Chương 141: Chapter 6: Rebirth
Just what the hell is going on... Rydel simply sat and witnessed the tension began to rise between the two women in this room. One is sitting next to him while the other is sitting opposite him. As he wished he could warp himself out of here, the two women simply glared at each other.
Alrith's wrist is moving and shaking slightly, and Rydel feared that she will pull out the Lightning Knife to cut down Anozee, who she clearly had a history with. And Rydel can tell that history wasn't exactly something the two of them are too fond of.
'I am here for him.' Finally, Alrith spoke, and Rydel was finally able to take a breath after hearing her calm voice once more.'To fix the arm that was ripped off by Claws?' Anozee asked, sounding intrigued.'No, I wish for you to take a look at our friend.' Rydel said, 'she was severely injured in..... a procedure. We want you to fix her.''A procedure...was that your doing?' Anozee looked over to Alrith and joked, though her glare was sharp and her voice fierce.'No.' Alrith denied instantly.
'Fine, bring the ship here, and we shall begin right away.' Anozee stood up finally and began to walk away, leaving Rydel and Alrith on the couch by themselves.
'What the fuck was that...?' Rydel asked towards Alrith, but she simply shook her head and said this isn't something she wanted to talk about. Respecting her choice, they also left and headed towards the hanger before calling the ship to come towards the orbit of Life Springer's space station.
Elmyra's cryopreservation pod was perfectly intact, and she laid there in exactly the same position as before. Anozee gestured for the pod to be brought to her office, and she took Rydel and Alrith on a tour of the entire facility as the pod is being set up.
'We are all ones with secrets, aren't we?' Anozee asked with a sly smile on her face, and that look really reminded Rydel of Lady Lily and how she manipulates everything around her, 'welcome to my lab.'
the door opened up and showed a massive factory on the other side with countless glass tubes, wiring, special lights, plantations, cages and strange cylinders that appeared to be bioreactors. That's not discounting the various strange plants that grew all around the room, filling into the gaps of every corner.
There is a walkway right above all of the facilities, and that's what Anozee is taking the pair to. As they walked around, Rydel found himself looking towards the cages and seeing nothing but monsters locked within.
No, not monsters. Deformed Aquarians.
'I primarily work with transformation, transmutation, reformation, revival and transplanting procedures here in the lab.' Anozee explained, 'my clients are those that have sought out traditional means of genetic manipulation and tempering with no results, or those that wanted more than to adjust a couple strands. I make new species, and I create new life.''And those things?' Rydel pointed towards the cages'I am sure you have seen Claws.' Anozee said without looking back, 'he was the best of the transmutated Aquarians. Those? They are mere inferior copies of him.'
Rydel looked at the back of Anozee, stunned. Then, he looked down at those caged monsters and wondered what kind of procedures they must have gone through. Do they feel pain? No...do they feel anything?
The Aquarian biotechnology field is not something Rydel's familiar with, and now he knew why it never attracted him. The three difference species each approach their own brand of science differently. However, the one thing that remained constant was the need for more data and experimentation. That rings particularly true with the bio-centric Aquarian sciences, which inherently deal with much more complex biological systems that are closely controlled and genetically encoded. Any modification can very easily break down the entire system (leading to death).
The only way to move forward with sciences that have such a high barrier for entry would be the experiment a lot. And with that comes lots of body bags.
This is the dark side of Aquarian science that the galaxy tried to leave in the past.
Rydel has also heard and speculated about it's prevalence, but seeing it in person shocks him in a completely unexpected fashion.
Anozee brought the two into the lab, where Elmyra was relocated and her inorganic pod was connected to organic tubing that came out of the wall which each looked like an intestine that has its own sentience. Everything in the lab looked alive, and Rydel can feel his skin crawl. As the tubing are placed near the attachments for each of the inlets and outlets, the muscles on the tubing wall actively contract or relax to fit itself around the pipe works.
Finally, everything is prepared, and the slow reheating process began.
Rydel felt like he is in a horror movie, but Alrith looked completely disinterested. Maybe she also went through similar kinds of training, Rydel wondered.
'Typically, I don't showcase my procedures to those that sought my services.' Anozee began to say, as she turned around and leaned on the edge of the pod, facing the pair, 'but you two are different.''How so?' Alrith asked, her arms crossed again.
'Tell me,' Anozee said with a slight smile as the corners of her lips rose up, 'what makes you two different from every other being on that island? What's something that you have that all others didn't?'
'You did not specify whether augmentations are prohibited, only external arms are not allowed.' Rydel said, taking over the brunt of Anozee's questioning.'No...I am not blaming you or accusing you of anything.' Anozee shook her head, 'I am just curious, because those aren't exactly your...everyday augmentation, is it?'
'As far as I know, Alrith isn't capable of performing such procedures.'
'That's because nobody in the galaxy can.' Rydel said firmly, 'not even you.' Alrith looked over at Rydel, and he is completely serious.
'I figured....something fishy is happening in the galaxy right now...' Anozee lets out a little sigh, then she turned towards Rydel and grabbed the color of her shirt before ripping it wide open. There was a mouth with sharp fangs and a tongue on her upper chest. The mouth opened, and a silver tongue slivers through the openings.
'WHAT THE FUCK!' Alrith screamed as Rydel almost jumped at seeing monstrous formation on Anozee's body.
'I have shared my secret, now can you share yours?' Anozee said, before she turned around and headed towards Elmyra. Then, she leaned over the opening of the pod, and the tongue reached out and down towards Elmyra's body. With a second look, the tongue is of a silver color, and there appeared to be some sort of incantation on its surface. Rydel's eyes opened wide before he looked down at his left hand, and the same color and incantation is there.
That wicked thing...is an artifact?
'What are you doing?!' Alrith asked ominously with a low growl, 'I have never see any procedure like that before!'
'That's because nobody in the galaxy has.' Anozee said, calling back to what Rydel said earlier.
Rydel felt Alrith about to move as she immediately summoned the Lightning Knife and prepared to attack Anozee, but Rydel stopped her, grabbing her wrist tightly.
The tongue wrapped around the body of Elmyra before an orange light pulses from it, then as Elmyra's entire body began to glow brightly. However, the brightness is different from when her artifact was overactivated and forced to be used at a galactic scale. This time, it was a warm glow, a glow of life and rebirth.
There is no question here. This tongue is an artifact, and both Rydel and Alrith can feel it with their artifacts too.
The glowing continued onward for another minute or so before it started to die down. The entire room was warmed up, and the smell of the ocean filled the room.
Anozee looked quite pale as the tongue retracted back into her body. She supported her body with her hands on the edge of the cryopreservation pod for a moment before standing up and doing the buttons on her shirt.
'She experienced heavy trauma in all systems of her body,' Anozee began to explain, 'it's almost as if all of her systems are overloaded at once, and the body's natural protecting mechanisms are shut down so whatever she was doing can be continued.''That was what happened.' Rydel confirmed, and Alrith's mouth opened at the accuracy of the judgement, 'what did you do with your artifact then?'
Anozee smiled, but this time the smile appeared genuine.
'My artifact's powers allow me to create or recreate life. Or rather, it can reverse, accelerate or kick start whatever biological processes I desire. So I merely...refreshed and reset her systems back to normal.' Anozee explained, glacing over at Elmyra who does looked visually better just based off her experience. As the heart began to beat normally once more and her breathing returns with the rise and fall of her chest, it does appear their friend is saved, 'this is not a difficult procedure in principle, but it just needed to be done at a whole system level as quickly as possible.'
'In principle?' Alrith scoffed, suddenly sounding lively when the topic of biology and physiology came up, 'it's impossible. Since when can you kick start something?'
'Well? Why don't we go for a walk?' Anozee said, walking towards Alrith and reaching out with a hand, 'Rydel, you can keep the patient company.''Why would I come with you?!' Alrith stubbornly shook her head and ignored the outreached hand. However, the curiosity finally overcame her rocky exterior, and she gave in finally, 'unless we talk about the processes you just manipulated...''Of course.' Anozee gave Rydel a wink and opened the door in front of her, 'and many more.'
As Alrith left the room with Anozee without any further resistance, Rydel walked over to look over at Elmyra. She looked like she is deep asleep, but her body is once again filled with warmth and life. Rydel reached out and grabbed Elmyra's arm, and closed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears of joy. Then, he turned on his personal interface and sent a message back to Athena 3.
It were the artifacts that put her in this condition, and it was an artifact that saved her.
You can't overcome an artifact, but you can work around it.
Meanwhile, Alrith found herself sitting opposite Anozee, each with a cup of drinks in hand.
'You know what I like about humans?' Anozee said, looking down at the dark warm liquid in her cup which eminates nothing but an enchanting aroma, 'humans know how to make the best of their environment. That's what I liked about you back at the Institute.'Alrith didn't say anything, as she also focuses her gaze on the drink.'Do you hate me?' Finally, Anozee asked.'I thought we are talking about the procedures you just performed.' Alrith said plainly, though a sence of hurt still came from her voice.'We will, but I need to know. Do you hate me....?' Anozee looked up, 'after what I did, and what you did?'
'....Do you?' Alrith instead returned the question, 'After what I did?'
'No.' Anozee said with a light smile on her faace, 'You humans manage emotions a lot differently than us.''Yeah, right.' Alrith slammed down the cup, 'no shit. Damn it... You Aquarians are cold, like the ice cube planet you are from.'
'Even Aquaria has its warm thermal vents.' Anozee reminded.'Well, that was freezing temperature for me!' Alrith growled through gritted teeth, 'you made a move on my party without a single consideration for me or how I feel! They were my family!'
'Alrith...that was the rule of the institute....' Anozee shook her head, 'if I made your feelings bad, I apologize.'"The phrase to use is 'if I made you feel bad', but whatever." Alrith corrected her, 'I wanted to hurt you the way your hurt me, that's why I did what I did.'
'Did it make you feel any better?' Anozee asked, her voice sounding genuine.'No. Did it make you feel any worse?' Alrith admitted.'No.' Anozee said with a chuckle, 'that's the thing, Aquarians aren't as driven by emotion, at least most of us aren't anyway. I don't blame you, or hate you for anything.'
'So what's the point....what do you want to talk about then?!'
'Ever since I transplanted myself into this new body, the artifact that I obtained followed along with me.' Anozee said, rubbing her chest lightly in the area of the mouth, 'The artifact's powers were compatible with my work. No, it was more than compatible, it took over my work. Why try and experiment with anything and break through the barriers when there is an all powerful cheat that can help you solve all of your problems?'
'No...' Alrith said, looking up and directly into the eyes of Anozee for the first time. Her eyes are of a light blue color, and the body she is inhabiting has light freckles alone her cheeks, 'are you...still in that place?''I have been in that place, and I still am.' Anozee said painfully, 'and I thought the artifact can help me get out. But instead, it was merely pushes me deeper into that place.'
'You were one that conquered that place, and you were the first human to do it.' Anozee said, reaching a shaking hand out towards Alrith, 'can you help me...please?'
That wasn't an Aquarian shaking with joy sitting opposite Alrith. That was a human shaking with fear and desperation.
'....Fine.' Finally, Alrith agreed and took her hand, 'doesn't this feel familiar.''No, this time, I want to be your....friend.'
Alrith grew up in the regions between the humans and Aquarian systems, and her childhood upon an orbital settlement involved frequent interactions with other humans and Aquarians. Her human friends are never particularly fond of how much attention she can get from her Aquarian companions, but the Aquarians around her never think of her as friends, mere accomplices.
Unlike Aquarians in other parts of the galaxy, such as the few in the Athena system, most Aquarians here on the boundary only treat humans as another group of being that shared the galaxy with them, and there is nothing more. They merely show a sense of curiosity towards Alrith, and her given talent in dealing with Aquarian plants and animals.
They often praises Alrith's intelligence objectively, and Alrith took that as a sign of friendship. It was foolish in hindsight.
The one thing that was common for all of the Aquarians around her was their fascination with the Institute. It was the single biggest academic institute in the entire galaxy, as it envelops an entire planet. It was the equivalent of the Galactic Institute of Science and Technology in the human regions on Vulcan 5, except the only focus is the further development and advancement of Aquarian technology.
There were no humans that entered into the Institute before, and Alrith will be the first one to do so.
The written exam was simple enough, and the practical exam dealing with an Aquarian fish species was also smashed by Alrith with flying colors.
As she landed in the cloud covered swamp planet of Scylla 4 and as she exited the ramp of the shuttle, the vulgar smell of the planet immediately choked onto her. She clenched her throat and tried to push back onto the shuttle for the fresh air, but the crowds of Aquarians behind simply continued to push her forward and out of the shuttle.
She scanned around, and headed for the closest building. Her shoes sank into the soft mud with every step, but the flotation device in her luggage made sure that the container followed her every step. She barged into it despite the grimy touch of the handles and for the first time breathed something that isn't pure toxicity.
The standard lung membrane implant given to most humans at birth should have been enough to cope with the atmosphere of most semi-terraformmed planets, and yet somehow that thing is failing her.
Thankfully, in buildings with conditioned air, Alrith can breath somewhat normally. The room was awfully quiet, and when Alrith scanned around, she saw tens of hundreds of Aquarains sitting silently while all staring at her. She just ran into a teaching hall which is in the middle of presentations.
'Human, are you lost?' The instructor swiped away the teaching holograms and demanded for an answer.
'I am a new student. Where can I go to register?' Alrith asked as murmur begin to slowly fill the room.
'The building opposite you.' The instructor pointed his finger towards another building directly opposite the one she has just went in.
Alrith nodded, and ran back out, this time, she's taking a big breath before she left.
When she finally registered, she realized that it is not just her with difficulties breathing. All of the other Aquarian students were affected by it, but their innate physiology meant they can deal with this at a much slower rate, hence being affected less when exposed for the same time compared to Alrith.
This is supposed to be her new life, and this is how it started?
The cold instructive voice of the manager showed the students their own living pods as located a kilometer out of the teaching area. However, even the fittest Aquarian will have a tough time in this atmosphere. Well, at least the fittest rookies.
'You know the air is intentionally intoxicating in this area. So your first task is to use whatever equipment you will need from the labs above to modify your body so you can breath normally on this planet.' The manager said, 'your supplies, schedules, tools and other items will be placed in your living pods. Welcome to the Institute.' Then, the manager disappeared, and that's when everyone realized that he was merely a hologram.
'Welcome my ass.' A short Aquarian girl standing next to her said as she spit onto the ground. Alrith turned and looked at her for a brief moment, 'oh?'
Alrith avoided eye contact, but the Aquarian reached out and poked Alrith on the shoulder.
'Are you lost?' She asked with a playful tone, 'it's actually quite crazy that you are lost here.'
'I am not lost. I am a student here.' Alrith said, shuffling slightly to the left.
'You....?!' The Aquarian girl was certainly surprised by the response, but to Alrith, that only sounded passively aggressive.'What?!' Alrith has been running through the scenario in her head. She expected to be bullied for her race and her background, and she has had comebacks, declaration of war and determination all prepared just in case that has happened, 'you got a problem?'
'Brilliant!' Instead, the Aquarian girl jumped up in the air and celebrated with an extremely human expression, 'I love humans! Can I observe you?''Yeah, whatever.' Alrith said, shaking her head, 'I am going to pass the first task.'
'I am Anozee. And the task shall be passed together!' Anozee declared.
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