"Transmission complete. The receiving end has successfully received and decrypted the core index packet," Sasha reported, his tone carrying a hint of relief after completing a crucial task.
The successful verification of this first application of the technology means that they have established a reliable connection with the rear.
While waiting for Osiris' response, the team members used this relatively safe time to perform equipment maintenance.
Rebecca cleaned the plasma cannon's barrel, Dorio checked the wear on the gauntlet joints, and Valerie and Jackie checked the Iron Guard's system status through the external monitoring port.
The air was filled with the sounds of tools and the faint smell of coolant.
Once the maintenance is complete, the discussion will turn to the time loop itself.
"The trigger mechanism is clear," Sasha said while organizing local data backups. "Alpha dies, and its blood comes into contact with Cage. Cage is the anchor point."
Lucy added, "Our immunity to resets most likely stems from our spacetime structure, which doesn't belong to this dimension. Alpha individuals may just be execution units, with a higher-level control core behind them, the 'Omega' mentioned by UDF."
"Without addressing Omega, the cycle cannot be truly broken," David concluded.
Rebecca was getting impatient: "How many more times do we have to loop this in this god damn place?"
"The loop provides an infinite number of opportunities to try," Kiwi analyzed. "We can use this to gather more intelligence about mimics and Omega."
Sasha raised concerns: "But will our actions themselves affect the cycle? For example, if we withdraw early, will it change the outcome of the local battle on the beachhead?"
After listening to the team's discussion, Maine spoke up: "Until we receive further instructions from the Magos, our core task is intelligence gathering."
In the next cycle, while ensuring the basic data is recorded, try to actively guide Cage and observe his understanding of the cycle and its controllability.
Simultaneously, expand the sensor scanning range to search for any energy anomalies or communication nodes that may be related to the Omega location.
His gaze swept across the crowd: "We need to understand this mechanism more deeply, not just observe it. Everyone, be prepared to intervene more proactively."
The team members solemnly accepted the order.
They are trapped in a time loop, but with their cross-dimensional communication and technological advantages, they are turning their predicament into an opportunity.
Now, they await instructions from another dimension that will determine their next move on this ever-resetting battlefield.
——
In the core laboratory of the Death World base, Osiris' massive mechanical body stood still in front of the main control interface, his scarlet optical lens staring at the torrent of data transmitted from another dimension.
A vast knowledge base and logical threads are operating at high speed, comparing and analyzing every byte of information.
The equipment type, language characteristics, and geographical parameters of UDF in the combat log closely matched his memory of a movie he had seen before his time travel.
The alien creatures referred to as "mimics," with their unique metal-biological composite properties and distributed neural networks, especially the "alpha" units and time-reset phenomenon described in the report, are highly consistent with the story framework he understands.
What truly caused a strong information entropy disturbance in the core of his logic was the complete sensor log recorded by Sasha and Lucy regarding the time reset.
The precisely reproduced spatiotemporal curvature abrupt change waveform, the global energy pulse characteristics, and the clear triggering anchor mechanism of "Alpha-Cage".
"Time reset system…" Osiris' synthesized voice whispered in the empty laboratory, with the focus of someone discovering a rare sample.
This technology, which can locally anchor and cyclically reset planetary-scale timelines, involves fundamental principles of spacetime that far exceed most dimensional phenomena he has encountered so far.
Alpha individuals are key, but not the root cause.
The core control unit hidden behind the scenes, known as "Omega," is the ultimate goal for truly understanding and controlling this system.
A living Alpha is an important stepping stone, but Omega is the precious sample he truly wants to place on the experimental table.
He was no longer satisfied with observing from a distance.
The cross-dimensional communication link was re-established. The enhanced encrypted data packets, carrying new instructions, penetrated the dimensional barrier and arrived at the terminal inside the abandoned radar station.
——
"Command received!" Pilar immediately reported, and all squad members simultaneously connected via encrypted channels.
Osiris' calm and cold synthesized voice rang out in the channel, devoid of any superfluous emotion: "The data has been analyzed. It has been confirmed that there is an anomalous spatiotemporal phenomenon of extremely high research value in this dimension, and the 'Alpha' individual is directly related to the time reset mechanism."
New priority instructions are hereby issued: First, identify and contact the key individual 'William Cage'.
Assess their level of understanding of the circulatory mechanism, their psychological state, and their potential controllability.
Second, based on initial contact, attempt to establish a limited cooperative relationship.
The core objective is to conduct in-depth research into the operational details of the cyclical mechanism and to pinpoint the systemic control core that triggers this phenomenon.
"Third, capture a live 'Alpha' individual, with sample integrity as the highest priority. This is a phased task, and the subsequent focus will be on the fundamental study of this spatiotemporal control system, namely, capturing 'Omega' individuals."
The instructions were clear and unambiguous, and the communication terminal immediately began receiving new technical data streams.
"Receiving technical blueprints…" Lucy looked at the complex structural diagrams and data parameters scrolling rapidly on the screen.
"These are blueprints for a non-lethal capture device designed for mimics organisms, especially Alpha individuals." Sasha quickly skimmed through them. "It utilizes a high-pressure liquid coolant to instantly and locally freeze their movement mechanisms at extremely low temperatures, while simultaneously releasing high-intensity energy interference pulses to suppress their shields and nerve signal transmission..."
We will need to use several energy regulation modules from our existing equipment, as well as... some common materials and components from UDF equipment.
Osiris added in his voice: "The core energy unit and control system required for the capture device can be disassembled and modified from your existing equipment. The auxiliary structure and coolant storage unit can be manufactured locally using locally available materials."
The design has been optimized to match the world's basic industrial level. During execution, the loop mechanism will be maintained until successful capture.
The communication link was subsequently shut down.
The radar station was completely silent, save for the low rumble of the terminal operating.
Rebecca broke the silence first: "Finally, we have a clear target! Catch that glowing blue guy!"
Dorio pondered, "Making contact with Cage is the crucial first step. If he remembers the cycle, our appearance won't cause him too much panic."
Pilar has already started studying the complex design with Lucy, Sasha, and Kiwi: "This device has a complex structure. Modifying the energy regulation module alone requires specialized tools and at least six hours of continuous work."
Lucy added, "Furthermore, we need to extract specific materials from the UDF equipment, and within the limited time of the current cycle, we simply don't have enough time to complete the manufacturing."