One week later...
One week has passed since I woke up in this world and this facility. I adapted to the routine here very quickly. Each morning I would be woken up by a facility scientist along with a security officer. The routine was brain scans, physical check ups, then standing by while they had me strapped to a machine while taking my blood.
Besides giving me commands like a dog the scientist never spoke to me like a person. It was either Subject 13 take off your clothes. Subject 13 open your mouth and stick out your tongue. The security officer in the morning wasn't Captain Stone, he would come towards the night time and was always respectful and treated me decently. The morning guard kept his speaking to a minimum and always had his hand close to his gun.
Whenever I tried to ask questions no one would answer. The scientist would ignore me and the officer would tell me to stop talking. By mid morning Dr. Kline would take charge of the experiments. She would talk to me the most but never said anything worth knowing. Asking questions like. Subject 13 what did you dream about last night?
I responded I don't remember. Or she would aske me things like the capital of Maryland. I answered with. But she said nothing after that as she just typed away at her omni tools interface. For the rest of the day she would train and test my biotics.
She would tell me to hold a rubber ball in the air and timed me. Then she kept increasing the number of balls until she found my limit.
"Subject 13 can approximately hold 1 to 5 rubber balls who's weight is 5.75 ounces each for 10 minutes before struggling. Once more are added the time drops. 6 to 7 brings down the time to 8 minutes and 20 seconds. 10 balls being the limit at 5 minutes and 11 seconds."
She did these experiments with me all week. The entire time she pushed me more and more. No outside or fresh air. Not even a good job, just you may stop subject 13. By the evening Captain Stone would take charge of me and I would use these moments to find out more about the facility. Unfortunately the captain was tight lipped. but what he gave me helped me out a lot.
"Captain! What's it like outside the facility?"
Stones eyes narrowed at me. He was trying to figure out how to answer my question. " Why do you want to know what's outside kid?"
"All I know are these white walls. It would be nice to know what's beyond them, even if all I can do is imagine them."
Stone looked at me with a soft smile on his face like he felt bad for me. Good that's the response I needed him to have. "Listen kid, I'm not technically allowed to tell you what's going on beyond the facility. The doc will have my hide, but if you promise to keep things hush hush then I will tell you a thing or two. But you will still have to behave and be on your best behavior. Do that and we have a deal. Do you agree?" He said gesturing his hand out in the form of a handshake.
"Yes Captain I agree and will obey." I said my tiny hand grabbing his in the strongest hand shake I could do.
"OOHHH. That's a nice grip kid. Be careful or one day you will break someone's arm off." He said with a chuckle.
"Okay kid so let me tell you where I'm from. It's a big country and it's like 381 years old. Compared to some other countries it's not that old. It has a bunch of people from other countries coming to live in it. So it's a big mixture of different people and ideologies." Stone said with a small smile on his face.
Oh so he's from America, now that makes sense. Since I was a black man from America all this stuff made it easy to narrow down. I know what America is really like but I guess he is trying to give a kid some hope. Let's see if I can squeeze out some more info?
"What is this place called that your from and are we close to there?"
Stone's gaze stuck on me. "Why are you asking kid?"
"If I ever get to leave this facility I wanted you to show me what this place is like." I said calmly.
"The small smile on Stones face disappeared, and he sat up straight like he was upset. " Well kid my home is a big place but the place I'm from is the best state in the whole country. I'm from Texas. But it's a good distance away. Not more then a few hours by plane at least." He muttered to himself.
So Texas is the place he's from, and he said a few hours away by plane. I can take that to mean we are on Earth. That's actually weird. With all the planets and places they could set up a human experimentation program why Earth. There are several star systems they could do this in, but it's happening on Earth. Now I have two more conclusions. Either the government and or Systems Alliance knows about this and is backing it or these people are independent researchers.
I woke up the next day to see something I didn't expect to see so soon if ever.
"Subject 13 it's time to wake up." Said a soft monotone voice. It was feminine and carried weight to it. I turned around instantly for my eyes to widen from surprise. I saw a tall beautiful Asari woman in front of me. She looked like a older mature version of her kind. Like something close to what I remember from the games. I also noticed she was in a long dress it was a mixture of dark navy blue and black and fitted her body very well. I saw her every curve and was caught and awe from her hips, her chest and the way her eyes looked at me.
Those deep blue eyes looked down at me and I felt something wash over my body. Before I could continued to be lost I heard her speak to me again.
"Subject 13 are you unwell?" She said as she knelt down to my height hovered her hand over my head like she was scanning my body. Then I saw her omni tool activate a second later.
Then after she looked at the omni tools scan data Yelara looked back to Subject 13. His mind and body already reacted to mine like it was instinct. But these scans show that his brainwave activity are different then usual. Like how a mammals respond to their mothers.
Jasen felt weird like his mind was foggy. He's normally on edge and cautious mindset was starting to drop. Like he could trust the Asari in front of him. Jasen knew deep down how the Asari have some mental affect on different species. He wondered if this was some sort of Asari mind trick. No these Asari aren't Jedi they can't just influence someone's mind like mind control completely.
"Subject 13 can you hear me?"
Jasen's mind stop its inner contemplation and focused back to the Asari Infront of him.
"Yes ma'am I can hear you. I am sorry for my rude behavior."
Yelara just stared at 13's immediate response. Then she looked up at the reflective ceiling in the room to where she knew Kline's office was. She stared at the ceiling for a second before looking back.
"Subject 13, you are fine. I understand this must be quite shocking for you meeting another a person and a Asari no less. I am Matriarch Yelara, and I will be taking care of you for a few days."
My eyes narrowed in surprise. Now I had even more questions. If this was Earth why was a Asari Matriarch of all people in a facility that did human testing? I am even more confused to what type of facility this is and where it is.
"Your right Matriarch I was surprised to see you. But not out of fear, but your so beautiful I was left speechless." I said with a small smile on my face.
Yelara felt her heart skip a beat from how cute and innocent subject 13 was. Yelara almost broke her calm stoic demeaner, but she kept herself in check.
Subject 13. I will be helping you with your biotic training for the next few days. I am not as strict as Doctor Kline but I will still hold you to a standard. Show me the same respect you show her and Captain stone and we will be fine. You are not a machine. If you are tired, feeling pain or have to use the bathroom please in form me. I cannot help you if you do not communicate yourself. Do you understand me?" Yelara said with her hands folded behind her back.
Wow such grace and power in just a few words. I feel like I will get along with the Matriarch well. Plus I can use her to get some more information.
"Yes Matriarch I understand."
Yelara nodded. "Good. You may now come in."
The door hissed open as two Asari walked in. They were both in blue and purple battle armor and carried pistols on their hips.
"The one on my left in the blue armor is Sula and the one on my right is Ela. They are my guards, and will help you with your training. When I am not around and they are watching you, you are to follow their instructions. Is that understood subject 13?
"Yes Matriarch I understand."
As I looked towards the two Asari they're faces were stoic and expressionless. But I then I saw the Asari in the purple armor looked slightly younger then the other one. She looked at me and gave me a small wink. Before returning to her previous stoic expression.
I didn't know how to take that wink, but knowing Asari, she was probably trying to be friendly.
That's when Matriarch Yelara spoke again. "Now Subject 13, follow me we shall begin with your biotic instruction.
As we made our way to a large open square room. Yelara took me to the center of the room and sat me down. Then in the center of the open room we sat crossed legged in a meditative pose. Her two guards stood at parade rest near a reflective window.
That was probably where the other scientist or Doctor Kline observed us from.
"Now Subject 13 we will begin your biotic instruction. I know you probably been taught to jump straight into something. Doctor Kline probably told you to look for a feeling in your body correct?"
Jasen nodded. "Yes Matriarch. I have this weird feeling or sensation that builds inside me. Then I imagine a glowing aura around me or a object then it happens." Jasen said as he gestures to his hand as the purple eezo glow envelops it and disappears.
Yelara watched without speaking then nodded. "That's a good basic understanding of feeling biotics. But they are more then just a feeling. They are part of you just like any other part of your body. The more you understand what they are and how they work the better you can use them."
Yelara then began to be enveloped by a blue eezo glow and levitate off the ground. Her eyes glowed the same blue glow and between her hands she radiated a small mass effect field of eezo energy. "When you know what it means to be a biotic and what the element you control can do, then you will be able to reach greater heights."
Yelara then descended back to the floor and the blue radiating glow and aura disappeared from her body. As she gently sat on the floor again.
"Now Subject 13. While you are with me I will teach you how to control your mind and instruct you on what element zero or eezo is. I want you to focus on maintaining control over your biotic abilities. We can work on testing a later time."
I nodded. Amazed at what I was seeing. This Matriarch is someone that can really help me to learn how to use my abilities. If I work hard I could be as strong as someone like Samara or Jack from the original series. Well when it comes to biotics at least.
"Good now let's focus on our breathing I want you to place your hands close together while still leaving some space like this." Yelara said as she demonstrated the gesture.
Jasen copied the gesture and began to imagine a tiny ball of energy between his hands. He remember back in Mass effect 2 how Samara would be in her quarters meditating like that and decided to recreate it.
Then in that instant Jasen's body was enveloped by a purple radiant glow of eezo energy. A tiny black ball appeared in between his hands surrounded by the radiant purple eezo energy. It was the size of a marble.
Yelara eyes narrowed with curiosity. She knew subject 13 was very talented with his biotics but didn't know how easily he would pick up on certain things.
"That is very interest subject 13. Tell me how does it feel when you are doing this."
"It feels like breathing somewhat. I know I have to concentrate on the black ball. I feel like I could make it bigger. Should I matriarch?"
Yelara just gazed at the black ball in 13's hands and could feel the air around shifting and moving.
"No Subject 13 that will not be necessary. This is a form of meditation my people do to help control and sharpen our biotic skills. What you just created is something we call a 'Singularity'. It's a sphere of dark energy that creates an intense mass effect field that draws things into it, something like a black hole."
Yelara noticed that this Singularity was different. She noticed the tiny bending in the space around it. and made sure to check her Omni tool and ensure it got the readings correctly.
"Now 13 we will sit hear and focus on our breathing. What I want you to do is focus on the breathing and the black sphere. You are to maintain it's size for as long as possible."
"Yes Matriarch."
For the next few hours on and off I sat there meditating with the matriarch. I was able to hold the meditation and the singularity for 1 hour. She said that it was good for a human and not many biotics even Asari can do this at a early age.
Then after lecturing me on element zero and the difference how humans use biotics and how Asari do. She told me alot of what I know from the games lore. But considering I heard it all from a Asari Matriarch herself really gave it some perspective.
Humans gained the abilities to use biotics after being exposed to it. Some were babies in the womb, but that didn't guarantee biotic abilities. Some fetuses that are exposed are not affected at all. Others will develop brain tumors or other horrific physical complications. In humans, only about one in ten eezo-exposed infants will develop biotic abilities.
While All asari are naturally biotic from birth, though not all choose to develop their abilities. Biotics of other species are individuals who were exposed to dust-form element zero.
From what I remember from the games and lore wise. Most modern human biotics use the Alliance's L3 implant, which are not particularly powerful but are safe to use. However, some older biotics are stuck with L2 implants, which allow abilities to spike higher apparently comparable to an asari's, but at a significant cost. The L2 implants are notorious for causing severe medical complications such as insanity, mental disability, and crippling pain.
It is possible to "upgrade" to an L3 implant, but the procedure is rarely performed because it carries a very high risk of brain damage. Many L2s feel the Alliance has not provided them with sufficient medical or financial support and want reparations for their suffering. That's what caused one of the missions in the mass effect 1 game.
Outside of that human biotics face widespread prejudice and distrust from other humans, mostly due to misconceptions about that biotics can read or control minds. Their are more implants but I don't remember them all. I wonder if they are gonna try to put some implants into me?
After that Captain Stone took me for food and a shower and got me ready for bed. I can definitely say I prefer the Matriarch over Doctor Kline. While Kline is a stone cold bitch Matriarch Yelara is more like a reserved mother.
Doctor Kline's Office...
Kline looked down at subject 13 sleeping through her viewing window while reviewing the data from Yelara. Then a knock could be heard from her door.
"Come in."
As the metal door hissed open Matriarch Yelara stood their still in her long skin tight dress. She then turned to her two Asari guards. "You two are dismissed for the day."
"Yes Matriarch." The two said.
As the door hissed shut behind Yelara Doctor Kline stayed facing the window. Her eyes focused on a holochart that showed subject 13's brain waves. But over to the side in a chair sat Captain Stone.
"I didn't know we were expecting company?" Yelara said dryly.
Stone stood up and walked over to the Matriarch in a smoothed stride. He reached her in only 4 movements. He then took the Matriarchs hand and gave it a gentle kiss.
"Matriarch Yelara it is a honor. I hope you are doing well."
Yelara only had a small smile on her face. "Captain Stone. Always good to see you. I take it your here to report something on the subject as well."
"Aye Matriarch. The it was as Doctor Kline thought. From my observations of him throughout the days I noticed somethings."
"Then please speak on it captain." Kline said her back still towards the two.
"Yes Doctor. Subject 13 responses to certain stimuli has shown me that he can understand and comprehend what is said around him. Not just the words but terminology he hasn't even heard yet. He didn't question what a country was and when I told him what the state I was from he didn't question it. He looked at me like he knew the difference between a country and a state."
"I see that is interesting. Considering Subject 13 hasn't received any form of formal education this begs the question of what else he knows." Kline said as she put the pad down.
"There's more to it. When I shook his hands I felt his strength. It wasn't the normal grip of a 4 year old. It was something a tad stronger, like I was shaking hands with a 12 year old. If the comparison helps."
Kline nodded. "The comparison does Captain. So subject 13 is showing early signs of Korgath's traits. This is good, we will be able to test his physical strength and regeneration to. I didn't expect those genes to kick in until puberty, but the earlier the better."
Yelara nodded. "His biotic abilities are showing results as well. From his exceptional talent he displayed. I would say he won't need implants in the future. As he is now his biotics have the same potential as a gifted Asari child."
"I already knew this Matriarch, but I' am glad to get a consensus on my evaluation. The other thing I noticed from your data was how he chose to respond to you. Like a child that met his mother and was becoming biologically link."
Yelara just stood silent. "Are you saying that the boy see's me as his mother? Isn't that bad for you considering your the base of his DNA?"
Kline had a small smile and chuckled. "Oh no it's not Matriarch. I am subjects 13 base DNA donor nothing more. I have no plans on becoming his mother or forming a bond. If anything this means he will listen to you the most, and as long as you align with the goals of the project we will not have any problems. So keep building trust with 13 and keep him in control, I will handle the rest."
"What about your promise to me and the others?" Yelara asked. "Do you and your benefactor still plan on keeping your word?"
Kline then turned to Yelara and sat at her desk.
"Matriarch I told you that the likely chances of your little project might not work. But we did promise that results would be made. How much we couldn't determine but we are helping you more then the rest of the Asari would. Especially for a something like what you want. Korgath is here looking for a cure for the genophage or how to help his people to evolve for it not to effect them again. Doctor Voran I believe he is here to keep an eye out for all of us. probably to report back any breakthoughs made for the genophage or Krogan gene therapy. The other part is his scientific curiosity, to what degree I can't say."
Then Kline shifted her posture to a more control relaxed one while folding one leg over the other. "Everyone is here for their own reasons. I don't care what they are as long as you all do your jobs and help with the success of the project."
"What about you Doctor. Do you think making the project a successful will get him to see you and acknowledge you after all this time?" Yelara asked.
Kline said nothing at first. She just placed her hands together on her desk and looked at the picture frame.
"Captain Stone... Matriarch Yelara, you both can leave my office now and proceed with your duties."
There was a slight pause but then the two left the office in silence. No words were said and as the door hissed closed. Kline undid her military bun as her black curly hair fell down to her ears. She undid her lab uniform and grabbed her liquor out of her desk. She drank in the dark room alone and in silence, all that could be heard was the sounds of sniffles in the dark.