Azur Lane Mobile Front.

I must speed up the experiment.

...

【November 9th. 】

[As expected, my guess was correct. The more severely damaged the ship, the greater the impact of Material X's energy radiation.]

Unfortunately, this ship is not an object I can experiment on at will.

In order to better explain things to my superiors, I had to stop today's experiment.

Perhaps I should take a risk?

Having finished recording, the person in charge stood up.

It seems that just now, the energy fluctuations of Material X have intensified once again.

"This seems to be happening more and more frequently..."

Thinking of this, the person in charge couldn't help but frown.

This is not a good sign.

...

Meanwhile, a small figure approached the vicinity of the research institute.

When was this research institute established here?

Gridley crouched in the grass, looking at the heavily guarded research institute with a puzzled expression on his face.

Chapter 464: The Beginning of the Incident

"Let's tell Jiajia about the situation here first!"

After observing for a while, Gridley felt that it would be difficult for him to infiltrate this heavily guarded research institute on his own.

However, given the strange situation exhibited by this research institute, Gridley felt that if Lexington had been moved anywhere, it could only be here.

Saratoga, who had just slipped out of the dock, received a message from Gridley.

The message also included several photos.

As a journalist, Gridley certainly has a good eye for photography.

"This location, the research institute? How come I don't know about it?"

Saratoga ran toward the coordinates sent by Gridley while carefully recalling them.

As a ship with a high status within the White Eagle Union, Saratoga believed she knew most things about the White Eagle Union.

Moreover, this involves ship research.

However, no matter how hard she tried to recall, she had no memory of the research institute in the photo, which looked brand new.

"Could it be because I went out earlier and therefore didn't know?"

With that in mind, Saratoga forwarded the message to Iowa, with whom he was fairly familiar.

Soon, the reply arrived.

There were only three words: "I don't know".

"Hmph~ It seems like the higher-ups are really hiding something from us!"

Thinking of this, Saratoga quickened his pace.

...

Inside the research institute, completely unaware that it was being targeted, a rather troublesome matter was unfolding.

"What's going on?!"

The person in charge, dressed in protective clothing, rushed over to the room outside "Material X".

Even with all the necessary isolation measures in place, the room where "Material X" was located still had a dedicated isolation area separate from the outside world. When the person in charge stepped into this area, they still felt a sense of unease.

"Supervisor, the energy index of 'Material X' radiation has increased by 70% in just a few minutes!"

"how so!"

The person in charge checked the data on the various instruments while analyzing the current situation.

The researcher was right; the energy radiated by "Material X" can now be described as rampaging.

But what caused this situation?

The person in charge couldn't help but think.

"Could it be due to the actions taken in response to 'Material X'?"

"Impossible. Similar provocations have been ongoing all along; it's just that yesterday's was a little more intense."

Realizing that the current situation was likely caused by his own carelessness, the person in charge broke out in a cold sweat.

If he really causes any trouble, the higher-ups will definitely hold him accountable.

By then, his research will definitely be halted by the authorities, and his research findings may even become data in someone else's paper.

"This matter must be suppressed!"

With this in mind, the person in charge set the tone for handling the incident.

"Stop stimulus measures."

"At the same time, increase the isolation measures and close all the isolation doors!"

As the isolation doors in the corridor of the room where Unicom's "Material X" was located closed one by one, the restlessness that had been weighing on the person in charge gradually subsided.

"It seems that my choice was right."

"Keep a close eye on the situation here and report back to me immediately!"

After waiting for a while, the person in charge was relieved to see that the situation had stabilized.

"Manager, some new readings have appeared in the energy readings just now. Would you like to take a look?"

Just then, a researcher reported new developments to him.

This immediately piqued his interest.

"Could it be that the energy radiation of material X, under high concentration conditions, will exhibit other characteristics?"

As he flipped through the brand-new records, the person in charge frowned.

This was a phenomenon he had never observed in his previous experiments.

Are these still observable?

"This won't do, supervisor."

Upon hearing the researcher's answer, the person in charge frowned even more deeply.

"Resume the stimulus operation on 'Material X'!"

After thinking it over for a while, the person in charge decided that he would take a risk.

In his view, scientific research is inherently accompanied by danger.

"No, Supervisor, the energy level in the containment room for 'Material X' hasn't gone down yet. I'm afraid..."

"Shut up and do as I say! If you can't, get out!"

The person in charge interrupted the researcher who was trying to dissuade him.

(Tomorrow, I'll kick this bastard out.)

Under pressure from the person in charge, the researchers had no choice but to restart the stimulus operation for "Material X".

Instantly, the energy readings inside the containment room began to climb.

"Sure enough, different properties appear at high concentrations!"

Pushing aside the researchers in front of the observation instruments, the person in charge excitedly looked at the brand-new energy readings.

"Record this data carefully!"

The person in charge was so excited that his voice trembled slightly.

"Supervisor, the energy level in the containment room is too high!"

"If we continue to stimulate them, things might go wrong!"

A dissenting voice poured cold water on the person in charge.

However, the next second, the appearance of another brand-new data point reignited the excitement in the person in charge's heart, which had just cooled down.

"Sure enough, the previous experiments were too conservative."

"The energy within 'Material X' only manifests its original characteristics when it is at a high concentration!"

"Continue to increase stimulus!"

Ignoring the advice of his researchers, the person in charge finally let go of the last straw that broke the camel's back.

...

Outside the research institute, Gridley finally met Saratoga.

"This is it, Little Jiajia!"

Two ships, clearly of different types but with extremely similar builds, were locked in the grass, watching the patrolling guards not far away.

"This seems like it will be very difficult to infiltrate!"

After observing for a while, Saratoga said.

"If you're going to infiltrate, the best time is during shift changes."

"But I have absolutely no idea when the shifts change here!"

Gridley continued, echoing Saratoga's words.

"Moreover, even if you, Jiajia, were to observe the layout of the buildings here from the air using a carrier-based aircraft, you probably wouldn't be able to see anything."

"Tsk..."

After listening to Gridley's words, Saratoga began to consider whether he should just rush in.

In any case, given his position, forcibly inspecting a research institute is not a big deal.

However, if my sister isn't here, it's a small matter of having to write more reports; the bigger problem is alerting the enemy.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before they didn't have to make a choice.

...

"Supervisor, the energy reading has exceeded the critical value! We can't continue!"

This was the last complete sentence the researchers heard inside the institute.

In the next instant, the black energy transformed into a tangible shockwave, breaking through all protective barriers and engulfing everyone.

Chapter 465: Pollution Outbreak

The pure black energy broke through the ceiling of the research institute, forming a huge black pillar of light directly above the institute.

Everyone was taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

"What's going on?!"

The security personnel on guard all turned their heads and looked in the direction of the research institute.

The next moment, they were all swallowed up by the raging black energy.

"Quick, hide!"

Having been observing the situation at the research institute, Saratoga and Gridley were among the first to notice this sudden turn of events.

Therefore, their reaction was much faster than that of the security personnel around the research institute.

Their quick reaction, combined with the advantage of the terrain, allowed the two to successfully evade the first wave of impact.

"Wow! What was that just now?!"

Such ominous energy frightened even a seasoned journalist like Gridley.

"I don't know~"