Yve opened one of the cabinets and retrieved a vial. She carefully poured the remaining blood from the vial she had taken from Jenkins' table into a new specimen capsule before sealing it. She inserted the new capsule into a designated slot on the laboratory table. "Nine... scan the sample and read the data for me."
A mechanical arm slid out from beneath the table. Its articulated fingers secured the capsule before extracting a small sample of blood.
The arm retracted into the table.
A series of unfamiliar instruments activated inside the laboratory as Nine began analyzing the sample.
Several minutes passed.
Then Nine spoke. "Sample analysis complete. The biological composition has been successfully identified."
A holographic display illuminated above the table, revealing a detailed breakdown of the blood's composition. Genetic material, cellular structures, proteins, and other biological components appeared across the interface.
Nine continued. "Approximately ninety percent of the genetic material is consistent with Homo sapiens, the species classified as humans."
Yve stared at the display.
"There is also an additional ten percent of genetic material that I cannot match to any viable reference within my current database."
Yve's expression tightened.
"How would you like me to proceed?"
Yve looked at the holographic display before turning her attention to the notes Jenkins had left behind. "Scan these documents for me. What do they say?"
She spread the notes across the table.
Nine accessed the ARC's internal security system and redirected one of the laboratory's cameras toward the documents. The camera adjusted its focus, zooming in on the handwritten notes.
The holographic display began translating the text.
"The report contains detailed observations concerning an anomaly detected in Dylan's blood."
Yve's attention sharpened.
"The notes describe a mysterious bluish luminescence appearing within the blood at intervals of approximately thirty seconds. The source of the luminescence could not be identified."
Another section of the report appeared on the holographic display.
"The anomaly remained undetectable through the instruments available to the researcher, including an optical microscope. The notes also indicate that even advanced Siren ocular analysis failed to identify the source."
Yve froze. "Dylan?" She looked back at the specimen capsule. "So this is Dylan's blood?" Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "Are you certain there isn't a match for that additional ten percent of genetic material?"
Nine paused. "I apologize. My previous analysis was incomplete."
Yve looked toward the holographic display.
"I initially searched only the available biological databases relevant to Earth, the Sol System, and the records of the Siren civilization." The holographic interface shifted as Nine began expanding the search parameters. "I will conduct a comprehensive search across the Galactic Web."
Yve clenched her fist. "Do it."
Nine began the search while Yve retrieved Jenkins' optical microscope from the table.
Before touching anything else, she studied the arrangement of the equipment, trying to remember how everything had been positioned before she moved the items until she was satisfied. "Nine, pull up a video on how to use this thing."
Nine paused.
A separate holographic display appeared above the table. An archival recording loaded onto the screen, showing a human optical microscope preserved within a transparent containment field.
The recording demonstrated the microscope's operation while an accompanying narration explained the function of its components.
Yve followed the demonstration carefully, adjusting the slide, positioning the objective lens, and turning the focus controls until the image beneath the microscope came into view.
"Comprehensive research complete," Nine announced.
Yve leaned toward the eyepiece. "Go on. What are your findings?" She adjusted the focus again.
"I did not identify a complete match for the anomalous genetic signature," Nine said. "However, I found several partial matches. The strongest results show approximately thirty to forty percent correspondence."
Yve continued examining the sample. "That's the highest match?"
"Yes. Interestingly, three separate biological records share approximately the same degree of correspondence."
Yve lifted her head slightly.
"They are classified under three different biological categories." The holographic display shifted. "The first is a microorganism." Another entry appeared. "The second is a botanical organism." A third entry appeared beneath it. "And the third is a documented disease."
Yve looked between the three entries. "What are they?"
"The microorganism is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It has been documented on multiple planets, including Aerugin, Burgisian, Earth, Fatima, and Ganimea."
Yve glanced at the name but said nothing.
"The botanical organism is Selaginella lepidophylla, only found on planet Earth. And the third match is a Nymthe-specific disease known as Aurexian Metabolic Disorder."
Yve narrowed her eyes. "What do they have in common?"
Nine brought up additional information concerning each record. "The microorganism demonstrates unusually high environmental adaptability. The botanical organism is capable of surviving extreme dehydration and restoring normal biological activity when exposed to suitable conditions. Aurexian Metabolic Disorder involves periodic changes in cellular metabolic activity and abnormal tissue response."
Yve looked back through the microscope. "Survival mechanism..."
"Indeed. What would you like me to do next?" Nine asked.
Yve lifted her head and looked toward the morphogenic chamber. "Is the ARC's morphogenic chamber still functional?"
"Checking." Nine ran a diagnostic and security test on the chamber. "There seems to be a malfunction in the chamber's vacuum function, but overall it remains functional."
Yve nodded. "Good. Do a full sanitization. I'm going in."
"Understood."
Yve prepared herself before heading toward the decontamination shower. Once the sanitization cycle was complete, she carefully took the specimen capsule and placed it into one of the chamber's designated arms.
She stepped inside.
The chamber sealed behind her.
Yve's body began to transform. Scales spread across her skin as fins emerged along her body, covering her completely and changing her appearance into that of a full predator. She looked toward the equipment surrounding her before turning her attention to the isolation array. "Let's do a morphogenic trial on what it can do."
"Trial initialization. Would you like a full-spectrum trial?"
Yve glanced toward the chamber's equipment. "I'm not inside this chamber to dance now, am I?"
"Understood."
One of the chamber's arms moved toward the specimen capsule and extracted another drop of blood. It carried the sample toward the dormant morphogenic nanite array positioned inside the chamber.
The sample was introduced into the array.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then the mass of nanites began to move.
Billions of microscopic machines gathered together, flowing across the chamber floor before rising into a dense black shape. The swarm gradually formed a rough humanoid silhouette, its surface shifting continuously as individual nanites moved across one another.
Yve watched as the form responded to the sample.
Nine's voice came from the chamber. "Biological data integrated. Morphogenic parameters established."
Yve narrowed her eyes. "Show me what this anomaly is capable of."
The black form moved.
It charged toward her.
Yve ducked beneath it and struck the swarm as it passed. The Morphogenic Form responded immediately, delivering a kick that sent her across the chamber.
Yve recovered and looked back at it.
The black silhouette continued attacking.
Nine adjusted its movements with each exchange, using the biological data extracted from the sample to reproduce Dylan's physical coordination and combat behavior. The nanites maintained the general human morphology while Nine controlled the form's movements according to the analyzed characteristics.
After several exchanges, Yve raised a hand.
"Alright, stop."
The Morphogenic Form immediately ceased its movement.
Yve remained where she was, catching her breath as she studied the black silhouette. "That's weird..." She took another breath. "Its fighting skills aren't even that different. Its movements and coordination are completely human. Frankly, it's more like how Dylan fights."
"The Homo sapiens genetic material is playing a crucial role in the morphogenic configuration."
Yve frowned. "I don't get it..." She studied the form for another moment before looking toward the chamber controls. "Flood the chamber. And activate the form again. Let's see how it moves underwater."
Nine activated the flooding system.
Water began pouring into the chamber.
Yve's legs fused into a long tail as the water submerged her. Once the chamber had filled, she turned toward the Morphogenic Form.
It moved toward her.
Yve engaged it in the water, testing how the form responded to the change in environment. The black swarm adjusted its movements as Nine processed the new conditions, maintaining its humanoid structure while adapting its behavior to the surrounding water.
Yve circled around it before striking from the side. The form recovered and pursued her through the chamber.
After several exchanges, Yve raised her hand.
"Stop."
The Morphogenic Form immediately stopped.
Yve caught her breath and looked down at the sword that had manifested in her hand. She reshaped it, the blade dissolving and reforming into her bow.
She drew the string.
An energy arrow began taking shape between her fingers, its light illuminating the water around her.
"Adjust your calculations, Nine. I want to know its reaction speed."
Yve released the string.
The energy arrow shot through the water.
The Morphogenic Form caught it.
Yve's eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply stared at the black figure. Then a smirk appeared across her face. "Interesting..."
Yve released her grip on the bow, and its form dissolved back into the surrounding water.
She turned toward the chamber door and opened it.
The water remained suspended inside the morphogenic chamber. A transparent barrier had formed across the doorway, preventing it from spilling into the laboratory.
Yve passed through the barrier. As she stepped onto the laboratory floor, her tail began to diffuse, separating back into her legs.
She looked toward the chamber. "Give me all the data, Nine. Send it to my tablet."
"Understood."
And with that, she walked away.
~~~
Lucas opened the gates of Havenwall as the sun began to set.
The scavenging group had finally returned.
Ethan was in the lead car. He reached over and woke Dylan from his sleep before parking and stepping outside. His eyes immediately went toward the enormous black structure hovering above the medical building. He looked at Lucas.
Lucas glanced toward the ARC. "Ahh... some kind of Siren vehicle."
Joan scoffed. "Really? I thought some alien species were here... like... I don't even want to ask anymore."
Dylan glanced toward the ARC.
Lucas looked at him. "What happened to him?"
"Don't know."
Lucas and Ethan exchanged a look before sharing a brief brotherly hug.
Lucas then welcomed the rest of the team, patting Joan on the back, shaking Victor's hand, and hugging Derek and the other two men as they stepped out of the vehicles.
Derek looked up at the ARC. "Now that'll be highly classified."
Lucas chuckled. "Highly classified wouldn't even be enough for that."
Dylan looked around. "Where's Yve?"
"Up there..." Lucas replied, pointing toward the ARC.
Ethan looked up. "Yeah... how do you get up there, though?"
"Go to the rooftop of the medical building and shout."
Ethan stared at him for a moment. Then he bolted toward the medical building. "I'm going in hot!" he shouted as he took off running.
Lucas looked toward Dylan and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "You alright?"
Dylan nodded, wiping the sweat from his forehead before giving Lucas a pat on the shoulder in return. "Gotta go." He then turned and walked toward the medical building. He looked pale. Sweat covered his face, and his breathing remained heavy as he limped toward the entrance.
Meanwhile, Ethan had already reached the rooftop. His youthful stamina was something else. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted toward the ARC. "Yve! Yve! Can I get inside?"
Inside the ARC, Yve remained seated in the laboratory, reading through the data on her tablet.
Nine's voice interrupted her. "Security alert."
A holographic display appeared above the table, showing the camera feed from the rooftop. Ethan stood there, looking up at the ARC as he shouted.
Yve looked at the screen. "They're back." She tapped the display. "Let him in."
"Understood."
Nine activated the access system.
A staircase began forming beneath the ARC, extending down toward the medical building as the entrance to the bridge opened.
Ethan immediately ran inside.
His excitement was obvious as he climbed the stairs, running his palms along the walls and examining the strange material beneath his hands. He looked around in genuine amazement, taking in everything around him.
Yve stepped out of the laboratory and into the bridge.
Ethan spotted her. "Yve."
Yve smiled. "Are you really that excited?"
Ethan nodded enthusiastically. "Aha!" He immediately walked over and hugged her.
After a moment, he pulled back and looked around the bridge again. "What is this thing, though?"
Yve gestured toward the ARC around them. "One of the Sirens' greatest inventions regarding transportation."
Ethan's expression changed. "Damn! I've never been in an alien ship before... or Siren ship?"
Yve nodded. "Yes."
Ethan's jaw dropped. He turned away from her and began looking around the bridge, completely bedazzled by everything he saw. "This is so awesome!"
Yve gave him a look. "It's also capable of deep-sea exploration and can withstand immense amounts of pressure. It can also fly faster than the speed of light once it's in the vacuum of space."
Ethan nodded, looking around the bridge again. "No doubt in that." He moved toward the control table and began fiddling with the controls.
Fortunately, the ARC's current position was locked. Without Virellis authorization, the vessel could not be moved.
Yve watched him for a moment before chuckling. "I'm going to Dylan. Don't go pressing anything, alright? You might trigger a security protocol... it's pretty dangerous."
Ethan stopped and looked at her. He nodded. "Aha."
He watched Yve leave before sitting back down in the captain's chair. The moment he settled into it, his eyebrows rose.
"Whoa... feels like I'm sinking in."
The chair was so comfortable that it barely felt like a chair at all, especially not one meant for a ship.
Ethan looked toward the series of controls spread across the table in front of him as his curiosity took over.
He pressed one of the buttons.
Nothing happened.
He waited for a moment, watching the interface.
Still nothing.
He pressed another.
"Access denied."
Ethan jumped. "Oh... wait, what?" He stared at the control table. After a moment, he pressed the same button again.
"Access denied."
Ethan pulled his hand back. "Whoa... where are you?" He looked around the bridge. "What are you? Is the table talking?"
"No, the table is not talking."
"Holy crap!" Ethan froze as he covered his mouth with both hands, staring at the control table. After a moment, he lowered them. "Who are you? Show yourself."
The holographic interface beside the chair shifted. A humanoid figure began materializing next to Ethan, forming piece by piece until Nine stood beside the chair. The hologram was remarkably lifelike, with enough detail that Ethan instinctively recoiled and fell out of the chair.
"Whoa, whoa! Where the hell did you come from?"
"You asked me to show myself. Here I am."
Ethan stared at him from the floor. "Yeah, okay... but what are you?"
"I am MatrIX."
"Matrix?"
"Yes. MatrIX. Multi-domain Adaptive Trans-Galactic Relay Intelligence eXchange." Nine paused. "But you may call me Nine."
Ethan got back onto his feet and cautiously reached toward him. His fingers passed through the holographic figure. "So... like... a super lifelike AI?"
"In simple-minded terms, yes. A super lifelike artificial intelligence."
Ethan's eyes widened. "Damn... look at those details."
Nine remained standing as Ethan moved closer, examining his entire body. "You know, for a alien AI... you look extremely human."
"I reshape my appearance depending on the user I am communicating with so as not to discomfort them. Would you like me to change back?"
Ethan scoffed. "Holy freaking hell! Yes, please."
Nine's form immediately changed. His humanoid appearance dissolved, replaced by an abstract structure composed of countless numbers and symbols. Most of them were variations of zeros and ones, constantly shifting across his form.
Ethan's jaw dropped. "So... you're full of numbers?"
"Indeed. I am made up of numbers."
"Well, I don't want to look at numbers. Change it back."
Nine reshaped himself into his humanoid form.
Ethan stared at him in amazement. "That is so cool..." He paused, then looked at Nine again. "Wait... if you're really an AI, how long have you been around? 'Cause we only had ChatGPT for months before the world shot to hell."
Nine regarded him. "Would you like an answer in Earth years, or the Galactic calendar?"
Ethan frowned. "Okay hotshot, let's try Earth years."
Nine paused. "In Earth years, I am approximately twelve thousand years old."
Ethan's expression immediately changed. "TWELVE THOUSAND?"
Nine remained composed. "Yes."
"Jesus Christ..." Ethan stared at him. "Okay. And what's that in the Galactic calendar?"
"Approximately thirty-eight years."
Ethan blinked. "Only thirty-eight?"
"Yes."
Ethan stared at Nine for several seconds before shaking his head. "Okay, whatever. I guess I'm still trying to process the fact that I'm standing inside a freaking alien spaceship talking to an AI."
A brief pause.
Then Ethan added, "But if you guys have always been out there..." He looked back at Nine. "How come we humans never knew?"
"A good question deserving of a good answer." Nine's expression remained calm. "The answer is the existing Non-Interference Accord. It prohibits advanced intelligent civilizations from socializing with humans, interacting with them, or even visiting Earth, with the exception of the Sirens and Mayans, who have primarily lived on Earth for much of recorded history."
Ethan stared at him. "Really? Something like that exists?"
"Yes."
"Why, though? Is it because we're gonna get probed up our asses?"
Nine paused. "No. That is a typical stereotype exaggerated by humans and popularized by an organization known as Hollywood."
Ethan frowned. "Then what exactly is the Non-Interference Accord?"
Nine regarded him. "It is an agreement established between advanced intelligent civilizations prohibiting direct interference with humanity."
Ethan snorted. "Why would y'all need an agreement like that?"
Nine continued. "The actual reason dates back to the mass executions that occurred between 1500 and 1660 Earth time."
Ethan's expression changed.
"That period is commonly known in human history as the peak of the witch-hunt trials.. In reality, thousands of Nymthe, Mayans, Sirens, and Druids were executed."
Ethan's jaw dropped.
"Seventy percent of those executed were Nymthe, a civilization known for its kindness, generosity, intelligence, and strong connection with nature. Many had entered human societies with the intention of sharing their knowledge and helping humanity advance."
Ethan's smile disappeared.
"When the Nymthian High Council learned of the mass execution of their people, they decided that their civilization could no longer intervene in human affairs." Nine's holographic form remained still. "The decision triggered discussions among intelligent races across the Milky Way Galaxy. Other civilizations joined the ban, and on December 28, 1659, the Non-Interference Accord was formally enacted."
Ethan said nothing.
"The Accord remains active to this day. It prohibits non-human civilizations from revealing themselves to humanity, interacting with humans, providing assistance to them, or merely visiting Earth."
Nine paused.
"There are limited exceptions for the Sirens and Mayans, as both civilizations have established populations that have lived alongside humanity on Earth."
Ethan stood there, staring at Nine.
For several seconds, he didn't say anything. He was trying to process what he had just learned. "I knew it..."
Nine looked toward him.
"You know, I'm a die-hard fan of mythology. I've always known there was something wrong with the way the witch hunts were described. I just never knew why." He shook his head. "I didn't expect the truth to be that bad..."
Nine remained silent.
Ethan looked back at him. "Then... that means the Sirens are breaking the Accord, right? Since they're involved with us now?"
He hesitated.
"What happens to them? Are they gonna be jailed? Executed?"
"Not necessarily." Nine's response came without hesitation. "Their circumstances are fundamentally different from those of civilizations that only visit Earth. The Accord therefore grants them provisions that do not apply to other signatories."
Ethan listened.
"The Sirens, Mayans, and humans share the same planet. Complete non-interference is therefore impractical. Contact between these civilizations is inevitable."
Ethan nodded. "So they're allowed to interact with us?"
"To a degree." Nine continued.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "So if the high-ranking leaders find out the Sirens have exposed themselves to humans, what happens?"
"A number of reasonable outcomes are possible, depending on the decision of the High Council of each civilization. Execution is one of them."
Ethan exhaled. "That's not good."
Nine continued. "The Accord also takes the characteristics of each civilization into consideration when determining how its provisions are applied."
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The Sirens are known for their unyielding persistence. The Mayans are similarly known for their stubbornness. The other signatories recognized that imposing identical restrictions on both civilizations would be impractical."
Ethan snorted. "Yeah. That sounds about right."
Nine continued. "As a result, the Sirens and Mayans were given greater discretion in determining the nature and extent of their interactions with humanity."
Ethan nodded. "So what's the difference between them?"
"The Mayans have largely chosen isolation, maintaining strict limitations on their interactions with human societies. Their exposure to humanity is therefore considerably more limited. Meanwhile, the Sirens have taken a different approach. Their continued interaction with humans has provided them with greater access to social, biological, behavioral, and other areas of human study."
Ethan stared at the display. "So the Sirens basically decided to study us."
"In a manner of speaking."
Ethan scratched his head. "That's... actually kind of creepy."
Nine studied him for a moment. "Am I correct in assuming that you are thinking the Sirens experimented on humans?"
Ethan stared at him. "Damn. You really are intelligent, huh?"
"Your expression and previous questions made the possibility reasonably apparent."
Ethan scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... kind of."
Nine continued. "There are no recorded incidents or known whistleblowers concerning extreme experimentation on living human subjects."
Ethan listened.
"On human bodies, however, it is a known field of research to this day."
Ethan's grin immediately disappeared. "Ehhh..."
Nine continued as if he had stated another ordinary fact. "Most of the bodies used in such research are recovered from the oceans and rivers."
Ethan's expression twisted. "Yeah... that's..." He rubbed his face. "I don't know. That's unfair." He looked back at Nine. "I didn't think I'd get gut-punched in here. Thanks, Nine... I guess."
"You are welcome."