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THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 34: Three-Way Mirror
David Conway sat in Eleanor's office, looking exactly as he had fifteen years ago. Unchanged. Untransformed."You knew," Eleanor paced before him. "All this time, you knew what they really wanted.""I tried to warn you." David's smile hadn't changed either. "But you were so certain you could control it."Luna burst through the door. "The Mars samples are destabilizing.""Already?" David checked his watch. "Ahead of schedule.""You expected this?" Alex stood between Eleanor and Luna."I expected everything." David rose. "Even this fascinating triangle you've created.""We don't have time for games," Eleanor's form flickered. "The hunters are coming.""The hunters are already here." David touched Eleanor's desk, fingers trailing. "Inside each transformed human. Growing. Waiting."Luna pulled up holographic data. "The samples are showing increasing neural activity.""Of course they are." David walked to the window. "They can hear their siblings approaching.""The Mars samples are alive?"
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 35: Love and Other Transformations
The beings' transmission filled Eleanor's lab with pulsing light. Alex convulsed on the neural interface chair as both women worked to stabilize him."The signal's fragmenting," Luna's fingers flew across her console. "I can't maintain coherence.""Let me." Eleanor placed her hands on the interface. "I can translate."The beings' message rippled through the lab's speakers:DIVIDE/UNITE/BECOME/PRESERVE"They're trying to help," Eleanor's form flickered. "They want to preserve humanity."Luna shook her head. "No, the syntax is wrong. Look at the wave pattern."DIVIDE/CONSUME/BECOME/TRANSFORM"They're warning us," Luna insisted. "About the transformation process."Alex screamed, his form shifting between states."Hold him!" Eleanor reached for the neural stabilizers."His patterns are fracturing," Luna connected a secondary interface. "I've never seen anything like this."The beings' message continued:LOVE/DEATH/EVOLUTION/CHOICE"What are they saying?" Alex's voice distorted.Eleanor to
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 36: Breaking Bonds
The control room's emergency lights cast red shadows as Eleanor faced the central display. Global transformation readings climbed toward critical levels."You knew," Luna's voice cut through the chaos. "You knew what Project Genesis really was.""Not at first." Eleanor's fingers traced emergency protocols. "Not until it was too late."Alex stood between them. "Tell me the truth. All of it.""The truth?" Eleanor laughed bitterly. "Which version? The one where I saved humanity? Or the one where I damned it?"Luna pulled up archived files. "Project Genesis wasn't about evolution.""It was always about evolution," Eleanor countered."No." Luna projected the original schematics. "Look, Alex. Really look."The designs flickered in holographic detail."A quantum consciousness encoder," Alex studied the plans. "You weren't trying to transform bodies.""I was trying to save minds." Eleanor's form shifted rapidly. "Before they came.""Before who came?" Luna demanded."The ones who seeded us." E
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 37: Points of No Return
The control room's screens blazed with warnings as the beings' energy signatures multiplied across the globe. Alex stood at the center of a triangulated field between Eleanor and Luna, his form flickering between states."The convergence is accelerating," Luna's hands flew across multiple interfaces. "We're losing containment!""Let it go," Eleanor's transformed state pulsed with intense light. "It's meant to happen.""Like this?" Alex gestured to the screens showing global chaos. "With billions screaming?""They're not screaming," Eleanor moved closer. "They're awakening."The beings' message thundered through every speaker:WE ARE HERE/WE ARE YOU/YOU ARE US"Listen to their syntax," Luna highlighted wave patterns. "It's not communication - it's programming!"Eleanor shook her head. "It's evolution.""It's both," Alex's voice resonated strangely. "And neither."The facility shuddered as another wave hit."We have minutes," Luna warned. "Maybe less.""Before what?" Alex demanded."Bef
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 38: Public Relations
The headline screamed across Eleanor's tablet: "GENESIS PROJECT LEADER'S HUSBAND CAUGHT IN RESEARCH TRYST.""Turn it off," Alex paced the conference room. "It's not what they're making it out to be.""Is it not?" Eleanor's voice remained eerily calm as she swiped through photos. "You and Luna, connecting neural interfaces. Her hands on your temples. Your faces inches apart.""We were calibrating the consciousness matrix!""While I was in Washington." Eleanor set down the tablet. "How convenient."The door burst open as Sebastian Drake strode in, designer suit immaculate despite the transcontinental flight."Darling sister! Always such a pleasure to clean up your messes.""I didn't call you, Sebastian.""No, the board did." He dropped into a chair. "Something about protecting their trillion-dollar investment from scandal."Luna entered, faltering when she saw Sebastian. "I should go...""Stay." Eleanor's tone left no room for argument. "We need to address this.""First rule of crisis m
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 1: A Fateful Evening
As Alex Carter leaned over a faulty drone, the strong scent of burnt electronics permeated the air, while his experienced hands worked with careful accuracy. The repair shop's dim lighting stretched shadows over his face, emphasizing the resolve in his eyes."Get a move on, you little rascal," Alex murmured, skillfully fixing a damaged wire.Alex's face lit up with a triumphant smile as the drone's lights turned on. His brief triumph was interrupted by the sound of the shop's bell, indicating the arrival of new customers.A familiar voice filled with condescension said, "Well, well, look who it is, Alex Carter."Alex felt a wave of disappointment when he saw Claire and Fiona, his old high school classmates. They walked in casually, their high-end clothing standing out against the dirty environment."Ladies," Alex said with a polite smile. "How may I assist you?"Claire flicked her impeccably styled hair back. "Our hovercraft is experiencing some issues." Do you think you're up for it,
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 2: A Mother's Love
Walking through the sliding doors, Alex was hit by the overpowering antiseptic smell of the hospital. He acknowledged familiar staff members with a nod before his feet guided him to Room 307. He inhaled deeply, plastered on a grin, and entered."Mom," Alex softly greeted, coming closer to the bed where his frail mother lay, her eyes brightening as she saw him."Alex, my son!" she cried out, her voice feeble yet brimming with affection. I was not anticipating your presence today. Aren't you supposed to be working?"Alex pulled up a chair beside her bed. "I got off early. Thought I'd surprise you."His mother reached out a thin hand, which Alex took gently. "You work too hard, sweetheart. I worry about you.""I'm fine, Mom. Really," Alex assured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "How are you feeling today?"She waved her free hand dismissively. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old. But never mind me. Tell me about your day."Alex hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the reality o
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 3: An Unexpected Proposition
As Alex made his way home, the streets of New Terra were filled with noise and movement. A flurry of concerns about his mother's medical expenses occupied his thoughts as he was suddenly drawn to a disturbance up ahead."Someone shouted, 'Eleanor Drake!'"Curiosity getting the best of him, Alex pushed his way through the growing crowd. In the center of the road was a shiny silver hovercraft, with its engine spluttering and emitting smoke.An agitated aide shouted for a mechanic while attempting to ward off the staring spectators.Alex's eyes opened wide as he identified the woman who was standing next to the vehicle. Eleanor Drake, who ranks third in wealth among all individuals in the solar system, appeared thoroughly unimpressed with her present circumstances.Suddenly, two men darted forward, tools in hand."Hey!" Alex shouted, realizing their intent. He lunged forward, grabbing one by the collar. "They're trying to steal the engine parts!"The crowd rushed forward, and the potenti
Latest Chapter
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 38: Public Relations
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 37: Points of No Return
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 36: Breaking Bonds
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 35: Love and Other Transformations
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 34: Three-Way Mirror
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 33: Divided Hearts
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 32: Beneath The Surface
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 31: Breaking Point
- THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 30: Double Lives