FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Narrator

When the beeping summons of the displays calling everyone to the commons for a meeting died down it was replaced immediately by the anxious chatter of those wondering at the summons. Another topic of hot discussion was the comparing of alarming changes from those who had not lately left the locales of their respective communal areas. While no more than half a kilometer separated any two of the den areas the affliction as well as daily responsibilities limited social visits.

From the center of the commons observing all the volunteers for the first time from the remote interaction station several things were apparent. In the month that they've been here it is obvious from those not attempting to hide their conditions that the genetic alterations are in line with the previous estimates. On exposed skin the coverage in scaling was wildly varied. The different colorations readily apparent.

Analysis of the data dutifully recorded by the healers show that the average individual was at present roughly 23% of the expected alterations with some much more advanced due to variations introduced since the initiation of the program.

For brevity the changes thus far will be described for den one only, as all other changes are similar to those displayed by the Alpha den.

1. Sylvia

Although it is too soon for her to show as yet but the technician known as Sylvia has now been confirmed as pregnant. This being indicated by routine testing administered by her den's healer. The expected hormonal changes have already begun to accelerate her changes as she is now at 27%.

Her advanced changes were immediately noticeable given her apparent disdain for hiding them. The six bumps on her head have since opened to reveal the hardened growth of incipient horns. Two below and behind her ears, two more beginning to grow angled towards the rear from the top of her cranium and finally the last two in a line with her spinal column between the other four.

The protrusions from her spine are also quite advanced to the point where the normal attire provided for the volunteers no longer is adequate and has instead chosen to wear only a sports bra for a top. It is estimated that the spinal and cranial growths are 4-5cm long with the coloration of all her spines an off white color.

The generation of her scales is quite advanced covering the entirety of her back down to her posterior, her entire head and neck, and beginning to spread down her front from the collarbone. As yet all of the dorsal and lateral scaling are a bright fiery red with some indication that the ventral scaling will be of a black coloration.

The model suggests that her next series of changes will begin with her vertebrae as well as the general arrangement of her skull and mandible, and finally a beginning of her increase in size and mass.

This advance in her changes is expected to increase with her current estimated completion date at T plus 56 days a full month ahead of schedule. As a result of this departure from planned events the introduction of Noctis was moved to immediately following the communal announcement. This is especially important as the hormonal changes in Sylvia will soon produce departures in behavior from a normal human pregnancy.

1. Gregory

The mate of Sylvia, the builder known as Gregory who may or may not be influenced by her accelerated growth is at 25%. This is within the margin of error and it is currently unknown if the faster than average progress is significant.

As he was right next to her it was readily apparent that they would become relatively similar in appearance. The rust colored scales covering his arms and disappearing under his shirt were newly joined by the same color of growth spread over the entirety of his visible legs.

His previous attempts at wearing padded gloves have been given over as his claws have now reached their full growth relative to his current size that being approximately 12cm from base of digit to tip of claw. As being currently demonstrated he retains the ability to grasp objects with a cross section greater than about 2cm. The thumbs of both hands have also migrated to their new position to function as dew claws when alterations to his hands and arms reaches completion. Also in evidence is the heavy buildup of calloused scales across the palms of his hands.

According to the projected model the next changes he can expect will be to the structure of his arms, hands, feet, and legs. Rendering him on all fours while the scaling consumes the rest of his body. This can be expected within the next two to three weeks.

1. Alessandra

Next is the healer Alessandra at 23%. Although the most visible changes are easily seen with her lower body completely covered in the dark green scales. And with her ventral area from her sex on up developing a brown scale coloration. The most developed visible region is her feet. Shoes are no longer a possibility for the healer as the architecture of her feet is no longer one built for standing on two legs. Indeed her stance has also begun to show signs of change as she keeps her feet wide set and has begun to bend forward more at the hip. Her feet themselves show as much change as they no longer rest flat on the ground but instead she walks and stands with her heels elevated slightly above parallel. Her clawed feet can no longer rightly be said to possess toes either as each of her four talons ran 15cm from base to tip. At the loss of her pinkie toes dew claws had begun to spring from the backs of her feet just above the heel pointing forward and measured at this point a miniscule 1.5cm.

Although her locomotive function have begun to change in earnest, modelling foretells those are not to be her next set of expected changes. Instead as her ventral scaling progresses into the development of brown scutes it will be her primary and secondary sexual characteristics that will alter next. Indeed it has already begun as her pubic area has begun to alter already in anticipation of much more drastic changes. Her sizable breasts have shrunk to little more than gentle swells as the mammary tissue has lost function. They are well on the way to disappearing altogether, the nipples having already receded. An obvious change as she has already begun to remain topless given the lack of anything to cover.

The fact that she begun to form an attachment with the historian Nathan is also of benefit both to herself as well as to the welfare of the den. All accounts conclude they have become quite intimate with each other on several occasions.

1. Nathan

Nathan has recently begun mating with the healer Alessandra.

He is at a current adapted rate on par with the average. His earlier complaints over his shoulder blades have continued to worsen with time. At present with the widespread scaling of his back and shoulders. His brilliantly yellow scales highlighted what were two large growths parallel on both sides of his vertebrae. Finger like in structure with long sweeping arcs of something that very much look like wings given the leathery sail like material between these "fingers" the coloring of these sails being the same as his undercarriage.

Anticipated further growth is as follows: The wings will continue to develop. Within the next three days we anticipate flight becoming possible. Further growth is anticipated down the length of his spine expanding into and through the base of his posterior culminating with the creation of a tail. Also anticipated is the elongation of the vertebrae contained within his neck. At this this point we are of the conviction that when flight is achieved that the understanding of their environment and cohesion with other dens will increase tremendously. What better than a historian to record what is seen aloft?

It is of great benefit that both Nathan and Alessandra have become bonded. The passing of knowledge and the medicinal arts cannot be overstated. Further instruction spread throughout the dens will ensure that any younglings to come will be instructed in as much as bothparents specialties as possible in order to ensure an equal understanding across the collective.

1. Carol

In her time since the last report she has done much to expand the den's knowledge and with the rest of the members of her profession have made a good thorough mapping to 15 km in all directions. Once the information relayed by her den's airborne historian has begun to reach her that figure will in short order increase rapidly.

Her own changes were seen due a choice in clothing that was identical to that of Sylvia. From middle back down she was heavily marked as a light green. Curiously she had yellow accents throughout her scales. This was in addition to the dark green ventral scales grown from the bottom of her rib cage down. Another oddity in her bearing was documented, the recent taking to wearing a voluminous skirt. A bulge was noticed slightly down from the buttocks region and aligned between and parallel to her legs.

This bulge has been noticed to shift from time to time and precludes her using conventional seating styles. Instead supporting herself whenever at rest with a padded ball. The growth of the fifth appendage has also distended her hips given her a much broader stance in accommodating the growth to proceed linearly with her spine instead of projecting backwards at an anatomically incorrect angle.

The union of her hind legs and the tail has also change in appearance with her buttocks merging seamlessly with the protrusion. The hind legs now extend from each side of the tail in what is best described as her haunches now.

The anticipated path of her progression is as follows. The length of her tail continues to increase until its full relative size was attained roughly doubling her body length. At this time nothing has been mentioned of any kind of spiny or horn like protrusions. Instead a narrow curtain like material that resembles a long continuous fin along the progression of the spinal scales.

Her choice in mate of Riku was obvious given the job that each of the pair inhabit. One, a soldier. Two, an adventurer. And beyond our expectations in more than one way as well. At their current rate of coupling we expect another impregnation event within the next week given hormonal levels recorded from Carol.

1. Riku

Last and certainly not least personality wise we come to Riku. While the log recordings he has made have been at best absent, at worst a litany of expletives and insults. His interaction with the others of his den remain overwhelmingly positive. Unfortunately we have determined that direct contact is not optimal with this individual in any way given this data. His dedication to making all the rest of the den members pull their equal weight in performing the daily tasks expected of a colonial setting is most commendable.

Given his mercurial nature and his overall general intransience. The fact that he has managed any relation to Carol at all is nothing short of anomalous. However they have also been making an earnest go at establishing a colony. Which corresponds to our estimates of reactions to the introduction of pheromones incensed into the air.

His changes thus far have been relegated to the entirety of his head. Along with this his covering of scales has continued to creep down his neck to the upper portion of his chest. His color has become more of a black coloration, with some light grey markings strewn along both his left and right sides. The sight of the initial outbreak was upon his face and that is where the changes have begun to exhibit the earliest.

The width and breadth of his nose have both begun to shrink. At the same time his facial structure starting from the forehead down has become distended. Simultaneously the orbital sockets have also increased in size and have initiated a progression laterally from their current position. The advance of the covering over the neck has led to a roughening of Riku's vocal character as well, giving it a guttural resonant timbre.

Along these lines he will continue to develop in accordance with the previously mentioned predictive model. The protrusion of his nasal and mandibular regions are going to finish at the present rate within the next week. This will leave him with a fully developed muzzle and cranial structure in alignment with the aforementioned plans. Subsequently he will begin to develop the appropriate mental processes that are due his altered state of alignment. Afterwards the regeneration of his cellular tissue will continue down along his spinal column, which will increase the number and flexibility of his vertebrae. This will lead to an elongation of the entirety of his vertebrae leading to increased length and flexibility of his neck and lower lumbar regions. The culmination of this development will end in him possessing a serpentine and extremely adaptive neck as well as the realization of a well-developed and prehensile tail.

Narrator

Now that the documentation of the heretofore growth of the Alpha den has been properly ascertained, it is now time for the director to address the program volunteers.

Director

"I shall start with my customary greeting: Greetings y'all I am here to answer whatever questions you may have on the development of your adaptions as well as what it means for your future. So whenever you figure out what pisses you off or mystifies you the most about your current situation feel free to fire away! But I 'ma gonna warn ya. The person (hahaha) who is best to answer your questions will not be me, but someone that I'll introduce to ya shortly. Not that I won't responds to what I can!! However, soon enough, Noctis here will be able to explain in ways a tad more germane to yer situation than I can be helpful with."

"But before you begin let me see if I can head some of these questions off by talking for a while a minute or two and see if I can save everyone a bit of time."

"First for the why. As you all are well aware these types of groups that are tapped to colonize, and explore these Earth like worlds are chosen for many reasons that at times I don't even get. That's what the specialists are for. I just bring everyone's heads together and using their expertise make the big policy decisions."

"Which brings me to why the decision to modify you was chosen as the best path through the forest. Given that A.I. is no longer an option after the War of Intelligence we needed a group best suited to life on the ground."

"Instead of growing a new and purpose built species for the world in which you will reside it was decided based on the experience filled lives that you have led already to make use of talents that take decades to develop. I am aware that much of what you know can be implanted through the means that have already been used in instructing you on colonization protocol and knowledge. But knowledge is not wisdom. And wisdom is not something gained without a great deal of time and ass pain."

"The forms that you've begun to, and will continue to, transform into were decided upon after a heated set to by me and my staff. The factors taken into account: the fallibility of technology over long periods of time, the geography of the world, the size and predatory nature of some mega fauna, and lastly and most importantly because how fucking awesome is it that you'll be flying dragons? Creatures of legend given form through you my star bound explorers! Shit I'm starting to think about joining y'all the more this conversation goes on. Since the tale of Icarus mankind has been having wet dreams about flight. Our mechanical devices have always been a poor substitution, but you will all have the real deal! Cool huh?"

"Now that I've gotten my spiel out of the way. All of you will have two types of questions at this point ones that are best for me to answer and those that will be answered by Noctis. So anything that has to do with your changes and what you'll become please save for her. Anything else is fair game so let's hear what you'd like to know!"

Sylvia: "So beyond our initial supplies will there be any more drops?"

Overseer: "Nope! What you have is what you have. But everything you need to recreate the tech already given to you is there. In time what we, I hope is that you will develop new tech not seen elsewhere in the sphere."

Gregory: "Based on the graphic model you've shown us how will we be able to make fine scale material manipulations? Look at the claws on my hands."

Overseer: "Haha, hands no longer, those look like paws to me. The organic control grown within the confines of your soon to be outsized heads has means of broadcasting its signals in ways meant to give wireless control of all provided mechanisms. Hell you can talk to each other without any vocalizations if you wished. This actually is a major point of design as the far flung scattering that we anticipate will soon demonstrate."

Alessandra: "What of perishable medications?"

Overseer: "Included in the adaptations is the ability of your bodies to be able to process locally procured substances as medicine. Not to mention the incredible sturdiness that your new forms will inherit including a greatly enhanced regenerative capability. Hell, I can shoot you all with a phased rifle and watch you mend on the fly."

Carol: "Mega fauna?"

Overseer: "Only a danger to babes and kids. Oh, and yourselves if any of you are unwary enough to travel alone in their territory."

Riku: "The fuck did you need a soldier for?'

Overseer: "Hahaha, you've already seen why. This many personalities trying to work together? Better off trying to herd ill-tempered stray cats. We need someone to crack the whip and keep the focus where it's needed. That and the whole mega fauna thing. Need the colony to thrive, not die off before it has gotten started."

Nathan: "What kind of informational databases are to be provided? How will our own history be recorded?"

Overseer: "Nothing will be omitted from your database. Anything and everything. I believe in setting our colonies up for success. Your organic computers will record data as it is dictated and be sent onwards via an uplink much like this one I speak to you through. It will then be transmitted to The Archive for assessment. Now that you have been formally introduced to the full scope of the program all inhibitors have been removed from your library."

"Now I must continue my sessions on with the other dens. So let me introduce to you the one to answer the remainder of your questions. Here is the one, the only, Noctis!"

Author's Note: I know that the journal style format can be a bit different. But stick with me on this one. The sequel to this story has a more conventional format. I also thought the journal would work better for this story as there are frequent time skips between each entry. There is also a great deal I left out purposefully in order for the reader to be more engaged in paying attention to the small details. Let me know if any of that seems unpalatable. This is an older work though so I imagine it will be rougher around the edges. The abrupt transitions in this story are due to limits in size on one of the other sites this was posted on.

Thanks for reading, and I very much appreciate all the reviews and comments for all my stories. (Seriously, it sucks releasing stories and never hearing anything back. Like a black hole; information in, nothing but hawking radiation out.)