Page 149 of Broken Sentinel

Whatever the final protocol might be, it represents the culmination of my mother's work, the purpose for which I was designed. The bridge between worlds she intended me to become.

I just hope it's worth the price we've already paid.

And the price we may yet have to pay before this day is done.

The central chamber has been transformed when we enter, the council's meeting space reconfigured to accommodate what appears to be ceremonial arrangements. Eleven pedestals form a perfect circle, each bearing a crystal similar to the ones Lily and Michael carry. Most pedestals already have Haven children standing beside them, adults of varying ages, all showing subtle signs of modification.

Naomi stands at the circle's center, her mismatched eyes finding me immediately as we enter.

"Zara," she says, genuine relief in her voice. "The extraction was successful, I see."

"Michael is safe," I confirm, watching as Jo guides the children to their positions in the circle. "But Unity is coming. They've traced the resonance network somehow."

"We know," she confirms grimly. "Lin's betrayal runs deeper than we anticipated. He provided Unity with the quantum signatures unique to each Haven child."

"What exactly is this final protocol?" I ask, tired of half-answers and mysterious references. "If Unity is hours away, we need to evacuate, not stand around in a ceremonial circle."

Naomi's expression grows solemn. "The final protocol isn't a weapon or a defense system, Zara. It's an offer, the culmination of everything your mother and the other Haven scientists worked toward."

"What kind of offer?"

"Adaptive choice," she explains. "The ability to share controlled genetic modification with anyone who wishes to receive it. Not forced evolution as Unity fears, but voluntary adaptation. The ability for humanity to change itself by choice rather than coercion."

The concept staggers me with its implications. "You're talking about changing human evolution itself."

"Guiding it," she corrects. "Offering paths rather than forcing them. The exact opposite of what Unity attempts with Project Duality."

The other Haven children have taken their positions around the circle, each standing before a crystal that pulses in harmony with the others. Only one pedestal remains empty—mine, presumably.

"And this requires all twelve Haven children," I note, remembering Sara's earlier explanation. "Except we only have eleven."

Naomi nods gravely. "The original design specified twelve distinct genetic signatures creating a complete harmonicpattern. With eleven, we'll need to modify the resonance field, create a balanced pattern despite the missing component."

"Is that even possible?"

"Theoretically," she admits. "Your mother's notes included contingency protocols for various scenarios, including incomplete participation. But it's never been attempted. The strain on the remaining participants will be...significant."

The implication hangs heavy in the air. This modified protocol could be dangerous for those involved, particularly for those whose genetic signatures must compensate for the missing component.

"And the alternative?" I ask, though I already know the answer.

"Unity arrives in force. They capture or kill every Haven child, extract the genetic materials they need, and eventually perfect Project Duality. Controlled human evolution becomes their weapon rather than humanity's choice."

Put like that, there isn't much of a choice at all.

I step toward the empty pedestal, studying its crystal, identical to the others yet somehow feeling personally connected to me. As I approach, it pulses more rapidly, responding to my proximity.

"If we do this," I say carefully, "what happens exactly?"

"The resonance network amplifies to global scale," Naomi explains. "For a brief period—perhaps hours—anyone who chooses to connect with the network can receive the balanced adaptive capabilities your mother designed. Their genetics will be permanently modified, but in controlled, beneficial ways unique to each individual."

"And then?"

"And then humanity has options it didn't have before. Adaptation without Unity's control. Modification without Splinter instability. A third path between rigid stability and chaotic evolution."

It sounds almost too perfect: a solution to the fundamentaldivision that has defined the post-collapse world. Unity versus Splinter. Control versus adaptation.

But something still nags at me.

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