"Test 387 for subject 01-0013-PH0B0S and power source 1E-21300-3K0 has concluded," A voice announced. "The subject successfully withstood temperatures comparable to dragon fire with minor damage to components, all of which are easily replaceable."
The observer was speaking from behind a tall, thick wall with a fortified window more than fifty feet above them, but 'power source 1E-21300-3K0' or '3K0' for short could hear every word as clearly as if her captors were standing beside her. She hated that they only identified her by the serial number they had assigned her. She preferred the name her partner, Phobos, called her. Eko.
"13 is showing almost as much potential as Ares," another man commented.
"If you are going to refer to the subject so casually, you may as well call him Phobos." The first man sounded exasperated. "Don't forget to record the findings in the beast's log. Dr. Morton will have our heads if everything isn't documented accurately."
"Should I note that 3K0 withstood the test as well?" The second man questioned. His companion regarded him strangely for a few moments.
Most of the time, it didn't matter one way or another if the battery survived. Few of the goblins used to power the Cyber Battle Suits (CBSs) survived the implantation procedure, let alone any of the grueling tests that followed. Eko was the only exception, though she wasn't sure if if she considered herself lucky.
"We better," the man finally decided. "He has that weird obsession with the thing after all. Take down it's vitals as well for good measure."
"Roger that."
[How are your vitals by the way?] Phobos's thoughts entered her mind. She could tell he was exhausted.
[About what you might expect] She replied vaguely. She couldn't put the facts to words, that they were continuing to elevate as her body persisted in rejecting the implanted mana crystals that were slowly poisoning her. It was too painful a reality to acknowledge.
[We'll figure this out. I promise.] Came the response.
They fell quiet as an armed escort entered the chamber with the pair who had been observing them from above. Even though they never spoke verbally, and there was no evidence to suggest that their captors had any way of knowing that telepathy was occuring, Phobos and Eko were cautious about using it around the self proclaimed scientists. As far as anyone outside the pair knew, neither was capable of any sort of meaningful communication, and for the most part their captors seemed to prefer it that way.
The case on Phobos's back was opened and a soldier reached in to retrieve Eko. reflexively, she flinched and shrank back as far as she could into her harness. She hated being removed.
[Easy Eko] Phobos cautioned, though he made a show of growling at the guard and eyeing the man warily. At close to nine feet in stature and well over six hundred pounds of muscle coupled with another hundred or more from equipment, Phobos cut quite the intimidating figure. Naturally, the guard was extra cautious about how he handled Eko. Even if they were completely ignorant of the pair's unique ability to communicate or the depth of their intelligence, it was a well established fact that Phobos was incredibly protective of Eko.
Eko did her best to hold still as they measured her pulse and used strange instruments to take temperature, and weight. It wasn't easy. The cold, clinical touch of the scientists tools coupled with their utter indifference to her existence panicked her as she relived traumatizing memories of being strapped to a table covered in her own blood...
[I'm here Eko, it's ok! Focus on me, not them.] Phobos's words washed over her in a wave of calm. She took a breath and focused on him and her more pleasant memories of working with him. Ever since the beginning, he'd been there for her, even though he'd endured the burden of witnessing death after death of his former partners. She remembered the profound relief he felt after that first test over fourteen years ago had ended and she was still alive and well to congratulate him.
"Her vitals are elevated, but well within acceptable parameters," The assisting observer announced once he finished his tests. Eko watched warily as he handed the clipboard to his companion.
"That is unfortunate, it's likely that it will expire before too much longer," he replied as he scoured the sheet. "I doubt she'll last more than another month or two."
[They've been saying that for years now Eko.] Phobos reminded as she felt herself slipping into panic. [Don't put any faith in his words.]
She wanted to answer him, but if she did they might be caught. Phobos himself wasn't telepathic, though he had gotten really good at gauging her emotions based on her physical reactions. The mana crystals embedded into her matched those used to help circuit power through his CBS, but had an odd side effect. Through the crystals, he was able to feel all that she felt, and vice versa. It had been that way with all of his previous partners as well, and she could only assume the same held true for the other orc subjects. It was no wonder most of his comrades were little more than bionic husks, incapable of anything beyond carrying out precise instructions.
"You've been saying that for years," The assistant pointed out, unwittingly echoing Phobos's words. "I bet she's got at least another year in her, if not more."
"Gentleman, gentleman, are we really taking bets on the longevity of my greatest success to date?" a new voice rung out through the room.
Phobos attempted to say something, likely in an effort to sooth her, but the new comer had her so agitated she couldn't focus on what was said. Eko curled into a tight ball, clutching her head as the distinguished footfalls of the man she feared and despised approached. Images of his cold voice and cruel grin flashed through her minds eye as she stared unblinkingly at her legs. Her legs, those miserable purple twigs of bone and atrophied muscle that quaked like aspens in a storm. She could see them covered in blood, she could feel the cold steel slicing through her skin as the world span around her...
"Dr. Morton, we weren't expecting you!" the pair gasped in unison.
"Of course you weren't," Morton replied. "That's the idea of surprise investigations after all."
"Investigation?" the senior scientist sputtered.
"That is what I said, yes," Morton regarded him with mild amusement. "Are you quite well Alphonse? you're looking a little green around the gills if I do say so myself."
"I don't have gills, Sir," He replied stiffly, perspiration visibly beading his forehead near the hair line. "I am a Drow... like you sir."
"There's nobody like me," Morton wagged a disapproving finger, then returned his attention to Eko. "My, my but aren't you as lovely as ever my dear."
Phobos could only look on helplessly as Dr. Morton pried her arms apart and forced her to lay out on her back so he could inspect her. Eko lost all sense of where she was as she was engulfed in her memories. Even though no physical damage was actually occuring, the touch of his hands seared her to the bone. Seconds felt like hours as he worked. By the time he finished, Eko felt her heart would stop completely.
"Ready them for the next test." Morton called to the others as he hastily whisked from the room.
"Next test?" the one called Alphonse questioned. The words caused Morton to pause at the door as he looked back at him.
"Dear Alphonse, if you aren't going to use those ears I may as well have them removed!"