The survival of the entire world was based on the 'grace' of the Nanomachine Swarm. What was more frightening was that no one knew why the Nanomachine Swarm had stopped, let alone when it would restart. The world did not survive the disaster sixty-five years ago. In fact, the disaster was still ongoing, but it had slowed down. Like a delayed execution, humans were waiting for the blade to fall at any moment. In this situation, all kinds of rational or crazy voices were emerging.
Some people tried to rush into the ruins of the north to destroy the Nanomachine Swarm, but the Nanomachine Swarm had become an irresistible force. Even nuclear weapons could not completely eliminate it. Some tried to re-establish control of the Nanomachine Swarm, but they had become part of the Gray River. Some hoped to rebuild the pre-war space technology and escape from the planet to preserve the population. But their ambitions had no chance of success in this chaotic world.
The Rangers regarded the Nanomachine Swarm as a super life that had far surpassed humans and could dominate the world. They worshiped it like a god. They believed that the entire world and the entire human race had survived because of the Nanomachine Swarm's grace. So they showed their loyalty to their 'master' in a crazy way, only hoping to have a place when the Nanomachine Swarm finally decided to reshape the world.
But how did the Nanomachine Swarm react?
It did not respond, just flowing quietly in the Gray River. Whether it was human attack or control, hostility or worship, it seemed to be meaningless to them. They just operated strictly according to a certain law: do not spread, do not diminish, and do not erode the outside world. But they would not hesitate to devour adventurers who entered the north.
Ulyanov looked across the hazy shore of the Gray River. His smooth visor reflected the last light of the sky. "People living in other parts of the wasteland always forget where the world's biggest crisis is. They even forget that the world is still tied to a bomb. Only when you come here and see the Gray River surging, you will realize from the bottom of your heart that the world has always been treading on thin ice. It is entirely because of a reason that humans cannot understand and control that we can live to this day. When I was still a researcher, I once did a research project on how two completely different life forms would get along after humans came into contact with alien life forms. But I never expected the answer to be like this: there is now a completely different and incomprehensible life form on this planet. There is only one word to describe the relationship between the two: unknown. "
"It's just because it can't communicate." Hao Ren looked thoughtfully at the grayish-white liquid that was almost solidifying. "I also believe that the Nanomachine Swarm has evolved to think, but in a different way from humans. There must be a reason why they stopped … Maybe they want to communicate with humans? "
"You are not the first to put forward this idea," Ulyanov turned his head slightly. "But it's meaningless to have ideas."
At this time, Nolan suddenly whispered to herself, "Maybe they stopped spreading because the world can't handle such complicated things."
"What?" Hao Ren didn't hear it clearly.
Nolan shook her head and turned to leave. The Gray River has solidified. Prepare to depart! "
It was impossible to see the position of the sun in the smoke-shrouded sky. But the fading glow on the horizon told them that dusk was coming to an end. As Nolan had said, the viscous liquid in the Gray River slowly solidified into a solid block. Like liquid metal cooling, it turned into a metallic surface at a speed visible to the naked eye. There were even ripples on the surface and bubbles that had just burst. All of them had solidified.
This was also an incomprehensible property of the Gray River. People still did not know why the Nanomachine Swarm would periodically solidify like this. It could only be explained as the result of program mutation.
The mercenaries got into the vehicles. The three armored vehicles carefully drove to the river. After confirming that the river was completely solidified, the first vehicle carefully drove up. The Nanomachine Swarm, which was still liquid a moment ago, was now as strong as steel. The heavy armored vehicles could not even leave a scratch on it. Hao Ren and the rest were waiting in the second vehicle. Ulyanov noticed that Hao Ren was fiddling with the "electromagnetic hibernation device." He immediately reminded Hao Ren. "Don't fiddle with it. It will cause problems if the frequency is out of whack."
"I have heard you say many times that this thing can hypnotize the Nanomachine Swarm?" Hao Ren asked casually.
"Yes. This thing may not be common among the Naturals, but the mercenaries in the Lawless Zone often use it. "Ulyanov pointed to the small device." It has two systems, corresponding to these two green lights. One is the main, and the other is the backup. They can make you look like them in the eyes of the Nanomachine Swarm, so that the Nanomachine Swarm will not attack you. But once the hypnosis stops, the Nanomachine Swarm will immediately rush up. Even the solidified Gray River will wake up immediately. "
Ulyanov raised his hand and pointed to the roof of the vehicle. "We have a bigger one in the vehicle. So when we go out, if something goes wrong with your device, be sure to run back to the armored vehicle as fast as possible. If you are fast enough, you may survive. "
"So don't fiddle with that thing." Nolan glanced at Hao Ren. "If one of the lights turns red, report immediately. It will be too late if both systems break down."
The lead vehicle sent back a safe signal, and the other two armored vehicles carefully drove from the riverbank to the river. Hao Ren felt the vehicle shake, and then he saw the mercenaries around him were nervous. He asked curiously, "If the Gray River is so dangerous, why don't we just go by air?"
"There are also Nanomachine Swarm in the air." Ulyanov did not laugh at Hao Ren's ignorance because most people would not study the environment of the ruins in the north. "It is an air purification model, but now it has become a plague over the ruins in the north. They live in symbiosis with the clouds. Occasionally, they will suddenly descend to a place only 100 meters above the ground, and often attack aircraft. "
At this time, a White River Consortium researcher sitting at the rear of the vehicle suddenly said, "Floating Nanomachines float in the air, and when the aircraft moves, they will be sucked into the combustion chamber. The Nanomachine Swarm takes this as an attack signal, and they destroy the aircraft to protect their companions. "
"Ah, I thought you were all mute," Ulyanov looked up. "What you said sounds like you are exonerating the Nanomachine Swarm."
The thin White River Consortium researcher did not look angry. "I'm a scientist. I'm only talking about my findings."
Ulyanov shrugged. "What a coincidence, I was also a scientist before I picked up a gun."
"Well, be polite to the customer," Nolan interrupted Ulyanov and then looked at the four members of the White River Consortium. "Please cooperate with us as much as possible. Otherwise, it will be a pity if two or three of you die. My order says that as long as at least one of you can make it back alive, I'll complete the mission."
The atmosphere suddenly became a little cold. Hao Ren realized that Nolan was not only good at combat experience and knowledge, but she was also a seasoned talker.
The Gray River was unusually wide. For fear of disturbing the Nanomachine Swarm, the armored vehicle did not move fast. They did not know how long it would take. The monotonous gray world outside made people sleepy. Hao Ren yawned and leaned against the carriage.
A voice sounded in his mind, which seemed to be the MDT. "… What do you want to find there?"
"Maybe it's the tentacles of the First Born," Hao Ren replied in a daze. "The 'collapse' of this world began sixty-five years ago, and the loss of control of the Nanomachine Swarm is the cause of everything. If this is not a man-made disaster, it can only be a natural disaster … I heard that the core container of the Nanomachine Swarm is buried deep underground. Maybe the container was dug too deep and got close to one of the tentacles of the First Born … "
"… What if I can't find it?"
"I'll look elsewhere. If I can't find it, I'll find a place to dig."
"What if there's nothing you're looking for here? Will you leave? "
"Leave? Why would I leave? "Hao Ren felt a little more awake." It's not over yet, right? "
"Hurry up and leave. This place can't hold for long …"
Hao Ren was suddenly wide awake. He immediately called the MDT. "What did you say just now?"
"I'm still practicing walking. Are you sleepy?"
(Asking for monthly votes! It's almost the end of the month. Everyone, look at your monthly votes. Maybe you'll have an extra monthly vote without you knowing it. Anyway, this is a metaphysical voting mechanism all year round. =)
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