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864 - Mental Evaluation VI (Do They Know?)
🕑 Added 2025-03-11 03:32:35 +0000 UTC“Why stop at fourteen? And why only test on humans and not other conscious species?” the evaluator asked, his tone shifting to one of analytical curiosity. From a rational standpoint, halting at just fourteen when there were still numerous variables left unexplored didn’t quite make sense.
"While Adam’s brain was undergoing the organification process, an ethical meeting was convened to revise the empire’s research ethics code to address this unprecedented situation. Although we suspected that the material itself either lacked consciousness or contained a blank consciousness that could be molded by the first species it came into contact with, it technically fell outside the original ethics code.
However, upon realizing that Adam’s brain would develop a fully unique and independent consciousness once it became completely organic, restrictions were placed on further experimentation. The researchers were only permitted to answer the most pressing questions before the return journey, which in turn prevented them from testing whether the material could convert into other species.
Additionally, we simply didn’t have live specimens of other conscious species on hand—only bacteria and unintelligent organisms. It would have been foolish to waste material with the potential to become a human and instead condemn it to be, say, a dog. Ultimately, it was decided that any deeper research would need to be conducted back home after the ethics code was further refined and formally ratified."
A brief pause followed Amir’s explanation, an understandable one, given the weight of what had been said.
“Do they know that they came from a material and were not born like normal humans?”
“No,” the evaluator responded. “That decision will be made by the imperial government. Their ruling will determine how all individuals created from the material will be treated. Age is also a key factor, after all, the oldest among them is only eleven.”
“How much of the material have you brought back?” asked the evaluator changing the line of questioning and refocusing back on the material itself.
“I don’t know the exact quantity since that’s not my responsibility,” Amir admitted. “But the amount we brought back is relatively small compared to the total available in the star system.”
The evaluator frowned. “Why so? Isn’t it important enough to warrant bringing back as much as possible?” It seemed foolish to leave behind something that might be the most valuable material the empire had ever encountered.
“That’s because not all of the exploration fleet returned with us,” Amir explained. “Nearly all combat-capable TSF members remained behind to protect and monitor the material, ensure no one else discovers it, and, if someone does, make sure they don’t enter the star system or gain access to it.”
The evaluator nodded. It was the most logical course of action, bringing back all of the material would have been impossible, even if they had wanted to. Besides, several factors justified keeping a presence in the star system, including the possibility that the material’s properties could only be maintained within that specific environment.
“But how did you get access to this much information when it isn’t really your area of expertise?”
“All members of the exploration fleet have keyword clearance, which grants them access to all research conducted within their fleet,” Amir explained. “Since nearly everything in that star system—aside from the planets and the material itself—was known to us, the exploration process for other sectors was completed relatively quickly. That gave us plenty of time to review the research and develop at least a basic understanding of the discoveries. And with this particular research being the most interesting thing to come out of the expedition, nearly everyone in the fleet knows at least something about it.”
Satisfied, the evaluator moved on, finally shifting to a different topic as he neared the end of the evaluation.
………………..
“Classify all information regarding the material and notify everyone with knowledge of it that it has been classified. Make sure they don’t speak about it,” Aron ordered, his gaze still fixed on the report. Now that they were approaching the possibility of having foreigners within the star system and VR, he wasn’t willing to let this information spread—not yet.
{Understood. But are you still proceeding with the launch of VR despite this new discovery?} Nova asked. The material’s significance was enough to justify canceling some major plans if moving forward risked the Conclave members gaining knowledge of it.
“There’s no need to go that far,” Aron replied. “Just inform the exploration fleet members that, due to the critical need for secrecy, a temporary mental inhibitor related to this topic will be applied. It will remind them they are about to reveal classified information the moment their brain even considers speaking about it.
"Emphasize that this is only temporary until we have enough military presence and infrastructure in place within the star system. They will be compensated for undergoing the procedure. Besides, everyone already expects certain aspects of this operation to be classified since part of it falls under military jurisdiction. Even if people become aware that something is being hidden, no one would ever guess the actual truth.” He chuckled at the thought.
{Understood,} Nova confirmed, already updating the procedures the TSF TRAPPIST-1 crew would need to complete before being allowed to exit their pods.
“Print out the fastest and most powerful wormhole-capable ship we can and send it to the TRAPPIST-1 star system immediately.”
{The ship should be ready to begin its journey in thirty minutes,} Nova confirmed.
“While it’s traveling, use the simulation to see if we can generate a wormhole with absolute coordinates as close to TRAPPIST-1 as possible. We need to shorten this journey further, four years is too long given our current situation.”
{We can attempt it, but since we don’t have absolute coordinates anywhere near that region, there’s a chance this won’t yield usable results,} Nova cautioned, reminding Aron of the limitations. The further the distance, the greater the discrepancy between simulation and reality.
“I know. But there’s no harm in trying,” Aron replied, pausing for a moment. His eyes drifted back to the section detailing the material and the potential creation of new life. His thoughts wandered, recalling the other strange discoveries and anomalies encountered by different exploration fleets.
Then, almost as if speaking to himself, he muttered, “Either there’s life in nearly every star system around us, we’re ridiculously lucky, or someone is pulling strings behind the scenes. And I don’t think it’s the first one, it’s way too blatant to be a coincidence.”
Comments
GripenSupremacy
TYFTC
Sol_Invictus
TYFTC!!
Jade
TYFTC!!! FIRST!
