This was the fourth space gate activated by Samuel Young.
Tap, tap!
Soon, four robust Hellhounds, equipped with wired instruments, crossed through the mercury-like surface from the ruins' base, arriving in a forest on the outskirts.
The Hellhounds did not immediately disperse. Instead, they paused, their noses twitching as if using their sense of smell to identify the surroundings.
Next, the Hellhounds conducted a reconnaissance within a 50-meter radius centered on the space gate.
After confirming that there was no immediate threat near the space gate through a series of actions, the four Hellhounds regrouped near the gate, standing by.
In no time, Xiao Qiang, Soap, and Ghost, dressed in Hazardous Environment Suits (HEV), also arrived in the forest, quickly distancing themselves from the space gate and half-kneeling on the ground with guns at the ready.
Xiao Qiang looked around, feeling an indescribable sense of unease.
The data displayed on his helmet screen indicated that they were on another Earth, and everything seemed normal at first glance.
As an experienced combat scout, Xiao Qiang knew that the more ordinary a place appeared, the more likely it was to hide dangers.
"It's eerily quiet, only cedar trees around," Soap complained over the internal communication.
"Spruce," Ghost corrected.
Xiao Qiang remained silent, not offering his opinion.
Soon after, Captain Price and the rest of the advance team arrived, bringing some life to the area around the space gate.
Seeing the dense forest around them, Price immediately ordered the advance team to set up a wired base station, release four reconnaissance drones, and dispatch Xiao Qiang, Soap, and Ghost to continue westward for two kilometers, while the other three teammates were tasked with scouting the east.
The Hellhounds, now relieved of their instruments, also spread out in four directions to patrol, though they were instructed not to venture beyond a two-kilometer radius.
After a while, the trio had covered nearly two kilometers, and the space gate was long out of sight.
During this time, the HEV's air filtration system had repeatedly filtered and analyzed the surrounding air, displaying the results on their helmet screens.
"Nitrogen content is 78%, oxygen around 21%, nothing unusual, just a bit cold, but that should be normal," Soap commented over the communication.
"Normal? You might have missed a few readings," Ghost reminded him in a low voice.
"Missed a few…?" Soap replied, puzzled, seemingly reviewing the data again. After a moment, he found the overlooked data and continued, "Among the rare gases making up less than 0.01%, besides neon, helium, and methane, there's also a trace amount of iodine-131 and strontium-90?! A nuclear explosion?"
"Not sure. We're not analysts," Ghost said, avoiding speculation, and pointed ahead, "The latest drone feed shows an open area ahead. Pick up the pace?"
"Let's go."
The three quickened their pace and soon reached the open area Ghost had indicated.
It was a low hill with sparse trees.
They climbed to the top of the hill and looked around, comparing the view with the shared drone footage. They spotted the space gate deep within the forest and a moderately sized city to the west, beyond which lay an endless ocean.
Meanwhile, back at the ruins' base command center:
Standing beside the central console, Samuel Young clasped his hands behind his back, attempting to analyze the background of Universe 04 based on the limited information available.
The presence of trace amounts of iodine-131 and strontium-90 in the air, the low temperatures caused by overcast skies—these were all signs pointing to a nuclear winter.
Metro? Fallout? Or perhaps Terminator? There were countless games and movies with nuclear apocalypse settings. With the current intel, Samuel couldn't make an accurate judgment.
It could also be a parallel universe related to a movie, like Universe 03 linked to the Doom movie.
Just then, the drones transmitted an aerial view of the city.
It was a medium-sized city with a well-developed airport, port, and some light industrial factories, seemingly untouched by a nuclear strike.
The aerial view also revealed the architectural style of the city.
Based on the spruce forest, the cold climate, and the unique bay structure, Samuel deduced that the city was Reykjavik in Iceland.
These observations further convinced him that Universe 04 might be linked to Metro or Fallout.
However, Samuel refrained from making any conclusions until more detailed information was obtained.
After pondering for a moment, Samuel issued orders: "Notify Captain Price to recall the advance team members at the edge of the space gate's range. Also, notify the engineering department to immediately begin constructing a forward base, and the logistics department to quickly transport the components of Ernie 004 to Earth 04. We need control of the orbital space."
"Yes, boss."
"Father," Magnus, standing to the right of the central console, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Is this what nuclear winter looks like?"
"In a way," Samuel admitted.
"Does this mean that the humans of Universe 04 annihilated each other?" Horus, standing on the left, asked in confusion.
"Possibly," Samuel didn't deny it, adding, "But it's also possible they were attacked by an unknown force and had no choice but to resort to mutual destruction to eliminate the enemy. It's not just human conflict that can lead to nuclear winter."
Horus nodded thoughtfully.
"I wonder what kind of special technology or unique knowledge exists in Universe 04," Magnus mused, his curiosity still piqued.
Sensing his son's emotional state, Samuel looked at him and advised, "Magnus, curiosity is a good thing, but don't let knowledge control you, and don't lose yourself."
Magnus was momentarily stunned but then carefully considered the meaning of his father's words before replying solemnly, "I understand, Father. I will be careful."
"Good."
Having said that, Samuel no longer paid attention to his sons' psychological activities and instead continued issuing more detailed orders to all units through the central console.
As for Saint-Gilles, he was currently on Earth 03 (Doom), personally leading the company's combat forces to assist Leon in assaulting the UAC stronghold on Earth 03.
At this stage, only Horus and Magnus, who had grown to about 1.2 meters tall, remained by his side.
This arrangement was beneficial, as although they saw each other less often, Robert, Saint-Gilles, and Leon had indeed relieved a lot of pressure from Samuel.
---
Three days later.
Earth 04.
Inside a small operations meeting room at the forward base:
"Everyone," Ada, dressed in black combat gear, stood at the front, using a holographic projection to explain to the dozen or so investigators present, "Not long ago, Ernie 004 detected a large amount of thermal activity in Yemen, but this activity quickly vanished. To investigate and provide more information to our allies, we will proceed with a preliminary investigation."
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