"Dr. Hanson, sorry to disturb you," Valerie said softly, standing at the doorway.
Dr. Hanson looked up, a faint smile appearing on her face upon seeing Valerie. "Miss Valerie, please come in. Fortuitously timed, I just finished a set of preliminary observations."
Valerie stepped into the laboratory, her gaze sweeping over the rudimentary equipment. Just as Dr. Hanson had remarked earlier, the conditions here were indeed incredibly basic.
"I hope I didn't interrupt your important work," Valerie said.
"Not at all. Just some foundational observation," Dr. Hanson straightened her posture, rubbing her somewhat aching neck. "The vitality of these spores is already extremely low; they have a difficult time surviving once the environment changes. What would truly be valuable are live samples, but the Hyperion lacks safe live-culturing conditions."
A clear sense of regret colored her tone.
Valerie nodded and handed over the data pad in her hand.
"Doctor, this is the summary of some biotechnological methods used internally by our company that I mentioned earlier. It has been sanitized and does not involve core patents, but perhaps it can offer a different perspective for your research."
Dr.Hanson's eyes lit up instantly. She accepted the data pad with an almost eager haste, quickly waking the screen to begin browsing.
Initially, her expression was one of focused scrutiny, but as her reading deepened, her brow would alternately furrow and smooth out, and she occasionally murmured a few words to herself.
"This gene-sequencing alignment algorithm... utilizes multiple fuzzy matching and probability weighting? The logic is highly distinct, entirely different from the precise chain alignment commonly used in the Koprulu Sector. It sacrifices a degree of absolute accuracy, but in exchange, it gains a higher fault tolerance and identification speed for highly mutated sequences—fascinating."
"Protein folding simulation... introducing environmental charge gradient variables as auxiliary parameters? In our general models, this is typically filtered out as an interference term. But thinking closely, the internal cellular environment is indeed non-homogeneous—this is a bold hypothesis."
"Nanofiber scaffolds... using electrospinning technology to manufacture biomimetic extracellular matrices? The material selection is... a composite of synthetic polyester and natural gelatin? How did they find the equilibrium point between mechanical strength and biocompatibility for this specific combination?"
Dr. Hanson was entirely immersed in the technical documentation, alternately swiping rapidly through the pages and stopping to ponder meticulously. Her two assistants also curiously edged closer to look, letting out low gasps of admiration.
Valerie stood quietly to the side, observing Dr. Hanson's reaction. This female scientist clearly possessed exceptionally high professional competence, capable of rapidly grasping the principles and potential value of these technologies, and immediately comparing and questioning them against the framework she already knew.
It took about twenty minutes before Dr. Hanson finally raised her head from the data pad, letting out a long sigh of relief. Her face bore a mixture of excitement, bewilderment, and deep thought.
"Miss Valerie," her voice trembled with slight excitement, "these technological concepts... are exceptionally novel. No, not merely novel—they display a significant disparity from the mainstream biotechnology of our Koprulu Sector in terms of foundational assumptions and problem-solving methodologies."
She pointed to a diagram on the data pad: "Take this rapid gene-sequencing algorithm, for instance; it seems to be based on an entirely different mathematical and logical framework. On our side, we place greater emphasis on 'correctness,' where every single step must be verifiable and repeatable. Your method, however... is more like searching for the 'most probable' within 'possibilities,' permitting a certain degree of ambiguity and uncertainty in exchange for speed. This requires an immensely powerful data-processing capability as support."
She pointed toward another section: "And this cell-culture scaffold—the manner in which material science and bio-engineering are integrated is also unique. We lean toward using pure biological materials or highly refined synthetic materials to ensure absolute control.
Your composite material approach appears unrefined at first glance, but the design concept simulates the non-homogeneous characteristics of natural tissue—this demands exceptionally delicate process control and a profound understanding of the biological micro-environment."
Dr. Hanson set the data pad down, her eyes gleaming intensely as she looked at Valerie. "This isn't just a few 'practical technologies.' This represents an entirely different research paradigm behind it. Has biotechnology in the Earth sphere already developed to this extent? Or rather, is this research milestone exclusive to the 'Far Star Alliance'?"
Valerie maintained a poised smile.
"The doctor overpraises us. These are merely some phase-based results from our company's R&D department, far from representing the technological level of the entire Earth sphere. As you noted, the two sectors have been isolated for too long and have developed along different technological paths. Our methods might be effective in certain specific scenarios, but in other aspects, the solid, applied technology of the Koprulu Sector might hold a greater advantage."
She adroitly sidestepped a direct answer regarding the overall level of the Earth sphere, pulling the focus back to the technology itself. "Are these materials helpful to your research?"
"Tremendously helpful!" Dr. Hanson stated affirmatively. "They provide entirely new directions, particularly regarding research concepts for dealing with highly mutated organisms. The Swarm's genetic stability is incredibly poor and mutates rapidly; our traditional analytical methods frequently encounter bottlenecks. Your alignment algorithm, with its higher fault tolerance, might handle the genetic data of Swarm samples much better."
She paused, her tone turning somewhat hesitant, yet laced even more with desire. "Miss Valerie, are there more detailed implementation specifics or experimental data for these technologies? Of course, I understand this involves commercial secrets. But if possible, even just a tiny fraction of deeper information would be an immense catalyst for my research. I can sign any non-disclosure agreement."
Valerie felt a subtle stir in her mind. Dr. Hanson had already displayed intense interest and a hunger for further understanding. This was precisely a prime opportunity to establish a tighter bond.
"More detailed materials do indeed require a higher level of authorization," Valerie feigned a troubled yet willing-to-try expression. "However, your research, Doctor, makes a direct contribution to fighting the Swarm, which aligns with our company's principles of 'risk mitigation and cooperation.' I can attempt to petition headquarters to retrieve a portion of non-core extended materials or case studies. But this will require time, and it also requires... a more explicit framework of cooperation."
Dr. Hanson nodded immediately.
"I understand. Any form of cooperation, I am willing to seriously consider. If your company is interested in Swarm research, I can share a portion of my research results—naturally, excluding core secrets from my past work for the Dominion. We can engage in technological exchange to complement each other's strengths."
This was precisely the situation Valerie hoped to achieve.
"I will report your intent to headquarters as soon as possible, Doctor. I believe the upper echelons will be highly interested in collaborating with an expert such as yourself."