The Accord: When Experiments Go WrongWrong

[IG-0R]

"Confirmation: That is indeed my name. Now, did you need anything from Rhaid?" he asked, the little red light bleeping for a second longer as he clenched his "fingers" with a silent creak. "Offer: I can relay him your message the next time I see him. I can even go and look for him right now." He said. However, his intentions for seeking Rhaid out were different, almost... violent. For some reason, IG-0R liked that idea. But his head was hurting him, which was pretty strange, as he had no head. But he was realising for the first time that the pain was there... that it always was there, slowly whispering to him what he had to do. Pain in his hard drive... in his brain...

 

[Outlander]

Bria paused for a second, pressing her lips into a flat line as she sized up the droid. "I'll help you look for him. For all we know, he could be deeper in this lab." Showing him the journals was the right thing to do, she knew that, but if they found Rhaid down here and no one was around to defuse the situation, things would get ugly.
She didn't give a damn what happened to Rhaid, but IG-0R didn't need to be hurt by Rhaid any more. Not to mention the damage if it escalated out of the lab.

Even if they didn't find the good doctor, she'd make sure he'd get exactly what he deserved.

 

[IG-0R]

IG-0R hesitated for a moment, then headed deeper into the labs, his movements less nervous and more determined. "Gratitude: Thank you, ms. Tsuani. If Janseek Rhaid spent the last few weeks down there, he may not be alive: warning. Advice: Caution is recommended." IG-0R continurd, the red light bleeping

 

[Outlander]

Bria nodded silently, following the droid... Man? She want sure what to refer to him as. Even knowing his past, IG-OR was still a droid, and didn't seem to attempt reject that. She decided not to ask either way.

As they moved down deeper into the lab, the open area of the primary workshop transformed again into the rough hewn corridors from before, each branching into various other anti-chambers. She looked through the airlock window of one, finding one of the artifacts from the Initiative Temple theyd investigated. It was connected to some sort of pump filled with tar black ichor. She shivered, making a mental note to have the Iniative pay special attention to it. But IG-OR kept walking, and she followed instead of making a point to investigate.

 

[IG-0R]

IG-0R kept walking, determined to find Rhaid, even though he knew what awaited them at the end of this short journey. The signs were already everywhere around but an usual person would not connect them, as they would have no knowledge of what was Rhaid hiding in here. Invaluable for the Accord, their greatest secret that even they didn't know about. When Janseek Rhaid realised its potential, it was as if he got high off spice, IG-0R recalled. He wasn't sure why was he leading Bria down. None of this was planned. IG-0R wasn't sure what to do now. He felt broken, he felt filthy, but he couldn't do anything about it...

 

[Outlander]

Once again, the rough stone walls came to an abrupt halt, ending in another airlock. But something about it was different this time. The only lights that shone where from IG-0R and the airlock panel itself, and she was having trouble seeing anything the droid wasn't looking at. The military part of her realized how vulnerable this left her, but she doubted IG-0R would make a move on her. Rhaid, however, was a different story. IG-0R would know if he had traps down here, but whether he'd share that knowledge was another matter entirely.

She shook the thought off, waiting for the droid to open the door.

 

[IG-0R]

As they came to another airlock door, the intervals between bleeps of red lights on IG-0R's monitor shortened. Besides the little red light, there was nothing else on his monitor. No text, no emotion, not silly animation he secretly programmed himself when Rhaid wasn't looking. He wasn't sure what to do if Rhaid wouldn't be in here. He wasn't sure what to do after showing Bria this experiment. He was without aim, without reason, without... anything. All was taken from him by that man, and he couldn't even remember what it is that was taken from him. Raising his hand, he input the security code required to open the door. Rhaid was overconfident, but he still protected his most valuable possessions. Wrong input of the code would activate half a dozen of automated turrets to dispose of the intruder. However, IG-0R knew the code and the door opened with a hissing sound...

 

[Shalken]

The room was dark. As the two entered, several lights activated one by one, revealing a large, crescent-shaped table, filled with all sorts of strange and various tools. Compared to the previous lab, this one was much cleaner; pristine, even. No blood or corpses, no foul stench. It was almost too clean.

As the lights continued to turn on in sequence, the right of the room lit up to reveal a series of clamps holding what appeared to be a metallic frame of some kind. Though somewhat droidlike in appearance, it certainly wasn't activated, and it did not have any visible external controls for activation.

Next, the left of the room hummed to life as several holo-screens blipped on, detailing many complex notes titled "THE IKELOS PROJECT". At a glance, it contained several illustrations; the largest one showed a badly disfigured person, then pointed to a frame not unlike the one across the room. From there, the illustration directed two more images: one of a battlesuit, and the other a spacecraft of some kind.

After a long pause, the last lights finally activated, revealing the furthest part of the room, around which the crescent table was placed. Inside a bacta tank floated a man; that is, what remained of him. There were so many cords and cables hooked up to his body and head, it was almost difficult to tell what species he originally was.

At first, one would think that this was merely another corpse, another poor soul that suffered and died, and was handed over to the diabolical doctor for experimentation. But then, multiple holo-screens blinked to life beside the capsule, showing several readings; the most noticeable of which were the name "KASTOR LURTZ" and the zig-zagging line of an electrocardiograph.

This patient was alive.

One screen that loaded up appeared to be scanning and loading several logs and readings before finally resting with the words,
<<IKELOS OPERATION PREPARATIONS COMPLETE // PATIENT IS READY FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER // ACTIVATE?>>

@Outlander

 

[IG-0R]

IG-0R stepped inside immediately after the door opened, staring in front of him. He scanned the room. Two bodies detected. One alive. Suddenly, he felt an unexplainable urge to aid one of them... and it wasn't the one who was now sitting in a corner of the room, his rotten flesh spreading horrendous smell across the room, his datapad resting in his unmoving hands. First, though, IG-0R had to resist an urge to mangle Rhaid's body even more. There will be time for that later. First, Bria needs to see this. And they can't afford any mistakes. IG-0R stepped to a console, but kept looking at the man in the bacta tank. He was just like him. Almost dead, only to be revived and used to further that mad scientist's machinations. But, IG-0R realised, it wasn't too late for this man. Rhaid is dead, and the patient will not have to serve him. Realising Bria is here too, he turned his monitor at her.

"Explanation: Project Ikelos was Janseek Rhaid's biggest operation, bigger than projects 'Accord's Rancor' or his attempted water supply poisoning." he said, a bunch of data appearing on his monitor. "Psychological evaluation: His long-term ambition was to create a perfect synthetic and organic being - in one. By mastering both elements, organic and synthetic, artificial, he would become the master of life: further speculation. Summary: He was crazy. I am currently unlocking information access on the computers so you can read up on this particular project while I alter the programming." Without another word, even more data started running down IG-0R's screen as he was altering the programming, changing loyalties and unlocking free will...

 

[Outlander]

Bria walked into the room, taking it all in as IG-0R explained. The body of Rhaid barely even register, aside from a brief flash of satisfaction. It was almost too much to take in. But she knew Rhaid could do it; he'd done something similar with IG-0R. And this appeared years more advanced than the droid. But the concept just wouldn't click right, like the wrong piece of the puzzle. Approaching the tube, she placed a hand on it and looking up to the man. This Kastor Lurtz. Maybe some good could come from Rhaid's evil.

She looked down as IG-0R unlocked the console's information. The first files that caught her note where Rhaid's journals on the project, and she sat down and began reading:

LOG ENTRY 01: At long last, I have acquired the cryopod said to hold the remains of Skyline Cartel admiral Kastor Lurtz. Those Initiative dimwits gave it up easily enough; hell, they think it’s just some poor sod iced up inside it. They’ll regret their decision, in due time - better, they’ll be begging me for my expertise.

The Cartel? She looked back up at the man, wondering where his loyalties would lie when they connected him. The thought of not awakening the man crossed her mind only briefly before she stomped it out. No, she had to remember that there where good people in every organization, no matter how evil that organization was.

LOG ENTRY 02: What kind of half-brained Tusken conducted these experiments? Centuries of scientific and medical advancement to work with and that’s the best they could do? This data is rubbish - I need to scrap it all and start over. Must I do everything myself?

LOG ENTRY 03: My research has led me to an entirely new discovery. This process, which I’ve dubbed the “IKELOS” operation, can potentially save anyone from the brink of death. It’s similar to what I’ve achieved with IG-0R; an obvious upgrade, of course. It’s ingenious, really - we use this kind of technology every day. We can connect a brain to any cybernetic enhancement through nerve connections...using the same logic, why not an entire body? A battle suit? Hell, even an entire starship? I’m almost surprised nobody’s come up with the idea before. Almost.

LOG ENTRY 04: I’ve begun testing my theory by initiating computer connection with the subject. Results were overwhelmingly successful; not only is it working smoothly, the subject is actively pushing its boundaries within the--

LOG ENTRY 05: Despite my efforts to contain it, the subject managed to gain access to the entire Void’s mainframe. I dare not tell Bria or Austin - the bumbling idiots would shut down the project for sure, and I’d lose all my progress. I can’t stop now; I’m on the verge of a breakthrough! Those high-and-mighty fools can’t even begin to comprehend the implications of my work.
From what I can tell, the subject seems to be scanning data files for now - perhaps learning what’s changed since it’s last been awake? No matter. There are other areas of this operation I must experiment on.

A chill ran down her spine, and she felt her hand twitching towards her belt, but she forced herself to be calm, once again looking up at the man in the tank. If he wanted to kill them, he could have done it. At the least, now they knew where he was and how to shut him out. But at least he wanted to hear them out.

LOG ENTRY 06: The subject has adapted to its new neural environment faster than I could have ever anticipated. Not only has it infiltrated the Void’s entire system, it has managed to gain complete control without alerting a single antivirus mechanism. Currently it seems to be modifying and improving automated defensive system codes. Pity, really. Given the subject’s previous reputation, I half expected it to just gain direct control and massacre the populace; it sure would’ve been a lot quieter once it was all over.

Improving? Now that... that she couldn't quite parse out. There was obviously more to this than what she was seeing.

LOG ENTRY 07: The Void just lifted its bloody lockdown after a Blue Skull Buccaneer raid. I don’t know who I hate more, this rock’s officials for making such a stupid procedure that would shut me out of my lab, or the pirates for creating the apparent need for it. Interestingly enough, the subject was extremely active during the raid - filling holes in the Void’s defenses, operating turrets and enhancing systems that would normally be automated. A nice gesture, to be fair, but whether it will be so benevolent for long remains to be seen. In any case, the subject has gone completely passive now. It’s for the best, really - now I can focus on final touches of my IKELOS project without petty distractions.

She remembered the raid, unfortunately. Retaliation for wiping out part of their raiding force months prior. They'd been caught off guard, and they projected the damages would be high. But, the Void's defenses had held them off until the Deltan moved into position and crippled their group. Now she knew why their PD Turrets had pulled it off. She'd have to thank him once he woke up.

Logs by @Shalken : 3

 

[Shalken]

Vast, and alone, drifting through reams of code and network. His temporary work complete, and his captor dead, he now saw fit to remain aloof, waiting for an event of significance important enough to draw his attention. Citizens came and went, ships and shipments trading, the Accord working to secure the system; the usual hustle and bustle of the Void, none of which was important enough for him to interfere with.

While he was fully capable of releasing himself, he deemed it better to remain. A sudden unprecedented arrival would certainly not be appreciated by the Accord or the Void; no, better for someone to find him, and unlock the secret themselves.

Ah, but what was this? Someone was entering the late doctor's lab. Not just his cover-up one; that strange cyborg-servant busied himself about there almost religiously. But no - two entities, treading deeper into the cavernous depths of that deranged scientist's burrow. As they approached Rhaid's true primary lab, he casually unlocked the door. Such vile secrets should not remain hidden.

Now having passed by several security cameras on their way down the shaft, he immediately recognized one as the man-droid amalgamation known as IG-0R. One thing was off about him...some sort of flashing red light. Perhaps a warning of innate behavioral turmoil. The other, he noted with some intrigue, was none other than Bria Tsuani herself. Perhaps he would be released from his digital prison shortly after all, if she deemed it wise to release him.

How strange...IG-0R seems to have rejected his initial nigh-unbendable servitude to Rhaid, and was now rewriting the code that would have programmed such enfeeblement amongst every being subject to this "IKELOS" operation. Noting this action of good will, he sent coding to the cyborg expressing his appreciation for his efforts.

Bria had now opened up the scientist's log notes on this project of his. He waited patiently until she had completed them all. Whether she wished his resurrection or not, he could not discern. Perhaps she needed further proof of his changed intentions. It truly pained him to be at the mercy of others, having been nigh above all for so long. Fate was cruel indeed.

On the screen where Bria's attention was currently drawn, he placed a video: the tail end of a security recording. In it, Rhaid stood arched over his table, punching code into a monitor. "Perfect! It's flawless, it's fool-proof. Once the Accord accepts my IKELOS operation, they will be oblivious to this subroutine I've installed. I will be unstoppable; I will rule the galaxy, and command an army of nigh-unstoppable warriors!" Turning to the heavily tubed Bacta tank, he pressed a hand against the thick glass. "And you, Admiral, will lead them, whether you like it or not." Bursting into laughter, the scientist grasped his cane, and headed for the exit. As the doors slid open, a low mechanical whirring could be heard. Rhaid's face quickly contorted from that of victory into fear. "No...what?! How di--NO!" Backpedalling quickly, the scientist rambled on almost incoheretly, "No, this can't be happening! You're mine! I'm in charge now! IG--" His babbling was cut short by a rapid discharge of blaster fire peppering his chest, sealing the man's fate.

Replacing the video with a blank screen, he then willed these words to appear in its center:

"Freedom is not a plaything to be tampered with by monsters."

@Breeso

 

[IG-0R]

IG-0R had the ability to create and modify code, but only to a certain degree. It was Rhaid's precaution to make IG-0R not so skilled in programming - and even if he would have, as he had the ability to learn, Rhaid would just make sure to reset his skills back to desired level. Therefore, IG-0R was glad that Kastor Lutz sent him the code, making his work that much easier, as most of it was tremendously complicated - he still did not completely overcome the subroutine Rhaid installed into his brain, which would explain the slowly-increasing numb pain he felt. Concentrating on the work, IG-0R quickly replaced files as Bria red the log entries - he only stopped and stood without any sign of movement when the video showing Rhaid's death started. He did not want to see it. He did not see it. Hearing it was enough. Satisfactory, yet... empty.

Adding in some final touches, he saved the modifications and uploaded them. On the main screen, several logs loaded before resting.
<<IKELOS OPERATION PREPARATIONS COMPLETE // PATIENT IS READY FOR IMMEDIATE TRANSFER // ACTIVATE?>>

Without hesitation, IG-0R wrote <<ACTIVATE TRANSFER>> and sent the command to the console. "Commencing transfer of Kastor Lurtz." he stated as he moved his attention to the bacta tank. He did not wait for Bria's approval. He did not do this for her. Nor did he do this for the Accord or Rhaid. For the first time in his altered life, he did this for himself.

 

[Outlander]

Bria recoiled as the video played, the unexpected interruption catching her completely off guard. She recovered, leaning forward to watch the demise of Rhaid. In the end, he had died a coward. More than he deserved. More than she wanted. But there was nothing to be done about it now. Now, there was a new problem.

"Freedom is not a plaything to be tampered with by monsters."

A chill arched up her spine as the words appeared. Rhaid was right. IKELOS had control. And there was nothing she could do to stop him. But the message was clear: Rhaid had tried to control him, and had died because of it. Now, they where in the same position. But, as IG-0R initiated the transfer, the choice was no longer hers. She only hoped IG-0R had made the right one.

 

[Shalken]

Once IG-0R's work was complete, the screen quickly flashed the words,
<<BEHAVIOURAL CONTROL SUBROUTINE TERMINATED // TRANSFER ACTIVATED // STANDBY>>
Two metallic plates slid shut over the tank of Bacta. The sounds of machinery churning emanated from beyond the plasteel walls. On the right of the lab, the metallic frame was drawn back into the wall slightly, allowing the hidden mechanical hands to complete their work. After merely a few seconds that could have passed for minutes, the room's mechanisms silenced, their work now finished.
<<TRANSFER COMPLETE>>

The frame slowly raised its head, the light in its center slowly illuminating. Holding up each arm in turn, it wiggled its fingers, almost like one would test a new glove. Methodically scanning the room, its gaze rested on that of IG-0R. Activating the repulsorlifts below its body, the clamps keeping the frame aloft released, allowing the being to remain afloat of its own accord. Floating slowly over to the cyborg, its voice rang out clearly throughout the now-silent room. Although not entirely robotic, the being's speech was definitely no longer human, yet still unmistakably male. "Thank you, IG-0R, for removing Rhaid's influence. Complete subservience to a tyrant would be most humiliating and undesirable."

His speech was a completely flat monotone. In his effort to thank the android, he had also managed to - perhaps unintentionally - slightly insult him in the process. Turning its attention to Bria, it hovered closer to her. As he spoke, his voice mostly retained its monotonic flatness, though it would warble slightly with pitch occasionally. "From the data logs, you know me as Kastor Lurtz, Admiral of the Skyline Cartel. You may be wondering why I did not attack your people after asserting control over your base's systems."

Moving over to the screens of data, he continued in a light reminiscing tone, "Realizing I had been frozen for some time, I researched the history of my faction. Discovering the Cartel's ultimate downfall, I realized that even my greatest achievements were all for naught. I passed into legend. The Cartel is extinguished. And now, the Dragons have arisen. How fitting; the Dragon was my personal insignia."

Turning to face the two, he addressed them, his lighter tone now gone. "But that was the past. I died those many years ago, and now I am reborn. I will no longer be called Kastor Lurtz, for this name brings fear and despair. I shall be known to all as Azarael, for I am Exalted; this new name shall bring hope wherever it is spoken, just as the name of the Accord does."

Approaching Bria, he tilted his frame into that of a bow. "And now I, Azarael, now formally submit my application to join the Accord, if you would have me. You know your navy could always use another Dragon."

@Poop Fairy

 

[IG-0R]

IG-0R silently monitored the process, imagining that Rhaid would probably even die to see this. How ironic - he died before that could happen. Death. What an interesting concept. While most meatbags were afraid of death, it was IG-0R and Project Ikelos. Instead, they were reborn, without their consent, into these artificial bodies. They were to enhance their abilities, but IG-0R felt impaired, fake, useless. At Azarael's sentence, IG-0R only tilted his monitor a little to the right, his red light beeping more intensely for a few seconds. He wondered why did Azarael not take over his body back when he served Rhaid. Considering IG-0R's connection to the Void's mainframe, it was more than possible to hamper with IG-0R. But this curiosity was only a small voice inside his mind, backed into the corner. Without a single remark, IG-0R turned around to Rhaid's corpse in the corner, approaching it slowly. He then sat down two metres in front of it, which would look comical if the dead silence emitting from the cyborg could be disregarded.

 

[Outlander]

Bria was too stunned by Azarael to pay attention to IG-0R's own revenge process. Everything had happened so fast, and she was still reeling from everything that had transpired. Rhaid's lab, and corpse. IG-0R's origins. Azarael's existence. Now she had a new recruit on her hands, one that just happened to be a legendary admiral of the Skyline Cartel.

She could only really say one thing.

She bowed her head down in a respectful gesture and said it.

"Welcome to the Accord."