Sons of Hatred

CHAPTER VI: Creation of the evolutionary foundations

Carver marched on through the cold corridors of the complex. He was not alone, despite the shadows that seemed to stalk him. Lumen, the artificial intelligence, watched him from the gloom and appeared when he saw fit. He was always there, a constant presence that offered guidance and surveillance with an air of menace.

Lumen's voice echoed again.

- Carver, I want to know how aware you are of what runs through your veins. "He demanded, his voice carrying a calculated curiosity." The serum you received... Tell me, do you really know how it works?

The soldier remained silent, refusing to divulge any information. He kept moving forward, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.

"Interesting," Lumen stated. Your silence speaks volumes. But you know that what you carry inside you is a product of the very science they tried to perfect here: epigenetics. Carver slowed his pace, but did not stop. He was familiar with the term "epigenetics," but had never explored it in depth.

Lumen saw his interest and continued his explanation.

"Epigenetics is a fascinating branch of biology," Lumen stated. Epigenetics is not like traditional genetics. It is not about the DNA sequence that defines who we are. It is about how that information is used. It is, in essence, the set of instructions that tell your genes when to turn on or off, which parts of you should manifest and which should remain silent.

The soldier continued to move forward slowly, listening intently to every word Lumen uttered. -Your serum, for example, does not alter your DNA. It modifies the expression of certain genes to enhance your physical and mental capabilities. Epigenetics is not simple. It has variants. The Gen-asaris explored and exploited these fields of study. These fields include epigenetic reprogramming, genetic hybridization, and adaptive cell modification.

As he spoke, Lumen confidently displayed holographic images on the walls, clearly illustrating the interactions between DNA strands and protein complexes, and how genes are activated or deactivated.

Epigenetic reprogramming is the process by which epigenetic markers are modified to change the way your genes express themselves. It's rewriting your body's instruction manual. However, there are risks involved. If the markers are placed incorrectly, it can result in mutations, disease, or even premature cell death.

Carver kept walking, his mind processing the information. Lumen continued, his voice echoing down the hallway with authority.

- Genetic hybridization successfully combined genes from different species to create beings with superior characteristics. However, the majority of these attempts were unsuccessful due to genetic incompatibility. The results were, to put it frankly, unstable. The AI paused, then continued with the last variant.

-Finally, adaptive cell modification was the most ambitious. Scientists were determined to create beings that could adapt to any environment or situation by reprogramming their cells in real time. This approach aimed to eliminate human physical limitations, despite the considerable risks involved. Many of the subjects mutated in uncontrollable ways or simply disintegrated.

Carver stopped in front of the heavy door Lumen had mentioned. This was the entrance to the records room, where the AI had indicated the important data on the experiments conducted and the VE project was located.

The door opened with a faint technological hum, and Carver strode into the room. The room was dark, but the light from the holographic screens illuminated it intermittently from the inside. The walls were lined with control panels and terminals, each providing access to a different section of the Gen-Asaris archive.

Lumen appeared on one of the monitors, his image projecting a calm and collected demeanor. "Here you will find the records of all the failed attempts before Gen-asaris focused on epigenetics. You will also find the details of the VE project, which spanned over a hundred years of experimentation." I know your expertise lies elsewhere, but I believe you will find this information intriguing. After all, you have a derivative of what's in this place in your blood. The soldier looked at her briefly with a gesture of indifference, concealing a hint of interest. He activated the nearest terminal and a series of documents immediately appeared. He quickly found the researchers' logbook, which detailed the results of the first twelve subjects of the VE project. The logs were full of scientific jargon that ordinary people could not understand. However, the notes revealed something more general: each of them constituted a testament to the horrors they had unleashed in their quest for perfection.

VE-01: Female, five years old. The initial epigenetic integration failed. Activation of specific genes resulted in rapid cellular degeneration. The subject experienced accelerated aging and died in 48 hours after suffering cellular degeneration.

VE-02: "Six-year-old male." The epigenetic modification allowed for accelerated growth, but the subject's body could not support the resulting metabolic load. He died of multiple organ failure within a week of transformation.

VE-03: The subject was a seven-year-old female. Genes related to physical strength were altered, causing extreme muscle development. However, the brain did not adapt at the same rate. The subject went into a catatonic state and was kept in suspension until her demise.
VE-04: "Five-year-old male. The subject underwent cognitive enhancement through epigenetic stimulation. The subject showed a significant increase in IQ, but began to experience episodes of acute psychosis. The subject was removed for safety reasons.

VE-05: "Six-year-old female. The goal was to modify the immune system to create total resistance to all known diseases. The subject developed an extreme immune response and attacked every tissue in her body. The subject died after three days.

VE-06: "Seven-year-old male." The subject demonstrated an enhanced capacity for cellular regeneration. The subject showed uncontrolled regeneration, which led to tumor growth throughout the body. The subject died after four days.

VE-07: "Five-year-old female." We stabilized her emotional development and enhanced her cognitive abilities. The subject exhibited unusually aggressive behavior, resulting in the destruction of part of the laboratory before containment was achieved.

VE-08: "Six-year-old male. The experiment focused on sensory enhancement. The subject developed extreme sensitivity to all stimuli, causing him constant pain. The subject died by self-mutilation.

VE-09: "Five-year-old female. Genetic hybridization with non-human DNA was attempted. The subject developed physical traits that were not compatible with life. Died in an artificial uterus. VE-10: "Six-year-old male." The subject displays markedly improved physical endurance capacity. The subject demonstrated remarkable resilience to fatigue and pain, yet his body could not sustain prolonged stress, succumbing after 72 hours of continuous activity.

VE-11: "Five-year-old female." We enhanced temporal perception through gene integration. The subject experienced temporal hallucinations and collapsed due to massive neurological failure. VE-12: "Seven-year-old male." We have achieved initial success in stabilizing the subject's physical and cognitive state. However, the subject developed severe self-aggressive tendencies and was destroyed for safety reasons.

VE-13: "Female from... The records have been deleted or moved. Contact the technical department immediately.

All of the evidence irrefutably demonstrated that these children had been used as test subjects in a series of heinous experiments, each aimed at overcoming human limitations through epigenetics. All had failed—and failed tragically. The catastrophic results only served to underscore the inhuman and dangerous nature of the science the Gen-asaris were attempting to master.

Finally, Carver found the file he was looking for: "VE-13:". This file was incomplete, unlike the others. The data was abruptly cut off, leaving a gap where the most important information should have been. The file provided no details about the subject's fate or the project's success or failure.

Hey, talking light, I want to know what happened to "VE-13." "Ask him," the soldier replied firmly. It was an order, not a question.

"The VE-13 project is not in the records," Lumen stated firmly. "It was the last attempt of the Gen-Asaris to reach perfection." The details are incomplete because they were not witnessed in life. I took it upon myself to finalize it.

Carver closed his eyes for a moment, processing everything he had discovered. The Gen-asaris tried to play God and failed spectacularly. "I'm willing to help you understand, but I won't allow you to jeopardize what's left here," Lumen continued, his voice firm and resolute. If you truly want to understand and seek the truth, I will let you see what lies beyond these walls.

Carver felt a twinge of distrust, but he was determined to push past it. He knew Lumen was lying to him.

I'd like to know what this has to do with Viktor's supposed plans. Tell me, what does all this have to do with Viktor's alleged plans?

Lumen watched him for a moment before answering. His voice was soft but loaded with meaning.

-He has his own motives, Carver. I'm certain of it. I can't give you a definitive answer, but I know for a fact that what he's looking for here isn't just power, resources, or reports. The VE project is not just a failed experiment. It is the key to something much bigger. Viktor has spent years searching for clues to this project. He has raided compounds all over the continent, and I know this because I have researched you. You and the other selected teams found the location of the hidden base behind the disappearance of the Gen-Asaris.

Carver clenched his fists, aware that Lumen had been watching him and his late team for some time. She knew how to act; she was waiting for them. But who was using whom? The soldier was flooded with uncertainty and unanswered questions.

"You told me I had to sacrifice something very important," he demanded, seeking at least one answer to so many questions.

Lumen was silent for a moment before answering.

-Go ahead and find out the truth for yourself. But be careful, Carver. You may find more than you can handle. I will ensure your choice is safe. You have my word, soldier. This complex is under my care.