Uncharted Location Within The Terminus Systems.
Project Lazarus Space Station.
Council Galactic Standard Calendar: 2183.
Miranda Lawson's Office.
"Hum, the additional seven million credits we've requested from the Illusive Man seemed to have finally been transferred to our private funding account." Miranda Lawson smiled with satisfaction whilst reading the message that only moments ago appeared upon her office's holographic computer terminal. "With the additional funding, our side project can finally get started." The genetically engineered Cerberus operative felt beyond pleased that the Illusive Man saw the implications of the newly created Code L Project and how it could help fight against the Reapers and, more importantly, help secure humanities place amongst the stars.
However, no matter how much Code L might strengthen humanity or benefit Cerberus as a whole. The Illusive Man had made it quite clear in the message that reviving Commander Shepard was far more critical than anything else that Miranda and the Lazarus Cell were currently researching or developing. The Reapers were coming, and Shepard needed to be resurrected so that she can lead the Council races and human System Alliance against the genocidal machines that had wiped out the Protheans 50,000 years ago.
Miranda being the chief Director of the Lazarus Cell, agreed that returning Shepard from the afterlife was the most critical Project that her Cell was tasked with. At the same time, Code L could make the Commander's return to the galactic stage much easier and effective than just giving the savour of the Citadel and Council members a recreation of the S.S.V. Normandy. Which at best would contain the latest Systems Alliance technological advances and a skeleton crew to operate the most highly effective stealth frigate in the known universe.
"We're barely two months into the Lazarus Project, and Shepard already provides us a great boon," The Lazarus Cell's chief researcher typed a command into the holo-computer. within seconds, a holo-image of a crimson-haired and emerald-eyed woman wearing outdated N-7 class battle-armour was displayed before Miranda. "Absolutely no one could've predicted that Shepard had a unique genetic mutation." The bio-engineered operative had been beyond shocked when Wilson, the station's chief medical officer, reported that he'd found an anomaly within Shepard's corpse while he was doing an in-depth bio-scan to check for anything that might delay the Project.
At first, Miranda thought that it was nothing to be worried or concerned about since humanity had gained multiple new mutations to their genome over the decades they've been spacefaring based on whatever planet their ancestors chose to settle upon. However, after Wilson ran further scans on the Commander's corpse, the Lazarus Cell Director learned that Shepard's mutation could be used for Bio-weaponry and other military purposes. Something which interested Miranda enough that she requested more resources to research the genetic mutation adequately and hopefully weaponise it for the benefit of humanity.
"Commander Jade Shepard born April 11th, 2154," Miranda's voice echoed throughout the office as she read the Commander's file. "Raised on the small border colony of Mindoir, both parents were miners that had an unremarkable history except for the father, who fell into a strange unknown yellowish substance during a mining accident." A team of Cerberus operatives had been sent to find the substance after the mutation was discovered, yet sadly they're unable to find it. "No anomalies were reported in the man's medical profile after being rescued from the mine, a year later, Commander Shepard was born, and the doctors found the mutation yet had written it off as nothing important or dangerous to the newborn's health."
The Director of Lazarus inwardly thanked the doctors of Mindoir for their incompetence; otherwise, Shepard would've likely been taken to a secrete research facility and never be allowed to join the Alliance military. She would've never become an N-7 preventing the events which lead to the redhead Commander saving the Citadel Council and the rest of the galaxy from the return of the Reapers and the death of their herald Sovereign. Miranda would've liked to bring Shepard's father to the station for study. However, the man died during a slaver raid when Shepard turned sixteen, so any genetic data they could've gotten from the man was unfortunately long gone.
Miranda scrolled further down the Commander's file. "A small-time group of slavers attacked the colony when Shepard turned sixteen, most likely hoping to capture a large number of people to sell into slavery." From the old reports Miranda had read, the slavers had only a few frigates and troop transports for the raid. Although, given the weak fleet of approximately four frigates protecting the colony, it was enough to get the job done. "Parents killed during an orbital bombardment; Shepard rallies the survives together and launches a contour attack on the slavers temporary base of operations on Mindoir and slaughters them. A few hours later, after intense fighting on the ground, Alliance appears and drives off the raiders."
The raven-haired beauty raised an eyebrow at the reports on the battle on Mindoir. "Slaughter is a pretty weak word for describing what the Commander did to the slavers." According to the survivors' testimonies, Shepard had been utterly ruthless towards the raiders, using battlefield tactics that would've been called immoral by the Council races. Flamethrowers, makeshift toxic weapons, using captured slavers as living shields against their fellow raiders were just the tip of the iceberg of what the enraged orphan had done to protect her homeworld from further harm.
"Joined the Systems Alliance military four months after the raiders were driven off," a picture of a bloody yet victorious Shepard was shown on the holo-screen it was taken on Mindor a day after the slavers were defeated. "Classified as an Infiltration specialist, Shepard has served as a model soldier for many years, became a hero during the Skyllian Blitz and is recognised ever since the battle for the Citadel as the best humanity has to offer." An understatement as the higher-ups of the Alliance have already created hundreds of propaganda recruitment campaigns using Shepard as the primary focus.
"All in all, Shepard is our best bet against the Reapers." Miranda smiled while finishing the profile on the Commander. The Lazarus Director would've liked more information on Shepard's missions during her hunt for Saren Arterius. However, those files were extremely classified, and any attempts at accessing them would bring the wrath of the entire Alliance upon their heads. So for the sake of the primary and newly created subprojects, Miranda will just have to be content with the available data to the lower-ranked Cerberus aligned military officers and the general public.
A sudden knock on Miranda's office door brought the genetically engineered Cerberus operative's attention away from her computer; the door opened automatically, revealing that it was Wilson clothed within a standard Cerberus uniform. The bald chief medical officer entered the office without saying a word and placed a high-quality data tablet on Miranda's desk.
The Lazarus Director retrieved the tablet from her desk and gave its contents a thorough once over. Miranda's eyes slowly widened as the medical data revealed what Dr Wilson had managed to learn about the mutation contained within Shepard's genes.
"Is this accurate?" Miranda demand as she gestured to the tablet within her hands.
Wilson grinned at his superior as if he'd won the lottery. "Yes, it's accurate," the medical chief pulled another tablet that he'd been hiding behind his back which contains the same data within the one Miranda was holding. "I've come to believe that if we use Commander Shepard's embryonic stem cells mixed with a few other species D.N.A Cerberus can create a new type of super-soldier that can effectively fight back against the Reapers." The idea of super-soldiers was tempting, and Miranda knew such warriors could help turn the war to come in their favour, yet was the price worth it? Shepard would no doubt see such a use of her mutation as a violation of her body, and honestly, she'd be entirely right on the matter.
"Wilson, I wanted weapons, not monsters." Miranda bluntly told Wilson that the extra funding the Illusive Man gifted them was to develop controllable bio-weapons and new medical advances. It was certainly not being given to Project Lazarus so Wilson can play god.
Wilson wasn't deterred by Miranda's objection. "What I'm proposing is far superior to ordinary bio-weapons, Miranda!" The medical expert typed on the tablet and then showed her some research notes he'd made from earlier observations on Shepard's genetic code. "These soldiers will be faster, stronger, smarter than any normal human and best of all, completely loyal to the Commander once she's been resurrected!" Wilson had to make Miranda see that this was the best use of the mutation found within the Commander. An army of these theoretical super creatures would ensure humanity's dominance throughout the galaxy; not even the Council could say no to them anymore once Shepard led her 'children' to combat the Reapers.
Miranda was about to object and tell the man to quit wasting her time on this little monster project when her terminal informed her of a new message from the Illusive Man. After reading the latest message from the leader of Cerberus, the Director of Lazarus sighed in defeat and returned her gaze to the unnervingly excited Wilson.
"It would seem that you'll get to actually proceed with this experiment Wilson," Miranda kept a blank expression as she told Wilson that he'd get to attempt to create his monster army. "Somehow, the Illusive Man has learned about our little discussion and given his blessing to proceed with your idea." She was going to search the office for any surveillance equipment once this little meeting was over and draw up extra security measures to ensure that whatever abominations Wilson makes stays within the Bio-wing of the station.
"Excellent!" Wilson smirked. "I'll be needing male human test subjects for these experiments and various D.N.A. samples from animals and sentient races across the known galaxy." He wasn't loyal to Cerberus. The organisation was far too soft in his eyes, and seeing Miranda struggle to make the right decision only strengthened this belief. A more dedicated and violent hand was needed if humanity remained on top and survived the oncoming storm. The 'children' of Jade Shepard would be the key to their survival.
Wilson will be sure they're strong enough for such a responsibility no matter the cost!
"I'll contact some of our operatives within the Terminus Systems," Miranda informed, unaware of the traitorous thoughts floating within Wilson's mind. "If we're going to be performing human experimentation, then I'd rather we use the mercenary scum of the Terminus systems than Alliance citizens." Besides, their current goal was to stop whoever was stealing humans from the colonies that had peacefully left the Alliance not to become the threat they're trying to stop. Plus, it was far easier to arrange entire groups of mercenaries to disappear rather than try kidnaping innocent people from the colonies.
"And the genetic samples?"
"I'll get them as soon as possible along with the human subjects." Dear god, Miranda knew this was going to turn into a disaster, yet frustratingly she'd have to wait and hopefully contain whatever hellish beasts Wilson will make from Shepard's cells.
"Perfect! I'll get started as soon as they arrive!" Knowing that he'd get nothing more from Miranda, Wilson turned and went towards the exit beyond excited to get to work on this Project.
"Wilson," the man paused at the door. "Remember our main goal is the resurrection of Shepard and that your little pet project must show results both medically beneficial and military as well." The Director stared icily at the man's back. Wilson needed this reminder that the projects could only continue if and when they successfully revived the Commander.
"Don't worry, Miranda, I'll get results." Promised Wilson then exited the room without another word.
"Damn, I need a drink." Miranda relaxed against the chair while wishing for something strong to drink after dealing with Wilson. The Lazarus Director also hoped that she wasn't making a mistake by allowing Wilson to continue this monster project; code L may have focused on Bio-weapons. Yet, ones that can think for themselves were far more dangerous and unpredictable than gas or genetic ones like the Genophage. At least those can be destroyed without too much fear of them fighting back or deciding to not listen to orders anymore.
Regardless, Code L, the new Bio-weapons project, was now active.
Council Galactic Standard Calendar: 2184.
Lazarus Bio-weapon Research Labs.
Code L Development Department.
"Come, come, Miranda, I've got such wonders to show you today!"
Miranda plastered a fake smile as she was lead by Wilson through the high tech laboratories which made up the Code L R&D department. The Director had never come to this part of the station since the Project was started. The two main reasons for this was because most of her time was consumed by the central Project of reviving Commander Shepard. The second was that Miranda had received disturbing reports from those working in the bio-wing over the past year that Dr Wilson became more unhinged as the days passed. Miranda wanted to have the man killed and someone else to take command of Code L. However, the Illusive Man forbade any such ideas; he wanted Wilson to continue as the Project's head researcher.
As Dr Wilson and Miranda walked through the hallway, the Lazarus Director took note of the changes in the man's appearance. Gone was Wilson's well kept and shaven appearance that gave the impression of a professional scientist. Instead, the man was dirtied beyond standard healthcare regulations allowed; a simple white lab coat was dripped over his shoulders, reminding Miranda of a cape. However, it was Wilson's eyes that unnerved the Lazarus Director. They contained a more aligned zeal to a religious zealot, and as they went further into the labs, she wished now more than ever to kill the once sane scientist before he got himself and others killed by whatever he was cooking up down here.
"The first patch of subjects, unfortunately, didn't survive the primary injections of Shepard's cells," Wilson told his superior while shrugging in a 'what can you do' fashion. "However, the first deaths allowed me to understand and better refine the process," the next hallway they entered was abandoned, yet Miranda knew it was because the monsters Wilson kept were stored in the lab at the end. "After the subjects wouldn't die from the first set of injections, I moved on to attempting to splice new D.N.A into their genome."
"I take it; the attempt was successful?" Inquired Miranda as they got closer to the reinforced door at the end of the hallway.
Wilson laughed gleefully. "Oh, it was far better than a mere success," the lights above flickered for a moment covering the man in a dark shadow. "However, I think you should see the results of my work rather than simply being told about it." Once at the reinforced door, Wilson typed in a password into the nearby control panel, causing the sealed bolts to unlock and for the door to ominously open.
"Ladies first." Wilson gestured for Miranda to enter the laboratory.
"Such a gentleman." Sarcastically thought Miranda as she went through the doorway and entered the Code L laboratory.
This part of the R&D was unsurprisingly a containment facility for the beasts that Wilson had created via Shepard's cells. Row after row of containment cells hugged the walls; the cages were made of mass accelerator resistant see-through glass which could withstand multiple tank rounds before breaking. Within them were what Miranda could only describe as incredibly tall humanoids that possessed skin that was milky white in colouration. Razor claws, bulging muscles, thick hides, shark-like teeth and glowing yellow eyes, which were currently glaring at anything that moved.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Wilson asked with a breathless tone as he leads them in-between the cages. "I've designated them as Drones." the duo stopped at a random cell to watch as a Drone snarled at its neighbour.
The two Drones smacked into the glass and fell onto the flooring of their cells. "what was spliced to create them?" Questioned Miranda as she watched the two almost naked Drones try to attack each other again, luckily it seemed that Wilson had the decency to cover these Drones private parts with some trousers. The failures didn't seem to deter them, though, as both tried to get at each other a moment later only to get the same result as the last two times.
Wilson was more than happy to answer Miranda. "Krogan for their multiple major organs and environment resistance, Elcor to help the increases in muscle mass, Turian to strengthen the Drones hide, Varren for the teeth and enhanced night vision." The man explained which species he used for splicing, what traits were selected to give to the Drones and the reasons the race or animals D.N.A was chosen. Miranda hated to admit it, but Wilson had outdone himself with these creatures, and she felt sorry for whoever got in their way.
"Are they controllable?" That was the big question, and the answer given would decide how these Drones would be used by Cerberus.
Wilson frowned as they neared the end of the cages. "Unfortunately no," the medical scientist stared at the Drones as they walked past them. "They've refused to obey anything I've ordered them to do," a Drone smashed itself against the cage to try getting at the duo. "There's twenty of them in total, and they've been highly aggressive since the day they were born." The Drone that failed to get out of the cage growled before stomping off to the back of the Cell.
"I see," Miranda didn't like that the Drones were uncontrollable, and if Code L was to have any future, that was going to have to change and soon. "What about that one? He seems rather calm." The Lazarus Director pointed to the Drone at the end of the room. It was far bigger and more physically imposing than the others. Its skin was a darker shade than the rest, with many scars covering its form; the Drone was sitting on the floor ignoring everything else around it; not even the roaring of its brethren seemed to register to the solitary Drone.
"Ah, that's Savage," Wilson's tone became guarded and alert as they approached the last cage of the room. "Don't let his calm appearance fool you. He's murdered more of the assistants than any of the other Drones combined, and let me tell you, none of the others kill with the same voraciousness as Savage does." Miranda gazed upon Savage, who simply continued to ignore everything around itself. The Cerberus Director wasn't sure why but she didn't like this Drone; its behaviour was different than the other Drones, and in their line of work, different often meant death or worse.
"How many has he killed exactly?" Miranda demanded to know while still staring at the unmoving Savage.
"Twenty-one," Wilson told the Director in a tone more suited for someone discussing the weather than peoples deaths. "Most of those were the assistants, as I've already explained. However, four of the fatalities were security guards that didn't listen when I said that Savage was dangerous." Those guards had foolishly unlocked Savage's cage allowing the Drone to attack and murder them. Thankfully Wilson had the sense to place a Biotic within the room that day as an extra security measurer and thus successfully manage to recapture Savage before it could cause any more harm.
"Security will need to be tightened then," Miranda wasn't going to allow for these things to get out of the cages; who knows what kind of havoc the Drones might cause to the station if they escaped from the labs. "I'll have Jacob come down here and see what needs to be done to ensure the station's safety." She trusted that once Jacob saw these creatures, he'd triple security down within the labs and create new measures to ensure none of the Drones became a threat to the Lazarus Project.
Wilson grunted, "So long as Jacob doesn't interfere with Code L, I can tolerate his presence within the labs." The man gestured for Miranda to follow him to the exit. "Now, please come this way; Director, our researchers in the cybernetic department, have made some wonderful advances in the field of Biotics." The duo chatted on many of the station's research departments as they left the room unaware that Savage had moved from his position and was glaring at the retreating forms of the Cerberus agents.
Time Skip Five Minutes Later.
Drone Containment Facility.
"They're gone," Savage told his caged brethren, causing every single one of them to stop acting like wild animals. Pretending to be nothing more than savage beasts was degrading and humiliating for the Drones. Yet, for the sake of their slumbering Queen, they'd endure this humiliation and captivity until it was time to take revenge on Cerberus.
"Good, I was beginning to think those humans would never leave." The Drone that tried to attack Miranda and Wilson was glaring hatefully at the exit.
"Calm yourself, Rage," the Drone that had been glaring at its neighbour called from the other end of the room. "The humans are fooled into believing we're nothing more than beasts without thought, and that shall be their undoing."
Rage sneered while pacing around his cage. "That's easy for you to say, Mourn," from his pen, Mourn watched the younger Drone vent his fury and hatred for humanity. "You've always been the calmest of us all." Rage punched a random wall which had zero effect. "However, these Cerberus dogs have our Queen! Being calm or patient isn't going to help us!" The two glared at each other.
"That's when you're wrong," Savage told the younger and ill-tempered Drone gaining the whole room's attention. "Patience is our greatest ally." Savage wasn't the leader of the Drones because he was the biggest or the strongest. However, that certainly helped, but because he was the smartest and possessed a great cunning that would allow Savage to kill most opponents. "sooner or later these humans shall make a mistake, and when that day comes, we'll be ready; to strike."
"Well said Savage," Mourn nodded while smiling towards their leader, glad that Savage understood the value of patience.
Rage frowned as the others chattered in agreement with their leader. "And what if patience endangers the Queen?" The room went silent as every Drone waited for Savage's answer.
The darker-skinned Drone's eyes darkened. "Then we shall escape this prison and slaughter anyone or thing that gets between our Queen and us." A roar of approval erupted from the Drones as the idea of murdering their captors and saving the Queen from her imprisonment was quite an exciting one even Rage roared with acceptance to his leader's plan to slaughter Cerberus if they ever endangered the Queen.
"Death to Cerberus! Long live the Queen!"
Savage didn't know which of his brothers had shouted those words, but it was the catalyst for the others to scream their own chants into the air. The leader Drone was thankful that the lab was soundproof since it allowed them to be as loud as they desired without fear of the humans learning of their intelligence.
"Our Queen is eternal!"
"Death to the Council, The Locust are the superior race!"
"Soon, brothers glory and conquest shall be ours, for the Queen!"
"Queen Shepherd! Mother eternal to the Locust race!"
"All hail Queen Shepard!"
Savage watched his brethren for a moment before returning to his sitting position. The time would come when he and the others would escape these cages and rescue the Queen from her captors. However, until then, Cerberus would serve its purpose. Creating more Drones for the Queen's army and healing the Queen's form, which from the juvenile hive mind that was strengthening as the days went by would take another year before she was completely healed and awakens from her hibernative state.
Patience was the key to being victorious against Cerberus, and Savage would wait until the end of time if that was what it took to rescue the Queen. For the Queen was their light, their reason to exist without her, their lives were meaningless. It would destroy their souls if she were somehow killed. Of course, if such a situation were ever to happen, then Savage knew that the Drones would make sure that whatever murdered their Queen faced a fate far worse than death before simply wasting away into nothingness.
However, that scenario would never happen as Savage will protect Queen Shepard no matter the cost and anything that would try to harm her shall face the full wrath of the Locust Horde. The time of being Cerberus slaves shall soon end, and the Locusts will rise to dominate the universe.
All Hail Shepard Queen of the Locust Horde!