Kerelia, weak from the battle, falls asleep. With her battle armor destroyed, she sets out on a new mission. The three are separated as the host of this orb examines its latest guests.
"Wow! Talk about lucky! I've never seen beings like these before! Here I was longing for companionship and here you are!" The host is most pleased with his latest find. The three warriors find themselves in an museum of sorts. Different deceased species adorn the tapestries and display a grotesque symphony of science and technology. A merchant with evil intent, uses the genetics of different organisms and transmutes them. Most are friendly wayfaring adventurers exploring vast new worlds. However , this world is a harbinger of death and malice. The trio are bound by some odd energy rings and are encased in a foul black goo. Their host boasts about its accomplishments and genius. Muttering nonsensically on how they'd make for great trade bait in his colony of unknown species. The three are too exhausted to attempt to free themselves as the host resumes extracting dna samples.
"I wonder if I can clone these with THESE? Heheheh…" The host reaches into his cabinet and observe several foreign materials: adamantium, vibranium, cojium, astrilium, coxilium and phasdium. All have specific strengths and weaknesses to each other.
"What. A. WEEK. This IS! First, some strange shape-shifting creatures, now these three. Simply amazing!" He gushes like a Frandulian at a flea market. Oh, you don't know what that is? It's quite a scene. The small creature bounds through the area with such vigor, the locals are tempted to strike it to subdue its energy. Haha! Little creature issues. Ahem! Ahhh, where was I? "This one seems to be a composite found on several mineral-based planets." The curious speaker taps her torso and admires its composition. "Her skin is like diamond and titilon. Haven't seen these for ages!" Its eyes widen with joy as he continues his research. "This one has hollow fur-like hairs that has both offensive and defensive capabilities."
Uttering as he strokes the tube-like hairs, he examines the others.
"This one has several binary energy signatures that emits insane amounts of radiation and heat! What a FIND indeed!"
He takes his samples and places them in a mixture of the metals. His housing unit lights up as he nears. The system awakens and awaits the results of his studies.
"Alpha C Beta Vectis. Prognosis and chemical composites deposited. Run several binary and polymorphic tests to determine best transitions."
The system flickers as light dance and produces incoming data. The system speaks.
"Analysis: probability of cloning."
"23%"
"Analysis: probability of communication with foreign species."
"87%"
"S.E.D.I.? Give me the genetic structure of each being and probability of mixing into new breed."
"Analysis: probability of gene mixing with foreign genetic codes."
".000004%"
"Great…fair enough, I guess. You got more for me, buddy?"
"Alien species having varying degrees of unknown genetics. DNA matches none in database. Checking several known quadrants…standby."
"Ok. Standing by." The being turns to its specimens. Marveling, it eagerly rubs the shoulders of the warriors which startles one of them to a brief state of consciousness.
"Several regions have certain materials that make up their physical structure but none share their genetic codes. Congratulations. You've discovered new life forms, Io."
"Hmmm, looks like I have. Perhaps some introductory Q&A is in order? S.E.D.I? Prioritize safety measures."
"Prioritized. Sentry scan enabled. Infrared gyro enabled. Rejuiks integrated."
"Whoa, no! Not that! No no. We can hold off on that one. Continue."
"Reinforcing crucible door blast protocols. 100%.
Stabilizing gravity disruptor. Syncing alert systems. Checking air quality.
93% and steady.
System has been prioritized."
"Uhhhh, about the door blasters protocols, are we up in ammo or we need a few more?"
"No. Protocols are secured and readily available."
"Thanks, bud! Now, we need to find out how to feed these things. Fattening them up a bit couldn't hurt." The being, amused with his words, displays a horrific grin as he prepares the next phase.
The wounded are sent to the tube rooms. The tube rooms are alien-like healing areas with dim-lit green glowing algae that can dissolve just about anything it touches. Perhaps some sort of safety measures to stem any potential dangers? The rooms can service one being at a time. It can be used to analyze any Illness or injury. It can heal just about any creature. The structure is large and looms around sixty feet high. Dark in color and foreshadows the landscape as if death awaits unfortunate visitors. It reeks of decaying matter and intestinal fluids. There are many intravenous wires that acts as healing tubes. These tubes are linked to the S.E.D.I. system.
The S.E.D.I. system is an artificial form of intelligence that mimics living beings. S.E.D.I is composed of an interplanetary vocabulary in which it translates, analyzes and prescribes tactical information on foreign species. Its build is comprised on synthetic, fibrous tissues that makes up its "skin". It can walk and "eat". It lacks a digestive track as its consumption of energy comes from solar power. The system is designed by several celestial beings as a gift to Io. Though his recollection is hazy, S.E.D.I can act as a diary of sorts.
Io is known through many sectors of the galaxy. His long, bearded chin compliments his dark eyes and pale skin. His hands are like claws about three inches in length and very slim. He has a strange mechanism that balances his rotund torso as he glides around his lab. He specializes in genetic mutation and zoological research. His goal is to make THE perfect specimen. A specimen that his idol, the Krendji (Krin' gee) would admire. The Krendji are a collection of beings that have mastered interstellar travel. As he ages, before he is one with the heavens, he wants to obtain this power.
"S.E.D.I? How's our friends doing?"
"The beings have yet to respond to acupuncture and water boarding methods. Perhaps shock-"
"Spupththth…NO, no more torture!!"
"But-I thought you wanted to wake them?"
"Wake? Yes. Kill before I get a full analysis? No! Look I need you to focus on the quadrants relays while I check on our guests, ok?"
"Quadrant relays, sir?"
"Just stay busy while I complete my work! No more interference or I'll hack that brain of yours and make you a qytle!"
Oh a qytle is a rotting fruit found on several planets. It's a way of warding off stray beasts. The pungent smells attracts them to the location but the stench is overbearing when they draw near. This, the perfect scarecrow, of sorts.
S.E.D.I takes the hint and goes back to keeping busy. The lab is filled with buzzing and clinking sounds. It's alive with the clockwork of a genius. He has made many species. The Mayfly? That's his handy work. The duck billed platypus? Yep. That was him. Giraffes and walking sticks? Yes indeed. Even some hybrid humanoids, but they never live that long. He keeps experimenting for one purpose: to create a unique and immortal being. He quiets the lab with a nod. Motivated once more, he refocuses his efforts.
He uses a nebula cloud and mixes it with the heart of a star. He uses a device known as the Kiong (ke,-yong). It was crafted by several gods long ago. It's purpose was to form the cosmos as we know it. With this machine, new universes are born and he had the power to make it so.
The guests are starting to draw a crowd. The beings aboard this vessel are a combination of hybrid beasts. The three awaken from months of sleeping. Their bodies are fully restored. The crest begins to flicker as it moves along Kerelia's torso.
"My, my… what's this?"
Kerelia shakes her arms as if to warn the crest but she cannot speak.
"That thing moving about you? Who are you?!"
Kerelia stands.
"I'm talking to you! Are we being rude?"
He slides back his hands about his waist as if to draw a weapon.
"S.E.D.I.? What's the probability for a good fight?"
"Sir? The data you required could not be found. Per haps a more viable region in constellation 1df? — sir, what are you doing?!"
"That THING…it moved!"
"Energy signature detected."
"Range: 14 meters"
"Source: unknown "
"Temperature: growing"
"Radiation levels: rising"
"Beginning chaos protocols"
"Seal the room! There's some contagion to purge here…"
"Chaos protocol: terra engaged"
The ground begins to shift violently. As it shifts, it disappears into a thin mist.
The veil of darkness is upon them. The three find themselves tested yet again.
"I don't know who you are…but something's not right…"
Kerelia clutches her side and feel something moving about her. The room glows an eerily dark greenish hue as the three fall to the ground.
"17 seconds till protocol complete."
"R.e…add your…selves…" Deigus warns.
The room opens into a small portal that seems to remove the oxygen from it. Like a large vacuum, it sucks up the air and debris within.
"Arg…/@&@&"
The three are spaghetti-fide as if by a black hole. However, it's the chemicals within them that are extracted.
Tredot clutches Daigus as if in extreme agony. The sensation grows stronger as the vortex intensifies. Too weak to stand, the three roll around. Exhausted, they can only lie down as the pressure eases a bit. The mad doctor seemed thrilled with the new data and those extractions might fetch a fair price.
Soon as the threat ends…
"Atckkkk", the doctor gasps.
"You have 17 seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you…" Tredot threatens.
Its ability to cloak its' movements allowed for a quick response to the vacuum thingy.
"I-I only need one…" as he points towards the door. Well, it looks like a door but who am I?
"That is your genetic codes. I need that to form a being strong enough to fight the Circle of Reasoning champions. This is a hobby of mine. No hard feelings. It's just that winning the darn thing has consumed my interest and efforts for ages…"
Deigus sniffs at the doctors' scruff.
Nods.
"The truth, every word of it. You can let 'em go."
Deigus encouraged.
Tredot looks in Deigus' direction and confirms with a nod to end the campaign.
"Sooo, collection and gambling? That it?"
Kerelia asks.
"Well, keeps me busy, ya'know? Haven't seen such oddities this rare since the Big Bang of 7b lcd. How do I remember? I was just an upstart in the fleet. Barely 76m lcd. Ahhh, those were the days.-"
"Memory detected!"
"Memory suppression begins."
Just then, he utters amongst himself. Recalling events about his planet, he sees the lights flicker. No one else seems to notice.
He stops briefly as the room grows dark and cold. A smooth, humming sound is buzzing about the room. Frozen with fear, the researcher places a small, metallic orb on his left shoulder. The orb races about his body as his defenses increase drastically.
"Something's coming."