As long as he nods, I'll cover everything!

"Always making such a racket—how can he possibly do good research?" Professor Yang grumbled, setting down his thermos and glancing at the data that had just synchronized onto the light screen.
At first glance, he pursed his lips in disdain; the second glance only caused a slight furrow of his brow. But on the third glance, his eyes widened dramatically, and he leaned in so close he nearly pressed his face against the screen. Only on the fourth glance did he remember to grab a pair of glasses and put them on. Finally, he tore his gaze away and barked:
"Quick! Get Lao Li, Lao Zheng, and the others here, now!"
"Yes, Professor!" The student nodded vigorously.
"Run!" Professor Yang urged.
Moments later, several scholars had gathered in a laboratory that reeked of science fiction.
Fl oating screens filled the air, scrolling with complex data. At the center stood a massive 3D model of a new engine, projected through virtual reality technology, capable of being zoomed, rotated, and dissected to reveal its intricate structure and details.
Facing the entrance hung a massive emblem: a hand plucking a gear from the sun, with an inscription below:
"Flesh is weak, but machinery ascends."
This has been the unwavering belief and guiding principle of the Prometheus Society since its inception.
The room was devoid of tables and chairs, appearing somewhat spacious. However, with a simple wave of the hand, magnetically levitated furniture would automatically fly into position.
"I've done an initial check of the data, and it all looks fine—seems genuine, though it's incredibly... bizarre. What does Lao Zheng say?"
"I've examined it too, and I carefully verified the energy waveforms. They're unmistakably unique to the Terror Turtle—undeniable proof that can't be faked. Naturally, I trust the data's authenticity. But Lao Li seems to have some reservations?"
"It's not that I doubt the data, I just don't understand how it came to be. This was a high-radiation environment, yet the results are even better than what we get in the lab. And what about that power output that far exceeds specifications? How can a small engine produce data like a much larger one?"
"Exactly! How is that possible? Why is it possible?"
"Truthfully, I found it unbelievable at first glance too. But don't forget—the Terror Turtle possesses hidden power..."
"You're serious about this? We've tried practically everything in the lab and failed to activate that 'Devour' function. Are you suggesting that some outsider could just fumble around and succeed? Do you think we look like fools?"
"This isn't impossible. Even though we can create it, we've never truly understood or mastered it."
In truth, the scholars gathered here were not only the cream of the Prometheus Society, but also among the top applied scientists in all of human civilization. Describing them as merely "brilliant" would be an understatement.
Yet human wisdom has its limits. Even these experts struggled to fully grasp the 'Terror Turtle' engine, which incorporated cutting-edge Paradise Technology.
It was akin to how humans can build bicycles, yet still struggle to explain why they don't fall over.
So when they saw data that clearly surpassed theoretical limits, it was like witnessing someone defy gravity and fly into the sky on a bicycle. Their bewilderment was understandable.
Fortunately, this was h ardly unusual in this era. When it came to miraculous Paradise Technology, the ability to use and build it was far more important than understanding its underlying principles. The top scholars quickly regained their composure and resumed their discussions.
"In any case, let's first figure out the source of this data. What's strange about it is the absence of specific engine numbers. I wonder if the data system has been tampered with, or if there's another bug?"
"What do you mean 'another bug'? If you have issues with the system I designed, just say it outright!"
"Stop arguing! I've already sent students to investigate. We can first eliminate the engines in our possession, and there are only so many test engines we've released. We'll have results soon... See, here they are!"
As the words faded, a holographic image of a young scholar appeared before the group. He was hunched over a data tablet, reporting:
"Professor, I've thoroughly checked everything, including the inventory samples and prototype mechs. There's no record of that engine... It seems like it wasn't made by us."
"How is that possible? Why would it be? 'Terror Turtle' was under complete secrecy from its incept ion until the public testing phase. Even the initial prototype mech has remained in our hands at all times. Our own investigators discovered it; it never passed through anyone else's hands. Who else could possibly have built it? This is absolute nonsense!"
"You old curmudgeon! Why are you snapping at my student? Does he look like he'd dare deceive you? Could it not be that someone found another prototype mech?"
"Using a recovered prototype mech directly? Are you getting senile or watching too many short videos?"
"Given how vast Paradise is, what's so impossible about it? You've just never seen it before."
"Enough! Why are you two arguing again? Alright, Xiao Wang, help me verify the test pilot's identity and try to contact them."
"Right away, Professor Yang."
The young scholar's holographic projection vanished into the air. Professor Yang, who was leading the meeting, swiped at the glowing screen before him, causing detailed data to appear before everyone. He sighed in awe:
"Truly beautiful... This is the complete form of the 'Terror Turtle'—this is its true power!"
The other scholars, having set aside their quarrels, echoed his sentiment:
"Indeed, its spherical design defies all principles of dynamics, yet it unleashes such tremendous power. And it can be further enhanced and improved. Among all the Paradise Technologies we've mastered, this stands alone at the pinnacle."
"The complete 'Terror Turtle' has been my lifelong dream in this field. It's... an almost surreal, fantastical vision, and now this dream has materialized right before our eyes."
Seizing the moment, Professor Yang asked:
"I still don't understand what you're arguing about. Does the engine's origin really matter? Even if it fell from the sky, so what? As long as it's useful to us, that's all that matters, right?"
"But it wasn't made by us, and it's not in our hands... Even though we can use this data to optimize and improve it, it's still something given to us by someone else. What if they decide to cut us off later?"
"Having control over it oursel ves would be ideal, but for now, we have to assume this engine is a perfectly intact prototype that a reckless investigator accidentally installed into a mech. Not only did it not explode, but through sheer luck, it even activated its 'Devour' function..."
"Alright, I know it sounds absurd, but it's the only explanation I can think of."
"Yes, that's the only poss ibility. So we need to contact that pilot as soon as possible, make him understand the importance of this, and get him to hand over the prototype mech. If he agrees, I'll secure him anything he wants—money, merit points, a job, a house, even a girlfriend."

Chapter end