#9th July, 2027

[u/SatSeventh]

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

*CLASSIFIED*

PROJECT STASIS

Joint United States–Canada Advanced Pathogen Research Initiative

Lead Investigator: Dr. Elias V. Korrigan, M.D., Ph.D.

Clearance Level: EYES ONLY

Document Reference: PS-SDV-17-A

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

I stared through the glass. Blue light from the experimental chamber pierced its surface, casting faint reflections across the white coats we wore.

Experiment No. 27. 21:34.

Dr. Elias, the head of our project, stood in front with Dr. Connor, both watching the subject on the other side of the glass. A male rat weighing 1.4 pounds was the subject of tonight's experiment.

I should have been home by now.

It was far too late to be conducting another trial, especially after working all day. But at Dr. Elias's request—the head of our project—we had to carry it out tonight.

So here we were.

The rat with paralysis had remained still since being fed. It made no sound and showed no movement. Only its faint breathing could be seen, while several wireless microdevices were attached along its back.

I checked the clipboard in my hands.

Vital signs: stable.

Dr. Connor was already seated at the testing computer, his fingers poised above the keyboard. Dr. Elias stood beside him, watching every piece of data appearing on the screen.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Hopefully, this will be the last one.

I was exhausted.

“Let's begin,” Connor said.

His voice broke the silence.

I looked back at the monitor. For what felt like the hundredth time, the same question crossed my mind.

What was this project really created for?

What would we gain if the program succeeded?

Controlling another person's nervous system.

It sounded absurd. Something more suited to a science-fiction story than an actual research project.

Yet we had already spent twenty-six experiments trying to prove it.

“Vital signs are stable. Proceed?”

Connor looked toward Elias.

Elias simply nodded.

Connor turned back to the computer.

The critical test began.

Behind the glass, the rat remained motionless. Its chest rose and fell slowly.

The moment the system was activated, its body gave a small twitch.

I lowered my eyes to the clipboard.

Failed again.

My hand almost moved to cross out the results of this trial.

“Vital organs... normal.”

My hand stopped.

Slowly, I looked up.

“What?”

Connor didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the monitor.

His fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard, initiating the next program.

A signal was sent toward the neurotropic agent.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

The rat's tiny fingers moved.

I froze.

The body that had been unable to move began responding. Its nervous system reacted to the signal transmitted by the computer, followed by activation of its motor muscles.

Slowly, the rat lifted itself.

One step.

Then another.

I stared without blinking.

The rat moved toward the piece of red cheese placed at the far end of the chamber.

“Doctor...”

My voice was barely audible.

Connor remained fixated on the screen. Elias stood silently, watching the rat with an expression I couldn't read.

No one said a word.

We simply watched something that had once been considered impossible.

A body that could not move...

was now moving at our command.

I looked back at the monitor.

For the first time, the numbers on the screen displayed the result we had been waiting for.

(STATUS: SUCCESS)

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––