Central Control Tower.
This was the hub at the center of the Nexus Base.
Operators worked here—people hurrying back and forth on their own tasks. Some were even worrying about stockpiles of Oripathy suppressants.
Meanwhile, Qin Jiangchi was reading a strange damage-assessment report from the Originium Byproduct Center—
Stolen:
Special experimental batteries ×20
Fire extinguisher kits ×6
Boxed emergency rations ×10
Boxed emergency medicine ×12
Damaged:
Transport vehicles ×4 (2 completely destroyed)
Security blast door ×1
Remark:
"I can't understand how the Groundsplitters breached that huge, heavy security door. A sister from the work crew said she saw a 'black giant of flame'—a 'smoke-spewing titan'… She must have been terrified out of her mind. I'll ask again after she gets out of emergency."
…
"Black giant, jetting smoke… that's probably not some monster, but a Groundsplitter using Originium Arts, right?"
Qin Jiangchi frowned in thought.
She'd heard rumors like that before. The Bonegrinder clan did have someone like this.
Something like "Bonegrinder's Fist"… no, that was a title. The name might be Rhodan?
She wasn't entirely sure.
In any case, the Byproduct Center situation was temporarily handled.
Yesterday she'd already dispatched a reinforcement squad. Even if some Groundsplitters remained, it wasn't a major concern.
But even so, the sheer volume of base logistics was enough to grind her down—like the supply delays at Workers' Home…
Oh right. That had already been solved by the Doctor.
Qin Jiangchi rubbed her temples, exhaustion obvious.
She'd pulled an all-nighter, still hadn't slept, and could feel her thinking turning sluggish…
Maybe she should just inject a dose of Sanity Recovery Fluid.
Miguel probably had some in stock.
That thought had barely crossed her mind when the Administrator and the others arrived at the Central Control Tower. They wanted to contact the Valley Fortress—and also get an update on base conditions.
"The Central Control Tower received reports from all sections. Administrator, you did perfectly."
Qin Jiangchi offered sincere praise and acknowledgment.
Everyone had seen the help the Nexus Base received yesterday—gratitude was genuine.
But there were still plenty of unresolved issues.
"The base's essential functions are restored. Now we still have one core problem to solve."
When she heard the Administrator wanted to use the communications node to reach the Valley Fortress, Qin Jiangchi apologized.
"The master communications node can't operate. I stripped parts from other devices and restored most of its structure, but the core section suffered fatal damage."
"It's a critical classified component. The only backup was also lost in the attack."
"Administrator, I know it's asking a lot, but… with Originium devices, there are miracles that only you can bring about."
"Right now, we can only rely on your miracle."
At that, the Administrator tilted her head, puzzled.
"Miracle?"
She didn't understand—and didn't remember having any "miracle" at all.
"Administrator, you used to directly sense Originium devices while they were running."
Perica reminded her from the side.
"And you could actively adjust Originium circuits—modify or repair devices… you used that technique often."
"I see… then this Originium, and these devices…?"
The amnesiac Administrator tried to use the opportunity to learn more.
After all, she could control Originium—but she lacked understanding of it now.
"Originium has an extremely broad range of uses. With Originium Arts and industrial technology, we can use it not only for energy, but also to process all kinds of materials."
Perica explained patiently.
"Everywhere on Talos-II, there are Originium cultivation and extraction bases… you could say we're a civilization standing on Originium's shoulders."
Qin Jiangchi agreed.
"Historically, mining Originium brought environmental and social problems. Even so, we can only continue… it's an essential resource for survival."
For Terrans, she believed Originium was necessary—like fish needing water.
Even if it meant risking Oripathy.
"Understood… I'll try."
The Administrator nodded, preparing to repair the communications node.
Or rather: to use her Originium authority to reconstruct the damaged circuits, repositioning circuit components into the correct configuration.
That kind of fine manipulation was far harder than repairing the Byproduct Center's door.
Perica couldn't help looking worried.
"But the Administrator only just woke up. High-intensity Originium Arts will burden her body."
She didn't want the Administrator's condition worsening, so she tried to dissuade her.
"Let me help. There must be other ways… ah—I just remembered!"
Perica suddenly froze.
Because when the Doctor had been attacked earlier, she'd visited him while he was unconscious—
And she'd noticed something about that logistics robot: it clearly had signs of being repaired after damage, but there were no signs of disassembly, as if someone had repaired it remotely…
That repair method looked very similar to the Administrator's.
"Doctor—can you help instead of the Administrator, and repair the Nexus Base communications node?"
Perica asked earnestly.
Hao Fan, who had been quietly studying the large machine, blinked and pointed at himself.
"Huh… me?"
He'd assumed he had nothing to do here—he'd only followed along to see what was happening.
He hadn't expected to be asked to fix a major piece of infrastructure.
"I don't know how you repaired it, but your Originium Arts should be similar to the Administrator's. So in theory, you can also actively adjust Originium circuits."
Perica's analysis was logical.
Honestly, she'd thought only the Administrator could do this—but apparently the Doctor could as well…
Truly worthy of being the Doctor's Traveler.
"…Uh, you mean the logistics robot earlier? Truth is, I don't even know how I repaired it. I just 'figured' it should be doable."
Hao Fan hesitated.
Then, with visible inner conflict, he pulled out a chunk of Originium ore—and under everyone's stunned gaze, casually tossed it into his mouth.
"Fine. I'll give it a try."
....
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