H.E.R.A
Dr. Everett Wright held a device no larger than a rice grain – the culmination of ten years' research. This was HERA (Hormonal, Evaluation, and Regulation Apparatus), a silent guardian against society's darkest evil. Implanted at birth, it monitored the hormonal fluctuations indicative of pedophilic tendencies. Deviations beyond a specific threshold triggered HERA's release of a toxin, designed to remove those monstrous urges at their genetic source.
Evelyn, Everett's brilliant protege, saw HERA as a shield for the innocent. With every child abuse case halted, her determination grew. Yet, doubts lingered. What if the hormonal markers were misleading?
HERA evolved. At age seventeen, subjects underwent controlled tests – exposure to specific stimuli like the laughter of female children. If HERA detected an inappropriate arousal response, a flag was raised. Twenty such flags, and the subject was classified as high-risk.
Years of refinement minimized error, but the ethical questions remained. This was prevention, not punishment, and the goal was a future where children were safe.
Evelyn knew HERA needed safeguards, an antidote. The world watched, torn between awe and fear. This was a powerful tool against evil, yet it blurred the lines between protection and control. Still, the future it promised – one where children walked free – was worth fighting for.
April 17