Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Materials for Cultivating Seeds
"Ashford."
?
Hearing someone call her surname, Alexia finally tore her eyes away from the computer screen.
!
A brief glance revealed Samuel Young, dressed in casual business attire, standing in front of her desk.
"Boss, sorry, I was a bit..."
"Just stay seated."
Samuel gestured for her to remain seated and skip the pleasantries. He walked around the desk, stood beside Alexia, and also looked at the computer screen. "I just want to understand the characteristics of the Flower of God discovered by Kennedy's trainees."
"One moment, Boss." Alexia resumed operating the mouse and keyboard, pulling up several holographic screens that floated above the desk, presenting more relevant data, images, and videos to Samuel.
These included the various stages of infection in villagers, such as blood-filled eyes, plant-like thorns emerging from their skin, and tumors and vine-like tendrils replacing their heads.
The videos were recorded by ARS elites assisting Leon in searching the rainforest for the ancient city and the "Flower of God."
The footage provided a direct view of the ancient ruins from multiple angles.
As the boss, Samuel was naturally aware of the latest developments. Moreover, he didn't need much sleep, giving him plenty of time and energy to manage company affairs.
On July 18th, three days ago, the same day Arthur and his team launched an assault on the Ruf Research Center, Leon and his team followed traces left by the infected, traveling over ten kilometers into the rainforest and successfully finding a heavily weathered and eroded ancient city.
Though called a city, its actual area was only about the size of four football fields. There were no surrounding walls, and the interior was filled with numerous vine-covered stone houses in a chaotic layout.
At the city's center stood a 14-meter-high, equally long, step pyramid altar, topped by a small stone circle.
The source of the abnormalities in Loga Town, which turned villagers and rebels into infected, was found within this stone circle...
A gigantic "carnivorous flower."
At first glance, it appeared similar to the Rafflesia gadutensis, with five deep red, spotted petals. However, the central part was a maw full of fangs.
Its blood-red tendrils and veins had already rooted in the altar and the stone circle, with numerous regular-sized red flowers attached below.
When sensing the intruders, those palm-sized red flowers detached from the soil, quickly crawling using their roots.
It seemed they intended to attack Leon and his team, possibly to parasitize them.
This also explained why the infected and mutants had noticeable plant characteristics.
Faced with these aggressive, soil-detaching blood-red flowers, the defenseless villagers naturally became their nourishment.
But the well-prepared ARS team, knowing they had to venture deep into the rainforest, had brought flamethrowers.
As a result, the so-called Flower of God was successfully retrieved by Leon and his team.
"Preliminary research on the sample revealed that the Flower of God contains an RNA-type virus, which significantly differs from the characteristics described in the captain's notes. This suggests that the Flower of God has undergone some mutation over the past few centuries. However, with no texts or murals in the ancient city, the Cambridge history team had no way to proceed."
Leaning back in her chair, Alexia chuckled lightly and continued, "However, I'm not interested in what it was capable of before the mutation or the history of that ancient city. I believe nanomedical technology is more practical for curing all diseases.
Therefore, I'm quite satisfied with the characteristics of the mutated Flower of God, such as enhancing the strength of its hosts and the apparent collective consciousness among all the infected."
?
Samuel's interest was piqued.
"Boss, please look." Before Samuel could ask, Alexia operated the mouse and keyboard again, showing the experimental process of D-00267 on the holographic screen and explaining:
"Based on shallow research over the past two days, I discovered that the large organism rooted on the altar is the mother plant, the source of everything. The smaller organisms attacking Kennedy's team and the parasitized infected are all controlled and directed by the mother plant.
This immediately reminded me of ant colonies and bee hives, so I used bullet ants and samples of the mutated flower for an initial experiment, indirectly confirming my hypothesis.
Over the past few centuries, colonization and massive population movements led to biological invasions across continents, severely damaging ecosystems, and the Flower of God was no exception.
To avoid being devoured by invasive species, the Flower of God had to adapt, undergoing mutation to ensure its survival.
As for how it mutated, my guess is that the Flower of God absorbed some hive-minded insect species, greatly enhancing its information processing efficiency and acquiring the ability to move, parasitize, and symbiotize.
The latest experiment verified my hypothesis. The virus extracted from the samples had a strong compatibility with bullet ants, although..."
At this point, Alexia glanced at the holographic screen, particularly at the miserable state of D-00267, shrugged, and spread her hands:
"Although the experiment quickly led to the death of the Grade D material, it also demonstrated that the virus has multiple potentials.
Once my team and I thoroughly analyze the samples, we can begin using your clones for research, Boss. Perhaps... we could cultivate the so-called genetic seeds?"
After listening to Alexia's description, Samuel increasingly felt that the "Flower of God" was very similar to the Progenitor Flower from Resident Evil, especially in containing an RNA virus.
"You've done well, keep it up." However, Samuel didn't dwell on the differences between the two flowers and said, "The Hunter Squad has moved Soldier Boy to the fourth basement level of this building, bringing all the research data from Gorgoski Ruf Military Industries, along with samples of Compound No. 5."
"Understood, Boss..." Alexia nodded lightly but frowned slightly.
Without needing psychic abilities, Samuel sensed her fatigue and said, "I'll keep an eye out for top experts in biology and chemistry to share your team's research burden.
There's no rush for the new super soldier plan either. The space gate will open soon, and perhaps the Zero Two Universe also contains materials for cultivating genetic seeds."
As Samuel spoke, he turned and headed out of the office, but as he waited for the sensor door to open, he added, "Your bonuses have been transferred to your accounts. If you're too tired during this period, feel free to take some leisure time. You can decide your own vacation."
"Don't worry, Boss, I understand the balance between work and rest..."
Alexia lazily gave Samuel a thumbs up, showing little reaction to the bonus. However, once the sensor door closed and the office returned to silence...
Her fatigue vanished instantly, and she resumed typing furiously on the keyboard, seemingly delighted to continue immersing herself in her work.
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