Eden's Angels - Books 1-2

8. Angels and Test Tubes

During the four-day interdimensional journey from Domhan-Siol to Ghrain-3, Ramuell almost never set down his foliopad. He carried it with him to the ship’s galley, to the toilet-closet, and to bed where he read himself to sleep.

Kadeya thought perhaps she’d loaded too many Ghrain-3 documents on her grandson’s foliopad. Had she only loaded a couple at a time, she could have monitored his reactions and insisted on conversations before providing the next document. Oh well, that neutrino has jumped and there’s no way I can reel it back in.

Oh well, that neutrino has jumped and there’s no way I can reel it back in.Though the documents were fairly academic, Ramuell understood the gist, though not all the specifics, of what he was reading.

Ghrain-3 Archive Document 01:00492245-07

Ghrain-3 Archive Document 01:00492245-07Intervention Rationale – Executive Summary

Intervention Rationale – Executive SummaryThe surveys of Ghrain-3 paint a picture of a remarkably rich world with an extraordinary range of ecosystems. The planet is replete with a diversity of life forms that have made astonishing adaptations and are abundant in virtually every habitat.

The surveys of Ghrain-3 paint a picture of a remarkably rich world with an extraordinary range of ecosystems. The planet is replete with a diversity of life forms that have made astonishing adaptations and are abundant in virtually every habitat.Over seventy percent of the planet’s surface is covered with water. Most water has a sodium content too high to be potable by land-bound species. The majority of the planet’s organisms live in various water environments.

Over seventy percent of the planet’s surface is covered with water. Most water has a sodium content too high to be potable by land-bound species. The majority of the planet’s organisms live in various water environments.Hundreds of land and sea species have evolved sentience. The range of demonstrable intelligence is quite large.

Hundreds of land and sea species have evolved sentience. The range of demonstrable intelligence is quite large.A few species have developed rudimentary tool-making skills. Three have been considered for possible genetic enhancement. All three species are primate omnivores that cook their food. Their mastery of fire and their consumption of cooked meat has resulted in approximately a 20% larger brain and 20% smaller gut than herbivore, non-cooking primate species.

A few species have developed rudimentary tool-making skills. Three have been considered for possible genetic enhancement. All three species are primate omnivores that cook their food. Their mastery of fire and their consumption of cooked meat has resulted in approximately a 20% larger brain and 20% smaller gut than herbivore, non-cooking primate species.The denisova species has too small of a range and too few numbers to be considered a viable candidate for enhancement. Both of the other species have begun developing symbolic art forms and communicate linguistically. One species seems to have a somewhat higher degree of facility with language and has begun developing basic musical concepts. (It is theorized that musical capabilities may predict a predisposition for better spatial-temporal reasoning.) Live studies of six hundred individuals of both species supported the hypothesis that the sapien species is more advanced in this area than the neandertalis species.

The denisova species has too small of a range and too few numbers to be considered a viable candidate for enhancement. Both of the other species have begun developing symbolic art forms and communicate linguistically. One species seems to have a somewhat higher degree of facility with language and has begun developing basic musical concepts. (It is theorized that musical capabilities may predict a predisposition for better spatial-temporal reasoning.) Live studies of six hundred individuals of both species supported the hypothesis that the sapien species is more advanced in this area than the neandertalis species.Predicated on these findings, coupled with information obtained from over three thousand brain autopsies and sample gene manipulations, it has been determined that genetic enhancement efforts should be focused on the sapien species. It is believed, with enhancement, this species has the potential to develop technological societies.

Predicated on these findings, coupled with information obtained from over three thousand brain autopsies and sample gene manipulations, it has been determined that genetic enhancement efforts should be focused on the sapien species. It is believed, with enhancement, this species has the potential to develop technological societies.Though interesting, this document and several others like it didn’t explain the secrecy and mysterious stories about Ghrain-3. Ramuell’s disappointment had the effect of motivating him to read on with even greater fervor. While learning a great deal, he felt like he was trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle with many pieces missing. Then he came across a short document confirming his suspicions about hidden information.

Ghrain-3 Archive Document 11:44213570-14

Ghrain-3 Archive Document 11:44213570-14After almost 700 annum of research, it was determined the most promising strategy for genetic enhancement of the chosen species was by engineering and inserting retroviruses into the sapien DNA. Some of these viruses caused immediate mutations impacting specific neurophysiological characteristics. Dozens of other retroviruses have been designed to lay dormant as inert agents of change within non-coding DNA. Over a few dozen millennia specific environmental and developmental milestones will act to catalyze these retroviruses. Once activated they are designed to produce genetic mutations that will fast-forward and leap over normal evolutionary processes.

After almost 700 annum of research, it was determined the most promising strategy for genetic enhancement of the chosen species was by engineering and inserting retroviruses into the sapien DNA. Some of these viruses caused immediate mutations impacting specific neurophysiological characteristics. Dozens of other retroviruses have been designed to lay dormant as inert agents of change within non-coding DNA. Over a few dozen millennia specific environmental and developmental milestones will act to catalyze these retroviruses. Once activated they are designed to produce genetic mutations that will fast-forward and leap over normal evolutionary processes.The first enhancements targeted the sapiens’ neurotransmitter systems. Retroviruses were deployed to produce genetic variations resulting in the production of vesicular monoamine transporters. That mutation dramatically enhanced intellectual functioning among the progeny of infected individuals. These results were observed within a mere three sapien generations.

The first enhancements targeted the sapiens’ neurotransmitter systems. Retroviruses were deployed to produce genetic variations resulting in the production of vesicular monoamine transporters. That mutation dramatically enhanced intellectual functioning among the progeny of infected individuals. These results were observed within a mere three sapien generations.The lifespan of the sapien species is quite short, with the age of female fertility beginning at about fourteen annum. This has proven to be a favorable trait in terms of evaluating virally activated mutations. Within one standard tour of duty on Ghrain-3, geneticists can observe and track genetic enhancements across four sapien generations.

The lifespan of the sapien species is quite short, with the age of female fertility beginning at about fourteen annum. This has proven to be a favorable trait in terms of evaluating virally activated mutations. Within one standard tour of duty on Ghrain-3, geneticists can observe and track genetic enhancements across four sapien generations.It was envisioned that many scientists would return for second and even third tours on the planet, thereby ensuring continuity of research and enhancing our ability to monitor and fine-tune various genetic interventions. For obvious reasons, many scientists have been unwilling to return to Ghrain-3 after their initial tour.

It was envisioned that many scientists would return for second and even third tours on the planet, thereby ensuring continuity of research and enhancing our ability to monitor and fine-tune various genetic interventions. For obvious reasons, many scientists have been unwilling to return to Ghrain-3 after their initial tour.Tossing the foliopad on the bed, Ramuell slapped his hand on the cabinet above his bunk. “‘For obvious reasons’—what obvious reasons?” he asked no one. Throwing open the door, he strode into the corridor between cabins and decided he had to press his grandmother to be more forthcoming.

Moments after Ramuell returned from fetching a snack in the ship’s galley, Kadeya entered the cabin, towel drying her unruly locks. She had just showered in one of the ship’s four small baths. A tall, strikingly handsome woman, her square jaw and smooth spotless skin belied her 489 annum age.

Ramuell immediately launched into an interrogation. “Grandmother, what in the heck is happening on Ghrain-3? What caused the violence? Why all the secrecy?”

Kadeya picked up Ramuell’s foliopad and scanned the documents her grandson had read. Pursing her lips she nodded and said, “Yep, it’s definitely time we had a talk.”

“I understand what we’re trying to accomplish, and I understand much of the science behind our efforts. What baffles me is why and how all of this became so controversial—how it led to insurrection. I just don’t get it!”

Kadeya narrowed her eyes contemplating where to begin. “So, you know what the retroviruses are?”

“More or less, yes,” Ramuell replied.

“The earliest Ghrain-3 Expeditionary Mission scientists spent centuries determining how to best proceed with the augmentation process. The decision to deploy retroviruses was well researched—not at all extemporaneous.”

“Yes, I read about that in several of the historical documents. It seems they were thorough and cautious.”

“That’s correct.” Kadeya sniffed and with an inscrutable expression added, “At least early on that was the case. You see, during the first two sapien generations the retroviruses performed almost exactly as had been predicted. Oh, there were some mildly anomalous results, but the undesirable manifestations didn’t much concern our scientists. The unexpected mutations seemed minor, and the adversely affected individuals were easily culled.”

“Culled?” questioned Ramuell.

“Hmm, I can imagine how that might sound. Yes, they were killed, and their corpses brought up to the labs for study,” responded Kadeya.

“Killed? How?”

“Carefully! We mimicked the behavior of Ghrain’s wolves. They don’t attack a whole herd. They single out a young animal or isolate the sick or wounded and then launch their attack. We did the same thing. We waited until the specimen displaying physical or behavioral anomalies was separated from its clan then swooped in and took that individual.”

“But why did we need to kill them?”

“For both safety and expedience. Our surface teams didn’t want to endanger themselves or other sapiens by instigating a fight. The surest way to avoid that was to kill the targeted individual before it had a chance to cry out. We were never going to allow those individuals to reach the age of reproduction. We couldn’t allow them to pass on the anomalous mutations.”

“I see—I suppose that makes sense.”

Kadeya heard the reticence in her grandson’s voice. “Actually it does, on several levels. In retrospect it seems major problems likely began as early as the third generation post-infection. We had not anticipated how robust the hybrid vigor among the offspring in the third generation would become. That vigor manifested primarily within the central nervous system, though the changes were initially quite subtle. We would not have learned about this had we not performed autopsies on dozens of culled specimen.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean by hybrid vigor.”

“And that’s the point,” Kadeya replied. “It’s likely whoever wrote the papers you’ve read didn’t actually understand hybrid vigor either. Physiological and behavioral changes among the hybridized sapiens were more profound and were occurring much faster than anyone had foreseen.

“At that point, our scientists began a second set of autopsies on preserved specimen from the first and second hybridized generations. When compared with the brains of non-hybridized sapiens some variations had either been missed or seemed insignificant during the earlier autopsies. Two in particular were considered the most likely culprits of the behavioral changes.

“Neurologists found more than twice as many spindle neurons in the ventral portion of the anterior cingulate cortex.”

“Which means what?” Ramuell asked.

“We theorize the larger and more numerous spindle neurons may have been causing a more robust emotional experience. Brain scans on live individuals showed those neuron clusters were activated by stimuli believed to be antecedents of emotional responses.

“In addition to intensifying emotional responses, it’s probable the spindle neurons enhance complex problem-solving. Some neurologists speculate that they also play a significant role in the motivation to take action, recognition of errors, and impulse control.

“The second significant change was the increase in size of the superior temporal gyrus and a deepening of the lateral fissure above that area of the cortex.”

“Again, which means what?”

“We know the superior temporal gyrus is the sapiens’ cortical level speech and language center,” Kadeya replied. “That’s the reason expressiveness and linguistic skills exploded among third and fourth generation hybrids. It’s also likely that area of the brain is where they process emotional perceptions.”

“Ahh, so coupling those two mutations has massive implications,” Ramuell observed.

“Yes it does. But what’s especially important here is just how malleable the sapiens’ genome proved to be. Within just a few generations our retroviruses were causing profound behavioral changes. It happened quickly and had a dramatic impact on intra-clan, inter-clan, and even interspecies relationships. Early on we were thrilled, but in retrospect it’s clear we should’ve been alarmed.”

“And why is that?”

Kadeya rubbed a knuckle under her nose. “All of this should have begged the question, what happens when something goes awry with a particular mutation of the brain? Suppose enhanced problem-solving leads to the ability to produce more complex tools and weapons—suppose it also gives hybridized individuals a leg up in terms of strategic decision making. Then couple those two changes with a more robust emotional response. Now if for some reason the impulse control mechanism is not fully developed or is flawed, the result might be hyper-aggressiveness.”

Narrowing his eyes, Ramuell suggested, “…and if there are anomalies in those areas of the brain that would likely intensify violent behaviors.”

“That’s right.” Kadeya massaged her temples. “What happens when the superior temporal gyrus is over-stimulated? What if within the abnormally deepened fissure there are neurons that self-stimulate? Could that mutation set up a feedback loop that produces auditory and visual hallucinations? Pathological sensory experiences? Mental illnesses?”

Sitting up straight and stretching his back, Ramuell added, “And if so, who knows where that might lead?”

Kadeya said, “Perhaps we’ve observed where it leads—certain individuals violently imposing their will on others. When the numbers were not so great, we simply eliminated those individuals. It was at that point we should have acknowledged some potentially serious miscalculations. We should have begun damage control efforts immediately. That we did not is why we now have a host of devils to pay.”