Chapter 18: First Contact
by xennovel“You can call me Captain from now on!”
Chen Jing seemed to be waiting right by the phone, always answering quickly. Her response was concise: “Any findings?”
“It’s definitely a bit strange. Here’s what happened…”
Lu Xin quickly relayed everything he’d heard from Qin Ran.
This was his first mission, so he explained meticulously, worried he’d miss something and get his pay docked.
“You actually made progress this quickly?”
Chen Jing was clearly surprised, but her voice remained calm as she replied, “You did well. We can confirm this is another mental pollution incident. I’ll organize a pollution investigation team to follow up immediately… Right, where are you now?”
“Sifang Logistics Transport Company… the backyard…”
Lu Xin reported his location, then asked cautiously, “What should I do now?”
“Wait there!”
Chen Jing continued, “A three-person team will arrive shortly to meet you. You’ll follow them for the investigation. They’re experienced veterans, but remember, you’re the one with the mental alteration. Sometimes their experience is no match for your intuition. Future investigations should primarily be led by you. Eventually, they’ll even follow your command!”
“But for now, considering your lack of experience, I will lead this investigation!”
“Via radio!”
…
Chen Jing hung up briskly, leaving Lu Xin muttering to himself, “What about the reward…”
His sister, bored, had climbed onto a nearby garage roof and was squatting there, watching the moon.
Qin Ran hadn’t shaken off his fear or his irrepressible curiosity. He took a few steps toward Lu Xin but didn’t dare get too close. Subconsciously intimidated by Lu Xin’s current state but unwilling to show it, he stayed at a distance, affecting calmness. “What… what are you going to do?”
Lu Xin, not wanting Qin Ran to see he was a rookie, also feigned composure. “Waiting for now!”
So, the two just stood there awkwardly for ten minutes.
Just as the atmosphere became so awkward neither knew how to break the silence, a screech of tires broke the quiet. A black jeep sped into the company compound. Its heavy, solid frame exuded a cold, hard aura. After charging in, it spun halfway around in the plaza, the doors flew open, and three fully armed personnel jumped out.
None of the company’s usually brave employees dared to make a sound now.
Then, one of the armed personnel strode up to Lu Xin, firmly gripping the gun slung across his chest, and snapped to attention.
“Mr. Lu Xin, the Special Pollution Investigation Team stationed in Second City, under orders from Colonel Chen, is here to rendezvous with you!”
…
Lu Xin subconsciously snapped to attention too, thinking, *He actually called me ‘Mister’…*
*So formal!*
He quickly smiled and explained, “Just call me Little Lu…”
The man remained expressionless. “Yes, Mr. Lu Xin!”
…
…
The armed personnel dispatched by Chen Jing operated with the same brisk efficiency their appearance suggested. After meeting Lu Xin, two quickly returned to the jeep. Following some activity, they mounted several complex, intricate instruments bristling with antennae—devices that inspired an unconscious awe—onto the vehicle’s roof.
Then, the team leader among the armed personnel, named Cheng Hui, handed Lu Xin a black box.
Lu Xin maintained a calm expression and movement, trying not to look like a rookie. He opened the box and saw a headset with an earpiece nestled in the black foam indentations. Looking up, he noticed each of the armed personnel wore a similar device. Without needing instruction, he picked it up and put it on.
Then he waited, unsure what to do next.
The armed personnel member silently stepped forward, pressed a button for him, and then quietly stepped back.
An electronic female voice immediately sounded in the headset.
“Investigation Team channel connected…”
“Information Analysis Team channel connected…”
“Coordination Personnel channel connected…”
…
Lu Xin shot the armed personnel member a grateful look.
“Action Investigation Team external member Lu Xin, repeat your previous findings!”
After the three signal connections, Chen Jing’s voice came through the headset—crisp and cold.
Lu Xin knew this was important work time and didn’t dare be careless. He repeated what he’d reported to Chen Jing earlier. She didn’t interrupt, listening completely before speaking again in her calm voice: “Information Analysis Team!”
“Hello, Mr. Lu Xin. I am Corporal Han Bing from the Information Analysis Team. My team and I will provide you with information support!”
The voice that followed was somewhat sweet and soft, but her speech pattern was very clear:
“First, reporting the incident data:
Tentative Designation: Class D Special Pollution Source – 041
Target Level: Undetermined
Infection Level: Suspected Low
Threat Level: Suspected Low
Related Personnel: Qin Ran, Sifang Transport Company, Qinggang Satellite City No. 2”
…
“Based on Mr. Lu Xin’s report, this is highly likely a new type of mental pollution incident not previously recorded. Recommended countermeasures: First, initiate an immediate investigation to locate the pollution source and carry out cleanup procedures!”
“Second, directly detain the related personnel, Qin Ran, wait for the contaminated individual(s) to approach, observe subsequent changes, and gather clues!”
“If necessary, consider handing Qin Ran over to be killed by the entity, thereby severing its logical chain!”
…
“Huh?”
Lu Xin was stunned hearing the voice on the channel.
This was his first time involved in such an operation; his reactions were a bit slow.
For instance, he hadn’t considered that facing the aggressor, handing the target over to be killed was actually an option.
“This is your first official investigation and also a learning opportunity!”
Chen Jing’s voice sounded in the headset. “Every time you’re in the field, a dedicated Information Analysis Team will act as your technical support, helping analyze information, provide data, suggest actions, and so on. You should adapt to this model quickly!”
Lu Xin immediately understood Chen Jing was instructing him and nodded quickly. “Okay!”
Chen Jing then explained, “Sometimes attempting to satisfy the specific needs of a pollution source is a good way to weaken its mental fluctuation intensity, seize the opportunity to find clues or even proceed with cleanup. There have even been cases where the pollution source disappeared on its own after its characteristic needs were met. However we lack sufficient information on pollution incident 041 for now, so we won’t adopt that approach!”
“My recommendation is to immediately launch the investigation, find the pollution source’s location, and proceed with cleanup!”
…
Corporal Han Bing’s voice immediately followed:
“In that case, the suggested primary direction for investigation is: the location where Qin Ran first committed the murder and the location where he disposed of the body!”