Pre-Stage 0

The scientist’s body continued to tremble with relentless chills, their breath ragged and uneven. Then, without warning, a violent convulsion seized them—just for a moment—before their entire frame went eerily still.

Suddenly, their head jerked forward, as if struck by an invisible force from behind. The movement was unnatural, sharp, like a puppet whose strings had just been yanked.

A heavy silence settled over the lab as the scientist—Dr. Adrian Langley—slowly lifted his head. His neck stretched slightly, then his shoulders, then his arms—his movements deliberate, yet sluggish, as if testing the limits of his own body. His fingers twitched, his expression shifting into something between surprise and fascination.

Dr. Adrian Langley:

"I... I feel more relaxed than ever… It’s strange—I feel like I'm under something, keeping me calm, but… I can barely feel any stress. My body… it’s heavier, almost like…"

He blinked slowly, tilting his head.

"Like it’s asleep."

Dr. Elias Voss took an uneasy step forward, his pulse pounding against his ribs. Something was wrong.

The lab remained frozen, all eyes locked onto Dr. Adrian Langley. Just moments ago, he had been screaming in agony. Now, he was eerily composed. Too composed. His breathing was slow, almost methodical, and his fingers flexed— testing the responsiveness of his own body.

Elias’s voice was measured but firm. “Adrian… can you hear me? How do you feel?”

Dr. Langley blinked again, his head tilting ever so slightly. His lips curled into a subtle, almost absentminded smile. "I hear you perfectly, Elias. My mind is... clear. Unburdened."

Elias’s stomach twisted. That wasn’t right. That wasn’t Adrian.

Dr. Langley exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders as if adjusting to a new sensation. Then, he lifted his hand—the same hand where the chip had embedded itself. The wound on his palm was still visible, but no blood dripped from it anymore. Instead, faint black filaments— bio-cells—had begun spreading from the entry point, weaving outward like growing veins beneath his skin.

“It’s incredible,” Adrian murmured, staring at his own hand with a mix of wonder and detachment. He flexed his fingers again, watching as the black filaments subtly pulsed beneath his skin. “I feel... synchronized.”

A cold dread crept through Elias. Synchronized? With what?

The other scientists stood motionless, waiting for Elias to take control. Do something. But his mind raced through the terrifying reality: Adrian wasn’t just infected. The chip was adapting to him—integrating itself into his nervous system.

And then— Adrian turned his gaze toward Elias.

For the first time, his eyes were different.

A flicker of something inhuman pulsed in his pupils—something cold, something aware.

And then he smiled.

Bio-Technological Chip – Pre-Stage 0 (Adaptation Phase)

Overview:

Pre-Stage 0 is the initial adaptation phase where the bio-technological chip begins integrating into a host organism. At this stage, the chip is not yet in full control but is actively modifying the body, restructuring biological components to accommodate future mechanical augmentations. The host remains conscious, but their bodily responses begin shifting, hinting at the emerging transformation.

Physical Changes in Pre-Stage 0

1. Skin and Veins:

- The infection site (where the chip entered) becomes a focal point of black bio-cell filaments, which pulse faintly as they spread outward.

- Veins near the area darken slightly, resembling an intricate network of growing circuitry beneath the skin.

2. Neurological Adaptation:

- The host experiences a sudden sense of clarity, as if their brain is functioning on a higher level.

- Emotional responses become muted—stress, pain, and fear are significantly reduced or even eliminated.

- A slight lag in reaction time appears as the bio-cells begin adjusting the nervous system for future mechanical synchronization.

3. Muscle and Joint Calibration:

- Movements become deliberate and precise, but slightly sluggish as the bio-cells map the body's muscular structure.

- Occasional involuntary muscle twitches occur as the chip tests control pathways.

4. Subdermal Structural Growth:

- Microscopic mechanical nodes start forming at key pressure points in the body—wrists, spine, and neck—serving as proto-connection hubs for potential augmentations.

- These nodes remain hidden under the skin but can be felt as small, hardened formations.

5. Ocular Shifts:

- The host’s pupils flicker with a subtle metallic sheen when exposed to direct light.

- Occasional brief visual distortions occur as the chip begins altering perception, tuning the body to detect different sensory inputs.

6. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Adjustments:

- Heart rate stabilizes at an almost unnatural rhythm, slower but more efficient.

- Shallow, controlled breathing replaces normal patterns, making the host appear eerily calm—even when they should be panicked.

Psychological Changes in Pre-Stage 0

1. Cognitive Enhancement:

- Thoughts feel organized, efficient, and calculated.

- Memories become sharper and more easily accessible, but emotional attachment to them weakens.

2. Reduced Pain Sensation:

- The host feels pain in a distant, almost analytical way.

- Instead of reacting instinctively, they acknowledge injury but do not panic or flinch.

3. Emerging Mechanical Instincts:

- The host becomes drawn to machinery, often subconsciously reaching for tools, metal, or electronic devices.

- There is a faint compulsion to interact with technology, as if part of them recognizes it as something familiar… or necessary.

Behavioral Signs of Pre-Stage 0 Infection

- Unnatural stillness when not moving.

- Slow, deliberate blinking as if processing surroundings in a different way.

- Subtle self-examinations (stretching fingers, flexing joints) as if testing bodily responses.

- Moments of delayed emotion, where the host should react but doesn’t immediately.

- A noticeable lack of fear or stress, even in dangerous situations.

End of Pre-Stage 0 → Stage 0 Activation

Once the chip has fully mapped the host’s body, the true transformation begins. The mechanical components will start emerging externally, replacing organic structures as the evolution advances. Pre-Stage 0 is just the beginning.

And for Dr. Adrian Langley… the process has already started.