Sook’s lab had been set up in the same building as Ruth’s. It reminded Kayden of the engineering labs at the Academy, but even higher tech if that was possible. The room had all sorts of materials for crafting drones as well as engraving tools.

When they arrived there, Sook immediately hurried around the place, observing all the equipment to make sure everything was in order. For the first time since her excision, Kayden could see that Sook was actually excited and happy.

The workstations had been built with her small stature in mind, and those tables which were left at a human height had stairs up to them, making it simple for Sook to access. Unlike Ruth’s lab which was extremely bright, this lab was left dim because of Sook’s deep denizen eyesight.

The thing which drew their immediate attention was the object that took up the center of the room. Kayden had only ever seen one like it back at the Academy, and she had no idea how Ruth had managed to get her hands on it.

It was a Sendolian rune core. An ancient device that had once powered the technology left behind by the Sendolian empire. The core had long since become inert, but the reason they were so valuable was because of the runes scrawled all over them. They offered insight into the workings of the Sendolian’s advanced technology. If even the smallest fraction of their rune cores could be understood, it could potentially cause a major breakthrough in what one could achieve in the field of engineering.

The rune core was on a pedestal, hooked up to electrical devices that would be able to power up sections of the core for Sook to study the effects of. Parts of the core were broken and faded with a huge crack through it so there was no way to power up the entire core, but there was still plenty of knowledge to be gained from what remained.

Sendolian artifacts were extremely beneficial for advancing understanding of rune technology, but they were also extremely dangerous to play around with as illustrated by what happened with Mistech. Oftentimes scientists who get their hands on Sendolian technology could be driven insane. It was such a common occurrence that it even had been given the name of artifact sickness.

At the academy, they had a vault with many pieces of Sendolian equipment they had collected over time, and there were strict procedures in place to prevent people from getting artifact sickness. Scientists and engineers were only allowed to interact with the equipment in teams and only for short periods of time with lots of psychological evaluations throughout.

Those who had gone insane and retained at least some of their cognizance spoke of how they started to hallucinate, picturing rune structures so complex and grand that they were convinced only a god could have created them. They would feel compelled to attempt to recreate these rune structures, continuously scrawling on whatever surface was available. They could hardly eat or sleep unless sedated. But it was all usually gibberish, not even recognizable as rune formations, just the scrawlings of madmen.

Artifact sickness could be onset by even the most minor of equipment left behind by the Sendolian Empire, and this was a rune core. Rune cores were the objects that govern the entire workings of complex equipment. The rune cores which currently existed were extremely complex and difficult to understand. Compared to a Sendolian rune core, it was like comparing a child’s toy to the most advanced and experimental tech that the Academy was currently working on.

Now it seemed they were giving Sook who had just gone through an extremely traumatic experience and who was obsessed with progressing her work through any means necessary, unparalleled access to such a device. It was no surprise that Kayden was extremely anxious.

While Sook was observing the core with fascination, Kayden turned to Ruth. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

“Don’t worry, we’re not stupid. We’ve put measures in place to ensure, she can only observe it for limited periods of time. The core can not be moved and it will be sucked down into the pedestal after a while. There will then be a cooldown period which can only be overridden by myself or Cassius. Additionally, there are sensors in place so that if anything unexpected happens with the core, it will immediately be contained.”

“How did you get it?” she asked once her concerns were addressed.

“It wasn’t easy. We got it from the Small Kingdoms. They have access to more Sendolian artifacts than anyone. But it still took quite a few favors to pull off. It is worth it though. Cassius and I both agree that Sook's research is important, and it could have overlap with my own.”

The Small Kingdoms existed in what used to be the Sendolian Empire. Their fractured and constant state of war and struggle were all that remained of the once-great empire. Each of the Small Kingdoms claimed to have the true right to the Sendolian thrown. They had become known as the Small Kingdoms because there were so many, with new kingdoms constantly forming and collapsing.

Sook, although fascinated by the core, had many other things to see around the lab and put in order. She began to direct the storage of all her own equipment that had been brought over from Pali’s home. Kayden and Ruth both stood off to the side as Sook quickly took charge of the place. She had an extremely greedy and eager expression as she observed her new lab. After she made sure all the work was going as directed, she came over to Kayden and Ruth.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“How does everything look?” Ruth asked.

“It’s perfect. I will be able to do more here than I ever have been able to do on my own. Thank you.”

“It’s the least we can do after the trouble that Kayden and I got you in.”

“It was only a matter of time before the Collective came for me. They couldn’t have one of their own going off on her own. If anything, you two helped me by getting me to see that there was another path forward. You especially Kayden, so thank you.”

Kayden didn’t know what to say at first because she was so taken aback by the sincerity in Sook’s voice. She finally said, “I’m glad. I was worried you might resent me for convincing you to be cut off from the Collective.”

Sook smiled at her. “What you said at the time of my excision meant a lot, but it was me that made the decision. You helped me make my decision but you did not convince me to do it. My work is what did that. It is too important to put to the side. The advancements Uptown is making are happening quickly and if we don’t want to be left behind then there is no time to waste. My kind may have rejected me but that doesn’t mean I will abandon them or Cliffside.”

There was a deep sadness in her eyes as she said that, so Kayden tried to change the subject to brighten the mood. “Can you show us what you are currently working on?”

Sook immediately brightened and took them over to a workstation where the charred drone Kayden had seen her with at Pali’s was being disassembled. She explained that it was a new engine she was working on. It would give a lot more power to the drone so that it could retain its small size but carry a lot more weight, however, she was having problems regulating the temperature. She explained some possible solutions that went completely over Kayden’s head. Even though some mechanical prowess was required at the Academy, considering that was its main focus, this was miles ahead of what Kayden had learned. She suspected that even some of the teachers would have a difficult time following Sook. It put into perspective how much of a technical genius Sook really was.

Despite not understanding much of it, Kayden was happy to let Sook share as she was obviously excited about it. Ruth also briefly discussed with her hiring some assistants to help her with her work. This was something they had been debating for a while now. Sook was reluctant to do so because she felt like they would just get in her way, but Ruth argued that they had already vetted some potential candidates who were extremely promising and could help Sook worry about the big picture stuff while they took care of the minor tasks. All Ruth wanted was for Sook to meet with them. They obviously wouldn’t bring them on board if Sook didn’t find them agreeable.

Kayden briefly considered offering up her services. She was Academy trained after all. And even though she had never been that interested in the engineering side of her education, she still had the basic skills to be able to help around.

Besides, she liked the idea of training beneath someone as talented as Sook. It was strange because she had never been that interested in engineering, but she had grown a lot over the last few months, and she could now appreciate how important engineering was.

She realized that she had truly missed out on a great opportunity at the Academy to get as much knowledge as she could that would have helped her so much now, but it was pointless to regret what was in the past. She could only go forward and take advantage of as many new opportunities that presented themselves. She still didn’t regret leaving the Academy, despite what they could have taught her, it would have meant selling away who she was, and she would not do that no matter what.

As she flirted with the idea of continuing her studies under Sook, she realized it would be impossible. First of all, Sook would probably be too busy to teach her in any capacity, so she would probably just be stuck performing the most menial of work around the lab, and that wouldn’t offer her any new knowledge she didn’t already have. And second of all, Kayden just didn’t have any time. Maybe if she didn’t have her duties at the docks, she would consider it, but realistically if Kayden had more free time she would want to spend that learning more combat techniques.

Fighting is what Kayden wanted to learn and do. She didn’t want to be trapped in a dusty lab tinkering away on drones. That just didn’t appeal to her. She wanted to be out there, running through the streets. She still remembered the first time she ran from the police all those days ago. It had been so exhilarating, so freeing. That excitement was intoxicating, and she knew she wouldn’t find it here.

Still, she had to admit that having more experience with machinery would be extremely beneficial no matter how much she may dislike doing it. If there was one thing Kayden had been learning since joining Nikiphero, it was the importance of discipline and doing things she otherwise wouldn’t want to do. Gaining more knowledge from Sook was something she could not miss out on. She already had the groundwork from the Academy and it would be foolish to let all of that go to waste, especially with how rapidly technology was becoming a core aspect of life in Mitros. There would undoubtedly be times when Kayden would need this knowledge to get out of sticky situations. It sure would have been beneficial when combating Mistech who had utilized a ton of technology, if in a different form than what Uptown traditionally used.

Kayden came to the conclusion that she would definitely take advantage of this in the future, but not right now. There was just too much else she had to take care of. Also, it would be best to let Sook get everything up and running so that she wasn’t distracted. Kayden didn’t know when she would take advantage of Sook’s knowledge. Most likely it wouldn’t be for quite a while because Kayden had the tournament coming up, then she was going to join Cassius, but she would get to it eventually.

For the first time in a while, Kayden felt excited for the future. She realized just how much she had going on. She would show Uptown what she was capable of. They had looked down on her and killed her father, but she would get her revenge no matter how long it took, no matter how hard she had to train. She would do whatever was necessary.

As the final touches were put in place on the lab and Sook and Ruth’s discussion wound down, Ruth began to lead them somewhere else. “There is one more thing I want to show you.” She grinned. “I saved the best for last.”

Considering that the Sendolian rune core was not considered best, Kayden was extremely curious to see what else Ruth could possibly have waiting for them. Judging by Sook’s expression, she was also completely in the dark. She obviously hadn’t been expecting anything else. What could it be?