Origin Chapter Fourteen: The Personnel Remaining at the Base

After receiving the assembly order, each department swiftly entered a state of wartime mobilization.

The engineering corps was the busiest of all. All dismantling and loading tasks had to be completed within a few days. Combat engineers drawn from various fleet units began arriving one after another, integrating into the task organization under the temporary base relocation engineering command. In just a few hours, the entire engineering corps had been reorganized, entering the final phase of equipment inspection and standing by for orders.

While the heads of departments were summoned to the main command center, the General remained in his office, discussing the final aspects of the next plan with Li Jimo.

“Elder Li, I know you’re not entirely in favor of a full-scale evacuation—temporarily abandoning this star system. I’ve read your proposal: leaving behind an escort fleet and volunteers to continue the unfinished research. In principle, I agree. But you know as well as I do—the recent energy fluctuations and our incomplete control over the base have made survival here increasingly difficult. According to the data compiled from all departments, the possibility of the base collapsing is real. If we leave people here to continue their work, their safety cannot be guaranteed…” The General was not wholly convinced by Li Jimo’s proposal, but he understood that Li Jimo was even more aware of the gravity of the consequences.

“I have considered this thoroughly,” Li Jimo replied. “As for the research volunteers, I have already selected the personnel. They are confident in their ability to detect any major dangers early and evacuate in time. All I need from you and Lian Ping is to provide them with an escort and a standby evacuation fleet. General, there are several major discoveries on the verge of breakthrough which may be completed before the relocation, or within days after. We cannot give up, for the equipment needed for these discoveries cannot be dismantled. Yet, once we succeed, we’ll be able to design and manufacture such devices ourselves, achieving technological self-sufficiency. But if we abandon this place and these installations are destroyed by an energy collapse, we may never obtain these technologies, and that is a loss we cannot afford. The volunteers who remain behind have sworn, even at the cost of their lives, to safeguard and complete the research. Among them is my grandson, Li Yun. They have given me their word—unless faced with fatal danger, they will do everything in their power to unlock the base’s technology.

“General, when it comes to deciphering and acquiring ancient technologies, within the known universe, our achievements are already the most extensive. However, we still lack many truly critical technologies. What the volunteers may obtain by remaining here are precisely those core technologies we have long dreamed of. According to our preliminary assessments, obtaining these will grant us the keys to unlock further technological secrets.

“More importantly, we may gain access to the ancient civilization’s entire database and more core devices within the base. At that point, it’s not just about holding the key to the ancient civilization—unleashing a new future will be our true, most vital achievement.” The more Li Jimo spoke, the more animated he became. It was clear he was eager to stay behind himself and complete the core breakthroughs.

“Elder Li, you’re saying Li Yun wants to stay?” the General quickly inquired as soon as Li Jimo finished.

Li Jimo nodded, smiling. “My grandson—whether he’s a natural genius or a beneficiary of Yulan Hengsi, I cannot say. At Imperial Spire Academy, he was only an outstanding student. But after coming to the base, he changed completely. His obsession with technological research sometimes surpasses even my own when I was young. After he helped me resolve several technical puzzles, I had him join me on deeper projects. As our research progressed, his talent became impossible to contain. Now, he’s the most outstanding leader among the key research teams under my direction.

When I discussed selecting volunteers to remain with two other senior professors, he was the first to come to mind. At our internal meeting, he was the first to volunteer for the core technology breakthrough, and all the other department heads unanimously expressed their wish to stay as well.

We announced the supervisor for the volunteers last, after selecting the other remaining personnel. In a moment of personal authority, I appointed Li Yun as the head of the stay-behind project group.”

“Elder Li, why did you do this?” the General asked, puzzled, though he knew Li Jimo must have his reasons. Li Jimo was not one to abuse power for personal gain—quite the opposite. To allow his own grandson to face mortal danger was hardly nepotism.

Li Jimo also understood the General’s concern was not suspicion, but genuine worry for Li Yun’s safety. He paused, cleared his throat, and then answered in a firm voice, “The reason is simple. On one hand, Li Yun’s abilities truly meet and surpass the requirements for the role. On the other, his being my grandson will reassure the other volunteers. Out of respect for me, his orders will carry more weight. More importantly, I worry that the others might risk their lives for the sake of the mission, even defying orders to see it through. In that case, regardless of the ultimate outcome, we could never face their loyalty or their families. But Li Yun will obey my instructions—when the time comes, he’ll make the decision to withdraw for safety. By appointing him, my aim is not only to complete the mission, but to ensure everyone’s safety. That’s why I made this autocratic decision. General, I hope these reasons are sufficient, haha…”

The General laughed heartily, deeply admiring Li Jimo’s selflessness. Even when acting with sole authority, it was never for selfish reasons.

At this point, the General understood that although Li Jimo’s plan was fraught with danger, it was one they could not refuse. The core technologies were the key to everything. The General was not one to quibble over details; he quickly grasped the importance of the decision.

“Elder Li, the base relocation plan is now officially underway. You may give Li Yun his orders—have him and the designated technical personnel immediately withdraw from all relocation activities and form an independent technical assault team. Any difficulties or requirements, bring them directly to Central Command. We’ll meet their every need. I’ll have Deputy Qin coordinate with the stay-behind team,” the General said, and through the command system, summoned Deputy Qin.

Soon, Deputy Qin entered and saluted, “General.”

“Deputy Qin, you know Elder Li’s grandson, Li Yun. He and his team will not participate in the base relocation operations. After the main evacuation, he and a group of technical experts will remain behind to unlock the core technologies of the ancient civilization. During this period, I order—” The General fixed Qin with a stern gaze, pausing for emphasis.

Deputy Qin, understanding the gravity of the order, straightened his posture and replied, “Awaiting your command, sir.”

“I order you to allocate a command flagship and personally assume its highest command. Coordinate the necessary permissions with Lian Ping—I have already informed him. Staff the flagship with a minimal crew of your choosing, preferably those most familiar to you. There may be casualties; avoid them if possible. Assemble a special operations unit comprised of the highest-level energy controllers. Equip them with the best small transfer pods, placed as close as possible to the research site for rapid evacuation via time tunnels if needed. Also, obtain the energy shield devices Lian Ping brought from the galaxy’s edge, and leave them with Li Yun’s team. From the moment you receive this order, you and your special unit are to protect them continuously, but without interfering in their research.

There may be dual commands. Primarily, you are to obey Li Yun and respect his decisions. In extreme circumstances, Elder Li and I will issue the final order. If communication is lost, you and Li Yun will determine the course of action together.

Elder Li, do you find these arrangements satisfactory?”