She turned the tablet around. On screen was a live news feed—CNN International. The banner headline: "WORLD LEADERS CONVENE EMERGENCY SUMMIT."
The scene showed the UN General Assembly, but empty of delegates. Instead, it was filled with military uniforms, scientists, and what looked like intelligence officials from a dozen nations. At the podium stood General Forstell, looking grim.
"...confirmed cases now exceed two hundred worldwide," he was saying. "The phenomenon, designated Homo sapiens superior or 'Longevos,' represents an unprecedented challenge to global security, economic stability, and human identity itself."
The camera cut to a Chinese general speaking through a translator: "We have located a concentration of these individuals in the Gobi Desert region. They have established an unauthorized settlement on sovereign territory."
Back to Forstell: "The international community has attempted diplomatic outreach. These attempts have been met with silence, and in some cases, violence against lawful authorities."
A gasp went through the meadow crowd. On screen, footage played—grainy, from a distance. It showed Longevos (were they from this group? Others?) dismantling military vehicles. They moved with that same terrifying efficiency Kael had shown with the drones.
"That's not us," the French teenager said. "We haven't—"
"But someone has," Leila finished, her face tight.
Forstell continued: "The Gobi group has issued demands. Sovereignty over their settlement. Recognition as a separate nation. Exemption from all human laws and treaties." He paused, letting the weight sink in. "They claim they are the next step in human evolution, and that baseline humanity must submit to their stewardship."
More gasps. "That's a lie!" Erika shouted at the screen. "No one would say that!"
"Wouldn't they?" the older man murmured. "If you thought you were better? If you knew you'd live forever?"
On screen, Forstell's face filled the frame. "Therefore, by unanimous decision of the UN Security Council and the G7 nations, we issue a final ultimatum. The individuals in the Gobi settlement have twenty-four hours to surrender themselves for humane study and containment. Failure to comply will result in the use of necessary force to neutralize the threat."
The feed cut to analysts discussing, but Aris had stopped listening. Her eyes were on the timestamp. The ultimatum had been issued six hours ago.
"We need to contact them," Kael said. "The Gobi group. Warn them."
"With what?" Leila asked. "We have no communication that isn't monitored. And if we did, why would they listen? They don't know us."
Aris was typing furiously on her tablet, accessing back channels. "I'm checking my sources at WHO. There's... there's chatter about readiness levels. Nuclear readiness."
The word fell like a stone.
"They wouldn't," the French teenager whispered. "Not for people."
"You're not people to them," Aris said bitterly. "You're a threat. And threats get neutralized."
Kael stood, pacing. The energy in him needed outlet. "Then we go there. We stop it."
"To the Gobi? From Switzerland? With no transport, no plan?" Leila shook her head. "Even if we could get there in time, what would we do? Form a human shield?"
"Yes!" Kael said. "If they see we're not monsters—if they see we just want to live—"
"Will they care?" Erika's voice was heavy. "When has power ever cared about the powerless?"
Aris's tablet chimed again. A private message, encrypted. She opened it, her face going parchment-white.
"What?" Kael asked.
She showed him the screen. It was from a colleague at WHO, a geneticist named Chen she'd worked with for years. The message was brief:
Aris, if you're alive, get to deep cover. They're not just targeting Gobi. There's a list. Every known Longevo concentration. You're on it. They're calling it "The Great Pruning." May God forgive us all.
Below was an attachment—a classified document. Aris opened it. A spreadsheet, dozens of entries. Locations. Estimated numbers. Priority levels.
Their Alpine meadow was there. Priority Beta. Scheduled for "cleanup" in 72 hours.
For a moment, no one spoke. The wind seemed colder. The majestic mountains felt less like sanctuary and more like a cage.
"So," Leila said finally, her voice flat. "We're all dead anyway."
"Not necessarily." The voice came from the edge of the clearing.
Everyone turned. A man stepped from the trees—one they hadn't seen arrive. Middle-aged, wearing hiking gear that looked expensive and barely used. He had the build of someone who spent more time in boardrooms than mountains.
"My name is David," he said. "And I represent a group of individuals who believe your existence is not a problem to be solved, but an opportunity to be embraced."
Kael moved between the stranger and Aris. "Who are you really?"
"Former investment banker. Current... sympathizer." David approached slowly, hands visible. "There are more of us than you think. People who see this mutation not as a curse, but as the next step. People with resources."
"Resources to do what?" Leila asked, suspicious.
"To build." David's eyes shone with fervor. "Not just hide. Build. A place where your kind can live without fear. Where you can develop your potential. We have land. Siberia. Remote, defensible, resource-rich."
"The Gobi group tried that," Erika pointed out. "Look where it got them."
"The Gobi group acted alone. Arrogantly. We offer partnership." David looked at each of them. "Baselines and Longevos, working together. A new society."
Aris studied him. "Why? What's in it for you?"
"Immortality, of course." David smiled. "Not for me—I'm baseline, nearly sixty. But my grandchildren? If we can understand this mutation, replicate it safely..." He spread his hands. "You're not freaks. You're pioneers. And every pioneer needs supporters."
Kael felt the pull of the idea. A place to belong. To be safe. But something nagged at him—the shine in David's eyes was too bright, the sales pitch too smooth.
"And what do we have to do?" he asked.
"Come with me. Now. There's a plane at a private airfield two hours from here. We reach Siberia, we establish your settlement, and when the world sees it can be done peacefully..." David smiled. "Others will follow. The Gobi won't be a tragedy—it'll be a cautionary tale about doing it wrong."
The group exchanged glances. Hope, dangerous and fragile, flickered among them.
Aris pulled Kael aside. "I don't trust him."
"I don't either," Kael admitted. "But do we have a choice? In three days, soldiers come here. Or drones. Or worse."
They looked at their makeshift camp—the beginning of community, however fragile. They looked at the faces of people who just wanted to live.
Leila joined them. "My people will follow whatever you decide, Kael. You're the one they saw on news. You're... familiar."
The weight of it settled on him. He'd never asked for this. Never wanted it. But the beam hadn't asked before it fell, either.
He turned to David. "We need assurances. The Gobi group first—can you contact them? Warn them?"
David's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm afraid that's impossible. Communications are being monitored. Any attempt would reveal our location."
"But people will die!"
"Sometimes," David said gently, "sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. The Gobi group chose confrontation. We choose wisdom."
Kael looked at Aris, saw the confirmation in her eyes. David wasn't here to save the Gobi group. He was here to recruit their replacements.
"No," Kael said.
David blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"We're not leaving while people who are just like us are being threatened." Kael faced the group. "Maybe we can't stop what's coming. But we can bear witness. We can show the world that we care about our own. That we're not monsters."
Murmurs of agreement, mixed with fear.
"That's noble," David said, his voice cooling. "And stupid. You'll die with them."
"Maybe," Kael said. "But at least we die as people, not as someone's immortal investment."
David studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well. The offer remains open, for those with sense." He turned to leave, then paused. "One piece of free advice? When the bombs fall, don't watch the flash. The light will burn your eyes out, even with your enhancements. And you'll want to see what comes after."
He disappeared into the trees as silently as he'd come.
The group gathered around Kael. "What now?" Leila asked.
"Now," Kael said, "we find a way to watch. And remember."