Sign

2

When Lin Xin left the meeting room of the General Staff Headquarters, it was already getting dark.

The soldiers on the training ground have completed a day of training, and now they are gathering together in twos and threes, enjoying the rare leisure time of the day.Lin Xin's footsteps still maintained the usual rhythm, and he smiled back at every soldier who saluted him - such a calmness even surprised him.

Probably some opportunities, he has been looking forward to it for too long, after a long wait and hard work, all that is left is the idea of ​​not turning back and persistently wanting to reach the end.The joy of being affirmed and recognized has been slowly exhausted instead.

Grasping the special order issued by the General Staff just half an hour ago, Lin Xin clenched her fingers subconsciously.

Before going back to the dormitory, Lin Xin thought about it and deliberately took a detour along the forked road beside the playground.

The owner of the grocery store next to the cafeteria was turning on a small radio, nervously listening to the war news, and when he saw him approaching, he stood up quickly.

"Major, what do you want?"

"Smoke..." He thought for a while, pointed to a brand on the shelf that he had seen before and added: "Give me one."

The boss was a little surprised.In my impression, this young and handsome major hardly touches tobacco very much.Although I have visited many times before, almost every time I stand aside and make faces with my brow twisted and a little disgusted.It was the lieutenant colonel in his early thirties who was walking beside him, carrying two bars of three stars on his shoulders, who looked a little foolish and in his early thirties.

"Cherish life, stay away from tobacco, Lieutenant Colonel... Please don't let your subordinates become indirect victims."

"Lin Xin, I've never seen you so nagging, why are you so nagging now..."

This was the most common bickering between the two of them. The reason why he was impressed was probably because this conversation let him know that this too young major would occasionally show a naive look.

The whole carton of cigarettes was stored on the top of the container. The boss took the money, moved a stool to stand on it, and began to search for it.

The reception effect of the old-fashioned radio was not particularly good, and the signal was severely interfered. Accompanied by rustling noise, the soft voice of the female announcer spread out from the rough speaker, distorting a bit.

"According to the latest news, after the long-term efforts of our army, the peace agreement in the C22 theater will be officially signed next week. This small-scale war that has lasted for nearly three years will come to an end. The two armies will withdraw at the same time according to the agreement... ..."

The boss held the cigarette in his hand, slowly got down from the stool, and shook his head while muttering: "C22 said last year that they would withdraw troops. How many times is this? There was an air raid siren the day before yesterday. I know what it's like to be blown up now..." He passed the cigarette towards Lin Xin's eyes: "Major?"

Lin Xin handed over a hundred-yuan bill: "Thank you."

He put the cigarette and the A-level order document in his hand together, wrapped them up carefully, folded the change he found and stuffed it neatly into his pocket, turned around, thought for a while, and turned his head back again.

"The enemy is indeed about to withdraw..." He nodded towards the boss: "This time, there will be no more mistakes."

Before taking out the key to open the door, Lin Xin once thought that there was no one in the dormitory.The curtains on the windows were half drawn and there was no light inside.Lin Xin quickly unlocked the door with the key, and was about to change her shoes, but found that there were several dishes on the table in the room, which were completely cold in the military lunch box.

Lin Cheng, who was sitting on a chair beside him, looked at him and showed a big smile.

Lin Xin threw the cigarette and the order letter on the table: "Why don't you turn on the light?"

Lin Cheng pulled a stool for him to sit down: "I'm waiting for you to come back."

Lin Xin frowned: "Didn't I tell you not to wait for me to eat first? I have something to do tonight..."

Lin Cheng took out a small cake out of nowhere, and carefully lit it with a lighter: "Lin Xin, happy birthday."

The dim yellow candlelight in the room flickered slowly, under the thin halo, was Lin Cheng's pure smile with dimples on it.

Lin Xin froze for a moment.At this time last year, he was with Lu Jian.The guy had a cake full of cream in his hand, and rubbed his face with his teeth and claws.The last sweetness was melted away in a long and deep kiss.

Lin Xin suddenly felt inexplicably upset.

Lin Cheng put candles on the cake, and said neatly, "Lin Xin, make a wish."

Lin Xin took a deep breath and pointed to the order letter on the table: "The wish has been fulfilled ahead of schedule. The latest order is to rush to the C22 theater the day after tomorrow to take over the command of the battlefield." He smiled: "We two."

Lin Cheng was obviously very happy: "That is to say, can we meet up with the captain?"

Lin Xin nodded: "That's right."

Lin Cheng looked at the cigarettes on the table: "The captain thinks they must have thought badly too, probably they can't buy this in the battlefield."

Lin Xin smiled, picked up the chopsticks to taste the food, and choked a little: "The food from the cafeteria?"

Lin Cheng was still looking at the cigarette in his hand over and over again, not paying attention to the other party's expression: "I did it... When I came back from shooting..."

He pulled the stool closer and sat next to Lin Xin, with obvious expectation in his expression: "How does it taste?"

Lin Xin slowly stuffed another mouthful into her mouth, chewing carefully: "It's very good...it's delicious."

Then Lin Cheng picked up the chopsticks and pulled the rice into his mouth, his voice was vague: "That's good, I'm afraid you are not used to spicy food... After waiting for so long, I'm starving..."

Lin Xin paused for a while, as if she wanted to express something, but finally held back.

A voice in his heart warned him heavily: Lin Xin, the day after tomorrow... the day after tomorrow will go to the war zone.

This birthday meal ended a little later than usual, but it was inexplicably quieter than usual.

Lin Xin watched Lin Cheng put down his chopsticks, rubbed his stomach contentedly like a little tiger, and laughed - Lu Jian usually had such a lazy expression when his stomach was full.

"Finish?" [Friday Productions]

"So full……"

"Hmm..." Lin Xin thought for a while, "How's your shooting result today?"

Lin Cheng tilted his head: "Thirty bullets all hit, 280 six rings."

Lin Xin secretly recalled: "Very good, almost as good as the captain."

Lin Cheng was a little shy and proud, scratching his head.

Lin Xin stood up: "Let's go, let's go to the reference room and look at something new today."

Lin Cheng hesitated for a moment: "Lin Xin, are you going today too? My head still hurts..."

Lin Xin was silent for a while.Recently, the amount of information loaded by Lin Cheng has exceeded the initial maximum load value. Normally, under such circumstances, the artificial intelligence should be allowed to rest for a while to adjust itself.

But the time is too tight, and I have to leave here the day after tomorrow.

Lin Xin looked ahead, as if talking to herself: "Lin Cheng, we are about to go to the war zone..."

Lin Cheng gritted his teeth: "Okay, let's go."

Lin Xin's data room is a relatively secret existence of the entire DC team.Usually, the feedback and processing of C22 battlefield data, as well as some of his research work are carried out there.

Lin Cheng walked in, took a deep breath, and sat down on the chair in front of the computer.

Lin Xin stuffed him with a thick stack of materials, and then took out a pair of earphones from the computer and put them on for him: "Listen to music, the nerves are relaxed, and the memory will be faster."

Lin Cheng was a little reluctant to put the pair on.

Lin Xin started to turn on the computer, and digital messages and various obscure symbols dangled in front of her eyes.

The information handed to Lin Cheng is just the most superficial illusion. The real medium of information transmission is the transmission network formed by the interweaving of the two data lines worn on Lin Cheng's head at this time.

There is still a large part of the feedback on the battlefield that needs to be absorbed and digested.But that is the transmission volume of nearly a week under the maximum receiving load of artificial intelligence.Lin Xin turned his back to Lin Cheng, and slowly turned the control button of the information output port.

This kind of transmission load was the first time for him and Lin Cheng.

He wasn't quite sure.

Lin Cheng frowned tightly, and his breathing became heavy: "Lin Xin, the music is too loud, I have a headache..."

Lin Xin's eyes were fixed on the computer screen, and the movements of his hands did not stop: "Just bear with it, and read the information carefully."

Lin Cheng's eyes were closed tightly, and his body began to tremble.

Lin Xin turned around, and the expression of the person in front of her was distorted by the pain.He could even feel the chip in the opponent's brain shaking slightly due to the high-speed operation.

"Lin Xin..." Lin Cheng's voice had already changed its pitch, and it was slurred because he was in a semi-hypnotic state: "Can you...can you pause for a while today?"

Lin Xin stared at him, her voice was cold: "Lin Cheng, do you want to be a deserter again?"

The word "deserter" was like the sharpest thorn, piercing directly into the opponent's heart. Lin Cheng's body bounced heavily, and he fell from the chair to the ground, and he didn't say a word again.

The selection of the DC team, the specially designed perfect enemy battle drills, the bloody melee with a high degree of simulation... These were originally the necessary means for Lu Jian to evaluate his team members.But in Lin Cheng's virtual memory, this is a shame that he has stained and can't let go of.

Fear, fear, giving up at critical moments, deserters branded with shame... The assessment ended in failure, and Lu Jian rejected him from the DC team, although after that, after his unremitting persistence, he stood up again... …

This virtual memory was not originally planned, but from the day when Lu Jian lost contact with the headquarters and Lin Xin decided to take over the C22 theater, he temporarily supplemented Lin Cheng's virtual memory.

Guilt and self-blame are sometimes the most powerful spurs.

He needs such a method to teach the artificial intelligence he has created.

The computer's main case made a rattling noise, like an alarm that the operation was approaching its limit.

Lin Xin knelt down and touched Lin Cheng's sweaty forehead and tightly biting lips.

"Tell me, what did you see..." He asked softly - the amount of information is too huge, and only through Lin Cheng's wisdom can the most accurate part be captured.

"Captain..." in a hoarse, panting voice: "I was injured, my right hand can no longer move... There are very few bullets, he is shooting single shots..."

Lin Xin heard her own breathing becoming rapid: "What else?"

"The enemy's front line has advanced another 200 meters, and the bullets hit them with almost no damage..."

"continue……"

"The opponent uses a combat-type artificial intelligence...the key point is three centimeters below the right breast...a circular area with a diameter of five millimeters..."

"..."

"The bullets are exhausted, we use gas grenades..."

"..."

"Explosion... The information source signal carried by the captain disappeared..."

"Crack." Dazzling sparks shot out from the computer mainframe, and the high-speed machine was finally overwhelmed and temporarily crashed.

Lin Cheng's body convulsed, and he seemed to be in a coma.

The room was dead silent.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes.

In the dimly lit room, Lin Xin stood there quietly like a frozen sculpture.

Lin Cheng reluctantly stood up.The pair of eyes in front of him were too hollow, and he couldn't read the emotions inside, so he could only endure the pain like a bursting brain, walked forward slowly, and hugged him tightly.

"Lin Xin, the captain will be fine..."

"I know." The voice was quiet, almost without any emotional changes.

"We're going to the war zone, and we'll meet the captain, and we'll win."

"I know."

"Also, Lin Xin..." He hugged the other's shoulder tightly: "I hate those cold artificial intelligences, they shouldn't exist on the battlefield."

"...I hate it too." After a long while, Lin Xin responded lightly but firmly: "So I will not leave any of them, and wipe them all out."

Two days passed quickly.

The night before going to the war zone, Lin Xin went to bed early.He felt a weary peace fill his heart.

The relevant things have been sorted out one after another in two days - he has already prepared thousands of times in his heart for what to bring. In addition to the necessary equipment, instruments and field information, he also brought Lu Jian's favorite cigarettes, toothbrushes, towels, and several photo albums filled with photos of him and Lu Jian were all stuffed into the bag.

He knew very well in his heart that if he couldn't win the final victory, if he wasn't with Lu Jian, his future would stay in the land soaked in gunpowder and blood in C22.

Therefore, those memory carriers that he cherishes must be brought with him.

The rustling noise in the living room has not stopped—probably Lin Cheng is doing the final inspection and sorting of supplies.The headlights were not turned on either, only the emergency lights in the corner cast a shallow silhouette of Lin Cheng's shadow on the glass window.

Perhaps he should be advised to rest earlier, Lin Xin thought lightly, the high-load information transmission in the past two days probably consumed a lot of his physical strength, and since noon yesterday, he felt that the temperature was a bit high, probably due to a fever.

Fever... This thought made Lin Xin laugh a little self-deprecatingly.

It is his temporary interest to make artificial intelligence achieve such a degree of simulation.Even though the design and experiment process was full of obstacles, but because of Lu Jian's cooperation and encouragement, he still enjoyed it with great joy.

Now it seems that these high-simulation functions have become cumbersome, and it is not as realistic as a crude alloy material structure without any sensory functions of artificial intelligence.

On the real battlefield, all vulnerable parts are deadly.He can't afford it anymore.

"Lin Cheng." He sat up and shouted towards the living room.

The other party responded and walked in quickly. "Lin Xin, are you still asleep?"

Lin Cheng only wore a camouflage T-shirt, his short hair was covered with sweat, and his face was flushed.

Lin Xin beckoned to him: "Come here."

Lin Cheng went to his bed and sat down.

Lin Xin touched his forehead with his hand: "Does your head still hurt?"

Lin Cheng sucked his nose twice: "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Lin Xin nodded: "That's good, go to bed early, there may be a lot of road to go tomorrow."

Lin Cheng stood up: "Okay." He paused for a while, as if a little embarrassed: "Lin Xin, I checked the luggage just now, and only saw a photo of you and the captain. I and yours... I can't seem to find it. "

Lin Xin looked at the starry sky outside the window, and her voice was a little hollow: "It doesn't matter if you can't find it, I will take pictures later, there are many opportunities."

Lin Cheng said "Oh" and touched his forehead: "Then I'm going to sleep, I'll call you tomorrow."

The weak light in the living room was quickly extinguished, and in the darkness, only the place where Lin Chengshi was sitting still seemed to have a little bit of warm breath.

High-fidelity artificial intelligence does not seem to be completely useless...at least the gentle voice and warm skin feel more comfortable than those disgusting metal bodies.Lin Xin leaned on the head of the bed and thought quietly.

——But there is really no need for a group photo or something.

In the analogous memories of artificial intelligence, the illusory past made up of digital signals has no meaning to real humans.

Lin Xin took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes.

In the early morning of the next day, there was a light rain in the sky.

In the gray sky, Zhou Heng and several lieutenants who attended the last general staff meeting saw them off.

The trip to the C22 battlefield was a secret mission of the highest level. Except for the top leaders of the general staff with less than ten people, everyone thought it was the most common trip for them.

Zhou Heng watched Lin Xin walking towards him, the military uniform was unusually straight, the major epaulettes with two bars and one star set off his too young face, it seemed a bit too heavy, but at the moment it was unusual in the gloom dazzling.

It was so dazzling... He couldn't even move his eyes to look at Lin Cheng, who was walking beside him, with a serious expression on his face.

"Lin Xin..." He looked at the young major who was standing still in front of him, and wanted to say something, but suddenly felt that for this young man with a calm face, he was already preparing for everything today a year ago For him, there is no need to say anything more. Finally, he stretched out his hand and shook hands with the other party: "Come back soon..."

Lin Xin gave him a standard military salute: "Yes."

A huge roar sounded.Several sophisticated instruments were methodically carried onto the military helicopter specially prepared for them.Lin Xin sat close to the door of the plane, staring at the land that was gradually moving away, with a focused expression.

Lin Cheng poked his head forward curiously: "Lin Xin, what are you looking at?" [Friday Forum]

"Look at the playground of the DC team..." He replied softly: "There is also the place where I used to stand. A year ago, I stood here to see off the advance troops going to the C22 battlefield, and Lu Jian...that is, from left here."

During the nearly three-hour flight, Lin Xin kept her eyes slightly closed.

Lin Cheng wiped the sniper rifle in his hand, moving gently, being careful not to make any noise.

"Are you nervous?" Lin Xin asked suddenly. I don't know if he woke up suddenly, or if he was still asleep.

"No." Lin Cheng raised his eyes: "I am very happy to go to the C22 theater to join the captain."

The helicopter landed [-] kilometers away from the war zone, and the relevant equipment was carried out piece by piece.

"I can only go here. If I fly further in, I will enter the opponent's aviation monitoring area. The rest of the distance can only be walked by the two of you." The pilot of the plane frowned and looked at the continuous rain, Some shrugged apologetically.

Lin Xin smiled, and together with Lin Cheng, they carried the equipment on their shoulders: "It's only forty kilometers, it's a trivial matter, this is the number for marching with heavy loads in the past, and you should be able to go before dark."

The navigator shook hands with him: "Be careful...the equipment used by the other party is abnormal, and it may be discovered at any time." He pointed to the rugged path in front of him: "Go straight in this direction, forty kilometers away, is The first information transmission station we set up at C22, you can rest there today, and it won’t be too late to enter the core area tomorrow.”

Lin Xin looked ahead: "Thank you."

The young navigator waved to him: "Then I'll go back first, and I will send over other equipment needed here one after another."

The plane took off again.

Lin Xin bumped into Lin Cheng who was standing aside in a daze: "Let's go."

It was only then that Lin Cheng seemed to have come to his senses: "Okay."

The [-]-kilometer road is indeed not too far. Before Lu Jian sent them to the wasteland for training, he had walked it many times.But Lin Xin feels that there has never been a more difficult time than now.

The road is stepped on, and the farther you go, the more muddy it becomes.Occasionally, from the nearby grass pile or soil slope, you can see a mass of blood and flesh, and you can't distinguish the shape at all.

But the rusty smell still reminded them that they were mutilated limbs belonging to humans.

I don't know where it was thrown from the explosion in the final battle, and then it was thrown from a distance.

This kind of cognition made Lin Xin's chest start to rise and fall violently, feeling a little suffocated.

Lin Cheng followed behind him in a muffled voice, but when he heard his gradually heavy breathing, he couldn't help but stepped forward a few steps, and walked to a position parallel to him.

"Lin Xin, do you want to take a break? How about I recite your things?"

"No need." He shook the rain from his hair and took a deep breath: "It's almost here. Tonight, we must rush to the first information transmission station to check the latest battlefield information."

Lin Cheng just stubbornly pulled off the small detector from Lin Xin's back and put it on his back, "Let's go." He smiled at the other party: "There is still one-fifth of the distance left. It should be here soon.”

When it was dark, the first information transmission station behind the battlefield finally showed its head in the barrenness.

The one who came out to greet them was a very young soldier who looked a bit dazed.When he saluted Lin Xin, he seemed a little excited. Seeing Lin Cheng sizing him up, he burst into two rows of teeth in one bite.

Lin Xin carefully put down the instrument on her body, and looked around for a moment: "Are you alone here?"

The other party nodded quickly: "Yes... yes." His hands were a little nervous, scratching the corners of his clothes, and he added clumsily: "It's been more than half a year... For more than half a year, I have been here alone, so seeing you, Very happy..."

Lin Xin seemed to have remembered something, she was silent for a while, and then smiled: "Thank you for your hard work."

The other party smiled more sincerely: "It should."

This transmission station is located at the edge of the theater. In addition to the necessary transmission devices, it also has a sophisticated information collection and analysis system. It can be regarded as an important information station between the theater and the rear headquarters.

Lin Cheng was a little puzzled, why the captain would hand over such an important place to a soldier who looked a bit stupid to guard it.

Lin Xin wiped off the rainwater from her hair, changed her clothes, walked around, and waved to the little soldier who was busy taking a handful of noodles to boil water: "Give me the key to the computer room, I will Go and see the latest information feedback."

The little soldier seemed to be in a hurry: "But... noodles..."

Lin Xin took the key: "Eat first, I'll be ready later."

Lin Cheng, who was about to keep up, froze for a moment.Lin Xin nodded at him: "I'm fine by myself, just wait for me here."

Xiao Soldier's noodles came out quickly, piping hot, with an egg on top.

Lin Cheng took two mouthfuls with a wheeze, and the taste was unexpectedly good.

The little soldier watched him eat, grinning all the time.Lin Cheng's mood seemed to be infected by him, and he patted the chair beside him, motioning him to sit closer: "My name is Lin Cheng, what's your name?"

"Xu...Xu Fei." The other party didn't know if he was too nervous, or if he hadn't talked to anyone for a long time, he was overly excited.

Lin Cheng scratched his head: "That's a good name."

The other party smiled.Lin Cheng rubbed his full stomach: "Where are you from?"

Xu Fei replied: "Long screen."

Lin Cheng regained his spirits: "Me too, so we are fellow villagers. Where are you Changping?"

The other party was obviously very excited, and even the local accent came out: "Long screen area 74."

Lin Cheng's eyes widened: "What? I... I am also from District 74 of Changping."

The two stared at each other, a little bit wanting to laugh and a little bit surprised.After a long while, it was Lin Cheng who broke the silence first: "I joined the army four years ago. I stayed in the TX team first, and then I was selected into the DC team... I have never met you."

The other party opened his mouth, looking more stupefied than him: "I...me too. I also won several first places in the auditions."

Lin Cheng stood up with a "snap", and he didn't even seem to notice that the chopsticks in his hand fell to the ground.

He understood everything the other party said... Even when Xu Fei said every sentence, he could feel what kind of fragment appeared in the other party's mind.That strange feeling, like some part of their memories overlapped exactly.

Even at a certain moment, he would have an unspeakable illusion, as if there should be more inextricably linked relationships between the two of them.

Vague thoughts flashed in my mind, and when I wanted to reach out and grab it, it seemed out of reach.

The other party seemed a little surprised: "Lin...Lin Cheng, you dropped your chopsticks."

Lin Cheng opened his mouth.

"I'll trouble Xu Fei to find another pair if they're lost, and bring me a pair by the way. The noodles are delicious, and I seem to be hungry too."

Lin Xin walked out of the computer room at some point, leaning against the wall, as if listening to the silly conversation between the two of them seriously, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth.