Chapter 7: Pleasant Cooperation

The electronic synthesized voice slowly explained, and strange, otherworldly scenes began to appear in the holographic projection in front of them.

"Then... what happened next?"

Chen Fan asked in shock, "How does this relate to the backup plan you mentioned?"

[After losing the high-power communication device carried by the rescue robots, the communication unit on this device is insufficient to initiate cross-universe communication.]

The intelligent terminal explained, [But the research ship has an extremely advanced high-power communication device...]

At this point, Chen Fan finally understood the purpose behind the terminal's long-winded explanation.

He gave a somewhat bewildered look and asked, "So, you mean... you want me to help you find the missing research ship?"

[Yes.]

The terminal's surface glowed faintly, [Once contact is established, the Human Alliance will reward and compensate you based on the circumstances...]

"Hold on!"

Chen Fan immediately interrupted the terminal, "Let's set aside the rewards and compensation for now. Do you think I have the ability to help you find the missing research ship?"

The terminal fell silent for a moment before answering dryly, [...I believe you do.]

"No, I don't."

Chen Fan didn't hesitate to refute.

[Yes, you do!]

"…"

Chen Fan realized what a huge trouble this was! Asking him, an ordinary human, to find a high-tech research ship that had gone missing for an unknown reason—was this really a task a carbon-based lifeform would come up with?

Oh, wait... the terminal wasn't even a carbon-based lifeform. It was at best a half-silicon-based entity.

With that thought, Chen Fan was even more determined in his decision.

He clapped his hands and reached for the half-dismembered mechanical arm on the floor.

Perhaps because it was made from some advanced alloy material, the arm wasn't very heavy—Chen Fan struggled to lift it from the ground and moved it to the open window.

[Wait! What are you doing?!]

Seeing the arm about to be thrown out the window, the terminal panicked a bit, [Buddy! Buddy, let's talk this through!!]

[I am the latest model of the Human Alliance's universal intelligent terminal. I can help you a lot!!]

This caught Chen Fan's attention.

In such a strange world, he really needed a reliable assistant.

He yanked the floating mechanical arm back into the room, looked at it seriously, and asked, "What functions do you have?"

[Let me think about it...]

Chen Fan twitched his mouth and pushed the mechanical arm out the window again, "Are you messing with me?"

[Hey hey hey! Let's talk this out!]

The terminal was nearly in panic as it was pulled back into the room again, [I'm not messing with you!]

[You don't have the required permissions, so you can't use most of the functions I have.]

Seeing the change in Chen Fan's expression, the terminal quickly added:

[But don't worry, I have powerful computational abilities that can help you solve most problems.]

Chen Fan remained skeptical.

It wasn't that he didn't trust advanced technology, it was just that he didn't trust the "quality" of this particular intelligent terminal.

Still, he moved the mechanical arm back into the room.

After thinking for a moment, he asked seriously, "Can you help me return to my original world?"

"Or rather, can the Human Alliance, the one you described, do that?"

"If you can manage it, I'll try my best to help you find the research ship."

The terminal: ?!!

[Wait, wait... you're not a native of this world?]

The blue light flickered rapidly, and there was clear surprise in the synthesized voice, [You're an illegal traveler?]

"Illegal traveler?" Chen Fan frowned instinctively, "Is there a difference between legal and illegal travelers?"

[In the Human Alliance, to avoid various negative impacts caused by dimensional travel, crossing between dimensions requires Human Alliance approval.]

[Any unreported travel is considered illegal and will be dealt with according to the specific circumstances.]

Chen Fan couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "The Human Alliance even controls this..."

[To be precise, illegal dimensional travel is fully supervised by the Dangerous Technology Management Bureau, which is the department this unit belongs to.]

The terminal corrected itself, [Kid, you're lucky.]

Chen Fan twitched his mouth:

"… Damn."

...

More than ten minutes later.

[I have understood the situation.]

The electronic synthesized voice echoed in the room, [Although there are no detailed coordinates, don't worry, the Dangerous Technology Management Bureau is professional in this area.]

[Theoretically, you should be able to return to your original world.]

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan let out a long breath.

This was the best news he had heard today.

[I've conducted a thorough search of the database. There are two options for contacting the Dangerous Technology Management Bureau.]

"Tell me!"

After hearing there was hope for his rescue, Chen Fan's mood immediately became much more positive.

[First, as I mentioned before, if we find the missing research ship, using the high-power communication device on board, I can contact the Bureau again. If we're lucky, we might even be able to board the ship and go directly back to the Bureau.]

"..." Chen Fan remained silent for a while, then expressed his attitude, "How about you tell me about the second option?"

[The second one is simpler.]

[Wait for the Bureau to notice the anomaly and come to us.]

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan's face broke into a smile.

It wasn't that he didn't like taking the initiative, but being passive had better cost-effectiveness!

[The exact time is uncertain, and considering the multiple transmission failures, I can't guarantee the Bureau will restart the transmission program soon.]

[But don't worry, since the research ship encountered problems in this universe, the Human Alliance definitely won't give up on the rescue plan.]

[If all goes well, it could take a few months, but it could also take years or even decades.]

Chen Fan's smile faded slowly. "… So slow?!"

A few months? Years? Decades?!

If everything went wrong, he might only have one month left!

Thinking about how in a month he would be sent to serve as the "living sacrifice" to a god, Chen Fan quickly rejected this plan.

[This isn't considered slow.]

The terminal explained, [Exploring an entirely unfamiliar and structurally complex universe is an enormous task.]

[Only the Human Alliance could complete this in such a short time.]

Chen Fan's expression hardened. "Now, I think the first option is more reliable."

"Serving the Human Alliance is my honor."

"Just tell me what I need to do."

The terminal's voice paused for a moment, [...???]

After a few seconds of silence, the synthesized voice sounded again:

[This unit is currently offline and has almost no independent operational capabilities.]

[To facilitate the next steps, I will grant you guest permissions.]

As soon as the words were spoken, the blue light shot toward Chen Fan, who was standing still.

After a brief pause, with the light slowly fading, a silver-white metallic-glossed glove-like object detached itself from the mechanical palm in front of him:

[Guest identity successfully bound. Current guest: Carbon-based high-intelligence life, Chen Fan.]

[Chen Fan, pleasant cooperation.]