Changkong Fighter

Chapter 270 You've been promoted!
"Ugh, what is all this? Squid that's been shredded by a meat grinder?"

In the laboratory, various items collected from the seawater that flooded the Type 2 cockpit are gathered here.

Researchers wearing NBC protective suits sorted the various extracts. In the collected seawater, the fragments that had been broken up and soaked in seawater were sieved out and placed in containers. It was then discovered that all biological samples were contaminated by seawater.

Seawater itself contains a large number of microorganisms, as well as other plankton and various components, so the sample is no longer pure. However, there is nothing that can be done. Currently, apart from Rupa, the only biological sample we have obtained is this squid, so we can only make do with what we have for research.

After separating the biomass bit by bit, we prepared to analyze the body composition and DNA of this squid.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent research room, an octagonal crystal was placed on the experimental table, and researchers from the University of Tokyo were circling around it.

After salvaging Type 2, the most valuable items on the entire aircraft, besides Type 2 itself, were Squid Bro, the Octagonal Crystal, and the symbol of unknown meaning.

The symbols were taken away by Liu Jun, and Type 2 was also transferred to the laboratory, including squid sauce and octagonal crystal.

"It's like a storage medium."

When observed under a microscope, the internal structure of the grating in the octagonal crystal is very similar to that of a "hard drive".

"The one in 2014?"

In 2014, Hitachi, Ltd. and Kyoto University announced the development of a technology that could write up to 6GB of data onto a glass plate with a side length of 5 cm and a thickness of 8 mm. Later, the University of Tokyo caught up with the technology and also tried to store data on glass.

Humans can use femtosecond lasers to melt glass and create multi-layered three-dimensional nanogratings at different depths and angles of the glass sheet for data encoding and storage. On this alien crystal, alien civilizations have also inscribed a large amount of "encoding" on it, and the integration level is higher than that of humans, even completely surpassing human inscription technology.

"Yes, but we can't decipher the data engraved inside; the encryption algorithm is different from ours."

To decipher the code, one must understand the alien civilization's language and even its thought process; otherwise, it's impossible to crack the encryption. Even if the two sides have different languages, it can be cracked through mathematical brute force, but without the language aspect, reading the information is still quite complicated.

Humans read data by passing polarized light through glass inscribed with nanogratings, which produces specific images and patterns. Machines that have learned algorithms decode these images and patterns to read the data.

However, who knows if the octagonal crystals of extraterrestrial civilizations are also like this, requiring continuous testing to extract information from their interiors.

“We could try lasers with different spectral frequencies,” one researcher said.

Based on the intelligence obtained from previous contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, they have a very high level of expertise in optics. Therefore, the information stored inside must also be solved through "optics". So the researchers are going to try using lasers of various frequencies.

"Ready. Begin."

The laser generator emitted a laser beam that shone on the octagonal crystal. Instantly, the entire crystal refracted the light like a kaleidoscope. Even with protective equipment, the light still caused some physical discomfort to the researchers around.

"This isn't the right frequency, switch."

"understand!"

Technicians manipulated instruments to alter the spectrum, continuing to test the octagonal crystal in an attempt to uncover its secrets. In a completely isolated laboratory next door, the salvaged Type 2 alien civilization was placed on a massive testbed. This alien spacecraft was the most complete one ever captured by humans and possessed immense research value.

The discovery of Type 2 artifacts by the University of Tokyo will naturally be seen by other countries. However, this time the University of Tokyo did not invite any outsiders to participate in the research, and also rejected all research applications from external forces.

The lesson learned from the Ryukyu Islands is: do not conduct joint research.

In response, although their Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a protest, the University of Tokyo stood firm and retorted, leaving the other side at a loss. However, when they tried to sanction the University of Tokyo as usual, they found that the world had changed.

No matter which country it is, as long as it is in the Pacific Rim, there is no one that does not need the support of the entire industrial chain of Tokyo University, and their protests only resulted in Tokyo University restricting exports.

A robotic arm slowly probed into the space with a pinhole camera, and lighting equipment illuminated the entire interior. Then, the remaining seawater and the main body of the alien civilization submerged within the "life-saving capsule" came into view.

"I see, oh, I used to really like grilled squid."

Such a large squid is psychologically unsettling in itself, and then this squid is beaten to a pulp, with only bits of flesh and skin connecting its tentacles to its body. Its pale skin and lifeless eyes would make anyone feel uncomfortable.

"Can we get it out?" The researcher manipulated the camera to observe the squid around, and found that it was soft like noodles.

"What should I do? Be careful not to tear it."

The technician operating the robotic arm said somewhat uncertainly, "It's better to preserve the sample intact."

"Let me ask for instructions."

The decision to proceed was not up to the two of them. The request was submitted through multiple levels of reporting and sent to the command center, where it was finally approved.

Having received instructions from command, the technicians painstakingly used a robotic arm to pull the squid remains out of the cockpit, much like sucking jelly from a thin straw. The entire squid was "sucked" out, and then, embedded inside its body, they saw something somewhat familiar—a control crystal!
The tentacle curled up the symbol, held it in front of it to examine it, and repeatedly scrutinized the symbol with eyes similar to Squidward's, as if trying to confirm something.

As the tentacles brushed over the symbol, as if some program had been activated, the surface of the symbol lit up and then projected optical images in a way that humans could not understand.

There's this function too? It's like a combat record specifically for confirming kills. The screen shows Squid Bro's perspective. Liu Jun's J15T is swooping down from a high point, dodging Squid Bro's last resistance, when the roar of the GSH30-2 cannon interrupts the view.

After watching the projection, Rupa looked at Liu Jun. This time it was different from last time. The tentacles formed a strange movement in the air, and the octopus head lowered slightly, which looked like some kind of "ritual".

Next, Rupa put the symbol back into the box, used a robot to transfer it outside the laboratory, and then delivered it to Liu Jun again.

You've been promoted.

Rupa slowly explained using colors that the alien pilot's "rank" had already surpassed it.

(End of this chapter)