There is no particular reason why inappropriate
emotional responses should be displayed at the sight of these relics: the
principles behind them are both sound and easily comprehensible.
It is a truism that human scientific and
technological (note lowercase) development is progressing at a steadily
increasing rate; it is also a truism that said development is only affected
partially by ongoing operations by both Revelations and Development and its
Infernal counterpart. Demonic
propaganda aside, it is not in the best interests of either Heaven or humanity
that full control be imposed: there is little point in fighting to preserve the
unique configuration of homo sapiens if the end result is a species
incapable of future progression. This
then suggests that, while human research programs may be directed, influenced,
retarded or (in special circumstances) stymied, on the whole they cannot be
utterly suppressed: the perennial question of 'free will' is involved, after
all. However, this does not
suggest that certain problematical scenarios cannot be clearly apprehended
ahead of the fact, or that it does not behoove Revelations and Development to
plan for eventual human technological (note lowercase) developments.
One especially problematical situation involves the
field of research known as genetic engineering. While humanity has been engaging in this activity since the dawn
of recorded history, the last two decades has demonstrated that the practice
will soon reach a level of practical manipulation not entirely dissimilar to
that of the so-called 'computer revolution'.
What makes this is of especial significance for Revelations and
Development is the fact that it is inevitable that at least some human researchers
will use this heightened level of manipulation to make the practical leap from researching
possible non-human sapience to inducing it. It need not be said that such a leap will engender numerous
ethical, moral and pragmatic societal stresses and problems (no doubt
exacerbated by Infernal activities): it also need not be said that at present
Revelations and Development is not optimally suited for handling these stresses
and problems on anything but an ad hoc basis.
Unless, of course, the Host begins applied research
in this field now.
It is an unavoidably sub-optimal fact that the
Archangel of Animals is adamant in his refusal to allow the direct genetic
manipulation of animal DNA to be done by Revelations and Development. It cannot be disputed, of course, that this
refusal has a certain moral force to it: Vaputech is infamous for not only its
utter lack of scientific ethics in the field of genetic engineering, but also
its disturbingly casual attitudes towards the possible contamination of both
its experiments and the larger biosphere.
There is also the undeniable point that Jordi has been given stewardship
over precisely the area that Revelations and Development wishes to research:
his refusal to provide the necessary permissions is his prerogative. However, there is still the underlying problem,
and the passage of time will not diminish it: quite the contrary.
As a result, the celestial artifacts collectively
known as 'Hats' have been developed.
Their basic principles are derived on devices salvaged by the Committee to Limit Infernal Technological
Objectives/Resources In Society; to summarize, a Hat serves as an external
booster of Ethereal Forces. It is
currently an official Revelations and Development policy to create Hats that
hold only one Ethereal Force, with said Force 'shaded' completely towards
cogitation and reasoning. The Forces
are bound into a standard gossamer-weave matrix that is shaped to resemble a
modified human-style hat: the actual shape varies. Recent breakthroughs have provided reliable linguistic abilities,
subject of course to the current test subjects' natural vocal limitations (see
below).
After much deliberation,
three species - black bears, polar bears and pandas - were chosen to be the
test subjects for this experiment.
Suitable examples were tracked down in the wild and provided with the
relics, then placed under extensive observation and examination. The results have been quite interesting:
subjects in all three species generally have adapted quite quickly to their newfound
heightened reasoning powers, and have proved to be amenable to further research
work with the Host - indeed, to the point where a carefully plotted-out
integration into the War is not entirely outside the range of
possibilities. It should of course be
noted that no genetic changes have been made to the test subjects, so they are
unable to speak corporeal tongues: the aforementioned external linguistic
abilities do however give them the capacity to understand one reliably and
communicate via a modified form of American Sign Language. This has proved adequate for the task at
hand: further (which is completely voluntary on the part of the
subjects) research continues on this line.
It should also be noted
that while Revelations and Design takes full responsibility for any and all
problems that might arise from the authorized use of Hats, certain recent
incidents stemming from stolen research materials and Vaputech
reverse-engineering are not
by definition under the purview of the organization, and as such Revelations
and Design cannot be held responsible for such incidents. Revelations and Design thus politely
suggests the Archangel of Animals and his organization to consider this fact
before making a final determination of their collective response, and reminds
them that the resolution of inter-Word disputes is best left to the full
Seraphim Council.
Relic: Force (Ethereal, +4
Intelligence, Language (any/3, Gesture/1)) 10pt
Convenience: can be worn 2pt
Vulnerability: Celestial artifact destroyed when
artifact destroyed -4pt
User Restriction: only useable by black, polar or
panda bears 2pt
Visibility: Instantly recognizable
-3pt
Total: 7 points