[#1 Proceeding with the 22nd experiment log today. As laboratory director, I intend to leave an audio record. The objective of this trial is the creation of a novel lifeform, a protocol already established by the Priestess and the Doctor after ten iterations. Such obstacles were anticipated.]
[#7 Attempted to emulate the Feranmut's ritual consciousness-linkage failed. It transcends mere biometrics.]
[#21 Failure. We're now cannibalizing the quantum simulator and terraforming scenario models for parts. Damn it, what idiot runs simulations in the field without groundwork? Bring information and funding!]
[#32 Success, for now. Cultivation achieved. Though merely a tissue fragment, it exhibits greater structural equilibrium and stability than prior attempts.]
[#34 Damn it. Failure. Genetic integrity collapsed entirely. The culture devolved into unstructured biomass, mirroring the disintegration of my past ten days. Yet growth data was salvaged—a marginal advance.]
[#39 Collation of acquired data yields a hypothesis. Among the Feranmut, a select lineage—termed 'Noise' for brevity—embeds a colossal will within their consciousness-sharing, which assaults the cultures. Alternatively, the cultures may fail to acclimate to their primigenitive data, but the former hypothesis holds greater veracity. Countering it demands an opposing titanic volition. Survival instinct proves insufficient. Something... more is required.]
[#68 Firstborn Project's composite consciousness is scrapped. Even outpacing computation, predicated on a singular dominant emitter, it cannot rival such immensity. Accordingly, deploying personality and cognition synchronization to strip the culture's free will, prioritizing survival and proliferation.]
[#71 Success. The culture grows without disintegration, mental indices stabilizing. But why the infernal halo and wings? Feranmut lineage, subsumed by Lexicon computation, manifests variance—but not to this degree.]
[#72 The Feranmut's innate taxonomy classifies 'Noise' as evolving from bloodline-historic shared unconsciousness. Hitherto, we parsed its effects to gauge interfacing viability with baseline Feranmut; yet they instinctively—or by that damned colossal will—sense an abhorrent chasm and recoil. Severing the bloodline tether appears the sole recourse.]
[#80 Primigenitive blood contamination indeed suppresses halo-and-wing reactions as Lexicon side-effects. Consciousness-sharing regresses to base sensory expression, but Lexicon data communion persists intact. Viable for further extraction.]
[#86 Now the Lexicon is the issue. It treats cultures as utilitarian survival units with quantifiable value, autonomous from our directives. Hypocritical to critique, having revoked their agency—but this isn't how one handles lifeforms. Damn it, should I have voted against?]
[#100 Transaction executed. With an entity of obscure Feranmut origins. May it harbor no malice toward humankind.]
[#102 Within the culture, three entities contend, partitioning domains. The vessel has ruptured over ten times already. The culture persists in indeterminate viability.]
[#110 The Priestess expressed interest in our work. Organic-quantum informational architecture, was it? She proposed employing it to enlarge the vessel; deferred for now. Proficiency in managing the trio is emerging—no need to pivot.]
[#121 The Priestess introduced the Doctor to us. Prolonged trials had exhausted me and my colleagues; upper echelons regarded us with suspicion. Must I beseech his aid?]
[#3 23rd experiment log. The Doctor's integration has accelerated progress exponentially. Budgets exceed initial allocations; culture mortality and collapse rates diminished meaningfully. He claims 'discourse' with the Trader... incomprehensible. Regardless, success. Respite, at last.]
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The recorder halted audio capture, departing his office for the laboratory. His stride lightened, yet his visage bore the weight of sunk costs as he entered.
“Ah, Director. You've arrived.”
“Indeed. Bioreadings and activity?”
“All stable. Extraction safe today.”
“Good. Finally, something beyond the incubator's crushed flesh-pile or biomass clump.”
The researcher's tepid chuckle met the Director's wry remark before retreating.
The Director eyed the retreating figure intently, then greeted an approaching man.
“Pleased to meet you. Doctor, gratitude for this collaboration.”
“Unnecessary. Personal intrigue drew me; first handling of noncanonical Feranmut. Meaningful for me too. Rather, I'm curious how you transacted with them. Share post-completion?”
“Of course.”
The Director's gaze shifted to AMa-10, shadow-silent attendant at the Doctor's flank, dutiful as servitor.
After clasping hands in greeting, the Director fixed cold eyes on the glass column brimming with azure fluid. Perspiration slicked palms wiped futilely on sleeves and lapels.
“Commence operation.”
Researchers manned stations, monitoring vitals as procedures initiated.
“Nutrient slurry purge in: 10... 9... 8.”
Countdown complete, blue effluent drained via channels, unveiling the contour within. Radiation scans and holograms familiar; naked-eye observation novel. Frailer than anticipated—perhaps overlaid by predecessors' agonized demises.
White tresses, aureate-irised eyes; from scapular roots, three pairs of vast white wings disproportionate to frame, furled to enshroud entirely.
Exhaustion pinned it slump-shouldered to the floor, head lolling inertly. Mindful not to startle, the Director advanced measuredly, addressing it.
“Welcome. Much to discuss, but first: who are you?”
Who? Philosophy cascades, yet utterance simplifies to one.
“I... don't know.”
Hearing it, the Director bit his lip against surging elation. Staff stifled breaths amid private reveries; for him, jubilation premature.
“Any sense of... connection?”
“Something... a thread, gossamer-thin. To what, I cannot discern.”
Further queries and validations ensued; satisfied, the Director withdrew.
“Name assigned to the subject?”
“Ah, that. Neglected, frankly. Pre-you, success uncertain, timeline indeterminate. Post-collaboration, days insufficient. Nameless still.”
The Director paused mid-reply, then proffered:
“Erael, perhaps? Suits the form.”
“Erael. Angelic connotation.”
“Apt. Proof and chronicler of this land's upheavals past and pending; witness, scribe—though scantly scribal, merely traversing eras. Inaugural Lexicon user, besides. Fitting, no?”
“So be it.”
In truth, the Director cared little. Experiment concluded; the entity now the Doctor's purview. Mere fulfillment of protocol: final nomenclature.
[#3 Experiment wholly successful. Subject manifests free will as individual; primal immortality and consciousness-sharing intact. Reiterating: success. Log terminated.]
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