An experiment that could give humanity another stable class of superhuman soldiers was underway beneath the Himalayas.
The Emperor wore a white lab coat like that of a researcher or doctor, the same disguise he had used when he went to the City on the Peak as a gene therapist.
Qin Mo was dressed similarly, though his clothing had more features: anti-static protection, blood resistance, and the ability to eliminate bacteria picked up from the outside world.
What surprised the Emperor was the backpack hanging from Qin Mo's back, equipped with sixteen mechanical tentacles. These deftly assisted him with all manner of work.
A severe dependence on external tools.
This perfectly matched the assessments and speculations the Emperor and Malcador had made in private on numerous occasions.
But the laboratory contained more than just the two of them. There was also a woman who appeared no different from an ordinary human, yet the Emperor could sense within her energy as abundant and surging as a star.
"Mimic, help me stabilize Taranis's material state," Qin Mo ordered the woman. "Neither the Emperor nor I can afford to be distracted."
Mimic, who had been standing there in a daze, walked toward the center of the laboratory upon hearing the order.
The first Thunder Warrior, the subject awaiting modification named Taranis, lay on the operating table. Heavy equipment covered his lower body, while his upper body remained exposed, his arms spread flat at his sides.
Mimic placed a hand on Taranis's head, completely fixing his material state. Unless that state was lifted, or Taranis's body needed to produce a corresponding positive response to Qin Mo and the Emperor's modifications, he would not die like a lab rat during the procedure.
The Emperor controlled a scalpel with Psychic Power.
The mechanical tentacles on Qin