315: Chapter 316 The Embers of Resonance, the Prologue to Echoes

The wreckage of the "wanderer" completely merged into the background darkness, like a speck of dust silently swallowed by the "silence" of the ocean. Its energy pulsation was completely extinguished in the void, leaving only a trace of purplish-black chaotic contamination, like a solidified teardrop of blood, slowly dissipating into the eternal silver-gray. But the fragmented "The Whisper" it leaked in its final moments was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, stirring up far more turbulent waves in the hearts of everyone aboard the "ranger" than anticipated.

Epsilon-3. Survivor. Scavenger. key Resonance Trap.

Each word was like a cold key, attempting to open heavy doors hidden behind the mist. They were not simple nouns, but scars etched onto the soul, the final warning the "wanderer" traded its life for.

On the bridge, no one spoke. There was only the faint sound of Stardust's fingertips rapidly tapping on the virtual keyboard, the low hum of the S-001 data stream running, and the constant frequency of Evelyn's auxiliary systems operating stably. The air was solidified like frozen liquid metal, and every breath carried the chill of metal. White Elder's wooden carving flowed with a faint green light in the corner, like a dying star, providing the last bit of warmth to this dead silent battlefield.

Mute's fragmented light flickered slightly before the control console, each flash resembling a silent breath. Within his shattered consciousness fragments, ancient memories concerning the "key" and "resonance" were now fiercely colliding with the death data of the "wanderer." He felt an almost painful familiarity—it was the despair he had once experienced while being hunted by the "Scavenger."

"Epsilon-3..." Mute's consciousness fluctuation finally broke the silence, his voice carrying an ineffable complexity, like metal rubbed by sandpaper, "It is marked as 'Survivor'... and the 'wanderer' seemed to deem it worthy of contact and warning. This suggests that, in the 'wanderer's' perception, Epsilon-3 very likely represents some kind of... resistance force? Or at least, a sober entity that is opposed to the 'Scavenger' and has not yet fallen."

He paused, and the fragmented light suddenly flickered violently, as if resisting a backlash from a memory: "I... I remember. In one memory fragment, the 'Scavenger' once mentioned an alias 'Epsilon,' saying it was the 'most stubborn bastard.' Its address to Epsilon-3 carried a kind of... respectful disgust. Not an enemy, but... a far more terrifying opponent."

"Judging by the delayed warning message it sent earlier," Stardust interjected, her gray eyes reflecting the incomplete text on the screen, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the edge of the console, "it also mentioned 'Beware the listeners' and 'Wait for the true resonance.' Although the tone was vague, it was clearly a warning and a reminder, not malice. It knew the danger of the 'Traitor' and the 'key,' and was attempting to warn any other unit that might receive the message. This fits the characteristics of a 'Survivor.'"

She took a deep breath, her voice dropping even lower: "The green light the 'wanderer' saw before death... that wasn't rejection, it was confirmation. It knew Epsilon-3 was there, knew it would receive its 'last words.' Its final hope was to transmit the warning outward."

"Then how do we find it? Or rather, contact it?" Evelyn asked the crucial question, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor. Her fingers gripped the edge of the console so tightly her knuckles turned white, as if fighting some invisible fear.

Excellence's gaze shifted toward the eternally unchanging silver-gray outside the viewport, and he spoke slowly, his voice deep as if coming from the abyss: "The 'wanderer's' message mentioned 'key... Resonance... Trap.' This means the 'Scavenger' uses the 'resonance' between 'keys' to set traps, luring units like 'Messenger' and 'wanderer.' Conversely..."

"Conversely," Stardust immediately understood, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes like a meteor streaking across a cold night, "if 'keys' can generate 'resonance' through specific means, then perhaps this 'resonance' can also serve as a method to find and contact other 'key' holders—like Epsilon-3? The key is to find a safe way to resonate that cannot be monitored by the 'Scavenger.' Furthermore, we still need to know Epsilon-3's 'key' characteristic code, or at least its 'resonance' reception frequency."

"A safe resonance method..." Mute's fragmented light flickered, as if digging into deeper memories, "In my impression, the resonance between 'keys' is not simple energy or information broadcasting. It is more like a high-dimensional mutual identification and verification based on the underlying rules of 'silence.' Under normal circumstances, this resonance is strictly suppressed to prevent unnecessary exposure and interference. It is only allowed to be triggered under specific conditions—such as receiving a specific command from the 'Arbitration Court' or higher authority, or satisfying a preset, extremely stringent 'Emergency Identification Protocol.'"

"Then how did the 'Scavenger' manage it?" Evelyn asked, a trace of despair in her voice, "It could forge commands and induce 'resonance.'"

"It likely mastered, or tampered with, the authority of parts of the 'Emergency Identification Protocol,' or perhaps even directly exploited certain loopholes or backdoors in the system itself." Mute's tone was heavy, as if shouldering the weight of the entire universe, "But its 'resonance' is strongly inductive and deceptive, more like a 'Forced Resonance' or 'Contaminated Resonance,' intended to lure out the target unit or disrupt its internal protocols. What we need is a passive, low-power, safe 'Inquiry Resonance' used only for identity verification and information exchange. This requires an extremely profound understanding and high degree of control over the 'key' and 'resonance' mechanisms. In my current state..."

He did not finish, but the meaning was clear. His incomplete memories and power were insufficient to support such a precise operation.

"It doesn't necessarily require you to operate it directly." Excellence suddenly said, his gaze fixed on Stardust and S-001, his voice carrying an unquestionable decisiveness, "We can try an indirect method. The 'wanderer's' information fragments were leaked from its almost completely collapsed core. They contain parts of its own 'key' characteristic code and its perception of Epsilon-3. We can utilize these residual characteristic codes, along with data extracted from 'Ghost Communication' and wave source signals regarding the 'silence' communication protocol and energy characteristics, to attempt to construct a simulated, low-power, directional 'Resonance Inquiry Signal.'"

"Simulated Resonance Inquiry?" Stardust mused, her fingertips tracing across the virtual screen, calling up complex energy waveform diagrams, "Like using the 'wanderer's' 'voice' fragment to knock on an area where Epsilon-3 might exist, to see if we can get its 'echo'? But how do we ensure the signal isn't monitored by the 'Scavenger'? Moreover, we don't even have Epsilon-3's general direction."

"Utilize the clues hidden within the 'wanderer's' information." Excellence pointed to the line 'Coordinates... Epsilon-3... Survivor...', his voice like an undercurrent beneath the ice, "The 'wanderer' knew Epsilon-3 might be a 'Survivor,' and perhaps even had contact or knew the method of contact. This suggests that Epsilon-3's 'coordinates' or contact channel were, in the 'wanderer's' perception, very likely linked to a specific, meaningful 'coordinate' or 'reference point.' Could this reference point be... the hidden coordinate point it finally reached?"

Everyone froze.

"You mean," Evelyn reacted quickly, her eyes lighting up as if grasping a lifeline, "this hidden coordinate point might be an 'outpost,' a 'contact point' for Epsilon-3, or... some kind of 'verification station' used to identify and screen 'Survivors'? The 'wanderer' recognized this place, so it tried to enter to ask for help and transmit information. And Epsilon-3 might be hidden somewhere deeper, related to this location?"

"It might not be a physical positional correlation," Stardust added, her mind racing, her fingertips drawing invisible trajectories in the air, "It could be a correlation on the information level, the protocol level, or even the high-dimensional conceptual level. For example, only by passing some form of 'verification' at this coordinate point, or possessing some 'identification code' issued from here, can a secure contact channel be established with Epsilon-3. The 'wanderer' perhaps passed the initial verification (seeing the green light), but was ultimately rejected due to contamination and pursuers. However, its 'key' information fragment might carry the 'mark' or 'temporary authority' of having passed the initial verification."

"So, we use the 'wanderer's' 'key' characteristic code to simulate an extremely weak inquiry signal, carrying its 'temporary verification mark,' and direct it toward this coordinate point, or its related informational structural plane, perhaps bypassing some shielding, and maybe even being recognized by Epsilon-3's relevant reception mechanism?" Excellence summarized. This was undoubtedly an extremely bold attempt, full of assumptions and unknown risks.

"Theoretically feasible, but requires massive computation and extremely precise simulation." S-001 assessed, its voice as calm as a machine, "It requires the most complete extraction possible of its 'key' characteristic code and potential verification marks from the 'wanderer's' information fragments. It requires parsing the concealment field of this coordinate point and any potential protocol structure within it. It requires deducing the reception frequency and security protocols Epsilon-3 might use. Finally, it requires generating a simulated signal whose authenticity, concealment, and directionality must all meet extremely high standards, and it must ensure that no trace that can be tracked by the 'Scavenger' is left after transmission. Success probability estimate: Less than 5%. Risk: Unknown, but could trigger the defense mechanisms of the coordinate point or Epsilon-3 due to inaccurate simulation, or expose our presence."

A success rate below 5% and unknown risks. This was another gamble. But this time, they seemed to have a bit of 'chip'—the information fragment the "wanderer" traded its life for.

"Do it." Excellence once again displayed decisiveness, his voice without hesitation, like dropping a stone into the abyss, "This is the clearest clue we have right now. S-001, Stardust, Evelyn, cooperate fully to attempt to construct this simulated signal. Senior White Elder, Senior Mute, please assist in stabilizing the signal simulation process to prevent information contamination and energy leakage. I will use the power of 'Order' to try and cover the signal with a temporary 'shell' simulating the natural fluctuations of a 'silence' environment during the final transmission phase, to enhance concealment as much as possible."

"This old man can inject a trace of the intention of 'non-action' into the core of the signal generation, making it closer to 'natural' and reducing the risk of being recognized as 'artificial,'" White Elder said, his voice warm like an ancient temple bell.

"I will do my best to provide all the fragments in my memory regarding the 'key' resonance verification protocol, hoping it helps," Mute also expressed support, his fragmented light faint yet firm.

With the plan set, everyone once again entered a state of efficient, focused, yet tense work. This time, the difficulty far surpassed the previous 'Breeze' detection. They not only had to piece together the 'wanderer's' 'key' characteristic code from a pile of broken data junk, but also attempt to strip away the potentially existing, fleeting 'verification mark.' This required Stardust and S-001 to exert logical analysis and pattern recognition capabilities beyond their limits. Simultaneously, Evelyn needed to reverse-engineer parts of the field's protocol structure and possible 'response mechanisms' from the faint disturbance data generated when the 'wanderer' briefly contacted the coordinate point's concealment field. And Excellence needed to start familiarizing himself in advance with how to use the power of 'Order' to simulate the absolutely introverted, almost 'non-existent' nature of a 'silence' environment, which placed almost perversely high demands on his control over power.

Time flew by amidst silent, high-intensity mental and 'heart-power' labor. On the bridge, there was only the slight sound of equipment running and occasional low-voiced exchanges about data analysis progress.

One day passed. The 'key' characteristic code portion of the simulated signal barely constructed a vague, unstable model, with a matching degree to the 'wanderer' prototype estimated at only 32%, and it was mixed with a large amount of noise and uncertain interference terms. The extraction of the 'verification mark' yielded no results; it was more like a 'state' existing on the high-dimensional information level, difficult to describe with conventional data, rather than a specific code.

The analysis of the coordinate point's concealment field also hit a deadlock. The complexity of the field far exceeded imagination; its protocol structure seemed to have a fundamental difference from common patterns of the 'silence' network, more like an independent, self-contained, perhaps even... 'living' system.

Progress was slow, but pressure increased day by day. The miniature assault unit from that wave source still lurked near the coordinate point like a ghost; its very existence was a sword of Damocles hanging overhead. Furthermore, the 'ranger' maintaining the highest level of concealment for an extended period resulted in huge energy consumption.

Just as Excellence began to consider whether to temporarily abandon this high-risk plan and seek another way, Mute, who had been immersed in his memory fragments assisting with protocol comparison, suddenly let out a faint whisper, almost like a sleep-talking murmur.

"Wait... wait... this structure... this energy flow pattern..."

His fragmented light suddenly became bright and urgent, conveying a strong emotion mixed with astonishment, sudden realization, and a trace of fear.

"What is it, Senior Mute?" Excellence immediately asked, a trace of hope in his voice.

"The concealment field of the coordinate point... within its underlying protocol, there is a very, very hidden... verification callback loop, almost merged with the background noise!" Mute's voice trembled, as if fighting some ancient fear, "The activation condition for this loop... is not external energy impact or protocol request, but... a special, mournful 'echo' emitted when a specific 'key' is on the verge of complete collapse and its core protocol is undergoing final 'information preservation'!"

“Information Remnant? A pessimistic echo?” Stardust immediately grasped the key point, her voice laced with disbelief and excitement.

“Yes!” Mute quickly explained, as if long-dormant memories were being forcibly awakened, “In the ancient design, to ensure vital information isn't completely lost when a unit is destroyed, the system preset an extreme contingency protocol: when a unit holding an important 'key' or information is about to suffer irreversible 'death' due to force majeure, its core protocol executes a final, compressed, highly encrypted 'Information Remnant' operation, scattering the most critical memories, data, status, and other information in the form of a special, high-dimensional 'echo.' This 'echo' itself carries almost no energy and is difficult to capture by conventional means, but it carries the unit’s unique 'Identity Imprint' and 'Final State.'”

“And the force field at the coordinate point, upon detecting this 'Final echo' matching specific characteristics, activates a hidden 'Verification Callback Loop,' attempting a final 'handshake' verification with the 'Identity Imprint' carried within the echo. If verification passes, indicating the 'deceased' unit is 'friendly' or authorized, the force field might... briefly open an extremely small, one-way 'data channel' dedicated to receiving the 'Remnant Information,' absorbing and saving that data!”

“So, the 'green light' the 'wanderer' finally saw...” Evelyn understood, her voice filled with the shock of sudden realization, “wasn't an active response from the coordinate point's 'master,' but rather its 'Final echo' triggering the force field's 'Verification Callback Loop,' passing verification, and the force field automatically opening a channel to receive its 'Remnant Information'! That green light was probably the energy signature when the channel opened! But because it was already contaminated and attracted pursuers, the channel immediately closed after receiving partial information, refusing its physical entry!”

“Exactly! It must be like that!” Mute’s consciousness fluctuated with excitement, his fragmented light shining brightly like stars, “Our previous thinking was wrong! We kept thinking we needed to simulate an 'active query' signal. But in reality, Epsilon-3 (or this coordinate point) might not accept 'active queries' at all! It only accepts the 'Final echo'! This is an extremely passive, receive-only, send-not 'Security Protocol' designed to preserve the last message of a 'survivor'! That’s why it could hide so deeply!”

Only accepting the 'Final echo'... This explained everything! Why Epsilon-3 could remain dormant undetected for so long, why it only sent one warning message (likely triggered under some extreme circumstance), and why it only gave the bare minimum response to the 'wanderer's' plea for help (receiving the message but not accepting the physical entity).

“Then if we want to contact it, doesn't that mean...” Stardust’s voice was somewhat dry.

“We also have to simulate a 'Final echo'?” Evelyn interjected, her voice tinged with absurdity.

“Not exactly.” Excellence’s eyes lit up, his thought process instantly becoming clear, like lighting a lamp in the darkness, “We don't need to actually put a unit in its 'final moments.' We only need to simulate that special 'echo' carrying the 'Identity Imprint' and 'Final State' information to trigger the coordinate point force field’s 'Verification Callback Loop,' and then... in the instant the loop verifies and the channel briefly opens, instead of sending 'Remnant Information,' we send our disguised 'Query Message'!”

“Substitution!” Stardust immediately grasped Excellence’s plan, a sharp light flashing in her eyes, “Exploiting a loophole in the force field’s verification mechanism! But will it work? When verifying, won't the force field check if the content of the 'echo' is actually 'Remnant Information'?”

“It might check, but the strictness of the check depends on the protocol design,” Mute analyzed, his tone possessing a calm insight into everything, “The 'Final echo' itself is extremely compressed and encrypted. The force field’s primary task is to verify the 'Identity' and receive the 'Information.' Specific parsing of the content might not be done in real-time, or there might be some fault tolerance. As long as the 'echo' we simulate is realistic enough in format, encryption, and energy characteristics to fool the verification stage, we have a chance to slip in our information the moment the channel opens. Of course, the risk is extremely high; if we are exposed, we might trigger the force field’s defense mechanisms or even expose ourselves.”

“But this is currently our only way to 'actively' contact Epsilon-3 or its associated entity,” Excellence concluded, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice iron-firm, “Moreover, we have a new, clearer direction—simulating the 'wanderer's' 'Final echo.' We have the data fragments leaked at its last moments, which very likely contain parts of its true 'Final echo' characteristics! S-001, re-analyze the 'wanderer' information fragments, focusing on finding that special, high-dimensional data pattern carrying 'Identity Imprint' and 'Final State,' as described by Senior Mute!”

“Command confirmed. Re-adjusting analysis algorithms, focusing on 'High-Dimensional Information Structure,' 'Final Protocol Feature Code,' 'Identity Imprint Entropy Value'...” S-001 executed immediately.

With a clear direction, work efficiency immediately improved. Under Mute’s guidance, combining the data leaked from the 'wanderer' and S-001’s powerful computing power, they quickly locked onto several extremely special, complex high-dimensional information structure fragments, completely different from conventional data streams, which seemed to contain a sense of 'sorrow,' 'relief,' and 'finality.' These fragments were broken, but the characteristics they embodied began to show a significant increase in match rate with the 'Final echo' model described by Mute.

“Suspected 'Final echo' feature structure found! Match rate increased to 41%! Attempting structure completion and feature enhancement...” Stardust reported, her voice carrying a hint of suppressed excitement, her fingers swiping rapidly across the virtual screen, marking the key data.

Simultaneously, Evelyn and S-001 also began to reverse-engineer the verification algorithm and channel opening parameters likely used by the coordinate point force field based on these features.

Another long and tense dozen standard hours passed.

Finally, an extremely rudimentary, full of uncertainty, but theoretically 'similar' simulated signal of the “wanderer’s Final echo” was constructed. Concurrently, a short, encrypted “Query Information Packet”—containing their identity (claiming to be from Delta-7 Unit, encountering a 'Scavenger' trap, seeking contact and information) and several key questions (about Epsilon-3, the Scavengers, and a safe rendezvous point)—was also prepared.

“Signal simulation completion rate 58%, authenticity assessment low, but possesses the possibility of triggering basic verification. Query Information Packet encryption level: High, using a hybrid key extracted from 'Ghost Communication' and 'Messenger' data. Transmission plan: Inject the Information Packet in a pulse form during the estimated window when the simulated echo passes verification and the channel opens (approximately 0.0001 - 0.001 seconds).” S-001 reported the final plan.

“Success probability estimate?” Excellence asked, his voice devoid of any ripple.

“Comprehensive assessment: Approximately 2.7%. Main risks: Simulated signal being exposed (triggering defense), Information Packet being intercepted or unreadable, incorrect estimation of channel opening time leading to transmission failure, the transmission act itself possibly being detected by the wave source unit or higher-level monitoring within the coordinate point.” S-001 provided the cold figures.

Less than three percent. Even lower than the previous estimate.

But the arrow was already on the string; it had to be shot.

“Senior White Elder, Senior Mute, final check on the signal, ensure it is as 'natural' as possible.” Excellence stated deeply, his voice carrying a near-pious focus.

“Agreed.” The wooden carving of White Elder once again emitted a gentle radiance, a trace of extremely profound Dao charm integrating into the structure of the simulated signal, giving it an indescribable natural feeling, as if it 'should be this way,' like a dewdrop sliding off a flower petal.

“I... did my best. This signal should be able to fool the basic verification,” Mute’s fragmented light appeared somewhat weary, as if he had just woken from a nightmare, yet it carried a hint of relief.

“Evelyn, prepare to transmit. S-001, precise timing. Stardust, monitor all feedback. I will provide 'silence' camouflage for the moment of transmission.” Excellence took a deep breath, the power of 'Order' in his sea of consciousness began to flow in the most restrained manner, closest to the essence of 'silence,' like a drop of water merging into the ocean, preparing to cloak that faint information pulse, carrying hope and risk, in an invisible 'invisibility cloak' at that moment.

“Countdown, Ten, Nine...”

Inside the bridge, time seemed to stretch. Everyone's heartbeat became clearly audible in the stillness. Evelyn’s finger hovered over the launch button, trembling slightly; Stardust stared intently at the monitoring screen, her pupils constricted; S-001’s algorithms operated at high speed, data streams pouring down like a waterfall; White Elder’s wooden carving glowed, providing the final sanctuary for this fragile hope; Mute’s fragmented light flickered faintly, as if praying for the signal about to depart.

“Three, Two, One... Transmit!”

No light, no sound.

But in the ultra-high precision spacetime and information-level monitoring model constructed by S-001, they could see a faint, almost non-existent simulated 'echo' signal, containing complex high-dimensional structures, quietly shooting out from a specific transmission unit of the 'ranger,' silently merging into the 'silent' void, rippling towards the direction of the hidden coordinate point.

The signal precisely 'touched' the invisible shielding force field surrounding the coordinate point.

On the surface of the force field, an extremely faint ripple, absolutely undetectable by the naked eye or conventional instruments, spread out. Immediately afterward, inside the force field, a preset logic protocol was triggered, initiating rapid verification calculations.

0.00005 seconds... 0.0001 seconds... 0.00015 seconds...

Time seemed to stretch. Every picosecond felt like a century.

Finally, at 0.00023 seconds, the 'Identity Imprint' characteristics carried by the simulated signal passed the first layer of screening by the force field's verification mechanism! Inside the force field, that hidden 'Verification Callback Loop' was activated!

An extremely subtle, invisible 'channel,' composed purely of high-dimensional information flow, quietly emerged deep within the force field, like a barely perceptible 'eye' opening in the darkness, preparing to receive the 'Remnant Information.'

Now!

“Query Information Packet, inject!” Excellence murmured in his heart. The power of 'Order' in his sea of consciousness suddenly retracted, transforming into the purest 'silence' camouflage, enveloping the encrypted information pulse that shot out immediately following the simulated echo!

The information pulse, like a flexible fish, took advantage of the instant the 'channel' opened, accurately darting inside, sinking deep into the force field, and vanishing.

The channel lasted for about 0.0004 seconds, then quietly closed just as it had appeared. The ripples on the force field surface quickly smoothed out, and everything returned to dead silence.

Transmission complete.

“Signal injection complete. Channel closed. No obvious trigger of defense mechanisms or alarm signals detected.” S-001’s report allowed the tense nerves of everyone to slightly relax.

“Did it succeed? Was the Information Packet received?” Evelyn asked, her voice as light as a whisper.

“Cannot confirm. After the Information Packet entered the force field, its signal was completely shielded and untraceable. Whether it was correctly received, decoded, or if there will be a reply, remains unknown,” S-001 replied.

They had done all they could. They had thrown a piece of information into a potentially existing 'bottle' that only received 'final words,' tossing it into the bottomless 'ocean' named Epsilon-3 (or its associated entity).

Now, all they could do was wait. Wait to see if that 'bottle' would be picked up, if it would be opened, and... if it would bring back an echo, or... disaster.

Inside the 'ranger,' silence returned as they waited. Everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned again towards the dark void hiding the coordinate point, and towards the even more distant, unknown deep space where Epsilon-3 might exist.

They had sent out a probing echo.

Now, they waited for the true resonance that might never arrive.

Outside the viewport, in the eternal silver-gray void, there was dead silence. But beneath this silence, undercurrents were surging. The assault units of the wave source still lurked in the shadows, like sharks hiding in the deep sea; the shielding force field of the coordinate point operated silently in the darkness, like a huge, mute puzzle; and the 'ranger' floated like a speck of dust in the eye of the storm.

Excellence sat in the command chair, closing his eyes. He could feel the 'key' inside his body slightly warming, as if responding to some distant call. Did Epsilon-3, that unknown survivor, truly exist? Would it respond? Or would this 'bottle' sink forever into the endless 'silence'?

Time flowed by in waiting. Inside the bridge, only the constant frequency of equipment operation remained, like the pulse of the universe.

Suddenly, S-001's voice broke the stillness, carrying a barely perceptible fluctuation: “Detected... within the coordinate point area, an extremely faint fluctuation in the energy baseline occurred, matching the characteristics of 'Information Reception.' Duration: 0.000001 seconds. Fluctuation characteristics: Highly consistent with the 'Final echo' features extracted from the 'wanderer' information fragments.”

The bridge instantly fell into dead silence.

Then, Stardust’s voice rang out, trembling with disbelief: “It... received it?”

No one answered. Only that eternal, silver-gray void waited quietly, awaiting the next echo.