Dr. Hanson asked eagerly, "Does that mean it might not be a typical explosive, universally lethal outbreak?"
"Based on available data, yes. It is closer to a slow ecological contamination. However, Protoss tolerance is zero. Should the contamination continue to accumulate or activate, transformation into a typical infection cannot be ruled out," Osiris confirmed.
Raynor caught the key point: "So, clearing the source of contamination and blocking its spread—is that viable? Without a large-scale purge of potential hosts?"
"Theoretically viable. However, it requires pinpointing all primary contamination sources and purifying them completely. Standard methods cannot accomplish this within three days," Osiris answered.
"Do you have a way to boost efficiency?"
Osiris pointed toward the suppression field generator. "This device projects a specific energy field that induces reversible suppression and tagging on biomass carrying target gene fragments. Affected entities emit a distinct bio-fluorescence or energy signature, making them easy to identify. The suppression field can drastically slow down contamination activity and spread."
He turned to Dr. Hanson: "Based on the analysis and your prior data, I can optimize the inhibitor synthesis path. Using the micro-reaction module, a test dose can be synthesized within twenty-four hours. Combined with the suppression field, this agent can neutralize and clear confirmed contamination spots rather than destroying the host."
Hope surged in Dr. Hanson: "You can do that? Right here? In twenty-four hours?"
"Equipment is ready, and the synthesis route is optimized. I need you to provide a list of locally obtainable raw materials and assist in monitoring," Osiris said.
Raynor weighed the options quickly. This plan was more complex than a straight-up military purge, but it aimed for "containment" and "purification" rather than "slaughter"—much closer to Dr. Hanson's ideals, and likely more palatable to the Protoss.
"What do you need?" Raynor asked.
"Authorize me full access to the lab area and coordination with Dr. Hanson's team to synthesize the inhibitor. Provide a squad equipped with detectors to precisely pinpoint and tag high-risk zones under the aid of the suppression field, providing coordinates for subsequent purification. The purification op can be executed by the Raiders. Orbital scanning support from the Hyperion will be required for verification," Osiris listed his demands.
"You want to send my boys into zones that might be hot?" Tychus asked.
"The suppression field offers a degree of protection, mitigating risk. The mission focuses on detection and tagging, not direct engagement. If abnormalities are found, pull back immediately," Osiris looked at Raynor. "This is currently the most efficient plan."
Raynor pondered, exchanging a look with Matt's hologram, who offered a subtle nod.
"Alright," Raynor made up his mind. "Dr. Hanson, give the consultant your full cooperation. Tychus, pick five men to form a detection squad under the consultant's technical guidance. Matt, keep a tight watch from orbit; report any anomaly immediately."
He looked at Osiris : "Consultant, we have less than seventy hours left. I hope your tech brings a miracle."
The light from Osiris' optical lens remained steady. "Commencing work." Turning to Dr. Hanson, "Please provide the materials list. The synthesis procedure will initiate in thirty minutes."
Inside the temporary lab, the atmosphere shifted as a rhythm of efficient, focused synergy replaced anxiety.
Osiris completed the equipment integration. The materials list was input, and the synthesis route was rapidly simulated and locked in.
"Synthesis route confirmed. Divided into three stages, total time estimated at twenty-two hours and thirty-seven minutes," Osiris narrated while getting to work. His mechanical fingers were nimble and steady, weighing and mixing with precision, setting parameters without a single wasted movement.
Dr. Hanson assisted in monitoring, filled with awe and curiosity. "Why choose low-temperature catalysis over high temperature and pressure here?" she asked, pointing at a node on the screen.
"The target inhibitor structure is heat-sensitive. High temperature and pressure routes are faster, but cause incorrect stereochemical configurations in the product, losing over ninety-five percent of activity. Low-temperature catalysis paired with a specific orientation template ensures the correct configuration. It increases time by thirty percent, but yields a viable product," Osiris explained professionally.
Dr. Hanson noted it down, enlightened.
On the other side, Osiris calibrated the suppression field generator, hooking up the power supply for initial alignment.
"The suppression field principle relies on specific resonance frequencies of target gene fragments," he explained to Raynor and Tychus while operating the console. "The device projects a modulated energy field that weakly interacts with contaminated genetic material, slowing its metabolism and exciting specific bio-fluorescence or energy radiation. The tags are clearly visible under specialized detectors. Within the suppression field, contamination spread essentially grinds to a halt."
He brought up a detector. "SQUADS scanning with this will see tagged spots clearly displayed. Small, scattered contamination spots can be neutralized with inhibitor spray. Larger or deeper contamination sources will have their coordinates marked for subsequent pinpoint clearance via ground or orbital weapons."
Raynor asked, "Does this affect uninfected people?"
"Minimal impact. Possible brief skin numbness or drowsiness, which dissipates once field intensity drops. Harmless to most plants and animals. For safety, a low-intensity suppression field will also be deployed in the camp's core area as a precaution before mass inhibitor synthesis is complete," Osiris answered.
Tychus fiddled with a detector: "Sounds a lot more civilized than picking up a rifle to hunt bugs. As long as it works."
"Efficacy remains to be field-verified. Supported by theoretical models," Osiris never gave absolute guarantees.
recorded steady progress as the synthesis run continued. Osiris handed monitoring duties over to Dr. Hanson and her assistant, addressing another critical task himself: analyzing the discrepancies between Protoss scan data and camp records.
Utilizing high-precision background scans relayed from the Eternal Seeker through Valerie, he cross-referenced the data to construct an environmental dispersion model.
He rapidly updated the high-risk zone map, refining boundaries and highlighting several suspected "primary infiltration points," mostly situated near underground water sources or geological fissures.
"Contamination likely spread initially through groundwater or specific mineral dust vectors," Osiris shared the updated map. "The detection squad should prioritize surveying these areas. The suppression field generator can be set to mobile mode, carried by the squad to scan step-by-step."
Raynor studied the map; most points lay deep within the mountainous jungle. "Time is tight. Tychus, your boys need to split up to cover ground. But stay on comms—if anything feels off, no heroics. Pull back immediately."
"Got it," Tychus dropped his casual smirk and gave a serious nod.
Time ticked away. The synthesis entered its second phase. The suppression field generator finished calibration, passing a localized outer-perimeter test with flying colors. The detectors captured faint tag signals from minor contamination samples, yielding clear results.
Valerie maintained her silence, ensuring seamless information flow between Osiris and the Eternal Seeker while observing the dynamic.
Osiris' interactions remained consistently direct and concise—focused strictly on tech, abstaining from strategy debates or emotional exchanges, offering professional input only when prompted. This "pure utility" posture gradually eased the lingering guard in Raynor and Tychus.
Dr. Hanson's attitude toward Osiris' technical prowess evolved from curiosity into a blend of awe and excitement, constantly posing questions and receiving brief, accurate answers. An efficient, slightly cold academic collaboration took shape.
As synthesis approached its final stage—less than six hours away from the first yield of inhibitors—Osiris presented a complete detection operational plan to Raynor.
Raynor signed off. Tychus's five-man squad loaded up on gear—including mobile suppression field units, detectors, hazard suits, and weaponry—heading out at dawn.
"Remember," Raynor gave a final reminder, "your mission is eyes and ears, not fists. Find the stuff, tag it clearly, and get back. Leave the rest to us."
Tychus patted his detector: "Relax. We'll pull every dirty thing out into the light, no matter where it's hiding."
The squad moved out, heading toward the nearest predicted contamination node. The Hyperion provided continuous orbital scan support, with Matt coordinating overall operations.
Back in the lab, Osiris stood motionless before the reaction module, his optical lens fixed on the slowly dripping yield. Dr. Hanson held her breath.
The first micro-sample of purified inhibitor was successfully collected. The pale blue liquid looked pristine under the light.
"Inhibitor synthesis successful. Initiating preliminary bio-activity testing," Osiris' voice was steady.
The words let every participant in the lab breathe a sigh of relief.
This was merely the first step. Next came efficacy testing, scaling up synthesis, awaiting squad feedback, and prepping purification ops. Out of Selendis's three-day limit, a day and a half was already gone.
Yet, the chemical reaction of hope had truly begun inside this cramped laboratory.