Enhanced Project Politics

Sonya lay strapped to the operating table in Stephanie's Lab Three, her medical gown torn and spattered with blood, her body still and unconscious. The air carried a faint, acrid whiff of burnt steel and melted plastic, while fresh gouges scarred the floor and ceiling like the aftermath of a contained storm. Over to the side, Alex and Stephanie were locked in a holo action game, their faces lit by the flickering projections of laser blasts and exploding ships.

James Hunter stepped through the blast door, his broad frame filling the entrance as he scanned the room. His eyes lingered on Sonya for a moment before he headed toward the pair. "You wanted to see me, lass?"

Alex paused the game and saved it with a quick tap. "We can pick this up later. Let me know how she makes out, okay?"

Stephanie sighed, setting down her controller. "I will. Thanks for the game." As Alex slipped out, she motioned James to a nearby terminal. "Yes, it's about your test results for the Enhanced Being Project."

Hunter strode over, his boots echoing softly on the scuffed deck. "I take it since you called me in, I'm a candidate."

Stephanie pulled up a readout on the screen. "Kind of. At first, I thought your test was negative, but the system flagged a faint residual in the tube. Looks like you can handle one dose—either strength or halo effect, if you choose. It won't get you anywhere near Tank Man levels, but it could give you an edge."

James studied the display, rubbing his chin. "I'll take the strength dose, lass. That way I can haul a heavier repeater into battle—or maybe even a minigun."

Stephanie nodded. "Okay, I'll set it up." She glanced over at Sonya on the table. "She's recovering from her fourth treatment, but the results are... strange. It's like part of the activation has gone dormant in her system. Don't get me wrong—she can go toe-to-toe with a Tank Man and hand them their ass. But by these readouts, she can't project distortion orbs as far as a standard one. And that's not even counting she's matured to this point two weeks ahead of schedule. That ass Dr. Wilhelm would be salivating if he were still on the ship."

James shot her a sarcastic grin. "Sounds like you don't like him much."

Stephanie's face twisted in disgust. "He had no qualms with the Empire's barbaric methods. Didn't care how many bodies liquefied, as long as he made progress. Hopefully, they're reining him in wherever he ended up."

Admiral Seti strode into Dr. Wilhelm's lab on Erebus Station, the sterile hum of equipment underscoring the tension in the air. Wilhelm slammed his fist on a lab table, glaring at a report. "You need to reassign Lieutenant Blade to this station. I know more about how the Catalyst works than that so-called Stephanie!"

Seti gestured calmly. "With the Avenger in Black-Docks, I talked to President Beaulieu. He authorized a call between us, the Avenger, Thrawn, and a Defense Department rep. We'll get a direct update from Stephanie on her progress or lack thereof and use it as leverage."

"Yes!" Wilhelm's eyes lit up. "I can expose her as the fraud she is. When's the meeting?"

Seti smiled thinly. "Twenty minutes. So, we'd both better look our best."

Twenty minutes later, Stephanie and Greg sat in the briefing room, with Thrawn and Deputy Defense Secretary Alander already flickering on the holo display. Stephanie sighed. "We could get lucky with Erebus having comm issues."

Alander chuckled. "We'll try to keep this short."

The holo expanded as Seti and Wilhelm materialized. Seti inclined his head. "Our apologies, there was an issue with the secure comms."

Alander nodded, all business. "Admiral Seti, you called this meeting for a face-to-face update from Agent Stephanie. Agent, if you'd be so kind."

Stephanie picked up one of her datasheets. "Yes, ma'am. While tests are ongoing, I've identified one hundred and three Tank-class candidates, six Destroyer-class, four Cruiser-class, and one Battleship-class aboard the Avenger—not counting our Dreadnought candidate. Of those, eight Tank-class either didn't meet psych requirements or declined."

Seti and Wilhelm's eyes widened, Wilhelm gasping. "That's... impossible! It's one in five thousand for Tank-class alone! No way you had that many positives on one ship! You must be botching the tests somehow!"

Alander frowned. "I agree—that's statistically improbable. Any explanation for it?"

Stephanie glanced at Thrawn, who nodded. "I've been using Cartyr equipment aboard the Avenger to widen the pool. We reran tests to confirm before proceeding. Higher-level candidates are priority, and we're ramping up Tank Men as fast as we can. But only three of us are cleared to administer—myself, Doctor Richardson, and a tech. I'd request reading in more of the Avenger's medical staff."

Alander's gaze shifted to Seti and Wilhelm. "I'd like to see your facilities on the Avenger, then discuss expanding clearances."

Seti's eyes narrowed. "We'd also like to see them. Since we're handling the larger share of potentials, anything expediting that should be transferred to Erebus."

Stephanie shook her head. "Impossible unless you sideline the Avenger and send it to the station. These Cartyr devices run on Reflex Energy."

Alander fixed Seti and Wilhelm with a stare. "That's a non-starter. And to your next demand—Wilhelm can't transfer to the Avenger. I won't risk our only two experts on a warship in combat. Stephanie's proven capable there, so she stays."

Seti glared. "The Defense Secretary or even the President—might disagree with that assessment."

Alander leaned forward. "Two questions, Dr. Wilhelm: Can you read Cartyr script?"

"No, but that doesn't matter—you have translation programs."

"It's basic and struggles with scientific terms. Second question: Can you handle a rifle or pistol?"

Wilhelm looked puzzled. "No, but I'm a scientist—a non-combatant."

"So if the Avenger's boarded, you'd be useless defending the research." She turned to Stephanie. "Agent, same questions."

Stephanie met her gaze. "I understand Cartyr script—enough to skip translations unless it's spoken. And yes, I've qualified as a marksman with pistols and rifles. I know explosives too, so in a worst-case scenario, I could deny the research to enemies."

Alander shot Seti and Wilhelm a pointed look, leaning back. "That settles it, unless you disagree, Grand Admiral?"

Thrawn's eyes twinkled faintly. "No, your assessment is correct."

Seti sighed, knowing they'd lost. But Wilhelm pressed on. "What about the Dreadnought candidate—Lieutenant Sonya Blade?"

Stephanie shuffled her datasheets deliberately. "She's recovering from her fourth treatment.  There have been some interesting developments from her field ops..."

Wilhelm jabbed a finger. "You've put her in the field? Are you mad? If she used any abilities, she'd die! You're reckless with our only known Dreadnought!"

Thrawn raised a hand. "Calm yourself, Doctor. I assigned her to active ops. Stephanie objected strongly, but Blade's proven resilient. Continue, Agent."

Stephanie took a steadying breath. "She's projecting a beam of pure destructive Reflex energy—like the Avenger's lances, but on a personal scale. Likely tied to her super-soldier background. Her maturation's unique—she's stable, but her body still accepting treatments. Effectively, we can field her as Tank-class while pushing to Dreadnought."

Wilhelm scowled. "I'll judge that when I arrive."

Greg leaned in. "When would that be, Doctor?"

Seti glared. "We will be there in three days. Problem, Captain?"

"No, sir—we'll still be in Black-Docks. I'll prepare for your arrival." He glanced at Alander, but she cut in. "I'll coordinate to arrive simultaneously. No need for two dog-and-pony shows. Any other questions?"

Silence lingered. "Very well. See you in a few days, Captain."

Alander's holo winked out, followed by Seti and Wilhelm. Thrawn remained. Stephanie gathered her sheets. "There's only so much I can hide, they'll want Blade's bioscans."

Thrawn eyed her. "Have Doctor Richardson run a routine one and provide that."

She turned to Greg. "Captain, lock down restricted areas except Stephanie's labs. Authorized crew only, if concerns arise, they can contact me."

Greg looked confused briefly, then nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

“I will join them if I am able to but with the Avenger in black-docks I need to focus my attention on the war.”

Greg lowered his head slightly and she looked at him, "This is not a slight against your decisions—we needed those freighter contents more than I was led to believe. Keep making those calls; we're short on supplies..."

Thrawn glanced aside. "A situation needs my attention. I will contact you soon."

Her image faded. Greg sighed. "Welp, let's get to it. We have two days before they arrive.  Let me know if you need me to assign some crew to help you move stuff.”

Stephanie nodded. "Thanks, Captain, I appreciate it."

Greg smiled. "Please, Greg's fine off duty."

She returned the smile. "Call me Steph."

Two days later, Seti's shuttle touched down inside the Avenger's bustling hangar. The ramp lowered, and Seti and Wilhelm descended, looking out of place amid the controlled chaos. They scanned the noisy deck, spotting three figures approaching. Seti tensed as his eyes locked on Sonya—over seven feet tall, blonde ponytail swaying, sapphire eyes piercing, her duty uniform hugging a more imposing muscular frame than he remembered. Greg walked confidently beside Stephanie in her black bodysuit and white lab coat, a blaster semi concealed by her coat on her hip. All three wore headsets against the din. Seti shook off his frustration at their casual attire, returning Greg and Sonya's crisp salutes half-heartedly.  Greg’s voice was drowned out by fighter launches so Seti shouted: "What did you say?"

Greg pulled his mic aside, yelling back. "Welcome aboard the Avenger!"

Another shuttle's whine cut through as Alander's craft landed smoothly nearby. She disembarked in a flight suit and headset, returning salutes as Greg pulled his mic back into position, “Welcome aboard the Avenger ma’am.”

"Thank you, Captain. Shall we move somewhere quieter for those who don’t have headsets?"

Greg chuckled, nodding. "Certainly. This way, ma'am."

Alander pulled her headset down as they passed through a hatch, the noise muffling. Sonya sealed it behind them. "Been on enough carriers to know these are invaluable."

Greg smiled. "They are—though I don't always have a chance to grab a pair if rushing to meet someone."

Seti tucked his hat under his arm, running a hand through thinning hair. "I'll remember that." To Greg: "Captain, Dr. Wilhelm and I are eager to see what Agent Stephanie's set up."

He felt Sonya looming behind him and nervously adjusted his collar as Greg gestured forward. "If you'll follow us?"

Alander smirked faintly before addressing Sonya. "Lt. Blade, I'm curious about your perspective on the treatment. We'll be right behind."

Seti exhaled in relief as he passed Alander. She waited until they'd rounded a corner, then motioned Sonya to lead. "So, what's your issue with the Admiral?"

Sonya blinked. "Ma'am?"

Alander smirked. "You've been fighting a death glare at him. He's nervous around you, despite the smug act."

Sonya sighed. "Have you read my file?"

"Yes—what happened was disgusting, horrible. Nightmarish. I don't know how you endured; I couldn't have been that strong. And after all that, you stole the Avenger and joined us? No one could blame you for walking away after."

Sonya's breath hitched, memories surging, but she steadied. "I appreciate it, ma'am. It's just..." She exhaled. "I couldn't see the leader, but I heard his voice, it was Seti. Can't prove it, but every fiber says it was him."

Alander's glare shot down the corridor. "That bastard. I should have known."

Sonya glanced down. "Ma'am?"

Alander kept her voice low. "He's a snake—expert at 'plausible deniability.' There are reports of him crossing lines, but unprovable, plus he currently has political protection.  Have you told Thrawn?"

Sonya nodded. "She said she'd look into it—nothing since."

Alander's eyes narrowed, a gleeful edge creeping in. "Ooh, she's still digging. If he slipped, she'll find it." As they neared earshot, Alander composed herself. "That sounds excruciating."

Sonya nodded, seamlessly continuing. "It is. The process should ease but hasn't much."

"How many more activations?"

"Not sure, but Battleship-class is twenty-four. I just finished four."

Wilhelm piped up. "From the data I have, you could handle forty-eight." He looked at Stephanie, "How are you loading her?"

The lift doors closed after they entered, and the lift started for the labs. "Even split."

Wilhelm eyed her. "The way she looks, I'd think you were going heavy on physical."

“Sonya’s naturally very muscular and the activations seem to enhance that.  I’m still working on deciphering the part of the codex we have that deals with creating distortion heavy activations, but I think I’m close.  Have you had any luck with deciphering anything on your end?”

Wilhelm glanced at Seti. "The progress has been slow, but we have some promising leads."

Seti smirked. "We have V.I.s and top scientists working on it."

Stephanie shrugged. "It’s just me and Striker, but he has to also run some of the Avenger’s systems.”

Wilhelm frowned. "You named your V.I.?"

Greg turned. “Yes, we have.  It’s easier to call out his name.  It’s got to be hard to interact with multiple V.I.s without assigning them names?”

“I just assign them numbers since we have to purge them anyway.  What’s your process for freeing memory resources?”

Greg's lips curled in a partial smile. "Haven't needed to."

Wilhelm looked shocked. "What? With all it does, plus codex decoding—you should've run out of space weeks ago."

"The Avenger's V.I. is advanced, data storage too." Greg skirted the A.I. truth. "Subroutine offloads extraneous data to removable drives post-engagement or jump. A Tech double checks it, then deletes. This allows him to keep his personality."

Wilhelm snorted. "Splitting hairs, Captain. But I appreciate the distinction."

"Thank you, Doctor." The lift stopped; doors hissed open to sterile air. Stephanie led them down the hall. “This lab is where we do the testing."

She keyed it open, revealing tables with mechanical arms over plungers. “I thought it was safer to automate the tests, less shards in the hair if we get a more active result.”

Wilhelm eyed blackened scars and patched walls, deck, and ceiling. "I take it you tested the lieutenant here?"

"Yes, it was quite the reaction."

Wilhelm approached the repairs, fascinated. "How'd you survive?"

Stephanie gritted her teeth. "Backed up to what I thought was a safe distance. Ended up almost a meter too close."

Wilhelm returned as Seti examined a station. Alander looked at Stephaine, “So you load each test station manually?”

“Yes, we don’t have a way to automate it, so Doctor Richardson and I load them and when he’s not available I load them myself.”

Wilhelm smirked. "Adequate for a ship this size..." He froze at a test tube and leaned in to study it. Stephanie grimaced. "Why's this liquid blue?"

Stephanie cocked her head. “It is the way I have figured out how to expand the candidate pool.  I’ve irradiated the liquid with Reflex energy, thus the blue color. Those that test positive with the blue liquid have to be given similarly irradiated catalyst for their activations.”

Wilhelm backed up. "How many use this?"

"Eighty-six Tank, four Destroyer, all Cruisers and the Battleship. I started using the irradiated catalyst on Lt. Blade too. Irradiated works on both—just a more limited supply, matures slower."

Wilhelm eyed the test. “I’d love to see this new catalyst in use.”

Stephanie looked over at Sonya, “I thought you would.  Lieutenant, if you wouldn’t mind getting changed?”

Sonya nodded, “I already have a fresh set of PT clothes in the activation lab.  With everyone’s permission I’ll go change.”

Alander smiled, “We’ll see you shortly.”

Sonya gave a quick salute and exited the lab.  Wilhelm smiled, “So while she’s getting changed perhaps you can show us your catalyst production?”

Stephanie nodded, “Certainly, if you will follow me.”

Stephanie led them out and then to another room across from the labs and keyed it open.  Inside there were two large vats and the necessary equipment to ferment the special liquid.  One of the vats had a couple of strange emitters glowing sapphire around it.  Wilhelm stepped around the others and walked up to the vat with the emitters around it studying them.  “Crude but serviceable.  I’ve never seen emitters like this.”

Stephanie walked the others over to a terminal attached to the emitters.  “That’s because they are Cartyr in design.  And I wouldn’t get in front of them at this power level, you could end up with a nasty case of Reflex poisoning.”

Wilhelm immediately backpaddled. “You could have warned me!”

Stephanie’s mouth curled into a slight smirk, “You’re the one who ran up to them instead of waiting.  Besides right now they’re directed at the tank, standing behind them for a short time wouldn’t be dangerous.”

Seti looked over her shoulder at the alien script on the console.  “I don’t remember seeing any of this in the reports you send to the station.”

Stephanie raised an eyebrow, “I don’t normally send the reports directly to the station.  They go to Grand Admiral Thrawn first, and she sends them along on my behalf.  Perhaps you should talk to the Grand Admiral about that.”

Seti’s eyes narrowed, “Really?  I will have to do that.  He looked at Alander, “You see ma’am.  Thrawn is hindering our research efforts.”

Alander looked at him a coldly, “A question Admiral.  You have no Reflex energy on Erebus Station to work with, correct?”

Seti gestured, “That doesn’t matter. We have experts on the station who are more qualified than Agent Stephanie.”

“How many of these ‘experts’ are even familiar with Reflex energy?  And how many understand Cartyr like Agent Stephanie does?”

Seti looked at her trying to keep his composure; he could see where this was going.  “If we had access to this information and Reflex energy...”

Alander cut him off, “The Avenger is our only source of Reflex energy, and it is a warship.”  Alander sighed and put on her best diplomatic expression, “But I understand your frustration.  I’ll talk to the Grand Admiral and discuss your concerns and how we might be able to get some of the energy sent to the station.”

Seti nodded respectfully. "Appreciate that, ma'am."

Wilhelm looked around the room and then at Stephanie, “Where is the finished Catalyst?”

“It’s in the lab I setup for activation, at this point we are just trying to keep up so we can get as many deployed as possible.  How are your supplies looking?”

Wilhelm shrugged, “We are finally producing enough so we can start working on the testing process in mass.   We have about 200 Tank candidates so far and testing as fast as we can.”

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed a little as she was well aware of the amount of Catalyst that they had turned over to Erebus Station from their raids, and it should have been more than sufficient for mass testing.  “Interesting.  Hopefully you will find some higher-level candidates as well.”

Wilhelm nodded with a smile, “One can hope.  Speaking of higher-level candidates, I think we can move on to seeing this new Catalyst activation.”

Stephanie nodded. "This way."

Seti noticed that Greg had dropped back near the vats and was watching both of them very closely as Stephanie led them out, following a few steps behind.  He wondered for a moment why and then realized Greg was acting as a rear guard to make sure neither of them dropped out of the group.  Was he worried about sabotage?  Maybe he didn’t want any of them wandering off unsupervised?  If that was the case, he was going to be sorely disappointed.  As an Admiral and head of the intelligence division, he could go where he wanted.

Stephanie led them into lab number three, and they looked around at the Cartyr terminals as well as several emitters that were setup around operating tables along the sides and there were two around the main operating table where Sonya sat in her tight athletic top and shorts.  Her six pack abs, muscles, and womanly curves on full display.  Sonya noticed that their guests were all staring at her, and even Greg seemed to be looking, she did her best to try to not blush at all, quickly laying down at the table and trying to focus on a moderately interesting part of the ceiling as Stephanie walked over to the table and began latching the padded metal restraints to her arms, legs, and head.  Wilhelm watched the process, “What are those restraints rated for?”

Stephanie finished securing the last restraint as she responded, “These restraints can easily hold a Tank class, I’m working on figuring out a more resilient way to restrain the higher classes when I get to that point.”  She walked over to one of the Cartyr devices and activated it, the emitters hummed to life bathing Sonya in a blue light.  She then grabbed the rubber gloves that were over the top of it and put them on as she walked over to another wall and unlocked the small safe imbedded in it.  Wilhelm walked over to her as she pulled out a canister with a blue stripe on it and set it on the table next to the vault. She removed the lid and Wilhelm looked in at the sapphire tinged with obsidian and gold Catalyst sitting in the container glowing softly.  Stephanie pulled out a crystal from it and quickly closed the lid.  “Besides the coloration it doesn’t look much different.”

"No—so same precautions." Wilhelm lingered by the container; she gestured towards Sonya. "You wanted to see this."

He nodded, his disappointment at getting caught apparent as he walked over, “Yes, of course.”  He stopped short of the emitters looking nervous.  “I think I’ll observe from here.”

Stephanie chuckled, stepping up to Sonya. “It’s on a lowest setting so there’s no chance of poisoning.  You could sit under these for days and not have any side effects.  I’ll crank it up after I apply the Catalyst.”  She looked down at Sonya, “You ready?”

Sonya raised an eyebrow. "Too late to say no now."

Stephanie chuckled. "That's the spirit! Here we go."

They watched Stephanie place the crystal on Sonya's forehead—steam hissed; Sonya arched in a noiseless scream, convulsing, spittle flying, tears streaming, nose bleeding. She thrashed against the restraints, muscles straining, veins bulging. Metal groaned, then snapped, her arms and legs broke free. Stephanie lunged to the table, unlatching the head restraint seconds before Sonya twisted off the table. Greg rushed to Sonya; Stephanie grabbed him. "Won't be pretty if she grabs you convulsing. I’ve got to get the emitters going at a higher power.”

Greg nodded and she let go of him.  He turned to Dr. Wilhelm, “Doctor you might want to move back this way.”

Wilhelm nodded and quickly followed Greg as he walked back to the others.  “I thought you said those restraints could hold a Tank Man?”

Stephanie pulled off her gloves and then began raising the power on the emitters.  “I did, which means Lieutenant Blade is much stronger than a Tank Man.”  She walked over to another terminal and studied it.  Wilhelm and Seti walked over to it to see what she was looking at.  The display was in Cartyr script but there was no mistaking the 3D image of Sonya twitching with several points on her highlighted with the Cartyr script.  Stephanie let out a sigh of relief, “It’s a clean activation.  The convulsions will subside in a bit and then I can help her back onto the table to rest more comfortably.”

Alander noticed Greg’s pained expression and patted him gently on the shoulder, “Captain, when we’re done, I want you to go through your medical crew and pick out a few more to read in to assist Stephanie.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Wilhelm shook his head, “Doesn’t look much different than a normal activation.  Do you have Lt. Blade’s latest bioscans?”

Stephanie walked over to a table and picked up a datapad, “This is as of her previous activation.”  She quickly walked back over and handed it to Wilhelm who eagerly took it.

“Thank you.  I think I’ve seen everything I need to.  I just need to create a report with my new requests.”

Alander looked over at Sonya, “I think I’ll stay a bit longer.  I want to see more of the process.”

Seti shrugged, “I think if Wilhelm is all set, we will depart so we can get back to Erebus Station so he can continue on the project.”

Greg gestured to the door, “I’ll take you back to your shuttle.”

Alander watched them leave and as they closed the blast door she sighed, “You can turn the displays back to galactic common.”

“Ma’am?”

“I’m not a fool Stephanie.  I figured you would probably reset the displays to prevent them from seeing how advanced the Cartyr tech actually was.”

Stephanie nodded as she adjusted the console to display galactic common as Alander walked over to her, “I don’t blame you.  If he saw what this stuff could do, he would have demanded it disassembled and taken to Erebus Station and Seti would have obliged him.”

“I appreciate you running interference for us.”

Alander smirked as she leaned against a table, “You’re welcome.  Now I have to ask, do you really have enough of the catalyst?”

Stephanie nodded, “We will once I get more help.  Striker and I have unlocked something in the codex a transmutative property to the distortion effect if we mutate the catalyst just right with Reflex energy.  If I finish my activations with this new catalyst, then I should be able to create more of the Catalyst then what I can secrete from my pores.”  She looked at the door, “I’m concerned about where all the Catalyst on Erebus Station is going.  By my estimation they should have been able to expand the testing before now.”

“I’ll try to make some quiet inquiries and see what I can find.  Now tell me about Lt. Blade’s progress…”