I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 676 - 574: Sudden Change

Despite successfully using the mother body's fluid to stimulate the feeding desire of the three living specimens, this does not change the fact that they will ultimately die of starvation.

On one hand, humanity currently only has the corpse of the original mother body captured by Chen Xin's team, with most of the preserved fluid being used for analysis and research, leaving very few samples.

On the other hand, although the fluid from the deceased mother body can induce a feeding desire in the three living specimens, it cannot meet their feeding needs.

It's important to know that the combat sub-body is no smaller than a cow, and its body temperature can reach up to 105°C under extreme conditions. Even in normal conditions, the temperature decreases somewhat but remains much higher than other organisms.

To maintain such a large physique and high body temperature means the metabolic rate of the combat sub-body is very fast, as this is the only way to generate enough heat.

However, sustaining such a high metabolic rate undoubtedly requires the consumption of large amounts of nutrients.

Although the fluid from the alien mother body contains a wealth of nutrients and is considered high-energy nourishment, the preserved amount is insufficient. Moreover, another issue is that it has already cooled down, losing most of its contained heat.

While it's possible to reheat and feed this fluid to the three living specimens, even if all preserved samples were fed to them, it wouldn't sustain them for long.

Therefore, after analyzing the current situation, Chen Xin and the biologists decided to complete all planned research before they starve to death, and proceed with dissecting the three combat sub-body living specimens to study their physiological conditions.

The loss of valuable living specimens is certainly heartbreaking, but there is no other choice.

This analysis revealed some results, solving certain doubts and issues, but it also raised new problems.

"If these sub-bodies rely on the mother body for feeding, how do they maintain such a large population? Is there an abundance of mother bodies underground?" A biologist expressed amazement.

"Not necessarily; these sub-bodies may just be cannon fodder." Another biologist shook his head while reviewing the research report in hand, saying, "According to the corpses we've obtained, most seem rapidly bred within a short period, showing significant differences from the previous batch of specimens captured by Academician Chen and his team."

Upon hearing the biologist's statement, others immediately became curious: "Significant differences? How substantial are they?"

"The biological samples obtained earlier by Academician Chen, through dissection and analysis, show a physiological gap of approximately 1.2:1 compared to the dissected data of biological samples acquired post-war. The alien lifeforms encountered by Academician Chen were evidently more formidable." The biologist handed his report to others indicating them to review: "Moreover, all biological samples obtained post-war have shown varying degrees of gene collapse and organ failure, unlike the living specimens captured by Academician Chen."

This phenomenon is remarkably evident; the biologists swiftly deduced an unexpected conclusion upon analysis.

"So, these individuals we are fighting on the battlefield are merely manufactured cannon fodder. Even without intervention, they will die soon?" Someone voiced this conclusion.

The biologist who pointed this out nodded affirmatively: "Based on calculations, under normal conditions—the sub-bodies encountered by Academician Chen can survive for about thirty to forty years, but those rapidly bred on the battlefield won't live beyond three months. They are essentially manufactured cannon fodder."

For a moment, silence fell over the meeting room as everyone was shocked by this revelation.

"It seems the conclusion is clear; these organisms are indeed, as previously speculated by Academician Chen, a biologically manipulated group." Someone summarized, albeit with a somber tone: "The remaining question is whether these are alien bioweapons or the advanced biological group speculated by Academician Chen."

"Based on the current situation, Academician Chen's speculated result appears more likely; they do not behave like bioweapons but exhibit more biological habits instead." A biologist attending the meeting supported Chen Xin's hypothesis: "Considering the current observations, these alien organisms likely have a superior node, aligning with Academician Chen's hypothesis."

Until now, the evidence and clues in human possession do not explicitly confirm the existence of superior nodes in alien organisms, but the data analysis makes it easy for everyone to conclude their existence.

"If we could organize an offensive and capture a mother body or superior node, we could gather more information and conduct a better counterattack against the aliens!" remarked one of the attending officers, noting the presence of not just biologists in the meeting.

Following the officer's remark, someone immediately opposed, shaking their head: "That's unrealistic. Academician Chen's team had significant difficulty capturing living specimens earlier. Now, capturing superior nodes or mother bodies requires penetrating the alien creatures' lair, which is currently unachievable. Even if we forcibly break through, the losses would be enormous, outweighing the benefits!"

"Enough of this; everyone organize the data and research reports you have, compile them into a comprehensive report on alien organisms, and submit it upstairs." The meeting chair halted further discussion, instructing everyone to consolidate the final results and reports.

Suddenly, the meeting room door was pushed open, and an officer rushed in, moving beside the attending officer and whispering something to him, causing his expression to change instantly.

A nearby biologist noticed the change in his expression and quickly asked, "What happened?"

"It's nothing, excuse me, I must leave." The officer quickly stood and exited the room alongside the newcomer.

After they left, faint sounds of their hurried steps in the hallway and one's voice remarking, "Quickly find Academician Chen..." were still audible.

This abrupt incident evidently left everyone attending bewildered; however, the person in charge regained composure quickly and addressed everyone: "Let's adjourn the meeting, return to your tasks. Don't inquire into matters you shouldn't be involved with. Our job is to study the ecology and vulnerabilities of alien organisms; other matters don't concern us."