Further ecological simulation experiments revealed a more complex phenomenon.
When Osiris attempted to reintroduce these enhanced microorganisms, which had performed excellently in the laboratory, into a sealed ecosphere highly simulating the real canyon environment, a fierce survival competition immediately erupted between them and the native, naturally evolved microbial communities within the ecosphere.
Within a short 72-hour observation period, the newly introduced enhanced strains quickly dominated several key ecological niches, thanks to their comprehensive advantages. However, simultaneously, long-term stability monitoring data of their genomes began to show previously unobserved signs of fluctuation.
Osiris keenly noted that these "optimized" microorganisms, catalyzed in a controlled laboratory environment, still faced new, entirely unpredictable adaptive challenges once they were placed into a real or simulated ecosystem 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 behavior of the Gamma series strains and their competitors.
The initial phase of the experiment proved that the Genesis Particle indeed possessed the potential to accelerate the evolution of life forms—from multicellular plants to single-celled microorganisms—toward greater complexity and specialization.
However, this targeted catalytic process required extremely fine and adaptive energy regulation strategies, and the long-term performance and stability of its products, after leaving the controlled environment and entering a real or simulated ecosystem, remained highly uncertain.
Osiris realized that such deep-level intervention in life, spanning across natural cycles, demanded not only the continuous development of more advanced particle control and gene editing techniques but also a far more profound and quantitative understanding of the intricate network of interactions at the ecosystem level than currently existed.
This batch of newly catalyzed, distinct plant mutants and microbial strains served as a valuable sample library for studying the underlying mechanism of the Genesis Particle and constituted an extremely valuable observation window for exploring the complex laws of life evolution and its controllability.
—
After achieving phased progress in the Genesis Particle research and placing the test subjects into a long-term observation period, Osiris did not stop. He initiated a new round of dimensional exploration protocols.
Maine's squad was once again assembled.
This time, the team included two new official members: David, who had completed his mother's treatment and was fully dedicated, and Lucy, who had successfully manufactured a qualified intelligent control combat skitarii.
Valerie and Jackie, the exclusive pilots for the "Iron Guard" project, were also on standby.
After systematic training and strict practical assessment, everyone had preliminarily qualified to participate in the exploration mission.
During the pre-departure mission briefing, Osiris displayed the basic spatiotemporal coordinates and energy signature maps of the target dimension to the team.
He offered no description of the dimension's specific environment or potential civilization, emphasizing only the priority of data collection.
"Mission objectives: preliminary environmental reconnaissance, fundamental physical constant measurement, and collection of potential contactable material or energy samples," Osiris' synthesized voice echoed in the briefing room.
"All actions must prioritize stealth and safety. The two 'Iron Guard' prototypes will serve as the primary assault and firepower support platforms for this mission."
Maine nodded steadily, his eyes sweeping across the ready team members, his voice low and firm: "Valerie, Jackie, the frontal breakthrough is up to your Iron Guards."
He turned to the agile Dorio: "Dorio, close-combat suppression is yours to open the way."
Rebecca excitedly patted the cannon barrel on her back. Maine continued, "Rebecca, you'll provide flanking skirmishing. Be mindful of controlling the bombardment tempo."
"Pilar, ensure our sensors and communication network remain unobstructed."
"Falco," he looked at the experienced pilot, "mobile support and the withdrawal route are your responsibility."
Finally, his gaze landed on the two newcomers: "David will handle biosample collection. Lucy, have your skitarii lead the way for us."
The instructions were concise and clear. The team members understood perfectly.
Valerie and Jackie turned and headed for their respective Iron Guard cockpits. Dorio flexed her gloved wrists. Rebecca adjusted the strap of her plasma cannon. Sasha was already debugging equipment, and Falco quickly pulled up a topographic map.
The entire team moved smoothly, displaying the tacit understanding forged through multiple operations.
David meticulously checked the sealing of his environmental protection suit and organized his multi-functional sampling toolkit.
Lucy performed a final system self-check on the quad-pedal skitarii, ensuring the sensor array and evasion protocols were functioning correctly.
Valerie and Jackie had already entered the cockpits of the two dark-red Iron Guards, with the neural interface and control systems completing their warm-up.
All equipment was checked, and personnel status was confirmed.
Maine signaled Osiris that they were ready.
"Teleportation sequence initiated. Maintain real-time data feedback. If there is an uncontrollable risk, withdraw immediately." Osiris issued the final command.
As the Dimensional Teleporter's faint blue light illuminated once more, the entire squad, along with the two "Iron Guard" prototypes, vanished into the stable energy field.
Osiris turned away from the teleportation area, redirecting his attention to the monitoring data in the lab.
For him, this exploration was both an opportunity to test the nascent forces and a necessary step to acquire raw data from a new dimension and expand the boundaries of his cognition.
As for what truly existed in that unknown dimension, he awaited the team's first report.
—
The unique low-frequency hum of the Dimensional Teleporter resonated in the bones of Maine's squad members.
The faint blue energy rift rotated stably before them, twisting and tearing the familiar sights inside the workshop, replacing them with an unrecognizable kaleidoscope of flowing light.
Captain Maine stood at the front of the team, his body, reinforced with a composite of refractory steel and plastic steel, remaining unshaken by the energy flux.
Dorio slightly flexed and stretched her fingers, feeling the surging strength deep within her flesh due to the bio-enhancement.
Rebecca excitedly weighed the barrel of the plasma cannon on her back—a weapon only manageable with her new physique. Pilar's slender mechanical arms rapidly checked the sensor box he carried, while Falco silently calibrated his environmental perception system.
David and Lucy, as new members, stood close to the middle of the team, their faces expressing the gravity of undertaking their first official exploration mission.
Behind them were the two mobile fortress-like "Iron Guard" prototypes. Valerie and Jackie had entered deep neural linkage and standard piloting modes, respectively, and the Titans were on standby.
"Teleportation sequence stable, arrival at the designated coordinates in thirty seconds, let's goooooo!" Pilar broadcasted the countdown to his teammates.