Chapter 62

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Chapter 62: The Laboratory’s Beginning and End

"In our world, it was a biology professor from the Federation, Dr. Elsie, who first discovered and proposed that asexual reproduction in mammals was viable.

"Fifty years ago, she established the first asexual reproduction laboratory in Saye City, Eastern Federation, publishing three papers that created a stir in the biological community at that time.

"Fifteen years later, just after confirming that asexual reproduction technology could be used for humans, Dr. Elsie tragically died in an accident. Her team did not stop their experiments, but during the subsequent breakthrough phase, they faced a collective boycott from the biological community, which claimed that the experiment violated ethics and could endanger society.

"The Federation thus halted the experiments and, citing the need to protect Dr. Elsie’s intellectual property rights, sealed all her papers and research materials, forbidding anyone from conducting research based on those theories without permission."

Luo Yu’s voice remained calm. "Dr. Elsie had a student who participated in all the experiments. After the Federation stopped the experiments, she took the materials she had secretly saved and eventually established an underground laboratory in the southern desert, continuing the research on human asexual reproduction.

"Another ten years passed, and that underground laboratory was discovered by Federation agents. The Federation issued an arrest warrant for the founder on charges of patent infringement. When she was arrested, her student escaped with the latest research materials to a small border town in the Northern Continent, rebuilding the laboratory and successfully realizing human asexual reproduction technology over the course of twenty-two years. Nine volunteer researchers from the laboratory gave birth to the first, and currently the only, batch of asexual infants.

"Three years later, news of the experiment leaked, and the laboratory was destroyed in a missile misfire, halting research once again on the potential asexual genetic mutations in this first batch of infants."

Luo Yu looked at the two of them, her voice gradually dropping. "My sister was one of those nine researchers."

After hearing this, Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao exchanged glances. Previously, when they saw Luo Yu asking Ji Shu about medicine, and later when Ji Shu mentioned this topic, they heard terms associated with "asexual genetic inheritance." So, they had some suspicions about Luo Yu’s niece, but since it was personal, and they had decided to stay themselves, they hadn’t inquired further.

Ying Zhao felt a lump in her throat. The founder of the laboratory in the Northern Continent, Dr. Elsie’s student, was a friend of her adoptive mother, Professor Yan, whom she met while studying at the Federation. During her years of research in the Northern Continent, that friend had visited the Alliance to meet Professor Yan. However, she didn’t mention the struggles of the laboratory at that time. Therefore, Ying Zhao always thought her departure from the Federation was simply due to funding issues, unaware of the many difficulties, and today was the first time she had heard about them.

Zhu Huai, recalling the mention of the missile misfire, asked, "Regarding that missile misfire three years ago, rumors say the air defense forces had a task nearby. You weren’t at the time agency then; do you know what happened?"

Luo Yu looked at the two of them, realizing there was nothing left to hide, so she said truthfully, "The laboratory in the Northern Continent was actually sponsored by a business association from the Alliance. The air defense forces had the duty to protect the overseas assets of the association. Knowing that the Federation intended to bomb the Northern Continent’s laboratory, they dispatched a secret interception mission. However, strictly speaking, the establishment of this laboratory did violate the Federation’s constitution, making it difficult for both the air defense forces and the association to intervene directly. Due to some airspace signal restrictions, the interception ultimately failed, and they could not stop the Federation’s actions."

"So that’s how it is…" Zhu Huai pondered for a moment. "So the so-called ‘misfire’ was the Federation’s way of ensuring that the existence of the laboratory remained unknown. They probably didn’t even use the Federation’s air force for the bombing mission?"

Luo Yu nodded, "The Federation was wary of the nearby air defense force base from the Alliance and didn’t want to openly confront the Northern Continent and the Alliance over this matter. They aimed to avoid triggering a series of chain reactions and did not want anyone to know about the asexual laboratory. As a result, they used modified commercial aircraft and planned two operations: the first was merely a feint, and the second was executed by blending in with the Northern Continent’s patrol aircraft for the final drop."

Ying Zhao contemplated, “The Federation is backed by several powerful families who hold significant influence. This order likely came from those families, right? Their extreme disdain for asexual reproduction might also stem from some beliefs?”

Luo Yu looked at her, her gaze flickering as if awaiting her to continue. So Ying Zhao elaborated, "Purely guessing here, those powerful families have rather traditional beliefs. This kind of research is practically dancing on the heads of their gods, so it’s no surprise they’d see this experiment as a heresy that must be eradicated."

After hearing this, Luo Yu thought deeply. She hadn’t considered the faith aspect before. She simply believed the Federation thought this experiment threatened the future of a portion of the population, which was why they repeatedly suppressed it. Now, reflecting on it, she realized it was a conflict between biological science and traditional understandings.

At this point, Zhu Huai asked again, "Since there were two planned operations, there should have been time for the laboratory to react. Did someone escape before the missile misfire? If your niece is alive, then your sister must have escaped too?"

Luo Yu shook her head, "She couldn’t escape. The children weren’t raised in the laboratory, which is why they managed to avoid disaster. The air defense forces indeed secured three hours for evacuation from the laboratory. Some people managed to transfer critical equipment and materials out, but due to the overwhelming number of items in the laboratory, the second batch of evacuees and equipment didn’t make it out before the missile struck."

Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao sighed heavily at this, and Luo Yu noticed that they seemed ready to comfort her but waved her hand dismissively. "It’s all in the past. Today, we primarily want to discuss future arrangements. Right now, there are still some biologists who escaped the laboratory living in the Permanent Neutral Zone in the south. They have managed to shake off the Federation’s pursuit, but they still lack the means to rebuild the laboratory."

"What about those children?" Ying Zhao asked.

"Some were taken back by the relatives of the researchers, while the rest were taken to the Neutral Zone." Luo Yu briefly added that among those children, several exhibited genetic mutations, which is why she needed to obtain relevant technical information from Ji Shu to address these issues.

Ying Zhao’s eyes lit up, "Then we should bring these key technologies back to help them rebuild the laboratory in the Neutral Zone!"

Zhu Huai nodded vigorously, "And eliminate all threats to the laboratory. Once that’s done, the world will be peaceful, and as long as we finish these two tasks before the cycle reaches its end, we won’t face a reset!"

Ying Zhao rubbed her hands together excitedly, "There’s hope, a lot of hope!"

Luo Yu looked at the two of them and smiled, "Alright, it seems we already have a preliminary plan."

As they discussed, excitement bubbled up among them. They delved into detailed discussions about the current situation of the surviving biologists in the Neutral Zone until the hangar robot came to remind them to take a break. The three of them then left the lounge together, took some time to relax in the relaxation chamber, and by around two o’clock, they arrived at the helipad and boarded an aircraft heading towards Ji Shu’s genetic medicine research institute.

The jungle outside the medical institute was as lush and vibrant as it was the last time they visited. The vines around the massive rock looked even denser than before.

Luo Yu piloted the aircraft with ease, landing at the helipad on top of the rock. The hangar robot approached them as they stepped off the aircraft. "Hello, the three of you. Professor Ji Shu is waiting for you in her office."

They nodded to the hangar robot and walked towards the entrance of the research institute. Zhu Huai looked around; today, there was no sight of the lynx, and she wondered if it was napping somewhere in the woods at this hour.

The sunlight was strong on the platform, and no wild animals roamed about—only colorful butterflies flitted around the flowers sprouting between the rock crevices.

As they passed through the laser barrier at the research institute’s entrance, they saw a guiding robot waiting for them. The three of them followed the robot through two long corridors until they reached the familiar office door.

Stepping inside, they found Ji Shu seated behind a large desk, alone in the quiet office. Upon seeing them, she smiled warmly, "You’re here, come in and sit."

Once they settled onto the long soft cushions in front of the desk and ordered drinks from the Serving Robot, Ji Shu stood up from her desk, joined them, and asked about their return. Upon hearing that Zhu Huai and Ying Zhao decided to accompany Luo Yu, Ji Shu nodded gently, "That’s fine. Whatever decisions you make, our support remains unchanged. If you need anything, feel free to ask; any available technology can be brought back with you."

At that moment, the robot brought in their drinks, and Luo Yu held her cup, smiling down. "We do need some support. We discussed our arrangements for after the return at noon, and there are many tasks ahead, along with some risks, but overall, it’s looking promising."

After sharing the discussions they had at noon, including the situation of the asexual laboratory, Ji Shu listened intently before commenting, "I understand your situation now. I have a dinner appointment with Mo Chuan tonight too; let me share this information with her and see what assistance she might provide. I’ll arrange everything over the next two days and prepare to send it all with you."

Just as she finished speaking, the office’s assistant system chimed in, "Radiation protection agents have been delivered."

Ji Shu replied with a soft "Alright," and instructed, "Bring them in."

Before long, an assistant robot entered the office, approached them, and extended a small tray from its chest, which held two small tubes of blue liquid.

Ji Shu reached out to take the two tubes, and the robot stepped back a couple of paces before turning to leave.

Zhu Huai looked at the two small tubes, scratching her head. "Is there just this little? Will it be enough?"

Ying Zhao turned to glance at her, gently nudging her with her elbow, and whispered, "Having some is better than nothing. Are you still complaining?"

Ji Shu chuckled, looking at the two of them. "These are super-concentrated agents. One tube is enough for global use. I just have a habit of making backups, which is why I prepared two tubes. You should store them separately, just in case. After all, using a bit more isn’t a problem. If time weren’t limited, I would have loved to prepare more for you."

After saying that, she handed the two small tubes to them. Luo Yu carefully received one and passed another to Ying Zhao, while Zhu Huai leaned in for a closer look. "How do we use this agent? Is it ingested or applied?"

"Pour it into the sea, and the ocean currents will carry it into the global water cycle; it will then take effect naturally. Choose an appropriate temperature and entry point into the sea, and the entire diffusion process will take about ten to twenty days. However…" Ji Shu paused, "This won’t work for everyone."

Luo Yu was not surprised. "There are chromosome restrictions, right?"

"Yes, and for specific chromosomes, it’s not a 100% success rate. Additionally, there are physical condition limitations. The anti-radiation elements in this require body fat for conversion, so individuals with too low a body fat percentage won’t be able to produce antibodies."