Chapter 139: Nicolau
The cool air of the Richie’s cargo bay hummed with a quiet intensity. Ciano, his face still flushed with the zealous conviction of his oath, stood before the large, sleek gene pod. Its polished, obsidian-like surface reflected the overhead lights. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.
The automated program within the pod activated instantly, its synthetic voice, calm and reassuring, instructing him: "Subject Feliciano Dela Cruz, please bite down on the life support regulator." A small, perfectly molded mouthpiece extended, and Ciano, without hesitation, clamped his jaw onto it. A soft click confirmed it had locked securely onto his face, ensuring a stable airway for the hours to come.
Then, a sterile, cool liquid began to fill the pod from unseen vents at its base. It rose steadily, swiftly enveloping Ciano’s body, first his feet, then his legs, his torso, finally reaching his neck. The sensation was unsettling, but Ciano remained still, his eyes wide, fixed on the translucent glass panel before him. As the liquid covered his face, the life support system fully engaged. His eyes fluttered, then closed, and his consciousness drifted away, surrendering to the impending transformation.
Lina, observing from a nearby console, moved with fluid precision. In her hands, eight pre-filled serum vials gleamed, each containing a precisely formulated compound. She inserted each vial into its designated slot on the pod’s exterior. A soft hiss confirmed their automatic insertion, followed by a series of quiet clicks as internal mechanisms whirred.
Within moments, the serums were automatically injected into various parts of Ciano’s body, a combination of nanomachines and biochemical agents beginning their work deep within his cellular structure.
As the last serum found its mark, a translucent glass window smoothly slid across the front of the pod, sealing Ciano within his temporary chrysalis. A digital timer, projected onto the glass, illuminated with a stark, red glow: "7 DAYS." For the next week, Ciano would undergo his profound genetic enhancement, his body and mind meticulously reshaped within the protective confines of the gene pod. Until then, the Richie would maintain its high-altitude, stealthy holding pattern in the stratosphere.
With Ciano’s process underway, Richard and Lina ascended to the command bridge. The panoramic holographic displays, previously showing the vast expanse of their journey, now focused on a real-time, high-resolution scan of the sprawling Brazilian landscape below. Cities glowed like intricate circuits, towns appeared as clusters of light, while the dense favelas simmered with a concentrated energy. Beyond them stretched the immense, unbroken green canopy of the Amazon.
Richard’s gaze swept across the vast digital map, his mind already shifting from the micro-level of Ciano’s DNA to the macro-level of global operations. "Lina," he commanded, his voice sharp with purpose, "I want you to start setting up cameras, all over Brazil. I’m sure you have access to their phones for a basic level of data, but that provides no reliable visual information. We need a dedicated, pervasive network." He tapped a specific urban cluster on the display. "Also, make sure these cameras can meticulously scan and identify individuals. Sooner or later, Ciano will need precise intelligence—facial recognition, movement patterns, associations—and localized support for his task."
Lina’s response was immediate, her posture rigid with efficiency. "Right away, Sir Richard."