Of the subjects implanted with a functional Key, barely 2% have survived without significant damage to their bodies or minds. Many have reported disturbing dreams, mood swings, and hallucinations. Of those with physical manifestations of the implantation the most common side effect is a body part turning into solid crystal. Amputating the part results in significant trauma to the subject, and a decrease or end of the ability to use Ancients technology. In extreme circumstances it has even resulted in the loss of the Key. -
From the files of Si’l Vala Reshka’i, head of research, Silva Prime
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“So, what are we going to do with her?” Doctor Tomas studied Flame through the hologram in his office. Dark circles under her eyes, lines of stress that made her look old beyond her years, and the unsteady swaying of the hologram that meant she was pacing as she held the unit on the other side.
In his opinion, the woman needed a long vacation, but he knew that she would never take one. Not while the Silvarians still enslaved humans and used them in their experiments. Tomas knew humans weren’t the only ones that suffered under Silvarian arrogance, but they were the only people that Flame cared about. The only people most of the Coalition cared about.
“We can’t let her leave. Can you get the Key out of her?” Flame asked sharply.
“Not without hurting her, perhaps even killing her. It’s already merged to the extent that it’s responding to her emotions, and it’s spread up her arm. At the very least I’d have to amputate her arm to retrieve the Key.”
“If there’s any chance you can remove it, do it. We need that key, Doctor!” Flame leaned forward, pinning him with steely grey eyes, the dark circles even more pronounced up close.
“Flame, the best case scenario for removing the Key is hurting her and causing unnecessary trauma, the worst case is death. Did you forget I am S’il Vala? The name may be different than what we used on Earth, but the principles are the same.” Tomas’s voice was calm and patient, but firm. He was not going to hurt someone if he could avoid it.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Doctor. I don’t know why you adhere to their damn names for things! You spent too much time in their school. Have you lost sight of the mission? Of the reasons for the Freedom Coalition? There are things more important than one life, even if that life is human.” Flame resumed her pacing.
The odd movement of the hologram made Tomas slightly ill, like being on a boat on stormy seas. He leaned back in his chair, his pose relaxed and open. “I am proud of the titles I’ve earned in my life, both on Earth and in the wide galaxy.”
Flame frowned, pausing in her pacing. She was silent for a long moment before she gave him a grudging nod. “As you have every right to be. It isn’t like those aliens made it easy for you or Nora.”
“Or Theo.” Tomas added gently.
Flames face twisted into a scowl, and she set the holographic device down so hard her whole image flickered and shook. “Don’t mention that traitor!” She snarled. “He’s worse than those damn furry aliens!”
Flame was silent for a moment, clenching and unclenching her fists as she glared through the hologram at Tomas. Finally, she spoke again. A low growl between gritted teeth. “We. Need. That. Key. With an Ancients ship we can finally even the playing field with those furry bastards! I don’t care what has to be done to get it!”
“We have the Key. It just happens to be attached to an Earth girl. However it also looks like it’s reacting well with her. I don’t think she realizes how quickly she’s healing. The scan showed plenty of new growth on her hand. The fact that she even still has a hand is miracle enough. I suspect that she’ll be fully healed in a matter of days.” Tomas tapped a button on his computer, sending the report to Flame to review, along with the notes he had made before her meeting.
“That makes the whole situation worse. She’s from Earth. We don’t abduct people, especially from Earth!” Flame glanced at the screen as the message came through and pulled it up with a flick of her fingers.
Tomas sat patiently, his hand folded across his stomach.
“Theseus’s logs show he came here directly from Earth, a days travel with that drive of his. It’s grown so much in one day?” Flame frowned, tapping a finger against the table right next to the hologram machine. The sound dug at Tomas’s nerves, but he just nodded.
“Apparently. I would suggest letting her keep the key, and giving her a reason to stay. Maybe we can do a DNA search and find someone related to her. It’s a long shot, but we might get lucky. And for your own good, take a few days off. You look like shit.”
Flame snorted, and actually cracked a smile. “Is that an order, Doctor?”
“It is. Take some time off. Don’t make me confine you to the hospital bay.” Tomas reached out and cut off the connection. He would have to check tomorrow to see if Flame actually followed his orders, or his suggestion.
If she decided the price of a life was cheap enough to get Ancients technology he may have to take drastic action. And that would just be a pain in the ass.