Right then, the laboratory's communicator chimed.
It was Matt Horner's voice: "Dr. Hanson, Miss Valerie, if it is convenient, please come to the briefing room. We are about to arrive in the Tarsonis system, and we need to formulate a preliminary operational plan."
"Thank you again, Miss Valerie. I have benefited immensely from these materials." Dr. Hanson carefully placed the data pad on the workstation, her gaze still lingering on the structural diagrams as if she were continuing to deduce the technical details in her mind. "I look forward to more opportunities for exchange between us."
"I look forward to it as well, Doctor," Valerie maintained a proper smile, though her mind was rapidly calculating. Dr. Hanson's reaction was far more positive than she had anticipated; the scientist's hunger for knowledge was pure and intense, providing an excellent entry point for subsequent contact.
The two walked side by side out of the temporary laboratory, stepping into the somewhat narrow but tidy metal corridors of the Hyperion. Reaching the briefing room required crossing through a small section of the living quarters, where the faint hum of machinery and distant chatter of personnel could be heard along the way.
"These technological concepts," Dr. Hanson said as they walked, her tone still laced with contemplation, "especially the analytical methods regarding the handling of highly mutated biological samples, truly offer a completely fresh perspective. When I was on Agria, I attempted to conduct gene sequencing on Swarm tissue, but their genetic chains were incredibly unstable. Conventional alignment algorithms generated a massive amount of unresolvable noise data."
She turned her head to look at Valerie. "Your method seems to preset that this 'instability' itself is an analyzable trait, rather than pure interference?"
Valerie subtly adjusted her stride to keep pace with Dr. Hanson. This question touched upon the core divergence in technological concepts.
"You could understand it that way, Doctor. Within our research framework, high mutability itself is viewed as an information carrier. Rather than pursuing absolute accuracy for every single base pair, it is better to analyze its mutation patterns, frequencies, and underlying trends. This requires robust computing power to support the probability models, but it might be far better suited for organisms like the Swarm—whose evolutionary speed is exceptionally rapid."
"Viewing noise itself as the signal..." Dr. Hanson repeated in a low voice, a contemplative gleam flashing in her eyes. "This requires changing many foundational assumptions. However, if the Swarm's evolution is truly guided by some higher-tier 'directive,' then there might indeed exist a decipherable 'grammar' within its mutation patterns."
She paused, her tone turning cautious. "Of course, this is merely a theoretical speculation. At present, it is still up in the air whether the Swarm even possesses a collective will in a true sense."
"Any theory confronting the Swarm requires empirical support," Valerie smoothly guided the topic toward a more practical domain. "This is precisely why we at the Far Star Alliance place such heavy emphasis on frontline research. Theoretical models require validation and correction from battlefield data. An expert like yourself, who possesses both a profound theoretical background and firsthand experience with Swarm assaults, offers observations and insights that are immensely valuable."
Dr. Hanson seemed to feel a slight sense of gratification from this validation, but her expression promptly grew solemn again.
"Value... only if it can save more lives. No matter how good a theory is, if it cannot be converted into actual protection and early-warning measures, it is utterly meaningless." She looked out the corridor porthole at the passing stars. "I hope the situation on Tarsonis isn't like Agria's."
By this time, the two had neared the briefing room.
Before entering, Valerie said one last thing: "Doctor, if fresh Swarm samples can be acquired during this operation, perhaps we could attempt a preliminary analysis using the rapid sequencing method we discussed just now. Though our equipment is limited, we might uncover some interesting traits."
Dr. Hanson's eyes visibly lit up. "That would be incredibly helpful. I will have my assistants collect well-preserved tissue samples as much as possible."
The door to the briefing room slid open, and the voices from inside carried out. The two drew their private conversation to a timely close and stepped inside.
Within the briefing room, Raynor, Matt, Tychus, and several Raider officers had already arrived. The main screen displayed the star map and planetary scan data for the Tarsonis system.
"Tarsonis, primary industries are grain and livestock farming," Matt began the briefing, his laser pointer tapping the planetary model on the screen. "Population is roughly fifty thousand, scattered across a dozen large farms and one small space station. The distress signal originated from the space station, claiming that Swarm activity has been detected on the planetary surface, though the scale is unknown. The interior of the space station is currently secure, but it lacks evacuation vessels."
Raynor stood in front of the screen with his arms crossed, his gaze sharp. "Is the Swarm confirmed?"
"Orbital scans indicate that bio-signatures in several regions on the planetary surface are anomalous, matching Swarm characteristics." Matt pulled up specific data, causing a few red zones to flash across the planet's surface. "However, the creep coverage is very low—under five percent. The invasion is likely still in its very early stages."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Tychus rumbled coarsely, his massive frame leaning against a nearby console, his blue CMC power armor gleaming coldly under the lights. "The bugs haven't even dug their heels in yet; it's the perfect time to wipe 'em out in one go. Save the people and get moving, let's not make it as tedious as last time on Agria."
Dr. Hanson stepped up to the screen, meticulously scrutinizing the scan data.
"The Swarm's distribution is highly fragmented, with no obvious centralized incubation zones." She traced her finger through the empty space between several red dots. "This could be a reconnaissance vanguard vanguard, or sporadic clusters that arrived by chance through spore drifting. If it's the former, their mission is likely to evaluate the planet's value and establish outposts. If it's the latter, the threat is relatively minor, but they must be thoroughly purged to prevent them from establishing a hatchery."
"Doctor, what do you think the risks are if we go down to clear the Swarm?" Raynor turned to her, inquiring.
"The risks are manageable, but we must act swiftly," Dr. Hanson's analysis was methodical and clear. "The Swarm's numbers are small and scattered, which favors us eliminating them one by one. The key is to prevent them from transmitting information back to the main hive, or successfully establishing even a single small hatchery before they are wiped out. Furthermore, strict bio-decontamination must be carried out across all contact zones to prevent spore remnants. We do not yet fully understand the survival capabilities and transmission potential of Swarm spores."
Valerie stood quietly to the side observing, taking in everyone's reactions. Raynor's focus lay on evacuation efficiency and risk assessment; Matt focused more on the logistics and protocols of the operation; Tychus, as always, manifested a direct and impatient demeanor; and Dr. Hanson displayed her rigor and pragmatism as a scientist.
Her own thoughts, however, drifted in another direction.
Tarsonis was an agricultural world, its primary yields being grain and livestock—a place like this was highly unlikely to harbor a Xel'Naga artifact fragment. Raynor choosing this location was purely out of humanitarian rescue.
Therefore, the clues regarding the artifact fragments were highly likely to still reside with Tychus, or within some intelligence channel that Raynor possessed.
She needed to wait patiently for an opportunity, while simultaneously utilizing this operation to further consolidate her relationship with Dr. Hanson, and by extension, the Raynor team.