Chapter 150 Dissection

Chapter 150: Dissection

"How rare. The Federation's official account usually acts all high and mighty, going a month without a single post. Today, they actually posted three announcements in one go..."

"That's normal. The Federation's official account only posts about truly big deals. Minor matters are handled by the Foreign Ministry's account."

"Suddenly, I feel like the former Empire folks are really ballsy. If even one of these three people went missing, the Federation would probably go crazy. They actually kidnapped three at once..."

"Exactly. The Federation is famously protective of its own. This time, they lost three First Military Academy students, two of whom are top-ranked. Remember that student who was assassinated last time? I'm from Yoyerad; it was truly terrifying back then."

"I remember. Yoyerad's leadership got a complete overhaul back then, though the administrative atmosphere did improve a lot afterward."

"Back then, just one student died, and the Federal Legion rolled in with a massive army. This time, it's three. It's no wonder the Drift Star Sector is under full lockdown."

"Um... can I ask what 'Forbidden Fruit' is?"

"Let me explain. Forbidden Fruit—a weapon independently developed by the Federation. The exact R&D timeline isn't clear, but it was before the Federation's founding. This weapon is a weapon of mass destruction, the only one capable of being used in conjunction with space jumps. The attacked area is reduced to ashes. Moreover, due to its immense power, it easily triggers spatial collapse, leading to a series of chain reactions. That's why Forbidden Fruit was the first weapon classified as absolutely prohibited."

"Got it, roughly. Those people are really bold."

"Honestly, I'm a Federation citizen. The mood back home has been really tense these past few days. I've seen Legion starships more than once. Now I finally know why."

"Kidnapping three of their best students—the descendant of a Legion Commander, the successor to the Marshal, and the successor to the First Military Academy's principal. What kind of death wish..."

"+1, I agree."

"Anyone in the Drift Star Sector?"

"Upstairs, don't you know the Drift Star Sector's star network base stations were destroyed? Even if someone there could still post, they'd be banned."

"Didn't know that..."

"By the way, I hope the Federation can resolve this quickly. My home is somewhat close to the border. I'm scared."

"Mine too. I hope it's resolved soon. The Federation holds most of the line against the Zerg. They mustn't lose control or, in their anger, abandon the Zerg front."

"Damn! That reminds me! The Federation guards most of the Zerg defense line. If something goes wrong, we civilians will suffer the most!"

"That reminds me too. I'm going to get into a flame war with those haters badmouthing the Federation right away!"

"+1"

"…………"

Brian looked at the messages on the star network, expressionless. No one knew what he was really thinking.

"Sir, we have arrived at the temporary base."

Turning off his neural terminal, Brian went to find Blaikalo, who had been in the temporary laboratory all day.

Upon arrival, seeing the child merely soaked in nutrient fluid, Brian couldn't help but feel surprised.

Was he still that heartless research machine?

He hadn't been completely dissected yet.

Seeing Brian enter, Blaikalo knew they had arrived. He stored the items in his Space Bracelet and finally opened the nutrient tank to carry out Ji Anjue.

"Let's go."

"You didn't dissect him?"

"The conditions are too poor."

Brian: "…………"

When the person responsible for notifying them knocked, Ji Anzhi had just injected himself with a gene stabilizer. Then, under the guise of a kiss, he fed Qi Yanshen a vaccine.

It was a pity there was surveillance here; otherwise, he would have chosen the more efficient method of injection rather than this pill-form vaccine.

Ji Anzhi touched Qi Yanshen's face, feeling his abnormally high body temperature, and couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

He should have waited three more days for the next dose, but time was short. Xiaoxue couldn't wait, and neither could he.

Qi Yanshen's current temperature was 40°C, and he couldn't use fever reducers yet. Ji Anzhi could only hope Qi Yanshen could hold on a little longer.

However, Qi Yanshen's rut was approaching, which could explain his high fever.

The two separated. Ji Anzhi looked down at Qi Yanshen, who was dazed from the high fever. His disheveled hair fell like a curtain, obscuring their expressions and resting on Qi Yanshen's shoulders.

Ji Anzhi whispered, "Do you trust me?"

Qi Yanshen tilted his head, seeming to understand after a few seconds. With a fever-flushed face, he smiled and said, "I trust you."

Then, holding Ji Anzhi's hand against his cheek, he nuzzled it like a small animal, whining pitifully, "It hurts..."

Ji Anzhi sighed. Don't let the fever damage his brain...

Xiaoxue's voice sounded in his mind: 'It won't. I protected his brain. He won't be brain-damaged. There might be some issues with muscle proteins, but existing human technology can restore them.'

Reassured, Ji Anzhi opened the door.

As soon as he opened it, he was hit by an overpowering scent of gardenia. The alpha who came to fetch them almost gagged.

"We're here. The superior wants to see you."

Ji Anzhi smiled slightly. "My boyfriend is in his rut. It might be a bit inconvenient."

The alpha frowned. What a hassle.

"Can he still walk?"

"Yes."

"Then it's fine. This isn't the Federation, where omegas run around everywhere."

Ji Anzhi said okay, then turned, carrying Xiaoxue and holding Qi Yanshen's hand, following behind the other person.

No one spoke along the way. Ji Anzhi couldn't see the outside scenery. Even when disembarking from the starship and boarding the hovercar, it was done immediately upon entering the docking bay. Ji Anzhi quietly turned on his neural terminal—no connection to the star network, no signal at all.

The precautions were indeed strict, but what did it matter?

Just the struggles of the doomed.

Upon getting out of the car, he immediately saw the black-haired alpha, Brian.

Seeing Qi Yanshen's abnormally flushed face and the cloying, gardenia scent of his pheromones, Brian asked, "What's wrong?"

Ji Anzhi replied naturally, "His rut. He's the descendant of Legion Commander Qi Lan. You couldn't possibly not know his cycle."

Thinking about the intelligence, this child was indeed approaching his heat, which would happen in the next few days.

Having barely pushed aside his doubts, Brian led Ji Anzhi to an empty room. It was large but contained only two chairs. Before Ji Anzhi could even ask, the door slammed shut.

Taking in the hermetically sealed door, Ji Anzhi felt a sense of relief.

An organization that had held out against the Federation this long couldn’t possibly be so gentle and easy to fool.

A moment later, a screen appeared on the wall facing the chairs, showing Viksto, whom he had seen the day before.

“We meet again.”

Ji Anzhi responded with a smile, “Yes, we meet again, Your Excellency.”

Viksto smiled, “I dare not accept such an honorific.”

Ji Anzhi smiled without speaking, leading Qi Yanshen by the hand as he sat down, waiting for Viksto to reveal his intentions.

He believed the Federation had already begun to exert pressure, and the other side was in a difficult position, unable to afford a war of attrition.

Sure enough, “Aren’t you curious about my intentions, Mr. Ji?”

“Not curious.”

“Well then, it seems Mr. Ji’s mental fortitude is truly impressive. I hope Mr. Ji will cooperate. You wouldn’t want your adopted son to be harmed, would you?”

Hearing “adopted son,” Ji Anzhi involuntarily clenched his fist—this was a blatant threat.

Viksto, of course, saw Ji Anzhi’s reaction. Glancing at the heart rate monitor, the heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and the brainwaves showed signs of anger and worry. It seemed the adopted son was indeed a weak spot.

Viksto continued, “Mr. Ji is a talented individual, and I’d like to evaluate your work.”

As he spoke, a section of the wall in Ji Anzhi’s room slid open, revealing a data drive.

The meaning was clear: hand over his research results, and he would guarantee Ji Anjue’s safety.

Ji Anzhi lowered his head. After a long while, he said, “Words are cheap. How do I know you won’t say one thing and do another?”

“Do you have a choice? However, after you submit your results, I can let you see your adopted son’s condition.”

Ji Anzhi was silent for a long moment before finally giving in.

“Fine.”

“Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation. By the way, the room you’re in is special—you can’t access items in your Space Bracelet.”

With that, the screen disappeared.

Ji Anzhi maintained a calm expression but betrayed a hint of humiliation.

‘Xiaoxue.’

‘I’m here.’

‘Is my spiritual power being suppressed?’

‘Yes, but we’re too close, so I can still communicate with Dad.’

Ji Anzhi picked up the drive from the wall opening. Below it was a note explaining that if any research data was in the Space Bracelet, he could say so. He would be given a bottle of poison to drink, allowing him to leave and retrieve the data. After returning, he would take the antidote.

Ji Anzhi skimmed the note and continued speaking to Xiaoxue, ‘This is definitely not the headquarters. Once An Jue wakes up, we’ll go to the headquarters.’

‘Okay.’

After the brief exchange, Ji Anzhi tore up the note without changing his expression, letting the pieces flutter to the floor.

Turning around, he looked at Qi Yanshen, who was sitting uncomfortably. Ji Anzhi walked over and gently placed his hand on Qi Yanshen’s forehead.

“Not feeling well?”

“…Yeah.”

“It’ll pass soon. You got an inhibitor shot before we came.”

With that, Ji Anzhi led Qi Yanshen to sit on the floor. He lay down with his head on Qi Yanshen’s lap and said wearily, “I’ll rest for a while. Keep watch for me.”

“…Okay.”

Xiaoxue walked over to Ji Anzhi’s side, lay down, and matched her breathing to his, closing her eyes to rest.

Qi Yanshen’s mind was currently hazy, making it impossible for him to think clearly.

Or rather, he could think, but not much.

Looking at Ji Anzhi lying on his lap, Qi Yanshen did something he would never dare to do in a sober state—he reached out and patted Ji Anzhi’s head.

The first time, Ji Anzhi didn’t react.

The second time, still no reaction.

Emboldened, Qi Yanshen grew bolder and stroked Ji Anzhi’s head like he was petting a cat.

A smile spread across his face, like a child who had just been given candy.

Watching everything through the surveillance feed, Viksto felt a wave of anger rise within him.

Indeed, omegas and betas should forever remain slaves to us alphas.

“Boss, according to the reports from outside, one-third of our bases have been destroyed. Moreover, Levin’s spiritual power seems to have increased significantly again.”

“Increased again?”

“Yes.” The subordinate handed a report to Viksto. “Data transmitted from a base before it was destroyed shows Levin’s spiritual power far exceeds the threshold for SSS. The data department speculates that Levin is likely SSSS-level.”

Viksto frowned. How could it improve so quickly?

After pondering for a long time, Viksto said, “Send a message outside. Tell the bases with Zerg experimental subjects to release them once the Federal Legion enters our territory, then take the opportunity to escape.”

“Yes.”

“Also, spread the word that the people they want aren’t dead yet, but if a ‘Forbidden Fruit’ comes, they’ll really die.”

“Yes.”

Viksto understood that they wouldn’t give up on these three people. Moreover, the Federation would never lightly use the “Forbidden Fruit.” Once deployed, the chain reaction it caused would harm all of humanity.

However, Viksto couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Looking at the screen showing the two leaning against each other, it all felt too easy.

He had deliberately lowered the other's guard, but a student who could successfully infiltrate a military academy for two years couldn't have missed his act.

Or were all the slips he had displayed just part of the performance?

Had he overestimated him?

Viksto pondered. With a control collar around his neck, the Space Bracelet was unusable, all signals in the room were blocked, not to mention a mental suppression device, and even the oxygen they breathed was laced with something.

From the moment they entered, he held their lives in his hands.

But Viksto still felt uneasy, unable to pinpoint the source.

"Tsk, this is so irritating."

...

Time flew by. When Ji Anzhi woke, three hours had passed.

He glanced at the time: 10 a.m.

He touched the forehead of the still-sleeping Qi Yanshen and found the fever had broken.

He estimated it would take at least half a day before Ji Anjue would wake up.

Ji Anzhi got up and picked up the USB drive, placed it on his personal terminal, and slowly uploaded the Energy Tank modifications.

He still had to keep up appearances and not do anything that might jeopardize Anjue.

By the time Ji Anzhi finished uploading the Energy Tank modification method, Qi Yanshen finally woke.

Having just received the vaccine, Qi Yanshen felt weak and lethargic.

Seeing the sealed white room, Qi Yanshen blurted out, "Where is this?"

Ji Anzhi explained, "They've trapped us here, and they have Anjue too."

With this, Qi Yanshen immediately understood the situation.

After the medicine, his high fever had left some memories hazy. They were now inside the enemy's stronghold.

He knew he had to watch every word and move here.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"No, but the Space Bracelet is unusable. Are you hungry?"

Qi Yanshen shook his head.

If the Space Bracelet couldn't be opened, they could only eat the enemy's food—who knew what was in it?

_'Just half a day left. Once Ji Anjue wakes up, we can get out.'_

This was the message Ji Anzhi had Xiaoxue convey to Qi Yanshen.

...

Headquarters Laboratory

Blaikalo's laboratory was cluttered.

Yet among the items was one very inconspicuous specimen, indistinguishable from an ordinary plant. Sandwiched among various oddly shaped specimens, it looked completely out of place.

Meanwhile, Ji Anjue's body lay on the dissection table.

It was connected to numerous tubes, delivering nutrients to maintain its vital functions.

Scalpel in one hand and forceps in the other, Blaikalo cut into Ji Anjue's skin and muscle, eager to confirm his suspicions.

After the examination, the body was indeed different.

Although the skin and muscle genes were human, the blood vessels contained components that should not exist in a human.

And the brain—normally, the skull should contain brain tissue, but he found emerald-green substances in Ji Anjue's central brain.

These components bore an extremely high similarity to those of the plant collected years ago!

Blaikalo thought, Ji Anjue was indeed a creature from that planet!

Was this his natural form? Could he mimic humans and take this shape?... Or was this body entirely fabricated, a puppet?