Chapter 88 The Lab
I found Kael in the belly of the beast.
Vespera's former secret research facility lay hidden deep underground the Spire. Access to the facility required entry through a special elevator which needed both retinal identification and blood sample testing for its door to unlock. The location featured a harsh atmosphere which combined cold chrome surfaces with sterile lighting and the continuous sound of machines that had been used to torment magical creatures. The space now functioned as our protective hideout which provided us the only opportunity to speak freely without the King's presence.
The downstairs air remained intensely cold because it underwent purification through scrubbers which eliminated all traces of the flowers blooming overhead. The area contained two distinct smells which combined to produce an odor of both antiseptic and ozone.
Kael was sitting at a worktable when I entered the room. He wore goggles while working with a soldering iron and electrical wires.
Kael ordered his subject to maintain their position while he worked on their elbow joint. Kael spoke with his tongue hanging out of his mouth while he operated his machine. The cross-wiring I need to do right now will create a permanent locking condition for your elbow joint.
Vane ordered the doctor to perform a repair operation on his body.
The reinforced surgical table supported Vane who sat there without wearing any upper body clothing. All components of his mechanical arm which had suffered injuries during both the crash and the climbing incident lay dismantled before him. His body displayed multiple open areas which revealed his inner body structure through the damaged protective covering. His skin showed purple and yellow bruises which marked the physical trauma we both experienced.
Vane asked about the man's condition without raising his head from his work. He viewed my reflection through the shiny surface of his arm.
I dropped my body onto the rolling stool. My hands covered my face. The Council Room argument adrenaline had worn off to leave my body with deep fatigue.
I whispered the statement about his humanity. I said he was nothing more than a calculating machine dressed in human attire. Vane he almost apprehended hungry farmers who needed food to survive. He looked straight at me without recognizing his wife. He regarded me as a variable who served as a valuable resource.
Kael spoke about the people's admiration for him while he adjusted the monitor's control dial. He indicated the news feed display which showed various citywide news broadcasts through its collection of display screens. "Look at all the displays," he said to me.
I looked. It was a dreamlike experience for me to witness.
The city screen displayed a large gathering of people who appeared throughout the plazas. The crowd showed their support for the Spire by displaying banners which bore its emblem. The crowd erupted into cheers.
ALL HAIL THE KING OF BALANCE.
SAVIOR OF THE SOUTH.
The statistics show that food shortages have been completely resolved. The power grid is operating at 110% efficiency. Gang activity has decreased by 90% because all gangs now live in fear of the Grey Knights. The ruler achieves supreme excellence through all his ruling activities which define him as the best leader in the history of the empire.
I expressed my bitterness about the situation because he showed no concern about it. The computer system makes decisions for him. The city obtained protection from Kael when he saved the city but he lost his humanity. The city gained protection from him but we lost him as a person. He lacks all emotional depth.
Kael suggested his current status might not be lost from our reach.
He put down his soldering iron. He pushed his goggles up onto his forehead to show his red eyes which resulted from sleep deprivation.
Kael described his work on bio-scans that he completed in the Apex Chamber. The energy discharge reached its maximum level when Ryker dropped the Void Heart into the fissure. The stone had been assumed to make his emotions stop working.
Vane asked about the results while he tested his repaired fingers. The fingers made a quiet clicking sound as they moved.
Kael declared that the command I had given him was wrong. He operated his console to create a holographic display which showed a full human brain between both of us.
The brain scan displayed an unusual brain pattern. A storm of colors appeared on the screen. The emotional processing center of the human mind showed a complete black hole.
Kael pointed to the black spot and said this material represents Void energy. The material possesses extreme density. The material cannot delete his soul because it serves Elara as a method to maintain complete control over his soul.
I walked closer to the holographic image. I focused on the black spot because I wanted to see Ryker inside it.
I recognized that the object I observed was actually a prison cell.
Kael nodded who wanted to show me exactly how The Void Heart generates protection for himself. His core self remains hidden by a protective shell which generates complete sound absorption. The process stops all feelings from reaching him because he developed a psychological disorder which requires hospitalization. He cannot hear the sounds which means he believes his nonexisting presence does not exist.
Vane jumped off the table because he wanted to test his shoulder movement capabilities. He decided to test out his mechanical shoulder.
Kael explained the situation to me. The person uses their intellect to take control of their body as their mind becomes unresponsive.
The doctor explained the process of body functioning through rough spots. The doctor assigned people to dangerous work because their safety required extra precautions. The doctor said we needed to approach the emergency exit but we had no particular destination to reach.
The team members tested the area until they arrived at a location which showed no signs of danger. The doctor disabled his mechanical arm to shield himself from reported dangers.
The doctor showed his new equipment to his patients. The entire clinic heard his loud body contractions which made him seem capable of handling extreme medical emergencies.
The doctor started his treatment at the back entrance of the hospital. He brought a vitals screen with him which showed the boy's essential body functions. The doctor assumed the cop wanted him to stop moving but he pushed forward into the police blockade.
The doctor made a loud noise which caused all the nearby staff members to stop working. The doctor examined the ceiling which had developed a leak.
The doctor used the jumping method to reach the location which contained high wires. He climbed up to the place where he needed to install the wires and he stayed there until he received his next instructions. He needed to lift his leg but he had to maintain his current standing position.
The patient scanned the hospital room more than 100 times. The patient scanned all areas of the hospital room to search for medical equipment.
The medical providers used Ailene to create an advanced health monitoring system which displayed her current state. The healthcare system operated automatically with its vital function system. Ailene needed continuous health monitoring because her condition required ongoing medical observation.
The doctor established his office within the courtyard to create a unique outdoor space for himself. His outdoor clinic established separate outdoor treatment areas for doctors and their patients. He seemed to live outside his clinic.
The doctor tracked all his outdoor movements through his digital map system. The doctor set out to examine all crucial areas along his way. The route showed him the most effective path to reach his destination.
The doctor established his base inside the main base area. He created an atm\-based system which wanted to keep people out of the banks.
The doctor selected the surgical room to enable him to conduct all operations with complete medical safety. The doctor used numerous instruments to label the center of his operating station. The doctor opened the back door to enable the medical team to reach the surgery room.
The doctor showed his new equipment to his patients. He arrived on the scene wearing a full set of medical uniforms.
The doctor made a loud noise which caused all the nearby staff members to stop working. The doctor examined the ceiling which had developed a leak.
The doctor used the jumping method to reach the location which contained high wires. The doctor climbed up to the place where he needed to install the wires and he stayed there until he received his next instructions. He needed to lift his leg but he had to maintain his current standing position.
The patient scanned the hospital room more than 100 times. The patient scanned all areas of the hospital room to search for medical equipment.
The medical providers used Ailene to create an advanced health monitoring system which displayed her current state. The healthcare system operated automatically with its vital function system. Ailene needed continuous health monitoring because her condition required ongoing medical observation.
The doctor established his office within the courtyard to create a unique outdoor space for himself. His outdoor clinic established separate outdoor treatment areas for doctors and their patients. He seemed to live outside his clinic.
The doctor tracked all his outdoor movements through his digital map system. The doctor set out to examine all crucial areas along his way. The route showed him the most effective path to reach his destination.
The doctor established his base inside the main base area. He created an atm\-based system which wanted to keep people out of the banks.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "He feels pain, but he dismisses it. He cataloged his own injuries during the climb like they were mechanical failures. Physical pain won't reach him."
I thought back to the Deadlands. I thought of the Keeper, the old man with the lantern who guarded the silence.
The Void requires you to give up your Memory as an offering.
I spoke to him about the Void asking for a Memory. The Void consumes all forms of connection. We need to create a connection to battle it.
The hologram showed me its content. The material had great density but its existence extended beyond its visible boundaries.
We need to remind him about his past. The memory requires us to discover a fundamental memory which will produce a strong resonance through the barrier. We have to make him feel something so powerful that the cage shatters from the inside.
You attempted to speak with him according to Vane who spoke to me gently. You told him you were his wife. He didn't care about your words.
Data exists within every spoken word according to my statement about conversation. He processes words as information. I need to bypass his logical reasoning. The direct hit to his stomach area should be my approach.
The wall map of territories showed all areas from the South neon lights to the Deadlands ruins and all the way to the North which contained frozen white land.
The location marks the start of everything.
We need to return to the previous location according to my statement.
Kael inquired about our specific destination after my statement about needing to return.
I spoke about returning to the original location where he first fell in love with me. The place where he defied his father. The location marks the transition from his soldiering life to becoming a man.
I traced the mountain shapes on the map using my finger.
The space between floors of a building exists as The Attic according to my statement.
Vane raised an eyebrow. The King of the South should be taken to the ruined house which exists within the blizzard according to your plan. The King of the South will describe it as 'inefficient'.
The King of the South will refuse according to my statement. I know how to make him go. I learned his language. The mission will be presented as a border patrol to him.
Kael asked about your approach to achieving success after you get him to that spot.
I will destroy his romantic feelings toward her according to my statement. I will make him experience all the emotional pain which I endured during my ten years of imprisonment. I will use the one weapon which the Void cannot defend against to defeat my enemy.
Vane requested to know what the weapon was.
I touched the ring on my finger which had been given to me by Ryker before everything turned into chaos.
I stated my request for a second method which I would use when my first method of hope failed.
I walked to the door.
I ordered the transport team to prepare for departure at dawn while I used the Alpha authority which I had learned from him to issue my command.
Kael and Vane exchanged a look, then nodded. They saw the fire in my eyes. The Queen was back, and she was going to war for her King.