Spoiler Alert: For readers new to 'The Archaeologist', at the earliest, this short segment should not be read before Chapter 14… and, perhaps, is even best read waiting all the way until after Ch 43. That way, it won't provide any spoilers for the upcoming story.
Introduction/Description: This Chapter provides a little bit of background surrounding our mysterious 'Salarian Scientist' who appears suddenly in Ch 14. It also fills in some of the gaps between that time and when baby Shepard appears on the scene.
The Shepard Genetics Research Project
Mordin Solus, Normandy Lab, At Large – 12 Nov 2185
Research Log 11122185A: Shepard is key to our future… and her genome was also key to Humanity's future; its potential now lost to all of Humanity, compliments of Cerberus stupidity and unnecessary removal of reproductive ability. We could not have a supreme soldier like Shepard taken out of action by pregnancy, now, could we? How can two of smartest Human males alive be so ignorant?
Research Log 11122185B: Both Henry Lawson and Jack Harper failed to realize she is evidence Protheans tampered with more than Asari genetics. Harper and Lawson, in their hubris, believed they managed to implant foreign DNA into Shepard all on their own, without rejection. While believing in T'Soni's Reaper theory, they failed to also consider foreign intervention, therefore did not hypothesize she could be last of bloodline created by Protheans to tolerate implantation of foreign DNA without fatal side effects. Perhaps Lawson may have known but purposefully declined to provide that data to Harper? No time to research sideline hypothesis.
Mordin Solus, Normandy Lab, At Large – 5 Dec 2185
Research Log 12052185A: Major discovery - Project would have still failed without genius of Miranda Lawson in final equation. She recognized failures of process and fixed them as they cropped up. Shepard experienced multiple failures/seizures during regeneration, which Miranda was fast enough to compensate for. Henry Lawson took too much credit; Miranda did all fixing of his sloppy work. Miranda was Shepard's final creator, not Henry. Determinate stroke of genius was her last decision – refusal to implant control chip!
Research Log 12052185B: DNA evidence suggests Asari transition was nearing completion when last Reaper cycle occurred… but Humans were still evolving, and Prothean observation and research were in their infancy. Because of this, believe most of few created lines died out over time. Most… but not all. Hannah Shepard's survival of her eezo exposures was first clue of her origins. Honestly think Shepard line may be only one remaining of early Prothean experimentation on Humans. More research into other survivors without side effects is warranted. Later. No time now.
Research Log 12052185B: With Shepard unable to bear a child, other methods must be investigated. Very likely, Lawson's team has answers, given his creations of his two daughters, solely from his own modified DNA. While first attempt (Miranda) cannot bear children, early scans of second creation (Oriana) indicate a fully functional reproductive system.
Concern: Shepard likely to object to entire project. As such, work must be completed without seeking consent and, more importantly, I must avoid her accidental discovery. Research into Collector swarms provides opportunity to collect current DNA samples of all crew (including Miranda Lawson!) without revealing dual purpose.
Mordin Solus, Private Lab, Sur'Kesh – 28 Oct 2186
Research Log 10282186A: Reapers here! No time to continue research… have consolidated notes but must find someone else to continue work. Tolern would be first choice. Brilliant… but too ethical. Must find alternate geneticist to protect Shepard line and transmit copies of all notes and research. No one in STG… must find someone quickly.
Mordin Solus, Private Lab, Sur'Kesh – 29 Nov 2186
Research Log 11292186A: Borderline ethical Salarian geneticist harder to locate than anticipated. Only one option identified. Must take chance, so notes sent… anonymously, of course. All I can do. Must refocus on main goal: repair Genophage damage done to Krogan reproduction. No time for both. May your Gods watch over you, Shepard, and may these notes reach you in a future free of the Reapers.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 1 Dec 2186
This research is amazing. I never considered the Prothean advancements in DNA as a source for Shepard's amazing ability to survive. This provides a unique theory which will take time and effort to explore… but is potentially lucrative… and dangerous, given the subject's identity. Perhaps monetary compensation would be too risky to request? Yes. I must remain anonymous but, should I succeed, technology alone should be worth billions. I will contemplate how to profit after I find a reliable assistant and have proof of my success.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 3 Mar 2187
Who knew finding a qualified, reliable assistant could be so difficult? Finally, after 17 interviews, I have found someone I believe will work out. Enough that I am at least willing to try her. I always have Jona Thean… or the decon chamber… if she turns out to be a liability. She will be here in two weeks. Then, my work can truly begin. I simply hope her skills are as good as she has presented. Many can talk about the process… but the ability to actually perform is an entirely different thing.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 3 Jun 2187
My new assistant is reliable, if not the fastest tech I have worked with. Of course, expecting a Human to work like a Salarian is likely unreasonable and unrealistic, especially with our very future existence not looking very promising. She demands eight hours of sleep a night for proper brain function, and time for three meals a day. That barely leaves 12 hours of work time!
Still… she is competent, although slow by my standard, and manages to maintain focus, even with the threat of Reapers discovering our hiding place, every hour of every day. As such, I completed her first quarter review, gave her the promised raise after her demonstration of competency, and told her where I needed her to improve. Long term, I believe she shows promise, assuming we even manage to somehow survive… and that she is willing enough to let me mold her into a proper assistant.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 7 Jun 2187
Shepard has done the impossible… again! Against all odds, a red wave swept across the planet, eliminating any trace of Reaper spawn. They simply turned to dust and blew away in the wind. Fantastical! Best news is that we can honestly get to work now, able to access outside sources again!
Deborah Scottsdale remains reliable and, knowing we are actually going to survive this, has picked up her pace of work, even with the rather limited supplies we have left. She is obviously no stranger to austerity. With her renewed hope, her work attitude is starting to show great promise, both in pace and accuracy. Now, my only concern will be finding the necessary supplies in the galaxy of likely limited resources, complements of the war. No matter. The war is over, so one way or another, we will persevere.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 17 Jul 2187
Most surprising development today. Had heard the Rachni formed a pact with Shepard… but didn't know whether to believe it or not. However, today proved the truth of the matter. Rachni ships showed up in the system on our long-range sensors! We immediately went back to our wartime power levels to avoid detection… only to watch in amazement as they apparently repaired the relay, then promptly disappeared through it! Not even a sniff in our direction, as far as our passive scanners could tell. A relay! We once again have contact with the outside galaxy! This brings me more hope than words can express for the timely completion of our project!
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 7 Jun 2188
A year since the end of the Reaper war, and almost a year since my last record… because we have gotten absolutely nowhere and I have nothing to report. Well, not entirely true, but have relatively little to show for our efforts. Damn Henry Lawson! He left critical pieces out of his notes… probably on purpose, to prevent the very thing I am attempting to achieve. No matter. Whatever he left out I will eventually discover.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 20 May 2189
Another year has passed and work continues. The progress has been steady, but slower than anticipated. There were times when I was ready to give up, then we would make some major breakthrough… so, we press onward! There are interesting new developments with the Council, regarding the Shepard family front. I believe an Illusive Man generated clone actually survived and is going by the name of Adrien Burns… with Shepard's full support, even taking her to the Council, regarding a joint governorship of Gellix… with the Krogan!
There is little question in my mind that the body of Adrien Burns, as she calls herself, is another Shepard clone! This raises interesting questions, which we will deal with at some later time. How many are there? Did Jack Harper and his cronies modify each of them as well? Are they fertile? Can they conceive, and deliver fertile children of the Shepard bloodline? Perhaps this is another line of investigation, after we succeed with our first phase.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 1 Jul 2190
Eureka! It has taken two years, and much digging through old Cerberus facilities and what remained of Henry Lawson's research. Shepard's team of tech specialists did an extensive wipe job… but did not catch everything. With all the combined data of all our searches, we were able to piece together just enough for me to finally see what Lawson was working toward! With that goal firmly in the crosshairs, the rest was relatively easy… though lengthy… in the experimentation process timelines.
Now, I have a workable process… the rest, from where we are today to having a viable embryo? A month, barring complications… maybe two if we hit some stumbling blocks. Have Shepard's DNA, now need to start collecting raw material of sufficient quality and quantity to begin final process experiments. Also… my personal desire is to create, basically, a male Shepard, who will not only be able to produce viable progeny but will also continue the Shepard name. It is a legacy that should not be lost to history.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 1 Oct 2190
We have a viable zygote process, but still need to finish collecting male DNA samples and continue our recombination research. We absolutely must find a combination compatible not only with Shepard's DNA, but with her genetic improvements, as well. Thus far, every combination attempted lasts only until contact with the Krogan portion of the gene sequence. The hunt for a complete, viable combination continues. I must locate the point of failure, but I feel we are very close!
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 16 Oct 2190
We have it! A complete gene sequence… which actually survived the implantation process… which finally worked flawlessly! Now the monitoring and waiting begins, likely the hardest part… but, will give me time to annotate potential improvements, clean up research notes and annotate modifications made during the actual process to prevent genetic fracture.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 15 Dec 2190
First trimester proceeding without setback; recombinant DNA therapies proceeded as expected. Child will eventually have same protections as adult female Shepard; poisons, expanded heat and cold tolerance… Asari biotics and heart strength of a Krogan (but only one – no room for redundant organs) as well as improved muscular structure and additional strength and bone density… extended years likely to come along with it. Oriana Lawson has proven out at an expected 400-year lifespan… very possibly improved beyond that, but by how much? Need to complete more aging research before the time arrives for the next trimester treatment.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 15 Mar 2191
Second round of DNA therapies completed without incident or any signs of rejection; fetus growth advancing per Human norm, maybe slightly faster than average. No trouble indicators showing, and aging research continues. Assistant speaks frequently to womb, plays music… and created a program to synthesize normal household sounds. Says will give fetus important auditory stimuli; should not develop in silence. Given results of Saren's Rachni research, there may be merit in that statement.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 29 Mar 2191
Drell attempted to interrupt work today. Actually, thought to attempt to take my life. Deborah proved her true worth, putting herself in harm's way and enabling me to trap him in main lab decontamination portal. Promoted her immediately to full assistant, which she accepted, almost as quickly, despite her shattered cheekbone. Fixed it for her. I was very focused; must admit, likely best reconstruction procedure I have ever completed. Personal motivation for a change. Says she will remain with me for a long time to come. Might use age therapies on myself. Would now trust her with impunity to complete the process while I sleep. Already 32… not much time left. Perhaps extend another 50 percent… live to 60? More time with her. Would be worth the risk. Will speak with her about this tomorrow.
Salarian Geneticist, Dagnes, Bonler – 24 Jun 2191
Grand day! The birthing alarm on the artificial womb started ringing just after noon. At 12:04 local time, Baby Shepard opened his eyes to see the world! Deborah immediately took over, cleaning and swaddling our new addition, while I played chemist and mixed his first, rather special, formula. His final genetic immunotherapies will find their way into his bloodstream and process normally, as if inherited from his own mother through her milk. This formula must be fed as part of his daily routine from now until his six-month point, when he will be dropped off at the closest orphanage in Armali. All preparations have been completed per Mordin's instructions; brilliant mind, that one. Too bad he cannot be here to witness our final success. So long as Captain Shepard accepts his initial research and my finish work, the living result will forever honor Mordin's memory!
A/N: And the rest, as they say, is history… with the Salarian geneticist and his assistant making their first appearance in 'The Archaeologist' in September 2190.