"Electronic virtualization and mechanization?" Dr. Otomo pondered Yu Zhou's suggestion for a moment. "This kind of research sounds promising… but—"
"I'm a biologist," Dr. Otomo admitted. "I don't know much about electronics or mechanical systems."
Yu Zhou felt a bit embarrassed—he had forgotten that Dr. Otomo's expertise was in biology. Asking him to research electronic or mechanized monsters was asking him to work outside his specialty.
"I do have some friends," Dr. Otomo continued after thinking for a while, "their research is in physics, electronics, and mechanical engineering. But if TPC explicitly forbids such research, they won't get involved."
"I see." Yu Zhou thought that if this world could develop technology like the GIO team in Ultraman X, he could bring some of it back. Virtualized monsters and similar tech could be very useful.
If TPC banned such research, he could try to communicate with Captain Megumi and demonstrate its practical applications.
"I discovered this island a few years ago," Dr. Otomo said, pressing a button on a console. "I also found a sleeping monster underground, so I captured it."
As he pressed the button, a virtual screen projected into the air.
"This is the super-cloned monster I've been modifying, Neosaurus!" Dr. Otomo said excitedly, pointing at the screen.
"Dr. Otomo, you're going down the wrong path," Yu Zhou shook his head. In the original story, this very Neosaurus went out of control as soon as it was released.
"If you want to learn more advanced technology, soon you'll have the chance to go to another planet and apply for research opportunities," Yu Zhou said.
"The technology there is quite advanced. You could join their research. While their biotech still can't create monsters, it's probably more advanced than Earth's."
Yu Zhou suddenly thought of TPC's plan to send personnel to Dais. Maybe Dr. Otomo going there could enhance his research skills.
"I've heard about that too," Dr. Otomo nodded. All TPC researchers had received notice.
"I originally wanted to transfer the genes of intelligent monsters into Neosaurus, but with my current tech, the success rate isn't high."
"So, I plan to go to that planet, Dais, to study their biotechnology."
Yu Zhou hadn't expected Dr. Otomo to plan to go there himself. But that was fine—if he wasn't going to complete the monster soon, it wouldn't go out of control.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Both Yu Zhou and Dr. Otomo were startled.
The monster wasn't even finished yet, so why was the ground shaking? If it were an earthquake, the shaking wouldn't stop so quickly.
"What's going on?" Yu Zhou asked. Had Dr. Otomo secretly created another monster?
"I don't know!" Dr. Otomo also looked nervous. Just as he was about to contact his assistant, the assistant came running in.
"Dr. Otomo! Something's wrong!" the assistant shouted anxiously. "A spaceship has landed outside the research facility!"
"A spaceship?!"
Yu Zhou, too, was stunned. In the original story, no spaceship had ever landed on Dr. Otomo's monster island.
"Let's go see."
Hearing the assistant, Yu Zhou ran outside to check. Dr. Otomo and the assistant followed immediately.
After hiding on this remote island, first Yu Zhou found them, and now aliens had arrived.
Outside the lab, Yu Zhou saw a spaceship crash into the muddy ground next to the facility.
Several people wearing specialized uniforms stepped out. They wore masks on their faces—though soon they removed them.
Beneath the masks, their appearance was surprisingly human-like. Yu Zhou thought he had seen their uniforms somewhere before.
"Who are they?" Dr. Otomo and the assistant asked, eyes wary.
Yu Zhou thought for a moment, then recognized the uniforms.
"They're Krea!"
The aliens' uniforms were identical to those worn by Shion, the Krea previously captured by TPC. Perhaps Shion had contacted his companions from captivity.
The Krea noticed Yu Zhou and the others, immediately drawing weapons and attacking.
"Objective: rescue Shion, leave one alive, gather intelligence on Earth."
The leader commanded before attacking, and the others followed suit.
Yu Zhou pulled Dr. Otomo and the assistant into the lab. The Kreas were clearly hostile.
"Stay inside—don't go out," Yu Zhou instructed, then ran outside.
Dr. Otomo and his assistant, both scientists with no combat skills, were safest inside.
Outside, Yu Zhou noticed Silvergon—previously free on the island—slowly walking toward the spaceship.
The Krea shifted their attack toward Silvergon, firing beams that barely affected the monster. Sparks flew off its body, but Silvergon continued forward.
"This monster is strong… perfect as a weapon," the Krea leader said, nodding. "Let's take it and use it for the invasion of Earth."
"Yes!"
The others operated devices, firing red beams at Silvergon's head. The beams merged into its brain, and the monster froze mid-step.
Soon, Silvergon's eyes glowed red as it let out a roar.
"Good," the Krea leader commanded. "Destroy that lab!"
Obeying, Silvergon turned toward the research facility.
"Doctor! It's bad!" the assistant shouted, watching the screens.
"There's no choice!"
Dr. Otomo pressed a button on a console. The ground shook as another monster appeared.
"Dr. Otomo released this monster too?!" Yu Zhou realized immediately—he must have done so to protect the lab.
But Yu Zhou didn't think it was a good idea. Silvergon was already under the Krea's control, while Neosaurus hadn't yet been injected with intelligence genes. Compared to Silvergon, it was just an empty shell.