Upside Down 38 Chapter 36: Basement Part 3

"Did you find something Sora?"

"I did, but there seems to be something wrong with the file."

"What do you mean?" He says while peering over my shoulder.

I point to a part on the screen and tell him, "This section is garbage. I don't know if it means it's encrypted or just corrupt."

"Sora, are you okay?"

"Huh? Ya, I feel just fine. Why do you ask?" I ask because I'm a little puzzled about why he would ask me such an odd question.

"Let me try something here." He says and grabs a pen and a piece of paper and writes something on it. Holding it up for me he asks, "What does this say?"

"There's nothing there Dad. The pen must be out of ink."

Lt. Aoki comes over holding a portable drive he had used to copy the video onto and looks at the paper. He looks at Dad in surprise and asks, "Is that true?"

Dad looks at him and nods in reply.

"What kind of game are you two playing with me? There's nothing written on that piece of paper."

Dad looks at me again. "Sorry, bad joke sweetheart." He glances at his watch. "Uh, it's time for you to head back. I'm sure Chinatsu is worried about you and it's time for you two to take a bath anyway. I'll make sure to get copies of anything pertaining to you."

I look at him quizzically, but decide to let it go. I never realized Dad had such an odd sense of humor. Oh well, I guess you learn something new everyday.

"Ooookay." I drawl out.

"Let me text Honoka to come pick you up."

"Really Dad? Our house is just next door. I doubt much could happen in 30 meters."

"Yes, really, also don't forget Abe is outside and you saw the look he gave you." He pulls out his phone, types for a few seconds and a few seconds later he receives a reply. He puts his phone away and says, "She'll be here in a few moments. Sora, do me a small favor and don't talk to anyone about anything we've seen down here, okay?"

"Not even Chinatsu? You know she's going to ask me about this."

He nods. "I know, just tell her you just sat down and watched for a little while then came home."

"Dad, come on. She would know I lied to her. You know I can't lie worth a d.a.m.n. Even if it's a partial truth without lying she knows."

Lt. Aoki chuckles. "Must be nice to have a daughter than won't lie. Mine wouldn't know the truth if it bit her in the a.s.s."

"We kind of made a rule of not lying to our kids Mitty and in return they don't lie to us."

"And that is one of the many reasons I love you Dad, but what I said is still true."

"I know sweetheart. Okay, then would you promise me not to tell anyone anything about what you saw?"

"Is it really that important to keep it hidden from her Dad?"

"I believe it might be for right now. I don't think you will have to keep it that way for very long though, okay?"

"Alright, then I promise Dad. I won't say anything to anyone."

"Thank you sweetheart. I really appreciate that."

"Sora?!" Honoka calls down from the top of the stairs.

"Coming Honoka!" I reply to her. I stand up and hold my arms out to Dad for a hug. He picks me up to hug me and his beard is scratchy against my cheek. "Dad you're p.r.i.c.kly, you need to shave. I love you, see you at home."

"Love you too sweetheart. I shouldn't be here too much longer I think, we'll have to come back again anyway."

"Okay, just let me know when."

He sets me down and as I head up the stairs, I hear Lt. Aoki say, "I wish I had that good of a relationship with my kids."

I look up to see Honoka standing at the top of the stairs with her feet apart. "Honoka, now that you'll be wearing skirts and dresses, you need to mind how and where you stand, I can see your panties."

I giggle as she quickly backs away from the edge of the stairs and puts her feet together. Once I reach the top of the stairs, I take her hand that she holds out to me and we head home.

[Eiji's POV]

I watch my daughter head up the stairs worried as h.e.l.l and wondering what the h.e.l.l is going on. I look at the sheet of paper lying on the workbench which reads 'Sora, you used to be a boy.' I suppose I should ask Airi if this is due to something she did.

"Eiji, what the h.e.l.l was that about? What do you mean she used to be a boy?" Mitty asks me quietly.

"Later, there's too many ears around here right now, but now you can see why this was cla.s.sified as a National Security issue."

I sigh and sit down to look at the doc.u.ment Sora was looking at. It's a summary report on a batch of nanites. Since Sora pulled this specific doc.u.ment up I surmise this is the batch she drank from.

Summary Batch GCN125Y

Actual results differ slightly from the computer models and the nanites diverged subtly from base programming (See file GCN125Y PGMN v5.21.1), they performed as programmed to within 97.7% of computer modeling. The 2.3% divergence is well within the accepted 4% norm for non-AI computer modeling.

After an accidental spill onto a male p.u.b.escent rat of nanites from batch GCN125Y, the specimen, #33529, became comatose within minutes of exposure. A few hours later it woke up and became active again as if nothing had happened. After performing extensive tests looking for any abnormalities, it was found not only was the specimen in perfect health, but the ear that had been torn off in a fight with another male had regrown and it had also changed genders. After later mating the now female specimen, she gave birth to a healthy litter.

As of the date this summary was written June 1st, 2057, the specimen, now 9 years old, is still healthy and continues bearing healthy litters. This is roughly the equivalent of 270 years old for humans. 9 years is roughly 3 to 4 times the normal lifespan of a healthy, well fed and cared for laboratory rat.

A wide age range of both male and female specimens were then inoculated with nanites from batch GCN125Y.

Findings are as follows:

For first line test on 100 male rats and 100 female rats:

Females injected with the base nanites from batch GCN125Y:

The nanites immediately broke down regardless of age or health of the specimen.

Females injected with the nanites taken from the blood of specimen #33529

If the female was infertile or no longer capable of bearing litters the nanites broke down.

If the female was fertile and still capable of bearing litters:

The nanites did as programmed and adapted to the new host.

The nanites corrected any abnormalities, this includes missing limbs or health issues and blocks all attempts at infection as they were programmed to do.

The specimens are still alive and healthy as of the date of this summary.

Human age equivalent of 240 to 255 years as of the date of this summary.

The nanites were also pa.s.sed on to the offspring with all the benefits as the mother, regardless of s.e.x.

Tests showed all such hosts telomeres are constantly being rebuilt.

Due to limited testing time frame, how long the specimens will live is uncertain. However, the observed aging factor is approximately 1 month for every year actually lived.

Males injected with the base nanites from batch GCN125Y:

Prep.u.b.escent and p.u.b.escent males up to 6 months old, a human equivalent age of approximately 17 years old, had their genders changed.

Past the human equivalent age of 17 years old, death from the attempted gender change was 100% in all specimens.

Prep.u.b.escent specimens changed genders with a 100% survival rate with proper care.

p.u.b.escent specimens survival rates varied from age.

In human equivalent terms survival range from:

≲12 years old: 100% survival rate.

12 years old: 75% survival rate.

13 years old: 60% survival rate.

14 years old: 45% survival rate.

15 years old: 30% survival rate.

16 years old: 15% survival rate.

17 years old: 5% survival rate.

All listed survival rates a.s.sume basic medical support.

Without basic medical support, survival rates drop by 75%.

All males injected with the nanites taken from the blood of specimen #33529: The nanites broke down.

Testing was then performed on Chimpanzees due to their sharing 99% of the same DNA as humans.

Initial test on 1 male prep.u.b.escent chimpanzee, specimen #34571, injected with base nanites from batch GCN125Y had his gender successfully changed with no adverse effects.

Follow up tests on 50 male chimpanzees and 50 female chimpanzees:

Females injected with the base nanites from batch GCN125Y:

The nanites immediately broke down regardless of age or health of the specimen.

Females injected with the nanites taken from the blood of specimen #34571:

If the female was infertile or no longer capable of bearing offspring the nanites broke down.

If the female was fertile and still capable of bearing offspring:

The nanites did as programmed and adapted to the new host.

The nanites corrected any abnormalities, this includes missing limbs or health issues and they block all attempts at infection as they were programmed to do.

The specimens are still alive and healthy as of the date of this summary.

Human age equivalent of approximately 40 to 80 years as of the date of this summary.

The nanites were also pa.s.sed on to the offspring with all the benefits as the mother, regardless of s.e.x.

Tests showed all such hosts telomeres are constantly being rebuilt.

Due to limited testing time frame, how long the specimens will live is uncertain. However, the observed aging factor is approximately 1 week for every year actually lived.

Males injected with the base nanites from batch GCN125Y:

Prep.u.b.escent and p.u.b.escent males up to a human equivalent age of approximately 16 years old, had their genders changed.

Past the human equivalent age of 16 years old, death from the attempted gender change was 100% in all specimens.

Prep.u.b.escent specimens changed genders with a 100% survival rate with proper medical support.

p.u.b.escent specimens survival rates varied from age.

In human equivalent terms survival rates range from:

<12 years="" old:="" 100%="" survival="">

12 years old: 70% survival rate.

13 years old: 50% survival rate.

14 years old: 35% survival rate.

15 years old: 20% survival rate.

16 years old: 5% survival rate.

All listed survival rates a.s.sume basic medical support.

Without basic medical support, survival rates drop by 80%.

All males injected with the nanites taken from the blood of specimen #34571: The nanites broke down.

Batch GCN125Y Summary Findings:

Batch GCN125Y nanites will correct the fertility issues in the population at large. However, combined with the further reduction of the male population, not to mention the sociological implications of such a 'cure', this would almost certainly destabilize any nation that attempts to force such a solution on it's population. This also presents a large potential for abuse, due to the limited aging of all hosts.

"s.h.i.t! Eiji this is dangerous. Can you imagine how this could be abused? I sure as h.e.l.l can!" Mitty whispers harshly and stands up. "Everyone please, clear out now, take nothing with you. Thank you for your help today. Remember nothing you saw today is to be discussed with anyone else, this includes amongst yourselves. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir!" They reply and leave the room.

"Well, now I see why Diaki and Ai kept this underwraps. I still don't understand why they kept the batch of nanites though. I'm certainly glad Sora couldn't read all of this too."

"Eiji, like I said we both know this is dangerous stuff. I have no idea what you plan to do, but if you want my opinion, erase all of this and destroy the nanites."

I sigh and then look at him, "Mitty, that's all fine and good, except for one little thing. My daughters have these nanites in them. There's also a good chance my wife is infected with them as well. The day my house was attacked Sora was bleeding fairly heavily from some wounds on her hand and she stood over Haruka protecting her. Sora's blood is what infected Chinatsu." I shake my head. "I'm not blaming Sora, don't get me wrong. So, what am I supposed to do? Kill my family to hide all this?"

"No, I wasn't suggesting anything like that. For right now, why don't we lock everything back down and keep it that way. From what you told me about them Diaki and Ai were beyond genius level, so unless there are people like them in this same field the likelihood of someone figuring out how to recreate their nanites seems remote at the present time."

"That's just it Mitty, Sora is as brainy as they ever were. There are times she scares me because of just how smart and observant she is. Daiki and Ai would never let them advance Sora in school for many reasons, but it was never because she isn't smart enough to skip grades."

"I'm sorry Eiji, I have no idea what to say right now."

I smile and tell him, "It's okay Mitty, just knowing you are still in my corner is enough. Let's shut all this down and lock everything up. I want to go see my family."

I begin shutting down both computers when I hear Sora call out from the top of the stairs, "Lt. Aoki, I'm sorry to interrupt, but would you mind coming up here for a minute. We have a problem."