diff --git a/README.md b/THE HUMAN EXPERIMENT - GEEFT.md similarity index 96% rename from README.md rename to THE HUMAN EXPERIMENT - GEEFT.md index e631c40..0656824 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/THE HUMAN EXPERIMENT - GEEFT.md @@ -4266,3 +4266,252 @@ Thoughts of the Hodlodytes crossed Shira's mind as she gazed at the alcove's rus Shira had a clear purpose, but the path was fraught with dilemmas. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. At this point, she needed to be strong physically as well as emotionally. The negotiations with the Elgem would be a critical juncture, one that could determine the fate of Naron and its inhabitants, and her actions in the coming days would be pivotal, not just for the Red Lotus but for the Triarchs' grand design. There was indeed much to discuss with Kalon. *We have to rendezvous as soon as possible...* + + +## THE HUMAN EXPERIMENT + +### **Chapter 1: The Alliance Announced** + + + +### The grand halls of the **Federation Council** on ***Zalith Vora*** were brimming with life. Representatives from every corner of the Federation had gathered, filling the grand hall with a mix of languages, ideologies, and tensions. This was a momentous day—humanity was about to step onto a new stage of galactic politics.The chamber of the **Federation Council** was alive with the sounds of whispers and murmurs. The announcement everyone had anticipated for weeks was finally about to be made. + +At the centre of the room stood **Minister Grel**, the hulking figurehead of the **Khaured Dominion**. His skin, gray and pebbled like stone, seemed to absorb the light as his voice cut through the silence that followed his rise. + +"*Today marks a new chapter in the history of the **Khaured Dominion** and the people of Earth*," Grel announced, his tone both solemn and commanding. "*We have forged an alliance that will see the sharing of our most coveted technology—**Triactor enhancements**. With this, humanity will gain the strength it needs to stand among the great powers of the galaxy.*" + +A ripple of surprise and unease ran through the hall. Most had suspected that the humans and Khaureds were negotiating, but few expected that an official alliance had already been made. Even in the vast history of the Federation, this kind of technological transfer between such a powerful race and a newly inducted species like humanity was rare. + +Sitting in the Altan delegation, **Zeyra** felt the weight of this announcement like a blow to the chest. The Khaureds, one of the most politically astute and militarily dominant species in the Federation, had made their move. An alliance with the humans could change the balance of power. Worse still, the humans, driven by their desire to catch up with the older races, might not fully understand the consequences of what they had accepted. + + + +In the back of the room, **President Julian Kane** kept his expression neutral. His deep brown eyes scanned the room, assessing the reactions of the other representatives. Seated beside him, **General Marcus** looked decidedly more pleased, his strong jawline set in a determined line, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. This was what Marcus had worked so hard for—a way to propel humanity forward. + +But Kane's unease was not easily shaken. The deal had been made, and there was no turning back now, but the alliance came with risks. The Khaureds were known for their strategic alliances that often benefited them far more than their partners. But Marcus had convinced him that Triactor technology was the key to humanity's survival and future in the galaxy. + +As the murmurs continued, Zeyra rose from her seat, her silver robes catching the dim light of the council chamber. She was a woman of quiet intensity, her eyes always observing, calculating. Today, though, her calm exterior was overshadowed by concern. + + + +"Minister Grel," she began, her voice carrying the weight of centuries of Altan diplomacy. "While the Altans have long respected the humans' resilience and adaptability, I must raise a concern on behalf of my people. Triactor technology, as we all know, has been the cornerstone of ours and also your Dominion's military and scientific prowess. To give such technology to a race as young as the humans… could lead to consequences we cannot foresee." + +The room grew quiet, her words hanging in the air. Zeyra continued, her eyes locking onto Kane's for a moment. + +"Not because the humans are unworthy, but because they have not yet had the time to fully understand the power that is being given to them. This isn't just an alliance, Minister Grel; it's a dependency. The history of alliances between advanced and emerging races is fraught with imbalance." + +Minister Grel, however, remained unfazed. He folded his arms across his massive chest and regarded Zeyra with an amused expression. + +"The humans are not the first race to benefit from our technology," he replied smoothly. "And they won't be the last. The **Onoros** have thrived under our guidance and partnership. Humanity has proven itself capable of incredible growth. They are no longer an emerging race, Zeyra. They are ready." + +Zeyra suppressed the retort she wanted to make. The **Onoros** were hardly thriving. While they still functioned as a society, their deep reliance on Khaured technology had made them mere extensions of the Khaured's will. But this was not the place to wage that battle. Not yet. + +Instead, she turned toward **President Kane**, her voice lowering but carrying a tone of warning. + +"President Kane, your people have always moved swiftly, faster than any other race in the Federation. But haste comes with a cost. I only urge caution. The Khaureds offer much, but rarely without expectation." + +Kane held her gaze for a moment, then nodded once. He appreciated her warning but knew that he couldn't afford to show hesitation now. The decision had been made, and humanity needed to move forward, even if it meant allying with a race that had been known to turn alliances into chains. + + + +After the council adjourned, the **Human delegation** returned to their quarters, high above the city that sprawled beneath the Federation's capital on Zalith Vora. The night sky was a swirl of stars and distant ships moving between the world's towering spires. + +**General Marcus** was waiting in Kane's office, his expression unreadable. + +"We've done it, Julian," Marcus said quietly once they were alone. "The alliance is in place. We'll begin the trials as soon as we return to Earth." + +Kane sighed and sat down heavily at his desk, his hands steepled in front of him. + +"Don't mistake my hesitation for regret, Marcus," Kane replied. "But Zeyra's right. The Khaureds are not doing this out of altruism. What are they expecting from us?" + +Marcus shrugged, his tone dismissive. "They're expecting us to prove we can handle **Triactor technology**. That's all. We're not the **Onoros**, Julian. We're not going to roll over and become their pawns. We're going to use their technology to make us stronger." + +Kane frowned. He wanted to believe Marcus, but something about the deal still felt… off. The **Khaureds** didn't offer their most advanced technologies lightly, and the speed at which they had moved to form the alliance left little room for negotiation. + +"Make sure we control the pace of this," Kane said finally. "No rushing ahead. The last thing we need is to become too reliant on them." + +Marcus nodded, but deep down, he had no intention of slowing down. The trials would move forward. Humanity needed strength, and he would deliver it—no matter the risks. + + + +**Later that evening**, alone in his quarters, **General Marcus** stared out into the dark expanse of space. He could see Earth, a blue dot in the distance, and thought of what awaited them when they returned. + +The **Triactor trials** would begin soon. He had already fast-tracked the process, pushing past bureaucratic resistance with the promise of immediate results. The Khaureds had provided the technology, and now it was up to humanity to prove they could handle it. + +But Marcus had his own reasons for pushing so hard. His thoughts drifted to his son—once a vibrant soldier, now paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair after a mission gone wrong. The **Triactor enhancements** could change that. They could rebuild his body, restore his future. + +And Marcus would stop at nothing to see that future realized. + +### **Chapter 2: Trials Begin** + + + +The sprawling military base on **Earth**, buried deep beneath the Appalachian mountains, buzzed with quiet activity. Only the highest-ranking officials and scientists had been granted access to the classified area known as **Project Ascension**, where the first trials of **Triactor technology** would take place. This was humanity's most ambitious leap forward—if it worked. + +General Marcus stood in the observation room, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the first group of volunteers prepare for their enhancements. His jaw was set in determination, though a knot of tension coiled in his stomach. **Dr. Elena Parnell**, the lead scientist on the project, stood beside him, tapping away at a tablet that displayed the vitals of each subject. + +"We're ready to begin, General," Parnell said quietly, though there was an edge of unease in her voice. She had made her concerns clear—the Triactor enhancements had been fast-tracked, and they still hadn't fully studied the long-term effects on human biology. But Marcus had insisted on moving forward. Time was not on their side. + +Marcus nodded, keeping his gaze on the **enhancement chamber**, a sleek, cylindrical device that looked more like something from the Altan homeworld than human technology. Inside, the first volunteer, **Sergeant West**, lay strapped to a bed-like platform. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths, though the tension in his muscles was visible. + +"Begin the procedure," Marcus said, his voice calm, though inside he felt the weight of the moment. This was it. This was where humanity would either rise to new heights or fall short. + +Parnell issued a series of commands to her team, and the chamber hummed to life. The sleek surface of the device split open, revealing rows of syringes filled with **Trilium serum**. Slowly, the needles extended, sinking into West's skin. For a moment, everything was still. Then the Triactor enhancements began. + +Marcus watched as the serum took hold. West's vitals spiked—his heart rate, blood pressure, and neural activity all surged as the trilium serum bonded with his DNA. The monitors flashed rapidly, but the readings were within acceptable limits. At first. + +Then, something changed. + +West's body began to convulse, his muscles spasming violently as his heart rate shot through the roof. The monitors blared warnings—***instability detected***. Parnell's hands flew across the tablet, trying to stabilise him, but it was too late. The convulsions grew worse, and the soldier's eyes rolled back into his head. + +"Shut it down\!" Parnell ordered. + +The machine powered off with a hiss, and the medical team rushed in to pull West from the chamber. His body was limp, his skin slick with sweat, but he was alive. Barely. + +Parnell shook her head, turning to Marcus. "He's rejecting the enhancements. His body can't handle it." + +Marcus clenched his fists, his frustration barely contained. "What went wrong?" + +"We're pushing this too fast," Parnell said, her voice tense. "We need more time to study the long-term effects. The human genome is too unpredictable, especially with something as powerful as this technology." + +Marcus' jaw tightened. "We don't have time, Doctor. We need results." + +"And if we keep pushing like this, we'll kill them before we get any results," she shot back, her patience wearing thin. + +Marcus stared at her for a moment, then turned back to the glass, watching as the medical team stabilized West. His vision blurred slightly, and for a brief second, he saw his son's face—paralyzed, confined to that damn chair, his future slipping away. No. They had to make this work. + +"Make the necessary adjustments," Marcus said coldly. "We continue with the trials." + + + +Meanwhile, on Zalith Vora, Zeyra sat in her private quarters, surrounded by holographic displays that flickered with streams of data. She had spent the last few days combing through records of the **Onoros-Khaured alliance**, searching for the missing pieces that might help her understand what the Khaureds were truly up to. The more she looked, the more troubling the patterns became. + +The **Onoros**, once a resource-rich race, had been economically powerful in their early days. But after entering into their alliance with the Khaureds, they had slowly become more and more dependent on the Dominion's technology. Over time, their society had shifted from autonomy to something far closer to servitude. Their economy had been reshaped around Khaured technology, their military absorbed into Khaured control. It was clear that the Onoros hadn't gained an ally—they had become a **vassal**. + +Zeyra frowned, her delicate fingers moving through the holograms as she pieced together the puzzle. It had all started with **Triactor technology**. The Khaureds had introduced the Onoros to enhancements, just as they were doing with the humans. But what was it about the technology that created such dependency? + +She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. The **Altans** had long understood the power of **Triactor technology**, but they had always been careful in its use. The **Khaureds**, however, seemed to weaponize it—turning races into extensions of their will. Was that the real goal here? To ensure that humanity, once enhanced, would never be able to stand alone? + +A soft chime broke her concentration, and the image of **Quiln**, a fellow Altan diplomat, appeared on her screen. + +"I've found something you'll want to see," he said, his voice low and serious. "There are records—old records—of the first few months of the Onoros alliance. Their leadership received offers from other Federation races to develop alternatives to Khaured technology, but those deals were never made." + +Zeyra raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" + +"Because the Onoros leadership began showing signs of extreme loyalty to the Khaured Dominion," Quiln replied. "As if they had been… manipulated." + +Zeyra's heart sank. This was bigger than she had thought. "Manipulated how?" + +"Unclear," Quiln said. "But there are suspicions that the Khaureds may have embedded some kind of override into the **Triactor enhancements**—something that binds the recipients to their will." + +Zeyra's mind raced. If that were true, the humans were in far more danger than anyone realized. She needed to warn **President Kane**—but there was no guarantee he would listen. And time was running out. + + + +**Back on Earth**, **General Marcus** stood at the edge of the observation room, watching as the second trial subject was prepped for the enhancement process. **Sergeant West** had survived the first round, but the results had been anything but promising. The **adjustments** Parnell had made were in place now, but Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. + +As the second soldier was placed in the chamber, Marcus felt a flicker of doubt. He had pushed hard to make this happen, to get the **Triactor trials** underway. He had convinced Kane that this was humanity's future. But now, watching the soldiers step into the unknown, he couldn't help but wonder—was he making a mistake? + +The chamber hummed to life once again, and Marcus watched as the process began. The serum flowed into the soldier's veins, and for a moment, everything seemed fine. The readings were stable, the subject showed no signs of distress. + +But then the soldier's body began to twitch. His breathing became ragged, his heart rate spiking. The same alarms began blaring—**genetic instability** detected. + +Parnell rushed to shut it down, but before she could, the soldier let out a sharp cry of pain, his body convulsing violently. Marcus watched, his chest tight with frustration, as the trial ended in another failure. + +Parnell turned to him, her face pale. "We're not ready, General. If we keep this up, we're going to kill them." + +Marcus clenched his fists. He had known there would be risks, but he hadn't expected this level of instability. The Khaureds had assured him that the technology was safe, that humanity would adapt. But now… now he wasn't so sure. + +But he couldn't stop. Not now. Not with so much on the line. + +"We keep going," Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. + + + +### **Chapter 3: Pressure Mounts** + + + +The atmosphere in **General Marcus's** office was tense. The failures of the initial **Triactor trials** weighed heavily on everyone involved, but Marcus felt the pressure most of all. As he stared out at the window overlooking the sprawling military complex, his thoughts raced. They couldn't afford another failure. The Khaureds were becoming impatient, and the Federation was watching. But more than that, Marcus knew he had staked his personal ambitions on this project—and more importantly, his son's future. + +A knock at the door snapped him from his thoughts. **Dr. Elena Parnell** entered, her face pale and drawn, dark circles under her eyes. The pressure was getting to her too, and Marcus knew that she was growing weary of the risks they were taking. + +"General," Parnell began, her voice tight with frustration. "We need to talk." + +Marcus turned, his face hard. "Make it quick, Doctor. We're running out of time." + +Parnell folded her arms, standing her ground. "That's exactly what we need to talk about. These soldiers are not ready for **Triactor technology**. The human genome isn't adapting as quickly as we hoped. The enhancements are triggering genetic instability—organ failure, mental degradation, you name it." + +Marcus shook his head, refusing to accept her hesitation. "We can't stop now. The Khaureds are expecting progress, and so is **President Kane**. We have no choice but to move forward." + +Parnell's frustration boiled over. "Move forward? With what? More dead soldiers? You're pushing this too fast, General\! We need more time to study this technology before we can safely administer it." + +Marcus met her gaze, his voice low and cold. "Time is not a luxury we have, Doctor. The Khaureds are counting on us to deliver results, and if we don't, they'll pull the plug on this alliance. And if that happens, Earth is back to square one—weak, unprepared, and vulnerable." + +Parnell threw her hands up in exasperation. "And what happens when we keep pushing and these soldiers start dying on us? Or worse, what if we succeed in creating something we can't control?" + +For a moment, Marcus hesitated. His mind flashed back to the day his son had been injured, the devastation he felt when he realized his boy would never walk again. He had promised himself that he would find a way to fix it, and now he was so close—so close to unlocking the secret that could change everything. + +"We'll control it," Marcus said finally, his voice steely. "We'll control it because we have to." + +Parnell stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and pity on her face. "I hope you're right," she muttered, before turning to leave. But Marcus didn't miss the doubt in her voice, or the way her hands trembled as she opened the door. + +As the door clicked shut behind her, Marcus sighed, sinking into his chair. He was playing a dangerous game, and he knew it. But the stakes were too high to turn back now. + + + +**On Zalith Vora**, Zeyra worked in silence, her eyes scanning over the Federation records on the **Onoros-Khaured alliance**. The Onoros, now completely dependent on the Khaured Dominion, had fallen under their control, but no one knew exactly how or why. The early history of the Onoros was a mystery—one the Khaureds had kept tightly guarded for centuries. + +There were rumours, of course. Whispers among the Federation races that the Khaureds had done something to the Onoros, something that made them compliant, unable to resist Khaured influence. But no one had ever been able to prove it. Zeyra was determined to find out the truth, even if the Khaureds had buried it deep. + +Her fingers flew over the controls, pulling up encrypted files, old diplomatic records, and fragments of communication between the Khaureds and other races. Every official record regarding the Onoros was heavily redacted, entire sections blacked out by Khaured censorship. It was as if the Onoros had simply appeared one day, fully integrated into Khaured society, without any real history. + +Zeyra leaned back in her chair, frustration mounting. The Khaureds had been far too careful, leaving almost nothing for her to trace. But Zeyra had learned over the years that even the best cover-ups left trails—small, seemingly insignificant pieces of data that didn't add up. + +Her eyes settled on a series of communications from a long-defunct **Onoros diplomat**, one of the few records from their early days in the Federation. The diplomat's messages to other races were brief, almost dismissive, declining offers to collaborate on technology or trade. It was strange. At a time when most emerging races were eager to integrate, the Onoros seemed uninterested—almost as if they had no choice in the matter. + +Zeyra's pulse quickened. Was this the thread she'd been looking for? + +Just then, her secure terminal beeped. A message from **Quiln**, her contact in Altan Intelligence, appeared on the screen. + +"I've found something," Quiln began, his voice low. "But it's not good, Zeyra. There's more going on than we realized." + +Zeyra straightened, her pulse quickening. "Tell me." + +Quiln hesitated for a moment, as if trying to find the right words. "It's about the **Maxa**—the apex Onoros." + +Zeyra's eyes narrowed. "Go on." + +"The Khaureds have been hiding something crucial," Quiln said, his voice grave. "There are encrypted communications that suggest the Maxa was somehow manipulated by the Khaureds when they first entered their alliance. It's unclear exactly how, but I've found references to a subtle **frequency modulation** embedded within the Triactor technology they provided to the Onoros. That modulation was specifically designed to affect the Maxa's neural network, essentially bending it to the Khaureds' will." + +Zeyra's heart raced. The Maxa controlled the Onoros' collective mind, linking them all through a form of telepathic connection. If the Maxa had been compromised, it would mean that the Khaureds had effectively enslaved the entire race through their connection to the Maxa. + +"But how did they manage to influence the Maxa without anyone noticing?" Zeyra asked, her mind racing. "Surely the Onoros would've realized something was wrong." + +"That's the most disturbing part," Quiln said. "According to what I've found, the Maxa was altered so gradually, so subtly, that even the Onoros leadership didn't notice the change. By the time the Maxa was fully under Khaured control, the Onoros were already locked into the alliance. Every decision they made after that was guided by the Khaureds." + +Zeyra's hands clenched into fists. "So the Onoros have been nothing but puppets this entire time, with the Maxa pulling the strings under Khaured influence." + +"It looks that way," Quiln replied. "And here's where it gets worse—there are indications that the Khaureds are using a similar frequency modulation in the Triactor enhancements they've given to the humans. It's not as overt as it was with the Onoros, but the groundwork is there." + +Zeyra's mind reeled. If what Quiln was saying was true, the Khaureds weren't just interested in giving humanity a technological edge—they were laying the foundation to control them, just like they had done with the Onoros. + +"And the humans have no idea," Zeyra muttered, shaking her head. "We need to warn President Kane. If they keep going down this path, they'll end up just like the Onoros—dependent, controlled." + +"I agree," Quiln said, his voice urgent. "But you need to be careful. The Khaureds have hidden this for centuries, and they won't take kindly to us uncovering their secrets." + +Zeyra nodded, her resolve hardening. "I'll encrypt everything and send it to Kane. We can't let humanity fall into their trap." + +As Quiln's message ended, Zeyra sat back, her heart pounding in her chest. The Khaureds had not only manipulated the **Maxa**, the very core of the Onoros' collective being, but they were now setting the same trap for humanity. And if no one stopped them, Earth would become the next pawn in the Khaureds' twisted game. + + + +**Back on Earth**, General Marcus sat in his office, staring at the reports from the latest Triactor trials. The results were getting worse, with soldiers showing severe side effects, but Marcus couldn't back down now. The Khaureds had invested too much in this alliance, and they were pressing him for results. + +A message from Minister Grel appeared on his screen: + +**General Marcus, time is of the essence. The Federation is watching, and the Altans grow suspicious. You must push the trials forward. We need results. Now\!.** + +Marcus clenched his fists. He knew the risks. He knew that Dr. Parnell had warned him about the dangers of moving too quickly. But the pressure from the Khaureds was mounting, and if they didn't deliver, Earth's future—his son's future—would be at risk. + +He couldn't afford to stop. Not now.