
Zhang Xun was overwhelmed by the flattery. He didn't expect his father to ask himself about the small broken place, "It's still being repaired. But it's gradually getting back on track."
Zhang Shuo nodded, and there seemed to be some suppressed concern and worry in his eyes.
Now Zhang Xun is no longer under his control, but the relationship between them has been somewhat eased.
Zhang Shuo seemed not quite used to this peaceful way of getting along without orders, so he cleared his throat, "I'll ask some soldiers to help you move the machine there. Do you need anything else?"