第七章:烈岩之根 × 紅崖烤核的地熱記憶
「有些味道不屬於口腔,而是屬於舌下那根骨,當我們咬緊過往時,才會釋放。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAumYOAcK6z1
——《滷汁事典・卷二十:烤根前記》
之一:基地的迷霧
任務香料:紅崖根烤核 × 炭香液。
採集地點:南緯 17.29°、地熱活躍帶「奧林帕斯山南麓裂層(Zhouyan Base 下層)」中部峽壁段。
香料類型:地熱熟化香根 × 回甘燃味層譜 × 幼年溫感觸媒。64Please respect copyright.PENANAUAmTAHLBCd
編 號:香料002 - 紅崖烤核(Root of Embercliff)。
特殊條件:僅能於火星日出後第六小時至第十小時間,地熱恰好達香氣萃取點。烤根需使用「香誘火種包」吸引其自地層中升出,否則會自爆成炭粉。
出發成員:
Jun -主廚兼香氣觸媒調製者
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)-氣味導引員,負責根香震動辨識
Milo -地形工程與爆裂岩清理
Rahaq(拉哈克)-氣壓偵測與護衛,備有「氣骨振盪弓」
S’kahl(斯卡爾)(斯卡爾)-Ha’Zin 記錄者,負責鹽頻共鳴的語言解碼與心靈穩定;能以古語預言觸發共鳴線索。
(後方支援:Cindy 在 L-2 中控室監測數據,並追蹤 GENETREC 的流量異常,並比對 QUN-2 的頻譜變化。)
***
在奧林帕斯山(Olympus Mons)南麓,64Please respect copyright.PENANAGGaWcfiD3P
火星最古老的岩脈深處,有一道看不見盡頭的裂層。64Please respect copyright.PENANA8sUH9tsGO0
那裂層自山腳一路蜿蜒向下,64Please respect copyright.PENANAkgbVVREuKU
綿延超過三百公里,64Please respect copyright.PENANApsrKKSaLkC
其深度足以容納一座完整的城市。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA4cpl9nPaBK
地表觀測者稱那裡為——「宙眼」(The Celestial Eye)。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAyezCDN6xpD
這是人類與火星原住民共同建立的第一座深層觀測要塞。64Please respect copyright.PENANAkZzNlNp0Mr
代號:L-0。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAp2nEga7Kkp
它誕生於火星殖民的最初年代,64Please respect copyright.PENANApVECVxedSJ
在所有七個基地尚未命名前,64Please respect copyright.PENANAPjnF92fEus
宙眼便已存在。
64Please respect copyright.PENANASUT9RBpVov
最初的用途,是為了觀測奧林帕斯火山的熱流與氣體循環。64Please respect copyright.PENANAr4uyrBxmQt
那時候,人類仍相信這顆行星「已死」。64Please respect copyright.PENANAT1Qg05Ro7m
然而當第一支深地探測器抵達裂層底部時,64Please respect copyright.PENANAln7iSuivVf
他們聽見了某種節奏——64Please respect copyright.PENANAVxtkkdQxz4
一種微弱卻規律的低鳴,64Please respect copyright.PENANArAbtolBHeh
似乎整座火山仍在緩緩呼吸。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAz8i6v3lORF
因此,宙眼的名字便由此而來。64Please respect copyright.PENANALRZs0Z6d2e
它既是人類觀測火星的「眼睛」,64Please respect copyright.PENANAXnzwyMGqSc
也是火星回望宇宙的「瞳孔」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA2jmlWlH3R0
宙眼的主塔由紅曜岩與再生鋼骨構成,64Please respect copyright.PENANAe0WZLMZLDn
頂部環狀天穹鏡能折射整個山體的磁層光譜,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgLMc32yLHE
夜間時,整座塔體會閃爍如一顆懸浮的瞳。64Please respect copyright.PENANAFY0gq3ZW1I
它能記錄聲、光、氣味、振波、甚至情緒共振——64Please respect copyright.PENANAJQDIonwDXj
是火星上第一個同時記錄「科學與感覺」的建築。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAxmOmCoFpQi
這裡,曾是 GENETREC 高層科學會 與 星核觀測聯盟(AsterCore Council)64Please respect copyright.PENANATGZxRGB6Tp
共同建立的核心據點。
前者專注於基因與香氣觸媒的極限應用——64Please respect copyright.PENANA712UykgbnL
他們相信「氣味」不只是化學反應,而是一種可被基因編碼的語言單元。64Please respect copyright.PENANA8FLhssdwJa
在宙眼的深層實驗區,他們首次嘗試以 DNA 複寫結構保存嗅覺記憶,64Please respect copyright.PENANAMvxm7eGWF4
那項計畫的內部代號,叫做 “Project Olfactra”。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAEhYGRZhAsW
而星核觀測聯盟,則是另一種信仰的化身。64Please respect copyright.PENANAS5CfU4ym4G
他們監測火星深部的能量脈動,64Please respect copyright.PENANAhroT407X10
嘗試理解那股被稱為「Zharra 心律」的低頻共振。64Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZTy79QupF
他們的理論主張:
「星球本身擁有感覺,而火山的心跳即是牠的語言。」
兩者的合作曾被視為人類與火星意識之間的第一次真正對話。64Please respect copyright.PENANAsUWvV54ume
GENETREC 負責製造「香氣中樞」——一種能以氣味儲存訊息的生物晶格;64Please respect copyright.PENANAVrJ2XYkxxC
星核聯盟則提供能量譜層與地熱脈衝數據,64Please respect copyright.PENANAxMhF6uIjAg
讓這些香氣能夠與行星的律動同步。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAehG7020zli
在巔峰時期,64Please respect copyright.PENANAqskcqXnUlb
宙眼基地共有四百七十二名研究人員、三十七位願聞者協作者、64Please respect copyright.PENANA24eHEombTZ
以及十餘位氣味語言學家駐守於此。64Please respect copyright.PENANAuDakI5h3Ct
他們在岩層中的長廊間建起「氣味實驗室」與「蒸餾寢舍」。64Please respect copyright.PENANAlTcvpGScJT
每一個房間都帶著不同的氣息:64Please respect copyright.PENANAoROx7ujI9L
冷冽的礦鹽、焦甜的滷液、燃燒後的樹脂、與異星苔的潮味。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAeqV73UGsbm
每日的例行紀錄不是文字,而是「香譜日誌」——64Please respect copyright.PENANAxpBrd1ty2v
他們以液體或氣體樣本封存在小瓶中,64Please respect copyright.PENANAlWRCBq4ntI
並附上氣味坐標與時間波段,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgT6OxfAORV
有的標註著「火山風第三層香」、「岩息變調七號」、64Please respect copyright.PENANA4NkxYY5Qze
也有的只是簡單一句:「今晨聞到溫柔」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAzu4ABbkwtj
這些日誌曾堆滿整個資料庫的三層架。64Please respect copyright.PENANAjTJ1Qh1YW7
據說當主冷卻塔運轉時,64Please respect copyright.PENANAWDFUA34aTA
所有瓶封微微共振,64Please respect copyright.PENANA5kvmb9PbXI
整個宙眼便會在深夜發出若有若無的「香氣嗡鳴」。
然而在 209 年火山磁層異動之後,64Please respect copyright.PENANAWv9IWKURHo
火山磁層出現異常、地底能量譜爆發,64Please respect copyright.PENANAUw3XcyQCJJ
這些瓶封相繼碎裂,香氣洩入整個通道。64Please respect copyright.PENANAbYM7bj6No6
許多研究員報告說他們「開始夢見自己不曾經歷過的記憶」,64Please respect copyright.PENANAubQDHBmaV9
夢裡,他們在煮湯、在呼吸、在聽見星球低語。
宙眼被迫封鎖。64Please respect copyright.PENANAf3PdKJBxWj
官方通告理由是「岩層不穩」,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcBaUdFfBGK
但據傳那場事故並非地質事件,64Please respect copyright.PENANAL5LxClaqHb
而是「星核觀測陣列」於裂層底部探測到未知的氣味頻率,64Please respect copyright.PENANArlHVQ5RL9U
並導致整個基地的感知系統短暫「自我啟動」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAv2IH7PGUT5
從那天起,宙眼沉睡。64Please respect copyright.PENANARtMKtXbAzy
只有偶爾,當火山風經過裂層時,64Please respect copyright.PENANAbeOtXqTiyl
會有低沉的回聲從地底傳來,64Please respect copyright.PENANAJNiAUoNxNi
像是某種遠古意識在輕輕眨眼。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAwoSOOfcEDi
然而此時,64Please respect copyright.PENANAluXwE1KvrW
基地早已不復昔日榮景。
長廊中只亮著三分之一的燈。64Please respect copyright.PENANA0YM19Ffmz9
那些仍運作的燈泡發出微黃的脈衝光,64Please respect copyright.PENANA0CniMsQ7bT
時明時暗,如同垂死的神經信號。64Please respect copyright.PENANApDsCTQ0SXa
天花板垂落的纜線在氣流中搖晃,64Please respect copyright.PENANA4VCRovYzCY
偶爾迸出細小的電弧聲,64Please respect copyright.PENANAaguzeDS0nN
像是舊時的通信仍在試圖傳遞某段無人聆聽的訊息。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAYF9pmgAVMi
牆面殘留著早年的標語——64Please respect copyright.PENANAptNXgU6Yhb
「氣味即記憶,記憶即永恆」,64Please respect copyright.PENANAX1TG3xWdIg
如今字跡斑駁,64Please respect copyright.PENANAUANsb3e4Oq
部分被岩屑與鹽花覆蓋,64Please respect copyright.PENANAYCtCUzwQoT
剩下的只是一行模糊的「永恆」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA7l1qn1K2H1
許多區域因地熱異常而封鎖。64Please respect copyright.PENANALqogwARRBn
熱流穿透裂縫,64Please respect copyright.PENANAf3sJBsNNr3
將地板燒出深紅色的紋理,64Please respect copyright.PENANAnjV4qKKGsC
宛如靜止的熔岩血管。64Please respect copyright.PENANAWWpee4DUOg
偶爾有氣泡從地層深處湧起,64Please respect copyright.PENANApt8sPX582w
釋出淡淡的焦鹽味與鐵銹蒸氣。64Please respect copyright.PENANAjN5kF3zIBQ
那味道濃得幾乎能看見,64Please respect copyright.PENANA0Idaqcr408
像一層漂浮的薄霧,64Please respect copyright.PENANAAgHYoKohfs
貼在皮膚上,留下鹹苦的餘燼。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAJOT8kQoIzp
走廊盡頭的玻璃門後,64Please respect copyright.PENANAvTwLktXDes
幾名年輕的研究員仍在輪班維持最低運作。64Please respect copyright.PENANAEvUaK5U2MA
他們穿著陳舊的防熱衣,64Please respect copyright.PENANAS0hb8mx0H9
臉上罩著裂痕密布的氣味遮罩,64Please respect copyright.PENANA4nVDMSNZ7n
雙眼因長期暴露於光熱而泛白。64Please respect copyright.PENANASnjpA6USLb
有人在校準老舊的地熱轉換器,64Please respect copyright.PENANARgTNCWdzyb
有人檢查剩餘的氣體濾層,64Please respect copyright.PENANArwExqL0NV7
也有人只是靜靜地坐在主控臺前,64Please respect copyright.PENANAJNXZIJe7w3
聽著冷卻系統週期性喘息的聲音。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAsGU1714Y2v
GENETREC 的實驗室仍在下層運轉——64Please respect copyright.PENANAgANp5aWyXD
那是整個基地唯一還能聞見「生」的地方。64Please respect copyright.PENANABjEjXgCRS4
消毒水的嗆味混著焦鹽的乾苦,64Please respect copyright.PENANAzPTWtwDMtT
不時傳來金屬熔接與冷卻液的氣味,64Please respect copyright.PENANA6QbQm9YBrH
夾雜著極細微的甜香。64Please respect copyright.PENANApftiuUxBt0
那甜味不是香料,64Please respect copyright.PENANAzs6z3Q7vyT
而是氣味記憶載體在燃燒時釋出的殘餘。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAwOWuSbbsAH
有人說,那是舊時實驗員的錯覺——64Please respect copyright.PENANAqUaG7i9n5K
宙眼仍在「做夢」。64Please respect copyright.PENANA7I2ksOf8kb
夢裡,那些瓶封的香氣還在滾動,64Please respect copyright.PENANAXo7XCgwOt9
那些未完成的研究仍在自己記錄自己。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAc0ZLVddF3Z
而在基地最深處,64Please respect copyright.PENANAWGN7zZFB0S
一台古老的氣味中樞機仍在間歇震動。64Please respect copyright.PENANAI0XJRRDz5W
每一次脈衝,都像是心臟的搏動,64Please respect copyright.PENANAp0YgQXHejj
提醒著所有尚未離開的人:64Please respect copyright.PENANA7270AOI9tY
火,還沒滅;64Please respect copyright.PENANAqAkjmuNEQz
宙眼,也還在看。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAHSWy5NHKa9
如今,Jun 與他的隊伍正朝那裡前進。64Please respect copyright.PENANAsMOHX78m9j
他們不知道,宙眼不只是基地,64Please respect copyright.PENANAGcYbSw5yWw
而是一段未完的訊息——64Please respect copyright.PENANA9HLkwvTmMG
一顆星球親手留給自己的記憶。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAe7K9JawE5q
Jun一踏入這裡,64Please respect copyright.PENANAiF8Rh2k9w9
心裡就隱隱感到壓抑。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAI2Q1a9TBQT
宙眼的空氣冷得近乎無味,64Please respect copyright.PENANA7DnzpxHAmE
像被無數層消毒劑洗刷過的記憶,64Please respect copyright.PENANAKP4hdGb0ss
乾淨、透明,卻也死寂。64Please respect copyright.PENANAxRNRStv1A5
每一步踏進去,鞋底都會被吸住一瞬,64Please respect copyright.PENANAN9gzLLPx2e
那是地層濕氣與熱力交纏後形成的黏稠——64Please respect copyright.PENANACpy41cRosX
彷彿這座基地本身還在呼吸,64Please respect copyright.PENANA6HPSPGce5M
卻不願再讓外來者靠近。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAAD48YAtv5d
他不是科研人。64Please respect copyright.PENANAmLKPJMuJBh
沒有頭銜,沒有儀表,也沒有數據報表。64Please respect copyright.PENANAfSGs27JMx8
他帶著的,是鍋裡那口滷汁的溫度,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgATs3G71xw
是人類早已遺忘的「家」的味道。
64Please respect copyright.PENANABr2h0Lg5Oo
當他穿過第一道氣閘,64Please respect copyright.PENANAU3arRkxoME
那股香氣——焦糖、醬油、滷肉、柴魚、蒜頭——64Please respect copyright.PENANAnB4iV44g68
竟在他腦海深處輕輕浮現。64Please respect copyright.PENANAWnvIkvqPuc
那不是幻覺,而是一種本能的防禦。64Please respect copyright.PENANAzxpEI58KrV
在這個冷金屬的世界裡,64Please respect copyright.PENANA8UUhrKJKjf
他只能靠那記憶的香氣,抵禦空氣中的無菌。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA90VCSOaHNc
他看著牆上的實驗標語:64Please respect copyright.PENANAVoKTCom4Wz
「氣味可被定義為化學信號。」64Please respect copyright.PENANAS2wUCXzMRS
而他心裡卻默默反駁:
「不,它是人類內心記憶的證明。」
Rahaq(拉哈克)走在他身後,操作便攜氣譜儀,64Please respect copyright.PENANAplKAQcDrbc
嗶聲在空洞的走廊裡反射出數重回音。64Please respect copyright.PENANAt811hQPDSp
Milo 調整肩上的武裝背帶,64Please respect copyright.PENANAjXS9RSqT6d
警惕地掃描每一個轉角。64Please respect copyright.PENANACZXR1TWHCh
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)則緩緩閉眼,64Please respect copyright.PENANAl8aNqMAm5M
低聲用族語吟出一段短詩:64Please respect copyright.PENANAgphlSm8tPO
「願香氣不滅,願記憶能聞。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAoOa3QcsYYv
Jun 沒說話。64Please respect copyright.PENANAtpZ3Y5bihM
他只是輕輕摸了摸背包裡的那口小鍋——64Please respect copyright.PENANALa0opl5Zwo
那是他唯一的護符。64Please respect copyright.PENANAwxITMSgriY
在這一座以冷光、數據與理性構築的宙眼深處,64Please respect copyright.PENANAtWywZUyunE
他知道自己不是為了科學而來,64Please respect copyright.PENANAq5havvWpin
而是為了讓星球重新聞到「人」的氣味。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAzN9zTOt9Zp
隨後,一名戴著裂痕護目鏡的年輕研究員迎上前。64Please respect copyright.PENANALyJMhpybZ8
他瘦高,衣襬鬆垮,呼吸間透出長期缺氧的沙啞。64Please respect copyright.PENANAkQjUZ4JoIn
護目鏡上有一道明顯的裂痕,鏡面反著走廊間斷的光,64Please respect copyright.PENANABW7bzMDjkE
讓他的眼神像在閃爍,又像永遠不敢直視別人。
「你就是……地球來的廚師吧?」64Please respect copyright.PENANA8zQg2DKhuG
他說話時聲音帶著顫抖,語尾乾澀得像灰。64Please respect copyright.PENANAyyd0BPZLS2
「我們……很少接到外來任務人員。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAbBL2hnoGx8
Jun 點了點頭。64Please respect copyright.PENANAjjBQJvOHEx
研究員神情緊張地四下張望,64Please respect copyright.PENANAfwPlrlLt8Z
壓低聲音,像是怕牆壁也在偷聽:64Please respect copyright.PENANAbdmlUfryhq
「請跟我來。樣本倉庫還能開放——64Please respect copyright.PENANAFCb9fnOuJX
下層樣本庫也還在運轉……只是狀況,有點……不完整。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAns9MVpAaXW
「不完整?」Rahaq(拉哈克)問。64Please respect copyright.PENANAnfTJemK4Ij
年輕人沒有回答,只是匆匆轉身,64Please respect copyright.PENANAM5FtQHc9Pi
手指在門板輸入了長串過期的授權代碼。64Please respect copyright.PENANAkEzVBHu7fR
門鎖嗶嗶兩聲,生鏽的閘門緩緩拉開。64Please respect copyright.PENANAgpuMz0JWVE
一股混合著冷鹽、灰塵與冷卻液的味道撲面而來。
64Please respect copyright.PENANASPQdK85YkN
那裡是宙眼的下層樣本倉庫。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAWT8sWCDh7j
地面鋪著深灰鋁格,金屬聲響隨著每一步被拉得很長。64Please respect copyright.PENANAWDh2EhyPpO
牆體上原該亮起的藍光指示全都黯淡,只剩斷續閃爍的紅警示。64Please respect copyright.PENANA1jemSTbLZ6
排列整齊的樣本櫃如沉默的墓碑,64Please respect copyright.PENANAUC1fZYb57T
每一列都貼著泛黃的標籤:
“Core Root / 烤核根標本。”64Please respect copyright.PENANATvkctiuDoB
“Batch #72 – 炙化層分析未完成。”
但在那整齊之中,64Please respect copyright.PENANAHyWxcJ9opP
有數個位置空空如也。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ho5Tx1qnu
那一排像是被人挖走了幾塊記憶。64Please respect copyright.PENANARq55CFtOO7
空櫃裡仍殘留淡淡的焦鹽氣與燒焦纖維味,64Please respect copyright.PENANAN9qpmzk1EP
像有人在極短的時間內撤收過樣本,64Please respect copyright.PENANARvAvLsJvJz
卻來不及清除氣味。
Rahaq(拉哈克)走近,打開一個標籤模糊的檔案板。64Please respect copyright.PENANAdB5rd91yKt
裡面的數據紀錄早已被刪減,只剩幾行殘字與撤收時間:
“EXTR. 06:17 — 收容失效。”64Please respect copyright.PENANAF6ZRET9eHh
“回收代碼:GENE-PHASE//NULL。”
筆跡不是電子字體,而是手寫——64Please respect copyright.PENANAESdh9Tpidv
筆畫斷裂、潦草,像是匆忙間留下的求救訊息。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAFV4ETohL63
「這些資料是誰刪的?」Jun 問。64Please respect copyright.PENANASYBR6U396y
研究員怔了一下,聲音更低:64Please respect copyright.PENANARDAgDsqxMx
「上層撤離前……有一批人被調去地下七層。64Please respect copyright.PENANATdvBSBDvo1
他們說是在‘轉運樣本’……但那裡沒再上傳任何數據。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAIq6CKHfmpD
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)走到空櫃前,64Please respect copyright.PENANAxhMPiylIhK
輕輕嗅了一下仍殘留的焦鹽氣息,64Please respect copyright.PENANApu2oMsGKF3
閉上眼,低聲道:64Please respect copyright.PENANA8Wd2CT645Z
「這不是撤收的味道……這是燒掉的味道。64Please respect copyright.PENANAYHV0HSATq4
他們不只是帶走標本,而是讓它消失。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAFIY0UNn5Si
Jun 沉默良久,手指滑過那道空櫃的金屬邊緣。64Please respect copyright.PENANAypZ50BLf20
他感覺那冰涼的觸感下仍有一絲溫度,64Please respect copyright.PENANArpFjsRyztT
像是有人剛離開不久——64Please respect copyright.PENANAg0txq91srA
又或者,是被封印的東西,64Please respect copyright.PENANAmjSlckUo3U
仍在裡面緩緩發熱。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA27wZ6KMSRo
管理員對此支支吾吾,只丟下一句:「上層調用。」64Please respect copyright.PENANA3voJ4RcOsS
語氣乾澀,像是在背誦一條早就被強迫植入的口令。
64Please respect copyright.PENANASFsHRB82jm
然而 Jun 的鼻尖卻捕捉到另一層訊息。
那不是資料或言語能掩蓋的真相,64Please respect copyright.PENANAvOk3Rvnm2T
而是氣味本身在說話。
他緩緩靠近那排空櫃,64Please respect copyright.PENANA27AjRBniq4
指尖輕觸櫃門邊緣,金屬冰冷。64Please respect copyright.PENANAexXy8LGJkH
一縷極細的氣味從縫隙裡滲出——64Please respect copyright.PENANAFPIbckEPHb
不再是普通樣本倉的淡鹹冷氣,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcxVq6pTf5F
而是一種被強行抽取核心油液後的焦苦與灼烈。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAmFdfWW6z0I
那味道混雜著電灼金屬、熔化膠封與乾涸鹽脂的氣息,64Please respect copyright.PENANA7RhEMMTF96
就像有人曾在這裡活生生「蒸乾一段記憶」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAjultO0d1wj
Jun 吸了一口氣,喉嚨微微刺痛。64Please respect copyright.PENANAK28VmQsvNj
那種苦不是味覺的,而是嗅覺延伸至腦後的灼燙。64Please respect copyright.PENANA8Op83hQQ2R
他腦中閃過一個片段——64Please respect copyright.PENANAVOl1JfOR6R
像是某個實驗中,液體被從有機體核心抽離的瞬間,64Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ6aONwu4D
那物質在極短的時間內從生變為「無」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA5v3s0T87HT
他壓低聲音問:「上層調走的,是烤核根的母體樣本嗎?」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAzB9yrs5BpL
管理員的臉色蒼白,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgiaDARrTBG
雙手下意識地藏進衣袖裡。64Please respect copyright.PENANAzFvHUaBEsu
「我……我只負責維護倉溫,其他的……不在我授權範圍內。」
S’kahl 與 Sui’na 互視一眼。64Please respect copyright.PENANAIyEqj7sWC6
那股氣味此刻已擴散開,64Please respect copyright.PENANASjAjDpMANf
微不可見卻令人心口發緊,64Please respect copyright.PENANAE8zFL0CWMD
彷彿每一次呼吸都在吸入一段被焚燒的歷史。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAISb3vZvUIO
Jun 沒再多言。64Please respect copyright.PENANAXeZSRlbBTp
他只是靜靜地站著,64Please respect copyright.PENANA5RBMWFP7zS
讓氣味在他體內流轉——64Please respect copyright.PENANAjnnikHw6Xb
那股灼烈的焦鹹氣息像一段警告,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcmQ0psZv87
告訴他:有人在抽乾火星的記憶,64Please respect copyright.PENANAeUvnHtWJPL
把一個星球煮成空洞的標本。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAUqX7X6sV2w
那一刻,他心中浮起一種不安:64Please respect copyright.PENANAPd9dYzlbXJ
GENETREC 正在進行什麼他們沒有公佈的實驗。64Please respect copyright.PENANATLl99SUCid
而這份秘密,或許和他即將前往的任務地點——南段裂層的「紅崖烤核」——有著難以切割的牽連。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA3rZF138Vwc
Jun 沒再多問,與小隊一行人離開樣本倉庫,準備啟程。
64Please respect copyright.PENANACp7QF5ykrF
然而走到半途,一陣急促的腳步聲在背後響起。64Please respect copyright.PENANAOxitHW4hN3
那聲音混著鞋底拍擊金屬地面的顫鳴,64Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7CRkokpxx
像一連串被壓抑的呼救。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAw6oInNhxaf
是那名年輕研究員。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAyS6kIRxqWX
他追了上來,臉色蒼白,氣喘如破風。64Please respect copyright.PENANA6GxxQaoBvx
呼出的氣在冷走廊裡化成薄霧,64Please respect copyright.PENANABQ5c8kv1Rx
雙手顫抖,像不知道該抓住什麼才安全。
64Please respect copyright.PENANANljhYFKVdV
「等一下!」64Please respect copyright.PENANANzHPSkbeL8
他壓低聲音,眼神在通道的攝影鏡頭間來回閃避,64Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6IHRaSQU2
聲音壓抑卻充滿絕望的顫動。
「你們要去裂層,對吧?……」64Please respect copyright.PENANAceHlcT1kH9
他吞了口氣,64Please respect copyright.PENANA75lr8T2YDv
那一瞬間,Jun 聞到他身上滲出的汗味——64Please respect copyright.PENANAoVG5XZSXTK
不是勞累的鹹,而是焦灼與恐懼交雜的酸。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA6POogBu8U7
「我得告訴你一件事。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAmW4E5afUL9
Jun 停下腳步,微微側頭。64Please respect copyright.PENANAwyURzvCfPZ
走廊的燈光閃了閃,64Please respect copyright.PENANAp8jjsAEfNv
光影在兩人之間斷續跳動,像時間在抖。
64Please respect copyright.PENANANh5wDzxCeC
研究員終於開口,64Please respect copyright.PENANAslGsavBzaZ
聲音幾乎是顫抖著擠出來的:
「GENETREC……已經不只是在收集標本了。」64Please respect copyright.PENANAOCxHp0Ak4d
他咬著下唇,指節泛白。64Please respect copyright.PENANAdXMjcibvRz
「他們正在嘗試把『紅崖烤核』的油液——64Please respect copyright.PENANA7R59ujPwIW
直接注入人體神經網絡。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAOZLEPmR3EQ
Jun 的瞳孔微縮。64Please respect copyright.PENANAhy71cKKJ3Y
那幾個字在他腦中迴盪時,64Please respect copyright.PENANAwIk3KJLFfr
他彷彿聞到了一股「被過度加熱的肉焦味」,64Please respect copyright.PENANAEwWk8EI2ML
那是血液與油脂同時蒸發時才有的氣味。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAK92B3H3NyY
研究員繼續說下去,語速越來越快,64Please respect copyright.PENANA2zjTyXy86w
像是在與良心賽跑。
「他們說那能強化共鳴,64Please respect copyright.PENANAbnV6TZ2KCB
讓人與星核碎片產生直接連結。64Please respect copyright.PENANAbKFRG4sw0v
但我見過——」64Please respect copyright.PENANA1PunajSui0
他頓了一下,聲音幾乎破碎,64Please respect copyright.PENANAE7OW2fNVke
「——見過失敗的結果。」
「那不是人死掉的樣子,」他顫抖著說,64Please respect copyright.PENANA0OKMjy4J1h
「是人被熔掉。64Please respect copyright.PENANAGUadvqBnkt
皮膚像蠟,神經燃燒,整個人被地熱吞噬。64Please respect copyright.PENANAofEvgyQZY7
那些人還在呼吸的時候就開始發出……64Please respect copyright.PENANAoZHeZ17GQK
像湯在滾的聲音。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAcvV80Hu9Qb
走廊陷入一片死寂。64Please respect copyright.PENANAqV88DEh2F8
Jun 的手指不自覺收緊,64Please respect copyright.PENANADac9fGb0Qp
那聲「滾」的幻聽彷彿也在他耳裡沸騰。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAv9rJW8HXmI
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)輕聲問:「他們為什麼要這麼做?」64Please respect copyright.PENANAjPmBqclnQ7
研究員抬起頭,眼神空洞地望向走廊盡頭:64Please respect copyright.PENANAFlFZKMllUc
「他們說——只有讓人類變成能煮湯的材料,64Please respect copyright.PENANACALvqTcrkW
Zharra 才會回應。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAzljNp5riFF
那句話落下的瞬間,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcjui0WzVbt
整個空氣都像被壓縮了一樣沉重。
64Please respect copyright.PENANADBoJwl2g3r
Jun 沉默片刻,終於開口:64Please respect copyright.PENANAiK4jKPcWsi
「那就讓我們去看看,64Please respect copyright.PENANAo6BYIjxmBV
到底是誰在煮錯了這鍋湯。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAgPmMgpZn3x
他的雙手因緊張而顫抖,眼神卻帶著掙扎後的決斷。64Please respect copyright.PENANA4wvoNwexHz
那一刻,走廊的冷氣像是被抽空,僅剩警示燈在牆壁間緩慢閃爍。
「我不能留在這裡假裝什麼都不知道。」64Please respect copyright.PENANATX56TdpMpb
他咬緊牙關,聲音低得幾乎被機械噪音淹沒。64Please respect copyright.PENANAeJOufTIdiw
「你是地球來的外人,不受他們控制……如果你能把這些記錄下來,至少,讓真相不會被徹底抹掉。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANA0muZ4mKuJb
他說著,伸出顫抖的手。64Please respect copyright.PENANAZnZldoMQqE
掌心中躺著一枚小小的資料晶片——薄得幾乎透明,64Please respect copyright.PENANANWTdGRxsuL
邊緣殘留著微微的鹽白粉末,像從某個高壓實驗艙撕扯出來的碎屑。
「這是我能留下的唯一副本……代號:Ex-0317-A。」64Please respect copyright.PENANA98WsYC9654
他說到最後一句時,聲音已經啞了。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAh4Ohy4hT9s
Jun 看著他,64Please respect copyright.PENANAecFEZMr0wN
那片刻的沉默比任何承諾都沉重。64Please respect copyright.PENANA7Oe5LAmtLp
他伸出手,接過晶片。
晶片落在掌心的瞬間,Jun 幾乎能感覺到裡面還殘留著微弱的熱度,64Please respect copyright.PENANASu9dyA2TXf
像是一段剛剛被切斷的記憶,仍在他掌中顫動。
64Please respect copyright.PENANArt4FIgCx3z
「小心,」研究員深吸一口氣,64Please respect copyright.PENANAHYafQXESFn
「GENETREC 正在進行的人體實驗……」64Please respect copyright.PENANAeQGbIxAqs7
他頓了頓,喉嚨像被灼住般艱難地擠出最後幾個字——64Please respect copyright.PENANAOzkQLRXZUJ
「他們……已經開始嘗試讓『共鳴體』自我燃化。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAOmtRFgmIuG
Jun 的指尖微微一顫。64Please respect copyright.PENANAOD7IWzGcCq
那一刻,他嗅到一股極淡的焦鹽與蛋白焦糊味——64Please respect copyright.PENANAq90Wmvc0Ai
那不是來自走廊,而是來自晶片本身,64Please respect copyright.PENANAEEipUSAk0w
彷彿它也曾經「燒過」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAg5GXySjvkL
研究員說完,便轉身快步離去。64Please respect copyright.PENANAp7pqI7poRp
他的背影在紅光閃爍的走廊裡顫抖、消失,64Please respect copyright.PENANAo3oKDWo0Rx
只留下鞋底拍擊地面的聲音,越來越遠,64Please respect copyright.PENANAayNH4UZuE8
像某種已註定被抹除的記錄。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAFdFC8Pxbh5
Jun 沉默地站著。64Please respect copyright.PENANA5nLdW23DRn
他看著掌心的晶片,64Please respect copyright.PENANARUqvos7qUv
那一小片薄薄的記憶,比整個裂層還要沉重。
他終於開口,聲音低得幾乎聽不見:64Please respect copyright.PENANAT3aKjcR9zw
「我會記下來。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAC2qbirR8PX
隨後,他轉身回到走廊盡頭。64Please respect copyright.PENANAnMPDplKSJN
那段路異常安靜,64Please respect copyright.PENANAx5nPLMym3z
沒有一個人談論任務,64Please respect copyright.PENANAxV6aGeAVXy
每個人的步伐都被壓低,64Please respect copyright.PENANAezPlhQgMDc
像是怕驚醒頭頂那把懸著的刀。
空氣裡瀰漫著一種說不出的氣味——64Please respect copyright.PENANAmtMIh2jtVf
混著消毒劑、金屬、焦鹽與一絲焦糖般的甜,64Please respect copyright.PENANAd9cs08P3MK
那是火星地下文明即將崩解前的味道。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAGVq0SjQY6D
GENETREC 的恐怖實驗在眾人腦中不斷回響——64Please respect copyright.PENANArM3IqkuApz
將烤核油液直接注入人體神經中,讓人活生生熔化成黑色碳漿。64Please respect copyright.PENANA2fpI39HJBi
那影像光是想像,就足以讓胃部收縮,像有無形的手在體內攪動。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAGtnqzGSOVD
Rahaq(拉哈克)皺著眉,64Please respect copyright.PENANAawUiInskoP
指尖緊緊扣在氣骨弓的弦上,微弱的振動聲像是一段壓抑的怒氣。64Please respect copyright.PENANAC3uRdHFN99
「如果這是真的……」他低聲說,64Please respect copyright.PENANAPvAB9pnxOZ
「那我們就不只是去採香料,而是正走進一個陷阱。64Please respect copyright.PENANAByb5p1fwqk
他們想讓星核開口——卻拿人命當燃料。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAYEuufx5uQ9
風從裂層的通道深處吹來,帶著微弱的焦土味與礦氣。64Please respect copyright.PENANA2Bz11G85Vr
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)緩緩閉上眼,64Please respect copyright.PENANA4pTN0Sxsvg
額角的共鳴紋浮現微光。
「我能聽見那些根在震動……」64Please respect copyright.PENANALgrrxyVgXw
她的聲音低而輕,像怕驚動某種潛伏的東西。64Please respect copyright.PENANAe1VBBzCQGI
「但現在我開始懷疑,那不是自然的聲音。64Please respect copyright.PENANA2GaIONKpdG
它像是在哭——有人在逼迫它們說話。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAKJ1iiB5XK9
一瞬間,空氣變得比地底還沉重。64Please respect copyright.PENANAJP1w9Ou94o
連鍋壁的金屬聲都顯得遙遠。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAliAeEAYCmr
Milo 吐出一口氣,重重拍了拍腿上的灰。64Please respect copyright.PENANAwAhDlsuuyd
「該死,我寧可對付整片崩裂的岩層,64Please respect copyright.PENANA7HcsuaIq94
也不想碰上這種鬼實驗。」64Please respect copyright.PENANAwvqgmPcg2a
他語氣粗啞,卻掩不住底下的焦躁。64Please respect copyright.PENANAqlJTiJNeGk
「至少岩層會照規律塌,人類卻會在命令下崩壞。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAVUkrzbKGfi
Sui’na轉過頭,凝視著他。64Please respect copyright.PENANA1S12SreL7t
「你害怕他們?」
Milo 苦笑,搖搖頭。64Please respect copyright.PENANARzLhcRrHUv
「我怕我們會跟他們一樣。64Please respect copyright.PENANAClLuKik4st
一旦開始煮錯的湯,就再也回不了頭。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANA16SkAGBZs3
那句話落下,眾人沉默。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAf26h5bOovz
Jun 一直沒開口。64Please respect copyright.PENANAeA7s40sGXu
他只是靜靜地將手放在 QUN-2 的鍋壁上,64Please respect copyright.PENANAAiyiaJ5Kez
掌心貼著那層金屬,感受它微微的熱。64Please respect copyright.PENANAo8YCB4hq9R
那熱度裡混著焦鹽與微弱的油香,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgudKWHLcWk
像是星球深處仍有心臟在跳動。
64Please respect copyright.PENANATZtUM1akuE
他低聲說:64Please respect copyright.PENANAcgQECAXCpW
「不管那鍋湯被誰煮歪了,64Please respect copyright.PENANAAfzKRJMB2t
我們要做的事,64Please respect copyright.PENANAPOzjwOqy2e
是讓它記得——原本應該的味道。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANABRVXKOe19Y
那一刻,所有人都沒再說話。64Please respect copyright.PENANA7juCWsfeFg
只有鍋底的微光,64Please respect copyright.PENANAfCpOiNiGb2
如同呼吸般閃爍——64Please respect copyright.PENANA1h1tow8k8L
預示著他們即將踏入「紅崖烤核」的地獄之門。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAXLXnxoxLMF
短暫的沉默後,64Please respect copyright.PENANA1Tv5BAJhst
Jun 打開了隨身的通訊模組。
冷光照亮他半張臉,映出那鍋上殘餘的霧氣。64Please respect copyright.PENANAUGimMz4HGa
他語氣冷靜,卻壓抑著明顯的緊張。
「我們不能單獨承受這個。」64Please respect copyright.PENANAzZlzDOrZp6
他的聲音在靜謐中顯得格外低沉。64Please respect copyright.PENANAo9avpeQPIz
「把訊息送到 L-2 基地——發給Cindy。64Please respect copyright.PENANAPuNGNfxAOl
他們比我們更熟悉 GENETREC 的手段,64Please respect copyright.PENANABNqI7JrT88
至少能幫忙解讀晶片裡的數據。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAPj5nQlwjA9
Milo 沒多說話,只是點頭,64Please respect copyright.PENANAJXbmvubrOR
將手上的模組調入「密頻傳輸模式」。64Please respect copyright.PENANAxjuGSrdWRP
指尖在控制介面上飛快滑動,64Please respect copyright.PENANAmd4pvqiseJ
屏幕閃爍出數行金藍的編碼光。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAKyTKSrzBee
「加密完成,」他低聲報告,64Please respect copyright.PENANAfYqA1FY6pm
「訊息封裝中——3%、7%、……發送。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANALKRDu7yRka
一道微弱的光點從通訊儀射出,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcO0ZzIyjtX
穿越裂層上方的離子雲層,64Please respect copyright.PENANAyrtpThARw6
如同一顆在紅沙夜空中掙扎閃爍的星。
眾人都屏住了呼吸。64Please respect copyright.PENANAClIkHpMMqZ
沒有人說話,64Please respect copyright.PENANAfhLCQO0z6e
只聽得見風在裂谷間低鳴,64Please respect copyright.PENANA9gYNti3IYI
以及 QUN-2 鍋壁裡那細微的「咕嚕」聲,64Please respect copyright.PENANAvFmcbBIllE
像是星球本身在等待回應。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAjMtgz1t2M1
Sui’na(蘇伊娜)輕輕合上雙手,64Please respect copyright.PENANAjAWWbGJ3od
唇間無聲地祈禱,64Please respect copyright.PENANAXuP345GQEy
那不是宗教,而是一種古老的「氣味守則」——64Please respect copyright.PENANAlGZTiNTyuB
讓風把訊息帶到該去的地方,64Please respect copyright.PENANAlX4wl97AYY
不要被聞錯、不要被聽錯。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAR1rVLLv21x
光點消失在遠方的天際,64Please respect copyright.PENANAW4pjEVI8Ga
傳輸條顯示「完成」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAY8gOI1wn9R
片刻的安靜後,Rahaq(拉哈克)低聲問:64Please respect copyright.PENANAQpsiAVhCBh
「你覺得,他們會收到嗎?」
64Please respect copyright.PENANA10489ka5NB
Jun 沉默片刻,只回了一句:64Please respect copyright.PENANAr7UuuaH3S8
「我希望這訊息比我們走得更快。」
64Please respect copyright.PENANAm1oBP1TKOk
64Please respect copyright.PENANAz8I9Quz0oP
沒有人接話。64Please respect copyright.PENANA2gBCNhDiUM
鍋底的火光搖曳,64Please respect copyright.PENANAcUgl5m56b1
映出每個人臉上相同的陰影——64Please respect copyright.PENANAg4decdFGKN
那不是疲憊,而是預感。
64Please respect copyright.PENANA7IoxTg6bWV
因為他們都知道,64Please respect copyright.PENANAiOQd2Adi6u
一旦 GENETREC 發現晶片外流,64Please respect copyright.PENANAsOsM34YDoL
他們所有人——64Please respect copyright.PENANAxNflZI1Cur
或許都會成為「下個實驗對象」。
64Please respect copyright.PENANAiTNI9ACt5u
風聲壓低,像一層濃湯蓋上天空。64Please respect copyright.PENANAHU4wZ7eVPP
而那道飛離火星的加密訊號,64Please respect copyright.PENANAgLlYSkpZfw
在無聲宇宙中閃爍著,64Please respect copyright.PENANAQGsrOF91z6
成為他們之間,最危險的一縷希望。


