第二段:折影交會
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8MEceO92Az
**恐龍島(紅區:B-37A)海上救生船上**
30Please respect copyright.PENANA02p4VGaJGq
他以為,30Please respect copyright.PENANAWeBp58yM3o
這輩子再也踏不上陸地了。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwshLtLSpGy
救生船在浪間起伏,30Please respect copyright.PENANAacmkZ03uKG
引擎早已停擺,30Please respect copyright.PENANAo4SnQiKzJK
只剩下被動的漂流。30Please respect copyright.PENANACiVgApC1RV
陽光直直落在甲板上,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGyPA2xx8QO
刺眼得近乎殘忍。
30Please respect copyright.PENANArgj6rLM0FC
Dr. Yang 靠在船側,30Please respect copyright.PENANA8PmneorxVV
雙手仍殘留著海水的鹽味。30Please respect copyright.PENANA31zqvfltMn
指尖因長時間浸泡而起皮,30Please respect copyright.PENANA8pzfTnEQ6t
掌心卻緊緊攥著幾枚30Please respect copyright.PENANA7oqywfe57r
從島上撿來的碎晶體。
那絕對不是某種未知礦物。30Please respect copyright.PENANALvh5sWrekG
更像是某種被高溫與壓力強行重組過的結構殘片。30Please respect copyright.PENANAgTMbmPjuoZ
邊緣銳利,30Please respect copyright.PENANAqvYlcEx83Z
內部卻隱約折射出30Please respect copyright.PENANAlhaZ4djcGv
不自然的光紋。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvVKWdxHV5P
他沒有把它們丟掉。30Please respect copyright.PENANANEpzdt3lGK
只是緊緊握在手中,30Please respect copyright.PENANA84w5dYb24O
隨著浪漂浮,仰望著藍天,30Please respect copyright.PENANA13yLNvOCg4
雲層緩慢移動,30Please respect copyright.PENANAwE9jqR1TNk
像什麼都沒有發生過。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6hTBo4rRPP
活著,居然這麼不現實。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAVNe44Bh720
呼吸還在。30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9G5XA2Tf6
心跳還在。30Please respect copyright.PENANA41WbJ60oqJ
可世界彷彿在他腳下30Please respect copyright.PENANA5rtwVaHLCg
被重新校準過。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAhjMSULc1A9
救援尚未抵達。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkDQ3m2qaxL
時間在浪聲中被拉得又長又薄。30Please respect copyright.PENANAFyZ2AGIU2i
他的思緒,也隨著船身晃動,30Please respect copyright.PENANAPn9IKbn60a
不受控制地飄回十七年前。
——Mira 甩門離開的那一天。
那聲門響,30Please respect copyright.PENANAMEj0LALkWy
他以為只是一次情緒的爆發。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkPDv2G4Eqq
一次理念衝突。30Please respect copyright.PENANA8jQA1y3uap
一次「之後會再談」的分歧。30Please respect copyright.PENANAmbAkCNqwkX
可現在想來,30Please respect copyright.PENANAuNPrrXRSof
事情顯然不如表象那樣單純。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAg1wvwF0zCG
她不是氣憤逃離。30Please respect copyright.PENANAo131D6OG33
她一定是為了某種其他的原因。
「……如果那時候,我追上去呢?」
這個念頭才剛浮現,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJgmWLnUXBO
就被他自己掐斷。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMi1JVVtpy3
海浪拍擊船身,30Please respect copyright.PENANAFwea1ioIhp
像是在嘲笑這種30Please respect copyright.PENANAcpnGKzeYY2
過於遲到的假設。30Please respect copyright.PENANAr1VrbyPc2g
就在這時,腕部終端輕微震動。30Please respect copyright.PENANARR76Itdm3S
訊息提示聲30Please respect copyright.PENANA5G9LdUFMTe
在空曠的海面上顯得格外突兀。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjsLxFkgkan
Yang 低頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAMNjICTm0kn
螢幕亮起。30Please respect copyright.PENANAWo2IjMxQUf
GENETREC 新聞專區的推播30Please respect copyright.PENANAUMccJbV3fB
毫不避諱地跳了出來。
「基因進化療法再創奇蹟——30Please respect copyright.PENANAe8UjxCdqBl
青少年患者術後展現超常回復。」
標題用詞精準、克制,30Please respect copyright.PENANA3IoN8gSecV
像一份經過層層審核的公關稿。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAj8UwMrOmM6
他的拇指停在畫面上,30Please respect copyright.PENANA1mk2CeI7sR
沒有立刻點開。30Please respect copyright.PENANAfUVqOZH0cJ
但他已經知道30Please respect copyright.PENANAOCASERyxVb
那代表什麼。30Please respect copyright.PENANAt4whxoiBUt
30Please respect copyright.PENANAeiuvbxbYKk
青少年。30Please respect copyright.PENANATRMjM88mhJ
術後。30Please respect copyright.PENANAFj7MMGFd14
超常回復。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5jbcqeBUjg
這些文字、話術都是掩蓋式的報導。30Please respect copyright.PENANAu5ALGKXQIo
前衛醫療手法在道德壓力下是不被允許的,30Please respect copyright.PENANA53jyRd6ufh
但是博眼球的治療新生命的新聞,30Please respect copyright.PENANAqXgrbFNppo
正是GENETREC一慣的洗腦手法。30Please respect copyright.PENANAKuCs03TmGc
Yang心中猜測這是一條早已開始運轉的因果鏈,30Please respect copyright.PENANA7YqYVNFKHz
正不偏不倚地回到他眼前。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAt4bJhU0Qal
Yang 關掉螢幕,30Please respect copyright.PENANA2m7lNsrwgS
卻沒有把終端收起來。30Please respect copyright.PENANA5RSFABVRqw
他看向遠方海平線。30Please respect copyright.PENANAwk0W8mGTeA
陽光落在水面,30Please respect copyright.PENANAdXzumaa92Y
亮得令人無法直視。30Please respect copyright.PENANAJNnRdzJmW8
他也心中隱隱有感覺,30Please respect copyright.PENANAmUqzPvsynZ
事情,已經開始失控了。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAi4gsSpTggn
而這一次,30Please respect copyright.PENANA0h2w9PZa7k
失控的不只是實驗。30Please respect copyright.PENANAftiZFP30Mg
而是他十七年前,30Please respect copyright.PENANA88LbZRW4zr
選擇轉身的那一瞬間,30Please respect copyright.PENANAgJo22foTmi
所留下的所有後果。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAc3UlOm87Ok
救生船仍在漂流。30Please respect copyright.PENANAmdQf2VZVgq
浪聲沒有停。30Please respect copyright.PENANAYhQK31m0yz
但在那片看似平靜的海面上,30Please respect copyright.PENANAN3vpMtzL0V
某些被延後的帳,30Please respect copyright.PENANAxhfqUUiABG
正準備被一一清算。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAl98fvwi2x8
晶體在陽光下泛著鈍藍色的微光。30Please respect copyright.PENANAx1g6q1dpVk
是一種被刻意壓低的存在感,30Please respect copyright.PENANAIx9p8D7JWg
像某種尚未命名的意識,30Please respect copyright.PENANAaz3lYnANTy
正安靜地沉眠。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXEVUvhEsoP
Dr. Yang 將它攤在掌心。30Please respect copyright.PENANAOqYnFwju7e
用手指,輕輕敲了敲它的表面。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkpV1yI5ARx
30Please respect copyright.PENANAAIyIvOEqkX
沒有回應。30Please respect copyright.PENANADROENzfZdA
沒有震動。30Please respect copyright.PENANAqj4Z4Euq55
甚至沒有任何能量回饋。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA7HRQ7ueXby
但他知道——它在聽。30Please respect copyright.PENANADg6aOmkmif
它在用一種更原始的方式,30Please respect copyright.PENANAaRXq9wGZjR
被動地收錄一切。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9rqugfhGOb
他的腦海忽然浮現一個念頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANAbDgo7J9SqX
一個他從未真正允許自己思考的問題:30Please respect copyright.PENANAajmCK2pFzN
Zhr’an(賽吉·恩),30Please respect copyright.PENANARAMgkBgqFM
真的只是「高維智慧」嗎?
30Please respect copyright.PENANA70ExyZGxq3
還是說——30Please respect copyright.PENANAVF7JFvt9sT
那不過是一種更本源的東西,30Please respect copyright.PENANAu5gojRNvXr
一段在宇宙誕生早期30Please respect copyright.PENANA2JvSKxEppO
未被完全抹除的意志殘痕?
30Please respect copyright.PENANAY7S3kNJb9A
不是神,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7ZNoUbaAa
也不是觀測者,30Please respect copyright.PENANAveYvXPDv33
而是一種仍在等待載體的回聲。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZVmJuhIbp1
螺旋槳的低鳴聲30Please respect copyright.PENANAg0qAEslNAP
在這時切開空氣。30Please respect copyright.PENANAek1R4R1CS1
Yang 抬起頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANANHvLTMbC7w
遠方天際,30Please respect copyright.PENANAOe2O6gHpeC
一架救援直升機正朝著救生船逼近。30Please respect copyright.PENANAxv97iswO5M
當它靠近到足以辨識側身編碼時,30Please respect copyright.PENANAcogZm4KM9G
Yang 的瞳孔微微收縮。
——GENETREC 私有單位。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXkJJjYX5P7
那一瞬間,30Please respect copyright.PENANALhPRgpAZ31
所有線索在他腦中迅速對位。30Please respect copyright.PENANA3QIwwlkeBh
恐龍島的委託任務、30Please respect copyright.PENANAO5mn2PGUhY
不尋常的救援時程、30Please respect copyright.PENANAQMu51y4T1t
剛剛那則「基因進化療法再創奇蹟」的新聞。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAt1XrClyZ9B
Yang 的胸口微微一沉。30Please respect copyright.PENANAGAqlWnYj9C
他忽然明白了這趟任務真正的目的——30Please respect copyright.PENANAoqG7S1TWg8
不是救人。30Please respect copyright.PENANAmCw1gFuf6A
而是確保某些東西不被留下。30Please respect copyright.PENANA4YMuvWxscc
包括證據。30Please respect copyright.PENANAC1xHYGl9bq
包括旁觀者。30Please respect copyright.PENANASeUyzvldYc
也包括,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGrCLA5JqsO
他手中這枚晶體。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2htmpvW6Tn
直升機的繩索開始放下。30Please respect copyright.PENANAruZLxI3xf2
救援人員的身影在甲板上投下陰影。30Please respect copyright.PENANAqBEKu7aY1C
就在這時——30Please respect copyright.PENANAd18dNgGTot
腕部手環忽然震動。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhDdbFeXUaQ
那是一條他已經很久沒有收到的訊息。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5CP9oxaDxm
【加密通訊來自:MIRA】30Please respect copyright.PENANAtoNSwjcTBP
【主題:我們需要談談。】30Please respect copyright.PENANAIAlRxffQ8w
【時間:今晚。】30Please respect copyright.PENANAVDbaXBcqA5
【地點:開放園區。】30Please respect copyright.PENANAHjSekrhRXW
【附註:別帶任何記錄裝置。】
30Please respect copyright.PENANAdXqudxtU0M
短短幾行字。30Please respect copyright.PENANADGwo625mDj
卻比任何官方命令都更沉重。
Yang 盯著那個名字。30Please respect copyright.PENANA7yfNkUq5Z7
手指停在半空。30Please respect copyright.PENANA3oIpPu2sw7
救援人員的聲音在身後響起,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJNONZnsrss
要求他準備登機。30Please respect copyright.PENANAaIvYCEZePn
他卻沒有立刻回應。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfF5L6sHdqa
他的目光重新落回手中的晶體。30Please respect copyright.PENANA1lGt2leKC1
那抹鈍藍色的光,30Please respect copyright.PENANAHEidMax99C
在日照下微不可察地脈動了一下。30Please respect copyright.PENANA94QPfQLKN8
像是某種被喚醒的節律。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZQIo4cBS2
「……難道新聞裡的那個青少年患者,」30Please respect copyright.PENANAfYaA8ufh2C
Yang 在心中低聲自問,30Please respect copyright.PENANAqTwkv4H7A4
「是——」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA46taxt6QoQ
他沒有把名字說出口。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAHGfLzacwgN
因為一旦說出來,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGs9qjiYQu2
這個世界的某些界線,30Please respect copyright.PENANAF9rWH1yEgq
就再也回不去了。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlUpywVmkMa
直升機的風壓捲起浪花。30Please respect copyright.PENANAh6dIKMe1Cv
繩索在空中晃動。30Please respect copyright.PENANAdwXZ0oZjvT
Yang 深吸一口氣,30Please respect copyright.PENANANt5cI1tUTf
將晶體收進防護袋內。30Please respect copyright.PENANAE5nJDc7Cq6
他知道——30Please respect copyright.PENANAISKRgVPWo4
今晚的那場會面,30Please respect copyright.PENANASs3k6lp5CE
不會只是一次重逢。30Please respect copyright.PENANAUHAHyZbirG
而是十七年前那扇門,30Please respect copyright.PENANAHuJj1Ie5P1
終於再次被敲響。30Please respect copyright.PENANArSfBjz0lWs
而這一次,30Please respect copyright.PENANAMhIW6Lhfae
他不確定自己30Please respect copyright.PENANAEg6yMTxDjo
還能不能選擇轉身。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAy7XdvfdgCL
直升機在雲層下方平穩飛行。30Please respect copyright.PENANAzeA1AxWFjU
機艙內燈光冷白,30Please respect copyright.PENANAvoLpUNyT9N
引擎的低頻震動像是一種刻意維持的心跳。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXgktTshxu7
Dr. Yang 坐在艙壁旁,30Please respect copyright.PENANA3NpI2Rq0AB
雙手自然垂放,30Please respect copyright.PENANAtgh09I31aK
背脊微微前傾,30Please respect copyright.PENANAL32Ewybpq6
像一個剛從災難中被撈起、30Please respect copyright.PENANAb7dTV2wAfd
仍未完全回神的倖存者。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAa2yVZXWkyL
任務交接人員坐在他對面。30Please respect copyright.PENANAG6OVGblqQO
黑色制服,30Please respect copyright.PENANA9BlcWVJQdM
胸口沒有公開編號,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGcqY4Drgzc
看起來也不是救援編制。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAqRNwLQDJyF
「在正式交接之前,你需要簽署一份保密協議。」30Please respect copyright.PENANA6nFfplpVvL
那人開口,語氣平穩得近乎溫和。30Please respect copyright.PENANAIOA1uBbP4r
全息介面在兩人之間展開。30Please respect copyright.PENANAyhd5f58kLv
條款密密麻麻,30Please respect copyright.PENANABsK9Ro7wY5
熟悉得令人反胃。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwmsdJB4Vw7
——不得對外提及任務內容。30Please respect copyright.PENANAnw7MkecUrG
——不得保存任何未授權樣本。30Please respect copyright.PENANAPfnUNCxbGL
——不得描述島上所見之異常生命形態。30Please respect copyright.PENANA7wl3C5EqxF
——違反者,將視為危害組織安全。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXiTTf6goTa
Yang 的目光掃過條款。30Please respect copyright.PENANA2EWQLRQguv
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZrHnioFd64
「你只需要確認,你所見的一切,30Please respect copyright.PENANAjThuMOxE86
都只是自然災後的失序現象。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAmKBV3nFJ4k
交接人員補了一句,30Please respect copyright.PENANAsdC6VXNyEF
嘴角揚起一絲不明顯的弧度。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfpdApJsWbp
Yang 點頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANA8sDCJ84O1X
動作輕得幾乎沒有重量。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAU6Iqd8X44l
接著是口頭交接。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAiufHzvd2mA
島上發現的「智慧恐龍反應模式」。30Please respect copyright.PENANAipiQQgcyUI
異常行為路徑。30Please respect copyright.PENANATCuaTxg4mZ
不屬於任何已知譜系的神經反饋。
還有——30Please respect copyright.PENANALcCd0y6QL1
那枚在高溫與壓力中形成的特殊晶體。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWptJv1taMc
Yang 照本宣科地回報。30Please respect copyright.PENANAl3lMNoMe4P
聲音略顯沙啞。30Please respect copyright.PENANAnAtHda2Sc8
敘述斷斷續續。30Please respect copyright.PENANARTTQO4VjCy
他提到了混亂。30Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6o4jKkOJF
提到了驚恐。30Please respect copyright.PENANARfC7kvEmOb
提到了差點喪命。30Please respect copyright.PENANAtZ8rJbSTW2
但他沒有提到30Please respect copyright.PENANAoOuI2gC5Cv
那頭在黑暗中觀察他的存在。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkDityTa9UT
沒有提到那枚會「聽」的晶體。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkCh1vdrkCo
更沒有提到那種不像生物、30Please respect copyright.PENANAKNMDkuFMKO
卻比任何生命都更清醒的回應。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4s2whYcYEi
資料流被快速記錄。30Please respect copyright.PENANAIuPQA42e50
系統顯示——交接完成。30Please respect copyright.PENANAMohpGdCTc5
交接人員滿意地點了點頭。
「你表現得很好,Dr. Yang。」30Please respect copyright.PENANA6Joykfr6sY
他笑了一下,30Please respect copyright.PENANApiueBwpbAY
那笑意不及眼底。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAkaPMjbBJES
「很多人第一次回來,30Please respect copyright.PENANAXCEW55KdP2
都會說得太多。」
Yang 沒有回應。30Please respect copyright.PENANAFed5Q8ryix
只是輕微地吸了一口氣,30Please respect copyright.PENANAKEHF31c6gx
肩膀不易察覺地顫了一下。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAJTFSphVy9C
那是他刻意留下的破綻。30Please respect copyright.PENANAObNgFUsKQh
一個災後重生者應有的反應。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAAKCaqLuvF9
交接人員看在眼裡,30Please respect copyright.PENANAbFDqc0kumj
露出一種近乎取樂的神情。30Please respect copyright.PENANATHfgUmNNCg
「放心吧,」30Please respect copyright.PENANAjDCdJTPzz2
他低聲說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAIDI7FLSk66
像是在安撫,30Please respect copyright.PENANAolzzAJExyQ
又像是在宣告所有權,30Please respect copyright.PENANAXjKvI9Ubso
「你不需要再為這些事負責了。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4PPNeN6FyB
直升機微微傾斜,準備降落。30Please respect copyright.PENANAaL6QOVnMXz
Yang 低著頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANA6u4qs1fjaB
表情被陰影切割。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAu7T8t2HWNb
沒有人看見,30Please respect copyright.PENANAiKAMS2VmDN
在那層平靜之下,30Please respect copyright.PENANA8ehousUFNF
他的判斷早已完成。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlul0XZ5Gub
自從跟著 Mira 離開30Please respect copyright.PENANAjtGPNcVwg7
GENETREC 實驗室之後,30Please respect copyright.PENANAnMPqmvtBvM
他從未真正停止調查。
30Please respect copyright.PENANALlbXjDLUbb
碎裂的通訊紀錄。30Please respect copyright.PENANAjgLYggR9ru
被封存的實驗室交叉數據。30Please respect copyright.PENANAcYZmfiMbVm
刻意中斷的研究流向。
所有線索,30Please respect copyright.PENANAsuY6dSHG17
都指向同一個事實——
GENETREC30Please respect copyright.PENANAQpmNJ4jfkm
將最殘酷、30Please respect copyright.PENANADvwRLlLw1O
最無法對外說明的實驗,30Please respect copyright.PENANAFASyMMlihS
一點一點地30Please respect copyright.PENANAD68EAK4uKt
集中回總部。30Please respect copyright.PENANATDjmLjXE1e
讓外圍單位看起來像是失控。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhjHvEgILOm
讓核心保持潔白。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAd42HGjsETL
而今天這趟任務,30Please respect copyright.PENANAKwXsT8LJJ6
不過是其中一次清場。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnwyg838PUi
直升機著陸。30Please respect copyright.PENANA1FBoP6DUwG
艙門開啟。30Please respect copyright.PENANA1X3t162Bfn
交接人員在他背後30Please respect copyright.PENANAJGyoJqSkrA
發出一聲短促的笑,30Please respect copyright.PENANA85iMqGpCHI
像是對倖存者的嘉獎。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgr5f5bGReH
Yang 站起身,30Please respect copyright.PENANAcF9g26Gcyw
腳步微微不穩,30Please respect copyright.PENANALpfNUDwFxq
完美地扮演了30Please respect copyright.PENANAUc2UoQu8ZZ
那個仍未走出陰影的人。30Please respect copyright.PENANAMObvkeBqi0
他走下機艙,30Please respect copyright.PENANAquGPwXotA8
沒有回頭。
30Please respect copyright.PENANALSESg9Fmgk
因為他已經知道——30Please respect copyright.PENANAojAmun2Izj
真正該被隱蔽的,30Please respect copyright.PENANA3eb0RykIDj
不是資料。30Please respect copyright.PENANAyMLM5GAOKZ
而是尚未被 GENETREC 奪走的選擇權。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3HEjftgW6D
而從這一刻起,30Please respect copyright.PENANArCGZE7TuTC
他將不再只是旁觀者。
30Please respect copyright.PENANARDo9xMXMEa
******
**地點:城市邊緣的新生園區**
30Please respect copyright.PENANAf55p5QhuZ9
這裏是少數仍允許「次等等級改造生物」與人類共生的實驗場域。30Please respect copyright.PENANAUPIparcAeh
午後的陽光穿過環控穹頂,30Please respect copyright.PENANA1gjRnFnNdT
經過層層濾光後灑落下來,30Please respect copyright.PENANA0UhHuslI01
柔和得近乎不真實。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1Lwq7AoRew
草地上,幾隻植入基因穩定晶片的迷你副棘龍追逐著家犬奔跑,30Please respect copyright.PENANAgpYMLuJRje
動作笨拙卻充滿生命力;30Please respect copyright.PENANA8yAkjqmkkT
孩童在遠處笑鬧,聲音被空氣中的隔音場削弱,30Please respect copyright.PENANAMdLhbxDNAr
只留下模糊而安心的回音。30Please respect copyright.PENANAYmGq9ZHHMv
水池邊,一隻仍保有原始羽鱗結構的小腕龍低下長頸,30Please respect copyright.PENANAgUzHzM3rm8
輕輕舔舐水面,漣漪一圈圈擴散,又很快歸於平靜。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxxJ8OXZQQQ
近距離共處區的邊界,30Please respect copyright.PENANAorB1iJ64lV
被一層幾乎不可見的磁網牆包圍。30Please respect copyright.PENANAgCF7lqaBO4
它無聲運作,30Please respect copyright.PENANAOjJYwSPPrY
阻隔著任何可能發生的突發行為——30Please respect copyright.PENANAMRDT6XRWh4
也隔開了「看似和平」與「真正安全」之間,30Please respect copyright.PENANAuIsVttywRE
那道不願被提起的縫隙。30Please respect copyright.PENANAdMqhWQeyIk
空氣裡混雜著香草氣息與消毒水的味道,30Please respect copyright.PENANAs3cfGhaPf7
乾淨、溫和,30Please respect copyright.PENANADdaW8QKMls
像是經過精心設計的日常。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjan1pWNC9N
Dr. Yang 坐在長椅上。30Please respect copyright.PENANAZW5Z2xnBRX
他的目光,卻沒有真正落在園區的任何一個生命體上。30Please respect copyright.PENANAmvQ1snJW7V
一手插在風衣口袋裡,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJz9T7lSqsK
另一手,則無意識地反覆摩擦著那枚從島上帶回的晶體。30Please respect copyright.PENANAMSPYTK8UWf
冰涼、堅硬,30Please respect copyright.PENANAgTiRwXW7Iu
在掌心留下微弱卻持續的存在感。
30Please respect copyright.PENANABmBXrqFrMV
他的視線短暫地停留在一隻羽毛尚未完全退去的雛龍身上。30Please respect copyright.PENANAQOtkrSau8f
那生物歪著頭,看著遠方奔跑的孩童,30Please respect copyright.PENANAWJgggGR1Gn
眼神清澈,沒有戒備。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAq6sdvLlRE8
但是,他的心卻不在此刻。30Please respect copyright.PENANAbbmcgQ8OgI
思緒被牽引回幾年前——那個夜晚。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQRQpJFsIb4
那個他終於對她坦白心意,30Please respect copyright.PENANABF6Dd6mCf5
卻又在同一個呼吸之間,30Please respect copyright.PENANARnEILiEuGD
親口將關係終結的夜晚。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAUt2KjzZqww
不是因為不愛。30Please respect copyright.PENANARjoBGaxVyY
也不是因為懦弱。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgM5ADFuESQ
而是因為他太清楚自己正站在什麼樣的邊界上。30Please respect copyright.PENANAFDbMMNf56N
那些他選擇留下來承擔的事、30Please respect copyright.PENANAnyA8eAQo2d
那些無法公開的研究、30Please respect copyright.PENANAjhIZ5eQmeM
那些逐漸模糊的倫理線條——30Please respect copyright.PENANAhvQoLhPAoj
終究會把身邊的人,一起拖進陰影裡。30Please respect copyright.PENANAUZsL4vEDOE
30Please respect copyright.PENANAPSngSUHOD0
他不願她成為那個代價。30Please respect copyright.PENANAsKa1lgNp2m
於是他退後了。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkYQG2lqOxs
一次看似理性的後退,30Please respect copyright.PENANATaYt8YrZkx
卻再也沒有向前的餘地。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1O6pFivWlo
Dr. Yang 低下頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANAG5GfN17HbO
晶體在他指腹間微微轉動,30Please respect copyright.PENANAeWTg1tHGdn
反射出一道幾乎看不見的藍光。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAttfQfqQtIm
他一直都知道——不是她不值得他留下。30Please respect copyright.PENANAzFL8FbNWZM
而是他,30Please respect copyright.PENANAteriq72KxC
早已不再確定自己30Please respect copyright.PENANAceT6c8AXGB
是否還配得上被人選擇。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAj5TDoLkoDl
然後他聽見熟悉的高跟鞋踩在石徑的聲音。30Please respect copyright.PENANAgGYhQYRAjG
Mira出現在光線與植栽的夾縫間,30Please respect copyright.PENANApQwTkvOp7f
一如過去那樣乾淨又利落,但氣質明顯疲憊了。30Please respect copyright.PENANAOHqgJAcuwB
她穿著簡單的淺灰無縫大衣,臉色憔悴卻堅定。30Please respect copyright.PENANAnepqrl1M76
沒有佩戴醫療徽章,卻依舊給人壓迫感。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzUDO2wCguI
她走到他身邊,停下腳步,兩人四目相對。
「你……還好嗎?」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKu1n4SDSPU
Yang沒回話,只是點了點頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANAckihTXoGff
低頭不敢直視她的眼。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsgC2SdwCSs
「從那個島……回來之後,30Please respect copyright.PENANArW74ZO7uSm
我一直想知道你有沒有平安,但你什麼都沒回我。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAIqgVDIOzrQ
他張了張嘴,又合上,終於憋出一句:30Please respect copyright.PENANAWCSSKShKZO
「抱歉,我……不知道該怎麼面對你。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxBPlmtjppi
Mira靜靜地看了他一眼,眼神裡沒有責備,30Please respect copyright.PENANAQDI6dhaHl0
只有一絲難以捉摸的柔軟。30Please respect copyright.PENANACzEKrhXWKd
「我們的關係,不需要你道歉。」她淡淡說。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjXcVTa05hY
那句話落下的瞬間,30Please respect copyright.PENANAEAxGgkdDOo
像一枚被刻意放輕的金屬零件,30Please respect copyright.PENANA7Z6ZbtzJKi
卻仍在空氣裡敲出迴音。30Please respect copyright.PENANAwyAysK37qK
Yang 的指節微微收緊,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJVBMghxFGw
他感覺到胸腔裡某個被封存已久的結構正在鬆動,30Please respect copyright.PENANAkaO7QAzIwm
正在失去支撐。
30Please respect copyright.PENANArf22Ov35pR
園區的風從高牆另一側吹來,30Please respect copyright.PENANAAyYG60B4l4
夾帶著冷卻塔的低頻嗡鳴。30Please respect copyright.PENANAsb1Gi5Nz38
遠方霓虹城市的光像殘存的星群,30Please respect copyright.PENANAVq7vqJaRJH
被霧與塵切割成破碎的線條。30Please respect copyright.PENANA3clmFXC4rd
這裡曾是人類為自己保留的靜地,30Please respect copyright.PENANAqaGF3kDahU
如今卻只剩下被管理過的寧靜。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAaqJNLKht7y
「你瘦了。」30Please respect copyright.PENANA4Dxkfo5sQ3
Mira 的聲音很低,卻精準地落在他身上,30Please respect copyright.PENANAoXeB54tami
像一名醫師不需要儀器便能判斷病灶。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfLP15AetQi
Yang 苦笑了一下,沒有反駁。30Please respect copyright.PENANAGmtO4e9uWb
他知道她看的不是體重,30Please respect copyright.PENANA6GOuWCcnAK
而是他整個人被時間削掉的部分,30Please respect copyright.PENANA16PE2Ofnp2
那種只存在於長期倖存者身上的空洞感。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3M5lWKlRC
「你離開後,很多事都變了。」他終於開口,30Please respect copyright.PENANATDjeaQUwD3
聲音沙啞得不像自己的,30Please respect copyright.PENANAh9jztzzcfD
「島上的資料、那批樣本、還有……我們原本以為可以控制的東西。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAFVpmbUZiNb
他沒有說完。30Please respect copyright.PENANAgRLTKXIHhF
在這個時代,未完成的句子往往比完整的敘述更誠實。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwUKlDVPL9U
Mira 沒有催促。30Please respect copyright.PENANASTQh4nDTit
她只是站在那裡,雙手垂在大衣兩側,30Please respect copyright.PENANAz9XztoXocr
像是在聆聽一個尚未被世界批准的真相。30Please respect copyright.PENANA2cm9SfC5Xk
她的眼神依舊冷靜,卻不再鋒利,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJRbYT162JT
那是一種經歷過太多決策之後,才會出現的疲憊溫度。30Please respect copyright.PENANA82fcCRJnfE
「你一直都是這樣。」她輕聲說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAQcQ9JC8qgP
「把責任留給自己,把後果擋在別人前面。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWMc6Dqgbft
Yang 抬起頭,終於直視她的眼睛。30Please respect copyright.PENANAjaWaCCvA7j
那一刻,他看見的不只是昔日的同僚、30Please respect copyright.PENANAPaTduO1w3a
醫療體系的權威、30Please respect copyright.PENANAGi8uV1GCjX
或那個曾在會議桌上讓整個理事會沉默的人,30Please respect copyright.PENANAYUJiRgiANc
他看見的是一個同樣被末日推著向前,30Please respect copyright.PENANAt8J2ZAw5oG
卻還試圖保留人性邊界的人。
「可這次,我不知道界線在哪裡了。」他說。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAiNvDjXYP6v
夜色逐漸降臨,感應燈一盞盞亮起,30Please respect copyright.PENANAASoIrQ8O00
冷白的光線切割著兩人的影子,30Please respect copyright.PENANAVlHZtrDTB5
將它們拉長、扭曲,投射在石徑與植栽之間。30Please respect copyright.PENANAPK6AisX0CD
那影子看起來像兩個彼此靠近卻尚未重疊的存在。
30Please respect copyright.PENANALh585BvnkP
Mira 沉默了片刻,然後向前一步,30Please respect copyright.PENANArYdvlGQ1ni
距離近得他能聞到她身上淡淡的消毒劑與金屬纖維氣味,30Please respect copyright.PENANAtqADQiruZr
那是這個時代醫療人員身上特有的味道,30Please respect copyright.PENANANulweLC9D1
乾淨、理性,卻無法完全抹去人類的體溫。
「界線早就不存在了,Yang。」她低聲說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAnaSfJDwZ8Y
「從我們選擇繼續活下來的那一天起。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAyXffzzqdRp
她停頓了一下,語氣卻變得篤定。30Please respect copyright.PENANABNnrAeiJCj
「但這不代表,你必須一個人承擔。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANADxOruALp10
那句話沒有宣告,也沒有承諾,30Please respect copyright.PENANAIQR7JG1D0P
卻像一道尚未關閉的通道,30Please respect copyright.PENANAKpGcCmhhpg
在廢墟之間亮起微弱而真實的光。30Please respect copyright.PENANAHHOrh0KRyh
風再次穿過園區,樹葉輕響。30Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fft9OESrO
遠方城市的霓虹閃爍了一下,30Please respect copyright.PENANAENb2dHWWrI
像某個仍在嘗試呼吸的文明。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgHO8PUGJ5t
而他們站在那裡,沒有擁抱,也沒有退開,30Please respect copyright.PENANAibYjv6xnG9
只是讓時間,短暫地,重新流經兩人之間。30Please respect copyright.PENANAS1yEUKh4ZF
尷尬如同午後沉悶的空氣,無聲地懸在兩人中間。30Please respect copyright.PENANATDMGEM2ZOH
園區的霧尚未完全散去,感應燈在樹影下閃爍,30Please respect copyright.PENANA36gM7cIv99
像一組仍在待命、卻不確定是否該啟動的系統。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAHB3k2I7bXy
良久,Yang 轉過頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANATkk2rSw7Wh
刻意把視線投向遠方的牆線與天際交界處。
「那……你今天找我,是……?」
那句話說得很慢,像是在替自己爭取一點延遲。30Please respect copyright.PENANAJofwP0w2aU
他知道答案不會輕。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAecW9QZOfNn
Mira 沒有立刻回應。30Please respect copyright.PENANAbn0G8TBJo1
她只是伸手,從外套內袋取出一枚纖薄的手環裝置。30Please respect copyright.PENANA23714Am1X2
金屬外殼沒有標誌,邊緣卻刻著極細的編碼紋路,30Please respect copyright.PENANA9aDVyqZcYR
那是內部系統人員才看得懂的層級標記。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhhPWlOVQ2p
她把手環放進他的掌心。30Please respect copyright.PENANAOGRU4H79rS
動作很輕,卻讓 Yang 的手指不自覺地收攏了一下。30Please respect copyright.PENANA8sQThnDVPA
「這裡面是 Leo 的病歷資料,」她說,30Please respect copyright.PENANA8QvHbEK7x3
「以及……Elaine 的錄音,還有一部分實驗室記錄。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6xp13zIUPp
她頓了一下,像是在衡量該不該說出後半句。30Please respect copyright.PENANADJ4DWZ1UXM
「我知道你會懂得這些資料的意義。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMjHNLqcRTD
Yang 低頭看著那枚手環,沒有啟動。30Please respect copyright.PENANA5TwCjzSk7B
螢幕仍是死寂的黑,卻彷彿已經開始對他發聲。30Please respect copyright.PENANAFtYXygqWA9
他慢慢抬起頭,看向她。
「Elaine 怎麼了?」30Please respect copyright.PENANAvzIOvGKuOu
那個名字一出口,空氣似乎就變得更冷了一點。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFqIwbTWmhi
Mira 的表情沒有變,30Please respect copyright.PENANAt1PxEY5kFm
語調依舊維持她一貫的理智與節制,30Please respect copyright.PENANAYn4w80TCQl
但 Yang 看見了,30Please respect copyright.PENANAoogbxD2F5O
那藏在眼底深處、來不及被壓制的惶恐與疲憊。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOCGSx3434V
「她瘋了,Yang。」30Please respect copyright.PENANA5TRrPHRYBW
這句話說得很平靜,卻比任何激烈的指控都更沉重。30Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5GQJmdRbB
「她不只是想延壽,」Mira 繼續說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9SNVx4U5m
「也不只是想掌握科技的邊界。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAR3EWxZ7hXH
她的目光短暫地移開,又很快回到他臉上。30Please respect copyright.PENANA5RixZFkw1R
「她把自己當成某種……『神的執行者』。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOWWDF1SJvv
風穿過園區的植栽,枝葉摩擦的聲音像低頻雜訊。30Please respect copyright.PENANAt4r3NKLp5C
Yang 的喉結微微動了一下。30Please respect copyright.PENANArqPd2KSONj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAShCSmI0t4K
「Elaine 做的那場手術……」30Please respect copyright.PENANA2fyby4bhkZ
Mira 的聲音低了下來,幾乎要被風聲吞沒。30Please respect copyright.PENANA9EjLbB3uch
「根本不是救人。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAmjhQjnBMez
她停頓了一秒,像是在確保自己沒有說錯任何一個字。
「那不是療法,那是選拔。」30Please respect copyright.PENANASH8CzqDDjN
「她在挑選適合承載某種能量的『容器』。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwusxxp2A83
那個詞落下的瞬間,Yang 的指節瞬間繃緊。30Please respect copyright.PENANAfT0pzTB0WM
他沒有說話,只是把手插進外套口袋。30Please respect copyright.PENANALrNy2QDqLD
指尖觸碰到那枚晶體的瞬間,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGxJQyOhWJv
一股細微卻明確的熱度沿著神經竄上來,30Please respect copyright.PENANApN8ifPihzB
像是某種回應。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlgSsYxX9Hx
他閉上眼睛,短短一瞬。30Please respect copyright.PENANAj2Gn5DAN3l
在那黑暗裡,他彷彿再次看見那些資料圖層疊合的畫面:30Please respect copyright.PENANAWfuiGtOV3a
基因序列、神經接口、異常能量曲線,30Please respect copyright.PENANANt773c1qUh
還有被刻意隱藏的失敗名單。30Please respect copyright.PENANA6Uw4szPZyi
30Please respect copyright.PENANAne4QqwCOfI
「所以 Leo……」他低聲開口,卻沒有把話說完。
30Please respect copyright.PENANArxk1Hh4rYN
Mira 沒有否認。30Please respect copyright.PENANAIEmKJT7SfU
她只是輕輕點了點頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAfSe31jUHps
那是一個不需要語言的答案。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsZdcjFuyiw
遠方城市的霓虹在霧後閃爍了一下,30Please respect copyright.PENANAGhlH1unbJX
像某個仍在運算、卻早已偏離初始參數的文明。30Please respect copyright.PENANACukQRxdzQ8
而在這座被設計為「安全」的園區裡,30Please respect copyright.PENANA6AqOWF4iZz
真相終於以最不安全的方式,抵達了他們之間。30Please respect copyright.PENANAr2KFcaUd3K
Yang 緩緩收緊拳頭,30Please respect copyright.PENANA2aTIr1duoH
掌心的手環與口袋裡的晶體同時發出幾乎無法察覺的震動。30Please respect copyright.PENANApnreD49E2n
他知道這不是偶然。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWp0sZYCE6y
「Leo 是她的棋子。我……」30Please respect copyright.PENANAjjldYenwam
Mira 的聲音在這裡斷了一下,30Please respect copyright.PENANAVYctlm2U7g
像是被某種無形的力道掐住了喉嚨。
「我以為 GENETREC 只是科技機構,」30Please respect copyright.PENANA1nwR1eLCSL
她終於繼續說下去,語速卻慢了許多,30Please respect copyright.PENANAt54d9811Am
「只是走得太前面、太冷靜、太不把人當人看而已。但現在……」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAtHUr4Cdwzo
她抬起頭,目光銳利得近乎質問。
「你有聽說那場暴動吧?失控的改造人?30Please respect copyright.PENANANioC1FeR2g
整個封區被清空、監控全滅。30Please respect copyright.PENANASGHaZd6LG9
那些數據你一定也有看到。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAw9c5nxhrzO
風聲在兩人之間拉長,園區上方的防護網微微震動。
30Please respect copyright.PENANApdcOz4cbKP
「……有。」Yang 點了點頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAtXlbluS0q6
那是一個承認,卻同時也是一道防線。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAThCHEpYNyr
Mira 偏過頭,視線像刀一樣切向他。30Please respect copyright.PENANAcJvtUtt15H
「你知道些什麼,是不是?」30Please respect copyright.PENANADPROiGEH0K
「從你逃出那座島開始,我就知道你遇到的,不只是恐龍。」
那句話落下時,她的語氣不再只是推理,30Please respect copyright.PENANATzecB1ItFY
而是一種被壓抑太久的直覺終於找到了出口。
30Please respect copyright.PENANADQ8S8dm5Eu
Yang 沒有立刻回答。30Please respect copyright.PENANAQov7wv0DgK
他緩緩吐出一口氣,胸腔起伏得很明顯,30Please respect copyright.PENANAvlAiiFomcn
像是必須先把某種重量排出體外,才能繼續站立。30Please respect copyright.PENANAwlhHBksORG
他的視線移向園區高處,30Please respect copyright.PENANAxs5EZvB26G
那艘懸掛在半空的旋翼觀察艇正沿著既定軌道巡弋,30Please respect copyright.PENANAXPkCEwcEtE
紅藍指示燈規律地閃爍,精準、冷靜、不帶任何疑問。
30Please respect copyright.PENANACD814fjLIv
「Mira,」他終於開口,30Please respect copyright.PENANA1SrVwjGuhR
聲音沙啞得不像是在對她說話,30Please respect copyright.PENANAVpGc8yV5ks
而是對某個早已做出選擇的自己。
「有些東西……一說出口,就再也回不去了。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6apFWsARLz
他停了一下,指尖在外套口袋裡不自覺地收緊。30Please respect copyright.PENANACtGiuDReAS
晶體貼著掌心,溫度比剛才更清晰了些,30Please respect copyright.PENANAZLkCh7VsHz
像是在確認他是否已經走到這一步。
「那座島上,確實不只是恐龍。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAmv1Rn9aeOl
「也不只是實驗失控,或人類一貫的傲慢。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAW4n2dE7moX
他的目光仍停留在空中那艘觀察艇上,30Please respect copyright.PENANAYHCu9IPe7n
彷彿只要不看她,就還能延遲某個不可逆的瞬間。
「我看到的東西,」他低聲說,「不是被創造出來的。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9eVUlecJPB
風忽然變得更急,樹葉翻動,30Please respect copyright.PENANAIt4rzS75sy
感應燈亮度短暫波動了一下。
「那比較像是……被喚醒的。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0FBobCfB1l
這一次,他轉過頭,正面迎上 Mira 的視線。
「Elaine 不是第一個發現它的人,」他說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAUFGN6IZgIz
「但她是第一個,決定跪下來的人。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANALHZ8rovQJ3
Mira 的瞳孔微微收縮。30Please respect copyright.PENANAR197SKTpmw
那不是震驚,30Please respect copyright.PENANAItBRkOGczL
而是某種她早就隱約知道、卻始終拒絕命名的恐懼,30Please respect copyright.PENANAtzTYLmUyZc
終於被放到了光裡。
30Please respect copyright.PENANANXWOqNvTd2
夜色正式降臨。30Please respect copyright.PENANAVxkXAn5ilX
園區的燈全數亮起,白光一層層鋪開,30Please respect copyright.PENANAg7UHbqNY1o
卻無法真正驅散兩人之間正在成形的陰影。30Please respect copyright.PENANAkBit9E6l8c
因為他們都明白,30Please respect copyright.PENANAkdMwN6EafO
從這一刻開始,再也沒有「只是科學」這回事了。
30Please respect copyright.PENANASuT5BcDk7j
「我不知道還能相信誰,Yang。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAip80WdgOHu
她的聲音低得幾乎要碎掉,「你……你是我唯一還敢相信的人。」
最後幾個字顫了一下,30Please respect copyright.PENANA22zDcytEvO
那是一種被極力壓住的崩潰,短暫地露出了邊角。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMOvbJbZ1Kf
那一句話,讓 Yang 幾乎無法呼吸。30Please respect copyright.PENANAuv1AxIr27t
他張了張嘴,卻發現自己一時之間30Please respect copyright.PENANABO1SxYD359
找不到任何可以承受那份重量的語言。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAM1ALAJL1fD
「我還能相信你嗎,Yang?」30Please respect copyright.PENANAzDSEjHvu9a
她忽然抬高了聲音,語調變得尖銳,像是終於不願再溫柔。
30Please respect copyright.PENANACEqpK5uasO
「還是你又一次選擇沉默,看著人類墜落?」30Please respect copyright.PENANAio8zY8YpPT
那不是質問。30Please respect copyright.PENANA9AnDqXUXLK
那是一次失望之前,最後的確認。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMeh1AHChW0
Yang 回望著她。30Please respect copyright.PENANAPsEdJQDDTt
在他瞳孔深處,有某種被長期壓抑的情緒正在翻湧。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhlFYI33b4W
「如果你真的相信人類還能被拯救……」30Please respect copyright.PENANADbpy3gHqCk
他慢慢開口,聲音低沉而沙啞,「那你也知道——」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1cqfu4xF3E
他停了下來。30Please respect copyright.PENANAQAqydV4Fue
像是在確保,這句話一旦說出,就不再能被收回。
「有些真相,會毀掉我們最後僅存的希望。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAVSmhI0EE03
那是早已反覆驗證過的結論。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAf7OfGKGfjT
園區的燈光靜靜鋪展,白得近乎殘酷,30Please respect copyright.PENANA8VpneF90HO
把每一寸表情都照得無所遁形。30Please respect copyright.PENANAuNGm79MUpw
兩人之間的沉默,厚重如夜本身。30Please respect copyright.PENANA25tMjnwcrA
時間在那裡停留了太久。30Please respect copyright.PENANAZVpaakXpu0
他的手指微微一緊,握住手環的力道不自覺地加重。30Please respect copyright.PENANAuIcY9ChMMT
金屬邊緣嵌進掌心,他卻沒有放開。
30Please respect copyright.PENANABmserxZnuW
「Mira,」他終於低聲說,語氣比剛才更慢,30Please respect copyright.PENANATIvIRbpTNw
「我選擇沉默,不是因為我不在乎。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAOfRcQEKSZ1
他深吸了一口氣。30Please respect copyright.PENANAr1gEeUpUBl
「而是因為我見過——希望是怎麼被利用的。」30Please respect copyright.PENANANd4O2oXxuy
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuuNS2baoip
他抬起頭,看著她,目光不再閃避。30Please respect copyright.PENANAO6qxLna7Rm
「Elaine 不需要人類絕望。」30Please respect copyright.PENANA69yyJdhChS
「她需要的是——人類願意把希望交出去。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAqbdD0yLrGa
那一刻,Mira 的呼吸明顯停了一拍。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5fZY10OF4A
Yang 的拇指無意識地滑過手環表面,卻沒有啟動它。
「如果我現在把所有事情說完,」他說,「你會立刻想去阻止她。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAT0k4wfGZsc
「而她……正等著這個反應。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANADtJPRBE3jg
風再次穿過園區。30Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZenuGCpGv
遠方的旋翼觀察艇在高空轉向,30Please respect copyright.PENANAYAg4TkZOfM
燈光掃過地面,短暫地掠過他們的臉。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4KtNWiifR7
「所以你是在保護我?」Mira 輕聲問,語氣卻冷得可怕。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAp439P0QE9N
Yang 沒有立刻回答。
「我是在賭。」他終於說。30Please respect copyright.PENANAZePJak5f4r
「賭我們還來得及,在她把『神』變成制度之前。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAirNpxN7Mjs
沉默再次降臨。30Please respect copyright.PENANAnQFe3B5UV1
但這一次,它不再只是空白——30Please respect copyright.PENANAM7J1glln2r
而是某個巨大選擇,即將被啟動前的靜止狀態。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZqY8EdtNuc
「那場暴動,是 Elaine 允許的實驗導致的,還是她一手策劃的,Mira?」30Please respect copyright.PENANAkBkYTga3BR
Yang 問得很慢,像是在替這個問題找一條不會立刻致命的路。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMPbBXzjyoK
Mira 沒有立刻回答。30Please respect copyright.PENANA0Vv2smB4k5
她只是搖了搖頭,視線落向不遠處那隻腕龍。30Please respect copyright.PENANA9V0VfS31ri
那是一具被重建、被馴化、被展示的古老身影。30Please respect copyright.PENANA5vFTpf6ZpN
龐大、溫馴、被安置在安全距離之外,30Please respect copyright.PENANAnCFc6kvPUu
作為人類「仍能掌控自然」的證明。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAu03J9PiMgu
「我不敢想那麼遠。」她終於說。30Please respect copyright.PENANA6fuV3oCRSv
「但她相信自己是某種……『被選中的人』。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAiYp3wHV78j
她的語氣在這裡出現了極短暫的顫動。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8tIoieMNWt
「而 Leo,正被她定義為『聖子』——神選的容器。」30Please respect copyright.PENANABK9IC2yO2t
那句話像是一道無形的切線,乾淨地劃過現實。30Please respect copyright.PENANA44Y2rB4ieY
半分鐘的沉默隨之降臨。30Please respect copyright.PENANAqxaAK0yfYe
連腕龍低沉的呼吸聲,都像被刻意調低了音量。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgEmc0KqnOL
「妳希望我做什麼?」30Please respect copyright.PENANAFrx2E3NzAD
Yang 終於開口。30Please respect copyright.PENANAJITkytuuab
這一次,他沒有再試圖延後。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAH06RsCRypA
Mira 轉過頭,目光重新落回他身上。30Please respect copyright.PENANAY2STd2Bkdr
「我希望你幫我看懂這些資料,」她說,30Please respect copyright.PENANAuxKveLmbtR
「然後——」
她吸了一口氣,像是在逼迫自己把後半句說完。
「你要告訴我,Leo 的變化到底是什麼。」30Please respect copyright.PENANABdGCzEcwGT
「還有沒有回頭的路。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4SnQ8rW5ng
Yang 沒有回答。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXTn6SqJiJm
燈光斜斜落在他側臉上,30Please respect copyright.PENANAY7neiEKQfE
勾勒出一道清晰卻克制的輪廓。30Please respect copyright.PENANAySicZ7Ckka
那是一種被長期壓抑後,只剩下內斂悲傷的形狀。30Please respect copyright.PENANAlNd4kWOcKj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgwD5QLtCdf
他的視線不自覺地掠過她胸前。30Please respect copyright.PENANA6yH6ElCRKb
那枚銀色徽章在微風中輕輕晃動。30Please respect copyright.PENANAcQqGGJByZn
他記得它被交到她手上的那一天。30Please respect copyright.PENANAnIcjgT71ds
那是他們完成第一場跨物種細胞整合試驗之後,30Please respect copyright.PENANA1rhTZQAklS
一個理論上「不可能」,卻成功運作的案例。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfllAFM4o9E
他曾以為,那是一個開始。30Please respect copyright.PENANAHwyPfJrwc4
現在回頭看——30Please respect copyright.PENANA18UhFXJTk4
那其實是終結的起點。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA7ktBGjfxgu
「我會幫你。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAqdgo38w6qZ
Yang 終於開口,聲音低沉而平穩。
「但有些東西……」30Please respect copyright.PENANAj0jcMNtpJ9
他停了一下。
「也許妳不會想知道。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQccO4owUYw
Mira 沒有點頭,也沒有搖頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAHCpdIVRlt6
她只是低下聲音,語氣簡單得近乎殘酷。
「我只想救我兒子。」
那句話沒有修辭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAYwmQrhXPjz
卻讓 Yang 明白了一件事——30Please respect copyright.PENANAldtEE3Wek7
從這一刻起,所有「對或錯」、「該不該」、「人類未來」這類詞彙,30Please respect copyright.PENANAcR5WdV6r8Q
都已經退居次要。
他們即將面對的,不再是一場科技災難。30Please respect copyright.PENANAEBzlAMrYma
而是一場母親與神之間的對抗。30Please respect copyright.PENANA86UsatQ7U6
而在這場對抗裡,30Please respect copyright.PENANACPeWHZhemA
沒有中立、沒有旁觀、只有選擇。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6v6vBVx2Zz
直到一聲副棘龍的哀鳴在遠處響起,30Please respect copyright.PENANA3A9cl7mKHO
低沉、拖長,像是某種尚未被語言命名的痛楚,30Please respect copyright.PENANAHrZOfJzFc5
穿過園區的高牆與防護網,直抵耳膜。30Please respect copyright.PENANACCRJzJet2J
那聲音打破了僵局。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1gCIc8WrIs
Mira 站起身,動作俐落,卻少了來時的遲疑。30Please respect copyright.PENANAwYu4TY7ozN
她整理了一下外套,像是在把情緒重新封存進某個她熟悉的系統裡。30Please respect copyright.PENANA98LVunEmm7
轉身之前,她停了一秒。
「你曾是我最尊敬的同道。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAUYsImfkVl5
這句話說得很輕,卻沒有溫度。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAejW49xQ4NJ
她沒有看他,只是望向前方那條筆直延伸的石徑。
「現在……你只是 Elaine 的鏡子。」30Please respect copyright.PENANAUvbgnrVA8r
她頓了一下,語氣沒有提高,反而更冷。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhJhaIYklsb
「只不過,把陰影藏得更深。」
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvjDUEJGisa
那句話落下的瞬間,30Please respect copyright.PENANAPNruaBAnWh
Yang 發現自己竟然無法抬頭。30Please respect copyright.PENANAKD4YBfGgZL
而是因為她說中了某個他一直不敢直視的核心,30Please respect copyright.PENANAIEAVx31tim
他們之間真正的分歧,從來不是立場,而是選擇沉默的方式。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAemnLMCCcTF
Mira 沒有再多說一句。30Please respect copyright.PENANAYcmHRT4mER
高跟鞋踏在石徑上的聲音再次響起,節奏穩定,逐漸遠離。30Please respect copyright.PENANAcE09OxX24N
她的身影被感應燈一盞一盞吞沒,30Please respect copyright.PENANAMjN4EniIS8
最終消失在園區轉角的陰影裡。
30Please respect copyright.PENANASHbAz4Y0Wu
很久之後,30Please respect copyright.PENANAvVmfympP6k
Dr. Yang 才終於鬆開手。30Please respect copyright.PENANAcrpXRJmAjG
掌心因長時間用力而泛白。30Please respect copyright.PENANANloKBUq0QF
那顆晶體靜靜躺在他的掌中,表面沒有光,沒有聲音。30Please respect copyright.PENANAwz0Lkyh6ej
然後——30Please respect copyright.PENANA3qeuh97JK3
一道幾乎看不見的脈衝,從晶體深處流出。30Please respect copyright.PENANAdGui1Mpafr
像是一個被記錄下來的節點。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5krPW7r8me
Yang 低頭看著它,心裡浮現一個他從未允許自己說出口的念頭:30Please respect copyright.PENANAOAD5JMj8fC
也許,被觀察的,從來不只是一個孩子。
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQVSmvQhi7R
園區恢復了原本的秩序。30Please respect copyright.PENANA7Co3cAzYTq
旋翼觀察艇沿著既定航線巡弋,30Please respect copyright.PENANAgRaKNR88d3
腕龍低垂著頭,副棘龍的哀鳴早已被歸檔為背景噪音。30Please respect copyright.PENANA7O9yRvkFMQ
但他知道,有些東西已經偏移。
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5x2hIrqspi
這一場對話,30Please respect copyright.PENANAT5Ro7Tar6a
如同兩條命運的支流,短暫交會,然後分岔而行。30Please respect copyright.PENANA85dM0rqpKI
終究,它們會在未來某一點再次匯流。30Please respect copyright.PENANAhdTTaUlKRB
只是到了那時——
他們的身份,30Please respect copyright.PENANABDk1RzfzQL
他們所守護的對象,30Please respect copyright.PENANAabdy4kmgyf
以及他們願意犧牲的界線,
是否還能站在同一邊,30Please respect copyright.PENANAlmRHP7y5rj
已經沒有人能夠保證。
30Please respect copyright.PENANApiI0LoDcdO
而遠方,那顆晶體的脈衝,30Please respect copyright.PENANAaHhWEPU8tX
正悄悄地,30Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3HDcSjmnp
替這個世界標記下一個時間點。
——未來,已被啟動。
ns216.73.216.67da2


