A/N: We begin with Kahler-Tek contemplating the value of his life back on Kahler, later we will switch to the past leading up to it, through the events of 'A Town Called Mercy'. SDI will be told entirely in first person; I feel like we can relate to Kahler-Tek more that way. I'll open every chapter with relevant song lyrics. Anything from Tek's past perspective will be very report-like; he is a scientist in training in this story after all. I like to have the story told like the characters would say them out loud in conversation.

Woken up like an animal,
Teeth ready for sinking.
My mind's lost in bleak visions,
I've tried to escape but keep sinking.

Limbs lost to a dead weight stake
Skull cage like a prison,
And he's lost faith he'll ever see again.
So may he once thought of me then.

Underneath the skin there's a human,
Buried deep within there's a human.
And despite everything I'm still human,
But I think I'm dying here.

Woken up like an animal,
I'm all ready for healing;
My mind's lost with nightmares streaming,
Woken up (kicking, screaming).

Take me out of this place I'm in,
Break me out of this shell-like case I'm in.

Underneath the skin there's a human,
Buried deep within there's a human,
And despite everything I'm still human.

I think that I'm still human.

Underneath the skin there's a human,
Buried deep within there's a human,
And despite everything I'm still human -
But I think I'm dying here.

Daughter – Human

Tek Residence, Kahler – Present

Kahler-Tek's POV

I... I'm too young to die. Alas - they gave me immortality, and I chose to so unceremoniously take it away. Maybe it is my time; maybe it is not. Ah, but the number of souls I have to carry on my back. It is unbearable to even fathom it! The lives I have destroyed – they are too many. And while it is rare to allow such a phrase to leave my mouth, dear Kahler, oh home planet, it is true. The truest thing I know.

There's something deeply wrong with that. The fact that the most solid piece of information in my cranial cavity it that I was a monster, albeit under force.

Suddenly I notice myself shaking, but it's not me. The ground is splitting in front of my eyes; I have a split second to contemplate this, when an ear-splitting explosion blasts me into the next world.

Ha. It is time after all.

Tek Residence, Kahler – 1800's

"But darling – think about little Rek. He's not yet born! Please, Tek, stay. Stay for us. We love you," my wife Axx asked. I'd been so ignorant then. "No, dear," I'd said to her, "I must leave and fight, or stay and die. They'll make me strong, Axx. I will be able to protect you."

She had cried herself to sleep that night. Sometimes mothers do know best, and certainly not just in regards to their child. Our child.

I approached the Kahler Institute of Science: Weaponry & Experimental Military Research Centre with my chin held high. I'd worked as an intern researcher for about five years by this point, and the workers knew me well. Lenn from front desk smiled and handed me the necessary forms, which I then signed off and proceeded to the office of my superiors Kahler-Mas and Kahler-Jex.

"Ah, Kahler-Tek. So glad to hear that you've... finally decided to join us in this noble cause," Kahler-Jex began with emphasis. Kahler-Mas nodded in acknowledgement. "Of course," I replied in the most respectful tone I could muster then, "which Kahler of good intentions would not aid their planet?"

I didn't realise the irony of that statement at the time.