Full-Time Public Enemy-Chapter 545 - 459 Sacred Lake
Robert smiled faintly as he recalled, "At that time, I was just an ordinary warrior for the Star State. Our fleet encountered the Alien Insect Race in space. You know how incredibly strong and ferocious those insects are. After a fierce battle, the warship I was on sustained heavy damage, forcing us to make an emergency landing on a desolate planet.
"But those damned insects pursued us relentlessly, forcing us to continue the bitter fight on the planet's surface.
"However, our warship had a limited number of weapons suitable for surface combat. We retreated again and again, and the entire army had fallen into despair.
"Just then, we retreated to the edge of a large lake. Swarms of insects charged at us. Preferring death to surrender, we attempted a desperate counterattack, but the enemy was too powerful. We were gradually forced back into the lake, believing it was all over. However, to our surprise, once those insects entered the water, they immediately became sluggish, and their carapaces grew weaker.
"The longer they stayed in the water, the more pronounced these changes became.
"Eventually, our warriors could kill an insect with just their military sabers. We were saved. It was that great lake that allowed us to finally turn the tables on the Insect Race and hold out until a rescue fleet arrived.
"My comrades and I all believed the lake had saved us, so in our minds, it became a sacred lake.
"We filled our containers with water from the lake and took it with us. Not long after, my term of service ended, and I was discharged from the military. I had studied biology in college, and I suspected the lake water held some secret, something that could counter the insects.
"So I began researching the lake water and discovered this extremely tiny green algae organism in it."
Robert concluded, "This is the origin of the entire project. It all started with that one magical bottle of lake water I brought back from the Saint Lake!"
Chen Gu exclaimed, "What a legendary experience! But I have to ask, you're a citizen of the Star State—why didn't you conduct your research there?"
Robert gave a wry smile. "As you know, Star State officials have always been arrogant. They refused to believe a common soldier like me could produce any significant research findings. They'd rather trust the scientists in white lab coats working in laboratories.
"I submitted my application in the Star State, but they wouldn't even look at it. They thought everything I said was a made-up story.
"My research is incredibly important. I know it can change the course of humanity's war against the Alien Insect Race! I couldn't let such findings be buried, so I left my beloved homeland and came to the Confederation.
"As long as these findings can be applied in the war against the Insect Race, then regardless of where I am, I'm making a great contribution to humanity!"
Unable to help himself, Chen Gu applauded, "I admire your noble sentiments!
"But I still have a question: didn't any of the soldiers who fought with you discover the secret in the water? And since the Saint Lake is so miraculous, didn't you report it? Didn't the Star State's military send someone to investigate?"
Robert was clearly accustomed to such doubts and had a ready answer. "Of course we reported it. Our military immediately dispatched personnel to investigate. They even captured some insects and dropped them into the lake for testing. But strangely, the lake's magic was gone.
"Our military conducted many tests and found no weakening effect of the lake water on the Insect Race. My comrades and I refused to believe it. The military even took us back to the Saint Lake to witness a test firsthand—and it was true."
Seeing Chen Gu about to ask another question, Robert quickly interjected, "My comrades and I wouldn't lie. Even if I were lying, it's impossible that everyone would corroborate my story.
"And this brings us to the core challenge of our research. I speculate that these miraculous green algae possess a biological mechanism that only secretes the Insect Race-inhibiting substance under very specific conditions.
"We have been trying to understand this mechanism for years."
As they spoke, they arrived at the Dela Research Institute. Robert warmly welcomed them inside, guiding them on a tour and providing explanations tirelessly along the way.
It appeared to be a completely legitimate research institute, with all the researchers diligently at work.
Chen Gu and Chu Zheng exchanged a surreptitious glance. This hardly seemed like the kind of place that would manufacture the moss virus.
After the day's tour, Chen Gu and his group returned to their hotel. Once Robert had departed, they convened a meeting.
Ma Changlong, the military's special agent team leader, declared unequivocally, "This guy is a complete fraud!
"I'm never wrong about people. He's duped his investors. This research is going nowhere; that fellow is just after the grant money."
Chen Gu nodded and casually opened a file. It contained the research institute's financial records over the years, including every equipment purchase.
Chen Gu then accessed the interstellar network, cross-referencing the file with related information he found online.
In just half an hour, leveraging the powerful computational abilities of a "Brain Domain Hacker," Chen Gu concluded, "You're right. They're a bunch of frauds!"
