Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 662: Heartless Q&A Machine

Translator: CKtalon

There’s nothing? The method left behind by Emperor Oray to format the Source Brain and the information regarding the Old World’s destruction he was privy to aren’t there? Avia lied? Impossible… Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced as she was surprised by what the character suspected to be Genava had said.

On the one hand, she suspected that the Source Brain hadn’t found the right place and that the information was still hidden in a hidden spot in this laboratory. On the other hand, she felt that it was unlikely. This was because the Source Brain had likely been here for a long time. With the strict logic and meticulousness characteristic of true smart bots, it was impossible for them to miss anything during the search.

As she thought, Jiang Baimian raised her vigilance and made preparations, worried that the disappointed Source Brain would attack.

Bai Chen and Long Yuehong did the same. They spread out to the sides, forming a semicircle.

Shang Jianyao ignored the Source Brain’s words, suddenly took a step forward, and curiously asked, “What are you wearing?”

Genava—who was suspected to be controlled by the Source Brain—was covered in strange white clothes. Even his eyes were hidden deep inside, only revealing some red light.

As the red light flickered, ‘Genava’ replied, “An electromagnetic shield left behind from the Old World. I spent most of my time in First City on it. As long as the target doesn’t enter the range of his seal, Wu Meng can only use his abilities through electromagnetic control. Once his signals are screened, he will be powerless.”

“Oh, oh, oh, I see!” Shang Jianyao came to a realization and was very excited.

Long Yuehong and the others instantly understood why the Source Brain wasn’t afraid of being affected by Wu Meng and dared to enter Wasteland Ruin 13 to search for this secret laboratory.

Shang Jianyao spoke again. “That’s not right? Light is also an electromagnetic wave. I can already see the red glow in your eyes. This means that this shirt can’t completely screen electromagnetic waves.”

He was confused and worried as if he were afraid that Genava would suffer under Wu Meng’s hands.

“It’s definitely impossible to screen it completely, but as long as I can screen most of it and effectively weaken the rest, Wu Meng won’t be able to do anything to my anti-electromagnetic interference abilities,” the Source Brain replied seriously.

Shang Jianyao, Bai Chen, and Long Yuehong subconsciously nodded. When they expressed that there was nothing wrong with the Source Brain’s words, Jiang Baimian gradually sensed a problem. Why did the Source Brain answer Shang Jianyao’s questions? Shouldn’t the Source Brain that controlled Genava be cold-blooded in such a situation and environment? Shouldn’t its only goal be to find the information Oray left behind and not waste time on such meaningless matters?

Jiang Baimian was very worried that the other party would suddenly attack!

The two parties were now like friends reuniting after a long time. They chatted regardless of the occasion.

Could it be… A guess flashed across Jiang Baimian’s mind as she took the initiative to say, “Are you the Source Brain now?”

“Yes.” The tall robot wrapped in an electromagnetic shield really answered Jiang Baimian’s question.

Shang Jianyao blurted out a question. “Where’s Old Ge? How is he?”

The red light that emitted from under the electromagnetic shield flickered as the Source Brain replied in a clearly synthetic voice, “His core module still exists, but I’ve now taken over the body and made him enter hibernation.”

It really answers every question… Jiang Baimian listened to the conversation between the man and the Source Brain and slowly confirmed her previous guess—the current Source Brain wasn’t the complete Source Brain!

The Source Brain that the Old Task Force had remotely communicated with while in Tarnan was like a real human. There were no signs of programming in their conversation as though it was following certain established patterns. If not for the fact they knew in advance that the other party was the Source Brain and that the other party’s voice was slightly synthetic, Jiang Baimian and the others would’ve thought that it was a knowledgeable and experienced elder on the other end of the line.

However, this elder’s behavior was relatively mechanical. It seemed to adhere to the philosophy of serving humans. Without the Old Task Force showing any intention of attacking, it answered almost every question posed at it!

Is this because Genava’s core module and physical configuration’s resources aren’t enough to support all the functions available to the Source Brain? Is the Source Brain in front of me a neutered version? Jiang Baimian came up with a certain guess based on her understanding of computers. She then deliberated and asked, “You mentioned there being nothing here?”

The Source Brain turned its head to look at the gigantic computer that was still in operation, and its voice became a little cold. “Yes, there’s nothing left behind by Oray. At least I didn’t find it. I’ve already tried reading the computer’s storage drives.”

It was only then that Long Yuehong realized that there were some electronic devices in front of the large computer beside the Source Brain’s feet.

In fact, Genava’s body was originally equipped with the corresponding module, but the Source Brain didn’t want to leave the electromagnetic screening clothes’ protection and chose to use tools that had been prepared in advance. In any case, these wouldn’t affect the smart bot even if they were controlled by Wu Meng.

“There’s no need for Avia to deceive us unless it’s a trap targeted at you.” Jiang Baimian deliberately ended her sentence with a rhetorical question. “But such a trap shouldn’t threaten your main body, right?”

“It can only destroy this body,” the Source Brain replied simply.

Jiang Baimian raised another question. “Then… Someone had already entered with the passcode and taken what Oray left behind?”

“It can’t be ruled out.” The Source Brain was rather frank.

“Could it be a powerhouse from First City?” Shang Jianyao asked.

“Oray’s granddaughter and grandson are under First City’s protection. This secret laboratory’s location and the corresponding passcode aren’t secrets to some of their higher-ups. Furthermore, they also have powerhouses that have entered the New World. They can get one of those who return to come to this ruin and take away what Oray left behind. In theory, it’s feasible.” Jiang Baimian had just finished analyzing when she suddenly realized that she hadn’t asked a question. She quickly added, “What do you think?”

The red light seeping out of the electromagnetic shield flickered twice. “If that’s the case, why were they still protecting Avia and Marcus? Were they fishing?”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao applauded the Source Brain. “You’ve already learned to use the word ‘fishing.'”

Jiang Baimian quickly added, “Maybe there are some hidden dangers in this secret laboratory, so First City’s powerhouses made a conservative choice. Did you discover anything when you came in previously?”

“After inputting the passcode, the laboratory doors naturally opened. The guards inside didn’t wake up either; they were still in hibernation mode.” The Source Brain described its experience truthfully. “As long as you don’t speak to the guards, they won’t wake up, scan your physical characteristics, and verify your exact identity.”

Is that so… Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but turn her head to glare at Shang Jianyao.

The previous battle could’ve been avoided; this fellow was the culprit!

The Source Brain continued, “After I took over the central control system here, I realized that if you didn’t have the right passcode and wanted to open the door by trial and error, the system would be locked after three attempts. You can only attempt it again after a week.

“If there are three consecutive locks, the self-destruct mechanism will be activated. Opening the door with violence will result in the same outcome.”

“I have a question.” Shang Jianyao raised his hand. “Before the Old World was destroyed, wouldn’t the researchers in this laboratory be locked up for an entire week if any of the employees were careless and gave the wrong passcode three times?”

The current Source Brain answered all questions. “The cryogenic warehouse attached to this lab has enough food and water for at least two weeks to prevent such a situation from happening.”

Upon hearing the words ’employees’ and ‘researchers,’ Jiang Baimian recalled something abnormal she had observed along the way. “The corpses here seem to belong to experimental subjects. What about the researchers and laboratory employees? Their corpses are piled up in the warehouse?”

The only place the Old Task Force had yet to go was the warehouse mentioned by the Source Brain.

The Source Brain replied, “The data I extracted indicates that someone used a passcode to open the laboratory door not long after the Old World was destroyed. They should’ve all left. The food stored in the freezer has rotted, and the water has evaporated.”

How intriguing… As Jiang Baimian thought, her pupils suddenly dilated. She had extracted an important piece of information from the Source Brain’s previous answer.

She looked at the Source Brain and asked in a deep voice, “You weren’t attacked along the way? You mainly spent your time hacking into the lab’s system, extracting and recovering data, and further searching the rooms?”

“Yes,” the Source Brain—which was wrapped in an electromagnetic shield—replied simply.

Jiang Baimian narrowed her eyes. “But we came because we heard an explosion here.. That’s how we confirmed that the laboratory is in this area.”