Awakening
Chapter 4
"What is it, Primus?" The Archon whirled around in his chair to greet his guest.
"We have all the test subjects prepped and have begun the exaltation process. Their DNA varies from the Angara so we will need to take in count of the failures." Primus motioned him towards the chambers' door. "I thought you would like to take a tour to see what we have so far. Regardless of this setback, we will prevail in advancing our genetics even further."
Accepting the invitation, the Archon rose up from his chair and followed his second-in-command to the labs. Along the way, the halls were silent and their footsteps echoed along the internal metal frame. Idle chatter was not common among the Kett. To them it showed no significance. Taking a right, they went down a hallway and came to a large open room filled with containers of fluid with several of the "Salarians" inside. They were kept under anesthesia to avoid any voluntary resistance to the tests. Their bodies hooked to several ports that would insert the modified serum. There was no sign yet of transformation, but that was to be expected. Kett scientists also had extracted several blood samples to analyze to make the necessary modifications. These Salarians appeared frailer than the humans. Their eyes were larger and they spoke very fast. Stopping, Archon stared at the Salarian before him. "How long before we know if the exaltation fails, Primus?"
"As you know, gracious Archon, the exal-"
"Spare me the details. How long?" He cut her off sharply. In the back of his head, he was thinking back to Ryder. It had been over a week since his capture of this vessel and there was no sight of the Pathfinder yet. Now, it felt like taking these Salarians was just another exercise for exaltation. More species to test…more time in this cluster.
Primus stood up straighter and held her hands behind her back in a stiff posture as she addressed him, "There is no set time. However, I have been requesting monitoring and have placed this task only to myself. I will see to it until it's done."
"And this Dr. Aden that 'negotiated' these selected for the tests?"
"It remains onboard their arc, Archon. It is giving us time to achieve our goal with the hope that the rest may be spared. I am sure it will want an audience with you again. Kett troops are stationed there as a garrison awaiting your command." She paused and then turned to face him directly. Her facial expression filled with frustration. "This farce has gone on for too long." Archon held his breath but stood fast. Did she know his obsession with Ryder and his desires? No, he kept his personal intentions away from prying eyes and ears. "We should annihilate the rest of them."
The latter made him exhale. The Primus had a point though. Keeping the Salarian arc in tow was becoming burdensome and it was more of a distraction. The Angara were gaining ground on Voeld and apparently Celeste somehow managed to unlock another vault. This time on a planet called Kadara. She was moving ahead of him and would reach Meridian while he was playing mad scientist with this puny Salarians. Though, the idea of having new Kett out of these vast numbers of the Salarians could play in his favor. "We will keep the arc for now, Primus. The Salarians think that they have brokered a deal to save their lives. We will continue to replenish our numbers from the failures and if successful, we will exalt the rest."
"What about this Dr. Aden? If he reaches out to speak with you…."
"Tell him that I have received his request and will address it shortly. These Salarians are easily to be manipulated as the Angara were. Is this all?" He wanted to seek the refuge of his chambers more and have more time with the relic. Why wasn't the Pathfinder here? "Wait." Thinking out loud. "Where was the arc heading?"
"That was not one of the questions we presented and they did not foreclose it."
"Then ask it!" He hissed in annoyance.
Primus jerked back, stunned from the outburst but then regained her composure. "Of course, Archon. There is one more thing…"
Lifting an eye ridge, he looked over at her. "And that is?"
A grin of pleasure slowly spread across her thin lips. "Our Destineds have managed to capture three unique specimens on a world we currently still hold. I have been overseeing that as well in the meantime."
He hated how she was intentionally holding this information over him. She was the main contact with the troops but she was to relay all data to him immediately and not hold it back for leverage. Insulted by this, he whipped his hand out and grabbed her neck tightly. His fingers squeezed around her flesh leaving indentures. "You are 'second' in command, Primus. As campaign leader if I feel that you have not fulfilled your duties or suspect any traitorous attempts, I can terminate your life without the approval of the higher levels." She struggled and gasped for breath as she gripped his wrist. This only made him tighten his vice. "Is that clear?" He watched her squirm a few moments later with her eyes wide. She gaped at him fearing for her life. He could end it within any second. No questions would be asked. His report of in subornation would be filed and a replacement would be chosen. Dismissing the urge for now, he released her.
Scrambling to get up, Primus rubbed her neck as she inhaled the artificial air that escaped the vents. He knew she wanted to lash out at him and threaten to report his attack. On the other hand, she also knew the reprimands. Moments later, she bowed with her eyes directly to the floor. "Please forgive my lateness of the report, Archon. I did not intentionally withhold this information. I merely tabled it knowing you had more pressing matters to attend to." The terminology 'pressing' was a vague attempt to accuse him of his further studies of the Remnant. Their secondary objective.
Withholding his smile, he dismissed her apology. "I'm glad to see that you are still loyal to me, Primus." He was also glad she didn't grovel before his feet again. Most of the times he enjoyed it, but right now he would rather have Celeste Ryder be the one at his feet and not her. "Going back to your report about the species…"
"They are on a transport back here for further study. We had to contain them, but I did get the scans to review with you." She walked over to a terminal and tapped into the communications. Moments later a holo image popped showing a creature they never encountered before. Primus used her fingers to pull the holo image and enhance it before them. Archon's eyes went wide as he looked on. The new species was bipedal, bulky and appeared more thick-skinned than the humans, Angara, or Salarians they have encountered so far. "They call themselves, 'Krogan.'"