Chapter 417: Ryo's Orders
"Transmission complete. Confirmed that the receiving end has successfully received and decrypted the core index packet," Pilar reported, his voice carrying a hint of relaxation after completing the critical task.
The successful verification of this first-time application of technology meant they had established a reliable connection with the rear.
During the interval waiting for Ryo's response, the squad members utilized this relatively safe period to perform equipment maintenance.
Rebecca cleaned the bore of her plasma cannon, Dorio checked the wear on her power gauntlet joints, and Valerie and Jackie verified the system status of the Iron Guards through external diagnostic ports.
The air was permeated with the sounds of tools and the faint scent of energy coolant.
Once maintenance was complete, the discussion turned back to the time loop itself.
"The trigger mechanism is very clear," Pilar said while organizing local data backups. "The Alpha dies, and its blood comes into contact with Cage. Cage is the anchor."
Lucy added: "Our immunity to the reset likely stems from the fact that we do not belong to the spacetime structure of this dimension. Alpha individuals are likely just execution units; there should be a higher-level control core behind them—the 'Omega' mentioned by the UDF."
"Unless the Omega is dealt with, the loop cannot truly be broken," David summarized.
Rebecca was somewhat impatient: "So how many more times do we have to repeat this in this hellhole?"
"The loop provides an infinite number of opportunities for attempts," Kiwi analyzed. "We can use this to gather more intelligence on the Mimics and the Omega."
Sasha raised a concern: "But will our actions themselves affect the loop? For instance, our early withdrawal changed the local outcome of the beach battle."
Maine listened to the team's discussion before speaking: "Until we receive further orders from the Lord Magos, our core mission is intelligence gathering. In the next loop, while ensuring basic data recording, we will attempt to proactively guide Cage and observe his level of awareness and controllability regarding the loop. Simultaneously, we will expand our sensor scanning range to search for any energy anomalies or communication nodes that might be related to the Omega's location."
His gaze swept over everyone. "We need to understand this mechanism more deeply, not just observe it. Everyone, be prepared to engage in more proactive intervention."
The squad members solemnly accepted the order.
They were trapped in a time loop, but by leveraging cross-dimensional communication and their technological advantages, they were turning the predicament into an opportunity. Now, they awaited instructions from another dimension—orders that would determine how they acted next on this constantly resetting battlefield.
Inside the core laboratory of the Death World base, Ryo's massive mechanical body stood motionless before the main control interface, his crimson optical lenses staring at the flood of data transmitted from the alien dimension.
His vast knowledge base and logical threads were operating at high speed, comparing and analyzing every byte of information.
The equipment standards, linguistic characteristics, and geographical parameters of the UDF in the combat logs matched a certain movie he had seen before his transmigration with a high degree of precision.
Those alien creatures called "Mimics," with their unique metallic-biological composite characteristics and distributed neural networks—particularly the "Alpha" units and the time reset phenomenon described in the reports—were highly consistent with the framework of the story in his cognition.
However, what truly caused a strong surge of information entropy in his logic core were the complete sensor logs regarding the time reset recorded by Pilar and Lucy.
The precisely replicated waveform of the spacetime curvature mutation, the global energy pulse characteristics, and the clear "Alpha-Cage" trigger-anchor mechanism.
"A time reset system..." Ryo's synthesized voice whispered in the empty laboratory, carrying the focus of someone who had discovered a rare specimen.
The technology capable of anchoring and looping a planetary-scale timeline locally involved fundamental spacetime principles that far exceeded most dimensional phenomena he had encountered.
Alpha individuals were the key, but certainly not the root.
The core control unit hidden behind the scenes, called the "Omega," was the ultimate goal for truly understanding and mastering this system.
A living Alpha was an important stepping stone, but the Omega was the precious specimen he truly wanted to place on his experimental table.
He was no longer satisfied with distant observation.
The cross-dimensional communication link was established once more. An enhanced encrypted data packet carrying new instructions pierced through the dimensional barriers and arrived at the terminal inside the abandoned radar station.
"Instruction received!" Pilar reported immediately, and the encrypted channels of all squad members were connected simultaneously.
Ryo's steady and cold synthesized voice rang out in the channel, devoid of redundant emotion: "Data has been parsed. It is confirmed that high-value anomalous spacetime phenomena exist in that dimension. 'Alpha' individuals are directly linked to the time reset mechanism. New priority instructions are now issued: First, confirm and contact the key individual 'William Cage'. Assess his degree of awareness of the loop mechanism, his mental state, and potential controllability. Second, based on that contact, attempt to establish a limited cooperative relationship. The core objective is to study the operational details of the loop mechanism in depth and locate the systemic control core that triggers the phenomenon."
"Third, capture a live 'Alpha' individual; sample integrity is the highest priority. This objective is a phased task, which will subsequently lead to foundational research on the spacetime control system—namely, capturing the 'Omega' individual."
The instructions were clear and precise. Following this, the communication terminal began receiving a new stream of technical data.
"Receiving technical blueprints..." Lucy looked at the complex structural diagrams and data parameters scrolling rapidly on the screen.
"It's the design for a non-lethal capture device specifically for Mimic organisms, particularly Alpha individuals," Pilar browsed quickly. "It uses high-pressure liquid coolant to instantaneously freeze their locomotion mechanisms at ultra-low temperatures, while simultaneously releasing high-intensity energy interference pulses to suppress their shields and neural signal transmission..."
"We will need to use several energy regulation modules from our existing equipment, as well as... some common materials and parts from UDF gear."
Ryo's voice added: "The core energy units and control systems required for the capture device can be modified and repurposed from your existing equipment. The auxiliary structures and coolant storage units should be manufactured on-site using locally available materials. The blueprints have been optimized to suit the basic industrial level of that world. During the execution process, maintain the existence of the loop mechanism until a successful capture is achieved."
The communication link then closed.
Silence filled the radar station, save for the low hum of the terminal.
Rebecca was the first to break the silence: "Finally, some clear objectives! Let's grab that glowing blue guy!"
Dorio mused: "Contacting Cage is the critical first step. If he remembers the loop, our appearance won't cause him to panic too much."
Pilar had already begun studying the complex design with Lucy, Sasha, and Kiwi. "The structure of this device is complex. Just modifying the energy regulation modules will require specialized tools and at least six hours of continuous work."
Lucy added: "Furthermore, we need to extract specific materials from UDF equipment. Within the limited time of the current loop, we simply won't have enough time to complete the manufacturing."
(End of Chapter)