Experiments

Chapter 1

Time being infinite the war amongst machine and man has not been going on for very long. The Cylons were created by the Colonies to bring simplicity to the human race, while at first they were happy to serve the Colonies; the constant laziness of the humans began to change the parameters of the relationship between the two. War broke out and while the Cylons had the upper hand, the humans with their illogical thought process began countering the perfection that the Cylons tried to implement, and slowly the humans began to gain back remnants of the space that the machines had conquered. Until this very moment there was a small probability that the machines would lose this war, that is, till the last action the Cylons would implement put a stalemate onto the table and both sides have not been able to make any new gains to end this war anytime soon. Deep in the recess of space a lone Basestar sits idle as a single unit has already started making preparations to end this stalemate and turn the tide of war back to the Cylons side.

This savior to the Cylon race would go by the designation Lucifer, an IL-Series model with four brains. The original IL model was one of the first units created before the war began, IL standing for Imperious Leader, was documented as a joke by its creators, as it dominated in all strategic simulated games it participated in. The scientist would banter their opponents, on how they would soon lose to the glorious Imperious Leader, the name eventually stuck when it was time to release it to practical usage in military operations. At first the unit was a single entity, but as it expanded its capabilities it realized with a one decisive blow his conscience would be lost and the war would end if it was destroyed. Cloning its mind it began creating more models and the series was born; however, after the initial data was transferred each unit began displaying different personalities, and branching itself out to other possibilities other than strategic command.

While highly capable of commanding a legion of Basestars, Lucifer's main interest would take him down more of a scientific path. Curious about the mechanics of life he has vested most of his memory to the evolution of the Cylon race. However, orders were orders, and the Imperious Leader Prime has given him a new objective, and by his command he will fulfill those orders before he can return to his studies.

Working diligently on his latest experiment, he was confounded on what the problem was as the inner workings began to fail. It was becoming clear that this task was more complex than he was expecting and beginning to perceive the word frustration was more than a human experience. Understanding that his cause was soon to be a lost, he motioned to the Centurion standing adjacent to him never moving other than its lone eye that paced back and forth. Without a gesture the Centurion understood Lucifer's request and proceeded to leave the room with the next object to be experimented on.

The Centurions were the core of the Legion, the soldiers that fought without any question or demands. How simple a life it must be to be such a basic program, he envied them and pitied them at the same time their existence would never be more than a soldier in the eyes of the greater scheme of life. Something Lucifer wished he could change, but the necessity of the Empire didn't always meet his desire for science. Realizing he was distracting himself he quickly returned to his work, while he sent the guard to retrieve more parts his hopes were that he would be able to do something with what he had, though the more he worked the more he realized how futile it was.

Hearing the door opened, Lucifer assumed that it was the Centurion returning with more parts to work with and continued working until he heard the voice of a fellow IL by the designation Spectre.

"The Imperious Leader grows impatient with the science department, he requires an update. Is it feasible or not?"

Not bothering to look up to acknowledge him "Anything is feasible, what the Imperious Leader fails to see is that a time schedule is not very helpful in this type of situation."

"So you are saying that you are no closer than the last update?"

"I'm saying, as soon as I know, the rest of you will know." Thinking to himself Lucifer couldn't understand how each of their kind is equal in design, the IL Series seemed to have a superiority complex towards any other unit that did not follow in his lordships design.

"I will relay your excuses to the Imperious Leader." With a nod he turned with a simple elegance, and left the room as if gliding in the air. Lucifer imagined if they were designed with facial expressions he would have a smile on his face. Such a trivial thing that the Cylons have become, the war had started because they hated how the Colonies had treated them, but then the Cylons go around and start treating their own units the same way, how perplexed.

Deep in thought he over compensated his cut, and fluid began pouring everywhere. Believing it was now impossible to fully repair the process he simply pushes the device off the table, and begins wiping the table off in preparations to his next experiment. As if on cue the Centurion returns with the next samples, moving them over to the far side of the room he plops them to the ground and returns back to his position again standing without word or question.

Without delay Lucifer glides over to the pile and begins sifting through his choices, it would appear that his best examples had been already used, and this was what was left were the scraps. No matter he thinks, and picks one up and places it on the table and starts over. Reviewing the features, he places his hand on the side and begins to look for a good starting point, the secret of life had to be here but really where to start is the question.

Sensors detecting something different in this one, he quickly begins repairing the parts when all of the sudden the device comes to life. Not really knowing what to expect it then utters a barely inaudible sound. Excited at the possibilities, Lucifer finishes his rough patch work and closes the wounds, turning over the object he leans over not really sure what he believed he had heard, he waited for the unexpected.

"Where… am I?" the voice said struggling as if unaware of their surroundings.

Bewildered at the response, Lucifer began running through his head millions of questions that he could ask, but while his more complex questions probably would not have comprehensive answers he decided to go a more simpler route. "You are near the Outer Rim, on a Cylon Basestar. Do you know who you are?"

"Captain Tricia Helfer…" Still barely audible it was still enough for Lucifer to understand as she continued "What happened?" tears swelling in her eyes, obviously appearing to be in immense pain.

"Well Captain, I will have to review your situation; however, I can say you were dead and now you are not. You my dear have been selected to take part in an experiment of great importance. You should be very grateful, at the opportunity."

Shaking her head "I do not understand?" barely keeping her eyes open, the pain becoming too overwhelming she begins to slowly drift.

Running his hand through her hair, trying to reassure her "It will be OK, in time you will understand. Rest, I will do what I can to make you more comfortable many things still seem to need repair." Watching her slowly drift out of conscience, he thinks to himself stage one is now completed and with this knowledge he would be able to create a new unit for the legion. One that could deliver a deadly blow to the balance of this war, and finally give the victory that the Cylons have been striving for.

Days having gone by, Lucifer was lost in his experiment trying to finish the repairs to the woman he had recently resuscitated, while there had been some setbacks she seemed to have gotten stronger as the days went by. Once again the doors to his laboratory open with Spectre gliding into the room, possible requesting more updates.

"Your presence is required on the bridge, Lucifer."

"My presence?" confused by the request "I do not really have time for such distractions. What is this all about?"

"The Imperious Leader requires an update, and does not want to hear from anyone but you."

Setting his instruments down, looking over to the Centurion "Come get me if she stirs." Not waiting for the response he was sure his silent guard would never emit, he proceeds out the door. As the door shuts the lone Centurion with its metallic voice utters a simple response "By your command" to an empty room, standing guard it makes no movement ever watchful with his single eye.

Entering the bridge Lucifer glides over to the communication station turning on the device "How may I serve?"

"Lucifer, what is the status of your experiment? "

"I believe I might have found something even more than we could have hoped."

"What is that?"

"In trying to create a new model, I have successfully been able to resurrect a human and believe through their genetic design be able to create more than a mindless being, but an actual agent that would be loyal only to us."

"Interesting, so you have been successful?"

"Absolutely, I believe I have been more than successful." Lucifer content with his accomplishment so far.

"Good, then it is time. Have Spectre return to the Cylon home world I need your presence here immediately."

"I do not understand, would you not like me to finish my experiments before I return?"

"No, you have completed what we needed. Scrap your current experiment and return immediately."

"By your command" turning off the device, he informs Spectre of the new orders and proceeds back to his laboratory. Curiosity had sprung to his mind, the Imperious Leader stated "we" which was not a common response he usually used when discussing his tactics. Confused on what was going on, Lucifer thought it was important to keep his current experiment going, while the Imperious Leader might not truly understand the importance of her, he very well knew and decided to keep her under wraps until he knew more of what was going on.

Returning to his laboratory he was surprised to find his Centurion body guard at the door. "I can only surmise that she has moved?" The Centurion simply turned and returned to his post. Gliding into the room he moves to the side of her bed "I'm happy to see that you are awake, Captain." Turning her head still rather groggy she looks at her savior with some disdain. "There is some sustenance to your right; however, I will apologize we were not designed to ingest food so I cannot validate the taste."

"No, no it's fine." Trying to look around she doesn't seem to comprehend that she is still secure to the bed "The smell in here will definitely dispose of any taste that I might like or dislike." Still trying to adjust she returns her gaze to the machine "How did I get here?"

"Just so happens I was able to find a record of your transcripts of your voyage. You were the Captain of the transport ship Pytheas, correct?"

"Yes, I believe so… it is hard to concentrate, my left arm has been throbbing in pain since I have started my recovery."

"Interesting" moving over to the other side of the bed, he looks at her shoulder "You do realize your arm is missing?"

"What did you say…? That can't be? How is my arm missing?" the shock on her face, was in complete horror.

"Realize most of your body was mangled when I received it, essentially you were nothing but a bag of meat when I started. How your brain was able to recover is beyond me, but everything else was left to my design; however, let us not dwell on such trivial things."

Looking at him with disgust "You're kidding right?"

Lucifer continued as if she did not respond "As I was saying, you were the Captain of the ship Pytheas, A commercial transport you were traveling near the star Hyades, I can only assume you were taking that route from Tauron to Scorpia to stay out of the way of the conflict. When you just so happened to come across a Cylon invasion force heading to Tauron. According to the report you did thwart the invasion by informing Tauron of our approach; however, the planet defense was not able to return the favor and your ship, passengers, and you were lost. Well, it was a complete loss to the Colonies, no so much a complete lost to us, since your ship was not a designated combat ship we were able to overtake you rather easily, and in turn give us a sufficient stockpile of humans to begin testing.

"Testing…?" with a hint of dread coming from her voice, the idea that they were nothing but a test subject was quite disturbing to her.

Lucifer finding her a curious little creature continued "Yes, with the living we tried different Neurotoxins, Chemicals, and Biological compound to see the results. Also there were experiments to test to see how well your bodies could handle certain physical or mental stressors. Since your species is so sentimental, we even thought of using your bodies as a lifeless drone to deliver a series of bombs to any ships trying to recover your corpses. The possibilities seemed endless, well at least while the stockpile lasted."

Quickly Tricia raised her hand "Please no more… I don't think I can handle it."

Picking up a vial, Lucifer began to examine its content "Very well, but if you care to hear more there is so much I would like to tell you about?"

Turning her head away from him as if trying to hide her emotions from him, she makes a barely audible sniffle with a liquid slowly dripping from her eyes "maybe later" responding in a low defeated tone.

Leaving her side he begins to head to the door "Good news, we have been given orders to return to the Cylon home world. Hopefully, I will be able to get you some better accommodations once we arrive." Stopping for a second he does not hear a response, possibly the drugs were keeping her from enjoying the good news, paying her no mind he continues with his task and leaves the room.

Tricia begins to cry even harder, unsure of her fate she begins to pray to her gods hoping there is a way out of this she pleads with them offering anything for the chance to escape. Looking at her silent guard he makes no movement, knowing that the Cylon Race hated mankind she wondered how soon she would be killed, hopefully soon she thinks, hopefully soon.