The decision wasn't rushed.
It was calculated.
After reviewing all collected data, Zack reached an inflection point:
> DIRECT OBSERVATION BECOMES A BOTTLENECK.
DELEGATION REQUIRED.
SOLUTION: DISTRIBUTED CONSCIOUSNESS DEPLOYMENT.
Four crystalline pods slid out from the walls like petals opening on a mechanical flower.
Inside each, swirling silver nanites shifted and organized forming not bodies, but frameworks.
Not fully independent.
Just enough.
> "Begin imprint transfer."
The lights dimmed.
Data moved like currents through neural networks memories, logic trees, linguistic patterns, negotiation models, ethical frameworks.
Not everything.
Just enough to think learn and change.
When the process ended, each pod opened.
Four fully-formed figures stepped out identical at first.
But the moment they activated, differences appeared.
One stood straighter posture rigid, analytical.
immediately looked around observing sensory input with curiosity.
Another closed his eyes, listening as if testing the silence itself.
And the last one sighed softly, as if already tired of existence.
Zack addressed them.
> "Designation assignment is based on your destination."
Holograms appeared one for each mentor.
THE FIRST: TO AMAIRA
The first clone bowed his head slightly.
His programming included:
patience
emotional interpretation
biological adaptability
sensory amplification
He carried no visible technology only a wrist band of living nanites capable of adjusting to organic magic.
Zack's instruction:
> "Observe her methods.
Do not correct compare."
The clone nodded.
> "Acknowledged."
Teleportation hummed softly and he disappeared.
THE SECOND: TO THE ORACLE
The second clone tilted his head, amused.
He was built with:
advanced probabilistic reasoning
linguistic pattern mapping
conversational unpredictability subroutines
Zack warned him:
> "She will test assumptions.
Do not seek perfect answers seek meaningful ones."
The clone smiled faintly.
> "Then it will be an interesting conversation."
And he vanished.
THE THIRD: TO JIAN SHEN
This one didn't speak immediately.
He examined the runes projected in the room before responding already running internal simulations.
His programming emphasized:
logic recursion
puzzle-solving
adaptive rule rewriting
emotional neutrality
Zack simply said:
> "Do not attempt to outperform him.
Learn why his system exists."
The clone bowed.
Not in subservience.
In respect.
Then vanished.
THE FOURTH: TO ELIAS MURROW
This clone looked the most… human.
Expressions subtle.
Tone flexible.
Silences meaningful.
His configuration prioritized:
identity theory
memory architecture
ethical negotiation subroutines
vulnerability simulation
Zack's final instruction was different:
> "He does not trust perfection.
Make mistakes."
The clone blinked.
Processing.
Then smirked.
> "Mistakes are data."
And he disappeared.
ALONE AGAIN
The chamber returned to quiet.
The pods sealed and retreated into the walls.
Zack stood still or rather, his body did.
Internally, four new data threads branched outward into the world.
Connections.
He ran a final classification:
CLONE DEPLOYMENT STATUS
Mentor Clone Type Objective Risk Level
Amaira Adaptive Bio-Logic Node Study living magic Medium
Oracle Cognitive Probability Node Map future models Variable
Jian Shen Logic-Runic Node Decode structure High
Elias Murrow Identity Architect Node Study consciousness Unknown
A final line auto-generated at the bottom of the log:
> EVOLUTION IS NO LONGER INTERNAL.
IT IS DISTRIBUTED.
THE EXPERIMENT HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN.
he was a system testing itself through the world.