S2, 22 Storms and Ruin (FB) (June 18, 2019)

**11 January, 2098**

Regentis

Qoter

Dustin Vorn…hurt.

Everything hurt, almost like he’d been electrocuted, over and over again. Why? What had happen…

Grim. Bones.

His eyes flew open as he leapt to his feet, his balance returning immediately. His hands snapped into position, his legs straightened and he took in the scene before him.

Bones was still in front of him, standing back, hands at his sides. His gaze was just as unmoving as the rest of his body, staring at something near Dustin’s feet. Dustin glanced around until he saw what the Skeleton was looking at.

Grim, sprawled on the ground, his scythe at his side, unconscious.

Dustin stepped back, immediately wary. The last thing he remembered was Grim coming for him, about to take his head off, then…what? What on earth had happened?

Perhaps he’d reacted fast enough; his own instincts had surprised him before… But…had he really taken out Grim, *the* Grim…by accident?

Silence fell for a moment, interrupted by Bones clearing his throat.

Bones: “Well…erm…I’ll admit I’m impressed Mr Michaels. Most impressive indeed…Don’t think Grim’s been knocked like that in the past decade.”

Dustin spun to face the man, hands raised, curiosity dying. Whatever had happened, he had to push it aside. Bones would be coming for him… no, he’d be coming for Ted Michaels.

But he wasn’t Ted Michaels. He never had been.

Dustin: “For the…last time Bones… it’s Dustin Vorn.”

Bones: “Look mate, Vorn’s as dead as they come. And if you know about us, then you’d know about him. Always safer to use a dead man’s name.”

Dustin: “Bones, I’m Dustin! I survived the Skarr…”

Bones: “Sure you did. Now, make this easy on yourself and come quietly Michaels.”

Dustin: “I’m not Ted Michaels! I’m Vorn! Surely you can-“

A blink and Bones was there, his fists striking like a pair of cobras. Dustin ducked, weaved and blocked as best he could, but Bones was damn quick. Quicker than anyone he could remember facing in years!

He swept his leg, but Bones saw it coming, leaping and following through with a strike to Dustin’s sternum. The fist struck the pressure point between the pectorals and Dustin cried in pain. He stepped back, his arms raised, but Bones was already coming for him, hands flying too fast to see.

Dustin managed to get in a strike of his own, using the opening creating by taking Bones’ attacks. His palm shuddered as it shoved the man’s head backward, screaming at the impact as it thwacked the hard material. Still, it gave Dustin a slight reprieve to catch his breath, as well as giving Risa more time to run, to get to the Haven.

More time…yeah, right. Bones was toying with him. The skill difference was simply too great.

He had time for one more breath before Bones was on him again, forcing him to cover up. The Skeleton struck with precision every time, and the sheer strength behind his blows was staggering. Dustin did his best, but it was hopeless, useless…

He…

He was a dead man.

Bones: “Got to admit Michaels, you’ve certainly surprised me.”

Dustin dodged sideways, narrowly avoiding a spinning kick.

Bones: “Yes indeed. Been awhile since I’ve fought someone with your level of talent. Most would’ve been done by now.”

The man leapt forward, hands moving like bullets. Dustin snaked between what he could, managing to get in another two punches before he was forced to block again. His body screamed at the onslaught, blood trickling from his lip. Only adrenaline and sheer willpower kept him going.

Wait, what was-

The wind rushed out of his gut as Dustin was swept off his feet. He took a moment to register Grim, awake and glowing with silent anger, a leg falling after delivering a kick that would’ve taken out most opponents with ease. His scythe still lay on the ground a few metres away, but it wasn’t like the man even needed it.

Agony clanged through Dustin’s body as he hit the ground, covering his head to avoid injury. Grim loomed over him, Bones at his side. Death. That was what the pair of them were. Unconquerable, unbeatable.

Still, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d fought the unbeatable.

Dustin screamed as he flung himself to his feet, hands raised as the pair came at him. Pain descended, but he evaded and zig-zagged for all that he was worth, never letting his defence fall. He thought he felt his shoulder crack at one point, but it didn’t matter. If he was going to die, then what difference would more pain make?

He ducked a kick from Grim, avoided another swing from Bones and managed to get his own foot through Grim’s defence, forcing the man backwards. Dustin grinned through the pain, even as he covered up as Bones attacked again.

Grim spun, cloak whipping through the air, and slammed his hand forward. Dustin saw it coming and tried to fling his arms up, but he was too late.

The hand shot through his guard and struck Dustin’s throat.

All the breath left Dustin’s body as his jugular trembled. He stumbled back, gasping for air, trying to keep his fists up. But Bones was too fast. The man’s fists slammed into pressure points all across Dustin’s body, numbing the areas and locking the joints.

He felt his knees give way as he hit the ground, cursing as he finally forced air into his lungs. Feebly, he raised his hands and managed to deflect a kick from Grim at the cost of a painful spasm through his shoulders. He was dead.

He was *very* dead.

Still….at least he’d let Risa get away. At least it was something.

But…he had *promised* her he’d survive. Damn it…

Grim’s hands shot forward, battering away his own pained hands with barely a thought. Bones’ strikes had done their work well; he’d lost all feeling in his legs and arms. But still… he wouldn’t give in. He couldn’t. Only when the last breath left his body was his fight done.

With a grunt, Grim pulled him up with a strength his lean frame didn’t show. The Reaper growled beneath his mask, emotionless to the core. Dustin struggled as best he could, but it was pointless. He kept doing it anyway.

Grim: “Well fought Ted Michaels. I might actually be sore tomorrow. Consider it an accomplishment.”

Dustin: “Glad…I didn’t…disappoint.”

Bones: “Not at all, good sir. It’s just, well, very few have faced us together like that. Where did you learn to fight?”

Dustin: “The…Core…”

Grim: “Michaels, do not lie to us. We know the Core, knew every member. You were not among them.”

Bones: “Look mate, you’re going to die anyway. We don’t need you alive, not for the bounty. Why not tell a little truth for on-”

Dustin: ***“MY NAME IS DUSTIN VORN!!”***

Grunting through the pain, Dustin straightened his body and pulled in as much air as he could. His hands shook as they gripped Grim’s wrists, feeling slowly returning. With one last deep breath, he roared at the pair, eyes flying open, showing every gram of emotion that he had left in his aching body.

Dustin: “Dustin Marshal Vorn, Bravo one, agent two!! First operation: Firelight! Trained under Sal, Helina Trent, Trace Hewitt and the rest of them!!

Dustin: “Almost killed in action after operation firelight! *Was* killed in action after Operation Constrict. **WHAT MORE TRUTH DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!**”

His breath left him and Dustin slumped against the wall, his throat sore from bellowing his retort. He closed his eyes for a moment, just listening.

The slight bustle of the city outside, quieter than usual. The small creak of a nearby building, the near-silent breaths of the two men in front of them.

His strength hadn’t quite left him, but it was fading, and blocked by Bones’ nerve locks. But he couldn’t give up. No…he’d made a promise… and he was going to keep it. He had to.

Bones: “His eyes….”

Dustin let his eyelids open slightly, and he realised the pair were staring at him, unmoving. Bones spoke again, something like uncertainty in his voice.

Bones: “Hey…open your eyes.”

Grim: “Now.”

Reluctantly, Dustin forced his eyes to open, meeting their stares in silent challenge. The pair seemed to analyse them for a moment, flicking between the two pools of colour. One blue, one green.

Grim dropped him immediately.

Dustin slid down the wall, but managed to stay on his feet. Enough feeling had returned to keep him propped against the building, though it’d be a while before he could fully move again. But…the pair didn’t make a move against him. Instead, they stood back, contemplating carefully. Bones was muttering to himself.

Eventually, Grim broke the silence, his voice softer than before, though with Grim it was nearly impossible to tell.

Grim: “So Dustin Vorn lives.”

Dustin: “Barely.”

Grim: “And he’s a criminal.”

Dustin: “A framed one.”

Grim: “You have proof?”

Dustin: “Two words, really. Uek Ferris. He's been chasing us ever since he was sworn in.”

Grim turned to face Bones, the Skeleton oddly silent for once.

Grim: “This changes things.”

Bones: “I know…”

Grim: “What do you propose we do?”

Bones: “Hear them out, I suppose.”

Grim: “And the boy?”

Bones: “Tomas will have to get over his little revenge addiction. For now, let’s get the other one back-“

Dustin: “If you go after Risa, you’ll regret it. I promise you.”

The pair turned back to Dustin, who had forced himself to his feet, despite his protesting body. All of him hurt, but his only thoughts were of the woman he’d been willing to die for. He couldn’t let the Agents get to her, no matter what.

Bones cocked his head, his voice swapping back to his earlier tone as he spoke.

Bones: “Oh, I have no doubt that we would. But we won’t hurt her. Not now.”

Dustin: “Like I’d trust you.”

Bones: “Doesn’t matter if you do or you don’t. Fact is, I’d like to hear the story from both of you. Like, how on *earth* Agent Dust ended up on Qoter.”

Grim: “Agreed. Follow us, if you wish. Or stay here and we’ll return. It makes little difference.”

Dustin growled in response, but forced his body into motion, one step after the other. Despite being thoroughly confused, and thoroughly ruined, there was no way he’d let these two go after Risa without him.

Bones: “Alright then. Let’s go.”

The pair spun and marched out of the alley, leaving Dustin to hobble after them as the numbness in his bones began to seep away. He ached all over, dozens of bruises blossoming, blood leaking from his lips and a cut just above his eye. But he wouldn’t let it stop him, not when Risa and his promise hung in the balance.

He stumbled around the corner of the alley, eyes widening at the view beyond…

**Ten Minutes Earlier.**

**BANG!**

White hot pain blossomed as Risa hit the ground, her legs giving way beneath her. She rolled as she hit the ground, coming up on one knee. She tried to keep moving, but her side was screeching! She pressed her hand against her abdomen, dropping one of her pistols as she did.

The wetness hit her immediately. What had happened? What…

She’d been shot.

As soon as the realisation crossed her mind, the pain intensified. However, her thoughts began to move all on their own. Fast-moving round, it had torn through her. Entry and exit. The exit was worse. Keep pressure on that wound. Stall the blood loss. Keep moving.

She holstered her pistol and picked the other up off the ground. Already the lack of blood was having an affect on her mind, though it may have been the shock. Slowly, too slowly, she pulled herself to her feet and began walking. Her side cried out as she moved, but she kept her hand firm. She’d need to get it bandaged. Quickly.

The Haven. The Haven had what she needed.

She just needed to…

Voice: “Stop moving, or the next one goes in your head.”

Risa’s breath caught in her throat as she forced herself to turn around, eyes welling up with tears as the pain increased.

The man…he’d…he’d tricked her. He wasn’t nearly as put out as she’d thought. The instant she’d seen his gun drop, she’d run. Why hadn’t she taken it from him?

He loomed over her, pistol pointed directly at her face. Every second movement caused a wince; her bullets had done that much, but his gun was worryingly steady.

He spoke again, and the voice finally clicked into place. This man…he was the same one that had been following them, almost a year ago now. The one that worked with… Taze.

She gulped, sweat billowing from all over, her side crying in agony. Was he Alpha 1? No, Dustin had said that he wasn’t a Core agent back when they’d first seen him.

So…who was he?

Man: “Risa Donovan, correct?”

She hesitated, then nodded. This was bad. If she didn’t get away, Dustin was done for. That was it. Carefully, she angled her pistol slightly, to retaliate. If she could get the angle just right, then she could get his head and then…then…

Then she’d become a killer all over again. She couldn’t let that happen.

Man: “Good. I have a question for you, before you die, and I want your honest answer. Were you happy when you killed my brother?”

Risa paused in confusion, her mind struggling to fight through the pain as she dragged her way through memories. Corvin…did he have a brother? Not that she knew off, but…but…why was it so hard to think? She was losing too much blood, and adrenaline could only keep her going for so long.

Risa: “I…I…”

Man: “Answer me, you scum! Why did you have to take him from me?! Why?! Did it give you some sick, twisted satisfaction to watch him bleed out in front of you? DID IT?!”

No, it hadn’t. When she’d killed Corvin…it had broken her. Sure, she’d managed to overcome it, but the memories, the anguish…no, there had been no satisfaction.

Risa: “I…No…I’m sorry about him, but he was going… to kill billions of people…I couldn’t do nothing…”

Man: “I’ve never heard such bull! My brother was a damn patriot, a good man! He dedicated his life to the Imperium! And what did he get?! A knife between the shoulder blades, a body that couldn’t be found! He didn’t deserve that! Nobody does!”

The Imperium…backstabbing? What was this man talking about? She raised her gaze to meet his eyes, thoroughly confused as tears of pain filled her eyes.

Risa: “Who…who are you?”

The man straightened, gathering himself. His eyes seemed to burn from within, but his voice was ice cold when he spoke.

Tomas: “My name is Tomas Brock, younger brother of Lachlan Brock, the man you betrayed, the man you murdered. And for him, I’m ending you.”

Brock….

Her mind flashed back to a white room, mercenaries all around her, Almas Havok with a smug grin and a smoking gun…

And Lieutenant Lachlan Brock, a man she’d served since the Shift, dying in her arms.

She couldn’t help it as a quiet laugh split her lips, a manic chuckle that shocked the man in front of her.

Tomas: “You…you think this is funny?!”

Risa: “No…it’s just…ha ha…this all started with that betrayal…all of this. And now, I’m going to die because of it…it’s like the ultimate kick in the face.”

Tomas: “What are you talking about?!”

Risa: “I…I didn’t kill your brother Tomas… I couldn’t even bring myself to kill his killer… but it doesn’t matter. Why would you believe the criminal everyone thinks I am?”

Tomas stepped back slightly, his eyes widening in confusion. No, he didn’t believe her, but the words still shook him. Risa saw it now, through the screaming cries of her wound. His entire goal had been revenge, but with those few words…it’d created a worm of doubt. A momentary distraction.

She could use that.

As quick as she could, she leapt from her crouching position and rammed her own gun to the man’s head, knocking aside his pistol as she did.

Her side flared as she let go to divert his weapon, but she pushed through it, even as the blood began to flow again. To his credit, Tomas didn’t show anything close to fear. Surprise, definitely, but not fear.

Tomas: “So that’s it? I’m as dead as he is?”

Risa: “I am not your enemy Tomas. Uek Ferris is. He’s the man that ultimately killed your brother.”

Tomas: “Sure, like I’m going to believe that.”

Risa: “I…Brock was like an uncle to me. And a part of me died the day he did. I just…I want you to know that much…”

Tomas: “Like I care Donovan! Even if you kill me, Grim and Bones won’t be stopped so easily. You’re dead either way…and Lachie’s soul will finally be avenged.”

The man, Tomas, closed his eyes, lips twisted into a snarl.

Risa let her arm fall.

Granted, part of it was because she was too dizzy to hold it straight, but mostly it was because of Tomas. He’d been so sure of himself as he’d said those words, so lost in vengeance, so consumed by rage and anger that he didn’t even fear his own death.

And in that moment…she saw herself. Saw who’d she’d been…before all this. Had she really once been like this man?

Risa: “There. Tomas, if I really was the monster you think I am, why would I let you go. Please…just…think about that…please.”

Tomas stood, dumbfounded, like a drowning man rescued at the last possible moment. He’d been so ready to die, that he hadn’t considered mercy…especially not from the murderer he thought she was...

Risa took the chance, moving as fast as she could back down the path. She was almost to the shuttle park. The Haven, salvation for both her and Dustin, was within her reach.

Voice: “FREEZE!”

Risa turned around, looking towards the source of the voice. Her thoughts were foggy and her eyes swam to the point where she couldn’t focus properly but….

Voice: “RISA DONOVAN!”

She blinked, a moment of clarity filling her mind as she took in the scene. The pedestrians had long since scattered, leaving only…

A sea of police officers.

There had to be at least a dozen of them, all with rifles trained her way. Had they been waiting for her to act? Had they thought she’d been holding a hostage? It mattered little now. They were everywhere.

A man strode forward, an older officer with a pair of grey mutton chops and thinning hair. She recognised him after a moment’s thought.

Risa: “Sergeant Thompson, right? Been a long time.”

St. Thompson: “Can’t say I’ve missed you, scum. You know how this works, hands in the air!”

Risa: “I’d love to Sergeant, but if I take my hand off my side, I’m going to pass out…”

St. Thompson: “Does it look like I give a damn?! Hands up! NOW DONOV-“

Risa couldn’t hear the rest of what he said. She slowly pulled her hands away, letting more blood drip from the bullet wound. It hurt worse than anything she’d ever experienced, even though she was going numb because of it. She’d been stabbed before, during Wheatview, and beaten senseless by her father, but never before had she lost *this* much blood.

Her head spun as she felt her legs buckle. She barely felt the impact as she hit the ground once more, could scarcely make out the officers that crowded around her. What had happened to Tomas? What about….

Dustin…she…she…

She’d failed him. He was…he was dead because of her…

And there was nothing she could do.

Tears began to stream down her face as the officers cried for a medic, handcuffing her hands behind her back and pulling her up. Two of them carried her, letting her feet drag between them. She barely registered it.

Dustin was dead…

But…he couldn’t be…he’d promised her.

She held onto that thought as the blood loss finally caught up and everything went dark.

**11 January, 2098**

The Conduit Building, Knightborn

Qoter

Night had descended upon the slowly healing city of Knightborn, but in the underground rooms beneath his headquarters, Uek Ferris didn’t care. All above him the world moved and swirled, but he’d shut it out for the best part of the day. This was too important.

Before him sat his last chance, his one last hope of his project’s success.

Subject 312.

Havok stood at his side, wringing his hands nervously. The surgeons Karol and Andrew were rushing about the room, checking readings and vitals, but Uek could tell they were just as nervous as he was.

The subject was strapped to the central table, the neural device already attached, implanted and tested. The technicians and engineers he’d had under his wing had been able to re-work it to get it as small as possible, eventually ending up with a wrap-around helmet to encompass the largest amount of brain function. It gave Uek total control of the subject, completely and utterly.

A miracle of medical technology.

However, despite said miracles under their belt, the room felt eerily empty. Indeed, most of the equipment had been already been removed from the room, but the emptiness was more…philosophical than that. If this failed, it would’ve all been for nothing.

Uek’s Ossillium supply was nearly empty anyway, and so he’d decided to risk it all on his last subject.

They’d fill 312 with almost triple what they’d given all the others, all the Ossillium he had left, and hope that the X-17 would be enough to keep the body together.

Karol eventually stepped forward, her eyes tired behind her mask. When she spoke, her voice wavered with uncertainty.

Karol: “Commander…are you sure about this?”

Uek: “No, but it’s the only option we’ve got left. It’ll take months to get more Ossillium and subjects, not to mention the setbacks to my plan. It *has* to work.”

Karol: “And if it doesn’t?”

Uek: “Karol, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s just get this done.”

Karol nodded and strode over to Andrew. The man had gone strangely quiet at the thought of the project ending without a success. They’d made so many advances and discoveries and worked too long only to finish empty-handed.

Karol: “Ok…so we will be injecting 8.57 parts X-17, the ideal level based on previous experimentation. This will be added with 5 parts of Epinephrine and Nonepinephrine each, along with the other standard chemicals. Finally, the Ossillium. Subject 312 will receive…um… 36 parts Ossillium. P…Permission to go ahead sir?”

Uek nodded at the pair, and they went about their business, grabbing the needed vials from their workstations. Beside him, Havok’s twiddling had grown to extraordinary levels. His eyes were all over the place, constantly flicking from vital reading to vital reading.

Uek knew what must’ve been going through the man’s mind. He’d placed Havok in charge of running his project. A lack of success would hit him the hardest.

The pair of doctors retrieved their needles. Andrew gingerly held the X-17, mixed with the other chemicals, but it was Karol who carried the two behemoths of glowing blue liquid.

The Ossillium.

For a full five seconds, the room stood still….

A small eternity later, the surgeons stepped forward, shaking with anticipation, and drove the needles through the subject’s flesh. The syringes hissed slightly as they injected the liquids into the bloodstream, before dropping to the floor; empty.

Andrew and Karol exhaled and stepped back, joining the others in their silence.

Uek’s eyes were locked on the subject before them. Ever since the implant, there hadn’t been any screaming, but even so it felt oddly quiet. Like the entire planet was holding its breath.

The only movement in the room was the subject’s chest as it rose and fell, hidden beneath the vital-monitoring suit they wore. The suit…another incredible advancement…worthless if this failed.

Minutes passed that could’ve been hours. No words were said, not even from Uek. If this didn’t work…if this one wasn’t *the one*…then it was over. Finished, as surely as if Kendall had succeeded in her mission and ousted him. It would take too long to recover.

The subject quivered slightly, as the chemicals fought over the battlefield that was 312’s body. Had the Ossillium been too much? Had Uek been foolish to rush into it, pouring everything into one last ditch effort to-

***BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!***

One of the monitors flared to live, one of the few remaining in the room. The subject’s heart rate was going crazy, just like every other time.

Karol and Andrew hung their heads low. They knew what would happen next.

Uek swore under his breath. No! It couldn’t be true! He’d…he’d failed? He never failed! Setbacks, definitely, but out-right total failure? Never….NEVER!

***POP!***

Uek’s eyes went to the subject’s arms, revealing the truth that he’d refused to admit. The bicep muscles on both arms had burst apart, tearing the suit and sending a river of blood and chemicals everywhere.

It was what they’d expected, but Uek still smacked his hand against the table. The rupturing was the first thing to come. Then, the organs failed, the blood boiled, the brain melted.

Then, finally, the subject would look at him with a look that captured just how much they despised and hated him. He knew it was coming, even though the new implant design obscured the subject’s faces. He knew the body language too well, and…and…

And was that blood *glowing?*

Uek stepped forward, disregarding the protests of the others. He lent down and tapped a puddle of the blood that had spewed from 312’s arms. It was hot to the touch, almost boiling, but…yes…it was glowing brightly.

It was also tinted purple. What the…

He spun back towards the patient, eyes widening in shock as he took in what he saw.

The ruptures on the arms…had healed.

The subject was shaking violently, but other than that…nothing. The marks on the arms had clotted with wads of that glowing blood, leaving behind a pair of violet scars, visible through the tears in the suit. Even as he saw that, the scars fizzled and disappeared.

Uek spun to his companions, taking in the dropped jaws and wide eyes. It…it…

It was working.

Several minutes passed, where not a word was spoken. The subject shook and was clearly in agony, but with the implant there was barely any noise. Uek watched intently from the subject’s side, his grin going wider as time ticked on.

He was so close now, so damn close!

***BEEEEEEP!***

The monitor flashed once as the subject’s heartrate began to die down, slowly returning to normal levels. Karol and Andrew stumbled forward, almost unsure of themselves. They’d never been in this position before, when the subject’s body had actually *accepted* the Ossillium.

Nevertheless, they slowly began to unstrap 312, removing the few cables that had been attached to the suit as they went. Uek paid them little heed as he stood at the subject’s side, gazing at it like a relieved parent.

Once the last cable fell, the subject slowly forced itself to sit up. Because it was an *it* now. That was the only word that could be used to describe the creature. With the implant and the altered blood… well, it was hardly human any more.

Uek spoke, his voice laced with anticipation, the cogs that made up his mind whirring faster than ever.

Uek: “Subject 312. How do you feel?”

The subject turned to face Uek, an almost quizzical expression beneath the dark faceplate. When it spoke, it’s voice gave away none of the torment it’d just been through. It was near-silent, monotone and strangely robotic, unnervingly so.

312: “***… DEAD … I … I FEEL …DEAD…***”

Uek: “Interesting. Now, get up.”

Slowly, as if every movement brought a fresh wave of discomfort, 312 swung its legs over the bed and stood up. Karol and Andrew crowded around excitedly, analysing the subject like curious insects. Still, with the amount of effort they’d put into this project, it was understandable.

Uek: “Good, now stay there 312. Karol, Andrew, what do you think?”

Andrew: “Well….simply put Commander, it worked! I…I can’t believe it!”

Uek: “And your theory?”

Karol nodded once and drew a line down 312’s arm using one of her scalpels, uncaring about the damage to the suit. A small line of glowing blood appeared briefly, before clotting and hardening, sealing the wound. She scribbled onto a notepad and turned back to Uek.

Karol: “Turns out we were right! The X-17 and re-engineered Ossillium combination has increased the rate of natural healing dramatically! Not to mention the strength, speed and stamina. We were right to test out the X-17 before hand!”

Andrew: “Honestly, I’m amazed Commander! This shouldn’t be possible! The sheer amount of Ossillium…well…I didn’t think it would work!”

Karol: “Andrew, if the Union could see us now…self-healing, total neural control…they’d practically beg us to take our licences back!”

Andrew: “Heck yeah! Thank you again Commander, thank you! The medical potential here…it’s just too much to take in!”

Uek: “Both of you are very welcome, and you have my thanks for all that you have done. 312? Kill them both.”

The surgeons had just enough time to lose their smiles before 312 jolted to life. It snapped out its hands, grabbing both of the surgeons by the neck. It hesitated briefly, as if the last dregs of humanity were leaving its body, before squeezing.

The crack of shattering bone echoed around the small room and the two doctors slipped from 312’s grip, dead before they hit the ground. Their necks had been crushed so completely that the skin had actually torn in places, blood and pus oozing from the now dead bodies.

Havok: “Damn…was that really necessary? I mean…I thought you said they were loyal?”

Uek stepped forward, careful to avoid the corpses of the two surgeons that had made his project a reality. He spoke almost absent-mindedly, his focus on the subject before him. The sheer strength of the creature… remarkable.

Uek: “Almas, loyalty is a funny thing. These two were loyal to me, I’ve no doubt about that. But this discovery was something truly profound, and people like those two have a tendency to…let things slip. Don’t you remember the rumours after the implant’s success? The rumours about the Imperium working on androids? If word got out about ‘self-healing and total neural control’… it just raises too many questions, and leaves behind quite a messy trail. Besides, I needed to test if it’d kill when asked. Turns out it does.”

Havok: “I thought you hated death.”

Uek: “I hate *pointless death* Havok. These deaths had a point. With these two gone, so go the secrets on how to recreate this entire venture. Besides, look on the bright side! We’ve succeeded! The project, your project, my project, it’s a reality.”

312 raised its faceplate to meet Uek’s gaze, blood dripping off its fingers. Uek smiled at it, his mind a hive of activity. Finally, after so long, after going through so much, it was done.

And everything, the Imperium, the war, the system…

It was all within his grasp.