Chapter 118: A Dangerous Experiment

The encrypted document remained suspended above the central console, its final records concealed behind layers of authorization protocols. The ancient script cast a soft blue hue across Rhaevia’s concentrated expression as she studied the locked interface.

She had already instructed Project Genesis to continue decoding the files in the background. However, the discovery of a foreign genetic sequence embedded deep within the modern Zerg genome presented her with a far more immediate scientific question.

If Sovereign energy could interact with this altered genetic structure, could she determine what the original modification was designed to accomplish?

She walked slowly toward the primary biological containment chamber. The thick reinforced glass reflected her calm demeanor as she observed the dormant Zerg tissue samples preserved inside.

"Prepare the synchronization experiment," she instructed the research team, her tone firm and decisive.

The lead researcher hesitated, his fingers trembling slightly above the command console. He looked up at her with a mix of apprehension and deep concern.

"Your Highness, we have never attempted to synchronize Sovereign energy directly with Zerg biological energy," he warned nervously. "The foreign genetic sequence could trigger an unpredictable mutation."

"Which is precisely why we’re conducting the experiment inside a controlled environment," Rhaevia replied, refusing to back down.

She stepped up to the control module and gestured toward the reinforced containment chamber. Her eyes scanned the auxiliary containment monitors to ensure all safety parameters were active.

"Activate three independent suppression fields," she commanded with authority. "Disconnect the specimen from the planetary crystal network, and ensure the emergency sterilization system remains operational."

"Understood, Your Highness," the lead researcher answered, immediately adjusting his team’s workflow.

The laboratory shifted into high-security mode as warning lights pulsed around the perimeter. Energy barriers descended from the ceiling, enclosing the central platform in protective shielding. ℴ𝗆

Automated scanners came to life, measuring the specimen’s biological activity down to the cellular level. Independent power generators kicked in with a low vibration, supplying isolated energy directly to the analysis equipment.

Raevor watched the preparations from behind the thick observation barrier. His arms were crossed over his chest, his silver eyes fixed intently on the glowing tissue sample.

"How certain are you that the containment fields will hold?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

"I’m not certain," Rhaevia admitted candidly.

Raevor turned his head toward her, his dark brows drawing together in a glare.

She offered him a brief, reassuring smile despite the tension filling the room.

"But uncertainty is why we have precautions," she added lightly.

"That isn’t particularly reassuring," he noted, his gaze returning to the containment field.

"It wasn’t intended to be," she countered smoothly.

Rhaevia turned her focus back to the experimental setup and placed her bare palm flat against the synchronization interface. Golden Sovereign energy immediately flared beneath her skin, flowing smoothly from her fingertips and into the apparatus.

The advanced system converted her raw energy signature into a carefully regulated stream. It introduced the golden light into the sealed chamber, letting it wash gently over the dormant Zerg tissue.

At first, nothing happened.

The biological scanners registered only minimal environmental fluctuations. The specimen’s internal energy pathways remained dark, and the foreign genetic sequence showed no visible response to the golden light.

Rhaevia frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing as she adjusted her energy output.

"Increase the synchronization rate by two percent," she ordered the lead technician.

The technician quickly adjusted the primary output controls on his console.

A faint, deep vibration passed through the metal floor of the platform.

Then, inside the sealed chamber, the preserved Zerg tissue suddenly contracted.

"Biological activity detected!" a technician announced loudly, his voice echoing across the chamber.

Rhaevia immediately leaned toward the holographic display to monitor the surge.

The dormant energy pathways inside the specimen had begun illuminating, glowing with a soft, iridescent hue. Intricate bioluminescent patterns traced themselves through the specimen’s microscopic cellular structure.

Instead of rejecting the incoming Sovereign energy, the biological system was actively absorbing it.

"Hold the current output," she ordered calmly. "Do not increase the transfer rate."

The energy readings on the primary display began to climb steadily in smooth, stable arcs.

[ZERG BIOLOGICAL ENERGY: ACTIVE.]

[SOVEREIGN ENERGY INPUT: STABLE.]

[COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS: IN PROGRESS.]

Rhaevia watched the overlapping energy signatures with concentration.

The two distinct frequencies were not merely coexisting inside the containment cell.

They were beginning to synchronize seamlessly.

A brilliant golden pattern spread rapidly through the Zerg tissue, following the dormant genetic sequence like a key turning in a lock. The specimen’s bio-pathways reorganized themselves instantly, forming a stable circuit between its biological core and her incoming Sovereign energy.

One of the junior researchers stared at the incoming data stream in utter disbelief.

"The foreign sequence is facilitating the synchronization!" he exclaimed.

Rhaevia’s eyes narrowed as the full realization took root in her mind.

"Then the modification wasn’t designed simply to control Zerg evolution," she murmured aloud. "It may have been designed to make their biology compatible with Sovereign energy."

The profound implication sent a chill trailing down her spine.

Why would an ancient civilization deliberately alter an entire galactic species to achieve such specific biological compatibility?

And why had this deep modification remained dormant within their genetics for more than ten thousand years? 𝐟𝑟ⅇ

Before she could ponder the mystery further, the synchronization readings reached absolute stability.

[ENERGY SYNCHRONIZATION: SUCCESSFUL.]

[REJECTION RESPONSE: NONE.]

[FOREIGN GENETIC SEQUENCE: ACTIVATED.]

For several tense seconds, silence fell over the bustling laboratory.

Then, without warning, the preserved specimen released a soft pulse of golden energy.

Every single sensor surrounding the chamber registered the frequency as Rhaevia’s own Sovereign core.

She slowly withdrew her hand from the synchronization plate, watching the golden light linger over the specimen.

"It worked," she declared softly.

Raevor stepped closer to the observation barrier, his posture tense. His silver eyes remained locked onto the glowing specimen inside the containment field.

"Is it safe?" he asked, his tone laced with cautious restraint.

"The initial synchronization is stable," she answered carefully, reviewing the diagnostic data. "But we don’t yet know its long-term effects. Keep the specimen isolated until we’ve completed the remaining analytical tests."

The surrounding technicians immediately began logging the experimental results, already preparing a second analytical cycle.

Rhaevia turned away from the chamber and walked toward the main Project Genesis terminal.

"Project Genesis, compare this response against the genetic records," she commanded the central system. "I want to know whether the original researchers documented similar synchronization results."

[REQUEST ACCEPTED.]

[ACCESSING ORIGINAL ZERG MODIFICATION PROJECT...]

The central core began processing the vast amount of experimental data collected from the trial.

Then, without warning, the laboratory’s overhead lights flickered violently.

Rhaevia looked up sharply, her senses instantly on high alert.

A new signal had suddenly appeared on a secondary biological monitor. The energy spike originated from the far end of the containment facility.

It wasn’t coming from the active experimental tissue inside the chamber.

It was coming directly from the specimen storage unit.

"What’s that reading?" she demanded, pointing toward the flashing display.

The lead researcher rushed across the platform toward the console, his face turning pale.

"Impossible," he stammered, tapping the screen frantically. "That storage unit contains only dormant Zerg eggs. None of them should possess enough biological activity to generate an energy signature."

A soft, mesmerizing light flared behind the reinforced glass of the storage unit.

Inside one of the sealed pods, a single dormant Zerg egg began to pulse with a steady rhythm.

Rhaevia felt the Sovereign core inside her chest respond instantly, thrumming in resonance with the distant pulse.

[UNKNOWN BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE DETECTED.]

[ENERGY SIGNATURE: SOVEREIGN-CLASS.]

She stood frozen, staring at the rapidly growing light behind the glass.

The dormant Zerg egg was actively absorbing the golden energy radiating from the completed experiment.

And as they watched in silence, brilliant golden veins began spreading across its outer shell.