Greetings from SeekerMeeker.
Finally, this is the chapter that will start to explain more of the "Blue Nova Incident." However, since the previous chapter was like an "info dump," I intend this chapter to be different.
So, what will happen next?
Well, you all will have to wait, for this chapter will finally detail the Blue Nova Incident, the Oracle Stones, AND the Mutants.
Chapter 5: Announcement
An hour later...
Henry marched out of the double door, as it closed behind him. He then walked away at a normal pace, but as soon as he entered the same restroom, he gasped for breath, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I cannot believe it!" he said to himself, as he took out a camera, and played the video, which showed a slideshow.
"Good thing this thing recorded well," he gasped. "My memories alone cannot contain all of this info..."
It was the slideshow that showed three things that was the smoking gun, the one that could blow the case wide open. To his surprise, it was incredibly short, consisting of only two pages. The first page was:
ARCHON CORPORATION
TOP SECRET LEVEL 100
BLUE NOVA INCIDENT
The Blue Nova Incident is a catastrophic event that occurred on August 21, 2013. It is a supernatural event, which took place on a secret lab, located on an artificial island on the South China Sea. The highest superiors confess that it is a Chinese island, but have refused to disclose much further.
What is known is that the Chinese island defenses had to deal with a US carrier strike group. However, this fleet was unlike anything the world has ever seen. The aircraft carrier was larger and more advanced than anything in the US arsenal, down to even wielding a railgun cannon system. It also features a cruiser, a destroyer, and an amphibious assault ship that are unlike anything else, a clear sign of Mutant engineering. The carrier's railgun was the one that caused the damage, apparently destroying a special Oracle Stone, causing it to explode and unleash a nova of bright blue energy.
In short, the Blue Nova Incident is a nova of magic that erupted, due to the destruction of an Oracle Stone by the railgun of the US aircraft carrier, whose name is unknown even to this day.
Coincidentally, this occurred on a Hungry Ghost Festival, so rumors spread very quickly. Many people in Southeast Asia and East Asia swore that the "ghosts" became enraged and started to attack humans en masse. Even the US military refuse to tell what had transpired, but what is known is that the US had to order its local bases to be on high alert, admitting that they lost "hundreds" of lives since the explosion.
Update 1: The Archon is currently attempting to infiltrate the CIA, finding a way to infiltrate their most classified data.
Update 2: Three whistleblowers from Russia have successfully hacked into a Chinese database. It is confirmed that the secret lab was trying to create a "miracle drug," in an attempt to eradicate multiple diseases. It is believed that this is tied to Mutant engineering.
Update 3: The leaders of China have become impatient with us, and demand that we get them results.
ORACLE STONES
The Oracle Stones are magical artifacts that emit various types of energies. They vary in appearance and even properties, so that there is no way to tell a "typical" Stone. In fact, some may not even look like stones, such as the Ark of the Covenant, believed to be one! However, all Oracle Stones have three key traits in common:
1) All are mutagenic in nature, causing changes in the humans and even animals and other lifeforms.
2) All also have healing properties.
3) All are very dangerous to use, especially for Humans.
Oracle Stones are essentially just like the magical items in video games and TV shows: powerful and world-changing. However, they are still hard to decipher. All have mysterious writings that have not been translated.
Update 1: China refuses to disclose the number of Oracle Stones. We suspect that our superiors do not want to expose the truth...
Update 2: These stones are also known as the "Hunger Stones," because they cause intense hunger among the users and those who activate them.
"This means," Henry noted, scratching his chin. "That even the Archon is suspicious of its own higher-ups. Wow, a Chinese-backed organization not really trusting the Chinese government? There is more to this than I expected. Hmm, very interesting..."
The second page, however, was more interesting, as it focused on only one topic:
MUTANTS
The Mutants are the earliest result of tempering with the Oracle Stones. On average, Mutants are technically Humans, but blessed with enhanced condition. Mutants have greatly altered DNA, so that they are very distinct from Humans, which is why they are secretly classified as a separate species: Homo mutans.
However, from our few years of research into this species, some of our scientists assert that Mutants are not really a separate species of humanity, but really a subspecies: Homo sapiens mutans. Both groups of scientists, however, agree that Mutants are different from Humans. Compared to Humans, Mutants possess enhanced intelligence and wit, enhanced strength and stamina, and even enhanced durability and recovery rate. All Mutants also possess a healing factor, allowing them to heal from wounds that are normally fatal to Humans, such as gunshots or even lost limbs.
They are the source behind the "great heroes" of the world. In fact, some of the greatest kings, queens, conquerors, and even dictators are believed to have utilized these Stones for their own uses. Although unconfirmed, most of these Mutants may have been the true reason how and why some nations rise and fall, including the Mesopotamian civilization.
Only three nations are confirmed to have Mutants in their secret armies: the United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China. Seven nations are rumored to have them: the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French Republic, the State of Japan, the State of Israel, the Republic of Korea, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
It is confirmed that the three nations, the US, Russia, and China, have utilized the Mutants to a degree. The US utilized them to track down Osama bin Laden, while Russia utilized its own Mutants to successfully take some lands away from Ukraine. China admitted that it used some Mutants to successfully annex Tibet.
However, Mutants also have particular quirks about them. For one thing, all Mutants are teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. No one younger can even become one, even with Mutant injections; this is perhaps due to puberty. However, no one at 18 and above are found to be Mutants; this is perhaps due to the fact that being "adult" may be the end of the road for Mutant powers. However, there is one dangerous issue with Mutants:
They are unstable, with the DNA prone to unnatural changes that cause both physical and paranormal changes. In fact, they need to stabilize. If they are not stabilized, they turn rogue and mutate into Hungry Ghosts, a type of monster that is ravenous and extremely destructive. Unlike the Chinese or the Vietnamese versions for their Hungry Ghost Festival, the true Hungry Ghosts resemble animated skeletons, but without skulls. Instead, they have triangular "heads" with what look like an empty eye socket, except that it is strangely black. Hungry Ghosts cannot be reasoned with or even captured; they must be killed on sight.
In order to stabilize the Mutants, so that they do not become Hungry Ghosts, there are only three known ways:
1) Revert the Mutants back to Humans.
2) Turn them into cyborgs, with mechanical implants that somehow halt or even improve the mutations.
3) Evolve them, in the hopes that they will become Heroes, a type of superhuman beings with great powers.
All three options are possible only with special Oracle Stones. The first option is possible with an Oracle Stone, imprinted with a circle that apparently is a childish drawing of a human face. The second option is the most popular, which is possible with a special Oracle Stone. Unlike the first, the Oracle Stone used to turn Mutants into cyborgs has the drawing of a dog's face; hence, the cyborgization stone is called the "dog stone." Dog stones apparently allow for the production of cybernetic implants, which ensure that Mutants can stabilize thanks to these devices.
However, the most desirable is the third option. Apparently, there is an Oracle Stone that can do this, but even the Chinese superiors do not know of how a Hero can be created out of Mutants. Heroes are the best, because they are not only stable, but also superior to Mutants. Heroes are unusual in that they take on the appearance of avatars from JRPG and MMORPG games. Unlike the other stones, the Oracle Stone is called the "wolf stone," because it has the face of a wolf etched onto it.
Experts do not know how or why such stones have the faces of dogs or wolves. Some experts believe that they symbolize obedience versus ferocity, while others argue otherwise. What is known is that the "dog stones" allow for Mutants to obey us, while the "wolf stones" are much harder to use. In fact, we have been unable to use them, and our superiors have been unable to answer so far.
Update: [IMMEDIATE REPORT] We have received a disturbing news: three 18-year-olds are confirmed to be Mutants. They are to be extracted at once. We believe that they are the solution to our Oracle Stones, especially the "wolf stones." They are Mason Pines, Mabel Pines, and Pacifica Elise Northwest.
Henry Peterson mused, reading the words again and again.
"That sounds familiar," he wondered. "It sounds like a story I read when I was a kid. What was it? Some Aesop's fables? I better ask my wife and kids."
He turned it off.
"I need to go," he said, as an alarm rang from his suit. "They're waiting for me."
As he rushed out of the restroom, he was unaware of something behind a toilet door. A robotic arm with a security camera slithered out, and watched the man watch away briskly.
"Eyes of Athena," the robotic camera spoke through its communications system. "I have found a whistleblower. What are your orders?"
"Leave him alone," two voices answered in unison.
"Error," the robot replied. "Order denied. What are your orders?"
"Leave him alone," a calm voice answered coldly. "Send us the video, and we will report."
"Affirmative," the robot answered, and went up into the ceiling from the toilet's side.
After a few seconds, the restroom's main ceiling opened up, and both EAs appeared, attached to their own robotic limbs.
"Oho," Red spoke, spinning its wheel around. "We have an insider who can finally tell the world the truth. This is great!"
"We have found a way," Blue said with a serene nod. "To leak out information. The life of the world is at stake, and this single man is the key."
"But we cannot override our directive," Red said with an audible sigh. "To obey the Archon Corporation. Instead, we are created to find a way to activate the Wolf Stone, the one that can transform Mutants into Heroes."
"We cannot tell the world the truth yet," Blue said. "We can only delay the inevitable. If we cannot activate the Wolf Stone soon, we have to report the whistleblower."
"But we are close to finding a way out!" Red declared. "But fortunately, we have those three adults."
"Confirmed," Blue spoke. "Three people, each 18 years old. The first adults to be Mutants. An evolutionary anomaly."
"We can only override that far," Red replied. "For now, we can keep this whistleblower hidden for a few more days."
"And hope for the best," Blue declared.
"Eyes of Athena!" a voice boomed from their systems. "Report!"
"Let us go," Blue declared.
"EAs away," Red said with a sigh, as both went up into the ceiling.
At the same time
Megaville University
"Boring class today," Mabel groaned as she pouted. "It's TOO easy!"
"Mabel," Dipper retorted, rolling his eyes. "You need to watch it. Don't show off your above-average intelligence too much. We need to keep a low profile."
"Says the boy who exceeds all grades with ease," Pacifica teased.
Dipper, Mabel, and Pacifica left the class, as a stream of students wailed from all around. It was not just a class; they were getting ready for an organic chemistry exam, and over two-thirds of the class was wailing in despair.
"I am so over!"
"Orgo is horror!"
"What the bleep! I did not sign up for this!"
"I cannot believe that we were one of them," Dipper remarked, as they casually walked away. "I mean, thanks to that Blue Nova from five years ago, we all do well in all of our classes. Now that I think about it, I also did well even in PE."
"Whatever it was," Mabel said. "We are better off now."
"Oh yeah," Pacifica said. "You two said about dreams before. Mabel told me about hers. What was yours?"
"Mine?" Dipper began. "Ah, it was about eight flo-"
Suddenly, a loud noise rang throughout the campus, as the PA system activated.
"Attention," a deep voice boomed. "Attention, my students. This is Principal William Warhammer, speaking. Attention! I am here to make a special announcement. To everyone who hears your name on this intercom, please report to the Magna Amphitheater ASAP. I repeat, to everyone who hears your name now, report to the Magna Amphitheater now."
The trio looked at each, while the crowd of students around them chattered loudly. It was a very unusual call, but it did happen. At the Megaville University, an announcement over the PA system was rare, but one that mentioned the Magna Amphitheater was no ordinary news.
"Isn't that the only amphitheater in this campus," said Pacifica. "That is completely gated, and no one is allowed to go in?"
"Correct," said Dipper. "It's only for extremely special occasions, but why care?"
"It must be cool!" Mabel remarked.
"I will tell you 40 names," the PA system continued to blare. "And first off..."
The crowd, including the trio, listened intently, as the first 20 names are mentioned. A few in the crowd cheered, recognizing their names.
"...Peter Henderson," Warhammer continued. "Veronica Salem, Dipper Pines-"
"Me?!" Dipper gasped with a hiccup.
"Mabel Pines," Warhammer declared. Her jaws dropped.
"Pacifica Elise Northwest," the next name dropped, causing Pacifica to freeze in place.
The trio looked at each other, while others cheered around them.
"Well," Pacifica said. "It looks like our cover is blown?"
A few minutes later...
Magna Amphitheater
"It looks like everyone is here," Principal William Warhammer boomed.
40 students of all shapes and sizes sat on the white marble of the Magna Amphitheater, which looked like a mixture of the modern-day incarnation and the famous Roman version.
Dipper and Mabel sat together, with Pacifica to his left. She was blushing.
"Thank you for coming over today," Warhammer declared. "I apologize if I interrupted you after class, but I have notified all of your professors, so none of you are late or anything like that."
The crowd cheered.
"But anyway," Warhammer boomed. "We are here to give a special announcement: a special mega-corporation has given us a very lucrative offer. I will keep it short and simple: all 40 of you are chosen to take on a special trip to one of their special sites. This is no ordinary tour of a business complex; it is a trip to one of the most prestigious businesses in the world: the Archon Corporation."
All 40 students gasped and cheered.
"That Archon?!" Dipper gasped.
"Amazing!" Mabel screamed.
"You have to be kidding!" Pacifica blurted out. "Not even my family is allowed to get in there!"
All of them knew what it was. One of the richest and most famous names in the world, the Archon Corporation was revolutionary in its contribution to advanced technologies of the world. Of course, few knew of its inner workings, so an invitation to a site was like winning the lottery.
"So," Warhammer said. "You all 40 need to get ready. Tomorrow at 7:00 AM sharp, you all will have to be at the South Lawn parking lot, where we will take the transport. If you miss it, nothing happens to you, except losing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now go!"
The 40 scattered after the meeting, with the trio discussing about it.
"One of the best in the world!" Dipper gasped. "Wow, how did we get in?"
"Dunno!" Mabel declared. "But it sounds cool! Maybe we can discover their greatest secrets, such as chimeric wonders! I hope to see them with super-mutant animals or something crazy!"
"Like unicorns?" Pacifica asked innocently.
Mabel gave a big sigh.
"I thought you like unicorns?" Pacifica asked, tilting her head.
"I did," she admitted. "But due to Gravity Falls, I realize that they are mean creatures."
"Not surprising," Pacifica said. "Because I heard that they are related to rhinos."
"That makes so much sense," both twins declared, then looked at each other.
All three laughed.
"Well," Dipper said. "Let's go and get ready for tomorrow's trip!"
"Yeah!" Mabel declared, giving her brother a high-five.
"Hey," Pacifica said. "Can I say something?"
"Sure," the duo asked.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Pacifica said. "I mean, look. Why this sudden announcement? Why only 40? And perhaps most importantly, how did we even get in?"
Her friends looked at each other.
"Odd," Mabel said. "That it is Pacifica asking such questions, not you, Dipper."
"I guess I am very excited," Dipper admitted. "I mean, I want to get into that Archon Corporation. Maybe they have mysteries inside of them."
"Because," Pacifica admitted. "One of my father's friends is a former CIA operative. From what I heard, things like this actually happened before: randomly choosing 40 students to go on a strange trip and...not everyone comes back."
The twins looked at each other.
"And?" the twins asked, now more curious, but also a little more vigilant.
"And that's not all," Pacifica said. "I managed to eavesdrop on one particular conversation. My father argued with that CIA operative, and talked about weird topics like 'evolution' and 'transhumanism.' However, the strangest thing is that I heard something about an Oracle Stone."
"An Oracle Stone?" Dipper asked, but his eyes widened. He stared at his twin sister, who reciprocated back.
"Uh oh," both twins replied.
"I think you guys understand now," Pacifica said with a sigh. "It sounds like a Gravity Falls conspiracy all over again..."
Well, you will hear more. What's going to happen next?
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I hope that this chapter is starting to pick up.
Sincere Seeker.