Ebons and Humans: Introduction

As is noted in the SLA Industries main book, Ebons are a separate race from everyday humanity; this does not imply, however, that they are of a different specie. Ebons are, in fact, drawn from the same genetic stock as the human race, and are a variant of Homo Sapiens. Just as a beagle has different morphological and behavioral characteristics from a pit bull, however, so too do Ebons and Brain Wasters differ from mainstream humanity in various respects. Furthermore, Ebons play an important role in maintaining the strength of SLA Industries: they serve as the raw material from which Necanthropes are produced. These short documents provide material describing the origin of the Ebon race, and placing this project within the larger scope of the World of Progress. Hints as to how these matters might be related to the survival of humanity, the purpose of the Necanthropes, and the Big Picture are included as well.

SLA Industries Briefing Paper Series V5285.23 Ebon Breeding and Management Program SCL Clearance 3B

WARNING: This is a restricted document. Possession, distribution, or processing of this document, in part or in whole, or of any derivation thereof without appropriate clearance constitutes grounds for immediate termination. <AUTH SIG FJ#97352087asbWsfJgW1!2834107HGJdsds//z>

The Origin of the Ebon

The Ebons emerged from a classified project in experimental human breeding coupled with genetic engineering (see V5281.4). While vastly primitive when compared with modern biogenics, the technology utilized in creating a variant human was state-of-the-art at the time, and the process took well over 200 years to complete. Although the project itself is still considered highly sensitive at this time, it is possible to present this basic information without compromising directives 36A5.2 or 751C.8 (see also W915 supplemental, section K).

Project Goals: Ebons were, first and foremost, bred to channel flux (V5283). While early experiments revealed that all human beings (and indeed, all sentient races) could store and manipulate flux to some degree, construction of a race which could actively use these capabilites on a useful scale required both heightening the flux-channeling capacity of the animal and endowing it with a tremendous level of mathematical reasoning capability in order to permit it to control this capacity. Humans made an ideal test-bed for these requirements, due to their relatively rich gene pool and, more importantly, due to their relative weakness among the Conflict Races. Unable to readily resist, large populations of humans were thus in an excellent position to be used in the gene manipulation program; ultimately, all other competing races were phased out of the project (see also V5281.6).

Project Methodology: For a period of over 200 years, humans on selected worlds were bred, manipulated, and tested under controlled conditions. Priority was placed on the twin goals of massive flux capacity and substantial, innate calculative ability. In conjunction with this programme of development, extensive research was performed on various methods of instructing humans in Ebb use and on enhancing Ebb powers via artificial means. Artificial and bio-genetic computers were also contemplated as possible replacements/enhancements at this time, but the technology did not exist to allow the combination of flux channeling and control on the needed scale via these mechanisms (V5283.9.2); as of the time of this writing, such technology is still beyond our reach. (Although it should be pointed out that foldship and deathsuit technologies from Dark Lament are slowly breaking this barrier.)

Project Outcome and Assessment: Approximately 900 years ago, the newly-named Ebon race was declared provisionally completed. The project's primary goals were considered to have been achieved, without compromising the secondary goals of hardiness and viability to an unreasonable degree. Nevertheless, the Ebon race has had persistent problems as a result of their shallow gene pool. (V5281.6) Ebons are uniformly pale, gaunt, and relatively weak; although often ascribed to Ebon training practices, these are in fact hybridized traits which breeders were unable to purge from the final population. Similarly, while Ebons are incredible mathematical savants, they are also emotionally unstable in the extreme.
While this trait, too, has been enshrined in Ebon society as a "gift", it is in fact a flaw: the Ebon's behavioral problems were simply deemed too complex to remove within the number of generations allotted to project designers (V5281.7; see also W7924.1.3 on Ebon societal design). (One note: the flux-glow which covers the eyes of the living Ebon is actually a design feature rather than a bug. Created from hardwired flux-manipulation behaviors implanted in the brain stem, the flux-glow was intended by designers as a means of assessing flux-strength in the population. The plan was incredibly successful; so much so, in fact, that the glowing eyes have become an Ebon trademark to this day.) In addition to these limitations, other difficulties abound. As expected, the shallowness of the Ebon gene pool makes hybrid inviability a constant problem, and sterility, behavioral problems, and physical deformity are all too common results of Ebon-Ebon matches. One particularly common genetic disorder is known to cause a confluence of metabolic, behavioral, and pigmentary aberrations - this is the classic "Brain Waster" hybrid. While the original project designers viewed the Brain Waster as a tremendous failure, it proved such a useful variant in its own right that no efforts were made to remove it from the potential population; even today, the Brain Waster is a common and accepted Ebon subtype. Other subtypes have been documented (see V5281.7) but none are presently survival-authorized. This may change pending review from the Head Office, but action in this area is not slated for the next several decades. Despite the above mentioned problems with the Ebon race, it should be reiterated that the project was and has been regarded as highly successful. Although imperfect, Ebons are valued assets of SLA Industries, and have contributed much to the World of Progress. Continued investment in race enhancement and maintenance programs (see V5285.24, V5286, and W7924) is seen by SLA Industries as the key to maximizing its return on this and other breeding projects.

Continuing Issues - Homo Sapiens: One important motivation for the continued inclusion of humans in the World of Progress is their capacity as a "backup" gene pool for the Ebon race. While the Ebon breeding program officially concluded several hundred years ago, some basic genetic maintenance efforts have been maintained through the present. These efforts include monitoring of Ebon genetic material, encouraging of a controlled number of human-Ebon crossbreeds, and occasionally the direct insertion of new genetic structures via manipulation of germ-line tissues (V5281.6, V5285.24). Since "generic" humans continue to provide the basis for over 99% of Ebon genetic innovation, their continued existence is critical to the World of Progress. Without humans, the Ebon race would be in danger of sliding into inviability, thus impeding the production of Necanthropes (X9216) upon which SLA Industries depends.

Continuing Issues - Other Breeding Programs: Although the official Ebon breeding project is considered completed, SLA Industries has continued to pursue a number of other, less ambitious projects of late. These include the Phantom Pregnancy and Doppleganger Institute projects, as well as the aforementioned breeding maintenance programs directed at the Ebon population. The Shaktar and Wraith Raider races, although maintained loosely, are not fully manipulated at this time: their respective gene pools have currently been judged too shallow to support a major breeding effort, and thusfar the Head Office has judged the tremendous expense of another Race Creation Project to outweigh the marginal gains. Humanity at large is not strongly manipulated, although some breeding efforts are currently in progress (see X9215, YG205). In particular, some genetic experiments are being conducted on a planet-by-planet basis, utilizing the general ban on planetary relocation to maintain separate population groupings. While the full scope of these projects is not available at this time, it has been revealed that project goals include the enhancement of human poison tolerance, acceleration of the human metabolic rate, increase of human susceptibility to suggestion (particularly via visio-aural channels), and general reduction in aggressive tendencies. While this last may come as a surprise to many, one need only examine the half-life of humans deployed to War Worlds or hired as operatives, to recognize the success of the pacification project. Although many within SLA Industries have questioned this project's wisdom, present projections indicate that Phantom Pregnancy's Stormers will be able to fully replace humans on the battlefield within the next 300 years, and the benefits to be gained from gradual conversion of Homo Sapiens to a purely servile role are undeniable.

Conclusion: The Ebon breeding project has been successful in producing a flexible, effective hominid variant, although the restricted nature of the project required some limitations in the final product. Given the success of the Necanthrope upgrade procedure, however, even these limitations are considered to be of little consequence to the race's overall value. As SLA's racial maintenance programs increase the versatility and applicability of the human gene pool, and reduce the costs of small to mid-scale breeding programs, the Ebon can only be expected to improve.

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Excerpt from Coordinating Interview Concerning Breeding Project

Reginald Leath (RL) - Cloak Divison, SCL 2D
Dr. James Rathur (JR) - SLA Industries Internal Documentation Project, SCL 3A
Dr. Hersh Mason (HM) - Arachne, Breeding Project Assistant Manager, SCL 2E

<begin excerpt>
RL: Nah, the Nec's will do what they're told. Hell, they did lose, after all.
JR: Hmm, I thought it was supposed to be the other way around?
<HM chuckles>
RL: That's what they like for people to think. And in a way, they did win: they weren't destroyed by the White, like some, and they came back harder than before. But, basically, they lost. To SLA.
HM: To Teeth.
RL: <nods> Yeah, indirectly. But more generally, to the network of Necs which patrols the White. Hard to get past THAT welcoming party....
JR: <glances at recorder> Should we be discussing this?
HM: <shrugs> Why not? You'll have to see the documents for the project, anyway...
RL: <laughs> Well, James' got a point. Last time I mouthed off about the Necs, Styg chewed me out to the Chief. But hey, they pretty well ask for it - and it's not like they have it tough.
HM: <raises eyebrows> And, of course, you aren't so much an interested party as some.
RL: Yeah, that's true. They'll keep the old folx like me around in the museum after you guys finish up with your work.
HM: <smiling> Our work is never done. But there will be a place for you, I'm sure...and the rest of us will be dead long before that has to be dealt with.
RL: Heh, you never know Hersh. If anyone in your division is in line for retros, it's gonna be you.
HM: Well, you tell me. You are the Cloak here....
<all laugh>
RL: <shrugs> They don't tell me that sort of thing. They know I shoot my mouth off too much <grins>.
JR: Of course, they put you on this, which is pretty sensitive....
HM: <shakes head> Not particularly. Frankly, I don't even know why the Head Office still keeps a seal on this stuff...it's not like anyone would believe it, anyway...
RL: <laughing>
...and besides, most of the WoP is too brain-dead to care, anyway.
HM: <faux serious> That IS our job...
<RL and HM laugh>
RL: <shakes head> Man, Styg is going to have my head for this. <grins> Oh well, occupational hazard. Let's wrap this up. James, you've got the final notes..the draft looks fine from my angle, after you take out the bit about the Necanthropes. That's still considered too sensitive at this point, or so I'm told. For all I know, they'll change their standards again tomorrow, but I just report the news, I don't make it. Hersh, we've already covered your angle; if there are any additions or deletions of note....
HM: No, I think we've got it covered...
RL: Good. Then I move we adjourn, and go get a drink.
<all chuckle>
You two up for it?
HM: Sure, let me drop my stuff off at the lab first...
<shuffles papers>
<RL moves to deactivate recorder>
RL: How about you, Ja-
<end of recording>

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Internal Memorandum - Not for Retransmission

From: <name removed> Head Office To: <name removed> Arachne

It has come to our attention that the plans outlined in internal directives EB425, MRT919, and Y193 have met with some difficulties in implementation. We have noted that these setbacks were anticipated in Arachne briefings AR-B527.224 and AR-B532.183; the recommended correctives outlined therein have been considered. In order to facilitate attainment of project objectives, Arachne is hereby authorized to take such measures as are deemed necessary to complete the aforementioned directives. Material assistance may be requested from Stygmartyr and Cloak Division as per the included terms. Any denials of such requests are to be forwarded directly to the Head Office for review. This project is considered vital to the interests of SLA Industries, and of the World of Progress generally. We will ensure that it is completed as planned.

Sincerely,

<name removed>

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Transcript of Meeting Between DarkNight Agent and Arachne Traitor

<name removed> (A) - Arachne, <position removed> <SCL removed>
Langstrom Denham (D) - DarkNight Agent

<recording begins>
D: <worried> We don't have much time. I need the information now.
A: You'll get it. Whether you get away with it or not is another question.
D: You talk like a traitor.
A: <shrugs> I am a traitor, am I not? But, no, I'm not referring to some suicidal defection to Cloak Division... I am simply aware of the probable outcome of this meeting.
D: <grins> Does it bother you?
A: I'm here, yes? Now, what do you need to know?
D: The documents, first. And then, I need to know about the White.
A: They are here <places disk on table>...but I have limited information regarding the latter.
D: <frowns> Your division-
A: My division deals with all things. I, myself, do not.
D: Do you really expect me to-
A: I expect you to listen. You may believe if you wish. I should not, i=n any case, expect you to understand what you hear. <chuckles> You have been taught so little...
D: <growls> I'm not in the mood for insults; nor do I have time. Who holds this information?
A: Everyone. No one. <sighs> It doesn't work like that...
D: How _does_ it work?
A: It's distributed. Arachne knows all, but no member holds such information. I don't suppose you know of the new structuralism?
D: <shakes head> No, I'm afraid not.
A: I didn't think so...they aren't allowed to teach it anymore. Nowadays, people are taught to think in terms of actors, plots, goals...personalities- D: Like Slayer and the Big Picture? A: <laughs> The Big Picture is real enough. But it is what it says. Big.
D: Bigger than Slayer?
A: Bigger than the Head Office. Bigger than SLA. Bigger than Progress itself.
D: Then who is responsible?
A: <sighs> That's what I'm trying to tell you. The Big Picture isn't about people, it's about paths, about structure...
D: But it _is_ the creation of one being-
A: No. It was not created. It was discovered. And it was - and is - one of many.
D: Indeterminacy?
A: Of course. Even our understanding is not yet at that level. And models have assumptions...sensitivities. Perhaps there can be deviations.
D: Hence your betrayal.
A: <shrugs> The probabilities are small, but not insignificant. I am aware of such things, as per my training; and your race is not the only one slated for destruction.
D: <scowling> Humans are weak. No surprises there. But we shall not be so gentle...
A: <laughs> Already your arrogance betrays you. Do you really think that your race is so different? Do you not know of your own ancestry? And do you not realize that my people formed your entire culture from the whole cloth?
D: <slams fist on table> You bitch. I do not share your weakness...regardless of what lies you've been fed.
A: Oh, I know all about lies. Do you remember, when you were a child, a small blue book? "Mumble and Flux," I think it was called. A charming little tome from which your parents read to you-
D: <growls> I was adopted. But the bastards at the home made me read it every week. How would you know?
A: Well, the penetration for your generation was something like 80%. My mentor wrote that book...very effective, present company excluded. And it wasn't the only one. By our reckoning, at least 65% of the material to which the average citizen of progress is exposed is directly or indirectly the product of Arachne's cultural management programme. And that doesn't consider structural manipulation, environmental exposure control, etc.: the list goes on and on.
D: But we don't have to swallow this crap...
A: Sure you do. That's the whole point. And that's why you are almost certainly doomed to fail...but why you will try anyway. There is no freedom - only the known and the unknown.
D: We shall prove you wrong.
A: <sighs> I very much hope that this is the case. But I know too much to believe it. <pushes disk towards D> Still, we have roles to play. Rituals to enact. This disk has all the information I can give you at this time...use it, if you can.
D: <takes the disk> I shall. <freezes> Something's wrong... <static>
<recording ends>

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Subject Interview, Primary Asylum for the Permanently Deranged - Excerpted for Analysis

Subject: <name removed> Former Position: Arachne, Necanthrope Production Project Former SCL: <SCL removed>

Notes: Subject under light sedation using Muddle; impairment of judgment reinforced using BrainStim measures. On previous interview attempts, a catatonic fear reaction was observed - this was suppressed using amigdular inhibitors for this interview. Interview excerpt in epistolary form, presumably drawn up for co-conspirator (not actually present). Subject was able to use standard input devices to produce this statement; it has not been edited. See also attached equation sheet.

<begin excerpt>
Using us, my writing, i can tell it because after all it's just more computing power and they need that or so I remember. (Can't you? well at least this sort of makes sense, not like the other time) I was frightened by the spider but who isn't? And I saw the white (oh yes I know what goes on there) and I knew why it's only them going in and no one else coming out and it wasn't like they said it was at all (it was a place and not a dream and they were losers not winners, but not the worst losers at least). Necanthropy I said, a bad joke ? or not I don't really know but he thinks its pretty bad and gets mad at me when I say that. He doesn't know what happens to the winners, in there its so foggy and you can't think and only will can save you, but if your mind's not quite right you get bent and then you lose. He always laughed at me though, he was strong and that was true and I admitted that, but not so strong as Styg and not as strong as some were and not strong enough (but that was the plan after all, wasn't it?) to go to that other place. I tried to of course but my mind bent too much and now I'm not even like him, but that's OK because I wasn't like him before. Though, when you consider it, we come from the same line. That's all the point of this, which no one seems to get but that spider knows (oh yes) and i guess the folks up top are aware of it, and then just the nutcases like me (and who listens to us?) so it stays hidden just the same (like the White) and the world goes on and on and on. But one day it'll be different with them in our place (but not my place because they won't be here at all, but other places which I would be if I wasn't her instead, you understand) and I suppose things will still go on but with lower variance (or so it says) and tighter convergence patterns. I don't know why he wants that, but it's very important or so he says and I guess he knows what he wants its all the same to me now anyway (can you tell) since I'm locked up and drugged and (ha) not making sense anyway. But now they are letting me send this to you which seems strange, but maybe they know you can't read and won't understand it (nor the equations either) and they can make my words not make sense if they want to...they have that kind of power. And why not, after all, I've got nothing else to do but play with the chalk and make nice patterns and derive things and that makes the spider happy and it leaves me alone, which is good because it lets me think. Not like before, but now I know other things, of course. Maybe this makes sense to you now. I don't know. But that's OK, because the spider tells me that it doesn't matter in the end, and that we don't have any choice and that we never did, and that everything's a lie (ha I knew that all along) so read if you can and love and kisses.
<end excerpt>

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Internal Memorandum - Not for Retransmission From: <name removed> Head Office To: <name removed> Phantom Pregnancy

Your memo (PP23-513-92) was received and evaluated. The request for extension of the Weaver project deadline has been considered and rejected. The justification given in your memo was insufficient for such a renegotiation, and external circumstances likewise make such a measure impractical. The Head Office regards completion of the Weaver project by the previously established deadline to be of the utmost importance. Pending vacancies at Arachne require immediate replacement, and progress may retarded if Weaver units are unavailable at the appropriate time. As you are no doubt aware, this project is part of a much larger effort which is critical to SLA Industries and to the World of Progress as a whole - it cannot be allowed to fail. Each delay in supplying Weaver units requires further investment in human substitutes, with all of the attendant instabilities thus implied. This is not desirable, from our perspective or from yours. We shall be monitoring your progress closely. We are confident that Phantom Pregnancy can and will deliver the product by the established deadline, and we intend to work with Karma in ensuring this outcome. Your continued vigilance in this regard is appreciated.

Sincerely,

<name removed>