Ayla had a massive research facility constructed in the designated zone.

Located 300 kilometers northwest of the Humanity Academy, it was built into a mountain range.

This mountain range, called the "Walizi" (a phonetic transcription from the Kate language), was over 2300 miles long, composed of three main peaks, appearing rather wide (410 miles).

At the center of this range, at an average elevation of 1173 meters, stood a colossal, dome-shaped structure, over 20 kilometers in diameter. It was pure white, with a circular glass corridor encircling the base.

Luna followed a robot, controlled by Ayla, through this corridor.

The vast, white corridor was empty except for them.

Ayla stopped before a white wall, then touched it, seemingly melting into it like magic.

Luna wasn't fazed.

Ayla's technology could easily create realistic holograms. This white wall was merely a different kind of "door".

She followed, touching the wall, and the scenery instantly changed.

The empty corridor transformed into a bustling research facility filled with countless machines, biological specimens, and viruses. The sounds of experiments, equipment, and general activity filled the air, a stark contrast to the previous silence.

Ayla slowly walked forward.

"This is a large facility. It took me over 200 years to build, and the equipment here represents the pinnacle of my capabilities."

This was a multidisciplinary research facility.

Luna even saw a creature resembling the mythical Chimera in one of the steel labs—a far more complex creation than her cosmic lifeforms.

"What's your current approach to bio-engineering?"

Luna asked curiously, avoiding Ayla's previous question. It wasn't something she wanted to discuss.

"Mythological recreation!"

"Essentially, I can create any creature, regardless of its mythical abilities or unusual appearance, stripping away only the fantastical aspects."

"Mythological recreation is similar to your gene library project; it's about uncovering the mysteries of the genome."

"Can organisms generate electricity using specific organs? Or, can living beings directly manipulate the four fundamental forces?"

Understanding biology, Luna knew this was long-term research.

Currently, they required a planet-sized device to investigate the fundamental forces; concentrating the necessary energy would take thousands, even tens of thousands, of years.

Let alone enabling weak cells to manipulate these forces.

This project was parallel to Luna's own.

Continuing their conversation, they arrived at another lab. The sounds of the previous lab were absent.

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The room was relatively small, only 200 square meters.

The walls were lined with various tools: wrenches, screwdrivers, electric drills... hundreds of items, giving the room the feel of a workshop rather than a laboratory.

It was a romantic space for a mechanically inclined individual. Luna imagined offering someone a job here, no salary required, just the opportunity to work here, and they would gladly spend their lives here.

But Luna only glanced at the tools, her gaze settling on the center of the room.

A black structure, composed of numerous tiny, overlapping plates resembling scales, lay there. The outer layer was covered with a thin metal plating. It looked less futuristic and more like ancient armor, albeit modernized and streamlined.

Upon closer inspection, it was a suit of powered armor.

The suit was only 2.2 meters tall, clearly not designed for human-sized users. Intricate machinery was visible beneath the outer plating.

"The entire suit is made from the light-based alloy. While it might not be ideal, it's the best metal we can currently produce,"

Ayla explained.

"To create something stronger requires manipulating the four fundamental forces and understanding the string theory, enabling us to create the fundamental elements from strings."

"The helmet's design is based on ancient battle helmets, with minor modifications for a more futuristic look. It's a perfect blend of ancient and modern design."

"The armor is lightweight, streamlined, and form-fitting. To maximize the joints' flexibility, we had to compromise on protection."

The armor's abdomen utilized numerous articulated components, resembling a series of abdominal muscles. The chest plate wasn't made of solid steel, allowing for flexibility of movement.

"The appearance isn't the most important aspect; its functionality is."

"The helmet contains an oxygen generation system."

"On planets with an atmosphere, there's no need for oxygen tanks. On planets lacking an atmosphere, it can extract oxygen from water or other oxygen-containing substances, greatly increasing survivability."

"If neither is available, it's equipped with a metallic oxygen reserve sufficient for 57 days."

"The armor isn't heavily armed; its weaponry is primarily electromagnetic, providing shields, offensive capabilities, and acceleration."

"Inspired by Iron Man, the armor has electromagnetic devices in each palm, allowing for flight, and a laser emitter in each index finger, usable as a cutting tool or concealed weapon."

"The power source differs significantly from Iron Man's."

"For weight reduction, it lacks any independent power storage. Instead, 193 small energy collectors are distributed throughout the armor. Theoretically, it can instantly replenish its energy from ambient dark matter, making energy depletion practically impossible."

"The armor's performance specifications are as follows: 16.2-ton lifting capacity, 2.1-ton gripping strength, ground speed of 418 m/s under 1g gravity, flight speed of 1227 m/s in Earth's atmosphere. Key joints can withstand 182 tons of pressure, 31 km of water pressure, temperatures up to 4000°C, and down to -211°C."

"Maximum offensive power: 10,000 tons of TNT. Maximum defensive capacity: 890,000 tons of TNT. Nuclear weapons are unlikely to destroy it. Radiation resistance is excellent, reaching Type 3 standards, capable of withstanding 96% of high-energy radiation bursts."

"In combat situations, the armor can trigger hormone release to enhance cognitive function and fully unlock all capabilities."

"The armor also has a simulated death mode. In extreme situations, it can induce a low-power hibernation state while simultaneously transmitting a distress signal, increasing survival chances."

"It also includes a small server, providing computational support, including data analysis, technological design, and information retrieval."

"It can also be used with drones for expanded reconnaissance and mapping..."

"This is only the first-generation model (Designation: 00). After market deployment and feedback, subsequent models will undergo enhancements and become standard equipment for the federation's military."

"It's already highly functional. Luna, would you like to try it?"

Luna nodded; she had wanted to try the suit on since she first saw it.

She approached, and the armor's chest and abdomen opened automatically, providing access.

As she was about to enter, Ayla received a message.

"The Interstellar Explorers Guild reports a cosmic plague rapidly infecting explorers and spreading to our civilizations. The cause is unknown; victims die in agonizing pain within two days."

"It's highly contagious, affecting humans, Multi-eyed, Kate, and various flora and fauna. Current infections: 7 million, and rising."

Luna's expression changed.

This was a catastrophe.