Origin: The Final Meeting

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The new base’s flagship.

Commander’s bridge.

Bridge conference room.

The general, Li Jimo, and the highest administrators from various research institutions were present, along with Li Yun and the management of the technical team remaining behind.

“Everyone, the base relocation plan is progressing smoothly. Very soon, we will be setting out in full. Today is the final handover meeting for those assigned to stay behind at the base. If anyone has any questions or requests, please speak up. The command will do everything possible to resolve and implement them for you.” Li Jimo was the first to speak. He had already reviewed in detail all documents related to the duties and handover for the personnel staying behind. Overall, he was very satisfied, but the arduous and critical nature of the task compelled him to consider further dimensions; thus, even after scrutinizing the entire plan, he still saw a few areas that needed improvement.

A faint murmuring of discussion rippled through the room as everyone quietly pondered whether anything had been overlooked. In the end, no one spoke. With everyone’s concerted efforts, the established plans and contingencies were almost flawless. So, there were no further opinions or suggestions.

Li Jimo looked around the room, smiled, and continued, “I know you have all done your utmost to perfect the plan, and have prepared thoroughly for every possible change. I have only a few minor suggestions that I hope you will consider.”

He paused, not immediately continuing.

As everyone waited for Li Jimo’s next words, Li Yun stood up. He straightened his collar and cleared his throat, then addressed Li Jimo earnestly, “Grandfather, please rest assured. My colleagues and I who are staying behind guarantee to complete our mission and evacuate safely. I also have a small request and hope you and General will approve.”

He, too, paused briefly, glancing back at his fellow team members who would stay behind with him, then continued, “We all know the task ahead is formidable, and it’s highly likely we won’t be able to retreat. We’ve conducted our own risk assessments, and beforehand, all of us staying behind have sworn an oath, prepared to face life and death. But I personally request that, at the critical moment, the military abandons its protection of us and instead evacuates the technical data before danger fully descends. If possible, I hope we can conduct a comprehensive trial of the Rebirth Project.”

Li Jimo was silent for a moment after listening. In fact, he had already made arrangements for Li Yun’s first request, instructing Deputy Qin to make on-the-spot decisions. He hadn’t expected his grandson to have considered this as well—not only him, but the entire team had already decided on it.

As for the second request, it meant there was almost no hope for escape…

Li Jimo fell into brief contemplation, considering not just the lives of those staying behind, but also that if the second plan was carried out, the new base would have to leave behind all Rebirth Project data and equipment. If it failed, the new base would be unable to resume research on the project in the short term—perhaps never again.

On the other hand, if Li Yun and his team succeeded in mastering the entirety of the Rebirth Project’s technology, it would be an inestimable advancement. According to current research and evidence, the Rebirth Project might be the key to overcoming the barriers at the edge of the universe, or even reassembling and restoring energy aggregates—currently called “souls”—that had broken through from other universes.

Li Jimo’s eyes suddenly brightened. He glanced at the general, who was also looking at him with a clear, determined expression. The moment Li Jimo looked over, the general nodded emphatically.

The general had made his decision as soon as Li Yun finished speaking. His decisiveness and efficiency were far more direct and resolute than that of the scholars like Li Jimo.

Li Jimo understood the general’s intent: this was not a multiple-choice question, but a mandatory one. The answer was to follow Li Yun’s suggestions completely and cooperate absolutely.

“Very well. We all know the Rebirth Project is at the brink of its final breakthrough. If we cannot fully cooperate under the current conditions to complete the final decryption, even taking away some technology and equipment may not suffice. Therefore, I agree with Li Yun’s proposal: all technical data and equipment related to the Rebirth Project will remain here. As for the technical staff, I will mobilize them immediately.”

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After speaking, Li Jimo turned and issued a gathering order to the relevant senior technical personnel through the arrayed machine system, requesting their immediate presence at the flagship bridge conference room.

The order was swiftly delivered. Upon receiving it, all personnel immediately left their posts and headed to the flagship bridge conference room.

Li Jimo turned back, stood up straight, and spoke with gravity:

“I have already issued the mobilization order. The relevant personnel will arrive shortly. Now, let me mention a few of my own suggestions.”

“As I said, I fully endorse the established plan and consider it flawless. Here are my personal recommendations:

First: I hope all those staying behind will leave a sample of your genetic material. I needn’t explain the reason.

Second: Replicate your memories.

Third: No one has written their final letters. I hope you won’t avoid this—write down any wishes or requests and give them to me. The general, Commander Lianping, and I will fulfill your last wishes.

Of course, I hope that all of you return safely to the base and reunite with your loved ones, and continue to contribute to further research.”

As Li Jimo spoke with emotion, he could barely control himself, his eyes growing moist. Among these technical personnel were his students, the students of his students, colleagues, family—fine young people, each one an elite. He could not bear to lose a single one…

Seeing Li Jimo with tears in his eyes, even the most stoic among them were moved, and some quietly wiped their own tears away.

A brief silence followed.

“Grandfather, I will pass your suggestions to all personnel staying behind,” Li Yun broke the silence.

At that moment, about twenty people entered the conference room, standing in orderly lines in the open area.

These were the personnel Li Jimo had summoned.

“Friends, my children, the command has just made an emergency decision: the Rebirth Project’s technical data and all equipment will remain here, with the final research and decryption to be completed at the old base. Now, I ask you—if you are needed to stay behind and complete the remaining tasks, are you willing?” Li Jimo’s voice rang out powerfully, conveying both the decision and his request.

“We are willing to remain and finish the research. We will complete the mission!” To his surprise, there was no hesitation; everyone answered almost in unison.

“Li Jimo, when we learned the base would need personnel to remain behind for tasks that couldn’t be relocated, we all hoped to stay and finish them together. But the orders were for us to transfer to the new base, and we were worried the technology in our hands might not keep pace with ongoing research. We applied to remain several times,” one of the technical personnel stepped forward and explained their thoughts.

This time, the general stepped out, saluted everyone, and said, “Thank you all. The task of staying behind is extremely arduous and dangerous—there’s a real chance you may not return. Are you mentally prepared?”

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“We guarantee to complete the mission!” Everyone responded in unison to the general and Li Jimo, showing no concern for their personal safety.

“Very good. Please complete the handover and preparations within the day, then report to Li Yun. All subsequent matters and orders will be relayed by him. On behalf of the command, I wish all personnel staying behind a safe return,” the general said, saluting Li Yun and all the base’s remaining staff once more.

“Li Jimo, is there anything else you’d like to add?” The general turned to Li Jimo.

“Nothing from me for now. Do any of the other department heads have anything to say?” Li Jimo looked at the other senior administrators.

“We just have a few minor matters to discuss with Li Yun in a short meeting. Everything should be settled within an hour,” one of the department heads replied as several of them stood up.

“Very well. The rest of the meeting, the general and I won’t attend. We need to meet with Commander Lianping to discuss other matters. Li Yun, you take over as chair,” said Li Jimo, exchanging a meaningful glance with the general: the rest is for the younger generation to handle; let them take charge.

The general understood, walked over to Li Jimo, supported him, smiled at everyone, and said, “Thank you all for your hard work. We’ll take our leave first.”

The two of them then left the room at a measured pace.

The meeting continued, though there were few technical issues left to resolve. What remained was mostly parting words and farewells.

Outside the base, the relocation project was still being carried out at full tilt.

……

Two days later…

The base was rocked by another violent tremor, causing several tall buildings to nearly collapse. This tremor was even stronger than before, and the command received reports of casualties. As a result, all personnel at sites where relocation had been completed were evacuated to the ships.

Due to this, though there was still one day left, the base was now nearly empty. Once bustling areas were now eerily silent.

Occasionally, an automated mech would patrol, making final checks for any remaining personnel or items.

Suddenly, one of the mechs stopped. It detected an increasingly intense, ghostly blue-green glow emanating from the surface—something that had never appeared before. As the glow spread, it seemed almost alive, moving in a deliberate pattern, as if on the verge of forming an image…