Cedric Reed leaned forward, his frail hands gripping the armrests as he watched the global broadcast. The terminal diagnosis that had haunted him for months now hung suspended in the air—this was the lifeline. But a question burned: Would the Genetic Ascension Protocols have barriers for someone like him?
"Mastering these protocols is inherently challenging," Secretary-General Angus Carter declared, his holographic figure towering over the assembly. "Even minor errors in posture or execution can cause severe physical harm. This is why all trial subjects underwent training exclusively within the Neural Helmet's virtual environment."
The camera panned to a laboratory scene where amputees fluidly performed martial katas, their movements monitored by glowing holographic grids. Cedric's breath hitched as he watched a double-leg amputee regenerate limbs in accelerated footage—muscle fibers weaving like crimson threads under time-lapse microscopy.
"By unanimous resolution of the Blue Star Alliance," Angus' voice crescendoed, "every citizen aged six and above will receive a Neural Helmet at no cost. Ten Evolutionary Paths will be available for selection within the virtual ecosystem."
Global crowds erupted—Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing became a sea of raised smartphones; Times Square's billboards flickered with celebratory emojis. In Riverport City, Aaron Young clutched his sleeping son tighter, tears streaking his unshaven cheeks as he traced the outline of his prosthetic hand.
"For children under six facing life-threatening conditions," Angus added, "emergency access petitions can be submitted through Alliance portals."
Moonlake City, Gray-Reed Villa – Post-Broadcast
Luna Reed's fingers danced across her holographic interface, pulling up the freshly released distribution map. "They've activated 12 pickup points in West District alone. The stadium's our closest—slots open tomorrow at 1 PM sharp."
Ethan's grandfather Benjamin squinted at his wrist display, enlarged font glowing. "Look at this—priority queues for seniors over eighty! They've even got mobile units for rural townships."
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Ethan cross-referenced timelines. "We'll need to stagger our appointments. Dad, you and Mom take the 1:15 slot. Grandpa, your accessibility pass gets you immediate entry."
Henry Xu grunted approval, his battle-scarred knuckles whitening around his tea cup. "Smart. Avoid the stampede."
July 22nd, 5:03 PM – Moonlake Stadium Distribution Center
The family navigated a labyrinth of retractable barriers, their footsteps echoing under vaulted ceilings where championship banners hung dormant. Neon arrows pulsed << NEURAL HELMET PICKUP >> toward Section G.
"Reed-Gray party, six members," announced a drone scanner, its prismatic laser sweeping their QR codes. "Proceed to Bay 7."
Three minutes later, they emerged clutching matte-black cases emblazoned with the Alliance's helix insignia. Luna ran a thumb over the biometric lock, feeling the nano-filament seams. "It's... lighter than I imagined."
Outside, the setting sun bathed the plaza in amber light. An elderly woman wept openly as a volunteer helped her fasten the carrying strap. Teenagers livestreamed unboxings, their excited chatter blending into a hopeful cacophony.
July 25th, 8:59 PM – Global Threshold
Ethan lay supine on the climate-controlled bed, Neural Helmet cradled like a ceremonial artifact. Luna's hand found his—a silent pact—as the holographic countdown burned crimson against the ceiling:
00:00:59
Aaron's face materialized in a corner display, his prosthetic hand raised in a mock toast. "To new limbs and second acts."
"To not sucking at whatever this 'game' is," Ethan chuckled, nerves taut.
Across the room, Luna finalized her studio's battle plan. "Remember—every interaction is data. Track NPC behavioral patterns, log environmental physics. This isn't just gameplay; it's anthropological fieldwork."
Her assistants' holograms snapped salutes. "Scouting teams ready, Director Reed!"
9:00:00 PM – Neural Sync
Cool gel pads adhered to Ethan's temporal lobes. A subsonic hum vibrated through his occipital bone as fractal light patterns cascaded behind closed eyelids.
SYSTEM VOICE (Baritone Resonance):
"Biometric authentication complete. Welcome, Subject Ethan Gray, to Life Evolution. Preparing cortical integration..."
His last conscious sensation was Luna's pinky finger brushing his—an anchor to reality dissolving into the void.
