Countermeasure Research Institute.
Half an hour after receiving the hidden intelligence regarding the rule, Gao Liangwei summoned Li Meng and Zhang Minglu to his office.
When they arrived, they found that besides Gao Liangwei, there was also a middle-aged man in a blue military uniform with a satellite insignia on his shoulder.
Both of them were quite surprised to see him.
"Looks like I don't need to introduce him. You both know Director Chen," Gao Liangwei said.
Of course they knew him. Not long ago, they had watched the press conference he hosted—Chen Shi, Director of the North Star Space Administration.
Chen Shi rose and extended his hand. "Section Chief Li, Dr. Zhang, Colonel Gao has already told me about you. Pleased to meet you."
The two shook hands with him in turn, and then the three sat down.
"Director Chen came here this time because of this rule," Gao Liangwei said.
"That's right. It concerns the astronauts who died," Chen Shi said. "We didn't reveal the truth of their deaths to the public because we feared it would cause panic."
Li Meng asked curiously, "What is the truth? Does it have something to do with this rule?"
As one of humanity's two paths toward the future, space colonization was of immense importance. The matter had ended abruptly and ambiguously this time, leaving not only ordinary citizens but also many people in Official Departments deeply puzzled.
"I'm afraid so." Chen Shi's expression was grave. "Our astronauts entered a special state of stress after suffering an unknown, intense mental stimulus. They died after remaining in that state for several days. After Rule 17 was released, we believed they had been affected by the rule."
"Director Chen, are you saying the astronauts died because of Scarlet Fear?" Zhang Minglu asked in surprise.