Fourteen years bled into one another, each marked by Bates' increasingly flimsy excuses for the stalled progress.
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22nd February 2045, New Manhattan, USA.
For over eight centuries, alphas, the elite among secondary genders, reigned supreme at the apex of the world.
But when the third evolution kicked in fourteen years ago, the seismic shift sent their world into freefall.
In the middle of the chaos, Atticus Bates, emerged as a beacon of hope in the storm.
He offered the alphas a chance to maintain their dominance -- be the first to undergo the third evolution and solidify their global hold before the entire Earth population caught up.
All they had to do in return was pay a small price.
These powerful men and women, united under the clandestine organization bearing the name "Third Evolution Consortium", set up a financial scheme to support Atticus Bates ' research, in the hope of being the first ones to claim the fruits of this revolutionary evolution.
Fourteen years bled into one another, each marked by Bates' increasingly flimsy excuses for the stalled progress. Not only had their dreams of enhanced power gone unrealized, but the architect of their ambition now lay comatose in a private hospital. His fate, and by grim extension, theirs, hung suspended in a suffocating fog of uncertainty.
Tonight, a different energy crackled beneath the opulent gleam of the Trinity Hotel's penthouse suite. Perched atop New Manhattan's vertiginous skyline, this aerie was usually reserved for glittering socialites and high rollers. On this particular occasion, urgency had replaced frivolity.
Barely 24 hours prior, Byron Thorne, the enigmatic leader of the Third Evolution Consortium, had issued a digital summons. The agenda was the funding for Atticus Bates' research project. The unprecedented unanimity – not a single member dared to decline – spoke volumes of the project's critical nature.
The suite itself was a marvel of luxury. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, a glittering sprawl bathed in the neon glow of ubiquitous hover cars. Plush, cloud-like couches, seemingly woven from moonlight, were scattered around a holographic coffee table that pulsed with discreet data displays.
As the consortium members arrived, they were greeted by silent, sleek androids, each offering a coupe of champagne chilled to an impossible perfection.
The initial chatter was subdued, a symphony of hushed greetings and polite inquiries. But even the clinking of champagne flutes seemed muted by the weight of the impending discussion.
Once everyone had arrived, an android sealed the room with an almost inaudible click, and all eyes turned to Byron Thorne. He rose to his feet, a glass of champagne clutched in one hand. His gaze swept the room, landing on each face in turn, before raising his glass in a silent toast.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. Everyone is busy, so let me cut to the chase."
The air grew thick as Byron launched into the latest development pertinent to the consortium's interests. Each word hung heavy, the weight of the news settling on the room like a physical presence.
"Following the explosion that destroyed the psychiatric hospital at Eichwald, Dr. Atticus Bates is currently being treated at Arbor Vitae Sanatorium in Cedarbrook, Montana. After careful examination, all doctors claimed that Atticus would never again wake up from his coma," he said to the round of assembled members.
Several members rubbed their faces with their hands, while the others took another sip from their champagne to ease their minds.
"This might be the end of the third evolution," Byron stated. "And with it, the end of the consortium."
"Honestly, this might be a sign that we should stop trying," Adam Kent, the owner of a multi-billionaire corporation in England spoke up. "I have always thought that the third evolution is not supposed to happen yet. Let the money drained during the last fourteen years be a good lesson to all of us."
A dissenting voice rose from Hideki Kanno, the enigmatic leader of the Japanese underworld.
"If you have always thought that way, why did you join the consortium in the first place, Mr. Kent?"
Adam furrowed his brows in displeasure.
"Freedom of speech might be restricted where you came from, Kanno-san, but thankfully I am not one of the little geishas you kept in your secret dungeons."
Hideki narrowed his eyes at Adam. His fingers gingerly brushed over the hilt of his short sword, ready to strike at the first best opportunity.
"Enough," Byron glared at both members. "Let's keep the discussion civil. When we grounded this consortium, we already agreed to act in favor of everyone's interests. If no one has anything new to share, let's conclude this with a vote."
"Before we start voting, I do have something to say," Business magnate Martha Hillard from Australia, with a global portfolio of various corporate holdings, broke the silence. "With all due respect, Dr. Atticus Bates is the key figure to the 'Dawn Of The Third Evolution' research project, but I trust that there is someone else who can continue his research."
Martha's statement earned her the attention of the entire room.
"Madam Hillard, are you by chance referring to 'her'?" Prince Zayden from the UAE asked.
Martha Hillard nodded.
"Dr. Miriam Schlinger has worked with Atticus Bates on the recreation of LK-92 on several occasions. I am more than convinced that she can handle the job in Atticus' stead."
Byron let his gaze sweep across the faces of the members.
"Madam Hillard has given us a very interesting option to pursue. Do we all agree to continue the funding and give Dr. Miriam Schlinger a chance to prove her worth?"
One by one, the members raised their glasses in assent.
"It is decided then," Byron heaved a sigh of relief. "The Third Evolution Consortium shall extend this offer to Dr. Miriam Schlinger, and give her all the freedom to continue Dr. Atticus Bates' research."
A smirk hushed over Martha Hillard's features.
"Glad to continue our cooperation, ladies and gentlemen," she said. "I trust that Dr. Miriam Schlinger would be more than happy to contribute."