Page 122 of Reckless: Corruption

“Better than expected,” Alexander confirms, straightening his posture despite the obvious pain. “The London trial subjects are already showing designation shifts. No fatalities.”

“And the Seattle cohort?”

“Transformation complete in seventy-six percent of subjects. The remaining twenty-four percent show partial response but require secondary exposure.”

I nod, satisfaction warming my chest. Fourteen years of research, of trial and error, of adapting to Mona’s clever sabotage. And now, finally, success.

“Whitmore was worth every penny,” I observe.

“His modifications to the viral vector were... inspired,” Alexander agrees. “Though without your initial research, even he couldn’t have achieved designation manipulation.”

I move to a specialized containment unit, where a single vial gleams brighter than the others—golden rather than the standard iridescent blue. “And this? The Cayenne protocol?”

Alexander shifts uncomfortably. “As requested. The specialized formula targeting beta-plus mutations.”

“Designation targeting at the genomic level,” I muse, lifting the vial to examine it more closely. “Not just manipulation but evolutionary acceleration. No longer blunt force trauma to biology, but precision surgery.”

“It’s untested,” Alexander cautions. “We have no way of knowing how it will interact with her already altered genetics.”

“A happy accident,” I say with genuine pleasure. “When I designed the original virus, I never anticipated a subject might adapt rather than transform. Cayenne’s unique response has opened entirely new research avenues—the core of Project Genesis itself.”

I place the vial back in its cradle with reverent care. “One test subject hardly constitutes statistical significance. We need the others.”

“The beta. Finn.” Alexander’s voice carries a note of professional interest. “His symptoms suggest similar adaptive potential, though his resistance patterns differ from Cayenne’s.”

“Indeed. And Mona has likely administered her makeshift vaccine, which only furthers our research goals.” I turn to the wall of surveillance feeds, each tracking different members of the fractured pack. “She thinks she’s playing against me, but she’s simply expanding my dataset.”

“What about the omega? His heat symptoms were advancing rapidly during extraction.”

My eyes gleam with scientific curiosity. “An omega in full heat, bonded to enhanced betas and alphas? The pheromone interactions alone would be worth studying.”

I pull up a specialized tracking program—genetic markers identified across global surveillance networks. Red dots illuminate across the map, each representing a Sterling genetic signature.

“My daughters are clever,” I observe, watching a marker move steadily northward. “But every Sterling carries my genetic signature. They can run, but they cannot hide.”

Alexander’s posture straightens subtly, wincing as the movement aggravates his injuries. “Your orders?”

“Monitor, but do not engage. Let them think they’ve escaped.” I gesture toward the separated pack indicators.“Divided, they’re vulnerable. The alphas will be driven to recover their missing pieces.”

“And when they attempt to reunite?”

My smile carries neither warmth nor cruelty—only scientific certainty. “Then we collect our specimens. All of them.”

I tap the screen, bringing up schematics for the Aurora Facility—our most advanced research center, designed specifically for the next phase. “In the meantime, we proceed with global implementation. The designation revolution begins now.”

“Betas will either evolve or die,” Alexander states, repeating the mantra I’ve instilled since his youth.

“Not merely die,” I correct. “Transform. Those with suitable genetic potential will ascend to their true designation. Those without...” I shrug. “Nature has always favored the adaptable.”

“And Project Genesis?” Alexander inquires carefully. “How does it connect to the current formula deployment?”

My expression shifts to something almost paternal—the closest I come to genuine warmth. “Project Genesis goes beyond mere designation manipulation. It represents the next evolutionary leap—subjects who transcend traditional designation boundaries completely. The enhanced beta phenomenon we’re seeing in Cayenne is merely the first step.”

On a separate screen, profiles scroll past—candidates for the next phase of evolution. Children, mostly, their genetic profiles highlighted with Sterling markers.

“Nature made a fundamental error in designation distribution,” I state. “I’m simply correcting it. Creating a world where designation is determined not by random chance, but by deliberate design.”

“Your design,” Alexander observes.

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