Chapter 1
"97, 98, 99... Alright, stop." The conveyor belt slowed to a halt with a low hiss. The harsh fluorescent lights above cast a stark glare onto the three bodies laid out onto the silicone beds. They had bare, tawny skin that glimmered faintly in the light, their shade of brown a stark contrast to the metallic sheen of their hair. They were flawless, devoid of all imperfections.
Prime Neonatologist 01a stood at the observation platform above, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked down at the newest androids.
"Restate the series name." He said with a clipped tone.
"Series D," the nursery technician replied from behind her control panel. The technician glanced nervously at Prime, sensing his growing impatience.
"Wake them up."
A second technician pressed a series of commands into the glowing console in front of him. A soft chime echoed through the room as the activation protocols engaged.
The three young ones stirred. First, there was a twitch of their fingers, then a fluttering of eyelids but there was no light in them, no spark or awareness. Their movements absent of curiosity.
01a’s jaw tightened as he studied them. He didn’t need to hear the confirmation, but the technicians gave it anyway.
"They are not sapient," the first technician said quietly, lowering her gaze.
A low growl rumbled in 01a’s throat as he clenched his fists. His patience was gone, and his frustration was palpable. He had expected better results.
"Why does this keep happening?" he muttered under his breath.
"Prime Neonatologist 01a!"
The sharp voice broke through the sterile silence of the nursery. 01a turned, his eyes narrowing further as Prime Commander 04a strode down the steel staircase leading to the lower level. His tall, broad frame and stern expression radiated authority.
The commander came to a halt beside the conveyor belt, his analyzing gaze scanning the young ones.
"They, too have nothing," 04a said flatly.
"This entire series... it's all the same. They look alive, but there’s nothing inside. No will. No conscience. No sapience." explained 01a
01a’s fists unclenched as he exhaled a slow, deliberate breath. "We shall commence with the plan."
The commander regarded him carefully before giving a curt nod. "Yes, it is the only way."
"Then gather 02c and 03c," 01a added, his voice hardening with resolve.
The lab fell into an eerie quiet as 01a turned back to the technician. He gestured sharply at the console.
"Shut them down."
"Yes sir!"
They were motionless now, their empty eyes staring at nothing.
04a observed silently, his expression unreadable. But as 01a turned to leave, he spoke again.
"You know this project will not succeed without risks."
"I am aware," he replied without looking back. "But this is not just about success. This is about survival."
"And what if we fail again?"
01a paused at the door, his hand resting on the frame. He turned his head slightly, just enough to cast a shadow over his face.
"Then we try again."
….
In the adjacent room, the hum of machinery and the glow of monitors illuminated the workspace. 01a stood over a large circular table, his hands braced against its edge as he stared down at the schematics for the E-series prototype. The design was intricate, more ambitious than any of its predecessors.
The door slid open behind him, and instructors 02c and 03c entered.
"You summoned us, Prime Neonatologist," 02c said, his voice deep and steady.
01a straightened and gestured to the table. "We are entering the final phase of this project. The E-series must succeed where the D-series failed."
03c stepped forward, his tone more skeptical. "And if it doesn’t?"
01a’s gaze hardened. "It will. Because this time, we are not merely creating another android. We are creating our progenitor."
03c exchanged a glance with 02c, whose expression remained unreadable. Neither of them responded, but the weight of 01a’s words lingered in the room like a storm cloud.
"Prepare the materials," 01a commanded. "The E-series begins now."
