S1, 03 Ossillium Research (June 30, 2015)

Dr. Gadera loaded the Ossillium into the analyzer and closed the protective glass. He walked back to his station and started the analysis. From what GI intelligence had told them, Ossillium had an innate property in it that negated the Collective's power. How it did that was still a complete mystery.

As the analysis ran via the computer, Dr. Gadera prepped the samples he was given to study under the microscope. As he looked through the microscope his mind wandered. It was hard to believe that he had once been a prisoner of the Galactic Imperium. Harder still to believe that over a year had passed since his release and reinstatement into the GI Science division.

He supposed he still was a prisoner. The Imperium's tracker was still embedded in his leg, but he hardly noticed it anymore. It seemed like old times again. His days were filled with research. He still tried to find out the cause of the Shift, but he also helped with the war effort, developing weapons and defense mechanisms.

He was horrified and reluctant at first. Dragging his heels on his findings whenever he could. But with the Collective's arrival and their unwavering attacks, it became easier to help. In fact, his efforts to develop weapons to use against this new threat were all he ever thought of.

The importance of the causes of the Shift faded from his mind. After all, the past was the past, and with the Collective's military might, and strange powers looming over all of humanity, The Shift would have to wait.

He could still recall the Collective's arrival, and the strange mental message. Many jumped to call the people of this new threat 'magical', but their powers had to be rooted in science.

The fact that Ossillium could negate their 'powers' would prove that The Collective was in no way magical, just more technologically and evolutionary advanced. The computer bleeped and began running the analysis report, just as Dr. Tondi walked through the door.

“Morning Dr. Gadera,” he said.

“Morning...amazing!,” Dr. Gadera responded. “The Ossillium seems to affect the Collective on a cellular level. It blocks certain protein receptors, causing cells to lose communication with each other. It doesn't seem to remove their powers at all, it simply cuts off their connection to it.”

“So what would be some good applications?” Dr. Tondi asked. “An armored suit to protect troops?”

“That would require massive amounts of Ossillium. The Collective were stopped at Rerador, simply because of the sheer amount of Ossillium it contains. So much that the ambient radiation managed to penetrate their bodies defenses. We could probably stow enough on a ship to protect it from being boarded, and we could easily modify any plasma core ammunition to hold Ossillium instead. Once the bullet enters their blood stream, it should spread and incapacitate them quickly.”

“That should be a game changer.”

“Yes.” Dr. Gadera looked up at Dr. Tondi. “What are you doing in so early anyway?”

“Just doing the final inspection on this crate of modified explosives. It needs to go out straight away.”

“Really? Where's it headed?”

“Rerador, I imagine. Flight plan just mentions that it's headed toward Tirunei.”

Headed for Rerador, or could just as easily be headed for Fuyoria. Dr. Gadera still didn't trust the Imperium. Though there was a ceasefire with Aurelia, in order to group together to combat the Collective, the Imperium could be planning on taking down Aurelia right after it had defeated the Collective.

They could even be making plans to take out both threats at the same time.

Dr. Gadera had planned on putting another communication device in the crate, with the research he had analyzed from the Ossillium. He still tried to communicate with anyone he knew in the Marauders, but had received no response. Who knew if anyone discovered them at all.

But, Dr. Gadera continued to send intel as often as he could, even if it was as fruitless as throwing messages in a bottle into a vast, star filled sea.

“Dr. Tondi, could you calibrate the analysis chamber over there? I'm getting some errors in the data.”

“Sure, thing.”

As Dr. Tondi walked over to the machinery, Dr. Gadera snuck over to the crate with his device. He had already transferred the research to the chip when he was conversing with Dr. Tondi.

    “Everything seems to be calibrated just fine,” Dr. Tondi said.

Dr. Gadera's heart jumped and he quickly hid the chip behind his back.

“Ah...yes...ok...must have just been a computer glitch. Say, do you think you could get me a cup of coffee? I've been up all night researching...”

“Just put the chip in,” Dr. Tondi said.

“What?”

“I know what you're doing. I've known for some time.”

“You've known...how?”

“You're not that sneaky Dr. Gadera. Don't worry, I haven't said anything.”

“Why?”

“You're not the only prisoner here Dr. Gadera. I may not have a tracker implanted in me. But I'm a prisoner of my conscience. I used to believe in the Galactic Imperium. To believe it stood for the protection and rights of everyone. But since the Shift, since the war started...to see what the Imperium has done."

"The massacre of the last Aurelian base here on Earth. The abandonment of all those prisoners on Etrion. How we started this war with the Collective, by murdering that woman Eris. How can I stand with the Imperium after such brutal acts?”

Dr. Gadera was stunned. He had always liked Dr. Tondi, but assumed his patriotism for the Imperium kept Gadera from fully trusting him.

“Their brutality isn't all, Tondi. I discovered something when I was poking around the mainframe. A secret project going on upstairs. It might be inconsequential now, but it could still be used by the Imperium for god knows what. That info and our initial research on Ossillium has to reach the outside. Marauder. Aurelian. It doesn't matter. The Imperium can't keep hiding secrets. Not when it involves the Collective. Not when it could jeopardize us all.”

Dr. Gadera put the chip in the crate, and sealed the lid.

“Dr. Tondi, I'm taking a risk with this, but I can't ask you to take the same risk. It's too dangerous.”

“Don't worry about me. Besides, if you're gonna keep snooping around you could use the help. Sneaking really isn't in your nature.”

Dr. Gadera laughed, for the first time in a long time.

“You're a good friend...Now let's get back to work.”

*“You're a good friend...Now let's get back to work.”*

“Well, it seems Dr. Gadera has been keeping himself busy. I guess you were right about that computer security alert.”

“He knows about Project E, sir.”

“Yes. But it's of no consequence. That crate might be though. Make sure we have our own tracking device on it. I want to know where it ends up.”

“Yes, sir. And Dr. Gadera?”

“I think the good doctor has outlived his usefulness. You know what to do.”

4th wall: It's been a long time since I've worked on the Insurgency. Hopefully I tied everything in okay after being away so long. Took a break from building for awhile, but I've been building a lot the past month or so, and am excited to be involved with the Insurgency again. Hope you all enjoy...and stay tuned for more soon.

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