Chapter 10

Planes continued to take off and land at the Anchorage base without stopping, as batches of elite Pacific Rim United Nations troops arrived, securing the base so tightly that even the wind and cranes seemed to bring a heavy atmosphere to the base.

Batches of cutting-edge medical instruments were transported in and quickly put into use.

As night fell, the numerous biomedicine researchers, as if injected with adrenaline, were so engrossed that they couldn't even spare the time to eat, unwilling to leave their posts for a moment. They muttered in disbelief, their faces flushed with excitement as they conducted experiments.

"The experimental rat's strength has surged, breaking the nutrient jar. Catch it quickly!"

"The test rabbit's eyes have mutated, showing a laser reaction."

"Where did the rat here go? Damn, it can teleport, and it has superpowers. Check the surveillance and catch it back."

"Professor Tungus, it's time to report," a disciple researcher reminded him.

Tungus came to his senses, a bit dazed from the anemia, and as if in a different world, he looked up to see the massive laboratory filled with unexpected panic and chaos. Some researchers had eyes as red as those of evil villains, while others had faces distorted with shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. His gaze finally settled on Celine, who was loudly berating and giving orders.

Tungus felt a bit of fear at this moment of Celine's fiery momentum, not just because of what she had done to him and his son, but also because in just a few hours, the biomedicine team she had led had produced results that could have won Nobel Prizes for the next hundred years or more.

She indeed had talent that surpassed all the biomedicine researchers here by a hundredfold.

Tungus gave Celine a deep look, then left the laboratory, wiping his face, which was tired from the excitement, and instructed the assistant, "Prepare a preliminary summary of the experimental data and convene a joint meeting."

But I have never been a researcher focused solely on experiments. In the vast social system, interpersonal relationships are more likely to yield results.

After preparing the experimental data, Tungus, along with his assistant, Augustine, and Staker, went to the meeting room to start the joint meeting.

The meeting room was brightly lit, and within five minutes, 21 screens lit up, showing leaders of various countries who had been disturbed from their deep sleep to attend this meeting that would decide the fate of the extraterrestrial and Earth's response to outer space.

"President Tungus, the preliminary summary of the experiment is three hours and forty-two minutes late. Please report as soon as possible," a national president asked angrily.

"The preliminary results and achievements will satisfy the leaders of all countries, I believe," Tungus said with a calm and confident smile, quite gentlemanly. He took the file from his assistant, opened it, and began to report some necessary detailed data, but simplified the information.

"Previously, the 8,000-ton base strength was measured, and there might have been some errors due to the instruments, but we believe the errors are not significant. According to the latest medical equipment, he now has at least 30,000 tons of strength," Tungus selected some of the most concerning data about the alien's physical strength to explain.

"We have reason to believe that in just a few hours, he has grown into a monster with 30,000 tons of base strength," Tungus reported.

The representatives on the 21 screens fell silent.

What does it mean for a human body, nearly two meters tall, to have 30,000 tons of base strength?

All the representatives were clear, but General Augustine and Staker, who were even more aware of the implications, exchanged glances, seeing the horror in each other's eyes.

How powerful must a body be to concentrate 30,000 tons of strength?

"His body, from a detailed molecular structure, is already harder than ordinary alloys. Various extreme energies can no longer affect him. Additionally, he has developed advanced defenses against various toxins and diseases, and he has a strong growth potential. This is far from his limit," Tungus dropped another bomb, causing the representatives' pupils to constrict in shock.

"Earth cannot allow his existence, gentlemen."

"His existence is already a threat to Earth."

"In just a few hours, he has 30,000 tons of strength. Even if we can communicate, what can we do to balance him?"

"I can't imagine what level his strength will reach in another month."

"My country supports executing him."

"Agreed."

"We must consider the safety of Earth."

"Earth cannot bear such an alien."

"Since that's the case, execute him."

At this moment, even the peace advocates who supported communication dared not suggest waiting for the body to wake up and communicate.

His growth potential was too great.

If they waited a week or a month for him to wake up, Earth would already be his backyard. What communication would there be?

A monster that cannot be controlled must be killed now.

"I understand," Tungus nodded, without the usual researcher's regret over killing the body, and said something even more shocking to the representatives.

"Based on the preliminary analysis of the blood cells from his fall, we can almost conclude that this life form has a long lifespan."

Tungus paused, but even the longest life, if it dies at this moment, is meaningless.

"Additionally, we observed the cell division samples and unexpectedly discovered a way to extract telomeres to develop a cell enhancement serum. After testing on lab mice, the results are excellent. The cell division coefficient has increased, and the telomeres have extended. We estimate that the lifespan of the lab mice has increased tenfold compared to before."

Tungus finished speaking and stood calmly, believing that all countries understood the implications and that his power would reach a peak.

This was not an accident. Before they arrived, Celine had synthesized the cell enhancement serum from the blood collected at the crater in just two hours, something they could never achieve in their lifetimes.

They merely noticed the results upon arrival and injected the serum into the lab mice for observation.

Celine was not exaggerating when she said she was a hundred times more talented than all of them.

But it didn't matter; everything was his, under his... leadership.

Sure enough, upon hearing Tungus's words, some of the representatives on the screens were replaced by the highest-ranking officials of their countries, but these people were even older.

To reach the pinnacle of power in a country, one must be at least 45 years old, and even those around 50 are rare.

The faces of human emperors, filled with the greed for immortality, instantly appeared on the 21 screens.

"President Tungus, do you mean...?"

"Yes, that's correct. According to calculations, 50 grams of blood cells can produce 1 gram of cell enhancement serum. We haven't tested other cells yet, but we can infer that they will yield even more. An adult would need about 10 grams of cell enhancement serum to initiate a new round of cell division and extend telomere length."

"In other words, 10 grams of cell enhancement serum can increase human lifespan tenfold."

Tungus spoke, his heart racing with excitement.

How many ordinary people can resist the temptation of immortality?

Only those with firm beliefs and young, passionate individuals who are oblivious to the cycle of life and death would disdain the idea of a group of withered old men.

But when they reach their withered state, they will even beg for immortality, a fate no human can avoid.

If they are powerful and withered, they will go mad.

Augustine and Staker's faces changed immediately. They saw all the leaders on the screens stunned by this shocking news.

Some recovered, their expressions unable to hide the twitching, their eyes filled with joy, their blood circulation quickening, their adrenaline surging, and their aged bodies seemingly bursting with desire from their hearts.

"He cannot die."

One leader realized that as long as the body's life was maintained, and blood was continuously drawn, they, the elite of humanity, would have lifespans of hundreds or even thousands of years.

The leader who spoke realized his outburst and coughed to regain composure.

"For thousands of years, since the dawn of human civilization, we have fought beasts, conquered the land, explored the seas, and soared through the skies. In the face of the extraterrestrial's malevolent intentions, we should not kill this alien and try to avoid the crisis. Instead, we should face it positively, prepare fully, and take steps towards space."

"Yes, at any moment, we should not easily execute this alien."

"Trust humanity."

"Humanity has never feared war, even space war."

"Cancel the execution of the alien and keep him for observation."

"Agreed."

"Gentlemen, we are dealing with an alien, please be cautious."

"We should not easily decide to go to war."

"The alien has already arrived, and the decision is not ours to make."

"Agreed."

"Imprison him first, and then make plans."

"Given his immense strength, his movements must be restricted."

"Our country will provide a 700-meter-deep underground nuclear base in Nevada, equipped with a comprehensive protection and isolation mechanism, sufficient to control the alien. We welcome representatives from all countries to monitor, and we must remember that we are one."

"No objections."

"Agreed."

"As for the cell enhancement serum, we will discuss it later."

"Agreed."

The leaders on the screens looked invigorated, deciding to keep the alien and face the alien invasion positively.

They believed that even if the aliens invaded, their soldiers and people would fight with all their might to protect Earth.

With lifespans of hundreds or even thousands of years, they would deal with the aliens as the situation demanded.

Staker found it absurd. Just moments ago, they were discussing the execution of the alien for Earth's sake, and now, upon learning that the alien's cells could produce a serum to extend life, they were excitedly declaring war on the alien, preparing to fight with determination.

It's not them who will go to war.

It's them who will use the cell enhancement serum.

"Gentlemen, are you serious? Are you so openly putting Earth at risk to the aliens?" Staker's heart burned with anger, the blood rushing through his veins.

Previously, the decisions to communicate or execute the alien could be seen as actions taken by countries for Earth and its people. Regardless of right or wrong, Staker was willing to bear the responsibility, as it might have been the best course of action.

But now, keeping the alien to extract blood and produce the cell enhancement serum, the naked greed of the leaders was exposed. They were willing to declare war and support the war to imprison the alien.

Is this serious?

Do they not consider the consequences of their greed?

The reality is that the true rulers, mostly in their 70s and 80s, are capitalists from powerful families who won't live to see the alien invasion.

Staker's anger made the leaders on the screens slightly less excited.

"Staker, the countries will discuss this comprehensively. General Augustine, Staker is not calm and is not suitable for this meeting. Let him rest," someone on the screen ordered, displeased.

General Augustine, expressionless, gestured to the soldiers to escort the flustered and angry Staker out of the room.

"President Tungus, you have done well. We will not forget your contributions," the ruler on the screen said, satisfied.

Tungus was even more pleased, almost beaming, and bowed politely with his right hand near his abdomen.

He didn't look like a biomedicine researcher at all.

The leaders on the screens nodded, also satisfied that he was not just a pure biomedicine worker.

"Gentlemen, there is even more to surprise you," Tungus said, like a magician, captivating the attention of those on the screens.

"President Tungus, please continue your performance," someone on the screen joked, and the others couldn't help but smile, their wrinkles creasing.

They were truly delighted.

The alien's 1,700-kilogram body would yield more and more cell enhancement serum, and there was no need to fight over it like savages. Thus, they maintained their composure.

Tungus smiled and gestured for his assistant to play the experimental footage.

There was a lab mouse that froze itself into an ice block by exhaling a freezing breath, and when the staff thawed it, it was still alive and healthy.

There was a rabbit that emitted laser beams from its eyes, melting the isolation box and escaping, injuring the staff before being killed.

There was a lab mouse that grew much stronger, becoming very aggressive.

There was a lab mouse whose body became steel-like, impervious to blades and bullets.

There was a lab mouse that disappeared and reappeared on the ground, capable of teleportation, and escaped, never to be caught again.

Some lab mice developed advanced brains, with eyes that were alert and calm, and research showed they had higher intelligence than the average human.

There was even a lab mouse that seemed to control invisible air, which researchers named "telekinesis."

The rulers on the screens were shocked. They thought that extended lifespan was already a second life granted by God, but they never imagined such a variety of superpowers.

After the initial shock, most of the rulers on the screens looked wary and began to think deeply.

Tungus didn't notice, continuing his performance confidently.

"Freezing, lasers, immense strength, steel-like body, teleportation, intelligence, telekinesis, and more than a dozen other superpowers! Gentlemen, we are ushering in a new era, where extended lifespan is just a side effect of superpowers."

Tungus could almost imagine himself being remembered in history, with anyone mentioning him in awe, saying, "The initiator of the superpower era, the beacon of human hope, the greatest person."

But he didn't expect that all the screens fell silent, deeply silent, without the excitement he imagined.

His raised face muscles froze, his eyes scanning the screens, and his raised hand dropped involuntarily.

What's going on?

The reaction to extended lifespan was completely different. Tungus even saw fear in some people's eyes.

Isn't having superpowers a good thing?

Tungus's heart sank, realizing there might be something he hadn't considered.

The atmosphere seemed to sink into a quagmire.

After a long time, the Russian representative slowly proposed.

"The nuclear missile silo in Siberia is 900 meters deep, sufficient to imprison any alien."

"Nevada has a 1,000-meter-deep facility. Please be assured."

"No, that's not acceptable! We will provide a 1,300-meter-deep facility. Listen, our country will not allow the alien to be placed in Nevada."

"Russians, this is a decision made by the countries here. How can you refuse?"

"Who dares to decide to place it in Nevada?"

"Placing it in Nevada is indeed inappropriate. We need to think more."

"Let's think, and think more."

"Actually, placing it in our country is the safest."

"Our country can also do it."

"I suggest our country."

"The credibility of a certain country is not trustworthy."

"Nevada is indeed not suitable. I suggest placing it in our country's underwater hidden base."

"Placing it in your country, what do you want to do?"

"Nothing, just safety!"

"Any place is safer than your leaky country!"

"What did you say! Say it again if you dare."

"Stop arguing. Everyone knows what's at stake. Let's dismember the alien and divide it equally! Each country can take a portion for its own research!"

"..."

"..."

"Agreed!"

"As long as it's not in Nevada, agreed!"

"Divide it, agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Shouldn't we consider the threat of the alien instead of arguing over this?"

"If you're so high-minded, don't take the alien's body!"

"..."

"Decided! The majority decides to execute and dismember the alien. The minority must comply. The United States' protest is invalid. President Tungus, please provide a plan to dismember the alien within three hours."

"You dare?!"

"I dare! If it doesn't start in three hours, the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile SS-X-30 Satan 2 will be launched to destroy Markridge, no negotiation."

"..."

"Agreed, our country will deploy nuclear weapons."

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

"Please comply with the Pacific Rim United Nations' resolution, United States."

"From now on, every surveillance must be transparent to the Pacific Rim United Nations!"

Instantly, the screens turned into a chaotic market, all vying for the alien, refusing to place it in Nevada.

If it were just about extending lifespan, everyone would be happy to cooperate. But now, with unimaginable superpowers, it absolutely cannot be placed in Nevada.

Extended lifespan could be accepted peacefully, but the emergence of superpowers in just a few hours could easily lead to the formation of a powerful force that could strike at the heart of any country.

Most importantly, everyone was worried that placing it in Nevada, not their own territory, would allow the United States to manipulate the situation, rendering all other countries' plans futile.

For example, the United States could pretend the alien was stolen by terrorists and disappeared for a day or two. What could other countries do? Strongly condemn? What good would it do? They wouldn't dare launch a nuclear strike first, as that would give the United States a reason to destroy them.

Even starting a third world war wouldn't help retrieve the alien's body.

Without a nuclear strike, the United States could build a superpower force or create a superhuman capable of neutralizing nuclear weapons, and then push forward.

The United States is already the strongest country, and other countries, especially those that fought the Cold War with the United States, cannot tolerate the United States having a superhuman.

There are too many variables.

In the past, everyone had nuclear weapons, and everyone was ordinary and easily killed, so it was peaceful.

But now, if one country gains superpowers first, the effectiveness of nuclear weapons is unknown, but the fear of being the first to gain superpowers is real.

Moreover, even if the alien is dismembered, the cells divided among 21 countries would be enough for the highest leaders to use and research. The 1,700-kilogram body, divided into 21 parts, would yield at least 80.95 kilograms each. How they use it is up to each country. That would be a fair test of each country's biomedicine level.

If the alien were left in Nevada, the United States would get the first benefits, and if the United States found the superpowers so powerful, would they share with other countries? Directly not sharing would lead to a third world war.

What benefit would that be for other countries?

But if the alien is dismembered now, all countries would have their highest leaders with hundreds of years of life and superpowers.

That would still be a peaceful era with superhuman