XCOM 2: The Lilith Project

by Asukanerv002

It's been 20 years since the fall of XCom Headquarters and the last sighting of the Commander. For two decades the loss has haunted Central Officer John Bradford. He has tracked down whispers and ghosts all over the globe to correct what he sees as his biggest failure, not being at his post when the Commander needed him the most. What could spur such honor, devotion and loyalty?

42. Chapter 42

The next morning the Commander finds herself heading to research again to meet Tygan and Central. The Doctor had found the time to study the second stasis suit they found between autopsies and introducing them to their child.

She quietly walks into the lab. Central is leaning over the stasis suit which lays on the exam table. "Just like the one we found the Commander in," he says.

"On the surface yes, but in function...Ah, Commander," Tygan says as he sees her come into view. Central looks up and stands. "-excellent. We can begin."

She steps up the table glancing down at the helmet, she can see her reflection in the visor. She doesn't remember being in hers. She feels a chill as if someone walked over her grave. There is something about the look of the suit that puts her off.

"It is no secret that ADVENT soldiers possess both human and alien genetic characteristics." He says as he points at the body on the table before turning to the monitor. "Preliminary analysis led me to believe that this was the result of direct modification made to a pre-existing human host. Prisoners, or perhaps even unwitting volunteers." He says as he touches the screen pulling up a DNA double helix which spins on the screen.

"See your local ADVENT recruiter today." Central says dryly shaking his head as he leans back on the table.

"However, the reality is something else entirely. The ADVENT troopers at the facility we discovered, including this specimen before you, were manufactured. Each soldier possesses a unique genetic code. Predominantly human of course - but with some fragments left open." He shows them the coding on the screen, the gaps in the sequences highlighted by blinking boxes on the monitor.

"Left open for what?" Central asks crossing his arms.

"Whatever alien DNA ADVENT wishes to insert," he says tapping the screen again. The computer animates the images of the different species. "Sectoids, Muton even the species our soldiers refer to as 'Berserker'. In all cases human genetic material serves as the bonding agent, holding the strands together."

"Human material? You mean the stuff we found at the Blacksite facility?" Central cuts in.

"Precisely. The key component in their soldier manufacturing process." Tygan tells them.

"So, we've been fighting ourselves this entire time." Bradford looks away disgusted.

"In a way. But I believe there's more to it than that. The human DNA in this specimen bears one key difference from the entirety of the sequences decoded in the Shadow Chamber. Psionic sensitivity. Given the sheer volume of strands involved this cannot be accidental." Tygan explains as he shows them the psionic levels of the specimen on the table.

"The screening process at the clinics. Avatar." Central says looking at screen.

"The potential power of a being created with this template is significant. Central, had we not intercepted it before the process was completed -"

Bradford nods his head in agreement, "I know Doctor. Continue your research. Let us know if you find anything else."