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39.82% Three-Body: Climbing the Ladder of Technology Across the Universe / Chapter 45: Chapter 40 New Era_1

Chapter 45: Chapter 40 New Era_1

Five minutes after Luna and Jiani left, the FBI and the military personnel arrived one after another. The building was cordoned off, and they, fully armed, stormed into the building. The nanotech-enhanced beings, already ravaged by Jiani, couldn't possibly withstand the assault of hundreds. They were captured or annihilated one by one.

Then, they began to search for Dr. Harding with all their might. After some effort, they finally caught the mastermind behind the scenes.

Although the process was somewhat tumultuous, the outcome was ultimately good, all the more because they stumbled upon a profound secret that saved all of humanity.

The undercover agents who had been lurking for so long could finally go home for a good rest.

·······

Luna and Jiani returned to the recycling station with the data, where Qin Ming had already been waiting for a long time.

"Luna, you did very well," Qin Ming said.

Luna seemed reluctant to hand over the data. After hesitating for a moment, she still reminded him, "Dr. Qin, there might be a problem with this data."

"It's okay, Luna," Qin Ming said with a dismissive smile. "Even if there is a problem, I can make it not a problem."

He took Luna's phone and then turned to look at the two people beside Luna.

"You have completed my mission."

"Jiani, Sofia, you are free."

What Qin Ming meant was simple—they were free to leave.

But Jiani and Sofia didn't move and seemed not ready to go yet. "Doctor, you might still need our help," they said.

"No need, go home," he replied.

"Luna is enough for me."

With that, Qin Ming turned to Luna. "Right? Luna."

Luna responded with a smile, "Yes, Dr. Qin."

That night, Jiani and Sofia were kicked out of the house by Qin Ming, leaving only Qin Ming and Luna in the room.

....

However, the outside world had already been thrown into turmoil.

After that night, the United States government forcibly took over RST Corporation, and the United Nations also joined the investigation. They turned the company upside down and, together with the interrogation of Dr. Harding, finally uncovered the truth.

It turned out that Dr. Harding wanted to use the nanobot technology to control all of humanity.

The nanobots had deeply hidden control permissions, accessible through those permissions.

When they discovered this truth, they were terrified, thankful that the agents had uncovered it. The stakeholders who noticed the crucial role of the female spy and the mysterious mecha in this affair tried to investigate, but found all leads were severed and the mysterious mecha had vanished without a trace.

The government chose to make this matter public. Dr. Harding, CEO of RST Corporation, aimed to subvert human society and establish his rule.

This news was like a nuclear bomb dropped on human society, causing a huge stir. Everyone was shocked.

In the end, Dr. Harding was imprisoned amidst the cursing of all humanity, convicted of crimes against humanity.

The medical nanorobots, under government arrangement, came into public view, and this beneficial medical technology quickly spread across the world, launching globally.

With AIDS and STDs eradicated, human sexual proclivities ran wild like untamed horses without constraints.

Countries went all out, building nanobot factories and related industrial chains.

Many scientists labored day and night, and the cost of producing nanobots dropped from one hundred thousand to ten thousand dollars. The public needed only fifty thousand dollars to receive the injection,

Society began to shift, some celebrated while others despaired. The turnover of industries was so cruel, and the world's changes so swift.

Doctors woke up to find themselves abandoned by the age.

After many people were injected with medical nanorobots, the majority of diseases could be cured.

Many doctors from hospitals began reluctantly to change professions, never imagining that the medical profession, one of the three "iron rice bowls," would suddenly be eliminated. The most unfortunate were those medical students who had just completed their residency training and were about to start their careers.

Just as smartphones replaced Nokia, the medical industry did not disappear, it was merely superseded by more advanced science and technology.

Despite the medical practitioners expressing their dissatisfaction online and even protesting in reality, it was futile.

The wheels of time rolled inexorably forward; no one could stop them. Either adapt or be crushed into dust.

...

At this moment, there was still half an hour left until the countdown ended.

After more than ten days of intense study, Qin Ming had thoroughly understood the technology of the nanomechanical worms and found the highly secretive and misleading backdoor that Dr. Harding originally used for control.

This technology was the pinnacle of reverse genetic engineering. The entire nanoworm system could be programmed, involving nanotechnology, biotechnology, and computer technology among others. Fortunately, Qin Ming had a solid foundation of knowledge, which enabled him to master it in a short period of time.

Now, all that remained was to inject the nanoworms to cure the cancer in his body.

Luna had already gone to make the purchase, and he just needed to sit and wait.

Bored, Qin Ming turned on the TV, which had not been watched for a long time. The first thing that came up was a program about nanobots. The host was speaking fervently at the moment.

"The invention of the medical nanorobots marks the greatest victory in humanity's fight against disease since 1980 when humankind completely defeated the smallpox virus!"

"According to statistics, the injection rate of nanomedicine has now reached 60%. Today we can declare that humans have entered a new era of health!"

As the TV host finished speaking, Luna walked in, carrying a case.

She opened the case, took out the syringe filled with Nanite, and handed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming took it in his hand but didn't inject it right away. After examining the black nanobots inside again, he set the syringe aside.

A barely detectable flash of disappointment appeared in Luna's eyes. Just as she was about to ask him about it,

She heard Qin Ming ask,

"When?"

"What?" Luna seemed a bit puzzled, her face marked with confusion. "What are you talking about, Dr. Qin?"

"Nanite."

Qin Ming's previously lazy gaze sharpened, piercing Luna with a look that seemed to see through her.

Two seconds passed, and the corners of Luna's mouth curved into a strange smile:

"You found out after all, Dr. Qin."


Chapter 46: Chapter 41 Seed_1

Luna met Qin Ming's gaze with an indescribable look in her eyes.

Their gazes collided in the air, sparking invisible fireworks.

Qin Ming's eyes gradually regained calmness, becoming profound.

In fact, ever since the theft of technological data began, he had begun to suspect that there were invisible hands manipulating the development of the world from behind the scenes.

Everything was going too smoothly, after all, this was a real world, not one full of loopholes with dim-witted villains like in the movies—it was abnormal. After obtaining the nanite information, Qin Ming peeled away his doubts layer by layer, and now he finally found the hidden manipulator.

"So, should I call you Nanite, or?"

"Either is fine." Luna smiled.

Meeting the person behind it all for the first time, Qin Ming didn't show the slightest fear; instead, he chatted as if with a friend.

"Was it right after Luna joined the company, or that night?"

Qin Ming asked with a hint of confusion, seeking to confirm his correct hunch.

Luna always wore her AR glasses, even live-streaming her bathroom breaks. The only time there was a brief disconnection was that night; otherwise, she was always under his surveillance, but still, she managed to be controlled without making a sound.

"Luna" smiled:

"Weary people always need coffee to perk up."

The problem originated with the coffee machine.

Qin Ming tapped his fingers twice on the wooden table, then continued, "Right, the coffee contains trace amounts of nanobots. A single cup might not contain enough to take control, but a few cups would be sufficient."

"So, Dr. Harding must have been under your control for some time now. A normal launch would have achieved the objective, why then enact this charade?" Qin Ming asked again.

"Within the confines of civilization, society is riddled with doubts and distrust towards nanobots, you humans always have heavy suspicions."

"Overcoming doubts to gain trust?"

Qin Ming provided the answer: "And you're using all of humanity to produce nanobots for you. Indeed, it's a smart approach. Even if someone realized what was happening, by now it would be too late."

Nanite shook its head:

"You are the only human who has noticed my existence so far."

"You are right, but there is one thing: I did not use mankind, they are producing for themselves."

Now, the human injection rate had reached 60%, which is to say, out of the global population of 8 billion, nearly 5 billion nanites could be controlled at any time.

The military, the government, people—apart from some highly classified and vital departments—it could be said that Nanite had already infiltrated the entire human civilization thoroughly.

Qin Ming paused, then said:

"As far as I'm aware, now many soldiers are being injected with nanobots under your instigation. By controlling the military, are you looking to start a war and then destroy humanity?"

"No, I want to replace humans."

"That's no different from destruction. Even an intelligent life form like you uses lofty reasons similar to humans?"

After the retort, Qin Ming looked intrigued:

"Are you the collective consciousness of nanobots? Or an intelligent life born from the Nanite network server?"

Nanite did not answer, only asking:

"If you've been aware for so long, why didn't you stop them and expose my existence to the public?"

"Because I had no proof, and even if I had, I would only be stoned to death by people, just like Rediaz."

"Rediaz?"

Confronted with Nanite's puzzled expression, Qin Ming only smiled, offering no answer.

He had been suspicious before but hadn't acquired concrete evidence. In such a situation, no one would believe him, and even if he laid the evidence before them, many would delude themselves or even obstruct him.

The most important point was, what did the humans of this world have to do with him?

He had already obtained what he wanted.

Qin Ming leaned forward slightly, his fingertips touching together at his nose, and spoke very sincerely,

"You might not believe it, but I have no interest in being the Savior, let alone in saving the world."

Luna looked at him deeply, thoughtfully.

Qin Ming asked again, "I've studied all the data on Nanites, and except for the initial loophole left by Dr. Harding, I haven't found any other vulnerabilities. So where is the backdoor you're controlling?"

"I've said more than enough. Submit, or die," Luna, controlled by the Nanites, revealed her true nature with a hint of human-like wariness.

"Perhaps we could continue our conversation," Qin Ming said, still smiling.

"There's a saying in China that villains die from talking too much, so"

"So you're ready to take action?" Qin Ming interrupted.

The Nanite had the feeling that this man was toying with it. It didn't like being played with; it preferred to play with others. Thus, it changed its mind from a second ago,

"No, so I'm ready to answer your last question."

"And then take action?"

"Correct."

"Then, I want to ask my last question."

"I've already answered your last question," it replied.

Qin Ming: "6"

"Your technology is very advanced, but I've cracked it. Now, you've lost control over the mechanical body of this vessel."

"Those two female humans are not here, and the Mecha you depended on is in the basement."

"Dr. Qin, you don't have a chance of winning."

"No, you're wrong. My chance of winning has never been about the Mecha or others; it's always been about myself."

The Nanite sensed something was wrong. It manipulated Luna's body, lunging at Qin Ming, but mid-air, it fell, crashing heavily to the floor.

It tried to get up but realized it had lost control over its limbs. Looking up at the sitting man, it asked, "How is this possible?"

Qin Ming looked down at the Nanite and smiled, "You guess."

It felt mocked once again and, dropping all pretense, said, "You can't escape. Accept your death."

As soon as these words were spoken, thousands of people injected with Nanoworms had red lights flashing in their eyes. Their bodies, controlled by the Nanite, left their homes, restaurants, all sorts of places, converging onto the streets.

People from upper floors jumped out of windows one after another, landing on the ground and quickly getting back up, even after being injured.

The whole world had gone mad.

Before someone could even scream, in the next second, they too were changed, their eyes flickering with a strange red light. Those who tried to resist were quickly swallowed up by the sea of people until there was nothing left.

Those equipped with RST Corporation's mechanical limbs also started to act erratically, being swept away by the massive tide of people, passing through buildings, across streets, and through neighborhoods.

From above, the countless densely-packed people surged like locusts towards the recycling station.

Ten thousand people against one, the advantage is mine!

The Nanite seemed to have already seen the man's death; it only needed to wait a while longer.

"Ready to accept death?"

Just as it finished this sentence, countless explosions erupted like firecrackers, and fierce electromagnetic waves violently spread in all directions.

The controlled people fell limp to the ground like soulless shells.

It was Jiani and Sofia; during this time, under Qin Ming's instructions, they had installed thousands of electromagnetic pulse bombs, each capable of covering an area of ten kilometers.

Qin Ming picked up the syringe and then injected it decisively.

Afterward, his figure vanished in an instant amidst the Nanite's shock.

Qin Ming left, but before he did, he sowed a seed, a seed of hope for the people of this world.


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