"Well, you've been in my care for the week. Outside of your strange condition, I do believe that you are once again ready to operate normally on the Ravager." Tender's calm voice was betrayed by his clacking beak as he talked. He held in his hands a chart on a holopad, its green and yellow screen relaying all the information he could possibly need at a glance. It glared through his reading glasses, too small for Cedric to make out information in the reflection.
"It's been a pleasure, mister Scourge - but I will be needing this bed for future patients. As of now, you are no longer under medical surveillance."
Cedric gently nodded in Tender's direction, the old corvid looked away as he shed his gown and donned his familiar equipment. It felt nice to be back in regular clothing.
"Can I ask you a question, Tender?"
Cedric was already opening a fresh pack of bacco sticks, courtesy of Grey - who was released two solar days ago.
"Of course, if it won't be too long. I do have other patients to attend to." Tender placed his holopad comfortably in a scrub pocket, his ultimate storage solution.
"This medbay... It reminds me of a proper hospital. What are you doing here? On the Ravager? Being a doctor amongst pirates could hardly be better than working comfortably in the core. You could do great there."
Tender stared at him pensively for a few moments, before finally removing his spectacles and placing them in a neighboring pocket relative to his holopad.
"I used to be a doctor in the core. It was comfortable, as you say. I'm an old crow, you know this - but I used to be a younger, more stout kind of bird. Had a clutch of my own, three lovely little chicks - beautiful daughters."
Cedric returned his pensive stare. In his gut he could tell - this was not going to be a happy story. The only commonality amongst the Ravager's crew.
"My two eldest chicks left the nest, set out on their own - but my youngest, Luteclaw - she suffered from the same genetic illness her mother did. It is quite bad mister Scourge, a degradation of the very DNA that make up our bodies. When I recognized the symptoms, I was devastated. I wasn't working for the imperial government then, as I had no reason to. Now, I did. So that's what I set out to do, secure a government contract to pay for her healthcare. This genetic degradation disease is treatable, but not curable. I wanted Luteclaw to have a relatively normal life - what sane father wouldn't? It was easy for me to find employment with the imperial government. They assured me she would be cared for, and sent me on my first task. Ship doctor onboard a patrol scouting the border between the outer systems and the colonies. We weren't supposed to call home while we were running dark, but I was foolish. I called home, only to find that our little home of comfort had been requisitioned by the imperial government for personal use. My daughter, Luteclaw, was nowhere to be seen or found."
Tender paused to give extra time to catch his breath, and re-equipped his spectacles.
"My leadership wasn't happy, not a surprise. Nary a soul would tell me anything about what happened to Luteclaw - and threatened my life should I pry further. I also could not contact my two other daughters, my mate had already long since passed. When Captain Garerra's crew boarded the patrol corvette, thanks to my transmission giving away our location, she gave me a choice. Join or die. I would have chosen to die, had I not now possessed a lust for revenge against the Empire. So here I am now, assisting the Captain with her wounded. The crew can be very appreciative mister Scourge, you just need to be present to see it. Well, that's the majority of my great mystery to you I suppose - however as I'm sure you understand, I must tend to the others now. It's in my name, after all."
"Of course." Cedric said calmly with a lowered nod, trying his best to show respect. "Thank you for sharing, Tender."
Tender nodded in response, and Cedric could swear that Tender seemed much older now than he had ever been before. He collected the rest of his things before stepping outside the medbay.
"Darling!"
Killer sprung upon Cedric with great force, almost knocking him over. He had to take a deep breath, her excited emotion overflowing his own - the pheromones doing their work. He wanted to coddle Killer, skip with her about the corridors of the Ravager - he held back, not wanting to embarrass himself let alone lose to the new assault he would now be forced to deal with for the foreseeable future. Already, he could sense Killer's shift in emotion as his own now spread to her. She slowly released her embrace, rubbing his shoulder with one paw while forming half of her membrane cape with another across her shoulder.
"Darling? What's wrong?"
Cedric sighed, slowly stepping forward to head to his small room. On his day of medical release, it was expected of the others to not bother him. He needed to form his teams now, and needed to get into communication with Prez about this second opportunity they apparently would have in the coming weeks. All he knew was that it would make up for their losses during the raid on the Helmsberg, but it wouldn't be nearly as easy - because of course, why would it be? That would simply be too convenient, now wouldn't it
"This, Killer. All of this. I think... I just want to go home."
He sighed again, lumbering steps carrying him to his intended destination.
"Home?" Killer asked, now wrapping her arms around what was exposed of his right arm that was comfortable in one of his coat pockets as he smoked a bacco stick with the other
"Home, back to my own time. Before Faring freed me from Cryo a few years ago. I mean look at me, any sane man would be jealous. Hell, it's probably a fantasy for them. Big strong man, towering above a bunch of men and women. It's not fun Killer - it's not enjoyable. I have to pray my mask always works, I've seen people I care about die - I've permanently injured my closest friend. In fact, they probably think I'm being a little bitch - crying about it all. I'm just... Tired Killer, I'm just tired..."
"Darling..." Killer responded with a dark tone, gently rubbing his arm. It gave him comfort, but the comfort felt fake. If they weren't infected by the Phage - would she still be acting this way? Probably not. A fake boon of circumstance, nothing more.
"You could rest for a few days, let me handle things for a little bit."
Cedric shook his head, he was in too deep now - he didn't have time to relax. He needed to form a team and train them, time now.
"That's not an option, Killer. I don't have time to sit down and relax for a few days - I need prospective team members, sooner than later. You have any ideas?"
Killer shook her head, the jet black fur slightly stirring in response as she swiveled her ears out of habit.
"No, I don't. Well, unless..."
"Unless? Unless what Killer? If I can get someone today, I need to know. Stop withholding information." Cedric stopped in the corridor, he was only a few feet from his door now - but Grey was nowhere to be found, probably taking care of her duties on the ship. It was still about mid solar day, and he had no interest in lunch - let alone an appetite at all
"I know someone, she's eccentric - very matter of fact. If you don't mind... Weird tendencies, you could speak with her."
"I let you suck my blood Killer, eccentrics hardly bother me."
Killer cocked her head, almost innocently. "I'm not eccentric, that's just me. Mm, don't remind me of your sweet blood darling, I might have you give me some right now."
He shook his head, he couldn't afford games.
"Maybe later, where is this someone you know of at? We need to head there immediately."
"Just beyond Engineering darling, but we're already at your cabin - you were just released from medbay. Shouldn't you rest?"
Cedric immediately turned around to face engineering, quickening his pace - the clacks of his jackboots increasing in volume against the hard, grated metallic flooring of the main corridor.
"I have no time for rest, Killer."
Killer followed him quickly, practically running to keep up with his long strides that paled her own. Her wings were folded completely, forming her comfortable membrane cloak. She reminded him of a classical vampire.
"Of course. I'd expect nothing less from my darling, so stout and strong."
"Sure, let's go with that."
The rest of the walk was conducted in silence outside of Killer's directions, his urgency bled to her - egging on her pace. For the last half of their short trip, both were practically jogging.
"Here, darling." Killer breathed steadily - guiding him through an engineering door whose label was barely visible, making it impossible to read - at least to Cedric. He looked around, taking in the relatively unimpressive storage room. Large boxes and crates lie upon shelves, seeming as sentries carefully observing the lonely dark. He looked back and forth, hoping to see some sign of someone within - but the only thing that could technically be considered an oddity was a nearby door, rather unimpressive in its make. A broom or janitor closet perhaps. He began to step forward again, his vampire bat stuck to his arm - an arm that was now being pulled in the direction of the only door in the large auxiliary storage cell.
"This way darling, she's just beyond the door."
Slightly confused, he followed her steady and deathly silent footpads to the door. She knocked in a certain rhythm - one Cedric did not recognize, and failed to memorize. Shortly after, she opened the door carefully.
"Killer, I informed you that I would find you if I had a job - not the other way around."
The voice came from a large female form, that fur pattern... It looked so familiar... What animal had that coat? He carefully stepped forward but a few inches, observing what appeared to be an entire lab inside what he thought was a broom closet! Several scientific implements were strewn about on glass top desks reflecting the whites and blues of the fluorescent lighting, or at least something that reminded him of so. Strange liquids bubbled within glass-like vials, and a few magitech computers were displaying graphs that Cedric did not recognize. The woman in front of him had a calm, yet somewhat gravely voice. She was preoccupied with observing something down a small microscope. Cedric could see the flesh of... Something... nearby her on a small plinth. Organic tissue of some sort. He swallowed, it almost seemed too sciency in here - like a mad researcher. Cedric was about to speak, but jolted back out of instinct as he saw a tan and black striped ear upon the stranger's head flick - as quick as he noticed, she was whipping around with a small pistol aimed at his chest.
"Has the captain finally decided to take me out?"
Cedric stood his ground, praying that in the next few minutes she would not shoot.
"I have no intention to do so..." He said carefully. Upon seeing her face to face - he realized where he recognized the pattern. She was a hyena! Strangely, she had a larger bust than the other canine* Korellei had - enough so that he considered it an oddity. Quickly dashing his eyes up and down, he was happy that she did not appear to have a bulge.**
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Seemingly satisfied, she powered down what he assumed was the laser-based pistol slowly, and began talking again.
"Ah, Scourge. Found during a rudimentary archeology search. Twenty-eight years old, spent two years in prison for premediated anima slaughter - amongst other things. Scraped together a kill count of approximately twenty-six anima, possibly more. Blackside dropper - very intriguing anatomy for a mutated primate variant. Breathes an unusual concentration of twenty-one percent oxygen, and seventy-nine percent nitrogen. Drinks more dihydrogen monoxide that other anima - and of course, practically invincible."
Cedric cleared his throat, noting that her information wasn't entirely accurate.
"Seems you've done your research."
"I always do. Why has Killer brought you to me? I'm currently busy studying a peculiar tissue sample from a deceased Korellei."
The hyena woman returned to her work, recovering a small holopad from a nearby box and activating it - removing the pen from its back end and preparing to take notes on whatever research she was currently engaged with.
Cedric cleared his throat quickly, he was already pleased with what he had witnessed so far. Clearly intelligent, instincts on a swivel for possible threats - she would make an excellent addition. However, Killer had said she was eccentric - aside from the sudden pistol being aimed at his chest upon entry - how was she eccentric, exactly?
"I'm forming a team. I want you in it. Also, just out of my own curiosity - what deceased sample are you looking at, exactly?"
"Hmm..."
Her suspicion did not bring Cedric comfort.
"Since you are curious, I am investigating a sample that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in Korellei biological evolution. You see, it seems this particular Korellei's injury began to heal on its own - and I am most interested in the process."
"Oh? Mind if I take a look?"
"Feel free." She stepped aside. Strangely, Cedric felt a strange attraction to her. He wasn't sure how to define Korellei beauty, he found both Grey and Killer physically attractive - but according to the whisper and rumors onboard the ship, they were not attractive mates. The Man-Maker on the other hand, with her albino white fur, was generally considered attractive despite her age. What was the connection? The fur color? Seemed hardly the case to him, it didn't exactly provide camouflage or any other natural advantage that would spark the primitive brain unlike a muscular man or well endowed woman - both scales of attractiveness measured by Neolithic survival. The strength to handle threats, or the constitution to bare children, for example. He stepped forward, and peered at the sample. He knew exactly what was happening - and it gave him a certain satisfaction. He could feel Killer's jealousy as his own, but forced it aside.
"Oh, it's a scab. That's really interesting - I thought Korellei couldn't heal themselves?"
"You know what this is?!" Excitement cloaked the Hyena's voice, clearly unable to hide her surprise."
"Indeed. A scab forms after sustaining an injury, such as a laceration.*** My knowledge is a bit basic, but if I remember correctly..."
Cedric peered at the tissue sample through her microscope, as if to emphasize his knowledge.
"When you sustain an injury like that, it greatly endangers the body - leaving it open to invasion from harmful viruses or bacteria. As a natural defense, the body seeks to repair it. Platelets form a sort of mesh at the injury site using a protein called Fibirin. This Fibirin catches red blood cells that seep to the area, and they effectively stack on top of each other. This is called a blood clot, and this blood clot over a short amount of time forms within the fibrin net and provides a protective layer to the wound until the body can divide more skin cells to heal it. After a few weeks or months depending, the scab slowly flakes off to reveal the new skin underneath - signifying the completion of the healing process. It's not perfect, as scar tissue can be bulky and stop hair growth for years and years until it's finally indistinguishable from the rest of the skin on the body."
"Hmm, you're quite knowledgeable Scourge. Tell me, what about sweat and its function? It appears to be unique to you."
Cedric removed his eye from the microscope, and turned to face the hyena - his trench slightly billowing with the movement.
"Sweat is a temperature regulation function with a few side jobs. Primarily, my body sweats in a hot environment - it forms from sweat glands that are deposited across the skin cells. The body more or less leaks water, this water is salty and contains a small amount of toxins. These toxins are hardly numerous enough to 'detox' the body entirely, but it does help. When the water evaporates, it takes heat with it - keeping the body functionally cool. It has its limits, but is an incredibly strong bodily function regardless."
"Very intriguing..." She said, her voice seemingly dripping with a purr. She stepped closer to Cedric, coming more than within arm's length as she gently caressed his chest.
"You can call me Tesla, you have a very interesting biology, Scourge. Tell me, what do you know of hyenidae biology?"
Cedric thought for a moment, save for the unusual trait applicable to female hyenas - he really didn't know much.
"Not much." He admitted, "I'm still trying to figure out Korellei biology myself. It's unreal to me that your people are so fragile, yet managed to spread amongst a large section of the galaxy."
"Hmm, magitech mostly." She replied, caressing his chest more - squeezing here and there. He felt as though she was inspecting every aspect of his form, it made him slightly uncomfortable.
"Well, as you may or may not know - I have... Different physiology from a typical female hyenidae. Much larger breasts, and the lack of a 'bulge' you could say. It sounds awkward to say, but being blunt is the simplest way to ensure that you understand. You see, I am an exploratory biologist."
She returned to her microscope, taking notes of the sample on her holopad while continuing to converse.
"I task others of the Ravager to provide me research material in exchange for currency."
"I thought the crew of the Ravager didn't use currency?" Cedric interjected.
"They don't - not in the typical sense, anyways. It could be anything from credit chits to use on shore leave, or say, pictures of certain... Age groups."
Cedric almost gagged out of reflex.
"You're telling me that some members of the crew are... Accepting pictures of children as payment?!"
Tesla simply nodded.
"And you're okay with that?"
She turned from her research to face Cedric more directly.
"This is a ship of outsiders. Not every anima is inclined to be good, most are selfish or have strange preferences. However, the cost of such pales in comparison to ensuring the Korellei's continued survival. I will admit that I am not savory to the exchange, but it is necessary to recruit some of the more specialized members of the crew to acquire more research material for me. If I could find an alternative method to reach that goal, I'd gladly accept. However, I am not so prudish as to not consider it a possible avenue of success."
"That's disgusting... It shouldn't even be considered an option."
"Are you garnering the moral high ground here, Scourge?" She challenged.
Cedric sighed and rubbed the headache now forming in his skull.
"I could hardly consider myself morally superior, but I have standards."
"Hmm..." She said thoughtfully, "Unsavory actions aside, the results have proven worth the price. Several months ago we were conducting a raid on a lone Imperial vessel - an easy target. Turns out, it was a research vessel - unusually secretive at that."
Cedric attempted to push the disgust aside so that he could focus on Tesla - it seemed she was more than happy to share the results of her research, especially after explaining scabs and sweat to her. Some may consider those gross bodily functions, but they are extremely important - it felt refreshing to speak with a Korellei that was more open minded, especially about biology.
"Secretive? Sounds like the Ravager's command team didn't realize it was a research vessel."
Tesla nodded in affirmation, "Indeed. Only when we were in visual range did they realize it was a civilian vessel. It was still an easy target for procuring valuable medical supplies. I paid off one of the members of the boarding team to spend time searching for magitech items of interest, instead of following the 'smash and grab' orders. Do not worry, this particular male accepted perfectly normal credits. A lot of them. I find them easy to come by. He was able to procure a few sample containers. He claimed they looked important, unlike the rest of the equipment on the ship. I had my doubts, but you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered they were ancient gene capsules. Syringes with viral RNA capable of modifying the cells of the body itself - though I knew not what for. I couldn't find any volunteers, so naturally, I experimented on myself instead."
Cedric was unable to hold back his surprise, speaking his next words with an excited energy that permeated to Killer, and broke his stern facade.
"You're telling me that you managed to get hold of retroviral manipulation technology?!"
A large grin of sharpened canines revealed themselves as Tesla's maw cracked into a wide smile.
"Yes."
"That's incredible! Using yourself as a test subject though?"
Tesla simply shrugged in response, though she was clearly just as giddy as Cedric now was.
"Of course, what better way to assess the results without a volunteer? At first, I thought the material was faulty - perhaps no longer viable or expired, however a few days after the injection I began to feel... Different. I had to rest in my quarters for three days, I felt as though I had succumbed to a fever. The results after though, were most intriguing."
"Interesting. What were the results?"
"I'm quite happy you asked. To be blunt, I had become more feminine. My breasts grew larger, I had much higher libido, and of course my other assets were... Adjusted."
Cedric clasped his chin with an index finger and thumb, once again reminded of the need to trim his beard and long scraggly black hair. He thought long and carefully behind the purpose of this easy to use genetic therapy technology, but he could only come to one conclusion.
"So the material that the research facility recovered must have been from an archeological site. It sounds like all the changes were purely cosmetic, that implies that the ancients were capable of making this incredible technology - and they used it for beauty?! What a waste!"
Tesla nodded in response, her rounded ears bouncing about excitedly. "Indeed. Cosmetic beauty, perhaps to aid in sexual transition - or both. But you see, that's not what makes me excited about this discovery."
Cedric's mood began to rise, and he could extrapolate exactly what she was implying.
"If the technology exists to simply take an injection and manipulate DNA in just a few days..."
Tesla clasped her sharp claws together excitedly, slightly bending down towards Cedric's direction in an effort to ensure her shared excitement was acknowledged.
"Then it could be used to improve the Korellei people on a genetic level! The inability to heal, the nonexistant resistance to radiation or sickness - we could eliminate them all! With just one simple injection."
"That's incredible..."
"Isn't it? But alas..."
Tesla lowered her head as she shook it back and forth slowly.
"Without the necessary equipment or access to ancient technology, I can't actually do anything with this discovery. My lab is rudimentary, scrapped together from pieces I was able to secure from paying off boarding teams. It is nothing more than another annoying roadblock - one I intend to smash through, no matter the cost. Hmm, though..."
Tesla once again stepped closer to Cedric, once again touching and squeezing throughout his body, before inadvertently laying a claw on his crotch and biting her lips.
"My apologies. The results of the genetic changes. You were looking for someone to join your team, yes? I would be most interested in working with you. As you can guess, not many anima are interested in dealing with me without payment. Mutual partnership would be greatly beneficial to both of us. It is refreshing to engage in someone with a respect for the sciences. If you wanted to help me in other ways as well, it would help with the stress - keep my mind clear. Besides, to test your fascinating biology would be... Enlightening."
Cedric cleared his throat and guided her hand away. A tempting side benefit to be sure, but for now he was much more interested in assembling his teams before he ran out of time. He had no want to betray Grey, the only woman he had been intimate with so far.
"A possibility. I agree, it would be beneficial. In fact, I'll be the first to make you a deal - but before I do, I need to know that you will be willing to join us in the field so to speak. We'll need an experienced biologist for medical assistance when the inevitable happens."
She thought for a moment in a similar gesture to his own, a sharply clawed index finger and thumb supporting her chin as she rested her other arm across her waist.
"Hmm... I'm not one for the field, that is why I pay those that are. I am a biologist, not a medical professional - especially when it comes to your physiology. Though, your assumption that my skill in my chosen field would cross over to medical know-how is a fine assumption. To say I know less than an ordinary medic would be a fallacy. That being said, I would be no replacement for Tender."
Cedric nodded his understanding, "That's good enough for me. I don't exactly expect you to be performing ghetto surgery while under fire."
"If you're fine with that - I'm willing to consider your offer."
He nodded once more, "Excellent. Join my team, and accept my orders going forward. My goal is to become the ship's Field Operations Officer. If I succeed, it would be easy for me to design future raids around more than just procuring valuable supplies - I could dedicate entire away teams to getting what you need. The only cost would be your participation and loyalty. The benefit would be you able to continue your research unfettered, and without worrying about the watchful gaze of the captain. I have no intent to be a Mary Sue. If something needs to happen, I will make it happen. I have an end goal, one I don't plan on attempting to succeed with moral frivolity. I assume, given what you've told me, that you don't care how we do it - so long as it gets done. Correct?"
Tesla bared her sharp canines once more with a pleased grin as she extended her paw in Cedric's direction.
"I think you will make a fine Director, mister Scourge."
Cedric returned her smile with great pleasure, accepting her handshake with a firm and stoic grip.
"Excellent. I still need time to find more members. When the opportunity arises to get you equipment or material, I'll make sure you're the first to know."
Tesla gently released the shake, noticeably caressing his hand as she did so.
"I would certainly hope so. If you don't mind Director, I'd like to get back to my research - and it seems like you have more pressing matters to attend to regardless. Though, if you're ever feeling... Stressed, do please visit - I meant what I said. I could use a male more often in my life."
Cedric nodded, "Of course."
He turned around to exit the retrofitted storage room, his excited breathing evident through the static of his mask. Killer silently clinged to his arm, his happiness extruding to her, creating a small feedback loop of happiness. Director... That was an excellent title. It made him feel good, feel powerful. He could get used to this.