by <unknown>
Chapter 234: Completion of Mankind Anti-aging Project |
This was a bizarre event that shook the nation.
The surveillance footage showed a small group of Novartis and Roche shareholders killing all of the other shareholders through this event.
What the police could not figure out was their collective motive for doing so.
They were all billionaires sitting on enough wealth to last several generations with some of them even influential enough to make political changes in Switzerland. What sort of mad motivation did they have to band together for no particular reason and kill a group of billionaires of equal standing as them?
Even if there were some feud between them, why not resort to monetary or political tactics to pressure the other side or simply employ assassins? Such tactics were very common, after all, who would be foolish enough to take matters into their own hands?
Were they going to give up the status and identity they had fought so hard, so long for?
However, such a bizarre, nonsensical event did happen. A group of billionaires had killed another group of billionaires in broad daylight where dozens of billionaires were executed simultaneously. This was not including the group of their family members who were similarly executed as well. This was no minor event.
If this was mishandled, the Switzerland stock market would be greatly affected as a result. Additionally, all of the victims had various factions rallying behind them. If these factions got tangled together, there was very little that even the Switzerland government could do.
However, since the event had transpired in the Novartis headquarters instead of in a public location, the case was sealed to avoid public scrutiny.
Facing pressure from major corporations on all sides, the government had ordered the police to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing on locating the perpetrators for further questioning.
Sadly, the outcome may come off as a disappointment for the Swedish government.
The perpetrators had seemingly vanished into thin air. The police had followed every clue available that may lead to their whereabouts. They had even found the clothing and other personal belongings of this group but failed to locate any one of them.
As time went on, the officials were reassigned one after the other, and the case never saw much by way of progress.
Eventually, it had become a mystery that the higher-ups of the Switzerland government were unable to solve.
…
Chen Chen nodded contently when he saw the results. "Good work, X, you're getting better at commandeering. You've done everything perfectly from overall groundwork to analysis and drafting the mission plan. Even I'd have trouble doing all this."
"Hm hm!"
Little X spared the modesty and took credit for everything right away. "Since the Swiss-Europe collaboration effort target at us has failed, what will be our next move?"
"Of course, it's back to the usual."
Chen Chen thought for a moment and flipped through the booklet of technology Little X had acquired from Elysium. "We're a right and proper biology enterprise, so it's back to biological science-related work."
With that, he flipped to a certain page and said, "For example, this targeted drug for triple-negative advanced breast cancer or the targeted drug for advanced mix liver cancer. We can start instantiating them gradually.
"These targeted drugs are hundred-year-old technologies in the world of Elysium and have long been discontinued as they don't meet a recovery rate of ninety percent. With that said, these drugs are as good as a miracle pill in the real world."
"Will we draw the suspicion of the Earth Federation if we take out too many of them at once?" Little X asked with concern.
"Let them suspect all they want."
The corner of Chen Chen's lips crooked upward in a smirk. "So what. With the emergence of these drugs, our Blacklight Biotechnology will be further cementing our position in the medical sector. By the time the Earth Federation begins to marvel at and question the biotechnological development of Blacklight Biotechnology, we'd have already grown by an insurmountable amount.
"As Blacklight Biotechnology begins to expand its influence, it won't make a difference even if the Earth Federation becomes alerted. With all the profiteering organizations backing us, they would have to go through those organizations to reach us."
Chen Chen gently raised his hand and slowly closed it into a fist. "Do you understand now? Blacklight Biotechnology didn't get to this point by bearing all the burden all by ourselves, instead, we extend our reach to all corners of the world.
"By that point, it's too late for the Earth Federation to try to make a move against us because confronting us is to confront the organizations rallying behind us, which is hurting the Earth Federation itself…"
"Oh…" Little X responded, seemingly unable to fully comprehend.
"I plan to bring an end to all forms of cancer in thirty years."
Chen Chen added. "Thirty years. This also marks the end of the first lifespan extension cycle of the 'Mankind Anti-aging Project'. The 'Age Reversal Treatment' will be gradually pushed to the world and will become accessible to most of the population in thirty years. Only the termination of all forms of cancer by that time will spell the completion of the first phase of the 'Mankind Anti-aging Project.'"
"But genes like cancer are ever-present. The longer a human lives, the higher the chances of being diagnosed with cancer…" Little X said in a low voice.
"I know that, which is why I'll be developing a treatment drug for all kinds of cancer in thirty years. Cancer will go from a terminal disease akin to Death itself to a disease that can be easily cured."
"I understand," Little X responded.
"This is only one of my agenda."
Chen Chen thought for a moment and said, "At the same time, I'm planning to launch a bionic prosthetic project in preparation for when we exhaust the potential of genetic technology."
"Bionic prosthetic?"
Little X asked with a hint of surprise, "You mean… Swapping heads?"
"That's right."
Chen Chen nodded. "I do understand that casting off one's body for the sake of extending one's lifespan is very counterintuitive. After all, it's vital to preserve the body to encourage further evolution through genetic technology practices, but what if the relevant biotechnological technology involved faces a bottleneck period spanning centuries?
"By the time the first phase of 'Mankind Anti-aging Project' expires, the ones who subscribe to this project will very quickly wither away. We cannot afford to put all our eggs in one basket."
Chen Chen reflected. "This is why bionic prosthetics are very important. Not only will it be able to address issues concerning disability, should the development of biotechnology encounter a bottleneck, humans can connect their minds to a bionic prosthetic as a temporary alternative. These bionic prosthetics will not exhibit any form of transplantation rejection and its users will attain senses such as touch, taste, smell, and such which are far superior to that of their original bodies…
"Although the drawback is that the potential for biological evolution is cut in half and more, it's still better than the alternative being the extinction of mankind. Besides, this may also pave a different path to longevity."
"I get it."
Little X said, "The bionic prosthetic you're referring to is a combination of robotics and biotechnology. It can emulate the movements of the human body, even fulfilling many desires such as gluttony and lust, but it's not a complete human body just yet…"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say."
Chen Chen nodded in response. "So let's get ready to begin. The factories in the Eco Science City Industrial Park are nearing completion and will be our research facility once they are completed. Also, we won't have to start from square one. Both the bionic technology from Alita: Battle Angel or Ghost in the Shell are good options to work with."
"Which one will you be choosing?" Littl
e X asked.
"Emm, isn't it obvious?"
Chen Chen turned to Little X with a devilish smirk.
Chapter 235: T-Black Knight |
Half a month passed.
Chen Chen sat inside the Wrangler Jeep, beholding the estate of the industrial park even larger than the Eco Science City. He was visibly pleased.
"Over there, Boss. That's the electronics assembly factory we're constructing."
In the passenger seat, Qian Wenhuan pointed to a dome structure. The structure was covered with a copious number of solar panels and when approached from a distance, appeared more like a ball lamp commonly seen in banquet halls. It glittered under the radiant sunlight, giving off a mesmerizing impression.
What was even more notable was the sheer dimensions of the structure. Measuring up to two hundred meters in length and sixty meters tall, it was nearly a small mountain on its own.
"This electronics factory can host up to 50,000 people and it's self-sufficient in electricity."
Qian Wenhuan introduced, "There are 1,500 assembly lines in the factory. It can assemble any kind of equipment you can think of efficiently and very quickly. We're confident that we can gain a monopoly on the Namibian electronics assembly sector with this factory alone!"
"How about the staff?"
Chen Chen asked, "How do we deal with the shortage of manpower?"
"I must say Boss, this is the easiest problem to deal with."
Qian Wenhuan chuckled. "I'm sure you haven't been to the ten thousand workers electronics assembly factory in Mainland?"
When Chen Chen responded with a nod, Qian Wenhuan began explaining, "It's very easy to employ workers. All you need is a local intermediary to do it for you. I'm sure you've seen all sorts of recruitment notices online, they all follow this model…
"Intermediaries use all sorts of methods to employ people, the most common method is by advertising online. They would tell you the job offers a salary up to 200, 300, even 400. There's double pay on weekends, you can quit anytime you want, accommodation and food provided, and plenty other attractive compensations. It's like all of the advertisements are telling you that you don't need brains to have money, what are you waiting for?"
"But the truth?"
Qian Wenhuan altered his tone, posturing as an expert. "Doesn't matter if you're a clerk, warehouse manager, film director or even a kindergarten teacher, the place to go is always these 10,000 workforce factories.
"Your duties on the job are extremely simple. Take your position in the production line, whatever comes out of the production line, you install the parts you have on hand into it. There's no technique behind it, you just have to repeat the same sequence."
Chen Chen returned with a nod. "I think back when I was in university I had heard from the sophomores and juniors that it's extremely exhausting."
"That's why there are as many people signing up for these factory jobs as people are quitting every day. They come and go in the hundreds."
Qian Wenhuan smiled. "It may be a little trickier to hire workers in an electronics factory in the Mainland, but we're in Namibia now. After the recent pandemic, we're suddenly offering 50,000 jobs all at once, don't you think the Namibian government will be losing their minds at this piece of good news? There's no need to worry about manpower."
"Good point."
"I've planned everything!"
Qian Wenhuan laughed even more heartily when he saw his boss agreeing with him. "We can set the wages at 0.4 U.S. dollars per hour, eight hours per day, and three shifts. This way, the factory can operate around the clock and the workers will not have to work overtime, which means we won't have to provide additional overtime wages. Just like that, we've saved a considerable amount of expenses.
"Also, this way, we can offer up to 150,000 jobs, greatly expanding our influence in Namibia!
"For a position like this back in Mainland, the monthly wage for each worker has got to be at least 3,000 renminbi or more, but over here, 100 U.S. dollars monthly for each worker is more than enough. It's at least four times cheaper than in the Mainland!"
Just as Chen Chen was about to commend Qian Wenhuan, his phone suddenly rang.
Chen Chen checked his phone and saw that it was a message from Little X. The first batch of T-Black Knights were fully developed and ready for extraction.
After seeing the message, Chen Chen instructed, "Cao, back to the Spire Experimental Base."
Cheng Cao, who was sitting in the driver's seat, gave him a nod then turned the car around and headed back to the direction where they came from.
"Boss, is it something urgent?"
Qian Wenhuan asked.
"No big deal, Hannibal's research team has produced the first batch of enhanced Black Knights troops."
Chen Chen was in a rather fine mood. "Ol' Qian, want to go take a look?"
"No no no!"
Qian Wenhuan frantically waved his hands and held up a perfect smile. "I think I won't be getting involved in these affairs, I can never understand research subjects."
Chen Chen gave him a quick smile and did not try to pressure him any longer.
Shortly after, the Wrangler returned to the Eco Science City and stopped in front of a building.
This particular building was recently renovated. Previously, it was just a regular office building but now Chen Chen had remodeled it into the Blacklight Biotechnology African Branch Headquarters. Some of the office staff were also relocated from the research center to the headquarters.
There was also an entrance to the Spire laboratory here.
The elevator in the building led to the tram station underground, where one could take a tram to the underground section of the Sun District. From there on, there was another elevator that led to the Spire laboratory underground.
Fifteen minutes had passed by the time Chen Chen returned to the Spire Experimental Base.
"Boss, you're finally back."
Inside the laboratory dedicated to researching Black Knights, Hannibal and Li Lei appeared to have been waiting for some time.
"What's the situation?" Chen Chen took a white lab coat from an assistant and put it on before approaching the giant incubation chamber and asked with his eyes squinted.
"They should be fully developed and matured now. We waited an extra twelve hours and based on the observation in this period, all of the subjects in the life incubation chambers displayed no further signs of growth."
Hannibal asked, "Boss, are we opening the chamber?"
"Open one for now, but to be on the safe side, have everyone put on protective suits."
Chen Chen gave the order.
This was the first batch of T-version Black Knights. Hannibal had created six samples in total for cross-referencing them with each other to find out any form of inadequacies to make further modifications accordingly.
According to the tabulated data, the fused product of the T-virus and human cells should cause the human genes to completely lose their infectious qualities. However, Chen Chen still had everyone put on isolation protective suits just in case something went wrong.
After everyone had put on the appropriate gear, Chen Chen gave the order for the labeled incubation chamber number 1 to begin expelling its liquid contents. Everyone watched as the water level in the life incubator began to drop rapidly until the gray-white giant inside it started to become exposed.
With the help of some tools, a cast of assistants moved the giant to a customized stretcher. They then began to take the physical measurements of the giant.
"Height, 354 centimeters. Weight, 308 kilograms…"
"High blood pressure reading of 660mmHg, low blood pressure 520mmHg…"
"The subject's physical condition is excellent. Perfect muscle tissues, no signs of adhesion…"
"He's built like a mammoth!"
As the assistants began to take various readings, the observing crowd constantly mused among themselves.
"It's probably because of puberty."
/> Li Lei smiled and noted when he saw the man-beast before him. "We forgot that humans go through a puberty stage. During the puberty stage, there's a period of rapid growth before it comes to a sudden screech.
"That's why despite our initial projections of the subject growing to approximately 3 meters, the subject had turned out to grow up to 3.5 meters."
Hannibal nodded. "Looks like we'll have to figure something out to shrink future iterations of T-Black Knight."
"Shh…"
Chen Chen suddenly reached out and made a gesture for silence.
Everyone quickly stopped what they were doing and looked at Chen Chen quizzingly.
It was only after everyone had stopped working on their tasks when they heard a drumming "thump, thump" sound coming from the giant experimental subject.
"Heartbeat doesn't seem as strong as previously."
Chen Chen noted.
"It may be due to the lowered intake of hormones," Li Lei explained, "previously, due to the injection of hormones, the body of the subject was locked in an overloaded growth stage. Now that there are no hormones injected, the body of the subject is returning to normal."
"Let's hope so."
Chen Chen nodded. "All the other tests can wait for now. Let's see if the God chip can control it first."
"Understood."
The assistants slowly backed away, allowing another group of assistants in charge of operation pushing carts full of surgical tools to take their place.
The operation did not go well.
The experiment subject one had skin as thick as tires. After finally slicing through its skin, they found that the muscle tissues inside were even tougher. There was very little the surgical knife could do.
Left with no other choice, the assistant in charge of the operation took out the chain saw and forced his way through the muscles on the back of the experiment subject one's neck.
That was when something even more astounding occurred. The giant experiment subject before them possessed unbelievable regenerative abilities.
The gathering watched as the muscles that were just sliced through began regenerating at such a rate that it was almost visible to the naked eyes. During the healing process, the muscle fibers squirmed and crossed over each other like little red worms. It was an uncomfortable sight for the ones watching.
