Amet Mastaba

Doctor Amet Mastaba (MC-002) is a high-level Mondite scientist.

## Early life

His mother was an orchestral flutist and one of his earliest childhood memories is watching her perform.

For the Mondites, he performed experiments in cybernetic and genetic manipulation. He believed that nanites were not useful in bioengineering since the immune system rebels. He also developed a system of reordering someone's thinking. He worked on extreme medical experimentation towards the creation of controllable artificially enhanced humans to serve as super-efficient private, untraceable assassins who would work for the Mondites.

He designed the mental programming techniques used by the Mondites, as well as the most recent cybernetic control systems.

The Mondites chose Daedalus for his sensitive ABA project laboratory because the isolated and secure archaeological dig was unknown to anyone not directly involved. His whereabouts were unknown even to the Mondite Headquarters. Enemies believed that he is working on cybernetic control techniques on the moon-megalopolis of Taromom.

## Daedalus

He arrived to Daedalus with *Vaseria* on d1616 as the new commander of the Archaeology Base in Team One although he did not hold official rank in the chain of command. This caused some dissent among the soldiers, like Grayson, who refused to follow his orders, but they were disciplined. The Mondites felt fear. K.C. Caynan considered him a psychotic butcher.

He began work on the ABA project on d1631.

On d1713 he expressed his disappointment to Dr. Eden Escher about the progress of Team Two. She promised that they will redouble their efforts to gain access to the rest of the Phyxx ruins. Because there was no progress a couple of days later, he let Escher understand that he would take over the project personally. Escher knew that he would destroy the place, and tried to find a solution fast.

Between d1825-1886 he began analysis of initial ABA test subjects.

On d1873 Escher asked Mastaba the authority to repossess a Phyxx battery from Durrell Zane, but he brushed her off in a humiliating manner. Unlike Escher, Mastaba was excited with Dr. Zane's progress and thought to use Phyxx technology for his ABA project, as their skeletal remains displayed extremely advanced cybernetic techniques and materials; on d1876 he appropriated a metallic cylinder from the dig site. He told Escher that she was no longer allowed access to items he and Zane claimed, and when she protested, he lied that it would be temporary.

When the Reticulum ship *Stolanoi Agrippus* was captured, he seemed unconcerned with the captives, his mind occupied with something else. He performed some experiments on Martic Dane, Klima and Parks until the latter died. When Dane demanded to know about Parks, Mastaba replied that he was in the Acid Lake. Dane accused him for having destroyed a ship of the RMF and interfered with the Circuit Reticulum. Mastaba was indifferent, and claimed that they were now his property by the rules of salvage. Klima died on the operation table, then he brought Dane for his last preliminary examination before he would be ready. The robot's arm opened his stomach, Mastaba reached inside and offered to sedate Dane, unless he wanted to see more. Dane chose to be sedated.

Around d1887 Escher informed Mastaba that a sarcophagus registered faint life signs, and would pose a security danger. Mastaba ordered to move it to the Security Level and placed under constant guard.

Eventually the experiments involved Phyxx technology. AP-127 was his first success. He felt an excitement when his creation, and also the next evolutionary step, opened his eyes and looked at him.

He operated on K.C. Caynan. The next day he came to the Cellblock to examine him and he looked upset, disappointed by the results. As Caynan was too weak, he had to wait for his recovery to try again.

By d1895 he started operating on Martic Dane (AP-128).

## Evacuation

When the Reactor Emergency threatened the base, all non-essential personnel evacuated. At 7:35 Mastaba ordered all Control Room personnel to evacuate as he stayed behind with a minimal security force to finish the operation on Dane.

When Control One reported that AP-127 escaped to the Guard Room, Mastaba said that he shouldn't reach the excavation site.

After AP-127 destroyed the two dropships, Mastaba talked to him over a speaker, saying that he is confused and disoriented, and that they aren't enemies, because he is a Mondite like them; he blamed Escher for betraying them and releasing a monster against them, and they need his help to defeat it.

AP-127 finds Mastaba at the Operating Room while he was operating on Dane; with a controller, Mastaba disables AP-127 and introduces himself as his maker, warning him that questioning and wondering will only destroy himself. Mastaba said that AP-127 should be happy with his incredible power, free from the burden of responsibilities; to demonstrate it he summoned a guard, and controlling AP-127, he activated his RFD gun, killing her. He went on to explain that Dane, on the operation table, would be the next step and would join him; with that Dane shouted "Never!" and crushed the controller.

AP-127 was shocked and fell unconscious; Mastaba knew that he can't control his creation but hoped that the shock had fried his synapses. (if AP-127 was armed, Mastaba takes his blaster and flees; unless he dropped it first at the Chaos Corridor) and runs towards the excavation site. Later he is notified by Osmat that he had reached the Hangar, and after expressing his surprise that the cyborg is still alive, he orders Osmat to guard the *Icarus* with his life (later, if AP-127 kill Osmat, Mastaba can be heard through his walkie-talkie asking for an update, and receives no response).

Around that time he shoots Escher and leaves her wounded, sealing Tube One.

When AP-127 exits to the Landing Pad, Mastaba speaks another message to him, saying that he is his creator and protector and that he should trust him. He continued to send him messages, claiming that Escher was mad and betrayed them; he said that both him and AP-127 were a god for each other.

A new dropship arrived and Mastaba gave instructions to the fresh Space Marines. He ordered them to abduct Escher and block the Tunnel One. He communicated with Unit 3 and Unit 9 in the Alien Temple who were soon killed, then confirmed to Unit 14 that the movement he detected was his target. AP-127 continued his way to the Landing Pad where Mastaba tried to stop him by firing with the dropship's cannons. Recognising AP-127 as one more failed experiment, he took off with Escher, telling AP-127 that she will be his next experiment, and took off, ordering the remaining Marines to destroy AP-127 and "promised" to return for them when available.

AP-127 promised to himself that he will find a way off Daedalus and somehow get Mastaba, sooner or later.

## Trivia

Mastaba (and Martic Dane) is voiced by voice actor Steve Sanders. He is also credited with roles in other video games.