The Mimic's choice to infiltrate an atypical target like a Rational Reconstruction Entity itself demonstrated the flexibility and cunning of its strategy. This time, it was a small colony. What about next time? What if it infiltrated the core of an emotional civilization, or a key relay station in the network?
"Compile all data from this operation, including the Mimic's informational traits, attack patterns, and removal methods, into a top-secret battle report. Distribute it to every core node in the network and all high-risk civilizations," Lin Ye ordered. "We must make everyone more vigilant. The Mimic is like an information virus in the universe—impossible to guard against completely."
Before the aftermath of the successful purge of the Mimic infiltration had settled, Lin Ye received an unsolicited contact from the Shadow of Paradox.
This time, it did not use a complex information package. Instead, in a more direct yet more elusive manner, it cast a shadowy outline that constantly negated itself at the edge of Lin Ye's routine Contemplation meditation.
[An interesting result.] The shadowy outline emitted a wave of ambiguous meaning. [Brush's probe was deftly resolved, and Poison Bait's first deployment was precisely eliminated. The newborn Chaos Seed has demonstrated resilience and precision beyond expectations. This increases the value of observation and also... slightly adjusts the stakes of the game.]
Lin Ye was not surprised that the Shadow of Paradox knew. This fellow seemed to possess some degree of perception toward the Entropy Silence Darkside and all related anomalous fluctuations.
He kept his mind clear in Contemplation and replied, "Observing and recording are your freedom. But you did not show yourself merely to offer an evaluation."
The shadowy outline twisted slightly, as if smiling. [Direct. Then let us get to the point. Your contact with Brush, especially the Broken Protocols