Chapter 194: Monster

In a secret office within the Pentagon of the Ark Country, a group of people were watching a video on the screen before them.

The President of the Ark Country sat in the center, with the directors of the FBI, CIA, and the Anquan Bureau flanking him on both sides. Most striking was an elderly man in a white lab coat in the room: Herbert Andrew, the undisputed leader in the field of cloning, currently in charge of a secret experiment for the Ark Country.

The surveillance footage appeared to be from a secret laboratory. At the beginning, everything seemed normal: a group of researchers in white lab coats carefully cultivated a humanoid embryo in a nutrient solution. The embryo grew at a speed dozens of times faster than that of a normal human. One day, the embryo began to tremble in the nutrient solution. Nearby researchers gathered around to investigate, but this marked the end of their lives.

The embryo seemed to sense the commotion outside the petri dish. As the crowd grew denser, the embryo trembled violently, no longer maintaining its humanoid shape, and suddenly shattered the petri dish. The dish was specially made; even a handgun could not break it, yet it was shattered by an embryo that had only been cultivated for four months.

It quickly adhered to a researcher, absorbed him, and grew at an astonishing rate. Within just a few minutes, it had become a monster composed of mixed organs.

What followed was a thorough massacre; everyone in the entire experimental base was devoured by it.

The final image was a massive explosion—

"The head of the laboratory, Matthew Howard, initiated the self-destruct sequence. This footage was transmitted from the laboratory just before the self-destruct sequence began." FBI Director Bruce Turner picked up the remote control and pressed replay. The video started playing again, but this time, everyone's attention was no longer on the footage.

"So, exactly where did things go wrong?" The President slowly shook his aging neck, looking around the room. "Is it a problem with the DNA source, or an experimental accident?"

Herbert Andrew shrugged. "Your Excellency, even with the full strength of the nation, the Alien Creature Laboratory could not cultivate such a powerful monster. Moreover, we strictly followed the cloning procedures. If this situation has arisen, it can only mean there is a problem with the DNA source..."

Everyone turned their gaze toward CIA Director Robert White, who was responsible for obtaining the DNA.

"Most of this DNA information was collected from the home of that superstar. The other partial samples were obtained from the Lishton Hotel in Xincheng and the Elro International Hotel. All this DNA information was verified through comparison before being confirmed for entry into the laboratory." Robert White glanced at Herbert Andrew. "Did you not personally verify the comparison, Professor?"

Herbert Andrew nodded, not angry, and stated the facts: "Yes, after our verification, this DNA indeed belongs to humans, with 46 chromosomes. In other laboratories, we monitored that after the embryo formed, stimulated by dark matter, these embryos would suddenly mutate at a certain critical point. The genes after the mutation are no longer human."

"There are two possibilities: 1. This DNA is not hers; it might have been deliberately left by the Xia Country to confuse our vision. 2. This DNA is hers—this female superhero is a monster herself!"

Silence fell over the office for a moment.

After a moment of silence, the President lifted his dim, aging eyes and slowly gave orders: "First: further investigate the source of the DNA to confirm whether it comes from her. Robert, you continue to follow up and keep a close watch on that star..."

Robert White hesitated slightly. "According to our investigation and analysis, this female superhero may have already broken up with Chris Norton..."

Everyone turned to look at him. The President straightened his posture. "When did this happen?"

"Three days ago. After Yang Yi left Chris's villa, there was no further communication between the two. Chris Norton himself is extremely depressed. According to our analysis, the two may have broken up, and it was Yang Yi who initiated it."

"It seems our female superhero has grown tired of this love game..." FBI Director Bruce Turner smiled with amusement. "This is a bit troublesome. The Xia Country's Alien Management Bureau is heavily guarded. As far as I know, the CIA has sent spies to infiltrate several times, only to be discovered by the Xia Country..."

"No need to trouble yourself," Robert White said in a flat tone. "This is our CIA's business. The FBI's hand is reaching a bit too far!"

The FBI and the CIA, in theory, one belongs to the judicial system and is specifically responsible for domestic security; the other is directly responsible to the President and is specifically responsible for overseas intelligence, with spies and agents spread across the globe. But certain responsibilities overlap, and they have never gotten along well.

"Enough!" The President waved his hand, interrupting the two's confrontation. "Robert, confirm as soon as possible whether the DNA originates from her. If, indeed, this DNA comes from the female superhero..."

The President did not finish his sentence. In the office, everyone lowered their eyes and pondered deeply.

This could be an opportunity to hold a hostage over the God of the Human World, a chance to regain the hegemony of the Ark World; it could also be a huge conspiracy, a trap set by a major power in the East; or even more likely, they have already touched the edge of a secret, a secret that could destroy the entire Earth and all of humanity...

$$$

In recent times, everyone within the Alien Management Bureau clearly felt the tense atmosphere and extremely low pressure within the bureau; even the United Nations, separated by vast oceans, sensed this mood.

Around 10 a. m., the Xia Country held a remote meeting with the United Nations, conducted via 3D projection, with representatives from all nations in attendance.

The layout in the projection was the same as the original United Nations: nations sat in a circle, with the five permanent members occupying the most prominent positions. Besides discussing the governance and defense against alien creatures in various parts of Earth, the meeting also covered related issues such as alien immigration.

Most striking was a young girl in the Xia Country's camp, sitting beside the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was unremarkable in appearance, but every movement she made was secretly observed and pondered by everyone in the room.

Ark Country's UN Representative, Mavis Marshall: "... The Xia Country should open up research on interstellar immigration, allowing all nations to participate. After all, this concerns the future of all humanity. The Xia Country should demonstrate the demeanor of a superpower..."

Yang Yi raised her head and glanced at the Ark Country camp. Mavis Marshall's impassioned voice suddenly dropped a few decibels, seeming to lack some confidence.

Everyone in the room looked calmly at the young girl in the Xia Country's camp, even though they knew it was merely her 3D projection.

Yang Yi remained silent from beginning to end, her expression as calm as a wooden board.

The Xia Country's spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "... The Xia Country also upholds an open and inclusive attitude. The interstellar immigration research project concerns the future of all humanity. All nations around the world should drop their prejudices... They should not hide their own little agendas while expecting others to give everything..."

In short, led by the Ark Country, nations such as Australia, Britain, and Canada hoped the Xia Country would open up the results of the interstellar immigration research project and allow them to participate.

The Xia Country believed openness was possible, as this project was originally for the future of all humanity, but they must show their sincerity. They must contribute in various frontier scientific research areas involving interstellar immigration, such as materials science, medical equipment, technologies for planetary environmental modification, resources... They should not always hide things away, hoping to feast at someone else's table while being too stingy to offer even a single grain of rice themselves.

Every nation wanted to fight for benefits in this project. The atmosphere of the meeting gradually grew heated. The UN meeting scene resembled a bustling vegetable market where people haggled. In fact, this was the norm for the United Nations; it would be strange if the representatives of all nations ever calmly and politely yielded to one another.

The Ark Country Representative: "... An international order based on rules... The Xia Country... should not be a breaker of rules and a subverter of order... It should demonstrate the demeanor of a great power, and for the future of all humanity... share technology..."

Yang Yi frowned slightly and picked up her thermos to take a sip of water.

The Xia Country's permanent representative to the United Nations, breaking his usual habit of speaking euphemistically: "Who exactly made the rules of this 'international order based on rules'? If the 'order' you advocate complies with international law, why do you speak so evasively? Your so-called 'order' is nothing more than an attempt to create a separate system outside the existing international framework, designed solely to protect your own interests! Today is not yesterday. It is impossible for the Ark Country to rely on its hegemonic status to impose unilateral sanctions on other nations... Let me advise you: wanting to get something for nothing and monopolize all benefits is impossible!"

The speech was direct and clear, the words ringing with weight, even appearing aggressive, a stark contrast to his usual elegant and amiable demeanor.

For a moment, the entire hall fell silent; not a single person dared to break the silence.

The meeting temporarily concluded. When it was about to resume, just as the UN Secretary-General was about to announce the continuation of the meeting, Yang Yi raised her hand. Immediately, the crowd below, who had been whispering to one another, turned in unison toward the Xia Country's direction.

"I have listened to this meeting for a full day and a half!" Yang Yi's voice was calm. "I know that, as usual, it is quite normal in the United Nations for an issue to go unresolved for ten days or half a month. But!"

Anyone knew that the point of the speech came after "but"; everything before was merely a setup.

Everyone straightened their posture and leaned in to listen, afraid to miss a single word.

"This is not the time before the arrival of dark matter, when there was enough time for deliberation, negotiation, scheming, and mutual probing. Humanity has already entered the countdown to the apocalypse! Our Earth is traveling through the dark matter region of the Milky Way, and this will continue for decades or even centuries. If humanity continues to be a disorganized mob, acting independently, then humanity will truly see no future."