Chapter 2 Explosion

Chapter 2: The Explosion

◎The Escape◎

4:00 PM, Capital Standard Time.

It was a fine day with a gentle breeze and bright sun, the sky as blue as ever.

The streets were bustling with people, everything operating normally. People were at work, students were in school, just like any other day.

Except at the Federal Assembly Chamber on the Capital Star.

Around a large round table sat twelve individuals with varied expressions: seven Military District Commanders in white uniforms and five civilian councilors in black suits. These twelve formed the Federal Council, jointly deciding federal affairs.

The air in the meeting room was heavy, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

With a grave expression, Shen Zhangrong broke the silence first. "I apologize for the abrupt summons, but the situation is urgent. I hope you can understand."

Given their busy schedules, aside from the monthly plenary session requiring their physical presence on the Capital Star, minor meetings usually only required brief communication via encrypted channels.

The young councilor in the black suit chuckled upon hearing this and chimed in, "General, you jest. Please, speak plainly."

"Then I'll get straight to the point," Shen Zhangrong said seriously. "I trust you've all been briefed about the explosion on Karna Star yesterday."

"According to the latest intelligence, the unidentified species that escaped have forcibly occupied Lorya Star of the Fourth Military District within a single day."

"Lorya Star?" Tawana, Commander of the Second Military District, frowned. "If I recall correctly, Lorya Star hosts the Skyreach Base of the Fourth Army, where a quarter of its forces are stationed."

Shen Zhangrong nodded. "We have now lost all contact with Lorya Star. All equipment is showing no signal."

The man who spoke earlier sneered again. "It seems the Fourth Army's combat effectiveness is rather brittle, General Reginald. You should really whip your troops into shape."

Reginald was the commander of the Fourth Military District. Hearing this, his already gloomy face darkened further, yet he couldn't deny it.

The successive losses of Karna Star and Lorya Star, planets under his command's jurisdiction, were his responsibility.

He remained silent, but Angus wasn't about to let him off the hook. "What's going on, General? If you had the guts to conduct experiments, why didn't you have the capability to contain the subjects properly? Now that the Federation has stabilized, does it not suit your liking?"

He was practically pointing a finger and calling him incompetent. Reginald nearly choked on his anger, his face flushing red. "You—!"

"Right here," Angus smiled.

"Enough," Shen Zhangrong sighed. "Look at this."

He picked up the remote control on the table and pressed a button. A photograph appeared on the massive screen in the meeting room.

The person in the photo was clearly still a youth. His limbs were no different from a human's, but behind him was an estimated two-meter-long tail. Half of his face was covered in hard scales, and his eyes had the vertical pupils of a beast.

"What is this? Cosplay?" someone asked.

Shen Zhangrong replied, "According to the data, this is a monitor lizard."

"A monitor lizard?!"

The assembly hall instantly fell into dead silence.

No one could connect him to a monitor lizard, because based on appearance alone, he was indistinguishable from a human. The tail and scales could easily be explained as special effects makeup.

Shen Zhangrong's expression, which he had been struggling to maintain, finally cracked. He turned to Reginald and said, "General, you explain."

Reginald's eyes flickered for a moment before he spoke. "It's both beast and human."

"The source of the Karna Star explosion was Experimental Base 09, which held ten thousand animals of various species. Through our experiments, we developed a serum that can give them human bodies and consciousness, while amplifying their innate animal advantages."

"Humans who can fly autonomously, humans with venomous teeth, humans with immense strength, and so on, even more."

Reginald grew more excited as he spoke, his words filled with satisfaction for the experiment.

"They are artificially created humanoid weapons, an unmatched army, absolutely obedient, absolutely valiant."

"Absolutely obedient?" Angus was incredulous. "Karna Star blew up just like that. Do you see any sign of them obeying you?"

"That's because the serum isn't mature yet!" Reginald said excitedly. "Once our research advances further, we can completely control them. Then, forget about the Aliens, even expanding Federation territory would be divinely assisted!"

Angus snorted coldly. "You should pray for divine intervention to save yourself first."

"Their combat power is indeed formidable. Lorya Star has already proven that," Miya Lynn said gravely.

To capture one of the Fourth Military District's bases in a single day, with no large-scale fighting—it was a completely overwhelming victory.

While everyone was marveling at the Beastmen's strength, Jiang Siyue said with a faint, mocking smile, "Everyone seems to be focusing on the wrong point, don't you think? Shouldn't the key issue be that the General captured a large number of animals for experiments, which is not only inhumane but also unleashed a catastrophe?"

"...According to the provisions of the Interstellar Law, the experiments are not in violation. Major General, I suggest you study the regulations more," Reginald retorted, his face ashen, addressing the first part of her statement.

Jiang Siyue's red lips curved slightly. "The Interstellar Law? I used it as a coaster. General, I suggest you read more about exemplary vanguard deeds. It helps improve morality, you know."

"Animals are inherently insane, inferior creatures of failed evolution. Using them for experiments is already doing them a favor!" Sagra spoke up with a sinister tone.

Jiang Siyue fired back without hesitation. "Has human evolution succeeded then? We still have people like you, after all."

"Jiang Siyue, don't go too far!"

"Enough," Shen Zhangrong interrupted them. "Now is not the time for arguments. The Beastmen have occupied Lorya Star and will inevitably attack humans afterward. Everyone, think about how to handle this."

"What's there to handle?" Jiang Siyue spread her hands. "Whoever made the mess should clean it up."

Shen Zhangrong spoke slowly. "The Fourth Army is currently severely weakened, and the Beastmen have seized a significant amount of Federation weaponry. I'm afraid relying solely on the Fourth Army will make it difficult to turn the situation around."

"With the Aliens causing external disturbances, the Federation cannot afford internal strife. We must nip this danger in the bud."

After speaking, he scanned the people present, his gaze meeting Jiang Siyue's. She quickly added, "The Fifth Army just completed a new wave of clearing operations against the Aliens three days ago. My apologies."

Shen Zhangrong nodded, understanding her meaning.

He paused for a few seconds, then looked at the man sitting opposite who had remained silent the entire time. "Qingyan?"

The man's lips curved slightly. The white military uniform made him appear even more upright, his features handsome, his gaze indifferent. "The Seventh Army retreated alongside the Fifth Army. Have you forgotten, sir?"

Of course, Shen Zhangrong hadn't forgotten. It was just that among the Federation's seven armies, the Fifth and Seventh were the most formidable. Sending them would yield a higher probability of success.

"However, General," Xu Qingyan asked, "what if the Beastmen harbor no hostility towards humans? How are you so certain they will attack humans?"

Shen Zhangrong's expression remained calm; time had bestowed much wisdom upon this general. "History has already shown us that the Federation and animals have never been on the same side."

"Is that so?" Xu Qingyan nodded with a smile, appearing to understand.

Seeing that everyone else remained silent, Shen Zhangrong directly assigned the Second and Third Armies to assist the Fourth Army, ordering them to reorganize their forces and launch an attack on Lorya Star in three days.

Miya Lynn had no objections. Kashwei, sitting beside Reginald, had been aloof throughout. Upon hearing the order, he merely glanced at Shen Zhangrong without saying a word.

That’s it for the impromptu meeting.

Xu Qingyan walked slowly out of the conference hall. Jiang Siyue approached and nudged him. “Got a minute? The usual place.”

After receiving an affirmative answer, she shot Angus a look.

The three of them parted ways at the conference hall and later met up at “Peace and Prosperity,” a tavern owned by his family.

His father was a well-known entrepreneur in the Federation with countless businesses under his name. Angus had an older brother—a natural-born businessman. Originally, the plan had been for Angus to finish his studies and simply coast along in the family company. Instead, he wound up elected to the Senate. Though a civil-service senator held little real power, it was still a government position.

To facilitate private communications, Angus had his father open this tavern specifically. It was highly discreet—and the drinks were free.

They booked a private room. When Xu Qingyan arrived, three people were already there, chatting animatedly.

Seeing him, Angus greeted him and handed over a glass of wine. “Here.”

Xu Qingyan sat down, took a sip, and glanced at the mild-mannered man in the corner. “Brother Mian is here too.”

Jiang Siyue grinned. “Well, we figured since we’ve been stuck on the battlefield lately and haven’t had time to gather, today’s a rare opportunity. I made Brother Mian drop everything and rush over.”

“Yeah—I flew over right after work, no delay,” Zhao Mian said with a smile.

Zhao Mian headed the Seventh Army Medical Department. Xu Qingyan and Jiang Siyue came from military families. All four were alumni of Capital Interstellar University—only a few years apart—and had first met by chance during a practical training exercise.

After graduation, some joined the military; others entered politics—but they’d remained close.

“What’s the story today?” Zhao Mian asked.

At that, Jiang Siyue flared up. She slammed her glass onto the table and raised her voice. “That Reginald—the old bastard who always looks like he’s sucking on a lemon—has been secretly conducting animal-to-human experiments! Harming so many animals and creating such a formidable enemy for the Federation—all under the noble banner of weapons development! I think it’s just to satisfy his sick obsession! Everyone knows he loves torturing animals. His home used to be like a zoo from ancient Earth—beating or killing something every day. What’s the difference between him and a serial killer?! And he has the nerve to claim it’s all for the Federation? Bullshit!”

“Now look—he’s messed up, hasn’t he? The beastmen escaped. Now other military districts have to bail out the Fourth Army in attacking Lor’ya. If you ask me, the Federation shouldn’t send troops at all. Just let the beastmen come back and tear that fossilized old man to pieces—let them vent their rage!”

After she finished, Angus quickly offered her a glass of fruit wine.

“Animal-to-human experiments?” Zhao Mian hesitated. “Do you mean experiments to turn animals into humans?”

Angus nodded. Zhao Mian recoiled in shock. “He’s insane.”

“They developed a serum—claiming a single injection can transform subjects into humans. But beyond that, we know nothing,” Xu Qingyan said calmly.

Zhao Mian pondered, then a thought struck him. “Could it be that eighteen years ago—when the Federation Research Institute forcibly requisitioned vast numbers of animals, citing gene enhancement, lifespan extension, physical augmentation, and endurance improvement—was actually procuring test subjects for this experiment?!”

His words jolted everyone’s memory. That year, Xu Qingyan had been only nine; Jiang Siyue and Angus, slightly older at eleven, had just graduated from elementary school.

Back then, large numbers of researchers and soldiers went door-to-door—persuading or coercing residents to hand over their pets.

Compared to ancient Earth residents, citizens of the current Federation could keep all kinds of animals. With enough money, one could even keep sharks—no restrictions applied.

After that requisition—except on the capital planet, which originally had no animals—sightings of animals across the Federation became exceedingly rare. Videos about animal abuse on the StarNet also largely ceased updating.

They exchanged glances. If this were true, the experiment had begun eighteen years ago—or even earlier.

An indescribably heavy feeling settled over them—but no one voiced it.

“Playing the long game, huh?” Angus snorted coldly. Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Xu Qingyan and Jiang Siyue. “Didn’t the Fifth Military District and the Seventh Army pass the ‘Anti-Animal Abuse Act’? Did they receive any animals back then?”

“Those laws were passed after the requisition. Moreover, they used the banners of lifespan extension and physical enhancement. If persuasion failed, they simply seized the animals by force. Animal lovers focused on longevity; those indifferent to animals cared only about enhanced physique. They knew exactly which buttons to press,” Xu Qingyan recalled. “I remember animals suddenly vanishing from the military district back then. They must have received quite a few.”

Jiang Siyue shrugged. “Same with us.”

“That means the number of beastmen back then must have been considerable,” Zhao Mian murmured.

“Not necessarily. Only successful experiments become beastmen. Failed ones…” Xu Qingyan drained his glass in one gulp. “…become a handful of dirt.”

“Ever since I can remember, the Federation has been hostile toward animals. Ancient Earth humans killed for meat—but now people do it for pleasure,” Jiang Siyue said, troubled. She couldn’t understand why humans derived pleasure from torturing living beings—or why movies depicting animal abuse were so popular.

“Nowadays, with skyscrapers everywhere and mechs rampant, humans have long been the masters of the world. The Great Evolution a thousand years ago granted humans longer lifespans—but animals received no such blessing. They remain primitive, savage, and irrational.”

“Thus, the human superiority complex arose naturally. Power, control, venting—more than enough to destroy beings that cannot speak or create.”

The status of animals declined again and again—now reduced to little more than weeds on the ground.

They couldn’t resist towering mechs; they couldn’t develop sophisticated instruments. Even as food, few people nowadays were willing to eat genuine animal meat—healthy simulated meat had long replaced it, better satisfying human physiological needs with superior taste and higher nutrition.

Videos, short dramas, and movies depicting animal abuse emerged endlessly. It seemed most people had grown accustomed to it—venting emotions, that’s about all their value amounted to.

A person constantly frustrated in life could easily control the life and death of another being. Such power was undeniably addictive.

Xu Qingyan summed up: “It’s just inherent flawed nature at play. Humans are adept at hiding and pretending.”

Thus, they conflated killing with abuse, equated slaughter with torture—using hypocrisy to adorn the good and truth to disguise the wicked.

A filthy mess.

A brief silence fell over the private room. Angus lowered his head, fiddled with his comms device for a moment, and silently projected a forum post. The video at the top could no longer play—only netizen comments remained visible.

“I saw this this morning. Take a look,” he said.