The Solution (2nd Edition)

Chapter 1 - Skye, And The Dying Matriarch, Widow Lai - Suki

After retrieving Chon and yí mā from Old Russia, Cassius had died.

    And I missed him, even though it had been eight years since he passed away. This was because along with my aunt, Cassius had picked up where yí bā, my untcle Tengfei, had left off. And between them, they had made my orphaned soul feel, loved. Once he'd gone, Dynasty's doctors performed his post-mortem and determined that Cassius' death was of natural causes. But to those who really knew him, we agreed that his sore, lonely heart, was probably the cause. While my aunt laid in cryogenic stasis, it was also probable that watching over the lifeless widow had taken its toll on him.

    Now, Cassius' passing might have jeopardized the remaining Phases of The Shadow Project. However, between him and yí mā, they had prepared for any eventuality, even their deaths. Intensively, they'd groomed and mentored an apprentice who they had deemed worthy.

    Me.

    And thanks to their teachings throughout The Solution years, I was now a formidable doctor and masterful in a varied range of the sciences. Aboard Dwarven Earthian Star, I had inherited the cryogenics lab, as well as the role of Shadow Project Caretaker. And essentially, I was now the one watching over my comatose aunt. But aside from that important task, The Elders had left me with some profound instructions. Quoting yí Myā before she had left the dwarf, she said: 'Niece, no matter the cost, train her... No matter the obstacles, enlighten her...'

    Lastly, once my second cousin, Skye, was able to communicate effectively, I was to summon the family. And subsequently, the junior was now fully conversant, and ten years old, today...

    Skulking around with a purpose, I'd performed my final checks. Moments later, everything inside of the cryogenics lab was ready for the presentation. This included two strange-looking machines which were placed either side of my elevated aunt. The machines were also connected to her horizontal pod via intravenous tubes and electrical cables. As instructed, my next course of action was to invite four important people here - our other family members. "Time to send out a multiple mind-message," I reminded myself in murmur. "It's time to ask them to bring their gifts..."

    A short period of time soon passed.

Then the lab's external sensor began to pick up movement.

        They had arrived.

    "...Here, we, go," I further whispered, forcing myself to be calm. "Yí mā, I hope this goes to plan..." Nervously, I decrypted and then dematerialized the holo-field to allow access. And understandably, three of my kin sauntered in with pace and stood defensively - their body languages showing signs of frustration.

    However, the fourth member dragged her little feet, while her aura gave off an attitude which was juvenile and aloof. "Every day I have to come here and watch her sleep. What's the point?" Skye asked. "I want to be here when she finally wakes up."