Chapter 698: The Awakening
Chapter 698: The Awakening
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the back, the elderly version of the God of Death said, “This is like opening Pandora’s box. The rest of the people will be tempted to develop superpowers.”
The young version of the God of Death said, “This is like an arms race. The world is changing.”
The female version of the God of Death said, “We have gained the upper hand in the offensive, however, we have to accelerate our development. Besides Zhao Yao, there will be more dangerous apostles appearing in this world. We cannot let them upset the order of this world and damage our interests.”
The God of Death nodded and said, “I understand. Let’s accelerate our development.”
...
In Jianghai, Uncle Ho was flying into a terrible rage as he screamed into the phone, “12 fighter planes! How could you shoot down 12 fighter planes?!”
He was on the verge of breaking down. “Do you realize that if Europe discovered it was done by you, what this would do to the international arena? How many countries would sit back and reap the benefits of our conflict? Do you know how damaging it would be for us strategically?”
“It is alright.” Zhao Yao consoled, “I wore a mask. Nobody is able to identify me.”
“You are banned from traveling overseas!” Uncle Ho pleaded, “Brother Yao, please do not create trouble. Is that too much to ask?”
“I didn’t create trouble,” Zhao Yao explained. “You may not believe me but they provoked me first.
I was happily doing my job of exterminating the Double-Headed Vulture. Halfway through the mission, they provoked me by shooting and bombing me. They reminded me of the Eight-Nation coalition. How could I bear it?”
“Well.” Uncle Ho said, “My superiors have agreed to exchange the money for you, however, you have to promise not to travel overseas. Are you able to do that, Brother Yao?”
“Yes, of course, money makes the world go round.”
After hanging up the phone, Uncle Ho sighed in relief. “This man always does things that make me worry.”
Lin Chen who was by his side smiled and said, “The brainless one may be playful but he is earnest and righteous. He traveled all the way to Europe to save the people from the clutches of evil. What kind of chivalry is that?”
“Forget it. I think he did it mostly for money.” Uncle Ho paused for a while and continued, “Yes, I forgot to tell him that we have a new codename for him in our department. This is to deal with the development of weaponized superpowers by the foreign countries. We need to release news of our best superpower ability.” After pondering over the new codename, Uncle Ho decided not to tell Zhao Yao.
Lin Chen smiled and commented, “Oriental Beacon... hehehe, how appropriate.”
...
In an underground laboratory in the state of Maine, United States.
A few high level officials sat together, their faces clouded with indecision.
A scientist said, “Do you really want to do that? We do not understand him clearly. If we act rashly, it will be too dangerous.”
A soldier replied, “This is not the time to be passive, every country is developing and weaponizing their superpowers. A man even destroyed 12 fighter planes. This shows that our development is lagging too far behind.”
A man in a black suit said, “Our weapons development has lost its dominant position and a few of our allies are getting restless. For the past two years, all the researches in Project X have failed, indicating that mild methods are ineffective. The higher ups in government will not allow us to develop at a snail’s pace. Ladies and gentlemen, we are running out of time.”
The scientist retorted, “It is too dangerous. We do not have a clear understanding of him.”
“So what do we have to lose? Because we know nothing, we have to use another method.”
The soldier said, “This research uses the highest level of safeguards. Even if it is dangerous, we can abandon the base and sacrifice a portion of the staff. As compared to the degradation of our hegemony, this is worth it. Professor, I order you to remove all constraints and accelerate the development of Project X.”
After a heated discussion, the Professor lowered his head and sighed helplessly. “I hope we will not regret this decision, General.”
“Don’t worry.” The General said grimly, “Project X will propel our country to the forefront of the superpower development. History will remember us like Einstein and Oppenheimer.”
Deep underground, a metal containment unit was being elevated and layers of armored plates peeled off. The low temperature thermostat was shut off and liquid nitrogen flowed out of the pipes.
Numerous automated electromagnetic weapons came out from the walls and aimed at the armored plates which were about to be opened.
The high temperature incinerator was being prepped, ready to incinerate the entire room with 6000°C flames. Any living organisms would be burnt to ash.
A hundred elite apostles were all battle-stationed outside the room. The entire base was on a security lockdown prohibiting all living organisms from entering or leaving.
After layers of constraints were removed, a meter tall figure gradually appeared.
Everyone held their breath when they saw the figure appearing on the surveillance monitor.
It was a humanoid with a very long tail. There was no fur on its cobalt-colored body. The head looked about 70-80% like a cat and it could be described as a... feline humanoid.
After five minutes, Project X remained motionless and the General asked impatiently, “What’s with him? Why is there no reaction?”
The Professor shook his head, looked at the vital statistics panels and said, “I don’t know. He has a heartbeat and blood pressure. He is alive.”
The General ordered grimly, “Attack him.”
“What?” The Professor was stunned and he said, “We cannot do that. We do not know what he is. The result can be disastrous.”
“Think of a way to awaken him.” The General said, “I didn’t come all this way to look at him sleep.”
The Professor pondered a moment and controlled a mechanized arm, intending to electrocute Project X.
Project X abruptly opened his eyes, the pair of pupils contracted and gazed at the equipment in front of him.
“He is awake. He is awake.” The Professor, who had researched the Project for the past two years, exclaimed with excitement. “Incredible, this is too incredible. His vital statistics are rising rapidly and he is getting stronger and healthier.”
The General asked, “Are we able to communicate with him?”
The Professor used the mechanized arm to take out his prepared materials. “We have to teach him our language and it takes time.”
Seeing the individual words appearing on the panel, Project X shifted his head and opened his mouth, articulating pure English, “I think we can skip the language part.”
The Professor was astonished. “He... He knows our language.”
Project X continued speaking, “Are you surprised that I know your language? I don’t think it is surprising. I was an ordinary cat in Maine until a particular accident...” He looked at his palm and said, “And I became like this.”
The General frowned and asked, “How much truth is there in his words?
“I don’t know.” The Professor shook his head and said, “It could be true or he could be lying in order to survive. General... we are facing an intelligent life form and not an ordinary laboratory animal.”