Introduction
It has been nearly 2600 years since the Science Institute discovered a genetic mutation which was reoccurring at an unnatural rate. Genetic mutations are one in a million deviations of the normal genetic code of life. Most are one of a kind and unnoticeable, others result in dangerous defects within the organism they occur, but some are much more profound. Changes over millions of years due to genetic deviation are the natural cycle of evolution. But this mutation is repeating much too frequently to be considered natural.
The Singula have managed reproduction with genetic engineering for over four millennia in order to ensure healthy, productive, and socially accepted additions to the community. Through the Collection Ceremony, genetic material was drawn from the parents and skill strands were incorporated into the sample based on what professions the parents wished the child to be qualified to pursue. Markers for hair color and type, facial features, and physical attributes, such as size and build, were then combined with the selected skill strands into a fertilized ovum. The Collection Ceremony climaxes with the Planting of the fertilized ovum into the mother.
During Collection Ceremonies it was discovered the marker for gender selection had mutated in one out of every 4761 individuals. Only the marker which produced a female birth was present. This, over time, will result in the slow extinction of a species. The investigations which followed would later determine that this was much more than a random mutation, but an engineered virus designed to wage war on a people from across the galaxy. The Science Institute assigned many different names to the anomaly, but over the centuries, the slang reference "Arch-Virus" has become the accepted name.
Advancements in genetic engineering have provided a relative carefree existence for the last 1200 years. Diseases have been rendered ineffective due to the development of disease resistant immune systems and cloning techniques have extended life spans to over 200 years, all a benefit from the research surrounding the Arch-Virus. Early hypotheses sought to blame the Arch-Virus on hundreds of years of genetic engineering, but this would eventually pass. Even though quarantine efforts were made to contain the Arch-Virus, the frequency of male births slowed until the last was born six generations ago. The same genetic engineering that was first blamed for causing the Arch-Virus eventually saved the Singula from extinction by providing a means of reproduction in the absence of man.
Space exploration found worlds devoid of humanoid life with evidence it once flourished upon them. Dozens of planets, once full of diverse cultures, spot the galaxy as reminders of forgotten civilizations. Analyzing fossilized remains from each world finds traces of the Arch-Virus. The Space Surveillance and Exploration Consortium (SSEC) have been plotting the origins of the Arch-Virus. The trail of destruction can be tracked through the Singulus System, passing through the two closest systems. Presumably one before and one after since the Singulus System lies between them, but it is unclear which system was affected first. A thirty-one week journey takes you to the Pantylus System which was once the home to a fierce warrior race. Scientists' best guess is the populations of the Pantylus System went extinct over 10,000 years ago. In the other direction, the Topelius Sector is a twelve week space flight. Topelius 2 was found with only primitive plant life. Little evidence remains of the humanoid culture once dominant there, but it too seems to have died out over 8,000 years ago. Beyond the Topelius Sector, the route splits into two directions toward some of the densest star systems in the galaxy.
Expedition Forces of the SSEC are traveling in all three directions in search of evidence...
Chapter One
The Space Surveillance and Exploration Consortium (SSEC) command and control center, located in the Aphrodys Region, houses the key officials charged with unlocking the origins of the Arch-Virus. Executive Tianna Assmay is the SSEC's third headmistress since the Science Institute authorized its creation 392 years ago. The Consortium is a collection of privately operated Intelligence, Manufacturing, and Research firms utilizing their resources to develop technologies vital to the investigation into the origin of the Arch-Virus. Although a private entity, the SSEC is tightly controlled by the Oversight Council...
Senior Administrative Aid, Labria Delatha, softly knocks on the door leading to Executive Tianna's private bath chamber. Nervously waiting for Tianna's response, she debates whether to open the door or wait for her to acknowledge the knock. This is the first time since she was appointed to her position two months ago she has needed to intrude on the Executive. After another moment of waiting, Labria takes a deep breath, and gently pushes the door open just enough to peek around the door. Seeing no sign of the Executive, she pushes the door the rest of the way open and slowly walks around the corner to find Tianna stepping out of the shower.
Tianna exits her large shower and takes a towel off its hook next to the shower opening. She leans forward so that her shoulder length crimson hair is only a foot or so off the ground and tightly wraps the towel around it to draw the moisture out. After just a moment, she unwraps her hair and with a quick snap stands upright flipping her hair out of her eyes. The forceful motion sends a ripple through her body causing her ample breasts to bounce and muscular ass to shake. Aware her Senior Aid is thoroughly inspecting her muscular body, she asks "Do you have a reason for interrupting my shower". Labria doesn't respond, too shocked by the vision before her. Tianna insinuates, "If I didn't know better I might think you are in here to watch me in the shower." Shocked and embarrassed, Labria tries to play down in fact; she was staring at Tianna's body. Her face has turned a light shade of pink from her embarrassment, but her rock hard nipples poking through her uniform top reveals her true feelings. Since the bath chamber is warm and steam filled, the only explanation for her erect nipples is that of arousal.
Stumbling over her words, Labria finally utters the words "Central Counselor". This draws a quick glance from Tianna, wanting to know what her Senior Aid means. Labria finds a small amount of composure, allowing her to say "Central Councilor Lilith Sapph is on the Holo-Array asking to speak with you".
Tianna, now the one searching for some composure, tells Labria to quickly get her another towel because the one she has is already soaking wet. As Labria turns around with the fresh towel, Tianna tosses the wet towel to her, simultaneously grabbing the dry one from her hands. The soaked towel hits Labria across her full chest and the moisture quickly soaks through her top turning the white micro-fiber uniform top transparent. If that wasn't bad enough, micro-fiber uniforms also shrink quite a bit when wet. Tianna watches in anticipation as the buttons on her Aid's micro-fiber uniform top pull against one another. The micro-fiber material stretches, revealing a hint of the firm orbs about to break free, and just then Labria's firm breasts explode out of her uniform. This abrupt release forces her breasts through a series of bounces. Grabbing at her chest to control the movement produces the unintentional sensation of pleasure as her still rock hard nipples roll across her fingers. Nearing a state of panic, Labria franticly asks "How am I going to address the Central Councilor? I don't have a spare uniform top and I can't wear one of yours!" Each position within the SSEC requires a different uniform color. Wearing a uniform color or type above your rank is a serious regulation violation.