by <unknown>
His life force was significantly enhanced by the C24 chromosome. Although the changes were not immediately distinct, he had lost a significant amount of weight, toning down from 140 kilograms to 120 kilograms.
What was exhausted was the built-up fat in his body.
A substantial amount of energy was required to enhance the body's qualities. It seemed that the nutrients injected into him did not suffice, so his body began performing internal combustion on his fats as well.
Saoun's expression was no longer full of misery and pain. The corner of his mouth tipped upward for a faint smile. It seemed like he was having a good dream.
"The subject is losing weight, but his physical quality is improving dramatically!"
There was a faint trace of envy in Li Lei's eyes as he observed this process. "For most people, the C24 isn't much different from the T-virus. They both possess characteristics ranging from enhancement, mutation, to further infection. However, most people are only susceptible to its mutational attributes after receiving the injection. Only an extreme minority with a unique genetic structure can receive the best of both worlds, which is a blend of physical enhancement and mutation. While the unlucky ones are turned into mindless monsters, the extreme minority becomes superhumans...
"Our subject Saoun had received the complete enhancement effect of the C24 chromosome. Not only was his physical fitness greatly improved, but he's also blessed enough to have his appearance and cognitive thinking preserved."
"You're free to give it a shot as well."
Chen Chen spotted the envy in Li Lei's eyes and teased him.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare."
Li Lei was not a fan of the suggestion. "I sampled my blood as well and detected the same violent genetics. If I'm injected with this, it's not going to end well."
While the two of them were chatting, Saoun slowly opened his eyes.
"He's awake!"
The research crew immediately swarmed toward Saoun when they noticed he was awake. Some of them started to extract blood samples while others performed body inspection. Each researcher performed their respective tasks efficiently.
"The C24 has perfectly fused into his body, its infectious quality has expired!"
Another row of data fed into the display. Li Lei's eyes immediately widened when he took note of the data as he shot up from his seat. "It's just as miraculous as the T-virus!"
Chen Chen was pleased to hear this. This observation was the same as when he was injected with the customized version of the T-virus. Once the T-virus completely fused with the DNA and the host was not turned into a zombie, that meant the process had been completed and the virus would not infect another person.
This was an example of perfect compatibility.
"Let's take a look at his physical enhancements."
Chen Chen signaled. "Release him, it's safe here."
"Alright."
Li Lei went to the intercom microphone again. "Get ready to release subject D2213 and perform a full-body inspection."
The research crew below immediately carried out the orders that were given. After the metal loops were taken away from the horrified Saoun, he sat upright still wincing in fear and asked with a quivering voice, "What's going on, what did you do to my body?"
"Mr. Saoun."
The restless Saoun heard a voice coming from the speaker system installed in the laboratory that directly addressed him. "How are you feeling?"
"I, I'm very hungry..."
Saoun looked around him and soon spotted two men standing behind a glass wall on the second floor.
Both of them looked like Chinese men. One was wearing a large white lab coat while the other was in casual wear.
"It's normal to be hungry, Mr. Saoun."
The man with the lab coat continued speaking through the speakers, "We'll be conducting a series of tests for you now. There's an arranged meal for you after that."
"Alright, alright!"
Saoun could not be any happier to hear this as he nodded enthusiastically. "My favorites are milk and biscuits!"
This adult man named Saoun was no different from a wide-eyed child. The sheer mention of food easily erased whatever worries he had earlier.
What followed after was a series of inspections such as CT scans and ultrasonography tests.
The results of the inspection were immediately sent to the monitor for Li Lei and Chen Chen to review.
As it turned out, the physical enhancement was not the most significant improvement. What awed Li Lei the most was the impressive recovery displayed by the Saoun. It only took half several minutes for him to recover from a half-centimeter wound cut into his body. The tremendous recovery speed displayed had surpassed that of the Tyrant.
"The subject's bone density, muscle strength, and recovery ability have all been greatly improved."
Li Lei held his breath. "His strength is comparable to those experimental subjects that mutated into monsters and it's also on par with the Black Knight. If only we can modify it to be effective on normal people..."
It had always been Li Lei's goal to modify the T-virus to make it effective for all people. However, there were significant limitations to the T-virus since it had to be injected while the subject is in a fetal state to be effective. The method used in Chen Chen's case was extremely costly since the T-virus had to be specifically customized to cater to Chen Chen's genetic structure, therefore, the T-virus was not a viable option.
The C24 signaled another opportunity at fulfilling his vision.
However, Chen Chen only shook his head at the notion. If this thing could be modified, the people in the DOOM dimension would have done so a long time ago.
This was something that was far more sophisticated than the T-virus, only specific individuals were compatible with it.
Chen Chen suddenly took the intercom microphone from Li Lei and turned to the giant Saoun below. "Mr. Saoun..."
"Uh… Hmm?"
Saoun was eagerly stuffing chunks of biscuits into his mouth. Both sides of his mouth were filled out like a beaver as he turned to look at the second floor.
"I went through your documents previously. What I want to know is, what were you doing when you were arrested by the police?"
Chen Chen asked, "Why were you kneeling in front of the dead bodies of the two women?"
"I was trying to perform CPR on them."
Saoun answered without a second thought. A tinge of regret surfaced in his eyes while he did so. "I have a bit of first-aid knowledge. I thought that there was still time to rescue them so I did what I could..."
"But the transcripts say that you admitted to killing the two of them during your third confession."
Chen Chen pried further. "How do you explain that?"
"They kept beating me..."
Saoun sounded dejected. "If I wouldn't admit to killing them, they were going to continue beating and torturing me. They wouldn't let me eat or sleep..."
During this confession, his eyes were still as pure and innocent as they had always been. With just one look, Chen Chen immediately recognized that this person was not lying.
Meanwhile, Li Lei still had his doubts.
"Your strength, speed, reaction time, and recovery capacity have been greatly improved. What I'd like to know is this, would you be willing to leave this place?"
Chen Chen asked again.
"Boss?"
Li Lei turned to look at Chen Chen. As far as he knew, there had never been any instance of Delta-level subjects being released from the laboratory.
"You mean... Leave?"
Saoun froze for a moment and thought about it deeply for a moment. After that, he shook his head decisively. "No. I've been sentenced to death, getting to live is more than I could ask for. Besides, wouldn't I be arrested again if I leave?"
Saoun's reply stunned Li Lei and the other researchers.
"If you're willing to work for me, you have my guarantee that nobody will ever come for you."
Chen
Chen proposed. "Furthermore, I can provide you with enough food, perhaps even an appropriate salary."
"Alright."
Saoun promised with a firm nod. After that, his attention went back to the delicacies set for him on the table.
Chen Chen passed the intercom microphone back to Li Lei.
"Boss, do you believe his claims?"
Li Lei was still doubtful. "Many people in this world are natural actors."
"It doesn't matter whether he's telling the truth or not."
Chen Chen replied nonchalantly, "I want him because of what he's capable of. If we can get him to cooperate with us, we can hasten the progress of our C24 research."
"I see..."
Li Lei nodded pensively.
"Meanwhile, you continue focusing on developing the C24."
Now that Chen Chen had done what he came here for, he proceeded to leave, but not before further instructing, "Insert the God chip into Saoun and promote him to a level-C researcher rank. Keep him here with you to help with your research. We can start with using his blood to create a C24 drug that can strengthen all humans."
"Alright, I'll do my best!"
Li Lei answered with firm determination.
After that, Chen Chen left the laboratory and went to the teleportation room on the top floor.
Little X who was trailing after him closely began to ask inquisitively, "Sir Godfather, I believe that even if we don't grant this Delta-grade subject Saoun any freedom, we should still be able to conduct the C24 research with him as a specimen. Could it be that you've taken pity on him due to his circumstances?"
"Maybe."
Chen Chen replied without stopping, "It's nothing embarrassing. I've already spotted some strange discrepancies when I went through his files. It's just that I don't have any further proof. I trust my judgment unless Saoun's acting skills turn out to be deserving of an Oscar award.
"Since I determined that he's innocent, there should be no problems even if I let him loose in the laboratory. I'm going to implant the God chip in him anyway so there's no need for any further concerns."
"But it does seem like genetics plays a significant role in a person's nature..."
Little X pondered. "Are people without violent genetics naturally this naive and pure-minded?"
"I think this is nothing more than a coincidence."
Chen Chen suddenly stopped. "After all, there's only an extreme minority that doesn't have violent genetics. But when the population reaches up to eight billion, that still makes a sizable portion of the population. However, when applied in the real world, not a lot of them turn out to be truly kind. There are many more factors at play.
"Just because someone doesn't have violent genetics doesn't necessarily mean this person is kind-hearted. Think of it as how most people have violent genetics but most have never acted on their violent tendencies in their entire life. The human mind is a complicated subject. The circumstances revolving around a person can have a profound impact. Who is to say that genetics is the only factor at play?
"Therefore, we can only conclude that people without violent genetics are only less likely to get into violent confrontations with others."
"That does make sense."
Little X noted contentedly.
Chapter 526: The Ares Returns |
Two months later.
Namibia, Eco Science City.
The sky was clear and sunny. The suburbs of the Eco Science City that were originally sparse and quiet suddenly became crowded with people. Numerous famous media personnel and research teams from various countries had come to the space base of the Eco Science City.
The media members looked excited. They set up their cameras like guns before the tarmac the size of four or five football fields, eagerly and fervently waiting for something.
The research team waited early in the living room on the side. Some of these people came from China, some from the Northern American Continent or the European and the North Sea Continent. Anyone picked out from this crowd would inevitably be a famous authority in the field of biological research.
In addition to this group of people, there were hundreds of Namibian soldiers in the space base. Some of them stood in front of the many reporters to maintain order while others lined up in a row in front of the tarmac, creating a circle to prevent the entry of irrelevant personnel.
A huge podium was built at the very front of the tarmac. Several hosts were testing the wires on the podium and the unusual press conference was ready to start at any time.
The reason for such a grand ceremony was that today or strictly speaking, half an hour later, the Ares spacecraft returning from Mars would reach the earth with various samples from Mars.
Here, Blackwatch Corporation was about to hold a press conference for the successful completion of the Ares Project.
At this time, countless personnel had been looking forward to this moment, waiting for the return of the heroes who had set foot on Mars.
"Hello everyone, this is BBC Science and Technology News. I'm reporter Bob. Now we're at the space base of the Eco Science City in Namibia. As you can see, there's already an ocean of people today! Besides us from the BBC, there are dozens of media. Today is a special day, that is, the day when the manned spacecraft Ares returns to Earth!
"As one of the most influential companies in the world, Blackwatch has created countless legends that are talked about by everyone, and the one most familiar to everyone is probably the number of age-reversal treatment projects. The emergence of this technology has greatly delayed the aging phenomenon of various countries. They have benefited humankind and the world…
"Now, Blackwatch has achieved a new feat, that is, the Ares Project in cooperation with the four major continents. This is the first time humans have set foot on Mars and it's also the first time that life on Mars has been discovered. We finally realized that alien life has been so close to us, even existing in our neighboring planet, but now, the Ares spacecraft has brought our neighbors to our Earth. Although they aren't like us humans who have our own civilization, this still represents a new step for us humans…"
While the BBC reporter's moving narration was going on, other world-renowned media were also broadcasting the entire event. Almost the whole world had focused their attention here, which was a live broadcast of the scene of Ares returning to Earth, a live broadcast of the important trajectory of mankind…
"The Ares is already close to the outer atmosphere."
Suddenly, a man's voice came from the broadcast. "Please stand beyond the tarmac. When the manned spacecraft Ares arrives, please remain in an orderly manner. Don't enter the tarmac. Repeat. Don't enter the tarmac."
About five minutes later, the broadcast sounded again. "Ares has entered the ionosphere. It's currently 80 kilometers away from the ground surface and will land in about 20 minutes. Please keep order, everyone."
Hearing these words, everyone suddenly clamored. Many people impatiently looked into the sky but found that there was nothing.
However, this did not affect the excitement of everyone. After all, human beings had never been in contact with alien civilization since their birth and now humans had not only discovered alien life but also brought alien life back to the earth. This appeared to be ordinary but it also represented a truth…
The interstellar era was coming soon…
"Ares has flown into the stratosphere…"
Ten minutes later, the voice continued to announce the location of the Ares at present time. "The personnel responsible for maintaining order, please be ready. Those responsible for building the positive pressure disinfection room, please be ready…"
At this time, a person with a telescope suddenly shouted, "Look there!"
Many reporters hurriedly looked up and those carrying cameras also raised their cameras to aim into the sky. Sure enough, above their heads, a small blue dot shone and flickered, just like a small star in the sky.
However, it was daytime after
all, how could there be stars?
That was the Ares that would be landing.
Ten minutes, nine minutes, eight minutes…
As time passed by, the azure blue star became bigger and it was visible in the last five minutes. A small dot the size of a sesame seed was falling and two azure rays of light slowly extended from both sides.
"The Ares has entered the troposphere and is about to land…"
The broadcast gave the last notice.
Following his words, the dark spot grew bigger. With a low rumble, the huge spacecraft had completely reached the sky above everyone and many people even felt that the air currents around them had begun to change.
Three minutes, two minutes. One minute…
When the last minute was up, Ares was already suspended above the tarmac. The huge, streamlined body no longer had its previous luster but was gray as if it had been scorched and some people with good eyesight could even see the scratches on the spacecraft.
Those were the abrasions that occurred when the spacecraft hit cosmic dust while flying in the deep space of the universe.
As everyone whispered, Ares hovered in mid-air and slowly descended. At this time, everyone had felt the heat waves washing over them and many people's mouths turned dry. Moreover, they were still hundreds of meters away from the tarmac. If the rocket had been right in front of them, the heat flow from the spacecraft's engine was likely to roast them alive in an instant.
Under the attention of the public, the Ares had landed on the huge tarmac and the engine started to turn off.
Seeing this scene, countless people hastened to cheer. Their voices shook the sky and even overwhelmed the sound of the spacecraft's engine.
However, not everyone acted like this. At this time, hundreds of people of all stripes gathered outside the gates of the space base. These people held various slogans high in their hands and yelled at the same time, only to be blocked by the Namibian soldiers at the gate, unable to enter.
Some of the placards in the hands of this group of people featured the logo of Blackwatch Corporation, but with a big cross in red spray paint over it. Others spelled out some words and one of them was held by a fan of The Three-Body Problem, which read: "Don't answer, don't answer, don't answer!"
