28: Beneath the surface of order

The isolation zone of the Seventh Shelter was like a giant, noisy beehive. Hundreds of survivors, having escaped the disaster, were crowded under a series of tents. The air was thick with the dull scent of disinfectant, sweat, and food porridge. People conversed in low voices, sharing their terrifying experiences of escaping, or stared blankly at the tent ceiling, their eyes vacant. The cries of children and the groans of the injured intertwined with the continuous hum of distant generators, forming a unique symphony of survival in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Lin Mo sat leaning against their allocated corner, eyes closed, seemingly resting, but in reality, his entire focus was immersed in perception and recovery. His left palm was pressed tightly against a fragment of the "reality stabilization anchor." The warm touch and the slowly flowing orderly energy were gradually soothing his mental trauma and fatigue. The editor interface floated in the depths of his consciousness, and the energy reserve slowly but steadily rose back to 0.7 units. The [Energy Structure Simulation] module was in standby mode, continuously analyzing information about the massive energy field covering the entire Shelter, feedbacked from the fragment.

This energy field... was very peculiar. It indeed provided valuable order and stability, isolating the chaos and erosion from the outside world, but the "texture" of its energy was distinctly different from the fragment in Lin Mo's hand. The fragment's energy was warm, full of vitality, like living water, resonating with his consciousness and moving with his will. The Shelter's energy field, however, seemed... stiff, rigid, as if a machine operating according to a fixed program, lacking agility. It was more like a product that had been "manufactured" rather than naturally derived or an artifact with a "core" like the fragment.

The editor was attempting to parse its energy structure, making slow progress, but had already provided some initial feedback: [Detected large composite energy matrix... Energy source: multi-node parallel power supply... Structural stability: high (artificially solidified)... Energy nature: order-aligned (biased towards suppression and purification)... Weak mental guidance effect present...]

Mental guidance effect? Lin Mo's heart tightened slightly. This meant that this energy field was not just providing physical stability, but also subtly influencing the mental state of everyone within its range? Was it making people calmer, more obedient, or... something else?

He quietly observed the surrounding survivors. Most people's emotions were indeed relatively stable, without the hysteria or extreme mania common outside, but deep in their eyes, there seemed to be a similar, disciplined numbness and obedience. Even Professor Wang, who had been quite opinionated before, seemed much quieter after drinking that bowl of thin porridge, simply taking care of the injured people around him.

"How are you feeling?" Li Rui's voice sounded from beside him. He had sat down at some point, holding a basic information manual distributed by the Shelter.

"Much better." Lin Mo opened his eyes and looked at Li Rui. Although the former special forces captain's face also showed fatigue, his eyes were still sharp, seemingly unaffected by the "mental guidance." Perhaps his will was strong enough, or perhaps... he had anticipated it?

"This place is more... regulated than I imagined." Lin Mo carefully chose his words, his gaze sweeping over the emotionless guards in gray uniforms carrying loaded weapons in the distance.

Li Rui followed his gaze and whispered, "The Revival Committee controls some of the most advanced technology and resources from before the disaster, including this 'order field' generation technology. Maintaining order requires an iron fist, especially at a time like this." His tone was calm, betraying no approval or disapproval, merely stating a fact. "The weapons and items we handed over will be registered and stored. In theory, we can apply to retrieve them later based on contribution points, or exchange them for other supplies."

"Contribution points?"

"Yes, the currency used here. Working, participating in defense, or submitting valuable materials or intelligence can all earn you contribution points. Food, medicine, better housing, all require contribution points to exchange." Li Rui shook the manual in his hand. "We've just arrived, so we'll have basic rations, but to survive, and to live well, we need to earn contribution points as quickly as possible."

Just then, a slightly noisy sound came from the entrance of the isolation zone. Several gray-uniformed guards escorted a middle-aged man wearing a white lab coat, gold-rimmed glasses, and with a refined demeanor but indifferent eyes. The researcher held a tablet computer, his gaze scanning the survivors, seemingly looking for something.

Soon, his gaze fixed on Lin Mo and Li Rui, and he walked straight towards them.

"Captain Li Rui, and this... Mr. Lin Mo, correct?" The researcher pushed up his glasses, his voice calm but with an undeniable sense of authority. "I am Researcher Zhou Weian from the Technology Department of the Seventh Shelter. According to the registration information, the energy reaction characteristics you two carried when entering the city have a high correlation with several research projects we are currently conducting. The Committee hopes to have an interview with you two to understand some situations, which might contribute to the Shelter's defense and research work."

Here it comes! Lin Mo thought to himself. He knew that his existence and that of the fragment could not be completely hidden from this Shelter, which clearly possessed detection technology.

Li Rui stood up and responded neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, "It is our duty to cooperate with The Committee's work. What exactly do you need to know?"

Researcher Zhou's gaze fell on Lin Mo, especially lingering for a moment on his seemingly empty left hand. Although Lin Mo had already concealed the fragment's glow, that unique energy resonance seemed to have been keenly captured by the other party.

"Mainly about your experiences operating outside, especially data from battles with various 'Corruptors,' and... the special item on Mr. Lin that can stabilize the environment." Zhou Weian's tone remained calm, but he enunciated the words "special item" with particular clarity. "The Committee holds great interest and an open attitude towards all forces that can resist 'The Great Erosion.' If Mr. Lin's item can be thoroughly researched, it might help us optimize or even replicate this 'order field,' saving more people."

His words were grand and righteous, full of noble purpose. But Lin Mo caught a hint of barely concealed... greed and inquisitiveness in the depths of the other man's seemingly gentle eyes. It wasn't a desire to save lives; it was more like the excitement of a scientist who had found an excellent experimental sample.

Li Rui apparently also sensed something. He subtly shifted, standing half a step in front of Lin Mo: "Researcher Zhou, we have just experienced a bitter battle and are physically and mentally exhausted. Lin Mo, in particular, has expended a great deal. An interview is fine, but could it wait until we have recovered a bit and passed the isolation observation period?"

Zhou Weian smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Of course, I understand. The Committee is not unreasonable. The interview is scheduled for tomorrow morning, at Research Institute A in the central research area. A dedicated person will guide you there. I hope you two rest well and seriously consider how to contribute to the survival of humanity." He gave Lin Mo a meaningful look, then turned and left with the guards.

Pressure descended silently.

"It seems we've been singled out for attention." Li Rui sat back down, his voice even lower. "The Technology Department... one of the core departments of the Revival Committee, holding the highest technical authority in the Shelter. Their interest in your 'item' is probably far beyond your imagination."

Lin Mo was silent. He had long anticipated this day, just not so soon. The Seventh Shelter was not the utopia he had imagined. Here, there were strict hierarchies and order, and also covetousness and calculations hidden beneath that order.

"They mentioned 'replicating the order field'..." Lin Mo mused. If he wasn't mistaken, the technical principle behind this massive energy field of the Shelter was very likely the same as that of the "reality stabilization anchor" fragment in his hand, or it might even be a replica manufactured based on research into similar fragments! It was just that their technology was not yet perfect, and the field they created lacked the core "spirituality," only capable of rigid stability and weak mental guidance.

If they obtained the fragment in his hand, which possessed a "core," could be actively controlled, and even grow... the consequences would be unimaginable. He might lose his freedom, or even control over the fragment, becoming a research subject or... an energy battery for The Committee.

"What do you plan to do?" Li Rui asked, looking at him sharply.

Lin Mo looked up at the sky outside the tent, which was enveloped by the artificial order field, his eyes gradually becoming resolute: "It's mine. No one is taking it." His voice was light, but carried an undeniable determination.

He needed strength, needed to quickly figure out the true nature of this Shelter, and needed to find a way to protect himself and break out of this situation. The editor and the newly unlocked [Energy Structure Simulation] function might be his greatest reliance.

"Be careful of Zhou Weian, and the Technology Department." Li Rui reminded him. "The Committee itself isn't a monolith; there are pragmatists, and there are... radical research factions. Zhou Weian belongs to the latter."

Just then, the editor's analysis of the Shelter's energy field finally had a new breakthrough!

[Analysis progress 15%... Hidden energy circuit discovered... Circuit points to deep underground... Energy nature: high density, high constraint, presence of life reactions and... residual painful emotions?!]

[Warning! Detected energy characteristics of illegal live experimentation! Matches certain forbidden entries in the database!]

Illegal live experimentation? Residual painful emotions?

Lin Mo's heart clenched! What was hidden beneath this seemingly bright and beautiful Shelter?!

He looked at Li Rui and slowly asked, "Captain Li, do you know what the underground of the Shelter... is for?"

Upon hearing this, Li Rui's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. He was silent for a few seconds before whispering, "The underground is a restricted area, guarded by The Committee's direct guard force. It's said to involve top-secret matters. My clearance isn't high enough, so I don't know."

But his reaction, and that momentary hesitation, only made Lin Mo more certain that beneath the calm surface of the Seventh Shelter, an unfathomable darkness surged.

The interview might not just be an inquiry; it could very well be a trap.

He had to be prepared.