BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM-Chapter 1304: An unexpected reunion (1)

Chapter 1304: An unexpected reunion (1)

Erik pocketed the datapad, walking back through the cleared corridors of the facility.

[We need to contact Becker as soon as possible. The intelligence we’ve gathered here is valuable, and what we can get from the rest of the computers might even be more valuable to simply sit on it.]

Erik and the clones that remained had some radios, but they were short-ranged ones, surely not able to reach Becker on Mannard.

[The radio won’t work; we need to send messengers. A small group of clones could make the journey back to Mannard and deliver the information directly.]

At the moment, it was the only way for them to get in contact with the clones on Mannard or Becker.

<You’re suggesting we send them all the way across the continent and then over the sea?>

[Yes. They could use the same method you and Rick used to get back on Mannard and avoid confrontation when possible. Hopefully, all the time.]

Erik paused by a shattered window, looking out over the underground cavern where his clones continued their cleanup efforts. The thought of sending some of them on such a journey again troubled him. Besides, the system was being too hopeful.

[I can’t dream. I never sleep!]

Erik gave the biological supercomputer a mentally annoyed look.

[The risk is manageable with proper planning.]

<Manageable, my ass!> With all of Erik’s powers, even he couldn’t completely avoid fights or meet Thaids, at the very least, and those thaids were utterly deadly. Erik was strong, strong enough to kill most of what had barred his way. Thaids on Mur were strong, but the really powerful titans were few compared to the rest of the monster population.

The real problem on Mur was the insane number of thaids, all of which were stronger than the monsters on Mannard—except for Wyverns, which Erik still couldn’t understand why they lived on Mannard instead of Mur.

Having to face thousands of monsters twice as strong as a Hevadrin was no small feat. Sure, Erik could do it thanks to his mana, but then he would have to fight similar monsters again, and again, and again.

If he didn’t level up, even he would end without mana, and there was a limit to what melee fighting could achieve.

He sighed.

Erik said.

[You are not giving the clones the credit they deserve. They have your combat training and tactical knowledge; they are even smarter than you thanks to Hais brain crystal power.]

The biological supercomputer fell silent for a moment. Erik was right, but there was no other way to do this.

[The information we’ve discovered here is groundbreaking. We’ve uncovered the origin of the thaid outbreak and identified potential locations of other Silver Line Corporation’s facilities. The risk is worth taking if we can get more information, and if we need to get the data about the other facilities, we might need to restore more servers and data disks.]

It paused. [We have been lucky for the datapad having been in good condition and even more to have the information we sought, at least partially. The problem is that even if we head to these facilities, it’s likely we won’t be this lucky.]

Erik considered the situation. He knew the supercomputer made valid points, but sending the clones into such danger went against his basic instincts.

“Sir! Sir! We have a problem!”

Erik spun around as a clone rushed toward him, his face full of urgency.

“What is it?” Erik straightened.

The clone stopped to catch his breath. “One of my brothers just arrived from the forest shelter where Rick is staying. He said, Gwen, Floyd, and the others are on Mur!”

“What?!” Erik’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible. Why would they come here? How did they even make the crossing?”

“A plane, based on what Gwen said. The messenger said they had arrived some time ago at the shelter. Rick is escorting them here now. They should arrive within hours.”

This was an unexpected development. “They don’t have the combat abilities to survive here. The thaid population in Mur is far more dangerous than anything in Mannard.”

[Actually, this might be good news.]

[Not for no reason. They may have a way to communicate with Becker. This could solve our problem.]

The clone shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure if he should remain or return to his duties, knowing that Erik was likely talking to the biological supercomputer, since he remained silent the whole time.

“Thank you for the information,” Erik said. “Tell the perimeter teams to expect Rick’s group and to bring them to me when they arrive. I want double security along their approach path.”

“Yes, sir.” The clone saluted and left.

Erik resumed walking.

[It’s certainly possible. Becker has resources we don’t, and right now he has people. They might have provided Gwen’s team with long-range communication devices for keeping contact across continents. It wouldn’t make sense for Becker to send them here without a way to know if they needed help.]

Erik said.

[True, but even Floyd wouldn’t risk crossing to Mur without a reason. Something prompted this expedition.]

Erik entered the central operations room they’d established, where June coordinated the facility’s security and exploration efforts.

“June,” Erik said. “We need to prepare for visitors. Rick is bringing Gwen and the others from Mannard.”

June looked up, surprised. “From Mannard? How did they—”

“I don’t know yet, but they’ll be here soon. Make sure we have accommodations ready and a secure briefing area. I want to hear what prompted this journey and if they have a way to make me talk to Becker.”

“Yes, Master.” June turned to issue orders.

Erik moved to a quieter corner of the room, continuing his internal dialogue with the biological supercomputer.

[Hard to say without more information. Perhaps they found something in Mannard that relates to our findings here. Or Becker sent them with important intelligence. Or maybe…]

<What?>

[Maybe it’s because we lost contact with them. Maybe this is a rescue mission.]

<Rescue? They are strong based on the old standards but amount to nothing with the new ones, especially not on Mur.>

[We should keep judgment to ourselves until we hear their explanation.]

Erik spent the next few hours overseeing the continued cleanup of the facility while checking for updates on Rick’s approaching group.

By afternoon, a clone reported movement at the cave entrance. Erik ordered a security detail to escort the newcomers through the still-dangerous cavern.