Chapter 1, Death Row
The heavy footsteps drew the attention of the inmates in Area E. In the corridor through which a group passed, many prisoners pressed against the cell doors, coldly observing Qin Lun and the others
Seven prison guards did not linger in the corridor of Area E, quickly passing through several iron gates to arrive at the "luxurious single cell" of the death row in Area E.
However, since he began studying clinical medicine and psychology at the age of eighteen, it has also had a negative effect on the prison. That is, there are no longer any psychologists who can accurately assess his mental state
This black-framed light screen, shaped like a piece of hard cardboard, contains a simple light brain that stores detailed information about Qin Lun. Generally, after a federal court issues a death sentence, the prison guards use this flat light brain to convey the sentencing order to the death row inmates, which is humorously referred to by the prisoners as the "death list"
With the resounding voice of the announcement, two prison guards carrying a rectangular cabinet opened it, revealing a set of steel apparatus inside. Several guards successively took out these steel components, resembling parts of a mech, and equipped them onto Qin Lun. Before long, a figure appeared before the guards, clad in armor with only the eyes exposed, resembling a "Knight in Armor".
This is a confinement device equipped with steam power, where the inmate can only walk slowly relying on the steam mechanism, and even simple actions such as sitting or standing require a delay of three seconds
The confinement cell where Qin Lun is held is equipped with electric heating pipes installed underground, specifically for moisture removal. The ventilation openings are regularly treated with air fresheners. The prison even provides Qin Lun with books and chess to help stabilize his mental state
With a clang, the iron gate leading to Zone E of the prison automatically opened. Seven tall prison guards entered the corridor of the cell area. Except for the leader, the next four were heavily armored guards holding riot shields and wearing protective helmets, while the last two guards were carrying a rectangular safe.
A young man, appearing slender, sits at a desk with his back to the prison door, flipping through a thick book in his hands
The bright eyes visible through the steel mask slightly moved, surveying the surroundings. This is an oval hall, with touch-sensitive workstations along the edges and a massive LCD display screen at the front.
Certainly, aside from the rudimentary furniture used by the inmates, the equipment employed for the supervision of prisoners in Handan Heavy Penitentiary consists of the most modern high-tech products. Each inmate is fitted with an ankle bracelet signal transmitter, the casing of which is made of titanium alloy, secured to the ankle by a magnetic password lock. It cannot be removed unless one has the password or amputates the foot.
Inmates who have been deprived of their civil rights consume tasteless synthetic food and sleep on antique-style double-decker wooden beds from centuries ago. Aside from labor, the only activities left for the inmates are exercising and reading.
Although humanity has entered the era of space exploration, prisoners in jails do not have the privilege of enjoying the conveniences brought by high technology. In the cells of Handan Heavy Criminal Prison, there are no three-dimensional projection entertainment programs, no radio stations, and no green food cultivated in greenhouses in outer space.
The track resembles the ascending path of a roller coaster; the higher it goes, the steeper the slope becomes. At the top of the track, the incline even reaches ninety degrees, forming a right angle with the bottom. This is one of the core technologies of humanity in the genesis, the Sky Track
The isolation cell lacked modern high-tech password locks. The leading guard gently opened the iron door, revealing a viewing window no larger than a palm, and peered inside the isolation cell.
With a soft hiss, a stream of fine white steam erupted from the knee joint of the iron monster. Clad in a steel mask, Qin Lun stepped forward and exited the cell
The transmission target has entered, activate the particle analysis engine
... ... 3, 2, 1! Transmission begins!
Particle scan completed, confirming remote guidance signal, starting thirty-second countdown
The so-called E Zone restricted area is very small, comprising only three confinement cells. The terrain of the restricted area is lower than that of other cells, with the sewage system pipes converging here. The fluorescent lights in the corridor have been artificially adjusted to a dim orange hue
Upon entering the death row area, it was evident that the expressions of the seven prison guards had become increasingly serious, and the atmosphere within the group was filled with gravity. After passing through the corridor of the death row, the seven arrived at the final restricted zone of Area E
The prisoners detained in Area E are primarily serious offenders. Unlike the cells in other areas that house minor offenders, the doors here are solid iron doors equipped only with observation windows
The corridors and various corners of the prison are filled with surveillance devices, and even the ventilation ducts and sewage systems are patrolled by miniature spider robots, creating an impenetrable net. Since the establishment of Handan Prison nearly a century ago, there has not been a single successful escape.
The Sky Track is a long-distance transmission device, categorized into provincial, district, and star levels. Additionally, there is the legendary interstellar Sky Track. The base of the Sky Track features a sealed transmission chamber, which, through the acceleration of the Sky Track, ultimately transforms into a free light state, being sent into the medium layer of material space and antimatter space—subspace—thus achieving the goal of long-distance material transmission.
Is this the top figure in Handan's maximum-security prison? A mysterious and complex light flickers in the eyes of the prisoners
As the team entered the teleportation chamber, a gentle female voice resonated in the hall, the synthesized voice of the Tian track light brain
The entire environment is cold and damp, exuding a faint fishy odor. The sewage pipes, under the dim light, cast large, eerie shadows in the corners, and the surrounding atmosphere of deathly silence fills everyone with trepidation, their hearts brimming with unease
The ceiling of the cell is equipped with recessed bulletproof fluorescent lights, and two rows of antique bookshelves are arranged in the corners, filled with paper books. There is no shortage of a desk, a bed, and a flush toilet. In addition to a few books, the desk even holds a wooden chess set.
Handan Heavy Penitentiary is a group of tower blocks located several hundred feet above the ground. Between Tower E and Tower D, there is a towering steel track that reaches into the clouds
Put the black hood on him!" The chief prison guard turned around and instructed, looking at the last iron gate of Area E
After the young man closed the book, he stood up, clasped his hands behind his head, and turned around. Under the light, a plain-looking, slender young man appeared before the crowd
On the other end of the transport pod, there is also a sky track used for receiving the transport pod. In the era of Genesis, humans, apart from magnetic levitation vehicles, generally used the sky track for interprovincial travel and transportation. Electric trains and civilian aircraft have long since become exhibits in museums
The young man gently closed the book, and under the bright light, the cover revealed the five large characters "Behavioral Psychology". Upon closer inspection of the books on the shelf and the desk, it seemed that this special confinement room contained an entire system of books on clinical medicine and psychology
... ...
Qin Lun, male, twenty years old, originally named Joy Foster. Following the final ruling by the Supreme Federal Court: the appeal for a commuted death sentence is rejected, the original verdict is upheld, multiple murder charges are established, and civil rights are permanently revoked. The execution of the death penalty by lethal injection will take place today at 7 PM
The prison guard let out a silent sigh of relief, removed the keys from his armed belt, and inserted them into the lock of the iron door. The heavy prison door was suddenly pulled open, and four heavily armed guards cautiously bent down, holding shields as they entered the isolation cell
In fact, the isolation cell is not a conventional prison cell and is mostly left empty. However, when the murderer Qin Lun entered his third year at Handan Maximum Security Prison, after he killed five fellow inmates and two prison guards, he became the first death row inmate in the over one hundred year history of Handan Maximum Security Prison to turn the isolation cell into a regular prison cell
The murderer, encased in a steam confinement device, resembled a comically clumsy bear as he slowly walked down the corridor of Area E, flanked by four heavily armored prison guards.
In fact, unless Qin Lun is subjected to strong external stimulation, his intelligence quotient is generally higher than that of ordinary individuals. Starting from the books provided to him by Handan Prison, Qin Lun completed the general education curriculum from elementary school to university in just five years.
The E Block solitary confinement cell is different from ordinary cells; it has no windows at all, and the only ventilation hole is the size of a fist, connecting to the ventilation ducts of other cells. Surprisingly, this solitary confinement cell not only lacks the damp and musty odor of the external corridor, but it also appears warm and dry, even carrying a fragrance reminiscent of an air freshener
These three isolation cells are primarily used for the punishment of inmates who violate prison regulations, extending from the dimly lit corridors housing serious offenders and death row inmates to this restricted area. Even the most unrestrained murderers are filled with panic; inmates with weaker psychological resilience may even become so frightened that they suffer a mental breakdown, never daring to violate prison rules again
Qin Lun suffers from severe psychological trauma and has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. The isolation cell, which terrifies other inmates, has no effect on this murderer at all. After sacrificing numerous lives and incurring significant costs, Handan Prison, upon the recommendation of a psychologist, provided him with a relatively "friendly" environment
In a gentle female voice, the transport pod suddenly began to tremble violently. At the top of the sky track of Handan Maximum Security Prison, a brilliant spiral light illuminated, and the transport pod soared into the sky, transforming into a shooting star, instantly disappearing into the air and entering the mysterious subspace
Since Qin Lun entered the Handan Maximum Security Prison, he has broken numerous unspoken rules of the prison in record time. He has also consecutively killed several violent offenders and death row inmates who shared the same cell with him, including two prison guards who unfortunately lost their lives in the process
"Qin Lun, the time has come!" shouted the prison guard, gripping his baton tightly, standing three meters away from the young man, in a deep voice.
The leading prison guard looked into the bright eyes of the murderer, sighed inwardly, and raised a thin black-framed light screen that was as delicate as cardboard to begin reading.
The fluorescent lights in the corridor of the cell block flickered erratically, casting an eerie atmosphere over the otherwise silent passage. Even the prison guards who had worked here for a long time found it somewhat difficult to endure the oppressive and strange ambiance of Area E
With a scoff, the base gate of the sky track slid open, revealing a spacious and brightly lit modern corridor before everyone. In comparison, the passageway of the cell area in Prison E was almost as damp and foul-smelling as a sewer
The prison guards guided Qin Lun's steam confinement device into the transit chamber of the sky track, while simultaneously removing the black hood from the murderer.
The murderer Qin Lun is unexpectedly endowed with a pair of clear and pure eyes. Perhaps due to years of being deprived of sunlight, his skin is fair, especially his hands, which are long and white, resembling jade. At first glance, this murderer appears to be nothing more than an undernourished ordinary young man
Upon arriving at the innermost confinement cell, a hint of tension appeared on the faces of the seven prison guards, who cautiously drew their ion batons from their waists