The medical deck of the Hyperion appeared somewhat crowded at the moment.
The civilians evacuated from Agria were undergoing preliminary examinations and treatment, the air thick with the smell of disinfectants and the low, conversational hum of voices. Medics in white uniforms and several assistants brought along by Dr. Hanson moved between the hospital beds, tending to minor injuries, dehydration, and stress-induced symptoms.
Dr. Ariel Hanson stood in front of the main observation deck, conversing with Raynor, Matt Horner, and Valerie.
She looked to be around thirty years old, her brown hair neatly tied back behind her head. Her face bore clear signs of exhaustion, yet her hazel eyes remained sharp and spirited. She wore a dust-and-stain-ridden research uniform, over which was thrown a slightly soiled lab coat.
"Thank you again, Commander Raynor, Captain Horner," Dr. Hanson's voice was clear and controlled, carrying the steady poise of someone well-educated. "Without your timely rescue, no one on Agria would have survived."
"It's what we do, Doctor," Raynor nodded, a trace of solemnity on his face. "Unfortunate that we still couldn't save everyone."
"Under those circumstances, you already did your absolute utmost," Dr. Hanson's tone was pragmatic. "The scale and speed of the Swarm's invasion exceeded all our predictive models. The Dominion military's abandonment of the planet caused the defense infrastructure to collapse entirely."
She scanned the medical deck, her gaze sweeping over the active medical equipment, the cryogenic cabinets storing pharmaceuticals, and a few medics operating the instruments. Her brow furrowed slightly—an instinctive reaction of a professional noticing a less-than-perfect system.
"If you don't mind my bluntness, Commander Raynor," Dr. Hanson turned to Raynor, her tone direct but not impolite. "The medical and research facilities on the Hyperion appear somewhat... basic. I took a brief look at your bio-sample analyzer just now; the model is at least ten years old. The containment standard in the microbial culture lab only meets Class-B requirements, which poses a serious cross-infection risk when treating casualties who might be carrying Swarm spores."
Matt Horner coughed with slight embarrassment. "We're just a guerrilla force, Doctor. Resources are limited, so we prioritize maintaining combat gear."
"I understand," Dr. Hanson nodded, though the critical look in her eyes did not soften. "However, if you plan to continue operating in sectors active with the Swarm, your foundational bio-protection and research capabilities need an upgrade.
The Swarm is not merely a military threat; it is a biological threat. Fighting them without understanding their physiological traits, transmission methods, and mutation patterns is equivalent to fighting with your eyes blindfolded."
Valerie stood quietly to the side, taking in every word of the conversation.
Her gaze calmly assessed Dr. Hanson—the professionalism and confidence displayed by this young scientist formed a striking contrast to the grit she showed while leading the civilian evacuation amidst the ruins of Agria. More importantly, her insights into biology and the Swarm were clearly far beyond the ordinary.
As a Magos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Osiris possessed an almost instinctive drive to pursue and collect knowledge and technology. Talent with top-tier expertise in a specific field, like Dr. Hanson, was undoubtedly an immensely valuable "resource."
Valerie rapidly calculated in her mind: if she could establish a connection or even recruit her into Osiris's network, it would yield significant benefits, whether for dissecting the Swarm or conducting other biotechnological research.
"Dr. Hanson makes an excellent point," Valerie spoke up at the right moment, her voice gentle, carrying the characteristic tone of a business professional—neither overly familiar nor detached. "'Far Star Alliance' also places great emphasis on scientific research regarding local biological threats during risk assessments. Only by fully understanding the nature of a threat can one formulate effective response strategies."
Dr. Hanson's attention shifted to Valerie, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny and curiosity. "Miss Valerie, correct? Commander Raynor mentioned you hail from the Earth sphere?"
"Yes, Doctor. I represent the Far Star Alliance, an investment entity interested in the development potential of the Koprulu Sector," Valerie responded with poise. "Before entering the sector, we also conducted some foundational research on the Swarm, but it is clear our understanding is nowhere near as deep as that of a frontline expert like yourself."
"The Earth sphere..." Dr. Hanson repeated the phrase, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. "It has been over two hundred years since the original colonization ships left Earth. Communication between the two sectors has been virtually severed, and technological development has followed different paths. I have read some early literature; the United Earth Directorate (UED) once brought over some more advanced technology, but that was a long time ago."
She paused slightly, as if weighing her words. "I am quite curious to know to what extent biotechnology in the Earth sphere has developed by now? After all, that is the cradle of human technology."
Valerie keenly caught the interest in Dr. Hanson's words. This was precisely an opportunity to build a connection and display value.
She recalled the directive Osiris had just transmitted: "You may appropriately display some biotechnology to Dr. Hanson," along with an attached file of technical data.
"The technological development of the Earth sphere does indeed have its unique trajectory," Valerie answered cautiously. "Due to the vast distance, I cannot disclose too many specific details, as it involves corporate secrets. However, we do possess some highly practical technologies in biological information processing, rapid gene sequencing, and targeted cell culturing. These technologies could prove helpful in countering the Swarm threat."
Dr. Hanson's eyes visibly lit up—the hallmark curiosity of a scientist facing unknown knowledge. "Practical technologies? Could you be more specific? For instance, what level of precision can your genetic analysis of Swarm samples reach? What research milestones have you achieved regarding their pheromone communication mechanisms?"
"The answers to those questions might require a deeper exchange in a more suitable setting," Valerie adroitly sidestepped a direct answer while laying down the bait. "If you are interested, Doctor, I can provide some sanitized, non-core technical briefing materials later on. Perhaps it might offer some new insights for your research."
"That would be incredibly valuable," Dr. Hanson nodded immediately, an edge of urgency in her tone. "Any piece of information that could potentially help us understand and fight the Swarm is precious."
Watching the two converse, Raynor chimed in: "Doctor, what are your plans now? The Hyperion can transport you and your assistants to a relatively safe system."
Dr. Hanson shook her head, her expression turning resolute. "Safe? Commander Raynor, where is there any safety left to speak of in the outer rims of the Koprulu Sector now? The Swarm is launching a full-scale offensive.
According to the last few academic network dispatches I received, at least seven fringe colonies are confirmed to have fallen, and over a dozen more have lost contact. Mengsk has pulled his fleets and armies back to the core worlds, leaving the outer civilians completely abandoned."
She clenched her fists, her voice tight with suppressed anger. "Those people are citizens of the Dominion. They pay taxes, they obey the laws, and now they are being tossed to the bugs like garbage. I cannot pretend I didn't see it, and then go hide in some safe haven to continue my research."