Dr. Carlisle sat at the long mahogany table, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Around him, high-ranking officials sat quietly, waiting for him to begin. He had spent weeks refining his report, and now it was time to deliver it. He knew that what he had discovered was nothing short of groundbreaking—perhaps even terrifying—but the implications had to be made clear. The world was changing, and no one truly understood why.
Carlisle took a deep breath and began.
"Gentlemen," he said, his voice steady but firm, "the case of Malik has proven beyond a doubt that we are witnessing the emergence of something new in the human genome. What we once thought was impossible is happening before our eyes, and it is far more complex than a simple mutation or anomaly. We are looking at the evolution of the human species in real time, and it's likely that Malik is only the beginning."
He clicked a button on the small remote in his hand, bringing up a holographic display in the center of the room. A double helix rotated slowly, overlaid with intricate patterns of gene sequences. Highlighted among them was a small cluster of unknown genetic code.
"This," he continued, pointing to the cluster, "is what we've termed the 'Hidden Code.' It's a segment of DNA we have never observed before. What makes it particularly troubling is that it doesn't adhere to the natural progression of genetic mutation. Malik's abilities—the manipulation of metal—are the result of this code becoming active, but it didn't appear through any known process of genetic inheritance. It simply appeared."
A murmur went through the room as the officials exchanged concerned glances. Carlisle continued, unfazed.
"Now, this Hidden Code is not part of the observable DNA we are accustomed to. It sits dormant, invisible to our traditional methods of gene sequencing. However, we believe it's interwoven with Malik's existing DNA in a way that doesn't disrupt the genome's integrity. Normally, any such drastic change would result in cellular breakdown or even death, but this code has found a way to coexist—if not dominate—without causing genetic chaos."
He clicked the remote again, zooming in on a section of the helix that looked like a tangled web of proteins.
"As for how this code becomes expressed," Carlisle continued, "we are still in the dark. We hypothesize that it may be triggered by external factors—stress, environmental shifts, or perhaps even a chemical reaction we don't yet understand. What's more concerning is that Malik isn't an isolated case. While no new super-powered individuals have emerged since him, I am confident that more will appear. It's only a matter of time."
One of the officials, an older man with graying hair, leaned forward. "You're saying that anyone could be walking around with this code, waiting for it to activate?"
Carlisle nodded gravely. "Precisely. We have no way of knowing how many people are carriers of this code, nor when or how it will activate. The world itself seems to be shifting, and this genetic anomaly may be part of a larger, more fundamental change in our planet's environment or the very structure of life. We've seen attempts from daredevils trying to 'awaken' powers through reckless acts, but most fail and perish. It's likely that the conditions for activation are far more specific than mere life-and-death situations."
Another official spoke up, this one younger and more skeptical. "But if Malik was the first—and possibly the last—why should we be concerned? What makes you think more will emerge?"
Carlisle clicked the remote again, revealing a series of charts and graphs. "Because Malik wasn't born with an ability. His DNA wasn't different until it suddenly was. Something external—perhaps cosmic or environmental—caused the activation. And if it happened once, it can happen again. The sudden emergence of this code indicates a change in the world that we are not fully aware of yet."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "This is not just a case of one man getting lucky with a genetic mutation. This is an evolutionary leap—one that we don't understand. And if we don't start preparing now, we may soon find ourselves facing individuals with abilities far beyond what we can control."
A silence fell over the room. The implications of Carlisle's findings were clear. If more individuals like Malik were to emerge, the very fabric of society could be torn apart.
"So," the graying official finally said, his voice quiet but firm, "what can we do? How do we stop it?"
Carlisle clicked the remote once more, pulling up a series of projected models. "There are potential ways to block the expression of the Hidden Code, but they are still theoretical. First, we would need to develop a screening process to detect this latent code in individuals before it activates. That alone would take time and resources, as it's nearly undetectable with current technology. However, once identified, we could potentially target the gene sequence with gene-silencing techniques."
He pointed to a graph showing various genetic inhibitors. "CRISPR technology is one potential avenue. By editing the genome, we could disable the code before it ever has a chance to express. Another approach would be the use of tailored drugs that suppress the specific proteins needed for the ability to manifest. This could prevent the Hidden Code from being activated, even under stress."
"But," Carlisle added, "these solutions would only work if we can identify the individuals before their abilities emerge. Once the code activates, we have little control. As you've seen with Malik, these individuals can be incredibly dangerous if left unchecked."
The room fell silent again as the officials absorbed the information. Carlisle stood tall, confident in his findings but aware of the enormity of what lay ahead.
"We're standing at the brink of a new era," Carlisle concluded. "We can either take control of this situation now or risk being swept away by it. The choice is yours."