Chapter 409: New Dimension
Further ecological simulation experiments revealed even more complex phenomena.
When Ryo attempted to reintroduce these enhanced microorganisms—which had performed excellently in the laboratory environment—into a closed ecological box that highly simulated the real canyon environment, fierce survival competition immediately erupted between them and the original, naturally evolved microbial communities within the ecological box.
Within a short seventy-two-hour observation period, the newly introduced enhanced strains rapidly occupied the dominant positions in multiple key ecological niches by relying on their comprehensive advantages. But at the same time, the long-term stability monitoring data of their genomes also began to show signs of fluctuation that had not been observed before.
Ryo astutely noted that these "optimized" microorganisms, catalyzed in a controlled laboratory environment, still faced entirely new and not fully predictable adaptive challenges once placed in a real ecosystem simulation containing more variables and competitive relationships.
He immediately ordered the establishment of ten independent long-term observation units with varying environmental parameters, to continuously monitor the genetic drift trends, population dynamics, and ecological behaviors of this batch of gamma-series strains and their competitors without interruption.
The preliminary experimental phase proved that the Genesis particles indeed possessed the potential to guide life forms—from multicellular plants to single-celled microorganisms—to accelerate evolution towards more complex and specialized directions.
However, this directional catalysis process required extremely delicate and adaptive energy regulation strategies, and there were still many uncertainties regarding the long-term performance and stability of its products after leaving the controlled environment and entering a real or simulated ecosystem.
Ryo realized that conducting such deep interventions in life, spanning across natural cycles, not only required the continuous research and development of more advanced particle control and gene-editing technologies, but also necessitated the establishment of a much deeper and more quantified understanding of the intricately complex interaction networks at the ecosystem level.
This newly catalyzed batch of distinctive plant mutants and microbial strains was not only a valuable sample library for studying the underlying action mechanisms of the Genesis particles, but also constituted a highly valuable observation window for exploring the complex laws of life evolution and its controllability.
After the research on the Genesis particles made phased progress and the experimental subjects entered a long-term observation period, Ryo did not stop his steps. He initiated a new round of dimensional exploration procedures.
Maine's squad was assembled once again.
This time, there were two more official members in the squad: David, who had completed his mother's treatment and was free of distractions, and Lucy, who had successfully manufactured a qualified Cybernetica Automata.
Valerie and Jackie, as the dedicated pilots for the "Iron Guard" project, were also on standby together.
Having undergone systematic training and rigorous practical assessments, everyone was now preliminarily qualified to participate in exploration missions.
At the pre-departure mission briefing, Ryo showed the squad the basic spacetime coordinates and energy characteristic profiles of the target dimension.
He did not provide any description regarding the specific environment or potential civilizations of that dimension, only emphasizing the priority of data collection.
"Mission objectives: preliminary environmental reconnaissance, measurement of basic physical constants, and collection of potentially accessible material or energy samples," Ryo's synthesized voice echoed in the briefing room. "Concealment and safety are the first principles for all actions. The two 'Iron Guard' prototypes will serve as the main assault and fire support platforms for this mission."
Maine nodded steadily, his gaze sweeping over the fully equipped squad members, his voice low and powerful: "Valerie, Jackie, the frontal breakthrough is left to your Iron Guards."
He turned to the agile Dorio: "Dorio, you will open up the situation with close-quarters suppression."
Rebecca excitedly patted the barrel on her back as Maine continued: "Rebecca, you skirmish on the flanks, pay attention to controlling the bombardment rhythm."
"Pilar, ensure our sensors and communication networks remain unobstructed."
"Falco," he looked at the experienced driver, "mobile support and evacuation routes are left to you."
Finally, his gaze fell upon the two newcomers: "David is responsible for biological sample collection. Lucy, have your automaton clear the way for us in the front."
The instructions were concise and clear, and everyone understood implicitly.
Valerie and Jackie turned and walked towards their respective Iron Guard cockpits. Dorio stretched her wrists wearing power fists, Rebecca adjusted the straps of her bombardment cannon, Pilar had already started calibrating equipment, and Falco quickly brought up the topographical map.
The entire team moved fluidly, displaying a tacit understanding formed through multiple combat operations.
David carefully confirmed the seal of his environmental hazard suit and organized his multi-functional sampling toolkit.
Lucy performed a final system self-diagnostic on the quadrupedal automaton, ensuring the sensor array and evasion protocols were running normally.
Valerie and Jackie had respectively entered the cockpits of the two dark-red Iron Guards; the neural connection interfaces and control systems finished their startup warm-ups.
All equipment passed final checks, and personnel status was confirmed.
Maine gave Ryo a "ready" hand signal.
"Teleportation sequence initiated. Maintain real-time data transmission. If there are uncontrollable risks, withdraw immediately." Ryo issued the final directive.
As the deep blue light of the dimensional teleporter lit up once again, the entire squad, along with the two "Iron Guard" prototypes, vanished together into the stably operating energy field.
Ryo turned and left the teleportation zone, shifting his attention back to the laboratory's monitoring data.
For him, this exploration was both an opportunity to test the new forces and a necessary step to acquire raw data from a new dimension and expand the boundaries of cognition.
As for what exactly existed in that unknown dimension, he awaited the first report transmitted back by the squad.
The unique low-frequency hum of the dimensional teleporter echoed in the bones of Maine's squad members.
The deep blue energy rift rotated steadily before them, twisting and tearing the familiar sights inside the workshop, replacing them with unrecognizable, flowing streams of brilliant light.
Captain Maine stood at the very front of the squad. His body, reinforced with ceramite and plasteel composites, stood unmoving under the wash of the energy streams.
Dorio slightly flexed her fingers, feeling the surging power deep within her flesh resulting from biochemical augmentations.
Rebecca excitedly bounced the barrel of the plasma bombardment cannon on her back—a weapon that required her new physique to wield stably. Pilar's pair of slender mechanical arms were rapidly checking the sensor case he carried, while Falco silently calibrated his environmental perception systems.
David and Lucy, as the new members, followed closely in the middle of the squad, their faces carrying the solemnity of executing an official exploration mission for the first time.
Behind them were the two "Iron Guard" prototypes, resembling mobile fortresses. Valerie and Jackie had already entered deep neural connection and standard driving modes respectively, the mechs in standby status.
"Teleportation sequence stable, arriving at predetermined coordinates in thirty seconds," Pilar, acting as the technical expert, broadcasted the countdown to his teammates.
(End of Chapter)