First draft
The stasis pods started opening one after the other, filling the room with a cloud of vapor. Then Dia heard it. A shriek. Adopting a shooter's stance and holding the gun in both hands, she raised it as she started backing away. Unfortunately, they were everywhere, their scaled feet grating on the metal floor. Then one of them, probably the leader of the pack, roared and all the others stopped moving. Dia stilled, her whole body trembling as she resisted the impulse to respond to the challenge. This monster was bigger than the last she'd defeated, at least ten feet tall, his knotty body a mass of scars and bone excrescences.
Dia was having a hard time restraining her other self from taking over when Gibson said, "Beautiful, aren't they?" His voice sounded oddly wistful. "Granted, they lack finesse, but they more than make up for that with brute strength."
"Gibson...what have you done?" Dia asked, staring in horrified disbelief at the creatures crowding around her. "What are those things?"
"Failed experiments." Gibson said offhandedly as if it wasn't a big deal. "They are inherently defective, driven by pure instinct, but they can become useful tools in the right hands. You'll find out soon enough."
Right on cue, the biggest of them came forward, hissing and using its long forked tongue like a whip as it made its way through the crowd. Then it opened its mouth and roared at her, its jagged crest trembling as an ominous, fluorescent green light went through its body like electricity.
"I'd take up the challenge if I were you." Gibson warned her. "They can be very...territorial."
Gibson was still talking when the monster started moving. It dashed with preternatural speed, closing the gap between them in a matter of seconds. Dia had just enough time to land a couple of shots, which were completely absorbed by the monster's chitinous hide, before it was on her. Then it leaped forward like a howling, enraged tempest of death. She flung herself to one side in a desperate dive, narrowly avoiding a death blow, but its claws still found their target. They ripped through her clothes, drawing agonizing lines across her side but above all, they woke her up.
This time Dia didn't even try to keep her other self at bay. Instead, she willingly gave up control, unleashing her against it. It worked. Every time she landed a blow, her bloodlust increased, and power rose in her. While she was in the passenger seat, Dia felt what she felt, savored every second of the fight, relishing the taste of its blood. She couldn't help it. It was intoxicating: sweet and exotic - alien. Dia watched herself twirl around the lizard's back, her claws finding no resistance as she slashed through its scales. Gibson's lab rat moved quickly, its fist like a huge mallet as it turned around, but she wasn't there anymore. The lizard growled out in frustration. This went on for a while. Dia - or rather, she - kept dancing around, poking the lizard, while it had no way to retaliate.
After a while, Dia realized something was wrong. She kept landing blows, but her opponent was still in one piece, though it looked a little worse for wear.
It's almost like...
Dia lost her train of thought when it lunged at her again, and she ducked, effortless avoiding the blow. The lizard had left itself wide open to counterattack but she didn't press her advantage. Instead, she clicked her tongue and looked at it mockingly. At that point, it became obvious that she was just playing with it.
But even though Dia knew she was deliberately avoiding its vitals, she wasn't sure she cared at the moment. Every time she landed a blow, she laughed, enjoying to see it suffer. They both did. When she decided she had enough fun, Dia's mouth twisted into a crooked grin.
The creature seemed to feel that something had changed and froze, fear momentarily warping its features as it instinctively realized its end was near. It didn't last long. It was no prey, it was the alpha and it wasn't used to be scared. It roared, its amber eyes flashing with anger and defiance as it recklessly charged at her like a bull.
She waited till the last moment, then like a skilled juggler, she jumped, effortlessly doing a somersault over it. The creature's twisted mouth opened wide, a look of real shock passing over its face. Sensing the danger, it tried to stop, but it was moving too fast.
Dia felt a strange sense of triumph when her claws sunk into its undefended back and that seemingly unbeatable monster folded in half. While it was still squirming, its body desperately trying to repair the damage she'd done, she climbed over its back, jerked her clawed hands to its throat and sliced it open with a scream of delight.
The enemy was gone, but this time Dia didn't have to wrestle for control with her other-self. She retreated on her own, apparently sated. Gradually the colors turned less vivid, and waves of exhaustion hit her at once. Dia was still trying to catch her breath when she heard someone clapping.
"What a marvelous show." Gibson sounded awed, "Now that I've seen you in action, I have a completely new understanding of your abilities. "
"Glad I could amuse you." She growled, and the other creatures, who were getting bolder, stepped back a little, deterred by her fury.
"Now, now, don't get grumpy." Gibson gently rebuked her. "This is just a little price to pay compared to what you're getting in return." He said suggestively.
When Dia stayed silent, he sighed, mumbling something about her lack of curiosity. She didn't hear any of it. All her attention was focused on the strange ball hovering in the air. The droid was much smaller than the Oculus she had seen on Daxum, maybe just a bit bigger than a baseball, but the resemblance was there. It was projecting his hologram in the air.
"Anyway." Gibson, who was just done yapping at her, continued. "I wouldn't linger if I were you. Follow the remote." When Dia didn't move, he added, "Unless, of course, you want to stay with them."
Dia eyed the monsters warily. The only reason they weren't attacking her yet was that they were scared of her. Unfortunately, she couldn't deal with them, not anymore. She straightened herself and fought another wave of exhaustion, trying not to show any weaknesses.
"I knew you'd make the right decision."
Gibson's inherent smugness was starting to get on her nerves, but Dia had no time to waste on him. It was taking all her strength just to stay upright. On top of that, the horde was still stalking her. While she followed the remote through the hallway and into a turbolift, she could feel them breathing down her neck, waiting for her to make a mistake. She couldn't help but sigh with relief when the elevator's door closed and those creatures finally disappeared from sight. She tried to catch her breath, but as soon as she leaned against the elevator's wall, her legs caved in and she found herself sitting on the floor. She was so tired that even the thought of standing made her back ache.
I need a dose.
She reached into her pocket, noting with relief that both the Spice's vials and the inoculator were still intact. Then she bit her lips, shooting a quick, furtive glance at the remote. It was still hovering in the air, but it hadn't moved since they entered the turbolift.
Maybe is it saving energy? She hypothesized. And Gibson always chats nonstop, but now he has gone completely silent.
A little voice warned her not to lower her guard, but as her addiction took over, all her restraint disappeared. Convincing herself she was right, though she lacked evidence to corroborate her assumption, Dia fumbled in her pocket for the vials, inserted one into the inoculator and wasted no time before injecting herself, struggling not to moan as the Spice kicked in. Curling up in a corner, her eyes rolled back while that sensation of bliss wiped away every conscious thought.
She was getting close to orgasm when a voice she knew all too well said, "Interesting. Was that Spice?"
When she heard those words, Dia immediately came to her senses. She bounced to her feet and turned toward the remote, suddenly ashamed of what she'd done. Gibson was still waiting for her answer, when all of a sudden, there was a ding. A second later, the turbolift's door opened, revealing an ample room, spartan and unadorned just like the rest of the station.
"Saved by the bell." Gibson commented. "Don't worry. We'll come back to it later."
Dia did her best to ignore him and stepped out of the turbolift. As she walked around, she felt something odd, a sense of incongruity as if something wasn't entirely right. There was no dust or grime coating the desk at the center of the room, no debris scattered across the floor, but above all, it was the smell, that faint smell of hospital and chemicals that disconcerted her. Unlike the rest of the station, this room was squeaky clean.
"What is this place?" She couldn't help but ask.
"The research center. The real research center." Gibson's answered, his floating hologram trembling a little as the remote struggled to keep up with her. "but you should know that already."
Dia gave him a strange look.
"Well, It's alright if you don't remember." Gibson continued. "You were just a baby at the time."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Dia snapped.
Gibson's allusions were starting to unnerve her.
"Now you are interested, aren't you?" He asked with unconcealed glee. "If you want to know what I'm talking about, turn left."
When his hologram disappeared, Dia cursed, barely refraining herself from punching the remote. She eyed the door and the heat of her anger vanished, replaced by a growing apprehension. As soon as she walked into the room, however, Dia realized her fears were unfounded. There was nothing noteworthy in there, just a long row of lockers.
"A locker room? Is this what you want me to see?" She asked with unconcealed irritation.
"Check the third locker on the left."
After eyeing the remote with suspicion for a second or two, Dia followed his orders and opened the locker. It was empty, except for one thing.
A olo-picture?
She picked it up carefully, her expression changing when she saw the picture of a woman wearing a lab coat. The image of another face superimposed itself on her vision, the shock robbing her of her speech.
"Remind you of anyone?" Gibson asked and Dia tossed away the olo-picture like it was on fire.
She took a step back, then another, and started shaking her head.
"No, it can't be. This..." Dia paused, and when she continued her voice was edgier, the fear in it apparent. "This is fake. It has to be."
The alternative was inconceivable.
"Is it? Are you sure?" Gibson asked, in a mocking tone. "Then, how do you explain what happened to you?"
Dia gazed at his hologram with an unreadable expression, but her eyes betrayed nervousness. "I don't know what you're trying to imply. It's Umbra's fault if I'm like this."
"No, Dia Zephyr." His voice seemed almost gentle, sympathetic to her plight as if he really cared about her. "The Umbra just provided you with the key to unlock your potential. Truth is you were different from the start."
Dia felt her stomach contract at the man's gross hypocrisy, a sudden fury lighting up her blue-green eyes. "You're lying."
"You and your mother never stayed in a place for long." Gibson continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Don't you find that odd?"
"My mother had her reasons. She was protecting me." She replied in a desperate attempt to defend her mother. Unfortunately, her answer sounded weak, even to her ears.
"Oh, she was protecting someone, that much is true, but it wasn't you." Gibson said in a condescending tone. "Don't you find it strange that your mother always kept you under close surveillance? Almost like she was afraid you may hurt someone."
Her eyes darkened with the sudden stab of cold familiar pain. "As I said, she was protecting me." She said, keeping her voice level with an effort. "She was worried about me."
"Really? Then did she ever treat you as her daughter?" There was a bite in Gibson's voice. "She didn't raise you, Dia. She trained you."
"Bullshit." She glowered openly at Gibson's hologram. "My mother loved me."
Gibson's words were hitting too close to home, reviving her insecurities, reopening old wounds.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me." Gibson sighed in mock exasperation. "No matter. Just walk through that door, then you'll know that what I'm saying is true." Seeing she hadn't moved, he goaded, "Unless you're afraid, of course."
She was about to reply with a snarky comment, only to realize it was wasted effort. Gibson's hologram had already disappeared and the remote was buzzing around the door, evidently waiting for her.
Dia knew she didn't have much of a choice and started moving forward, or at least she tried to. Her legs weren't listening to her for some reason, her instinct screaming to turn around and leave this place at once. When she finally managed to get close to the door, she noticed that it was melted at the center, the thick metal liquefied by some kind of high energy weapon. Ignoring her inner voice, Dia took a peek inside.
It was dark, but as far as she could see, everything seemed exceedingly normal. As soon as she entered, the lab came to life, revealing a huge room filled with medical instruments, high-tech equipment, and computers. Just like the lobby, the old lab was clean and in good condition, considering it had been abandoned more than twenty years ago. A few sections of the walls and the floor were blackened, and Dia had an inkling that few pieces of furniture were missing, but aside from that, the place looked like new.
"I suppose it's time for the main course." Gibson's voice startled her, "Let me show you the gestation chambers."
Dia couldn't help but let out a single choked gasp when part of the floor started moving, and the tiles lifted up. A large rectangular hole appeared in the floor, and ten spherical glass tanks - each of which as big as a medium-sized fridge - came out of it, propelled upward by some kind of force.
Dia took a step back and stared at the so-called gestation chambers with wonder and horror. Wonder, because they were floating in the air, and horror because of what was stored inside them. Nine babies were lying there, their tiny, lifeless bodies suspended within some kind of amniotic substance. They were just newborns, maybe a few days old, and they were horribly deformed. All of them presented some kind of reptilian traits: clawed hands, vertical pupils, scaled tails, but one of them was different. It was amorphous: a shapeless, boneless ball devoid of any semblance of humanity. Dia almost wanted to disbelief her eyes, forget everything she'd just seen, but the image was stamped on her memory.
"I suppose you know that the previous emperor, the same person who dabbled in eugenics, was behind this project." Gibson said conversationally as if he was talking about the weather. "But can you guess who was the head scientist?"
"No." She said in a strangled voice. Dia looked strained and weak, and her hand trembled slightly as she brushed hair back from her damp forehead. "She'd never do something like that. She couldn't."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." She said with conviction. "She is not that kind of person."
"Then what kind of person is she?" He gave her no time to answer before asking another question. "Do you even know her name? Her real name, I mean."
"Luna Zephyr. That's her name."
"Wrong. That's not her real name." Gibson refuted. "I can tell you if you want."
"Why are you doing this?" She asked, more than a little desperation leaking into her voice.
"I just think it's unfair. There are so many secrets. It's about time someone told you the truth, don't you think?" Gibson asked. "Speaking of secrets, have you noticed? One of the tanks is empty."
His sudden change of subject caught her off guard. Dia was afraid to take a second look at the tanks, but when she finally did, she realized he was right. One of them was indeed empty.
"That's no coincidence, in case you're wondering." Gibson continued. "According to the lab's logs, seventy subjects took part in the experiment. Seventy children. All dead. All except one. You, Dia Zephyr."
"No." Dia shook her head from side to side in desperate denial, but Gibson was relentless.
The screen in front of her came to life, displaying medical records, olopics of a baby sleeping inside one of those tanks. Her picture.
"Face the truth, Dia Zephyr. You were born here, just like them." Once again the screen changed, this time showing the image of the lizards she'd met before. "The only difference between you and those mutants downstairs is that in your case, the integration of alien DNA into your DNA was perfect. And that's why you're unique, what makes your mother's accomplishment a miracle."
Dia forced herself to take a breath, then another, and with each passing second, she felt her tension ratchet down. It was extremely hard. All she wanted was to give way to the tears and pain that was gnawing at her from the inside, but she couldn't that yet. She needed to know more.
"For years, I've tried to repeat her feat, without success. Of course, I never gave up. I knew that continuous experimentation was the key to success." Gibson said with a fervor that bordered on obsession. "Unfortunately, most of the data from your mother's experiment were lost when the Collective assaulted the station."
That caught her attention.
"The Collective?" She asked, her eyes glittering with suspicion. "What do they have to do with this?"
"A little patience, we're getting there." His voice changed again, and now it resembled a teacher lecturing a misbehaving student. "As I was saying, I tried to repeat your mother's experiment, but the results were far from encouraging. Unlike you, the children died a few days after the administration of the mutagen and while the adults fared better, the neurodegeneration's problem seemed impossible to solve."
Dia scowled. After what she'd just seen, she was more than a bit irked when she heard him talk so casually about experimenting on children.
Swallowing a biting response, she asked, "This mutagen...where does it come from?"
"That's the question, isn't it? I suppose the Umbra told you that he did find it on Daxum."
Dia looked at him skeptically. "Why? Isn't it true?"
"Oh, he didn't lie but he didn't tell you all the truth either."
"Wait a second...you said, alien DNA?" She'd heard Reyes say the same thing, though she'd never had the chance to ask more about it.
"I said that, didn't I?" Gibson paused, just for an instant, seemingly trying to decide how to say what he'd wanted to say. "I suppose you know that the Empire has never managed to defeat the Collective in battle."
"Of course." Dia replied without hesitation. "Everyone knows that."
"Well, that's not entirely accurate." Gibson said. "By now you should know about that already. Otherwise, how did the imperials get their hands on one of their ships?"
"The Nostromus." Her shoulders twitched with an almost electric shock at the realization. "You're talking about the Nostromus."
"Well, part of it at least." He said. "The ship was in a bad shape when they found it."
Dia's blue-green eyes narrowed speculatively as irritation replaced her initial surprise. "I still don't see what this has to do with the mutagen."
"Bear with me for a little while longer. As I was saying, when the Empire's special troops boarded the ship, they expected to find only mechs. Imagine their surprise when they discovered that something...or maybe I should say someone else was on board."
Gibson's lifeless face disappeared as the remote projected another hologram. At first, it looked like one of Gibson's creatures, but on closer inspection, Dia understood that there was something fundamentally different.
Dia sucked in a shallow breath. "Is that..."
"To answer your question, this is why the Collective assaulted the station. They came to rescue one of their own."