At the Guanghan Station.
Ou Zhanpeng breathed a long sigh of relief: Finally, safety!
Just as he was about to find someone to ask where to rest, he noticed that the entire scientific research station was in a frenzy. Everyone in sight was working with their heads down, and even the special forces team that had just arrived at the station were running around like headless chickens.
Only he was an idle man with nothing to do.
What had happened?
Spotting a familiar figure in the crowd, Ou Zhanpeng rushed forward, "Hey, hey, Station Chief Zhu, Station Chief Zhu... what are you all so busy with?"
Zhu Yuhan's eyes lit up when he saw who it was, and he immediately smiled, "What else could we be busy with? You brought back the alien's corpse, didn't you? They want us to set up a laboratory here to research the aliens and the microorganisms on them."
"Here?" Ou Zhanpeng was a little surprised but quickly understood the cause and effect.
The aliens themselves were indeed a great threat, but as it turned out, they were not insurmountable.
However, the microorganisms that arrived on the same ship were another matter entirely. These little things, coming from another ecosystem, might either be incompatible with Earth's environment and vanish without a trace, or they could be the ultimate killers of humanity.
Therefore, it was necessary to guard against potential threats.
While aliens could be dealt with through military means, microorganisms were not that simple. They required continuous investment of significant human and material resources for ongoing, in-depth research.
This would continue until it was confirmed that they posed no threat to humans.
From a research perspective, sending the alien microorganisms back to Earth would be the best option, as Earth's research capabilities far surpassed those of the Moon. However, while the research environment on Earth was better, it also carried the risk of microbial leakage.
On the Moon, it was simpler. Even if a virus leaked, at worst, it would only destroy Guanghan Station, and a single nuclear bomb could resolve the issue completely.
From a personal standpoint, the decision from above made Ou Zhanpeng feel incredibly frustrated. However, from the perspective of humanity's overall interests, it was the optimal choice.
He certainly wasn't feeling great about it, but he could understand.
After all, the front half of the alien warship had already fallen into the Pacific Ocean. It was foreseeable that the ocean would be contaminated by alien microorganisms. Before long, these microbes from distant stars would gradually spread to every corner of the Earth with the ocean currents.
Zhu Yuhan had other matters to attend to and hurried away after a brief greeting.
Ou Zhanpeng found an empty corner and stared blankly into space. By the time he came back to his senses, the laboratory had already begun to take shape.
It had all the necessary features: entrances and exits, air showers, and decontamination. A section of cabins was even designated for several negative-pressure experimental chambers, making it a full Level 4 biosafety laboratory.
Ou Zhanpeng was deeply impressed. Although it was originally a scientific research station, its focus was on the Moon, which had nothing to do with a biological laboratory. To have built the laboratory in such a short time was a testament to the immense difficulty involved.
He later learned that Guanghan Station already possessed a set of biological experiment modules, specifically designed to study the changes in various Earth animals, plants, and microorganisms in low-gravity environments. With professional personnel and specialized modules, only minor modifications were needed to transform them into high-risk laboratories for studying alien life.
After clearing out the leftover杂物 (záwù - sundries), all extraneous personnel were evacuated from the experimental area. Only professional staff remained to conduct a thorough cleaning and detection of the area. Once deemed qualified, a group of researchers immediately began transporting the alien corpses into the experimental zone.
Despite the rudimentary conditions, the researchers showed great respect for their subjects. Two individuals led the way, holding portable ultraviolet disinfection lamps, followed by six people carefully carrying the alien, and two more behind them spraying disinfectant along the path.
The scene was both solemn and grand… well, at least that's how Ou Zhanpeng saw it.
It was only two corpses, and they were receiving such treatment, which was already quite good. They couldn't exactly call six burly men to help carry them in, could they?
"What are you thinking about? You're smiling like an idiot?" Ling Xiao suddenly appeared beside Ou Zhanpeng.
"Nothing," Ou Zhanpeng shook his head. "I was just wondering if the aliens could get infected by Earth viruses like in the old movies and die off completely."
"That's a good idea, but you'd have to send the viruses to the enemy's warships first."
Ou Zhanpeng seriously pondered the feasibility of using drones to deliver viruses: "That wouldn't be too difficult!"
"Cut it out… Hey, they're preparing to dissect the aliens!" Ling Xiao said.
The two aliens were carried into separate chambers, and the dissection team was eagerly rubbing their hands together.
This was the dissection of aliens, a ceremony destined to be recorded in history. Future students would surely read passages like this in their history books: On October 19, 2064, at the Guanghan Scientific Research Station on the Moon, under the supervision of so-and-so, with so-and-so as the lead surgeon and so-and-so as the assistant, the first alien dissection was performed.
Doesn't that sound exciting?
Even the researchers who weren't selected for the dissection team were unwilling to give up. They gathered outside the experimental chambers, peering in and closely observing the large, clumsy figures on the dissection table through the glass.
As Ou Zhanpeng was watching the spectacle, he suddenly received a communication from Xie Yu: "Zhanpeng, you were the one who took down the aliens. They need some of our people to help with the dissection here. Want to come?"
Ou Dashao was inexplicably puzzled and politely refused, "I don't think I need to. You should arrange for someone else!"
When he thought of dissection, his mind immediately conjured images of peeling skin, exposed organs, and blood-stained hands. He wasn't masochistic; why would he go out of his way to suffer like that?
"Are you sure you don't need to?" Xie Yu explained the benefits, "This is a great opportunity to observe aliens up close. Once this opportunity passes, it won't come again!"
Hearing Xie Yu's words, Ou Zhanpeng's heart was immediately moved, "Alright then, count me in!"
"Great, come to the entrance area in a bit!"
After the communication ended, Ling Xiao's curious voice suddenly came from beside him, "What are you counting yourself in for?"
Ou Zhanpeng chuckled, "Dissection!"
"Ah?" Ling Xiao looked shocked, "No, what's going on? How did you get included? Do you know how to dissect?"
The unspoken implication was a hint of resentment, as if asking why he himself wasn't included.
"I don't," Ou Zhanpeng replied truthfully. "But since they're offering, we should accept!"
Without waiting for Ling Xiao to ask further, Ou Zhanpeng was already heading towards the laboratory entrance, leaving Ling Dashao bewildered: What am I lacking?
Ou Zhanpeng met up with Xie Yu, and together they entered the experimental area.
Their powered exoskeletons were the best protective gear, so they didn't change into protective suits. A professional personnel carefully explained the precautions, and their sealed exoskeletons were switched to internal breathing mode. After a thorough disinfection, the two were finally allowed to enter. Outside the experimental chamber, a group of researchers mingled with a few special forces members, all peering through the glass, discussing and pointing.
Inside the experimental chamber, the large, clumsy figure lay on a stainless steel experimental table. Several people in protective suits gathered around, their eyes gleaming with a strange light, much like a group of lecherous men surrounding an unguarded maiden.
Ou Zhanpeng suddenly had a feeling that he had come to the wrong place. They were so excited about the alien, were all the researchers so perverted?