Chapter 25: Engineering Life and Beyond

The base was buzzing with activity. Drones zipped overhead, microbots scuttled along the metallic floors, and the Matter Forge whirred constantly, churning out components for my ever-growing projects.

But today, my focus had shifted. I wasn't just working on expanding the base or perfecting the Spectra Gear consoles anymore. Today, I was diving into something far more complex: biology.

For the past few weeks, I had been quietly studying the genetic makeup of the creatures within the pocket universe, dissecting the nuances of how Azura energy affected them on a cellular level.

The creatures here were different, evolved, and influenced by the strange properties of Azura. And if I was going to create clones linked to the pocket universe, I needed to understand biology at an unprecedented level.

I sat in my lab, surrounded by screens displaying genetic sequences, tissue samples, and holograms of various creatures I had cataloged from my explorations. The Etherjaw, the Azura Wolves, even the Crystadon, all of them had something unique about their biological makeup that allowed them to harness Azura in ways that defied conventional science. If I could decode their secrets, I could integrate those principles into the clones I intended to create.

Argos' voice interrupted my thoughts. [Adrian, the genome analysis of the Azura Wolves is complete. Would you like to review the data now?]

"Yes, bring it up," I said, leaning forward.

The screen flickered to life, showing the intricate genetic structure of the wolves. Their DNA was unlike anything I had seen before. It pulsed with a faint blue glow, similar to the Azura crystals I had been harvesting.

As I zoomed in, I could see how their cells had adapted to absorb and manipulate Azura on a microscopic level. Their bodies could store energy, enhance their physical abilities, and even regenerate damaged tissue. It was remarkable.

"So, their ability to manipulate Azura is built into their biology, not just something instinctual," I muttered, typing furiously as I took notes. "If I can replicate this process in the clones, they'll be able to tap into Azura without needing to rely on external devices."

[Correct,] Argos confirmed. [It appears their genetic code allows for a natural affinity with Azura, enhancing their strength and resilience far beyond what we've seen in Earth-based lifeforms.]

This was groundbreaking. If I could engineer human clones to have similar abilities, they wouldn't just be stronger or faster, they would be capable of harnessing Azura directly, turning them into beings with incredible potential. But this wasn't just about creating stronger bodies, it was about linking human consciousness to those bodies in a way that felt natural. The VR pods would be the bridge, but I needed to ensure the bodies could sustain that connection.

I stood up and moved to the adjacent lab, where several containment chambers housed my first experiments. Inside, suspended in nutrient-rich liquid, were early prototypes of bioengineered organisms, small, simple forms I had grown using the genetic data from the pocket universe creatures.

They weren't alive in the traditional sense, more like templates that I could tweak and manipulate to see how they reacted to Azura.

I approached one of the chambers and observed the floating form inside. It resembled a small, translucent fish, its body pulsing faintly with blue energy. This was one of my early attempts at integrating Azura into a living system.

The results had been promising, the organism could sustain itself on Azura alone, no need for traditional food or oxygen. But it was unstable. Too much Azura, and its cells would burn out, leaving nothing behind.

"We're getting closer," I muttered, adjusting the settings on the chamber. "But we need more control."

[Adrian, might I suggest focusing on stabilizing the energy absorption process? If the clones are to sustain long-term connection to Azura, they will need a method of regulating how much energy they take in.]

"Exactly," I nodded. "I'll need to create a regulator, something that can act as a buffer between the body and the energy. If the clones absorb too much too quickly, they'll burn out just like these prototypes."

I tapped a few buttons, pulling up schematics for a new device I had been working on. It was a small implant, designed to monitor and control the flow of Azura into the body's cells. With this, I could ensure the clones wouldn't overload, and it would also allow me to fine-tune their abilities based on how much energy they needed in different situations.

"Let's start working on the first batch of human clones," I said, my voice steady. "We'll use the data we've gathered from the creatures and integrate the regulator. Once they're stable, we'll begin testing the neural link with the VR pods."

[Understood,] Argos responded. [I will initiate the preparation process.]

As the lab buzzed to life with activity, I moved back to the main control center, where my work on the pocket universe continued. The drones I had sent out days ago were feeding back data from the deeper regions, tracking creatures that had surpassed the 10th level. So far, I hadn't encountered another creature as powerful as the Crystadon, but I knew it was only a matter of time.

"Pull up the data on the northern regions," I instructed. "I want to see how the creatures there have adapted to the increased energy levels."

The screen filled with footage from the drones, showing packs of creatures moving through the dense forests. Their bodies shimmered with energy, much like the Azura Wolves I had encountered before, but these were different. Larger, more aggressive. Their movements were sharper, their coordination more sophisticated.

[Based on the energy readings, these creatures are several times stronger than the ones previously encountered. They appear to have surpassed the 10th level.]

I watched closely as the creatures interacted with their environment, drawing energy from the crystals embedded in the ground and the trees around them. They were evolving, just like everything else in the pocket universe. And if I didn't keep up, I'd be left behind.

"Let's classify them as F-rank," I said. "They're too powerful to be considered level 10, but they don't match the strength of the Crystadon. We'll reserve E-rank for that kind of power."

[Classification complete,] Argos confirmed.

As I sat back, reviewing the data, a thought struck me. The more I understood about Azura and the creatures that harnessed it, the more I realized how little I actually knew. This energy wasn't just a resource, it was a living force, shaping the world and everything in it. And if I was going to master it, I needed to think beyond simple technology.

"Argos, start analyzing the biological impact of Azura on plant life," I said. "If we can understand how it interacts with living systems on a larger scale, we might be able to push our experiments even further."

[Initiating analysis,] Argos replied.

As the data poured in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The future was closer than ever, and I was on the verge of unlocking something that could change the very fabric of reality. Cloning, VR, Azura, all of it was coming together.

And soon, the world would see just how deep this rabbit hole went.