Wasteland Echoer

"Haha, Wright, the extraordinary power of the arduous battles during this period has not eroded your memory. I am very happy that you can still recognize me. Since that time in the interrogation room of the SoCal Police Station, it should now be called the SoCal Police Station. After we parted ways at the station, we haven’t seen each other for almost a month.”

George said, taking off the pure black mask with a strong Cruzeid style in front of Wright, revealing the wrinkled face, but still courageous and determined, revealing the heroic spirit of an imperial soldier. The face, and the short hair that has turned completely white.

After stopping, he picked up the object in his hand and shook it toward Wright. An oval-shaped light that was particularly dazzling in the dark space flashed around his body.

Immediately afterwards, he pressed the object in his hand a few more times. Suddenly, soft light emanated from it, illuminating a small space around it.

"Do you know what this is?" George asked in a particularly low voice, as if the devil in hell was asking the humans who were about to fall into misery.

"Flashlight?" Wright speculated.

But his eyes never left the lean, tall middle-aged man in front of him.

At this time, George was not wearing the military green uniform of the Imperial General when he first met him on the third floor of the Socratic City Library.

Instead, it is a pure black, highly technological armor.

It looks very compact, covering almost every exposed skin of George's body, but it appears to be very flexible.

The material that makes up the armor is probably some kind of alloy produced in the north. It appears dark under the yellowish light, reflecting a limited and powerful luster.

Moreover, the design of the armor is extremely sophisticated, and there is almost no useless place. Even on the ankles, back, and even between the neck, some mechanical structures hiding weapons can be vaguely seen.

Moreover, Wright noticed that in addition to several "A-01" and "A-02" standard grenades commonly used by the empire hanging on George's waist, there were also two palm-sized boxes, close to the battlefield on his waist. Inside the armor, if you don't look carefully, there is no way to know the clues.

"Yes, this is the 'New Yongguang' brand flashlight. Our Sugla Committee found some drawings printed with Putoa Federation technology products in the ruins on the edge of the central lake. After the 'Southern Technology Analysis' led by the ruling Mr. Holly After the team compiled and researched it, they produced this thing." George said, slapping the "New Yongguang" brand flashlight hard with cotton-mixed tactical gloves and throwing it into the air.

An incredible scene happened. The flashlight did not fall to the ground according to the rules of free fall, but was suspended smoothly in the air, rotating gracefully at a constant speed, emitting a brighter brilliance.

"It looks very much like the ballroom lights I saw in the previous world, but the style looks more like drones. Is it possible that the Ptoia Federation is more technologically prosperous than the Crusted Empire? It can be developed in the Steam Age Decades after the third technological revolution, a product that only matured in the information age? Is it possible that there is also a great time traveler in the Putoa Federation? Not only did he bring the technology to the past, but it also developed and was recorded and compiled into drawings ?" Wright thought to himself.

However, he turned his eyes again and chose to listen to George's performance first.

After all, the "people" encountered during this period after entering the center of Silent Highlands are more or less mentally abnormal. The core point of the "Safety Code" of the escort is "information". It is better to continue to learn from this own "former commander" "Grab some points from your body.

Thinking of this, Wright pursed his lips, glanced slightly to the right, and then asked:

"What kind of power does it use to maintain its suspended state? I'm very curious. You should know me very well. I have a natural interest in machinery, but I haven't had the opportunity to play with it during this time."

"It seems that you are still normal, Wright. A long time ago, especially when you were threatened by Yato in your underground waterway, you had no choice but to kill the 'Eagle of Zine' who was opposed to Mr. Holly, Timokov's biological son De That time, I did suspect that you were possessed by the apostle of God and that you were no longer you. But now, even if I let Natasha erase a vital part of your memory, your tone, behavior, and even Our habits are still the same as before, when we lived carefree in Sundream City. It's a pity that we can't go back to the past..."

As he said that, George actually sniffed in front of Wright and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his hands.

This was completely inconsistent with George's demeanor when Wright met him twice before in the city of Socrates.

At that time, he was really a general who was decisive in killing, with sharp eyes, revealing justice and ferocity.

But now, he looks more like a "dying" old man, reflecting and recalling his mistakes. This expression... actually gave Wright the illusion of meeting his father.

He looked at George who was sighing softly and trying hard to suppress his sour emotions. He was speechless for a moment. His mouth moved and he didn't utter a word for a long time. So he simply chose to keep silent and not say a word.

"Light, it is not convenient for me to restore your memory before the 'Blood Night Ritual' and 'Raleye's Dream' are completed, but I must tell you what needs to be said. I am old and have been tortured by the 'Unintentional Man Virus' It has been several years. After this visit to the 'Daughter of Mechanical Element' and the capture of her godhead and core is completed, I am not qualified to enter the 'Paradise'."

"The last time I asked the committee's exclusive team of doctors to do a routine check-up on me, they discovered a tumor in my brain. If it was an ordinary cancer cell, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, you and I have to give up our bodies after entering paradise. , but that is the result of the germination of the seeds of the sub-monster, the 'Silence Plant'."

"'Silent Buds'?" Wright murmured softly, looking at George with a particularly puzzled expression, thinking about this term he had never heard before.

"Yes, that's it." George nodded, with a hint of teeth-gnashing anger in his tone:

"It is a rare plant that grows on the edge of the central lake and the edge of the silent highlands. It lives on the flesh and blood of animals, but does not eat it personally. Its appearance is very similar to a dandelion, but its rhizomes are purple and drift in the wind. The seeds are light black. Our skulls are originally very hard, and its seeds are soft and cannot penetrate the skin at all."

"So there was an assassination?" Wright came up with the answer instantly.

"Of course!" George couldn't hide his anger and said in a higher tone:

"Those traitors! Cowards! Scumbags! A group of disloyal and unjust idiots who betrayed the city. Timokov's group of assassins with no sense of honor did this. But fortunately, a week ago, after finding out the true situation , I have personally killed them with a cannon! So, Wright..."

George's tone softened. He took two steps forward, patted Wright on the shoulder, and said in a loving tone:

"After 'Raleye's Dream' is completed and 'Paradise' appears, I will definitely watch the sunrise on the high ground on the edge of the Holy City of Sogra, and then raise a gun to learn about myself. So, I plan to let you take over from me before that His title and rank make him the youngest member of the 'Paradise' Management Committee."

"In this case, do I have to... give up my body and enter the illusory world?" Wright cursed.

"Of course." George tried his best to release his emotions, gestured with his hands and claws, and laughed loudly:

"Hahaha, this is evolution, this is the ultimate evolution, do you understand?"

"It's hard to understand." Wright shook his head, subconsciously stroking the skin of his face and arms that felt so real, and said worriedly:

"People have a spirit because they have a body. Without the carrier, the spirit will become a line of... digital code without any meaning? Maybe... this is a bit difficult for people of our era to understand, but it is anyway This is the truth. If the physical body does not exist, will consciousness and spirit still be real? Even if they exist, how can we ensure that the spirit in paradise is the one separated from the physical body?"

"This question is very good and valuable!" George praised Wright without hesitation, cast an approving look at Wright, slapped Wright's shoulders with both hands, looked into Wright's pure black eyes, and said firmly:

"Our experiments show that humans who enter the 'little paradise' are put into a state of near-death by means, sent there, and share consciousness with other people. After waking up, they still remember what happened and what they have done. It should be noted that when he is near death, his body is no different from death."

"Speaking of Wright, I appreciate the growth you have made while performing tasks during this period. Your physical fitness has increased visibly, your strength has become stronger, and even your thinking ability has made a qualitative leap.

In fact, your performance during this period has been seen by the Socratic Committee. Even though your body has mutated to some extent, you still stick to your human identity and have not fallen into the arms of the 'lost ones'. "

George said, taking off his standard tactical gloves, and pinched Wright's left arm with his scarred right hand, like a pliers, making him unable to move.

After struggling once subconsciously, Wright simply chose to let nature take its course and let George roughly grope and manipulate it.

After touching a vaguely solid object, George used his other hand to twist a light black, unobtrusive button on his waist, tapped it twice, and took out the inconspicuous box.

Immediately afterwards, he placed the box on Wright's arm. In an instant, dazzling cyan light shone all around, which was more than ten times stronger than the brilliance of the "New Yongguang" brand flashlight.

The box suddenly stretched out four silver mechanical claws and clasped Wright's skin. A miniature saber protruded from the light "double-headed eagle" pattern carved in the middle, pierced Wright's skin and cut open it. A long, thin opening.

Then, a subtle mechanical sound came through, and the saber was combined and changed to form a strangely shaped mechanical claw, which penetrated deep into Wright's arm.

Along with the bone-piercing pain, a small machine was taken out along with a small piece of fuzzy flesh and blood.

Wright calmly watched everything happening on his arm, secretly guessing that this was probably the so-called "tracker" placed by the Socratic Committee as Peter said.

After restoring the box and putting it back on his waist, George discovered that the blood flowing from Wright's wound like a stream had actually gathered on the floor to form a "Blood Man" that exuded an intoxicating smell and had an extremely graceful posture. "Dora".

He glanced at Wright indifferently, then wiped off the dirt on the small machine, picked it up, and said:

"The 'JS-X-01' tracker, like the 'New Everlight' just now, is a technological product left behind by the Putoa Federation. Its core is a crystal that constantly emits weak magic power, and the exquisite and complex circuits inside it have It is a masterpiece at the highest level of the empire. Your location, and the proportion of the 'virus' and magic power erosion in your body will be passed to us when you enter the city. Don't forget, Mr. Holly is the Prime Minister of the empire. It’s not difficult for us to install something to receive the signal.”

"But then again, all the signal analysis results show that your brain has not been invaded by any harmful substances and has remained in a very awake state. This is rare, and it is destined that your spirit will be incomparably suitable for 'Paradise' . Holly said that one day when he is tired of 'Paradise', you will be the most suitable new leader."

"We will not only allow millions of people in the city of Sogra to enter the 'Paradise', but after we obtain the core of the god that contains endless energy, we will launch the 'continuation plan', kill Ivant, and activate the secrets hidden in the city, including Cheka. Devices installed underground in cities such as Fusk, Zhinetsk, Kusha, etc., assist the suffering human beings there to 'freely' give up their bodies."

"At that time, airships the size of towns will rise from the ground, enter the vast universe, and combine into the largest spaceship. At that time, we will no longer need food, water and oxygen, and will only need to rely on the energy of the sun. , you can completely realize happiness and eternal life. Wright..."

Seeing that Wright was still not interested, George kicked the "JS-X-01" tracker into his pocket, held Wright's shoulders, shook it hard, and said in a hurry:

"Don't you like machinery? 'Paradise' will satisfy all your creativity. You can imagine any interesting device and create your own world. If...if you prefer magic, you will be on par with the so-called Creator there. Existence. Compared to this dark, gloomy, and ugly wasteland world, isn’t it paradise?”

"You are crazy too, Mr. George." Wright said helplessly:

"Please wake up. There is no 'paradise' or 'heaven' in the world. There are only intelligent creatures like us who have been tortured but already have beautiful visions and strive to survive. Neither humans, nor the lost, nor gods. Tolerating the killing of millions of people in exchange for an illusory existence.”

"Your desires and fantasies are the driving force for survival. If these can be easily obtained, do we still need to exist? The fire of human civilization will be extinguished."

"Besides, Mr. George, I tell you responsibly. The so-called 'Paradise' is a worthless collective dream. After death, human consciousness and spirit will definitely disappear. Even if we can see each other in 'Paradise' As far as they are concerned, they are nothing more than hallucinations, or machines that operate according to predetermined orbits."

"So..." George's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of his mouth raised, showing some teeth, his face suddenly became ferocious, and he said in a fierce tone:

"Is your choice to refuse to enter the 'Paradise' and be determined to become an enemy of the Socratic Council? But you have to know that I am not the only one in this 'Old Palace'!"

Wright opened his mouth and was about to step forward to argue. Suddenly, he felt a cold feeling coming from his neck that belonged to a knife.