Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

access to any form of retaliation though abilities. I have found that a suspension of Brooksian particles exhibits enough of a resonance that, when interspersed in the blood, it breaks host-to-Nth communication. The only caveat being that the body filters these particles out quite quickly, with a half-life of only 28 minutes. Constant replenishment via intravenous feed is required at this stage to maintain the effect. More work is needed to improve substantivity to sustain results.

Overall, I am quite proud of my formulation, and its efficacy has exceeded my initial forecasts. Currently, optimal results are available only through intravenous introduction of the drugs into the test subject. It is my hope that further development will allow for a more passive absorption protocol. While still in its initial phases, plans to create an aerosol form would be useful in phase 3.

Samples and Nth Isolation

I have been able to take samples and catalog all major organ systems for further evaluation. It is possible there is something in the subject’s genome that makes him more resilient or easier to sync with the Nth. Unlike other supers, I have not been able to isolate individual Nth. Typically, when removing a sample of significant size, there will be Nth embedded in the sample. Removal and isolation from the host will stimulate the Nth to revert to a pluripotent stage. These can then be manipulated and used for other purposes, while still maintaining their current “generation.” This process has not been improved upon since my father developed the technique.

Another complication arises in this subject: the existing Nth abandon the sample and revert to the host. They repopulate the replacement granulation tissue and eventually resume their normal operation and function when the wound site heals. Attempts to amputate limbs are met with significant resistance. Nth build up on the surface of the affected tissue and form a lattice that actively resists and retaliates, dulling and removing teeth on saw blades. It is an effect I have never observed until now. Attempts to amputate multiple limbs were similarly unsuccessful, with subsequent attempts losing more efficacy as the Nth fought back with increased skill and vigor. Very curious.

Currently, I have not been able to isolate one single Nth for study. I will have to temper my curiosity until I reap the full benefits of examining the subject. But this behavior warrants considerable study and follow up.

Meridians

Foundation node is entirely occluded, no circulation detected. I suspect Mandrite poisoning. Remaining centers are stagnant as well; they show up as dark and necrotic. I have not seen this level of corruption or even that it could occur to this extent. Even those ignorant of the intricacies of Ka have a passive flow that correlates to Intelligence stat levels. After initial tests and tissue collection, I will attempt to extract this and see if a portion of this Mandrite essence can be refined and recalibrated for transfer.

Subject has revealed no knowledge of managing flows after interrogation, which was to be expected.

Studying the physical effects of this stenosis and how it manifests in the body is a matter of interest. How does one affect the other? Can one suffer a Ka stroke with insufficient flows? All of it is new territory. This subject alone may be insufficient to understand the phenomenon, so I will have to get creative with some of the samples I have procured to this point.

Timeline

I expect to be finished with preliminary research results in approximately two more days. Then I will allow myself two days to investigate the issue with meridians in more depth. Depending on what I am able to discover and what samples reveal, I will determine if a complete unravelling event would be warranted to isolate these unique Nth as the body degrades. I hesitate because these unique effects possibly will not be reproduced in a cloned sample. Much too many possible variables at this time.

Chapter Sixty-Five

Sugar, We’re Goin Down

Yuki had to relax and wiggle her jaw. She had been taking out her frustration on a couple pieces of gum and the effort had made it start to cramp. She looked up at the room and noticed that it was dark. She could barely see that it was almost 3 AM on her Otaku clock on the wall in the blue glow emanating from her monitor.

Despite many different approaches, she was prevented from accessing certain logs and administrative communications. Like most corporations, Purple Faction employed artificial intelligence to protect its core data. Unlike most, it was a Tier IV, the highest ranked class of protection. Knowing her father, he had probably designed this particular one to be impressive. His ego would allow nothing less. Especially since he would feel the need to compensate for any weaknesses that Yuki could possibly demonstrate.

Damn, though. Yuki could not get what she needed without an outright confrontation against the AI and she had never battled a Tier IV, even in simulation; those had come out after she had joined Purple. If her father held to tradition, which he most assuredly did, Tier IV was an order of magnitude more powerful than anything she had ever fought in Tier III.

On top of that fact was that if she failed, the feedback would incapacitate her, and she would be at the mercy of whatever weirdness was going on here. She had been out for three days when she had lost a battle while still working simulations for her father’s company. Even an attempt would almost certainly get her kicked out of Purple Faction for treason, as well as blacklisting her from joining either Green or Orange.

She leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms wide. Satisfying yet disturbing bone popping sounds as her back extended.

“Posture, Yuki, a young woman should have poise,” her mother’s words echoed back to her. Whatever happened, she couldn’t go back. The constant correction and pruning like she was a bonsai tree, just to keep her small and in their prescribed form. She doubted they would