Chapter 95: Astate

The underground parking lot of the new headquarters building.

The convoy came to a stop, and the Alphas in black suits and sunglasses disembarked one by one.

The right-side door of the bus opened, and ten youths in worn clothing stepped out slowly, looking slightly nervous.

Just moments ago they were chattering in the bus, but upon arriving at the destination they fell silent and observed their surroundings.

Han Ke could only manage what he thought was a kind smile and told the youths, 'Follow me.'

Having said that, Han Ke, together with the Alphas, led the youths to a lower-level area accessible only to B-rank employees.

The headquarters building is connected to the mother nest.

Taking the dedicated elevator, the group arrived at the second level of the mother nest.

Walking through the high-tech corridors, the youths, including John and Robert, were both confused and curious.

They wondered what kind of person had taken them in, and were even more surprised to find an underground base like something out of a sci‑fi comic.

Finally, Han Ke and the others brought them to a multifunctional classroom.

Inside the classroom were two rows of five seats each, ten seats in total.

Standing behind the podium was Sui Bian, likewise dressed in a black suit.

Seeing this, Han Ke and the Alphas took positions around the room while the youths sat down in the seats one by one.

"Children." Sui Bian looked at a group of youths about the same age, their faces full of bewilderment, and gave a natural smile as he explained:

"My surname is Sui, given name Bian; I am the chairman of Umbrella Corporation, and until you come of age I am also your legal guardian."

"I know you have many questions, and you're no longer children, so I think it's best to speak plainly."

"Hong Hou."

As his words fell, a holographic image of Hong Hou appeared to his right.

"Good heavens! What is this?!"

"This… this… this is really cool!"

The moment they saw Hong Hou's translucent form, two youths couldn't help but exclaim.

"The reason you were taken in is because your genes are rather special, and genes are…"

Hong Hou ignored the youths' astonishment, using the hologram to play an animation that briefly explained genes to them.

Next, Hong Hou used a more gentle animation to show what happens when ordinary people are injected with the G virus and G gland.

She then stated plainly that only they, after receiving the G gland implant, would not die or collapse as in the animation, but would instead gain abilities surpassing humanity.

After hearing this, the youths became even more bewildered.

Even if Hong Hou explained it simply and clearly, it was still quite profound for them.

Yet there was one thing they had no doubt about: their bodies were special, and they could gain powers like a comic‑book hero, or even stronger.

Isn't this exactly what boys dream of?!

Noticing the shift in the youths' attitudes, Sui Bian waited for Hong Hou to finish, then spoke solemnly:

"Your first lesson today is what responsibility is."

"Hong Hou, let these children witness the agents who gave their lives to secretly protect humanity."

"Yes, sir. We are about to play the file on anomalous phenomenon AP‑097."

Having received Sui Bian's instruction, Hong Hou continued to use the holographic projector to play the AP‑097 file and its simulation animation for the youths, including John and Robert.

AP‑097 is classified as Nyx (Level 2), and its current status is neutralized.

AP‑097 appears as an old house, possessing autonomous consciousness, life, and an unknown principle of rapid movement.

AP‑097 selects remote villages or towns as targets, sets itself up in their outskirts, and lures passersby to enter its interior.

The Spanish Branch had encountered it many times, but all attempts to control it ended in failure.

An intelligence operative with employee number 3367, after relocating AP‑097 via clues, reported to the Spanish Branch to prevent another control failure, then chose to enter AP‑097 alone.

When the Spanish Branch's technical staff and armed security arrived at the location reported by 3367, they found only AP‑097 reduced to ashes.

The Spanish Branch concluded that 3367 had sacrificed himself.

After watching the AP‑097 file, the group of youths was even more shocked.

At their age, although they might still be scared of ghost stories, they no longer believe such tales are real, thinking them fake.

But now they are suddenly told that this world truly contains a 'haunted house'?!

Moreover, after watching Hong Hou's holographic simulation of 3367 entering the haunted house, fighting alone, and ultimately choosing to perish with it, their feelings grew heavy.

Their values have not yet formed, and they cannot fully grasp what 'willing sacrifice to prevent further human deaths' means, but when they see the moment 3367 dies they feel distressed and want to cry.

After Hong Hou finished showing the file and animation, the atmosphere in the classroom grew somewhat oppressive.

Sui Bian gave the youths some time to ease their minds; even adults find it hard to accept the existence of anomalous phenomena.

He paused.

Sui Bian spoke in a low voice: "Children, as your legal guardian, I will guide you in what is right and wrong."

At the same time, you will undergo the strictest military training and the most comprehensive education, so that you will become the elite among elites.

You are humanity's first batch of super‑soldiers, tasked with blocking darkness and dispelling fear for mankind, known as Astate warriors.

He had considered various titles for Umbrella's super‑soldiers, but ultimately chose the more imposing name Astate.

"…"

At this moment, all the youths remained silent, each with a different expression.

But most of them were feeling lost and uneasy.

Sui Bian had thought of saying something kind to comfort them, but he is not used to soothing children and cannot find the words, so he will have to make it up with actions in the future.

Next.

Sui Bian arranged for Rebecca and some female researchers to lead the children to their dormitories, while also briefing them on levels one and two of the mother nest and related precautions.

The next five days will be relatively easy for them; they only need to receive daily injections of an exclusive nutrient solution to bring their bodies to optimal condition.

Five days later, BoKen, Rebecca, and Alekxia will personally be responsible for their G gland transplant surgery.

After the surgery and passing the observation period, Hank and the Alphas will personally be in charge of the initial military training of these young Astate.

Sui Bian, on the other hand, needs to set aside time to teach history lessons, using real historical events as examples to instruct them in moral judgment.

Rebecca, Alekxia, and the other female researchers will also be responsible for teaching related knowledge or arranging recreational activities.

The super-soldier serum originally successfully extracted from Sui Bian's body has been modified by BoKen into a special nutritional supplement, specifically used for the young Astate to get through their growth period.

(End of chapter)