Research Log Entry Date: March 16, 2024 (Overcast)
I'm starting to suspect that the weather here is perpetually gloomy.
I arrived at my workstation at exactly 6:30 AM, and the first thing I did was check the data I had organized the previous day. But as I entered my password, an unexpected window popped up on the screen:
[System detected anomalous access log:
Time: 03/15 23:47
Location: B4-7 Laboratory
Action: Data Deletion]
B4-7. This was the exact mark I had found hidden in the crease of the manual yesterday.
"Already at work?" The sudden voice startled me. I quickly switched back to the data analysis screen. Turning around, I saw a female researcher wearing round-frame glasses. Her ID badge read "Zhang Lin."
"Morning," I nodded in acknowledgment. "Just trying to get familiar with the work environment."
"You're taking over Lin Wei's position, right?" She casually asked as she organized some documents.
Lin Wei—my sister's name. I suppressed the sudden surge of emotion. "Yes. I heard she resigned suddenly?"
"Who knows," Zhang Lin's tone was flat, "people come and go all the time. By the way, these are new data; Director Li wants them processed by the end of today."
She dropped a stack of papers on my desk and quickly left. I noticed her ID badge was slightly different from the others—there was a red dot on the lower right corner.
I flipped through the papers. They were mostly experimental data, mainly brainwave test records. But one page caught my attention:
yaml复制代码Subject 7 Observation Log: Energy fluctuation: 478% Consciousness synchronization rate: 67.3% Anomalous events: 4 Special notes: [Data Deleted]
Just as I was about to study it in detail, the computer suddenly blacked out. A few seconds later, it powered back up, and on the screen was a single line of flashing text:
[23:47 B4-7 was not a coincidence]
My heart skipped a beat. Was this trying to tell me something? As I reached for the screenshot button, the system returned to normal. I checked the Task Manager—no trace of any unusual processes.
"Researcher Wang," Director Li's voice came from behind me, "Could you come to my office for a moment?"
His office was at the end of the hallway. It was large but nearly devoid of personal belongings, with only a wall full of surveillance screens.
"How's the data analysis coming along?" he asked.
"I've completed the preliminary organization," I replied. "But I noticed some anomalies…"
"Anomalies are normal," he interrupted. "That's what we're studying here—'anomalies.'" He fixed his gaze on me for a few seconds. "Do you know why we selected you?"
I shook my head.
"Because your genetic profile is very similar to Lin Wei's," he said. "This level of similarity… it has immense research value."
The words sent a chill down my spine. He knew I was related to my sister? No, that's impossible—I had taken extensive measures to cover up my background.
"There will be an experiment this afternoon," he continued. "You'll be the recorder."
After returning to my desk, I immediately began searching for any information about "Subject 7," but found nothing. Just then, Zhang Lin approached and handed me a note: [Meet me at lunch]
The cafeteria was on B2, not crowded, and everyone sat far apart. Zhang Lin chose a corner seat.
"Don't look into things you shouldn't," she whispered, her voice low. "Especially Subject 7's data."
"Why?"
"Because…" She hesitated, then suddenly looked up at me, her eyes widening. "Director Li."
"What are you two talking about?" Director Li sat down across from us, his tray in hand.
"We were discussing the format for the experimental records," Zhang Lin replied calmly.
The lunch ended in an awkward silence. On my way back to the office, I noticed a crumpled note in the trash can in the restroom: [Lin Wei was right. It's dangerous here. Subject 7 is not an ordinary experiment. It is...]
The rest of the note had been torn off.
At 2 PM, Director Li came to escort me to the laboratory. Before I left, I noticed that the bottom right corner of my computer screen flashed again:
[When you see this message, Sister, I might have already...]
Was this a message from my sister? But before I could react, the screen went black. Director Li's voice called from the door, "Are you ready? The experiment is about to begin."
As I walked towards the lab, my mind raced. My sister, the anomalous code, Subject 7—what did all this mean? And what truth would the upcoming experiment reveal?
More importantly, I realized that I might already be under surveillance. In this place, where every move is watched, I had to be even more cautious. Because right now, I was stepping into a carefully designed trap.