288: End of CG

After listening to Wei Ziqing's brief account, Lu Jianchuan's expression turned grave: "So that's how it is... a type that has taken the evolution of speed to an extreme. The weakness is actually the price paid for dynamic vision... I understand."

He immediately contacted the GUPA official commanding the periphery via communication, quickly explaining the situation:

"There is an important containment target in Analysis Room B and the connected secret chamber—a biological armor entity with high-speed movement capabilities. It has been subdued by Wei Ziqing, but requires special confinement.

Its weakness is extremely poor perception of stationary targets. Additionally, there may be relevant evidence in Dr. Chen Ruian's secret chamber. Please dispatch a professional handling team immediately to take over."

A steady response came from the other end of the communication: "Received. The handling team and medical team are already en route. Leave the scene to us. You've all worked hard."

After ending the communication, Lu Jianchuan turned to Shen Mingyuan and Wei Ziqing, letting out a long sigh. His body beneath the armor signaled intense fatigue: "This matter is temporarily concluded for now. Let's de-transform first. The consumption was too great."

Shen Mingyuan and Wei Ziqing both nodded. A faint light shimmered over the three of them, and their highly oppressive armor forms receded like a tide, transforming back into bracelets or armbands on their wrists.

Almost simultaneously, a powerful sense of weakness and a hollow, ravenous hunger struck them. All three swayed slightly, their faces turning pale.

"Nutrient packs..." Shen Mingyuan gasped, looking towards the approaching logistics personnel.

Soon, several staff members ran over carrying specialized high-energy nutritional supplement kits, quickly handing the three of them concentrated energy drinks.

The warm drink going down their stomachs slightly alleviated the fatigue and emptiness originating from the depths of their cells.

Lu Jianchuan slowly sat down leaning against a section of undamaged corridor wall. Shen Mingyuan and Wei Ziqing also found spots, and the three sat on the ground, seizing the time to recover their strength.

Not far away in the passage, the well-trained GUPA handling team quickly entered the scene, beginning to seal off, investigate, and contain everything in an orderly manner.

Cynthia had already been carefully lifted onto a stretcher and taken to the medical area. Dr. Chen Ruian, after emergency hemostasis, was being transferred under tight escort by another team.

The air still carried the lingering smoke of battle and a faint scent of blood, but the intense conflict had finally subsided temporarily. The corridor was left with only the faint hum of operating equipment, the hushed exchanges of personnel, and the tired but steady breathing of the three.

Early the next morning, Lu Jianchuan, Shen Mingyuan, and Wei Ziqing, having mostly recovered their strength, met up in the guesthouse lobby.

"Things here are pretty much wrapped up. The local branch will handle the cleanup work," Lu Jianchuan said, looking at the other two. "We should head back."

Shen Mingyuan stretched: "Oh, finally can go back? Good, I'm starting to miss the taste of the institute's coffee machine—though it's not great."

Wei Ziqing was succinct: "Let's go."

Remembering something, Shen Mingyuan asked: "What about Cynthia? How is she?"

"Headquarters personnel are very efficient," Lu Jianchuan explained. "After we rested yesterday, they transported Cynthia and the key evidence back to headquarters overnight.

We stayed here, firstly to recover, and secondly to wait for the preliminary wrap-up here. Now, to understand Cynthia's specific situation, we need to return to headquarters."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry back," Shen Mingyuan said immediately.

The three didn't delay, taking the earliest available flight back to the city where headquarters was located. Upon arrival, without resting, they went straight to the Medical and Psychological Assessment Area, eager to learn about Cynthia's condition.

They were greeted not by a Researcher in a white coat, but by a middle-aged woman with a gentle demeanor, dressed in casual clothes. A badge for the "Mental Health and Adaptability Support Office" hung on her chest.

"Hello, I'm Luo Lin, the base's mental health specialist."

She shook hands with the three, her voice steady. "I am primarily responsible for assessing and implementing mental health maintenance plans for executive members, including necessary interventions, supportive conversations, and leave recommendations. I understand your concern for your colleague Cynthia."

"Dr. Luo," Lu Jianchuan spoke on behalf of the trio, his tone serious. "Cynthia, she now... what exactly is going on? We saw her in a very unstable state before."

Dr. Luo Lin invited the three to sit, chose her words carefully, and explained in a way that was as clear as possible while remaining professional:

"Based on our preliminary observations and assessment of her current state, from a psychological perspective, her condition aligns very closely with the characteristics of 'Dissociative Identity Disorder'—perhaps more widely known as 'Multiple Personality Disorder.'"

Seeing their grave expressions, she continued calmly:

"Simply put, this is a psychological defense mechanism typically triggered by severe trauma or stress.

The normal integration of an individual's consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment has fractured. In Cynthia's case, it manifests as the apparent existence of *more than one* set of 'identity states' that govern behavior, cognition, and emotional responses.

The drastic contrast you witnessed in her—for example, suddenly shifting from an intense emotional state to extreme apathy, with vastly different fighting styles—is likely different 'parts' or 'identity states' taking the lead."

Shen Mingyuan frowned: "Is it because... she learned those truths about her past?"

"That is the most likely precipitating factor," Dr. Luo Lin nodded.

"The core information revealed dealt a devastating blow to her existing self-perception, constituting a massive psychological trauma, which may have activated or led to this dissociative defense.

Currently, the part that seems to be dominant is one that isolates emotions, responds to the outside world with absolute calmness or even coldness, and is particularly adept at handling danger and combat.

This might be a state that evolved or emerged in her subconscious to 'cope with extreme threats.'"

She paused, then added:

"Of course, this is only a preliminary psychological framework analysis based on current behavior.

As for why she possesses such distinct and highly specialized 'parts,' their deeper origins, how these 'parts' were specifically formed or exist... this involves her earlier experiences, which we do not yet fully understand. It would require longer-term, in-depth assessment to possibly uncover.

The current priority is to stabilize her condition, ensure safety, and attempt to establish basic communication and trust with the currently dominant 'part.'"

"I see..." Shen Mingyuan pondered. "Then... what happens next? Is there anything we can do?"

Dr. Luo Lin folded her hands on the table, her tone calm but earnest: "From a professional standpoint, the core of treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder is not to 'eliminate' a part or have one 'strong' part suppress others. Every manifested 'identity state,' regardless of its behavioral patterns, is essentially a coping strategy the individual developed to deal with unbearable stress or trauma; it is a part of a fragmented whole personality. Simply negating or trying to 'discard' any part means forcing the individual to deny a period of their experience or a survival capability. This often leads to deeper psychological conflict or even worsens the condition."

She paused briefly to let the information sink in, then continued: "Therefore, the internationally recognized, relatively cutting-edge, and humanistic treatment direction is 'moving towards integration' or 'functional fusion.' This is not about eradication, but through long-term, stable therapy, establishing communication, understanding, and cooperation among the various parts. The ultimate goal is to reduce compartmentalization, promote the sharing of memories, emotions, and experiences, and form a more coordinated, unified sense of self and identity. To allow all parts to coexist harmoniously internally or gradually fuse into a more complete, better-functioning whole personality."

Lu Jianchuan's brow furrowed tightly: "This process... it's very long, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's typically measured in years, and it requires the individual's strong willingness, a stable therapeutic Alliance, and a safe external environment," Dr. Luo Lin stated frankly.

"Specific methods would combine stable psychotherapy (such as talk therapy specifically for dissociative disorders), possibly supplemented with certain mood-stabilizing medications, and skill training to help establish safe internal communication among the 'parts,' etc.

For the highly defensive and aggressive part currently displayed by Cynthia, the primary task is to establish a basic sense of safety and trust, to make her (or 'them') realize that within the base, combat is no longer the only necessary mode of survival."

Wei Ziqing listened quietly and suddenly spoke: "So, the most important thing now is to give her time, stability, and support, let the professional treatment proceed slowly. It can't be rushed."

"Exactly correct," Dr. Luo Lin nodded. "Currently, she has been transferred to a specialized monitored medical Unit. The environment is safe and controlled, monitored and supported 24/7 by our team. Next, we will attempt to establish initial, non-confrontational contact with her currently dominant consciousness. As for you all..."

She looked at Lu Jianchuan and the other two: "As her most recent and closest teammates, your attitudes and actions are crucial to her—or rather, to the various parts within her.

Stable, consistent, non-judgmental support is the best help the external environment can provide. Of course, how to interact specifically will need suggestions from the treatment team based on the progress of therapy."

"We understand. Thank you, Dr. Luo," Lu Jianchuan stood up, and Shen Mingyuan and Wei Ziqing also expressed their thanks.

"Any progress will be communicated to you promptly by the treatment team within the permissible scope," Dr. Luo Lin saw them to the door.