[RESTRICTED] - Project Thalatte

[A/)- The Inner Phalanx]

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The heavy metal doors slid open, flashing the room with a brief bit of light from the hallways of the Eidolon. The bubbles from the vats, the rumbling of the pumps and noise of the monitors had filled the quiet room. The Curator had walked in, slowly passing between the now occupied tubes, carefully examining each as he did so. He paused for a moment, looking at the current product of the project. The blue-tinted liquid-filled tubes housed a total of ten infants. “They’re eight months old, physically.” Echoed a voice from the far end of the room, opposite the entrance. Michael Glass had stood from the console, supporting himself with both hands on his cane.

The Curator looked over at the man, peering over the displays of his work station. “I was wondering when you or the Keeper would come down to check up on progress.” Michael stepped around the console and slowly approached the Curator. “In fact, I’m surprised it wasn’t both of you.” He said, stopping next to the hooded man. He gestured to the tanks. “As you can see, progress is on schedule. Will the Keeper be joining us?” He asked, looking past the Curator towards the door. The Curator let out a long sigh. “The Keeper is currently occupied.” He said. Glass paused for a moment at the metallic response, examining the Curator carefully. He shrugged slightly. “No matter. I had already begun the excess correlation sequence. Early life knowledge, and the second injection of growth stimulant.”

The two slowly walked between the vats, examining each as they passed by. Michael removed a datapad from his belt and showed it to the Curator. “Six female, four male.” He said, gesturing to the report on the small screen. The Curator briefly looked at it, then returned to examining the tanks. They stopped before one tank labeled ‘ZZ-0002’. Inside, a small female infant floated peacefully, as bubbles drifted upwards from the bottom of the tank. “They’re blissfully unaware of their surroundings.” Glass had said. The Curator placed a hand on the tank. It felt warm, even through his armor. The small child inside had several wires connected to its head, floating upwards to the top of the tank. The other nine had similar arrays connecting to them, as they floated silently in their individual tanks. “It’s mostly basic infantile knowledge, broadening their minds before next week’s program is started.” Glass nodded to the wires.

The Curator removed his hand from the tank, returning it underneath his cloak. “How much longer until they’re complete?” He asked. Glass looked at the datapad again, scrolling through it. “Two months, give or take. There hasn’t been any complications, yet some of the… Programming, seems to go above my clearance level.” Michael replied. He continued to examine the notes as the Curator moved from tank to tank. “I wouldn’t worry about that, Glass. Added precautions that are to remain within the Inner Phalanx.” The Curator said, examining a tank labeled “ZZ-0006”. Much like the previous one, a small infant drifted silently inside. The difference only lying in gender, as this one was male.

“This is the only production facility we have, you know.” Noted Glass. “We can’t ‘create’ more than ten at a time without a larger facility. Are there plans to expand?” He asked. The Curator looked back and nodded in response. He returned to examining the tanks. “There is still much to do, yet that is a priority I am currently pushing for within the Inner Phalanx.” Said the Curator. Glass worked his way slowly back to his console and sat down in the high-backed chair. He set his cane aside, leaning it against the console, placing the datapad next to it. He let out a quiet sigh, looking over the readouts on the console in front of him.

For nearly half an hour, the Curator stood in silence as he examined each of the tank-bred offspring. Beneath his helmet, a look of fascination had dawned on his face. Finally, he approached the console where Glass had seated himself. “How are the readouts for their neurons?” He asked. Glass rubbed his face briefly, and looked at the screen. “Nominal. Heart rate, blood pressure, muscle formation, all nominal. They’re all healthy.” He replied. The Curator stepped his way around the desk and examined the screen. “No signs of any unusual neural activity?” He asked, examining the readout. “Nothing off about their neural pathways? Not even a hint of anomalous activity?” He continued, watching the readouts for each individual tank.

Michael looked over them again. “No. Nothing. Are you expecting something?” He looked over at the hooded man, then back to the monitor. “No.” He replied, returning to the tanks. Glass watched as the hooded figure examined the tanks some more in silence. He went back to the console and began to type up his report. Michael would periodically look up at the Curator as he walked about the room, examining the ten tank-bred offspring. As time went on, the Curator had left for the bridge of the Eidolon Wraith, and Michael returned to working silently.

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Project log: 002 Doctor Michael Glass

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Tuesday, May 10th, 823 A.S

Eidolon Wraith Zeta Section.

The Curator had come by today to check up on the project. He finally spoke to me, asking questions about the growing process, their overall health, and for any anomalous changes in their neural behavior. I am unsure as to why he inquired about their neurology, as the results were in front of him. There are no differences, errors, problems with their brains, nothing. Curious. Meanwhile, I had begun the injection process for the second growth stimulant, and the programming process began six days ago.

The programming currently is rudimentary. Basic functions, knowledge, English. All of the things infants at this stage need to function. By next week the second programming portion is loaded, significantly more complex than the last. There were, as I noted, several locked programming lines I couldn’t access. The Curator assured me those were there for security purposes. This has left me to assume they are failsafe lines.

Note below the specific genders of The First Ten:

ZZ-0001 - Male
ZZ-0002 - Female
ZZ-0003 - Female
ZZ-0004 - Male
ZZ-0005 - Female
ZZ-0006 - Male
ZZ-0007 - Male
ZZ-0008 - Female
ZZ-0009 - Female
ZZ-0010 - Female

It’s noted that in their current stage it is rather difficult to determine resemblance to their biological parents, especially within the tanks. The genders being determined by the natural process, it was unlikely to see a perfect balance of male and female subjects. This adds no complications. It’s in fact, rather unique to see. Two weeks until hormonal adjustments are added to the saline-gel solution.

So far, no complications.

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