Chereads / Fiberblood: The Wolfen Epoch / Chapter 20 - chapter20:Fissures and Allies

Chapter 20 - chapter20:Fissures and Allies

Allison stood in front of the technology exhibition booth, observing the latest achievements displayed by FiberTech. The flickering green code on the screen made her furrow her brows—a string of unfamiliar data briefly appeared on the display before vanishing. She keenly sensed that this information seemed to hide some kind of anomaly, secretive and eerie. Always attentive to detail, she knew that the data before her was no accidental appearance, and a sense of unease began to rise within her. 

"These codes shouldn't exist; they feel like some sort of... warning signal," Allison murmured softly to herself. 

Lucas approached her, noticing her expression. He frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in his voice as he asked, "It's just some numbers and codes; maybe it's a programmer's oversight?" 

Allison shook her head, filled with alertness. "There's no oversight. FiberTech's programs have always been rigorous; every piece of code undergoes countless reviews. This data might indicate a vulnerability, or even a potential danger." 

Lucas sighed, seeming somewhat unconvinced. "Maybe you're being too sensitive. Technology development always encounters unknown obstacles; we shouldn't be deterred by that." 

His attitude left Allison feeling slightly disappointed. She realized that Lucas's perspective was starkly different from hers, and their differing views on FiberTech were gradually widening the gap between them. Nevertheless, Allison resolved to dig deeper into the mystery of this data. 

Soon after, a mysterious figure appeared in their lab. She introduced herself as Sophia Wang, a renowned ethicist in fiber technology. With elegance, she approached Allison, her eyes shining with wisdom. 

"You must be Allison, correct?" Sophia said, her voice steady and confident. "I've been informed about the discrepancies you've uncovered in the data. I think your apprehensions are quite justified."

Allison felt a jolt of surprise and relief, realizing she had finally encountered someone who shared her viewpoint. She introduced Sophia to her investigations alongside Lucas and expressed her worries about the ethical risks potentially posed by FiberTech.

"FiberTech isn't just about technology; it could change the ethical structure of society," Sophia stated coolly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the lab equipment. "Human misuse of technology often stems from ignorance of our own vulnerabilities." 

Lucas appeared somewhat uneasy with Sophia's arrival, holding reservations about such viewpoints. "Perhaps your vigilance regarding technology is a bit excessive. New technologies inherently come with potential risks, and our task is to identify and resolve those risks."

Allison's feelings grew increasingly complex. Lucas's persistence made her question whether their relationship could withstand such differences, yet Sophia's understanding and support encouraged her. She decided to collaborate with Sophia to delve deeper into the anomalous data and uncover the secrets hidden behind it. 

As their investigation progressed, Allison, Lucas, and Sophia embarked on a complex and tense collaboration. Their data analysis unveiled an extremely dangerous energy fluctuation pattern, one that seemed capable of exposing itself uncontrollably to the human body, triggering a series of unpredictable physiological and psychological effects.

"Those effects are not just temporary," Sophia said seriously. "Long-term exposure to this energy could lead to irreversible changes, even altering an individual's basic cognitive abilities."

Lucas dismissed the concern with a snort. "It's merely a data model. No empirical evidence supports it. Data can only suggest hypotheses; it shouldn't impede our research momentum." 

"Aren't you concerned about the potential risks this data could represent?" Allison countered, her tone icy with a mix of fury and disillusionment. 

Lucas was silent for a moment, a stubborn glint in his eyes. "Worrying doesn't solve anything. Technology needs breakthroughs, not retreat." 

Allison realized that their disagreements were not merely about differing views on technology but also about fundamentally different understandings of their future choices. Their relationship was gradually reaching a standstill, and trust was wearing thin with each argument. 

However, the situation was far from over. Their investigation seemed to have drawn the attention of some unwelcome guests. One night, while Allison and Sophia were in the lab, they discovered signs of a break-in—certain confidential data had been stolen, and research reports had been deliberately altered. 

"It appears our actions have set certain wheels in motion," Sophia mused, her gaze distant. 

"The Fiber Management Bureau is the only entity with the means to orchestrate this," Allison reasoned, her voice steady. "They possess the surveillance capabilities and the access to our research findings with ease." 

As the reality of the situation began to sink in, Lucas's demeanor turned grave. "We must tread cautiously. If the Bureau is indeed involved, the repercussions could be catastrophic."

The trio exchanged glances, each recognizing the severity of their predicament. The Bureau's reach was far-reaching, and its influence insidious. They knew that any misstep could lead to dire consequences. Yet, they were also aware that the truth they held was too important to be silenced. With a renewed sense of urgency, they began to strategize, each step calculated to avoid detection while they worked to unravel the web of deception that the Bureau had spun. The stakes were high, but so was their determination to expose the truth and bring the Bureau's clandestine activities to light. 

Yet, a greater threat loomed closer. One night, their equipment suddenly received an encrypted signal, displaying a string of strange text: "Stop your investigation or face the consequences." The screen flickered for a few seconds before going black. 

Allison's pulse quickened, and Sophia was gripped by a sense of disquiet. They were both aware that this was no mere caution but a veiled threat. 

"It appears we've not only piqued the Bureau's interest, but we might have drawn the scrutiny of more clandestine powers as well," Sophia remarked, her face etched with a somber blend of concern and foreboding about the days ahead. 

Faced with increasing threats, Allison and Lucas realized they had to unite. Despite their ideological differences regarding technology, their current predicament forced them to set aside their prejudices and confront the Bureau's surveillance together. 

Sophia became a crucial ally; not only did she steadfastly support Allison's viewpoint on ethical concerns, but she also used her resources to help them obtain some internal intelligence from the Bureau. Through this information, the three learned that the Bureau was not merely researching the applications of fiber technology but was secretly developing a plan to use this technology to control human thought.

"Control thoughts?" Allison was taken aback. "This is far beyond our imagination. If the Bureau succeeds, the entire society will be under their control!" 

Lucas's attitude began to shift as well, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation. He had never considered that the technology he had devoted himself to could be so misused, even posing a threat to the freedom of all humanity. 

"We must put an end to this," Lucas declared, his tone hushed yet resolute, reflecting a resolve they had never seen in him before. 

Setting aside their previous discord, the trio now found themselves aligned against a formidable conspiracy. United in purpose, they resolved to devise a strategy to dismantle the Bureau's clandestine laboratory and bring its covert research into the light. Their resolve was steeled by the knowledge that the stakes were high and the consequences of failure too dire to contemplate. Together, they began to plot their move, each aware that their actions could shake the very foundations of the Bureau's power. 

On the eve of the planned operation, Allison and Sophia received an anonymous phone call. The low, cold voice on the other end was laced with threats: "Your actions have been detected. If you continue, the consequences will be dire." 

Allison's heart sank, while Sophia responded calmly, showing no fear in her tone. "We won't back down because of intimidation. Your conspiracy will be thoroughly exposed." 

As the call ended, Allison and Sophia exchanged heavy glances, knowing the enemy was closing in. Their plan might encounter obstacles, but this pressure only solidified their resolve. 

"We cannot let them succeed," Allison said quietly, her gaze determined. 

Lucas then entered, bringing the latest intelligence— the Bureau was dispatching a team of operatives to thwart their actions, and these agents were extremely dangerous, possessing high levels of fiber control abilities. 

"The enemy's strength is greater than we imagined," Lucas analyzed coolly. "We need a new strategy. Perhaps only by combining Sophia's resources can we successfully execute our mission." 

The three decided to work closely together, pooling their strengths to confront this formidable dark force. They understood that this battle was a matter of life and death, fraught with danger. 

On the night before their operation, Allison, Lucas, and Sophia sat together at a table, a map laid out before them marking their target. Every line and every circle concealed countless unknown dangers. 

"We need to remain on high alert," Sophia warned, her voice grave with the weight of the situation.

Allison offered a solemn nod, but an undercurrent of unease gnawed at her. The adversary seemed like a spectral presence in the shadows, ever-watchful, tracking their every step.

"Can we truly succeed?" Allison whispered to herself, her voice tinged with a palpable anxiety. The uncertainty of their mission loomed large, a dark cloud casting doubt over their chances. Yet, despite the fear that threatened to engulf her, she knew they had no choice but to press on. The stakes were too high to back down now. With each passing moment, the enemy's reach seemed to grow, their influence seeping into every corner of their lives. But Sophia, Lucas, and she were not alone in this fight. They had allies, though few and far between, who believed in their cause. Together, they would face the unseen forces that sought to undermine their efforts. They would stand firm, united by a common goal: to expose the truth and bring justice to light.