Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

Chapter 103 The Spark of Change

The underground laboratory of the Orb Dawn Society.

Data streams cascaded down the holographic screen like a waterfall, and VEDA's voice echoed in the empty laboratory, calm and restrained—"Test complete. Overall conclusion: The human genetic structure of the SEED world does not contain the corresponding gene sequence required for the awakening of New Humans in the UC era. New Humans cannot be born naturally."

Char stood in front of the screen, his deep red eyes fixed on the conclusion, and remained silent for a long time.

He had a premonition of this outcome. Twenty-six years had passed since he transmigrated from CE45, and he had never encountered anyone in the SEED world with abilities similar to his. Lacus Clyne's singing possessed something similar, but it wasn't the telepathy of a Newtype; it was another kind of talent—perhaps a variant of SEED abilities, perhaps a byproduct of Coordinator genetic optimization, or perhaps simply a unique trait of hers. Cagalli's SEED awakening was an explosive increase in abilities, completely different from the "spatial awareness" and "psychic resonance" of UC Newtypes. Kira's talent as the "strongest Coordinator" manifested in his reaction speed and information processing, but his brain structure hadn't undergone a qualitative change.

There are no new humans in this world.

It's not "not yet", it's "won't".

"VEDA, analyze the cause." Char's voice was calm, but the fingers gripping the data panel tightened slightly.

"Based on comparative gene sequence analysis, a suppressor sequence exists in the genes of humans from the SEED world that is absent in humans from the UC world." This sequence limits the density of neuronal connections in specific brain regions, preventing the spontaneous awakening of psychic abilities. From an evolutionary perspective, this may be a kind of self-protective mechanism—preventing the excessive expansion of human psychic abilities that could lead to cognitive collapse.

"Where did this sequence come from?"

"It's uncertain. It could be the result of natural evolution, or it could be a remnant of some kind of artificial intervention in ancient times. But what is certain is that this sequence is prevalent among humans in the SEED world, whether they are Naturals or Coordinators. Although the genetic optimization of Coordinators has improved their physical abilities, it has not touched this suppressor sequence. It could be due to technological limitations, or it could be that PLANT scientists have never been aware of the existence of this sequence."

Char turned off the holographic screen, plunging the laboratory into a brief darkness. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and images of the Newtypes from the Universal Century floated into his mind—Amuro Ray, Kamille Bidan, Judau Ashita, and Lara Singh.

Each of them awakened under extreme circumstances—in war, on the brink of death, at the limits of their mental and physical strength. This awakening brought superhuman abilities, but also unbearable suffering. To perceive the emotions of others, to perceive the death of others, was not a blessing, but a curse.

"Perhaps," Xia said softly, "this suppression subsequence is not a shackle, but a protection. It protects humanity from being consumed by its own mental abilities."

"Your analysis has some merit," VEDA's voice rang out again, "but 'protection' and 'imprisonment' are two sides of the same coin. The suppression subsequence prevented the natural birth of Newtypes, but it also prevented humans from achieving true mutual understanding through telepathy. In the UC era, while the Newtypes' abilities brought suffering, they also brought the possibility of communication that transcended language, culture, and perspectives. That's something the humans of the SEED world could never achieve."

Char opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his deep red pupils. "So, we need another path."

"You mean..."

"The Innovators." Char stood up, walked to the holographic screen, and slid his finger across the control panel. "Innovators of the 00th era. They don't awaken naturally through genetic mutation, but rather through long-term irradiation with high-concentration GN particles, gradually rewriting the human brain's neural structure, ultimately achieving the awakening of 'brain quantum waves.'"

The holographic screen displayed the molecular structure of GN particles and a theoretical model of the Innovator's awakening. The data from the 00th era had waited twenty-six years in his mental database, but had never been forgotten. The Innovator was not an artificial genetic optimization of the Coordinators, nor a mutation of the New Human's psycho-skeletal structure, but rather a gradual, controlled evolution guided by an external energy field.

In the 00th era, the birth of an Innovator requires two conditions: first, prolonged exposure to a high-concentration GN particle environment; second, the individual must possess a certain degree of "adaptability"—not everyone can become an Innovator; only those with strong brain quantum wave reception capabilities can awaken. This is similar to how not all Newtypes in the UC era could become powerful Awakeners—talent determines the upper limit, while environment determines whether that limit is reached.

"The core of the Innovator Project is the GN Drive." Char pulled up the data for four Gundams—Goddess of Justice, Goddess of the Sun, Goddess of Chariots, and Goddess of Judgment. "These four Gundams, equipped with the original GN Drive, are the largest source of GN particles."

If we deploy four Gundams on the same battlefield, the concentration of GN particles they release will reach a critical level. Pilots who operate under such conditions for an extended period may awaken as Innovators.

"But there are risks," VEDA said calmly. "The long-term effects of high concentrations of GN particles on the human body are still unclear. According to data from the 00th era, the awakening process of Innovators is accompanied by severe physiological and psychological reactions such as headaches, hallucinations, and mental instability. If the pilot is not adaptable enough, a failed awakening may lead to mental breakdown or even death."

Char was silent for a moment. "Therefore, it cannot be forced. It can only be voluntary. And it requires strict medical monitoring."

He walked to the terminal and began drafting a new plan. The title was concise—"The Innovator Possibility Exploration Project," codenamed "Spark—Innovation." The plan was divided into four parts: First, research on the long-term effects of GN particles on the human body—establishing a dedicated medical team to conduct regular physical examinations on the pilots of the four Gundams and collect GN particle exposure data; Second, brain quantum wave detection—developing specialized detection equipment to screen for personnel with Innovator adaptability; Third, a gradual exposure plan—gradually increasing the exposure dose through multiple battles to allow the body time to adapt; Fourth, an emergency plan—immediately stopping exposure and providing treatment if a pilot experiences severe adverse symptoms.

He pressed send, transmitting the proposal to Erica Simmons and Mina Sahak. A few minutes later, the encrypted terminal vibrated with Erica's reply: "Are you sure you want to do this? This is a live experiment. Although it's about evolution, the methods are essentially no different from the genetic experiments of the Coordinators."

Char stared at the line of text for a long time before replying: "There is a difference. The Coordinators' genetic experiments are conducted artificially at the embryonic stage, and the individual has no choice. The Innovators' awakening takes place after adulthood, and the individual can choose to participate or not. Moreover—I will not force anyone. Only volunteers can participate."

Erica replied quickly: "What if someone volunteers? What if that person is you?"

Xia's fingers paused slightly. He did not reply.

That afternoon, Char convened a small meeting in the Dawn Society's conference room. Only three people attended: Erika Simmons, Mina Sahak, and Uzumi Nara Asha. The only topic was the feasibility of the "Changemaker Project."

Erica spoke first, her tone clearly reserved. "We don't have enough data on the long-term effects of GN particles on the human body. While the data is detailed, without real-world examples, can the physical properties of GN particles meet our expectations? Will the human body react the same way? These are all unknowns."

Mina sat opposite Char, her red eyes fixed on him. "Who are you planning to experiment on? Yourself?"

Xia did not avoid her gaze. "Yes, if necessary."

"No." Mina's voice turned cold. "You are the Commander-in-Chief of the Orb Defense Force. If anything happens to you—"

'

"That's why I'll be careful," Char interrupted her. "The Innovator Project isn't something that can be done overnight. The first step isn't live experiments, it's data collection. The concentration of GN particles released by the four Gundams during battle will be monitored in real time by VEDA, and the pilots' physiological data will also be continuously recorded. Only after collecting enough data will we consider the next step, and besides, as a Newtype, my endurance is beyond that of ordinary people."

Uzumi remained silent. He sat at the head of the conference table, his hands clasped on the table, his dark brown eyes fixed on Char. The silence lasted a long time, so long that Mina began to exchange uneasy glances.

"Langrad," Uzumi finally spoke, his voice low, "do you know what you're doing?"

"Know."

"You're trying to redefine what it means to be human."

Xia Ya fell silent. He looked into his father's eyes, those deep brown eyes held no blame, no worry, only a calm, almost compassionate gaze.

"Father, the definition of humanity has never been fixed," Char's voice was soft. "Humanity learned to use fire, which changed the definition of humanity. The agricultural revolution changed human life. The industrial revolution changed human possibilities. Now, war is forcing us to change again. Coordinators, Naturals, New Humans, Innovators—whether we like it or not, humanity is already diverging. What we can do is not to stop the divergence, but to guide it towards peace, not destruction."

Uzumi stared at him for a long time, then slowly nodded. "Go do it. But on one condition—don't use yourself as a guinea pig. You are the chief engineer of Orb, and also my son. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to face Cagalli."

Char's lips curled into a slight smile. "I promise you."

After the meeting, Mina didn't leave. She stood by the conference room window, her back to Xia, her red eyes fixed on the azure sea outside. The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the sea, and the cables of the orbital elevator shimmered in the sky.

"You knew this day would come, didn't you?" Mina's voice was soft. "From the moment you made me build the White Base, from the moment you had Erica develop the pseudo-solar furnace, from the moment you issued the Red Declaration, you were preparing for this day."

Char walked to her side and stood beside her by the window. "The Innovators represent another path for human evolution. No genetic modification is needed, no mutations in the psycho-skeleton are required, only the guidance of GN particles. If this path succeeds, humanity can achieve true 'mutual understanding' without relying on war or hatred."

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"Then keep going. There will be a way out eventually."

Mina turned around and looked at his profile. On that face, which appeared exceptionally soft in the afterglow of the setting sun, lay a weariness that pained her. Not physical weariness, but an unspeakable heaviness deep within her soul.

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