Page 134 of Broken Sentinel

"Adrian's work," Naomi adds, pain evident in her voice. "Taking our mother's research on consent-based adaptation and twisting it into something else entirely."

"Unstable modifications," Vex concludes, speaking for the first time since entering the council chamber. "The operators we encountered showed signs of genetic degradation."

Marcus nods. "Forced modification without proper stabilization protocols. Effective in the short term, but it’s…catastrophic over time."

"How catastrophic?" Trent asks.

"Complete cellular breakdown within approximately thirty days," Jo answers. "Unity knows this but considers the operators expendable. First-generation test subjects only."

The casual cruelty of it shouldn’t surprise me after all I’d seen and learned, yet it does. I'd known Unity was ruthless in pursuing stability, but sacrificing their own people as disposable test subjects is a new level of coldness that still shocks me.

"And the second generation?" I press.

"That's why they want you and the other Haven children," Naomi explains. "Your genetic structure contains the stabilization protocols they need. Self-regulating adaptive capability rather than forced modification."

The picture clarifies with horrible clarity. "They want to harvest these protocols from us. Create permanently modified operators under their control."

"Precisely," Naomi confirms. "The perfect combination of Splinter capabilities with Unity obedience."

"Over my dead body," I say flatly.

"Their preference would be alive," Jo counters dryly. "Much easier to extract viable genetic material that way."

Despite the grim situation, I find myself appreciating her morbid joke. At least someone here has a sense of humor.

"So what's the plan?" I ask, looking around at the collected Haven leadership. "I assume you didn't bring us here just to explain how thoroughly screwed we all are."

Naomi's mismatched eyes gleam with unexpected approval. "Direct, like your mother. Good." She gestures to a central table where a holographic display activates. "We've developed a three-part strategy to counter Unity's Project Duality."

The display shows multiple locations across former North America, focusing first on Eastern Arcology.

"Phase one: extract the captured Haven child before Unity can transport them to the research facility," Marcus explains. "Infiltration team already prepping for deployment."

The display shifts to show what I recognize as the research facility where I was held.

"Phase two: neutralize the genetic research Unity has already obtained," Jo continues. "Not just data destruction but comprehensive elimination of all biological samples."

"You mean blow it up," Vex translates.

Jo's black eyes fix on him. "Inelegant but accurate terminology. Yes."

The display shifts again, now showing multiple Unity arcologies simultaneously.

"Phase three: activate the resonance network to full capacity," Naomi concludes. "Awaken the remaining Haven children and initiate the final protocol."

"What exactly is this 'resonance network'?" I ask, growing tired of cryptic references. "And what final protocol?"

Naomi looks to Sara, who steps forward with her crystal. Lily's crystal responds immediately, pulsing in synchronization.

"The crystals are more than data storage," Sara explains. "They're nodes in a communication system that operates through quantum entanglement principles. What affects one affects all, regardless of distance."

"That's how you found us in the storm," I realize.

She nods. "And how we track other Haven children as they awaken. The network strengthens with each activatednode, creating a resonance pattern that can ultimately reach global scale."

"For what purpose?" Trent asks, skepticism evident.

"To offer choice," Naomi answers simply. "The final Haven protocol isn't forced modification as Unity fears, but the ability to share adaptive capability through consent-based transmission."

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