novellhall Chapter 15 New Phase
Chapter 15 New Phase
"Change the minerals?"
Xue Zijing was unable to understand the meaning behind Kagaga's words for a moment.
If the tower array failed due to interference from abnormal fields, then he could completely understand it.
But what does it mean to change the mineral?
The diamond man noticed his confusion and offered an explanation:
"The mineral composition of this research institute is changing, including the interference materials in the tower."
"You might not believe it if you didn't see it with your own eyes. I'll bring over a few samples, and you'll see for yourself."
He picked up two fist-sized stones from the side.
"These are two very common minerals in the universe: basalt and quartzite."
Basalt is generally dark gray, almost black, and its cross-section resembles solidified asphalt. After weathering, it develops brownish-green rust spots.
The quartzite is milky white in color, with messy gray veins distributed on its surface.
The two stones looked similar to what Xue Zijing knew, except that they had dense, translucent spots growing on their surfaces.
Upon closer inspection, the texture of these spots, which blend seamlessly with the stone, looked very familiar, reminding Xue Zijing of the crystal stone man he had once faced.
"This is……"
"Captain Xue, this is crystal rock. Before this anomaly, the stone didn't have these crystal rock spots."
Kaga used force to break the basalt and quartzite in half, showing the fresh cross-section to Xue Zijing.
The crystals inside the two stones form a fine network, much like the cavities created in bread during fermentation.
"It was probably about three hours after the incident."
Kagaga recalled:
"At that time, I had just gathered the institute's personnel in the underground facility and completed the emergency response plan for the eventual disaster."
"Not long after, a researcher found me. She said that a crystal she was studying had undergone some kind of change, with unknown minerals sporadically forming inside the crystal."
"This has never happened before. We cut the crystal apart and conducted physicochemical analysis on the unknown minerals."
Xue Zijing had already guessed his next question: "That unknown mineral is crystal rock?"
"Yes."
Kagaga put the two rocks in her hand into the container and stored them away.
"Crystal rocks are a very common mineral on the planet Golun, especially within the area of the Crystal Rock Tomb."
"This is the first time in over a century of research that crystal rocks can spontaneously grow from other minerals."
"We conducted a comprehensive examination of the minerals stored in the laboratory and found that the vast majority of minerals exhibit this phenomenon, the only difference being the degree."
"Minerals with higher silica content are more affected, such as basalt and quartzite. Crystal rocks grow faster than you can imagine."
Xue Zijing connected this to the three towers outside: "Is the interference effect of the towers also gone because of this?"
"That's right."
Kagaga's features, etched into her diamond-like face, were noticeably taut.
"Perhaps because of its larger size, or perhaps because it is located on the surface of the earth, the minerals in the tower change at an astonishing rate."
"According to the testing equipment in the institute, the mineral components in the tower were gradually eroded and assimilated, and crystal clusters of crystalline rocks grew rapidly in it."
"About eight hours ago, the tower's information interference effect on the Crystal Rock Clan completely disappeared. Shortly afterward, a large number of Crystal Rock Men appeared and launched an attack on the tower."
Kagaga was still shaken.
Fortunately, the research institute took into full account the destructive capabilities of the Crystal Rock People when it was first designed, and equipped all three towers with high-level rigid protective energy shields.
Xue Zijing frowned.
If Kagaga's description is true, it means that there is some kind of invisible influence on the planet Golun.
This influence can alter minerals, assimilating them into crystalline rocks. Xue Zijing believes this influence most likely originates from the root of this mission: the Anomaly - The Tomb of Crystalline Rocks.
The immediate priority is to transmit this intelligence to the command headquarters and the temporary camp in Valley Thirteen, in the hope of new research progress.
He looked at Kagaga, whose face was filled with trepidation:
"If all goes well, the new batch of support transport ships from the Administration is expected to arrive in three hours."
"Your personnel will be traveling by transport ship to the nearest planet, Floating Light, for refuge. We hope the director can help us organize the orderly boarding and evacuation of our personnel."
After identifying the cause of the communication anomaly and the spacecraft crash, the command center received the intelligence immediately and reported it to the branch office.
The anomaly at the Crystal Rock Tomb is the second most important matter for the Chengming Star Branch Bureau at present, while the most important matter is currently on Golun Star. The attention of the branch bureau and even the headquarters is focused here.
After the command center reported the situation, the branch quickly dispatched a fleet of six special spacecraft to Golun Star.
Since its establishment, the Anomaly Management Bureau has had countless experiences of contacting and confronting anomalies, and has also developed a large number of military equipment for different situations.
These six special spacecraft are equipped with bio-furnace power sources and use special communication device frequency bands, which theoretically can overcome the influence of the Crystal Tomb on silicon and fly normally on the surface of Golun.
"No problem! I'll inform everyone right away! Thank you so much!"
Kagaga hurriedly left the reception room.
During the time he was waiting for the rescue spacecraft, he needed to coordinate the researchers to pack up all the valuable experimental data and materials and evacuate them with the personnel.
The research institute quickly erupted in joyful activity. Xue Zijing and his team stood guard at the entrance, preventing another attack from the Crystal Rock Clan.
-----------------
"The internal composition of this stone fragment is 80% similar to that of the crystalline rocks on the planet Golun."
As dawn broke, the agents in the temporary camp who were responsible for studying the anomalies were unusually energetic.
Only upon close inspection can one notice that the corners of their eyes are covered with scarlet blood vessels.
After obtaining Fields' stone fragments and the analysis report on the strange rock, the operators divided up their tasks and began their research.
In order to find the key to unlocking the mystery of the Crystal Tomb's anomaly as soon as possible, almost everyone drank several bottles of energy-boosting potions, and the research continued for an entire night.
Dai Shan held up a container filled with stone flakes and displayed a series of experimental data in front of everyone.
"It's almost certain that this is a special kind of crystal rock. No wonder the appraisal agency Fields hired believed it was related to the Crystal Rock Tomb."
"This type of crystal is likely to have a strong attraction to crystal rock people, but the extent of the attraction has not yet been tested to determine its boundaries."
Last night, Fu Chen drove the exoskeleton machine, carrying stone fragments, for at least a hundred kilometers.
Despite the distance, the crystal rock people chasing him were still able to accurately determine the location of the stone fragment.
This conclusion made everyone even more curious: what was the origin of this stone fragment that made the Crystal Rock Clan pursue it so relentlessly?
Cui Tang asked, "You said the ingredients are 80% the same, so what about the remaining 20%?"
Dai Chuan added, "The remaining 20% is a peculiar mineral component, for which no corresponding data has been found in the existing database."
Dai Shan nodded: "The purity of this mineral is extremely high, with almost no other impurities. Director Wen speculates that this mineral may be related to ancient crystal rock groups."
He explained that during the evolution of the Crystal Rock Clan, the crystal rock components within their bodies may have undergone a long process of evolution, ultimately resulting in their current state.
The strange stone that Fields unexpectedly obtained is likely part of the remains of an ancient crystal rock human.
Hu Zhou, who was in charge of reviewing the research report on the strange rocks, raised his hand and shared his work results:
"According to that report, the surface of the strange rock is covered with a large amount of these stone flakes, which can almost block the detection of most instruments."
"The main body of the strange rock is encased in a hard shell. At Fields' request, no violent means were used to break it down."
"That appraisal agency used 139 methods, but none of them could detect the composition of the core of the strange rock through scientific means."
The research report didn't provide much useful information. It failed to offer definitive conclusions regarding its internal components and unique properties.
That's why Fields chose to come to Golun Star, hoping to try his luck in the place of origin and solve the mystery hidden in the strange stone.
"Brother Cheng, Brother Cheng, you mentioned yesterday that the minerals on this planet are changing. What's going on?"
After several conversations, Fields had already marked Cheng Xu in his mind, recognizing him as the easiest person to talk to and communicate with among those present.
Last night, he would come over every few days to ask Cheng Xu about the progress of everyone's research.
This behavior made Hu Zhou and the others break out in a cold sweat, but in order not to let Cheng Xu notice anything amiss, they could only acquiesce to it.
Cheng Xu didn't feel any aversion or dislike towards Fields. He could see that Fields had a pure and innocent heart, similar to a certain internet celebrity teenager from his previous life.
Cheng Xu knew that Fields was genuinely scared, which was why he was so concerned about the progress of the research.
Even if his father is the president of the Explorers' Guild, it would be difficult for him to bear the responsibility of "causing a critical-level abnormal riot".
Cheng Xu mentally reviewed the Bureau's regulations, confirming that sharing this information with others was not a violation, and then explained to Fields:
"Director Xue sent back a message last night that the minerals on Golun Star are crystallizing, which is very likely an effect of the anomaly."
"Is that so..."
Fields was about to say something more when a rhythmic tremor of the ground came from outside the valley.
"Da, da, da..."
The tension in everyone's hearts eased immediately. Cheng Xu recognized that the sound was coming from the exoskeleton as it moved.
"Director Hu, Director Wen, I'm back!"
Even before the mech arrived, a boisterous voice could be heard from afar; it was Xue Zijing returning to the camp from outside.
With his sharp eyes, Cheng Xu noticed something wriggling fixed to the back of the exoskeleton.
Xue Zijing strode to the open space and removed the restraints from his back. Under the sunlight, a dazzling diamond head almost blinded everyone.
"Captain Xue, this is just too... disgusting—"
As soon as Xue Zijing put Kagaga down, she knelt on the ground and made gagging noises, indicating that she had been jolted quite a bit on the way.
"And who is this?" Hu Zhou went up to greet him.
Xue Zijing helped the diamond man up: "Kagaga, the head of the Interstellar Mineral Research Institute's branch on Golun Star. He said he hoped to be of help, so I brought him here."
Through his explanation, everyone finally understood the whole story.
It turns out that the special spaceship sent by the Chengmingxing Branch successfully arrived at Golun Star in the latter half of last night, and under the guidance of the command center, it quickly arrived at the location of the branch office.
After arranging for the survivors in the research institute to board the ship with their research materials, Kagaga took the initiative to find Xue Zijing and proposed to stay on Golun Star.
According to him, the changes in the Crystal Tomb were likely related to minerals, and he wanted to stay and contribute his own efforts.
He said that he has been the director of the institute on Golun Star for nearly ten years and has extensive research experience on both the planet and the Anomaly Crystal Tomb.
Although Kagaga did not say it explicitly, Xue Zijing could vaguely sense that the reason why the director insisted on staying was probably related to the two missing exploration teams.
Considering the director's knowledge and research on the Crystal Rock Tomb, Xue Zijing ultimately decided to take him to the temporary camp.
"Welcome, welcome!"
With a scholar familiar with the local situation joining the team, the agents naturally had no objections.
"Gentlemen, the command center has just issued the latest instructions: the operation involving Ge Lunxing is about to enter a new phase."
Xue Zijing brought not only Kagaga, but also another important message.
With the successful landing of six special spacecraft on the surface of Golun, more support personnel and supplies will be continuously transported to the front lines.
Based on this, Ke Bo, the director of the Chengmingxing branch, issued instructions to the front-line command to begin a full-scale search and rescue operation for the surviving personnel on Gelunxing.
Based on clues detected by extraterrestrial satellites, traces of life have been found throughout the planet Golun. This means that many people are trapped in security facilities, awaiting rescue.
"Personnel with combat experience can participate in the new phase of the operation, and the command will divide into teams to carry out search and rescue operations in different areas."
The search and rescue operation needs to be carried out with utmost urgency, but it will take some time to dispatch specialized combat personnel to Golun Star.
Therefore, some experienced personnel will be assigned to the rescue operation from the temporary camp.
No one expected that as soon as Xue Zijing finished speaking, an unexpected person would step forward.
Cheng Xu walked up to Hu Zhou and said, "Director Hu, I would like to participate in the search and rescue operation."
Hu Zhou froze, revealing a smile that was even uglier than a grimace.
My little darling, where did you get your combat experience from?
Please don't hurt my heart at a time like this.
But seeing Cheng Xu's determined expression, he opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't refuse immediately.
In fact, Cheng Xu had already had a similar idea in his mind last night.
With outstanding researchers like Wenmu and Daishan in the camp, he found that he could only offer limited assistance.
After all, he had only been with the company for a short time, and this kind of experimental analysis was not his forte.
The feeling of being unable to help made Cheng Xu feel uneasy, and he hoped to contribute his own strength to this mission.
Only in this way can he receive his rightful salary with a clear conscience.