Ноль Два 8: Бастион страданий

Волосы на загривке Арта встали дыбом. В его радужке отражался экран гибкого телефона, на котором подросток открыл чат с Алиной. Пятёрка выслала ему два документа. Первым был ПДФ-файл с журналом, именовавшийся "Project ZeroTwo". Дрожащим указательным парень ткнул на иконку документа, и телефон тотчас начал его обрабатывать. Устройству потребовалось несколько секунд, чтобы подготовить файл к просмотру. Выпрямившись и морально подготовившись к худшему, Арт погрузился в чтение документации:

"Project ZeroTwo

Leading Scientists: Canis rufus, Lupulella mesomalas, Lepus timidus.

Introduction

The Zero Two project aims to investigate the enigma of the liquid-clone ability. This ability is extremely rare and, based on current data, occurs exclusively in high-level espers.

Due to limited statistical data, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study proposes three primary hypotheses:

Statistical coincidence
The observed correlation between high-levelness and the ability may be incidental, resulting from the rarity of such espers.

Threshold manifestation
The liquid-clone ability requires a minimum developmental threshold, preliminarily estimated at Level 3. It's based on the indiscreet nature of the ability: liquid clones can only be human-size. Therefore, if an esper's capacity is lower, then the ability cannot manifest, and the person is classified as a Null.

Intrinsic amplification
The nature of the ability itself enhances overall esper capacity, resulting in an elevated level among its users.

Prior to Project Zero Two, none of the aforementioned hypotheses had been experimentally tested.

Methods

Neural wave samples were extracted from a second Level 5 esper of Belarus, who exhibits liquid-clone ability. These samples were used for controlled ability transplantation, prior to being filtered from any power-upscaling elements.

A cohort of 20 low-level espers with liquid-related abilities was selected in order to reduce rejection rates and procedural mortality.

Expected outcomes if any of the hypotheses are correct:

Hypothesis 1 (Coincidence)
Successful manifestation of liquid-clone ability in low-level subjects.

Hypothesis 2 (Threshold)
Loss or suppression of ability due to insufficient esper level.

Hypothesis 3 (Amplification)
Observable increase in esper levels among subjects.

Additional Data Collection

Although not a primary objective, all procedural data is being continuously recorded and stored in the Intranet databases for further analysis.

Journal Log

20.08.2019–22.08.2019