The Reject: Part 1

The R.E.A.P.E.R Project: Cardinal-Archimedean Theytris Lore

—————— The Reject —————— Part 1

•Written by Vittoria St.Martin with the blessing of Exalted Changuis{Red Veil}

•Edited by Exalted Changuis{Red Veil}

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Like all things Orokin, etched in gold, carved in rich alabaster, and imposing in its grandiose architecture, the medical amphitheater was no exception. Yet this one was small by Orokin standards, however it had been hand chosen for just this special occasion. The oval polished floor was brightly lit with radiant white light from somewhere indiscernible, yet the glass windows that encomed the rest of the theater remained dim. As within, dark regal figures loomed beyond their surface their forms no more than shadowy silhouettes. Their white eyes shimmered in the darkness watching, almost hungry as they waited in their god-like penitence.

Yet at the pinnacle of the oval was a particular section of glass, its frame surrounded by a filigree of gold more elaborate than what framed the rest of the glass windows in the room, and behind it stood a figure that was not like the rest. To gaze upon this being, regal, proud, ambitious, elegantly robed and crested with a mask both elegant and terrible in its design, was like gazing at poison itself. He struck his staff upon the floor, the sound echoing with finality within the amphitheatre like the toll of a deathbell. A male voice suddenly spoke from the lower levels, the professional and well spoken words filling the once silent amphitheatre.

“Beginning record. Welcome honored colleagues and guests of the Orokin medical and military divisions. Speaking is lead behavioral psychologist Doctor Matthias at the blessing of Cardinal-Archimedean Theytris...”

A shaft of rectangular light suddenly cut across the floor of the amphitheater as a door was opened on one side. Two heavily armored Dax soldiers marched into the room while the doctor continued to speak as they dragged the limp form of a young female child by the arms into the room between them. She was clothed in a grey medical garment, the sleeves and attached leggings short coming only to her knees and elbows, and rather crudely, a matching sack had been placed over her head. The child’s hands and feet were solid black, scarred and burned by exposure to the void, a stark unnatural contrast to the delicate porcelain color of the rest of her skin.

“...gathered here to witness testing of a potential candidate for the R.E.A.P.E.R. project.” the voice of the doctor droned on as the Dax continued their trek through the room hauling the child with them. “Subject number 6-4. The Subject has been slated for use in Executor Ballas’ Ember Prime initiative, however-”

The Dax soldiers unceremoniously drug her unconscious form across the floor to a set of awaiting metal shackles set in one side of the amphitheatre. They secured the thick metal bands around her ankles propping her up into a kneeling position and then secured her left wrist to a shackle that was mounted to a solid metal bar that protruded from the floor. Yet they left her right hand unbound. One of the Dax soldiers grabbed hold of her shoulder and pulled her upright, then grasped the cloth covering her head.

“Subject’s name is Vitaliya, last name...redacted.”

The cloth was yanked away and brilliant strands of short, red hair fell around the Tenno’s delicate face, her eyes closed in unnatural sleep. The other Dax soldier roughly seized her by the hair before her head could fall forward and yanked her head to one size exposing the skin of her throat as he jabbed a cylindrical object into the side of her neck. The girl’s face grimaced as a sharp hiss sounded from the cylinder momentarily, then the Dax retracted the object and released her. The Tenno slumped against the metal bar her head resting against her chest as both Dax turned and swiftly exited the room without a word. The shaft of light created by the doorway was cut off as the door slammed closed and, for a moment, the Tenno sat there still, unmoving.

“Subject displays profound void affinity and capacity.” the voice of Doctor Matthias returned to fill the amphitheatre once more. “Subject also exhibits extreme physical resistance to, and the ability to channel, both heat and flame.”

The fingers on the girl’s shackled hand suddenly twitched and her chest heaved with a deep breath. Her eyelids parted, brilliant orange irises blearily gazing around the room as her head weakly lifted to look about. Stirring, Vitaliya tried to move and realized finally that she had been restrained, feebly struggling against her metal shackles as she tried to rouse herself. Grasping the metal bar with her free hand she swallowed hard and shivered as if the room was cold.

“Where am I?” she softly asked worry in her voice. “What’s going on?”

“Subject’s physiological make-up displays fear of rejection and isolation, strong desires to be socially accepted, rage, and is susceptible to mental suggestions and reprogramming of thought-processes through subliminal and external means. These features make her ideal for candidacy into the project.”

Pushing herself to her feet, Vitaliya grasped hold of the shackle on her wrist and yanked hard trying to free her hand and lifted her feet to test the shackles at her ankles, but they barely moved. She shook her head to toss aside the last remnants of sleep that clung to her and then focused her blazing eyes on the room once more, as if studying it. Her stance became withdrawn and wary, muted panic in her glowing eyes.

“Why have I been chained?!” she cried out to the eerie figures behind the glass her eyes wide and searching.

“Testing will now commence.”

“Why won’t you answer me!” Vitaliya screamed angrily. “Why are you just lookin-”

“Applying stimulus.” Doctor Matthias voice callously cut her off.

A surge of white hot energy shot from the shackles that held Vitaliya and raced through her body like jolts of electricity. The energy manifested in bright arcs that wove around her body and limbs as they twitched and convulsed unnaturally. The girl shrieked in unimaginable pain as the energy set every nerve in her body alight with agony, and although the shock only lasted a few seconds it seemed like minutes.The energy was cut off and Vitaliya slumped to the floor on her knees leaning against the bar that held her left wrist for as she raggedly gasped for air, her face wide in shock from the sudden painful assault. Several moments of silence ed as Vitaliya knelt on the floor and worked to get her breathing back under control.

Inside the glass room where the shadowy form of Doctor Matthias stood, a female voice spoke up. “Subject’s internal Void energy levels at ten percent, Doctor.”

“Excellent, continue to monitor.” came the reply.

“That shock I just delivered to you, was not electricity.” the voice of the Doctor returned to fill the chamber. “But rather concentrated waves of photonic light, which allows it to be seen with the naked eyes when it assaults you, as well as cause a more painful interaction with your nerve endings - as I am certain you are now quite aware of.”

Vitaliya struggled to push herself back to her feet and shook her head in disbelief as she looked around the room, “I don’t understand - am I being punished? I- I haven’t hurt anyone in months!”

“Applying stimulus.”

Another gout of searing energy shot through Vitaliya’s body causing her back to arch and her body twitch as she was bathed yet again in white arcs of light as she screamed in pain. This time, the shock lasted for two more seconds longer before it ended and again the Tenno crumpled to the floor once it was over. Her whole body shuddered as she clasped onto the bar beside her for , this time unable to rise as she panted deeply. Strange groans escaped her as her limbs randomly and painfully twitched as her nerve endings tried to calm themselves and her body grew still. A sheen of sweat began to form across her skin and the girl shivered from fear or chill it was hard to tell.

“Internal Void energy levels from the Subject now at thirty percent and...rising, Doctor.” the female voice commented.

“Very good.” came the pleased reply.

“Why are you doing this to me!” Vitaliya demanded looking up at the dark figures pleadingly. “Where is Margulis - she promis-”

“Applying stimulus.”