"MIDNIGHT'S MARK"
The colony had evolved into something terrifying: ten thousand Ascended enhanced far beyond normal human limits.
Their leader, Apex—Helix’s great-granddaughter—met them at the gates.
“We know why you are here,” she said calmly. “You want the cure.”
“You admit responsibility?”
Apex smiled faintly. “Hypothetically, if such a cure existed, why would we share it?”
“Because this is genocide,” one delegate snapped.
“Cultural genocide,” Apex corrected. “We are removing outdated ideas. Equality. Unity. Diversity. Those ideals weaken civilization. Soon your people will forget them, and we will teach them something stronger.”