"Welcome to the LiSD Program. For a world free from the suffering that our ancestors went through, for a world free of pain, we offer you LiSD serum."
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Intended for mature readers, rated R (18+) for the subjects dealing with strong language, se...
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A very Happy Halloween to each and every one of you! 🎃
I hope you enjoyed this short, sweet, and eerie sci-fi tale. Well, maybe not sweet, but definitely gory with a dash of futuristic intrigue. I've been itching to write a sci-fi story for quite some time, and Halloween seemed like the perfect occasion to let the creative sparks fly. Who doesn't love a chilling mix of blood, science, and suspense, right? Don't be surprised if I churn out a few more short stories over the next few months.
And for those of you following my novel, "It's Not Love," rest assured—it's nearing the finish line! I plan to upload the entire story on Scrollstack for a very reasonable price, but if you're patient, regular updates will still continue here, twice a week as usual. And for fans of the Pyar Paradise Universe, worry not, the other books are making steady progress, so exciting things are on the horizon!
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty! I've invented a few terms for this story, and I wanted to provide a brief glossary to enhance your understanding of the world I've built:
Hiranyarakt This term is derived from the Sanskrit words "Hiranya" (meaning gold) and "Rakt" (meaning blood). Together, they translate to "Golden Blood."
LiSD LiSD is a complex concoction—a medical marvel that combines stimulating agents like erythropoietin (which promotes the production of red blood cells) and various growth factors essential for tissue regeneration, blood formation, and wound healing. It's also infused with nerve-numbing agents to dull pain.
JaL JaL is a futuristic substance, a topical gel that functions as a super-concentrated form of water. A single finger-full of JaL holds the hydration power of twenty liters of water. In this universe, where resources are scarce, JaL is invaluable—an advanced solution to the water crisis.
Golden Blood Clones Clones like Durga and Rudra are genetically engineered beings. They are part of an experiment to create the "Golden Blood" type, combining rare and elusive genes like Rh null and hh gene type, among others. The result is a highly specialized blood type with null antigens, making it resistant to RaKti A 290. These clones are created through a controlled cross-breeding process where manipulated and stabilized genes are introduced into ova and semen, resulting in beings that embody the perfection of this rare bloodline.
If you're curious, the Rh null blood type is an actual medical phenomenon, often referred to as "Golden Blood" due to its extreme rarity (less than 60 cases known worldwide!). For a pop culture reference, think of the rare Bombay Blood group, as seen in the movie Kahaani.
Dreamscape Dreamscape is a technological innovation that ties into the LiSD program. When clones are treated with LiSD, their neurological networks link up, creating a shared dream world where they can connect with each other on a subconscious level. It's a dimension where memories, desires, and fears intermingle—a place where their collective experiences converge.
RaKti A 290 RaKti A 290 is a highly lethal virus that replicates at a terrifying speed—every 290 seconds. It specifically targets glycoproteins and glycolipid antigens on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs), which are responsible for blood typing. In this world, most people have antigens on their RBCs, but the clones, with their "Golden Blood," lack these markers, making them immune to the virus. (Note: Rh null blood is also referred to as Golden Blood in the real world, but in this story, it has a unique twist. So, don't get confused!)
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Q AND A:
Q: Why does the LiSD treatment occur every 31 days? A: The LiSD program is all about keeping things natural—well, as "natural" as farming clones can be! Think of it like choosing organic or free-range options at the grocery store. Just like how we want our food free from pesticides or artificial additives, these folks make sure the clones are raised in an optimal, stress-free environment. No toxins, no stress hormones, no nasty surprises—just pure, high-quality blood. The 31-day cycle aligns with the natural rhythms of the human body (much like the menstrual cycle, which typically spans 28-40 days), allowing time for the clones to replenish their blood and ensuring the product remains pure and toxin-free.
Q: Why aren't the clones aware of their true situation? A: The entire system is designed to prevent clones from realizing they are part of a larger, sinister program. Awareness would cause stress, anxiety, and rebellion, triggering stress hormones like cortisol, which would compromise the quality of their blood. The illusion of freedom keeps them docile, ensuring that their blood remains optimal for extraction.
Q: What does it mean to die in Dreamscape? A: Death in Dreamscape isn't merely a physical cessation—it's the total erasure of memory. When a clone "dies" in this shared subconscious space, they lose all traces of their past self, essentially wiping them clean for a new cycle. But they are restored with the memories essential to lead their normal life.
Q: Why are blood transfusions performed every 100 days? A: The average lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days, so performing transfusions every 100 days ensures the recipients have fresh, healthy blood. Since the recipients' genes are shut off to prevent the production of compromised blood (which might contain the RaKti A 290 virus recognition sites), they rely entirely on these transfusions to survive. That's why the recipients' blood is so different from the clones'. While the clones' blood is rich and dense, the recipients' blood is much weaker, constantly depleted due to their dwindling red blood cells (RBCs).
Q: Why is the physical relationship between Rudra and Durga significant? A: It's a deeply primal emotion. Carnal desire taps into something ancient, and studies suggest that sex with an emotional connection actually enhances memory retention. So, even though the clones have their memories wiped, fragments of their love and connection still linger in their brains, like echoes of something they can't fully forget—hinting at something more profound and human within their genetically altered existence.
Q: Why hasn't Durga tried to escape? A: Well, her deep dive into all that information led to her... yeah, transforming into Gauri. So, it's pretty clear why she can't just stage a prison break now.
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I hope this glossary clarifies some of the intricate elements of the story! Oh, and fun fact: the names Durga/Gauri and Rudra are inspired by the Hindu deities Shakti and Shiva, the cosmic forces of creation and destruction. So... could there be a divine showdown of sorts in the future? Maybe. Maybe not. Only time will tell—and this author might explore it when the time is right.
If you've got any more questions or thoughts, feel free to drop them in the comments here! I'll do my best to answer them. Please keep it restricted here as other readers can avoid asking the same questions.
