Xeno Group

Secret Laboratory - XZ

As the elevator descends hundreds of meters underground a huge natural cavern, a large pool with a private submarine parked in it along the dock with workers unloading materials and taking them through secured corridors to the warehouse, along with an advanced high-security door built into the cavern on one side with blue lines pulsing through the silvery surface looking futuristic unlike the current technology comes into Zera's view.

'Looks like they succeeded in using Caeyton as a power source, but from the glow emanating from the surface they are wasting quite a bit of aura which can be further used effectively after being optimized.'

'I still got to hand it to dad for building a nearly 30000sqm laboratory underground within a year and got it working.'

"How does it look dear? I tried to make it according to your instructions as much as possible. They even succeeded in using the coal after mutation as an energy source." Said Zale, with a proud look and making a face literally saying 'praise me' on it pulling Zera out of her thoughts.

Looking at her dad's expression of asking for praise, Zera swallowed the missing things that she was about to say into her stomach and said, forcing a stiff smile," It's all good, dad. Let's go and check out the satellite along with the smartwatch."

"Hehe...let's go then."

A holographic screen appeared as they approached the door and the security system automatically scanned and verified the visitors unlocking the door while greeting them.

"Welcome back Mr.Zale and Welcome to the XZ Laboratory Boss." Greeted the AI named Eni with the avatar of a spirit the size of a finger with small wings on her back while twirling in front Zera with an excited expression on her face.

Looking at the excited little spirit a smile formed on Zera's face as she stretched out her hand for her to sit and started teasing Eni as they made their way into the laboratory.

"Do you like the new place Eni? That old laptop was not enough to play with and now you should be happy playing your games while trolling newbies online, eh." Said Zera. Eni was the AI she made, that gained self-consciousness after three years, proving the records she saw in the past saying that the planetary evolution has a beneficiary effect on promoting self-consciousness.

"Yeah, it's a lot of fun. By the way, both of your grandfathers suck at playing games don't believe in their nonsense about the best alchemist and best thief." Said Eni as she chuckled remembering how easy it was to beat them when she first played against them after learning they play games online from Zera.

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"Hehe...that was as I expected. Anyway, what is the progress of the satellite and the smartwatch?" Asked Zera, looking around the researchers working in various rooms through the glass panels walking down towards the inner area containing important projects.

"The smartwatch is in the testing phase and there were a few incidents of them not being able to connect to the existing network or connect with some disturbance. I think Dr.Quren and his team will need another week to solve it if they can spare time from the satellite project." Answered Eni, displaying the reports regarding the smartwatch failures as an interactable hologram in front of Zera.

"I didn't expect them to master hologram technology first, instead of researching the new energy source." Said Zera with a chuckle as she bruised through the reports.

"It's not that they want to, dear. It's due to your grandfathers who forced them to research it first so that they can play hologram games after they exercise daily and they said it is their gift from you as an encouragement to work hard at an old age." Said Zale, as he laughed remembering the cheeky faces of his father and father-in-law when they made the researchers switch their priorities using Zera's name.

"What!!! Well, no wonder Dr.Quren has a weird expression when I asked why there was a delay on the progress of the satellite." Said Zera, first surprised at the cheeky behavior of her grandpas and then showed a look of enlightenment for Dr.Quren's expression.

Walking through the sliding door as they automatically verify the visitor and watching the team of researchers led by Dr.Quren looking at different logs, tinkering with some parts, and some assembling the satellite which is 4 cubic meters in size with smooth edges and constant pulsing of various grades of blue in lines along the surface.

Watching that they are not noticed even after a couple of minutes pass by since their entry, Eni dimmed the lights once to get their attention.

'Uhm, Why are there power fluctuations in the lab? There isn't any problem with the power source right.'

Dr.Quren's heart jumped at the thought of exploding the laboratory due to power source problems. She quickly turned to run towards the power room just to notice the newcomers in the room.

"Hello, Dr.Quren we meet at last, and don't worry about the power problems, it's just Eni playing around to get your attention." Said Zera with a chuckle waving her hand at the surprised Dr.Quren.

"Off, Thank god. I was scared the sh*t out due to that you know Eni and please don't do that next time dear otherwise I might get a heart attack."Said Dr.Quren patting her chest in relief.

"Oh, hello little girl. Uhm, do I know you?" Asked Dr.Quren with a puzzled expression looking at Zera, who now has Eni settled on her shoulder swinging her legs in the air.

*Ahem*

Faking a cough in embarrassment for not getting recognized, Zera took a look at Eni as if to let her explain.

"She is my MOM!" Explained Eni to the confused researcher.

"Ohh… okay.WAIT! WHAT! Do you mean that a 4-year-old girl made you? The only sentient AI I know was brought out by a little girl who is going to kindergarten!" Exclaimed Dr.Quren attracting the attention of all the researchers in the room while pointing at Eni and Zera.

"Uhm, well I am the one though."Said Zera looking around the room with a slight smile on her face as she looked at the look of 'who are you deceiving' on the faces of most of the researchers.