I Am The Swarm

Chapter 283: The Laboratory

The new re

“What about production?”

“To be honest, I’ve never seen a plant like this. They require only radiation—any kind of radiation. And once provided, they grow quickly.”

“Radiation? Do you have any recommendations, Doctor?”

“If you’re willing, they could potentially solve our nuclear waste problem.” The Riken, heavily reliant on fusion and fission technologies, generated substantial amounts of nuclear waste annually. Disposing of this waste often meant packaging it and launching it into the sun.

If the longevity plants could absorb it for growth, it would indeed be ideal.

“What about the medicinal effectiveness of plants grown under such conditions?” While solving the nuclear waste issue would be a bonus, the primary use of these plants was producing the serum. If their effectiveness were compromised, it wouldn’t be worth it.

“There’s no significant issue. The latest batches maintain nearly identical efficacy. But to confirm this fully, we need to propagate more and conduct additional tests. Still, I believe there’s no major problem.”

“So, mass production of the serum is within reach?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent, absolutely excellent. Keep this information confidential for now.” This was undoubtedly the best news of the day. However, to maximize its value, this information had to remain secret; after all, rarity enhanced its worth.

President Antonio offered generous praise and promises to the research team before leaving the lab, taking several doses of the serum with him.

The lab executed the President’s orders with utmost discretion and effectiveness, limiting the news of the plants’ cultivability to a small circle.

Two days later, the laboratory was bombed.

Unknown armed forces attacked the lab with gunboats, engaging in a brief but intense firefight with the security forces. Unfortunately, President Antonio had not anticipated such audacity. The guards were equipped with only light conventional weapons.

Under the gunboats’ assault, the battle ended swiftly. The attackers expertly raided the lab, seizing finished serum doses, some longevity plants, and research data before vanishing without a trace.

The entire operation took less than ten minutes. By the time reinforcements arrived, the lab was engulfed in flames.

Thankfully, apart from casualties among the guards, the research team had managed to escape, aided by their compliance. The attackers didn’t seem intent on eliminating them.

President Antonio was furious upon hearing the news and ordered a joint military-police investigation. However, contrary to expectations, no quick resolution emerged. Investigators faced countless obstacles, including issues within their ranks. A week later, the case remained unsolved.

This was practically unheard of among the Riken.

Not only were weapons like gunboats heavily regulated, but even regular firearms weren’t easily accessible. Tracing the source should have been straightforward. Furthermore, with the Riken’s advanced technology and widespread surveillance, such a large armed group attacking a key facility should have left clear traces. Their complete disappearance seemed more like fiction than reality.

But sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction.

A week later, the investigation was called off. Antonio realized this attack was likely retaliation for some of his recent actions.

The raid wasn’t merely about stealing the serum—it was a display of power.

This sobering moment reminded the overly ambitious President, engrossed in his dream of monarchy, that the entrenched old factions still had much hidden strength. His grip on power was not as absolute as he had believed.

Many plans would need to be approached more cautiously.

Unbeknownst to the Riken, during the lab assault, explosions and hasty raids resulted in a few longevity plant samples spilling onto the ground.

Several fungal carpet spores finally found an opportunity to escape, sinking underground and vanishing.