Translator: Abyssruler, AtlasStudios Editor: Lucas, AtlasStudios
The concerns of Elite Academy X and the Solar System did not concern Wang Zheng one bit. His training time outside was the most unhindered. He could muster the greatest concentration, and Gemini Star’s gravity, which was seven times that of Earth, was a good challenge for Wang Zheng. This felt different from a heavy gravity room. It was difficult to describe with words – perhaps it was just the difference between natural and man-made.
Wang Zheng’s Primordial Regression Technique only needed a day to adapt to Gemini Star’s gravity, which shocked Luo Er and Ao Ziwei. Next was Lie Xin. Zhang Shan was still bitterly fighting the gravity. Although a little arduous, he eventually managed to shrug off the anti-gravity suit as well.
“The Solar System people are really strong. I’ve never seen anyone adapt so quickly on their first time at Gemini Star.” Luo Er and Ao Ziwei were from the same hometown, and had a good relationship.
“Truly amazing. Solar System people have a surprising affinity for physical breathing techniques, something that other planets cannot compare with.”
Ao Ziwei was also a little envious. Such physical strength had allowed Saruman Snake Battle Team and Dynasty Battle Team to achieve results that made one proud.
These few days, Wang Zheng had not had the chance to pilot his runic mech. He had participated in a few tests with worms, and the group was finally realizing why they needed Ao Ziwei so much. The base combined the genetic makeup of abyss Zergs with normal worms to create artificial abyss Zergs.
Ao Ziwei’s Ability X could run preventive tests. Her ability, related to defense, was equally effective against both mental energy and Ability X. Overmind control was always a complex matter – they were not as pliable as normal worms. Besides, no one knew what mutations would occur when they were combined with abyss genes.
But the final result was worth celebrating. It was highly likely that humanity could create a Zerg army. If that came to fruition, then the losses could be heavily reduced when they invaded the abyss.
This was definitely lifting news.
At the celebration, even the elusive Qi Bin and Kulifa appeared, and the pair was all smiles. Professor Beko and the other researchers were even more elated.
Although Wang Zheng and the rest had not done too much these few days, they had done their part as well, and Beko and the rest were full of praise.
The celebrations here were much simpler. After announcing the good news, their popularity was still a thing for the future. Of course, such research would not be made public, but to Beko and the rest, it was reward in itself.
Butcher was happy for his friend as well. Researching Zergs was a path with no return. And under present circumstances, its utility was not well acknowledged, although it was important insurance for humanity. This experiment resulted in the replication of easily controllable Zergs, a proposition much stronger than a robot army. At the same time, they had extracted Zerg genes, which helped to shed light on other biological problems. Further understanding of genetics would help humanity become even stronger and adapt better to the universe.
Perhaps this was the way that humanity would transcend the Milky Way.
Regardless, the research program had opened doors, and both military and investors were very satisfied.
The banquet was proceeding in good spirits, and everyone was chatting and laughing. The students were naturally together. In this period, Wang Zheng and the rest had become familiar with Luo Er and Basais as well. It was easy to become close in such an environment.
It was apparent that the life composition and social relations Luo Er was a big admirer of Wang Zheng. She was also very curious of Earthlings’ abilities. And Zhang Shan was teasing loli Ao Ziwei. To think back to IG, Zhang Shan was a classic Passerby C, while Ao Ziwei was the cold and aloof princess of Gemini Star. Which was why Zhang Shan was still very satisfied. In truth, Ao Ziwei was a simple girl, and Zhang Shan was an expert in bullying such girls.
Lie Xin did not seem particularly interested in conversation. She drank alone moodily, as though her emotional maturity was not all there. Everyone knew that Lie Xin was not in a good mood, and nobody bothered her.
“For the Solar System to rise, it must first rid itself of internal problems. If Earth, Mars, and Moon cannot work as one, then the rise of the Solar System will be but empty words.” Luo Er said. She was very interested in politics, and understood the current international political situation well.
Wang Zheng said tolerantly “But each region’s culture and history are different. The present situation is also different. I think the Solar System Federation is not that bad.”
“Keke, your Solar System is not suited for democracy. It needs stricter control, and for those with charisma and ability to step forward. Only then can you bring forth your best side. This is different from other federations. Of course, it is difficult for such people to appear.” Luo Er smiled cheekily, sizing up Wang Zheng.
Faced with such a broad topic, Wang Zheng was not completely clueless. But he was not willing to debate it over much. This was not something that mere words could solve. Philosophizing was meaningless. The enmity between the 3 major planets of the Solar System had endured for centuries. This was something that federations without such historical baggage would not understand.
“Luo Er, why did you choose this specialization?”
Luo Er smiled sweetly. “Is it that strange? My parents work in this field. I was influenced from young to follow this path.”
Wang Zheng could not help smiling. “And what do you make of the current international environment?”
“The 6 or 7 major countries, led by Aslan Empire and Arbiter Empire, have over-developed their militaries and economies. It’s reached a bottleneck. But the system has determined that they cannot stop now. They have become a volatile factor in the current international stage.”
“Oh, but the layman view is that the presence of countries like Aslan is the reason why the Milky Way enjoys the peace it now does.” Wang Zheng said.
“Everything has its counterpart. It was indeed so in the past. And presently, it’s acceptable. But how long will this last? Besides, the Milky Way Alliance Council is not as respected as when it was first established. The big nations are starting to impose their agenda in meetings. In human society, power and connections often stand above the law.” Luo Er said. “For example, the recent dispute over Tita Titan.”
Wang Zheng was shocked. “Tita Titan Star?”
“Yes. Tita Titan Star is sandwiched between Jiro Federation and Diweng Alliance. It has always been the object of sovereignty dispute. But because Tita Star was a waste planet in the past, and filled with barbaric Tita people, the developmental costs were too high. The Lan family smelled an opportunity, and their longstanding efforts with the Tita people made the Tita Titan Star of today. But the super-gravity energy ore sparked this dispute, and now Tita Star is in a dilemma.
Hearing that it was Tita Titan Star, Wang Zheng was immediately alert. He immediately asked more details from Luo Er. The moment he heard Luo Er’s introduction, Wang Zheng knew that things were not good.
This was not just an international dispute with pirates hoping to make the best of it. There must be a strong country in the shadows. Such tricks were nothing new, but had survived till today because of how well they worked. After all, there was no loss to outsiders. They did not want to see Tita Star use the super-gravity energy ore to become a superpower. The way they saw it, they much preferred a poor mining planet that could be exploited.
Wang Zheng was preparing to learn of the details when a ear-splitting siren wailed.
“Not… not… not good…” A worker rushed out, his face ashen.
“What’s the matter? Report…” Suddenly Beko’s face changed.
“All of the worms were released. And someone broke the control system. All the worms have been set to attack mode.”
Immediately the hall fell deathly silent. There was only the screech of the siren. This…
Butcher immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. “Beko, calm yourself. Let us evacuate to a safe place, and then contact the military.”
“The base exits have all been forcibly sealed.”
At this moment someone rushed in. “Professor, our experimental data has been stolen.”
Beko was not a military person, and immediately lost his head. Hearing that his life work had been stolen was too much for him. Coughing blood, he swooned.
At this moment, the calmest person was butcher. “Siemen Kuang, bring us to the emergency shelter immediately.”
Siemen Kuang was also panicky, but he was in a better state. He composed herself. “In Zone D there is an empty laboratory that is very sturdy. Follow me, everybody.”
They picked up Beko, and followed Siemen Kuang to the emergency shelter. On the supervising monitor, all of the worms cages had been opened, and the worms were currently destroying things, crazed… there were more than 100, and for abyss Zergs with such firepower, it would only be too easy to reduce the place to rubble.
Luo Er and the rest were frightened out of their wits as well. Although they were Elite Academy X students, but they had never encountered such things before. The base was sealed, the worms on a rampage. They were like fish in the net. Fortunately, they reached the lab. Siemen Kuang barred the large doors, and they were temporarily safe.
“Siemen, can you contact the military?”
“Working on it. There is a source of interruption on the base. But give me some time, I can crack it.” Having reached here, he had already calmed himself.
At this moment, Butcher realized something was off. “Has anybody seen Qi Bin and Kulifa?”
There was a hush. No one had realized when the pair had disappeared.
At that moment, Qi Bin and Kulifa were already in a personal shuttle headed off to space. The two sat in a luxurious guest room with a glass of wine each, and accompanied by a sexy lady.
“Here, a toast to our victory.”
“Haha, cheers to the pleasures of life!”
Ting…
Wine and women, and the howls of those imbeciles. How sweet. Those fools. Research was to attain the goal of pleasure. If he would not cooperate, then to hell with him.
Qi Bin imagined that the girl by his side was Lie Xin. This wench was not bad, but a far cry from Lie Xin. Her virility and youth, what a pity. If she had been a good girl perhaps he could have spared her life, but now she would be worm food.
Military?
Under such situations, even the military would be helpless. The best method would be to blow the entire base, to prevent the Zerg from escaping. Otherwise, that would be a disaster for the entire Gemini Star.
