Major Charles's voice, seasoned and authoritative, filled the auditorium with a sombre gravity that was unusual for him. "I know many of you come with stories passed down from generations, tales of our ventures into the unknown and the fabric of our universe as we've come to understand it," he began, his tone earnest yet tinged with an undeniable sorrow. "Despite the familiarity some of these tales might hold, I must relay them once more. Perhaps, in the crucible of your future endeavours, this knowledge will be your shield, your beacon in the darkest hours."
A ripple of unease passed through the students, a collective empathy for a Major who, until this moment, had been an unyielding pillar of strength and resolve. The weight of his words and the depth of his sentiment hinted at the profound revelations to come.
The narrative he wove began in the not-so-distant past, a time when humanity, in its insatiable quest for knowledge and expansion, had already marked its presence on every terrestrial sphere within our solar system. "The year 2310 stands as a beacon in our celestial journey," he declared. "Our reach had extended to every planet, each outpost a testament to human ingenuity and the unquenchable spirit of exploration. The smallest of these outposts boasted populations surpassing 10,000,000 souls, each a microcosm of our greater civilization, each tasked with the vital operations of harvesting, mining, and refining the essence of these alien worlds."
Yet, the events on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, heralded a paradigm shift in our cosmic odyssey. "In that year, a squad of explorers, driven by curiosity, stumbled upon a deposit of an unknown substance. A substance known as Violet," Major Charles continued, the discovery's significance palpable in his voice. "What they unearthed was not just a new material but a key to realms beyond our wildest dreams. Violet was the harbinger of a new era, the dawn of portal technology that would shatter the very boundaries of our dimension and unveil the Lattice to human eyes."
The Lattice, as described by the Major, was more than just a new domain to traverse. It was a crucible of transformation, a realm where those daring enough to enter were reborn into new forms, each uniquely adapted to the alien landscapes they found themselves in. "This was not merely a journey of distance but of metamorphosis. The explorers, upon their arrival, were reshaped by the very fabric of the Lattice, reborn as new entities primed for survival yet cast at the bottom of a new, unfathomable hierarchy of life."
Major Charles, with a seasoned lecturer's poise, delved deeper into the intricacies of the Lattice and its profound implications for humanity's ongoing exploration and survival. "Each planet within this enigmatic dimension is woven into a complex network, connected by six portals: two anchoring the poles and four others encircling the equator, creating a web of pathways that stretch across the lattice's vast expanse," he explained, his words painting a vivid picture of this interstellar maze.
He paused, ensuring the gravity of his next point was fully absorbed. "However, there exists a seventh portal on each planet, a solitary gateway that beckons explorers back to our home dimension. Unlike its brethren, this portal holds a vulnerability—it can be destroyed." The room tensed at the implication, the dangers of such a predicament hanging heavily in the air. "Countless are the tales of brave souls, trapped, their fates sealed by the destruction of their only passage home. A stark reminder of the perils that lurk within the Lattice," he added, his tone remained sombre.
The Major's narrative then touched upon a crucial survival detail within the Lattice: the reliance on Ash-infused technology. "In this dimension, our technological prowess, a cornerstone of our civilization, is rendered inert unless married with Ash. This rare substance, is the only salvation for technology in an otherwise techno-barren realm. As you probably know, Ash can be scavenged from the planets within the Lattice or won from the depths of dungeons, a prize bestowed only upon those who conquer challenges of significant peril."
Transitioning back to the home dimension, Major Charles explained the synergistic potential of Violet and Ash. "When combined, these elements birth a beacon, a lighthouse in the cosmic sea, allowing us to forge portals within our home dimension, knitting together distant locales with bridges of light and energy." The strategic value of such a capability was not lost on the audience, each cadet acutely aware of the endless possibilities—and responsibilities—this technology presented.
Yet, the creation of these portals was not without its challenges. "The initiation of a portal, its size, its stability, its very essence, hinges on the quantity of Violet and Ash at our disposal. The greater the ambition, the heftier the price in these precious resources," he noted, a wry smile crossing his lips as he added, "You're beginning to see the pattern, aren't you? The lattice giveth, and the home dimension demandeth."
This revelation underscored a cyclical dependency, a cosmic dance of give and take, that defined humanity's burgeoning presence in the universe.
Major Charles's voice took on a graver tone as he ventured into the darker aspects of humanity's foray into the unknown. "Our initial trifling with this miraculous technology, spurred by the discovery of Violet, was defiled by those pieces of shit", he sighed, the shadows of past misjudgments casting a pall over the room. "Test xx722, an endeavour sanctioned by the United Earth military to bridge the vastness between us and a celestial body near Alpha Centauri, remains a stark reminder of our folly." The experiment, ambitious in its scope and catastrophic in its failure, led to an unparalleled disaster, erasing billions of lives and instantly altering the face of our solar system. While not proven, the Church of Aviv probably caused it.
Yet, amidst the ruins of that 'accident', the pioneers of Violet and the architects of the portal technology to the Lattice—the esteemed 'Four'—emerged as beacons of human resilience and ingenuity. "Their legacy, over a century old, endures, imbued with a power that transcends time. To stand in their presence is to stand in the shadow of giants, the very pillars upon which our current understanding rests," Major Charles intoned, a note of reverence threading through his words. Because of them, we will spread to the furthest reaches of this universe.
The discussion then veered into the unsettling realities of Lumen production. "Lumens, those diamond-like crystals are pivotal for our genetic evolution, research, and sustenance of energy, unfortunately, harbour a grotesque truth in their genesis," the Major revealed, his voice laden with the weight of the revelation. "The Lattice, for all its wonders, demands a grisly toll. The creatures that roam its realms, once defeated, must be subjected to a dreadful process to yield Lumens."
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He spared no detail in describing the grim procedure. "The carcasses of these beings, once vibrant and alive within the Lattice's unforgiving ecosystems, are consigned to Ash-infused crushers. It is within the bowels of these merciless machines that Lumens are born, extracted from the remnants of life through a process that marries technological ingenuity with a chilling disregard for the once-living."
This stark and unflinching revelation laid bare the grim underbelly of humanity's quest for advancement and power. The production of Lumens, essential as it was, underscored a harrowing truth: that the path to enlightenment was often paved with sacrifices that challenged the very essence of humanity's moral compass. While unsettling, Major Charles's disclosure was a necessary confrontation with the realities of their new frontier—a constant reminder of the balance between ambition and ethical stewardship as they stepped forth into the Lattice and beyond.
Major Charles's voice resonated with a sobering gravity as he addressed the assembly of ALMO's second cohort. "You stand at the threshold of a new era under the banner of the Accelerated Lifeform Military Organisation, a cornerstone initiative of the United Earth," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the faces of young recruits, each embodying the future's hope and potential peril. "Our species, for all its achievements and dominion over the solar system, remains nascent, vulnerable in the cosmic tapestry. ALMO's collective mission is to catalyze a revolution and fortify humanity against the existential threats that lurk in the shadows of our expanding frontier."
A murmur of contemplation stirred among the recruits, a shared recognition of the weight of their calling. Within this reflective silence, a voice rose, tinged with a mix of curiosity and scepticism. "But sir, to date, our exploration suggests we are solitary in the home dimension. The vast expanse of our solar system, now under our sway, bears no sign of rival intelligence. Are we truly in peril when no other force has laid claim to challenge us?" the student inquired, voicing a sentiment that resonated with many.
The Major's response, measured yet laden with an unspoken urgency, hinted at the depths of classified knowledge beyond the cadets' current understanding. "The information I'm about to share is confined within these walls. Breach this trust, and the consequences will extend beyond personal retribution; remember your responsibilities as a clearance holder," he cautioned, his demeanour underscoring the gravity of his forthcoming revelation.
"The cosmos harbours entities far removed from our comprehension, among them a race known as the Maldiablo, dwelling some 30,000 light-years distant. Their power does not lie in brute force but in an insidious ability to usurp life, to infiltrate and subjugate through a parasitic assault on any biological form weakened enough to succumb," Major Charles elucidated, painting a chilling portrait of an adversary defined by stealth and subversion rather than overt aggression.
"Their incursions into our outposts, though repelled before a foothold could be established, revealed a harrowing capability. A host claimed by a Maldiablo not only gains in strength but acquires a semblance of immortality, without Lumen, a grotesque parody of life unfettered by the natural cycle, a stagnation, impervious to the evolutionary aspirations Lumens afford," he continued, the implications of such encounters hanging ominously in the air.
"The arsenal at our disposal, our technology and might, find efficacy only in weapons forged from the very essence of the Lattice, imbued with Violet and Ash. It is these tools, and these alone, that hold sway over the Maldiablo," Major Charles concluded, his words not just a briefing but a clarion call to vigilance and preparedness.
The revelation cast a new light on the path that lay ahead for the recruits of ALMO. Their training, evolution, and very existence were not just about mastering the known but preparing for the incalculable variables of a universe teeming with unseen dangers. The Maldiablo, a mere whisper of the vast unknown, underscored the imperative of their mission: to stand as humanity's bulwark against the unfathomable, to ensure the survival and supremacy of their species in the face of adversaries beyond imagination.
In the charged atmosphere of the auditorium, Major Charles delved deeper into the daunting realities faced by humanity in its skirmishes with the Maldiablo. "We have clashed with the Maldiablo on several fronts," he began, his voice steady but laden with the gravity of the conflicts he described. "Our soldiers, those who have returned, recount battles of a nightmarish nature, facing foes that wear the faces of their fallen brothers-in-arms. These entities, masquerading in our own bodies, withstand assaults that would fell any human, their physical forms twisted and enhanced beyond our natural limits."
The imagery evoked by the Major's words was stark and harrowing, reminiscent of ancient myths of the undead, yet all too real in this interstellar struggle. "It's as though we're contending with the zombies of old folklore, but this is no myth. This is the grim reality of the front lines against the Maldiablo. Despite all this, they still show signs of intelligence and likely are the backbone leadership of the Church of Aviv."
In the face of such dire threats, humanity's resolve to survive and thrive was palpable. "Across the cosmos, new bastions of human civilization are being forged, nations rising from the determination and bravery of those willing to stand against the encroaching darkness. These pioneers serve as the vanguard, the protectors of our species, wielding the dual mantle of defender and avenger against the Maldiablo and any who dare threaten our existence."
The narrative shifted to a groundbreaking development within ALMO, highlighting an innovation that represented a beacon of hope amidst the looming shadows. "What sets ALMO apart is our recent breakthrough with Violet, a discovery that precipitated the creation of the Charter of Humanity," Major Charles continued, his tone imbuing the announcement with a sense of historical significance.
As he outlined, the Charter was a mandate for all of humanity, a directive that every individual, upon reaching the age of fifteen, must undergo three years of rigorous military training. "This isn't just about preparing for conflict; it's about imbuing every soul with the skills in teamwork, tactics, and survival necessary to navigate and triumph in the uncertain future we face."
However, the revelation of the Charter's top-secret addendum captivated the audience, a covert operation that marked a pivotal moment in human evolution. "Beyond the public facade of the Charter lies a deeper, more profound initiative. Upon completing your training, you will be administered a dose of Violet-Lumen gene therapy," Major Charles disclosed, the weight of this statement hanging in the air.
This therapy, he explained, was not merely a medical procedure but a catalyst for transcendence, shattering the biological constraints that bound humanity's potential. "This gene therapy is the key to unlocking abilities and a rate of evolution previously unimaginable. You, the second cohort to receive this gift, are the harbingers of a new dawn for humanity, pioneers tasked with charting a course beyond the horizon of our current capabilities."
With a tinge of wistfulness, he acknowledged the limitations of this revolutionary therapy. "For those of us old farts who have surpassed the threshold of youth and have already set foot in the Lattice, this opportunity remains beyond our reach. But in you, we place our hopes, our dreams of a future where humanity not only endures but flourishes."
As his briefing drew to a close, Major Charles's gaze swept across the sea of faces before him, each young cadet poised on the brink of an unprecedented journey. "Are you ready?" he asked, his question echoing not just in the auditorium but in the hearts of all present, a clarion call to embrace their destiny, to rise to the challenges that lay ahead, and to forge a new path for humanity in the cosmic saga that unfolds.