As this thought continued to simmer in their minds, other parties began to nudge towards the idea.
"But is there truly anything to steal? All they've presented are just finished products. There should be a failsafe for all of the ones they've presented today. The Idra Conduit is also open source. As for the Ark Cannon, it's not even in the building," Tomas said.
"It's quite easy. The scientists who worked on these machines, or at least had a hand in their production, are all here. They are part of the dignitaries. Rather than take the product, why not steal the creators and have them reproduce it for you?" Nyla replied.
"Would they dare to make such a move? It's easier to steal a machine than a person, an important one at that." Tomas sneered.
"Haven't they already dared to come here? They probably don't have intentions of leaving even after seeing what the Ark Cannon did. It would be ridiculous to assume that all of them are dumb, after all, most are openly criminals who have avoided getting caught. If we can think about this, so can they, and yet, they remain." Nyla answered.
In the basement where she was, she approached the Idra Conduit. She was tasked with disassembling the machine.
"Doesn't that mean that we're also being used as bait?" Sera asked. Still on the fourth floor, she had just served her designated VIP drinks. They were humans from another planet. "What's going to happen to the innocent bystanders if all hell breaks loose? Surely the Federation wouldn't set all of this up without thinking about the lives of the innocent."
"You give the devil too much credit," Narvel muttered as he continued to scan the crowd. His gaze lingered at a spot, a balcony on the top floor, before he looked elsewhere. He slowly stood up and began navigating his way out.
"Just focus on the mission we've been given. There should be other people and measures in place. It's not our place to wonder about this." Armand cut in, ending their conversation there.
This was the most they have spoken to themselves as a team.
Even though I'm aware that they're all talented in their own ways of thinking. They're smarter than I thought… But arrogant. Armand was surprised by the way they figured all of this out. However, he noticed that Agnar still hadn't said anything on the comms.
…
During their conversation, Jinan had introduced two more advancements, the Kestrel Exoshell IV. A great improvement of the suit, which could be used in outer space. According to Jinan, with a full kit and seals, an operator could survive adrift in outer space for thirty to forty days. The suit was equipped with so many things. Because of its improvements, they had to dub it the IV even though there were only two models before it.
Moreover, its combat mode was scary enough to make many dignitaries shake in their seats.
After that, he revealed the Aeon Gate. Humanity's first stable, large-scale wormhole generator. A door to any system within range of its calibration.
On the hologram, a starship, located at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy entered a large arch, and in the next few seconds, the same vessel emerged near Jupiter's orbit. That was a great distance it covered.
It wasn't like technologies like the Aeon Gate didn't exist before now, however, a distance of this magnitude being covered in a few seconds was basically teleportation to many. Moreover, those who owned similar technologies, had humans pay tolls to use their gates.
The revelation of the Aeon Gate left many speechless. At this point, many people had stopped cheering. They were more fearful of the remaining revelations than excited.
A dignitary cloaked in obsidian armor rose and spoke in a low rumble that was quickly translated. "Is humanity declaring sovereignty over travel itself? This technology, unchecked, could unmake empires."
"Or unite them," Jinan answered. His eyes gleamed with something colder than charm. "For the first time in our history, distance itself bends to our will.
After that, Jinan introduced the next item on the list.
The lights in the building darkened to a serene blue sphere. A genderless human subject floated inside with its eyes closed. Their neural activity was displayed in glowing currents around them.
"For centuries, consciousness was a frontier science could not penetrate. Tonight, that frontier has been partially crossed. Though this is still in the works, and could still be considered in its prototype stages, it is enough to be one of the items at the main event tonight.
"The Lucid Interface allows exploration of human consciousness itself… memories, dreams, even the foundations of identity. Early trials suggest we may soon be able to shape cognition as tangibly as flesh."
Gasps rippled through the building again.
An alien dignitary with tendrils swaying softly, leaned forward. "If what you claim is true… then you are tampering with the boundaries of the soul itself."
"Perhaps," Jinan replied with a smile that didn't falter. "Or perhaps we are simply mapping out an uncharted region.
…
"Hey misfits, now's the time to start making your moves. He's about to announce the last item on the list and I doubt if it's going to be anything less than the rest." It was at his point that Armand looked at the surveillance feed to confirm where his subordinates were.
He noticed that Narvel wasn't where he was meant to be.
An unsettling feeling soon ran through his spine.
"Viper! Where are you?" He asked, however, he received no reply from the person in question.
"Viper!?"
Armand called a few times but received no reply.
The rest began searching for Narvel from where they were.
"Narvel!" Armand called out.
"For crying out loud, be quiet. I'm working on something." Narvel finally responded, his annoyance was clear in his tone.
This arrogant bastard! Made me worried for a second and here he is acting like I'm bothering him. "Where are you!?"
"I found something weird. I'll contact you when I'm sure." That was the last thing his teammates heard before Narvel turned off his comms.
Silence.
"Fuck!! This is why I hate working with normies! The rest of you! Stick to your radius or I swear if anyone replicates what that bastard's doing, I'll make sure you spend quality time in the infirmary."
"What about you, Captain?" Sera inquired.
"I'm going to look for that bastard."
Armand wasn't truly worried about Narvel, however, his guts wouldn't sit still the more he thought about it.
…
"Finally… perhaps the most important breakthrough of the century. The Evolution Program. After decades of failure, we have achieved stability in cross-species grafting. Mutant technology is now functional. By merging select nonhuman traits with volunteers, we have created superhumans capable of feats impossible for ordinary biology."
The hologram moved to give a visual representation of what Jinan was saying. It revealed a human soldier, but one with scales rippling across his arms, eyes slit like a serpent's muscles corded with unnatural strength. He lifted a transport vehicle with his bare hands before hurling it aside.
A dignitary with crystalline horns and scales across its body that resembled the scales of the human soldier on the hologram. "Abominations! You dare tamper with bloodlines beyond your comprehension?"
"Or," Jinan countered, "We dare to expand humanity's definition. Monsters and saviors are often one and the same… history decides which."
The crowd erupted into chaos—cheers, shouts, and frantic whispers. The convention hall was no longer just a stage of innovation; it had become an arena where the balance of power across the galaxy had just shifted.
"Now, whatever inquiries you wish to make, you have the rest of tonight to put them through. There are specialists situated around the building. They're here to quench your thirst. Good night esteemed guests. Once again, my name is Jinan."
With that being said, Jinan left the stage, escorted by a few guards.
Just seconds after he left, a loud boom echoed out and disrupted the atmosphere within the building. It came from the spot Narvel left to inspect.
Screams filled the building as people began scrambling around.
"Tomas! Guard the scientists. Don't leave any of those guards with them. They're assassins!" Narvel suddenly snapped from the comms.
"What!" Tomas barked. "Who are you to give me orders!?" Although he said this, he found himself already moving.
The other guards who were around him had somehow moved and were already with the scientists, guiding through the frenzy crowd.
Shit! Since when did they get over there? Is that normie saying the truth?
Not willing to take the risk, Tomas quickly followed after them, pushing everyone in his path away. A normal person's strength couldn't compare to an Egomaniac's strength, much more so, one in the Seeding stage.
One of the men guiding the scientist through the crowd noticed Tomas approaching. He quickly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Tomas.
Bang!
Bang!
Two bullets quickly struck Tomas, putting him to the ground.