Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 529: Suspicion

“Huh?” Long Yuehong was confused by Shang Jianyao’s sigh. “Why do you say that?”

As time was of the essence, the Old Task Force had yet to share the information they had obtained from Avia internally.

Jiang Baimian briefly introduced the Third Research Institute’s two research directions and Oray’s evaluation and suspicion of the Source Brain.

Jiang Baimian smiled. “Therefore, Mechanical Paradise’s artificial intelligence might produce a consciousness that is close to a human’s. However, the relatively large difference lies in its fundamentals and the way it’s presented. Old Ge should like this answer.”

Bai Chen—who was driving—subconsciously asked, “Then, why does the Source Brain limit humanization?”

“Maybe there are still some latent dangers that can threaten the Source Brain itself?” Long Yuehong guessed.

Shang Jianyao admired his thoughts and eagerly said, “We have to make Old Ge’s humanization exceed 100% later and see what changes will happen to Mechanical Paradise!”

With you around, it might not be at the level of humanization… Jiang Baimian muttered. She deliberated and said, “By a stroke of luck, it might be a blessing to have Old Ge work with Old Han and Zeng Duo to deal with Early Spring Town.”

“What?” Long Yuehong was a little confused again.

“That’s right. I’m afraid Old Ge will self-destruct on the spot because of his inability to accept the good news.” Shang Jianyao tried to punch his right fist into his left palm, but the injury on his arm successfully stopped him.

Bai Chen frowned and glanced at Jiang Baimian. “You mean Old Ge isn’t that trustworthy?”

She was rather resistant toward such a proposition.

Jiang Baimian said seriously, “No, Old Ge is trustworthy. However, it’s not necessarily true that there’s no Trojan horse implanted in Old Ge’s body. Or rather, there might be a hidden backdoor.”

Bai Chen reacted. “Source Brain? Are you worried that the Source Brain can remotely control Old Ge and make him suddenly go berserk when he sees Avia and hears information regarding the Source Brain?”

As Long Yuehong’s expression changed, Jiang Baimian nodded. “I previously had a slight suspicion that there were many coincidences regarding Old Ge’s matter back then. For example, Old Ge was examined shortly after we conversed with the Source Brain. Also, our escape was much easier than expected. Mechanical Paradise actually didn’t send anyone to Redstone Collection to wait for us.

“Once Avia told us that Oray knew how to format the Source Brain and left behind the corresponding information, I was even more convinced that Old Ge’s escape was orchestrated by the Source Brain. Think about it; would it casually tell a team it knows virtually nothing about such important information that involves the Source Brain’s survival? Would it really be at ease? Isn’t it afraid that we will hand the information over to the company or sell it to large factions like First City after obtaining it, whereby both parties will cooperate to control Mechanical Paradise and it?”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Although his arm was injured, Shang Jianyao still tenaciously clapped.

The more Long Yuehong listened, the more he felt that his team leader made sense. He never expected an artificial intelligence like the Source Brain to be capable of scamming humans!

Jiang Baimian continued, “If Old Ge were here today, it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s a high chance that he will go ‘berserk’ when we explore the mysterious laboratory and find the information Oray left behind. When the time comes, we will use the excuse that Wasteland Ruin 13 has Wu Meng and that it’s not suitable for robots to participate to get Old Ge to provide support outside.”

At this point, Jiang Baimian laughed self-deprecatingly. “That laboratory is very dangerous; it’s not something we can explore now. The company might very well send another team that’s led by Mind Corridor-level Awakened. This way, we don’t have to worry.”

“Yes, yes.” Long Yuehong looked out the window and changed the topic. “What’s next on the menu?”

According to the plan and his imagination, there were two choices. The first plan was to leave First City quickly, head south before the chaos ended, and circle to the Red River’s north bank. They would rendezvous with Genava, Han Wanghuo, and Zeng Duo and make every second count to resolve the matter regarding Early Spring Town.

The reason why they didn’t choose to pass through the Red Wolf Zone and the Green Olive Zone and directly head to the wastelands from the Red River Bridge in the north was that it was a key port for entering and exiting First City. It would definitely become the focus of both parties during the chaos, and they might not be able to pass through it in a short period of time.

Furthermore, even if the unrest was at an end, the victor would definitely firmly control the bridge in order to eliminate the defeated faction’s loyal supporters.

In comparison, the southern exit—which was considered deep into First City’s auxiliary area—wouldn’t be that heavily guarded.

The problem with this plan was that it required a large amount of time to travel before they could obtain temporary stability. The Old Task Force was holding a Mind Corridor-level captive in hopes of obtaining information on the secret organization. If they were held up for too long before making an attempt, it was very easy for an accident to happen midway.

The second plan was to enter the Red Wolf Zone or the Green Olive Zone and move the captive into one of the safe houses they had prepared, therefore showing no rush to leave First City.

This way, the Old Task Force could extract information from him in the shortest time possible, finish off the captive, and eliminate any latent dangers. At the same time, they wouldn’t encounter any searches or interrogations since they weren’t running around the streets. They could tide through the subsequent chaos relatively smoothly.

But if they implemented this plan, the Old Task Force probably wouldn’t have the chance to leave First City before the chaos subsided and the defeated party was basically captured. They would miss the best window of opportunity to resolve the matter in Early Spring Town.

Furthermore, the matter of Jiang Baimian and the others coming into contact with Avia might be discovered. When the time came, it would be troublesome if they were targeted by some or other First City powerhouses.

Jiang Baimian had an idea and looked ahead. “Let’s return to the Red Wolf Zone first and find a place to call General Phocas.”

“Uh…” Long Yuehong was first stunned before he came to a realization. “Team Leader, you want to use General Phocas to leave the city?”

“As long as he doesn’t become a loser in this chaos, getting us out of the city safely is a trivial matter.” Jiang Baimian smiled. “A sly old fox like him probably won’t make himself a loser.”

Jiang Baimian paused and said, “Didn’t he want us to share the information we obtained from Avia? Let’s deliver it to him now!”

This not only completed their promise to Avia but also fulfilled their promise to General Phocas.

“Yes.” Long Yuehong and Bai Chen felt that this was the best choice.

General Phocas said that he would provide help, but he had only given a pass so far. He needed to pay a price of ‘equal worth.’

“He still owes us a celebratory feast.” Shang Jianyao had never forgotten this.

Long Yuehong secretly scoffed at this fellow before suddenly recalling something and blurting out, “How should we interrogate the captive?”

This was an Awakened at the Mind Corridor level. It was fine if he was anesthetized, but once he woke up, the Old Task Force might not be able to subdue him even if they made sufficient preparations. They couldn’t keep stuffing the other party with bloodstained cloth, right? That could resolve the danger, but they wouldn’t receive any information. The target would either faint or suffer from some form of myocardial infarction.

With the Destiny Pearl previously, it wasn’t a problem. Now, Mr. DiMarco’s bestowment had been exhausted.

Bai Chen subconsciously said, “Play Wu Meng’s recording to him and make him trust us with all his heart and body? Will it be effective if he listens while unconscious?”

Jiang Baimian laughed. “Let General Phocas worry about this problem.”

This was her other goal in contacting General Phocas! Without a Mind Corridor-level Awakened presiding over the situation, it wasn’t easy for the Old Task Force to extract information from the current captive.

…

Due to the chaos brought about by the Citizen Meet, as well as the frequent gunshots and explosions, many shops in the Red Wolf Zone didn’t open for business. The ones that did closed up as well.

Their owners had either gone to Hope Square or hid back home, praying that nothing major would happen.

The Old Task Force found a café and had Bai Chen complete the series of actions needed to pick the door’s lock.

As Jiang Baimian dialed the general’s residence, Long Yuehong—who was in the car—saw helicopters and drones appear in midair. They flew toward different parts of the city amidst the commotion as if they were searching for any survivors.

Bai Chen sensed something and hid in the café in advance. Otherwise, her military exoskeleton would’ve been very eye-catching.

Before long, Jiang Baimian heard General Phocas’s voice: “Hello?”

She exhaled and said, “We’ve already obtained the corresponding information.”

General Phocas fell silent for a moment before saying, “Come straight to my residence. In such a situation, the Golden Apple Zone is the safest as long as we don’t approach the Conservatives’ villas.”

It seems like Gaius has won? Many people from the Conservatives are trying to escape the city? Jiang Baimian could guess the current situation based on Phocas’s words. Therefore, those heading out of the Golden Apple Zone would be strictly investigated. Those entering the Golden Apple Zone wouldn’t be paid special attention.

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian agreed.

The Mind Corridor-level captive was a ticking time bomb to them. They had to resolve the problem as soon as possible. Of course, the premise was that the Old Task Force had already obtained information on the secret organization.

This was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed. This was also the reason why Jiang Baimian chose to take the risk of capturing the enemy and not killing him on the spot.

After the drone and helicopter in midair moved a little further away, Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen rushed back into the jeep.

During the trip back to the Golden Apple Zone, Jiang Baimian carried the radio transceiver and sent a telegram to Genava and the others.

Today was critical. She made the subteam maintain constant communications.

To her surprise, Han Wanghuo and the others didn’t adhere to the rules by insisting on waiting for a rendezvous. They were already on their way to Early Spring Town.

Jiang Baimian said to Shang Jianyao and the others in relief, “They have a military exoskeleton and Old Ge. As long as Early Spring Town doesn’t have a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, with a number of the troops transferred away, there’s a high chance of success if they carry out a blitzkrieg.”

“I hope so,” Bai Chen replied as she drove the jeep to the back door of the general’s residence.

As expected, they didn’t encounter any interrogations along the way. With the pass they had, they met with virtually zero obstructions.