Chapter 62:
[New York 2068]
A group of 8 young men, about 20 to 22 years old were walking down the street wearing suits, ties, and hats. They were heading to a music club with a sign saying "2000 Revival Night!"
They passed on the street a group of humans with maybe some other species, all wearing robes. One of those in robes said to another, deliberately loud enough to be overheard, "Stupid Trads. Don't even have their costumes right. That looks like 1950, not 2000."
One of the Traditionals said to another, "Let's mess them up, but no magic." The other answered, "Yeah, magic causes too much trouble." and then they attacked the group in robes.
[Andorian magic school 2068]
After classes, a large group of the students were meeting on their own. Their informal leader Itathaon addressed them, "Everyone in this meeting has now completed their enhancements. These are the same ones done by the founder of the Alliance, Khan Singh when he led a small faction on Earth. We are faster, stronger, more intelligent than before. As Andorians we have also added the ability to not tire out so fast. You must continue your aerobic exercises in addition. When magic in combat would get us in trouble, we will outfight anyone.
Today we are going to practice dueling with the Ushaan-tor. We each have a training one that will not cause serious injury. It won't cut ice either."
[Magic school on Babel 2068]
The headmasters office had soothing music playing. There was incense burning. "Welcome Petra McAndrews, would you like some herbal tea?"
A half human, half Primate-Xindi, Petra, answered, "Yes, thank you."
The headmaster said, "Would you care to explain why you used magic to throw a fellow student through a window?"
Petra answered, "He called me a tahqeq, a Klingon insult indicating lack of honor and trustworthiness."
The headmaster answered, "There are no Klingons here. Are you sure that it wasn't a similarly sounding word in another language?"
Petra said, "No. Klingon insults are fairly popular."
"OK, but why resort to violence?"
Petra said, "If I did not, it would be an acknowledgment that the insult was true. The saying is, use Klingon ways, expect Klingon ways."
The headmaster said, "You could have had a staff member magically verify the truth of your statement denying his accusation. I don't want to be the bad guy here, but there will need to be consequences for your choices."
[Alliance meeting 2069]
A Vulcan, T'plarin, one of the inner advisors who had full knowledge of Q, started the meeting, "The agenda of this meeting is to address an alarming increase in violence by young members of almost every species. I will preemptively disclose that this has even been a trend among Vulcans learning the ways of Surak."
A Denobulan genetic researcher answered, "There has been a trend of unstructured environments that could be at fault. There is not the evidence to support tying this to genetic engineering."
Another Vulcan, Pastrel, answered, "Quite the contrary, there is such evidence. On Vulcan I have studied this trend in depth. As many of you know the educational system on Vulcan can be quite harsh, as can the peer pressure to conform and to not display emotions. It was never unknown to have students, as you would say, snap. However, the recent trend is much more frequent among those Vulcans who had genetic engineering to enhance their magical abilities."
Dr. Phlox answered, "While I have not determined definitively one way or the other as to the cause, our warnings in 2046 were ignored. Before that time we had been careful to test a limited number of subjects for negative traits. This is necessarily a slow process. In 2046 our research was simply made available to everyone. Instead the 25% magic level should have only now been evaluated and further refinements made."
Alliance President Balram Singh asked, "Dr. Phlox, could you please do me the favor and return from retirement and head the project again. I want you to at least prevent problems in the future. Other groups will study the behavioral data known so far and present their conclusions to you."
Dr. Phlox answered, "Very well. I will recommend you give the order to halt any future genetic modifications until we understand better the problems. We must also fully inform those who have been modified of the possible repercussions if they have children before we find a way to correct their genomes."
Balram answered, "I will issue the order. As you know the Alliance does not allow the circumstances of ones creation to be held against one. So, any started will continue. Those genetically modified will be given advice, not orders. Let us acquire the information quickly, this is a priority. Then we can form a plan."
Armand Malfoy said, "Unfortunately, some of this is similar to what was in Canon. Enterprise episodes Cold Station 12 and The Augments, among others. Unlike in Canon, we will not seek to wipe out those with traits we consider undesirable. Instead they will be guided, treated if necessary."
[Alliance 2070]
The studies were made and the data became widely known. Popular media personalities started saying things like, "Anyone who was genetically engineered after 2046 could be a ticking time bomb. Those from species of predators are becoming super predators. They should be locked up!"
The contempt was mutual. Many from "Gen Modified" would say, "Stupid weak aging Alliance Youth. They chant and worry about us. We want to be left alone."
Another would chime in, "Yeah, just because I want to set their stupid robes on fire doesn't mean that I'll actually do that. Maybe they should worry more about pissing us off."
"Should we call them Alliance-middle-aged?"
"Almost all of them are without magic, and age fast. Well three quarters of Gen-modified is also without magic."
Gen Modified was far more pragmatic than their predecessors. Those with magic were studying for what they thought would be the highest paid professions using magic. They often felt that they knew better than experts as to what that might be.
A typical conversation with a school career counselor, who would be non-magical. "Welcome, as you know it is time to consider your future career and what electives you might want to take now with that in mind."
"I want something that pays well."
"Are you sure that you are not looking for meaning? I can see from your record that you have gotten into trouble while debating your role in society. Perhaps a career in furtherance of your ideals that still pays well would be better?"
"No, I want to see the Latinum."
"Very well. Here are the average starting salaries, and salaries of those with experience in these subfields of magic."
The student was thinking to herself, "Are you stupid? With the number of Gen Modified with magic, everything will be different by the time I'm working. I'll ask around and then decide." The student said to the counselor, "There is a lot to consider. I thank you for your advice. Let me think about it and I'll have my answer for you soon."
[Report by Dr. Phlox, 2071]
"First I am going to highlight the difficulties of this study. A simple correlation would not suffice. Parents needed to decide if they were going to use genetic engineering or not. That implies differences in upbringing just by that decision.
Studies involving siblings born before and after 2046 were useful, but had the obvious difference of those with the genomes we are studying always being the younger sibling.
What did provide actual randomized information was the fact that we prevent a monoculture. That means any approved set of genetic modifications includes a large random element. That gave us the ability to study correlation with significance.
The summary is, yes, more violent tendencies with some genetic modifications. Also, other traits that one would consider positive. Finally, who is to say that violent tendencies are bad, per se? While historically, Denobulans have been a quite friendly species, we are also capable of being quite violent when the situation calls for it.
What I am saying is that I recommend that we should not push the next Alliance generation to be docile. However, we can and should counteract an artificial increase in violent tendencies.
We have the data to continue to have 25% magic and other positive traits that the 2046 genome changes resulted in, without an increase, or for that matter a decrease, from their baseline tendency to violence. My recommendation is that we distribute this information and resume approval of genetic engineering."
President Balram Singh asked, "We need magic in large numbers. Otherwise we will fall behind others. Very well, your recommendations are accepted. Do you know when you might safely increase the percentage of magic?"
Dr. Phlox answered, "In a few years. We expect to steadily increase that percentage. The same study already gives us that information, but we are following up to prevent negative effects before releasing this technology."
[Alliance meeting 2071]
Nicholas Malfoy born in 2050 was formally approved as a future leader of Section 31. He addressed the group, "First, let me explain my background. Yes, I was genetically modified. My family made use of the ability to increase magical strength. Yes, I have a somewhat higher tendency to seek violence than I otherwise would have. I am a Slytherin. The hat, which magically understands our true natures, did not put me in with the Gryffindors who go into battle recklessly. Violence has served my family well when applied carefully, not impulsively, a tradition that I have and will uphold."
Armand Malfoy the current head of Section 31 and his grandfather added, "I will present some trends in attitudes we have been made aware of.
As you know, there are those who prefer the Alliance culture and those who prefer Traditional cultures in all generations. While we tend to focus on the those born approximately to 2027 to 2045 as previously being Alliance Youth, they were always divided on that issue. I suppose they need another name as the oldest among them are 44.
The Gen Modified are often presented as Traditionals, or Trads, but also you can find many of them who believe in Alliance culture. Actually, many believe in both. They'll follow cultural practices of their species and another day join an Alliance cultural chanting ceremony.
In general we are finding a trend, a trend that we have helped create, for each side of this divide to accept the other. We have our influencers planning to make wearing of clothing resembling Starfleet uniforms a fashion, replacing both robes and traditional attire of different planets.
One trend to watch with caution, is that many Gen Modifieds try to emulate Klingon culture. What does this mean if the Alliance were ever to be in conflict with the Klingons? Is there an opening to have more cooperative relations with the Klingons without considering them as a future adversary? What do Klingons think of this Alliance trend?"
T'plarin asked, "What about relations with the Romulans?"
Armand responded, "There are regular contacts between Vulcans and Romulans at neutral locations run by the Orions. Both governments are aware of these contacts and approve of them. Each thinks they can influence the other to be more like themselves. Neither allows visitors from the other, being wary of not only spying, but influence. Each assumes that their own people going to these meetings are influencing, not being influenced."
President Balram Singh said, "Our external policy is to expand where we can, but avoid all empires and all conflict. We expect our increase in magic will increase our strength and economy, but it will take some years, even decades to have significant effect. Already Gen Modified is making a significant impact to our economy. Magical labor is starting to become more affordable, and providing more economic improvements."
A Xyrillian asked, "The combination of the previous philosophies of Alliance culture and Traditional is starting to look like a beneficial outcome. That combination is popular among younger Xyrillians, I suppose you could call them Gen Modified, although few of us are actually modified since we already have magic.
We strive to fit into the cultures around us and travel widely. However, we know who we are. Most of us want to remain as we are and have our children also remain who we are. At the same time we want to learn and experience what the Alliance has to offer. It sounds contradictory, but it is not."