Two hours later, Chen Chen stepped out of the teleportation room on the top floor of the Spire laboratory.
In just two hours, Chen Chen had traversed across thousands of kilometers from the Central Continent to Africa without drawing any attention. Most of these two hours were spent traveling to and from the teleportation rooms.
The teleportation itself took no longer than ten seconds.
“The only drawback of using teleportation to move around is the sheer power usage.”
Chen Chen ruminated. Despite its quiet appearance, the Gantz sphere consumed a sizable amount of power, even exceeding the initially determined quota. The only reason it could be barely kept functional was largely attributed to the two nuclear fusion reactors in the Spire Experimental Base.
Another significant advantage that came with Gantz technology was that even energy could be transported freely.
This meant that even if Gantz spheres were set up in different corners of the world, there was no need to worry about the local governments detecting any abnormalities with power usage. All Chen Chen had to do was ensure that the headquarters had ample power.
“Looks like it’s time to build a third nuclear fusion reactor.”
With this in mind, Chen Chen looked at the monitor and noted. “X, for the third nuclear fusion reactor, I hope to achieve power generation up to ten million kilowatts per hour and Q value surpassing a thousand.”
“Alright, I’ll notify the high-energy physics department.”
The nuclear fusion reactor did not take up much space and its fuel source was largely extracted from the ocean. The port granted easy, nearly unlimited access to seawater. It was only the extraction that proved slightly troublesome. With that said, the returns vastly out-scaled the labor required.
This was the highlight of nuclear fusion technology. If this technology were to be publicized, countries all over the world would no longer need to contend with one another and their GDP would easily increase by more than ten folds.
It would take less than a decade for humans to land on the moon, another decade to colonize Mars and begin populating the planet. Within five decades, there was a good chance of traveling beyond the solar system with unlimited energy and resources…
At the current stage, nuclear fusion technology was not mature yet as its Q value barely reached a thousand. Theoretically, the maximum achievable Q value should border close to ten thousand.
Chen Chen stepped out of the teleportation room during his exchange with Little X as he asked again, “What about the iron bed we brought back with us?”
“Due to the bizarre and unpredictable nature of the iron bed, I’ve kept it locked up in a ‘Faraday cage’ for now.”
Little X answered, “Do you want me to bring it back here?”
“That’s alright, I’ll head there myself.”
Chen Chen waved off the suggestion. He proceeded to leave the Spire and head for the exit to the surface.
The so-called Faraday cage was a cage-like implementation that could be nested in one layer at a time, similar to a Russian doll. Chen Chen used this Faraday cage design to protect himself from being killed by the memetic effects while at the same time, preventing them from spilling into reality.
When Chen Chen arrived at a secret factory sealed off from any unauthorized personnel inside the industrial park, he saw the enormous iron lump measuring more than twenty-five meters wide.
At the present, there were two industrial cranes on both ends of the iron lump slowly lifting it into the air.
Chen Chen saw the layers of the Faraday cage opening one after another upon his arrival until the innermost room was revealed. Without needing Chen Chen to issue a command, one of the Black Knights stepped forward and opened the door for him.
What was inside the room was an extremely familiar sight — it was a tiny room barely fifteen square meters large with two single beds, a desk, a chair, and a toilet at the corner of the room.
Of the two single beds, one was made of wood with a slightly damp mattress laying on top of it. The other bed was made of wire mesh. The arrangement of wires was covered in rust and the bed appeared very dirty.
Apart from the accumulated volumes of rust on the metal bed, there was a large patch of dark brown grease in its middle that seemed to be a product of someone sleeping on it over a significant period.
Tiny strands of dirty pieces of bandages could be spotted mixed into the patch of grease. These tiny fragments were caught between the cracks of the bed which further added to the ominous impression it gave.
Chen Chen could not help but shudder a little when he spotted this metal bed.
He recalled back to the day when he was almost caught in a trap when he returned to his school in Shangdu to investigate. This iron bed appeared to be the source of the trap.
The events experienced by Chen Chen on that fateful day was almost a mirror of the events which occurred in the movie, Silent Hill. When he saw the bed, he was almost ninety percent certain that this bed was the bed seen in the movie, Silent Hill.
“Have you had someone inspect it yet?”
Before getting closer to the metal bed, Chen Chen took the cautious approach and checked with Little X beforehand.
“Not yet, since it wasn’t what you instructed. I had it sealed up inside here right after Cheng Cao delivered it.”
Little X answered before raising a question, “Do you think it has something to do with the disappearance of Professor Wang Xi?”
“I can’t say if it has something to do with that, but I have a hunch that this is the carrier of a meme.”
Chen Chen squinted his eyes suspiciously. “If my suspicions are proven correct, then this will be the first item apart from the Gantz server machine that we’ve dealt with that possesses memetic qualities.”
At this point, Chen Chen figured that any amount of speculation would not do him any good. When he gave a signal, two Black Knights immediately stepped forward, holding tools such as pliers and hammers as they entered the room.
After that, the Faraday cage was shut completely again. The two Black Knights attempted to dismantle the bed according to the previously arranged procedures.
Ten minutes later, the two Black Knights stepped out again with some pieces they extracted from the metal bed, thus verifying that the metal bed was destructible.
“The metal bed is destructible. Turns out it’s just like any regular bed. We didn’t find any abnormalities about it apart from how worn out it is.”
Little X reported.
“Extract the pieces of bandages and grease, see if you can find any traces of human tissue.”
Chen Chen continued. “If this came from the movie, then we may be able to find the human tissue samples of the core character, Alessa, from these bandages.”
The Black Knights did as Chen Chen instructed. After they had performed the tasks instructed of them, Chen Chen issued one last order.
“Lie down.”
One of the Black Knights immediately set aside his tools and lay down on the bed immediately.
Chen Chen who was standing a safe distance away held his breath instinctively upon witnessing this.
After about half a minute passed, no visible changes were occurring to either the metal bed or the Black Knight.
“Black Knight T00823 didn’t exhibit any abnormalities in his vitals.”
Little X noted. “There are zero discrepancies detected within the metal bed as well. The Black Knight lying on top is completely unaffected.”
Chen Chen pondered over this observation.
The fact that no observable changes were occurring to the Black Knight did not come off as surprising to Chen Chen.
The Black Knights were essentially human shells in a vegetative state, only allowed to function due to the God chip implanted inside them. They were an empty shell without thoughts, conscience or a soul to speak of.
If the Black Knights was not a viable option, then Chen Chen had no clue what other options he had available to him.
Usually, when dealing with such experiments, Chen Chen would resort to the Deltlevel research staff. These were the members he purchased from federal prisons that were usually locked in the basement of the Spire laboratory.
All things considered, the Spire laboratory basement offered decent conditions, far more preferable to federal prisons. To ensure the mental and physical health stability of these individuals, they were often made to participate in minimal military training and had access to therapists. These people were well fed as well.
The only use Chen Chen had for them was to use them as live subjects for clinical trials. It did not matter whether the trials turned out to be successful or not.
However, there was another factor that made the current situation trickier than usual.
There was a chance that a live person lying on top of the metal bed may acquire some form of mysterious power. If he resorted to using the Deltlevel subjects, what would he do if they attempted to escape with the acquired power?
Chen Chen did not have a guarantee in this situation. Even with the God chip serving as a fallback, there was still a certain degree of risk involved.
An idea suddenly sparked in Chen Chen’s mind and he immediately instructed, “Strap ten kilograms of explosives under the metal bed and have a Deltlevel research member lie on top of it to observe what happens. If somehow the God chip was unable to detonate, just blow up the metal bed. We can give this a shot.”
“Alright, I’ll send someone right away.”
Little X responded, “The Deltlevel research member will take roughly an hour to arrive.”
“Right, get Yoru Kamidera to come as well.”
Chen Chen suddenly thought of this and added. “I want to see if his powers allow him to detect the memetic effect inside the metal bed.”
Chen Chen left the factory after that to take a last walk around the area.
The industrial park took up a sizable portion of land. There was also the military-industrial park and the aerospace base located nearby that further expanded the territory.
At a glance, there were huge factories and paved asphalt roads lined across the horizon. These structures were laid out across the plains of Namibia, completely filling the landscape.
“Now that even the military proceedings are set on the right track, the next step is to develop independent aerospace and aviation technology.”
Chen Chen reflected thoughtfully when he looked at the landscape that he had forged over the years. He found himself wondering, did he ever imagine himself achieving all these four years ago?
Additionally, he was still gaining momentum in terms of expansion and development. Now that he had a foothold in the military sector, he was able to protect himself against exterior threats such as an invasion from Northern America. Fighting back was now a viable option.
Unlike previously when he had to suffer the sanctions imposed on him because he knew that resisting them would mean triggering a deadly chain effect that involved the Earth Federation itself.
With all that said, this was no time to feel content with his position. Climbing to the top of the ladder in the Earth Federation was still a pipe dream. With how things were now, even if Blacklight Biotechnology were to be elevated to a position of equal standing with the Earth Federation, Chen Chen still had to keep his guard up at all times.
That was because up till now, Chen Chen was still uncertain if the previous owner of the USB drive was dead or alive. Also, who was the previous owner of the USB drive and what was it that caused this person’s disappearance?
The USB drive was doused in secrets to a point where it was impossible to make sense of it. A single misstep would easily lead to him falling into a trap laid by the predecessors, just like what happened when he was previously hypnotized.
Chen Chen took the time to appreciate the gentle wind of the Namibian plains and took in the sight of the sky that stretched on endlessly. After what seemed like forever, he suddenly heard Little X’s voice. “Sir Godfather, the explosives are ready. Also, two Deltlevel subjects have arrived along with the B2-level researcher, Yoru Kamidera. They are ready to participate in the experiment any time.”
“I’ll head back right away.”
Chen Chen said as he quickly returned to the factory.
Meanwhile, Yoru Kamidera had just arrived at the factory. He was wearing his casual attire. He inspected the Faraday cage positioned in the empty field ahead of him with great curiosity while keeping his eye on the experiment subjects that wore prison uniforms. It was then when he heard an icy, hoarse voice from behind him.
“Yoru-kun, it’s been a while.”
Yoru Kamidera turned around and saw Chen Chen approaching him. He promptly snapped to attention and performed a sincere bow. “Your Excellency Chen Chen, it sure has been a while!”
“I heard that you’ve been furthering your biology research recently?”
Chen Chen came to Yoru Kamidera’s side and asked in a relaxed manner, “How’s it going?”
“It’s going well, I’ve been making tremendous progress ever since you employed professional tutors for me. I’ve already covered the range of junior high school and high school and they tell me that I’m now approaching master’s level.”
Yoru Kamidera announced respectfully and with great pride.
“You don’t have to study biology if you don’t want to.”
Chen Chen reminded. “Just study whatever you’d like.”
“Don’t the company need talents in the biology sector urgently?”
The confused Yoru Kamidera looked at Chen Chen with a dazed expression.
Chen Chen could not help but crack a smile at this mention. He shook his head and answered, “Despite what the name ‘Blacklight Biotechnology’ suggests, the sectors we deal with go beyond biology. We’re involved in the medical, electronics, Internet, military, and aerospace sectors… Point is, we’re involved in whatever brings revenue, understand?”
“Yes.”
Yoru Kamidera responded with a firm nod, “But I still think I’m going to focus on biology. After that, I’ll move on to psychology since it’s a subject I have an interest in.”
“Do as you please.”
Chen Chen did not add any further comments so he moved on to another subject. “Do you know why I called you here?”
“I’ve looked at the information, it’s about the bed isn’t it.”
Yoru Kamidera answered quickly, “I heard the bed seems to contain memetic effects.”
“That’s right, you’ll be in charge of conducting this experiment. Show me the progress you’ve made over this period.”
Chen Chen turned to the main entrance of the factory as he said this.
Yoru Kamidera followed Chen Chen’s gaze and saw two Black Knights armed with pulse rifles stepping into the factory. Trailing closely behind them were two Deltlevel research members put in prisoner uniform and had their hands bound with chains.
The two of them darted their eyes frantically all over the place, full of fear and agitation.
Chen Chen went through their documents a moment ago. These two were local tribesmen that were arrested and sentenced into prison for the crimes they committed. They came to be acquired by Blacklight Biotechnology and were housed in the Spire laboratory to be kept well fed and taken care of all this time.
At the time of their arrival, both of them were skin and bones, but they had now gained a considerable amount of weight.
Upon receiving Chen Chen’s mission, Yoru Kamidera accepted it promptly and without any complaints. He turned to Chen Chen to give a brief nod before picking up the sheet of documents to go through it again. After that, he took a deep breath before addressing the two subjects.
“Mr. Comozer, Mr. Monar, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Yoru Kamidera. The reason you two have been chosen from the prison is that…”