EPISODE 4: THE FRACTURE ## CHAPTER 1: THE DEMONSTRATION Marcus called a meeting. The crew gathered in the common area, where he'd set up his vacuum energy device. The small cylinder hummed quietly, connected to HADAL-1's power grid. "This is the future," Marcus said. His voice had a new quality—certainty that bordered on fanaticism. "Unlimited energy, harvested from the fabric of spacetime itself. No fuel, no waste, no limitations." "You built this from a single green light?" Linda asked. "From the principles in that light, yes. But this is just the beginning." He pulled up schematics on the main display—designs that hadn't existed a week ago. "Propulsion systems that could take us to the stars in months instead of centuries. Construction materials stronger than anything we've ever imagined. Medical technology that could extend human lifespan indefinitely." "All from the green lights?" "From what I've seen of them. I've only touched three." Marcus's eyes gleamed. "There are thousands. Millions, maybe. Enough knowledge to transform humanity into something beyond our wildest dreams." "Marcus." David's voice was firm. "This is exactly what we were warned about. Taking the knowledge too fast. Letting it change us before we understand the consequences." "The consequences are advancement. Evolution. Becoming what we were always meant to be." "The consequences are also what happened to the Vorn....