Pandora, Hell's Gate Base, in a hidden underground research lab.
Wesker, uncharacteristically, donned a white lab coat.
"How's the progress?"
Looking at the three types of Las Plagas Parasite soaking in the cultivation tanks before him, Wesker inquired.
"Experiments on the subordinate Las Plagas Parasite with various Pandora creatures have been conducted 148 times, all ending in failure. The latest neural fusion progress reached 73%.
Experiments on the improved Las Plagas Parasite have been conducted 40 times, with a success rate approaching 70%. The highest neural fusion progress was 92%, essentially capable of replacing the original host's various motor functions."
A researcher, also in a white lab coat, reported.
"We are about to apply to you for permission to use cultivated Avatar bodies for parasitic experiments. If necessary, we hope to capture live Na'vi samples for experiments."
"Luis Sera."
Wesker called out the researcher's name.
"You should know the current philosophy the Universal Union upholds."
"Listen—"
Luis paused for a moment, then spoke with some uncertainty.
"Uniting species and civilizations from various worlds?"
Wesker did not comment on whether Luis's answer was correct but instead turned the conversation back to the experiment.
"I can approve your use of recovered Na'vi corpses for experiments."
Wesker did not mention live experiments, but his refusal was already very clear.
"Continue with the experiments. If you need to use the dominant Las Plagas, contact Krauser directly."
With that, Wesker left the laboratory.
Stepping out of the lab, Wesker looked up at the Pandora sky.
"Uniting species and civilizations? Heh heh."
Wesker himself did not particularly agree with the philosophy of the Universal Union established by Marcus.
The reason he was still working for Marcus was, firstly, due to the constraint of the Psychic Contract.
Secondly, it was because he saw an opportunity in Marcus to continue evolving and becoming stronger.
Lowering his head, Wesker casually used his well-practiced Psionics.
A military Humvee weighing nearly three tons beside him was directly lifted, performing various maneuvers in the air.
Wesker's innate Psionics talent was quite average, but after nearly half a year of training, it was now extremely powerful.
Coupled with his special body strengthened by the Progenitor Virus, Wesker's current individual combat power in the Universal Union might only be second to Marcus.
Even Krauser, who had undergone dominant Las Plagas implantation surgery, was three points weaker.
Shaking his head, Wesker put down the military Humvee, left the spot, and entered the base's command tower.
"Report the amount of longevity substance collected."
After taking his seat, Wesker said indifferently.
Immediately, the person in charge began to report.
"Currently, a total of 32 Tulkun have been captured, of which 24 are adults and 8 are juveniles. According to regulations, the juveniles were released after being implanted with tracking markers.
A total of 25 standard cans of longevity substance have been collected, reaching the first phase target."
Wesker nodded calmly.
"Temporarily stop the capture operation and await new orders."
"Yes!"
Just as Wesker was, as usual, assigning new tasks to various units according to the plan, a communication request from Ishimura appeared on the screen in front of him.
After connecting, Marcus's face appeared on the screen, with the busy Ishimura bridge as his background.
"How's the plan progressing here?"
Marcus asked casually.
"The first batch of longevity substance has been collected, and the infiltration mission carried out by Isaac Squad has also made significant progress."
Wesker said, sending the pre-edited mission progress to Marcus.
Quickly scanning through it, Marcus nodded.
"Continue to accelerate the execution of the infiltration plan."
Wesker looked at Marcus and asked.
"How's the situation with Avarax?"
Marcus shook his head.
"The war is very intense. With the help of the Adeptus Mechanicus, our space forces have temporarily held back the greenskins fleet, but tens of millions of greenskins have still been deployed on the surface of Avarax. We can't repel these Orks in a short time."
"So you plan to have the humans of this world join the war?"
Wesker instantly guessed the reason for Marcus's visit.
"Dragging it out further is unfavorable to us. We must assemble a larger army to decisively defeat the Greenskins."
Marcus nodded, confirming Wesker's guess.
"In a while, Ishimura will set sail for this world's Earth to negotiate with the ICA."
"Captain, the ShockPoint Drive is ready. We can begin FTL travel."
Marcus disconnected the communication with Wesker, his gaze sweeping over the busy bridge.
"Begin."
Forty hours later, Ishimura exited ShockPoint space and appeared in the Solar System.
After a period of deceleration, Ishimura steadily parked in Mars orbit.
The soldiers on the ICA fleet were somewhat curious about Ishimura's return visit.
According to the rumors circulating during this time, Earth had formed an alliance with this extraterrestrial civilization. As for the reason for their previous departure, these lower-ranking soldiers were unaware.
Due to Ishimura's arrival, the ICA directors, who were originally busy with their own affairs, gathered and re-established contact with Ishimura.
After connecting the communication, a familiar face appeared before the ICA directors: Alex, who had been stationed on Mars to interface with the ICA.
Alex looked at the screen and immediately noticed the personnel changes in the ICA board of directors.
Of the original 21 directors, only 7 remained, subtly led by Executive Chairman Barry.
"These guys act pretty fast."
Alex quickly understood what was going on.
In the past half-month, Barry had swiftly purged certain directors from the board through assassination, leaving only those who had passed his scrutiny and were determined to prioritize the overall human interest over personal gain. Furthermore, Barry had seized most of the ICA's power for himself.
"Ms. Alex, wasn't Ishimura previously providing support to the Alliance allies?"
Barry evidently had not anticipated Ishimura's sudden visit.
Alex cleared her throat, then spoke.
"Ishimura is here this time on behalf of the Universal Union, bringing you a new war mission."
"War mission—"
During this time, Barry had almost memorized every clause signed with the Universal Union.
He naturally knew what a "war mission" referred to.
This meant that the Universal Union would now requisition Earth's fleet and other military forces to be deployed into the war.
"May I ask, where will our troops be used?"
After secretly obtaining Marcus's consent, Alex sent an edited file to Barry, which contained partial information about the Greenskins.