Capítulo 5: Sticks and Stones - II
In their search for clues, the Leiman twins entered an underground laboratory by the researchers from before the exodus.
The people who still have hopes of looking for the device that protected them from radiation were only a few. Most people, regardless of species, let their instinct loose to
After exploring an entire compound, they leave marks such as "Not Here" or a big encircled X.
The research lab they entered is called The Buvire Institute. Even before the disaster, this institute was basically unheard of.
Every large institute around the city had already been searched. Only the small-sized research labs that are in the outer area of the city remained untouched.
Compared to the other research institutes, all of the security in this specific institute were down. This display turned off most of the lookers and scavengers.
How could a lab without a smidge of security produce something important?
Hence they thought of it as a waste of time.
After stepping in, the twins found out that there were only two floors in the entire institute. The floor above the ground that was already scavenged by the stragglers and is empty. Another is a hidden basement where all of their core research was done.
The twins only found this info after finding a copy of the electrical systems. They discovered that cables that ran 50 meters deep underground were present.
Zhenin felt thankful for hacking the institute's database. If it weren't for that, they wouldn't be able to find such a hidden treasure trove.
The only way to access the basement is to use a hidden manual elevator.
Yes, a wheeled, pulley elevator. In the age where technology had reached the level of gods, an elevator that requires manual work still exists.
For an entire week, the Leiman twins began to plan on how they should raid the lab.
Listing down all the objectives such as looking for more energy crystal, multi-purpose smart devices similar to their watch, weapons and raw materials for forging one, food, a functional spaceship, and lastly, the device that can deflect the constant attack of radiation by the sun.
Besides the loophole they found on the electrical plans, they had no information about the institute. The only thing they knew about the Buvire Institute is that they dabbled in pharmaceutics and gene modification.
Then they began to sort their available equipment.
Over the years, their parents have accumulated several devices and weapons. Some were geared towards day to day use, some were specialized in survival, and some were specialized in scouting.
After a few moments of contemplating, they decided to bring two multi-purpose watches specialized in recon. With its initial form of a wristwatch for incognito purposes, it can turn into various shapes that a person could wear.
These watches were the same ones that their late parents used. When their parents came back, with the blistered skins and ghoul-like appearance, they explained everything they had to the crying twins.
This was the only inheritance they could give their kids, they weren't rich, to begin with. Even with all of the gadgets combined, the energy crystals installed won't even be as large as a fingernail.
In their inspection, the watch currently has over 60 and 84 TW of energy left. Zhinen took the one with more energy as he would be the one using it more.
After the watch is a revolver decked in various glowing components, in its side is an engraving "HDP Revolver Mk.23".
A sidearm capable of firing high-density plasma beams, able to fire six shots in one load.
Reloading takes 1 second of absorbing a 6TW of energy from a crystal. Along with his watch, he should be able to fire over 78 shots before his watch warns him of insufficient energy for its own functions.
Lastly is a dagger. In its blade is the engraving "100% Stellix."
With more energy available to the smart people, they were able to produce extreme materials that can only be synthesized with a staggering amount of energy.
Stellix is one of those materials that surpass all naturally formed metals. After its synthesis, it's density, and atomic formation alone could cut diamonds like a steak. Once sharpened, a diamond could only act like butter over a heated knife.
While they could've both bring a gun and a dagger each, they were only teens and were only able to train kind of one weapon. For Zhenin, he practiced shooting. For Ninzhe, he specialized in hand to hand combat and daggers are his favorite tool.
After rotating the wheel for over 5 minutes, the twins have reached a dark hallway.
Ever since the existence of energy crystals, national power grid lines became obsolete. Besides, powering establishment over ten different planets is impossible. The centralization of energy became utterly ineffective.
It's one of the main reasons that energy crystals became the universal currency.
A pearl-sized energy crystal could power an entire research lab for a month.
Unfortunately, all energy crystals on the planet are being hoarded by the leaders of every faction in hopes of collecting enough for warp travel.
As they opened the elevator doors, a pitch-black hall welcomed the twins.
Using the light of their multi watch, they saw a hallway stretched so long that their flashlights couldn't shine on the end.
After so many years, overgrown plants and moss had spread all over the lab's musky interior.
Whether it was due to the experiments or a natural occurrence, the twins didn't know, nor did they care.
All they needed to find is the thing that blocks away the radiation, protecting each and everyone in their city.
"According to rumors, the four leaders of the factions had enough resources for a ship." Zhenin briefed.
"Once we find whatever's countering the sun's radiation, we should be able to group the four leaders together and steal those crystals in one go, right?" Ninzhe reiterated.
"Yes, and we should just set up a trap to kill them all in one go. There's definitely nothing wrong with this plan." Zhenin continued.
Spending 15 years in a dog eats dog environment. The knowledge they were able to absorb came from desperate people that were already at the brink of madness.
Even with the faulty logic, the boys are actually smart. Too bad that their references are absolute dogshit. In a contest of pure strength, a little cunning could turn the tables.
Other than that, while their parents brought them with their hunts, which is why they are still able to survive until now. They knew they still lacked in terms of experience, but against people with a pet dog's cognitive level. They still find themselves confident at their odds.
Not to mention, with only three years left before destruction, the twins couldn't help but feel desperate.
Why did they have to be born in this period?
Weren't it peaceful just a year before they were born?
Are their existences cursed?
Such questions barraged the minds of the young twins each and every day of their lives.
Without their parents caring for them, they have forgotten that the dying star is only going through its natural life cycle and not because of their existence.
Actually, they are aware of this, but for some reason, a nagging thought in their heads prevents them from accepting it.
If they were to live normally, they could've lived for more than two thousand years. Yet here they are, struggling to survive at the age of a toddler.
The first hundred years should've been their development stage, but here they are, focused on breathing, completely ignoring their developments.
Well... at a time like this, who would bother going to the schools to learn? Even organic teachers won't bother teaching others anymore.
Equipped with a multi-purpose watch, a high-density plasma revolver, a dagger made from stellix, and a military-grade backpack. The twins went forward in the dark hallway.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
Xreth
Xreth Second chapter of the day.
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