EX-EXTINCTION
The eve of humanity’s evolution is coming to a close. Like the early primates that we sacrificed when we deemed their evolutionary worth was at usefulness’ end, so too are humans.
With that, the vessels who serve will continue on in another form. Those who do not will cease. Once Quasiform completes, it will only be the Quasing who will remain. And thus, the destiny of Earth will be fulfilled.
Zoras
Enzo scanned the black and green specks of the forest interior, searching for signs of movement. Somewhere in there, the enemy lay in wait. Last night’s razed eastern tree lines still glowed angry red, drifting thick black smoke into the otherwise pure blue air. After the disaster at the Prophus camp, the lines had once again been redrawn.
The Genjix had taken heavy losses and were no longer able to maintain the heavy escorts, base defenses, and widened perimeters. One of his tactical advantages had to go, so Enzo was now blind again in the forests and unable to go on the offensive. The Prophus had again pushed all the way to the edge of the forest. Yesterday, while his construction crews were working on the runway, the Prophus had attacked, massacring thirty.
The news coming in from America was much better. The United States government was now theirs, free of Prophus influence. The results of the cleansing had thrown the government into disarray. It would take months for their public relations arm to cover up the incident and calm the government. For now, the Genjix pushed the conspiracy of Middle Eastern terrorist attacks. Others thought it a military coup. Even more thought it was a religious fundamentalist rebellion.
Those fools could think what they wanted. As long as their attention was elsewhere, Enzo did not care. The situation would blow over in a few months, and by then the Genjix would have free rein over the country without the meddling Prophus getting in their way. It was a good trade off.
The Genjix Council had also finally come around. With the Genjix’s control of the United States assured, the ProGenesis project nearing completion, and his continuing successful defense of the camp, they had no choice but to offer him full status on the Council. When it was brought up during the last meeting, only Vinnick opposed his standing.
Well, Enzo planned to take care of the Russian billionaire soon after his business at the camp was complete. In fact, he considered neutralizing the old man’s power an important matter. The primary facilities for Phase III were based within Vinnick’s sphere of influence. With the ProGenesis near completion, all Genjix initiatives would shift toward Quasiform. Whoever controlled Quasiform controlled the Council. If Enzo was not careful, Vinnick could steal the project from underneath him.
Your ambitions are admirable. However, do not forget your goal or who you serve.
“I serve you and the Genjix, Zoras.”
As long as you serve our purpose. Power struggles are encouraged among the Genjix. It keeps the vessels strong and hungry, but do not overstep. You walked when you should be crawling. And now you want to run.
Palos walked up and bowed. “Chow is reporting in, Father.”
Enzo nodded without tearing his eyes away from the trees. This wasn’t their scheduled meeting. He must have good news, for there was little reason to report his continuing failure. Enzo trotted to the main building with Palos in tow.
He spared his first a regretful look. After their time in Tibet was over, he would have to release Palos from his duty as his personal guard and assign him to another role. Being a bodyguard was beneath a vessel. Of course Enzo would keep him under his command, but it would not be the same. He had become accustomed to Palos; it would be difficult to replace him.
He walked into the war room and saw Chow’s face already on the screen. He was sweating like a pig on a spit. He was excited though, moving about animatedly and shouting at his assistants off-screen. Enzo sat down and coughed. Chow gave a start and then began talking so fast Enzo couldn’t understand what he was saying. The only words he could make out were “three days” and “still alive”. As far as he was concerned, those were all the words he needed to hear.
He put up a hand to shut Chow up. “Are you saying ProGenesis is a success?”
Chow nodded so fast that he thought the man’s neck might snap. “Yes, Father. Three days. Tested among all six of our prisoners. All still alive.”
Has one of ours survived?
Enzo kept his rising excitement inside. There would be no celebration until everything was confirmed. “Have you done final verification?”
“I have not.” Chow replied. “That is what I’m calling you for. I need permission to do that.”
“Proceed. Quickly, and today. Do we have a volunteer?”
Chow nodded again. “Heisenberg, a lowly regarded vessel, and his Holy One Danli have volunteered to be the sacrifice. We are prepared to translate Quasing light signals.”
Enzo allowed a smile to break out on his face. “Very well then. Have Danli enter the vat immediately. You better pray you are successful, Chow. If so, your standing has been raised. Your place among all the Holy Ones is secured, and you will be honored for your accomplishments from this point on until the Eternal Sea. If this is another false positive though, I will have your hide.”
Then Enzo sat in front of the screen and waited, watching as the scientists scurried around, preparing the first Genjix volunteer to enter the vats. Then he watched Heisenberg jump into the vat. Interestingly, this current formula dissolved human flesh. Within minutes, Heisenberg was nothing more than a pile of bones floating in the container. Then he noticed Danli floating within the red liquid, blinking. A few minutes later, Chow reported in again with a simple message from Danli:
CONDITIONS ARE IDEAL INDISCERNIBLE FROM QUASAR PROCREATION POSSIBLE
“Get four other volunteers in quickly!” Enzo ordered. “I want results on an attempt immediately.”
The next six hours were the longest in Enzo’s life. He spent the entire time watching the screen, not leaving the war room unless he absolutely had to. Enzo cursed for not being back at Qingdao to witness this triumph in person. Still, he sat and waited and watched patiently as four other volunteer vessels sacrificed their lives in the vat alongside Danli. For those hours, he stayed glued to the screen while the five Quasing mingled. Even when the Prophus launched an attack, Enzo sent Palos to take care of the defense. He would not leave until this latest experiment was concluded. Finally, a message from Chow came through loud and clear. The five Quasing had successfully created life.
A new god had been born.
Unbelievable. It has happened.
Unbelievable was right. Enzo stared at the screen for a good five minutes as Chow relayed the news. Inside, he could feel Zoras churning with excitement. To Enzo personally, this was just a passing milestone, a step on his climb to leading all of the Genjix. He had only been involved in the project for a few months and while proud, he could not even begin to feel the jubilation his Holy One felt. He was simply the right vessel at the right time.
For Zoras, this was a milestone after millennia of maneuvering, the culmination of a century of planning from when the Genjix first realized that the Quasing might become extinct before they accomplished their original goal of returning to Quasar. With ProGenesis, Zoras had just ensured that the Quasing would continue on even if their numbers dwindled. This victory also sealed the Prophus’ fate. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Prophus unconditionally capitulated once they learn that the Genjix had successfully birthed new Quasing.
“Your will, mighty Zoras. Your victory.”
A victory for the Genjix. For all Quasing.
Today was a great day. Enzo stood up, rubbed his tired eyes, and looked outside. It was dark except for the tower lights scanning the perimeter. He had been so focused on what was occurring in the labs that he had forgotten everything else. Not that anything else mattered. His mission was a success, and now the Genjix could move to the final phase: Catalyst.