Only after the Mech Array had penetrated deep into the Target Laboratory did the Clone Soldiers' Landing Craft begin to touch down.
The armed robots they carried were deployed, with some maintaining perimeter security while the majority followed closely behind the Mech Array into the laboratory, providing fire support for the mechs and clearing out any restrained or overlooked Shade Beasts.
The Clone Soldiers first transported the Force Field Cages one by one into the Landing Craft, sending them to the warship for containment, before entering the laboratory building in combat formation alongside reconnaissance Drones.
As soon as they stepped inside the structure, the roar of artillery fire and the shockwaves from the Shade Beasts' assaults shook the skies. The Clone Soldiers entered the laboratory through the underground passages torn open by the rampaging beasts—tunnels over ten meters high and wide, sloping downward into the earth.
The all-metal passageways were filled with molten metal streams flowing along the corridors from the artillery strikes, and massive craters pockmarked the entire length of the several-hundred-meter-long underground tunnel.
The Clone Soldiers carefully transported several Shade Beasts trapped in Force Field Cages out of the tunnel, while the main force pressed deeper into the laboratory.
Beyond the metal passageway, a vast parking lot came into view, littered with the wreckage of Hover Cars destroyed by the Shade Beasts and mechs, now engulfed in roaring flames. Thick smoke billowed upward through the ventilation shafts toward the outside world.
Liu Hai's gaze followed the Clone Soldiers as they passed through the parking lot and entered the laboratory area. Inside the partitioned labs, various mechanical devices of unknown purpose stood arranged, their cold metallic surfaces reflecting dim light in the darkened environment.
With a thunderous "Boom!", a mech was suddenly hurled into the path of the Clone Soldiers. Dust and debris filled the air as the mech's outer armor was torn open, exposing its Energy Core and Central Control Device. Severed wires sparked intermittently.
"Roooar!" A shrill cry echoed, followed by a series of sonic booms. The sound of tearing metal was accompanied by the mech's retaliatory gunfire.
The dim laboratory was instantly illuminated as if a light source had been switched on, the mech's firepower casting everything in stark relief. The intense barrage melted the lab's various fixtures into flowing streams of molten metal.
A Shade Beast, barely ten meters long, charged toward a mech with an ear-piercing shriek. Invisible sound waves accompanied the swipe of its claws, instantly tearing the mech's arm apart.
"Roooar!" The beast didn't stop there—it turned and pummeled the mech relentlessly, reducing it to scrap metal within seconds.
Seeing the mechs utterly defenseless against the Shade Beasts, Li Yali immediately ordered the peripheral armed robots to deploy Concussion Grenades.
One after another, the grenades were launched into the midst of the Mech Array. Under the overwhelming shockwaves, the Shade Beasts' howls grew agonized. Meanwhile, the mechs standing their ground didn't idle—they unleashed their full firepower, bombarding the disoriented beasts until over a dozen were torn to shreds.
The air in the laboratory reeked of scorched protein. Before the remaining Shade Beasts could recover from the initial shockwaves, a second volley of Concussion Grenades detonated.
After several successive waves of attacks, this group of Shade Beasts was finally eradicated.
The Mecha could no longer proceed further down the path. The next level had a mere seven-meter clearance, and the over-ten-meter-tall Mecha was already struggling to maneuver in this space. To descend would require demolition—an outcome Liu Hai certainly didn't want.
Thus, the Clone Soldier squad would have to complete the next phase of the mission on their own.
Stallone led the Clone Soldiers, following behind the Armed Robots as they ventured deeper into the laboratory.
As they descended, they encountered remnants of various biological experiments and numerous carcasses of Mutated Creatures.
From these traces, Liu Hai could discern the terrifying prowess of the Brolly Civilization. These Mutated Creatures were not ordinary beings—they were the result of Broli people undergoing various mutations due to unknown influences.
With Concussion Grenades clearing the way and the squad's firepower deployed in orderly waves, the Clone Soldiers finally reached the lowest level of the laboratory—the biological research lab—after losing thirteen members and sustaining fifteen severe injuries.
Inside a massive Cryogenic Pod lay a piece of Biological Tissue resembling a meteorite. Surrounding it were various extraction devices with needle-sized ports and laser-cutting equipment. A conspicuous incision on the Biological Tissue revealed still-writhing, living tissue beneath.
"That's it! Retrieve it! And locate the lab's control hub—bring back the storage equipment as well," Liu Hai commanded immediately upon seeing the Biological Tissue under the spotlight.
Stallone promptly led a team to dismantle the Cryogenic Pod, using force-field equipment to transport the three-meter-diameter Biological Tissue to the surface. Meanwhile, another group searched for the lab's control hub.
Three hours later, the Star Behemoth Biological Tissue had been delivered to the biological research lab. A crowd of researchers stood frozen, staring at the specimen, their hands and legs trembling uncontrollably.
As biological researchers with decades of experience, they had never even heard of Starry Sky Behemoths—such unique Cosmic Creatures—before joining the Starsea Fleet.
Now, not only did they know of their existence, but they were also seeing one firsthand—and were about to dissect and study it.
By the will of humanity's collective spirit, they had once thought that Shade Beasts alone could let them coast through academic papers all the way to earning the title of Federation Navigator. But now, they could proudly declare that the title of Federation Navigator meant nothing—only the title of Pioneer would suffice.
Liu Hai was unaware of his researchers' soaring ambitions. Once the scientific team confirmed that this was indeed the unknown Biological Tissue he sought, he sent a message to Irina, relaying the good news.
At the same time, he instructed her to prepare what he needed—an exchange of the Biological Tissue for the warship.
Upon receiving the news, Irina immediately contacted her family and military representatives, informing them that Liu Hai had definitively obtained the Space Creature's Biological Tissue.
The military had nothing further to say—everything had already been arranged. Not even the battles erupting in the Stardust Star Region had disrupted their plans. In fact, the conflict aligned even more closely with their objectives. The only surprise was the shocking revelations from the Katon Civilization.
Meanwhile, the Elizabeth family worked feverishly to gather the additional one-third of the negotiated trade volume Liu Hai had requested during the second round of discussions—preparing the warships he needed for the exchange.
After obtaining the item, Liu Hai visibly relaxed. Matters concerning the Brolly Star System were no longer urgent—whether to stay or leave wasn't an issue anymore.
However, upon reflection, placing the Pyramid Core here clearly wasn't a wise decision. He wanted to move further back, putting more distance between it and the volatile Stardust Star Region.
This time, he didn't act recklessly. Instead, he dispatched three Destroyers to scout the area separately, recording general data from various star systems. A few reconnaissance satellites would suffice.
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