Damien and Krieger headed to the rear of her office, entering a secluded laboratory filled to the brim with intricate and advanced scientific equipment. Alongside the complex machinery were skeletons of Armaments waiting to be constructed by their creator.
As the overhead lights glimmered from above the laboratory, Krieger made a somewhat creepy smile and beckoned him to enter her humble private abode. "Rarely do others enter my library. You should be honored, Damien."
Damien accepted the invitation and observed the interior of her laboratory. It was much more disorganized than the desks he had seen beforehand, but he wasn't the type to judge others for how they managed their lives.
If there was no harm done, it wasn't his business to moderate them in a standard that wasn't a law. Honestly, he was primarily interested in the skeletons of the Armaments. They were intriguing, to say the least.
"I am honored, Doctor Krieger. Though, why did you bring me inside your private laboratory? From what I see, this room is personal for you." Damien questioned the beautiful doctor before him.
To be brought to a private room with a gorgeous and mature woman who was a doctor. It was a scenario most men of his age would consider a dream. But he had long graduated from such things.
Besides, training with Francine desensitized his mind and heart to attraction. It would take more to truly win him over. That was what he thought.
"Hmm... My reason. It's a secret, Damien." The edges of her lips curved into a creepy grin, which somehow brought chills to his mind. "In any case, are you curious about the secrets of Armament Technology?"
She tilted her head, staring at him with her irises that seemed to reflect the void of curiosity and nothingness. It was peculiar, but he kept his resolve and responded. He was true to his thoughts.
"Yes, I wonder how such technology worked." Damien didn't care if she answered his questions about the Armament. It was an opportunity, and he would rather take it than pretend to be not interested.
After all, Armament Technology was what propelled SIGIL to its current place. The technology augmented the power and capabilities of Jaeger, setting forth a new age of warfare.
"I am glad you are curious, Damien. At least, you don't shield your curiosity and ask questions. How about working as my assistant?" She didn't hesitate to dangle a carrot in front of him.
"Unfortunately, I belong to Block 7, Doctor Krieger. I couldn't transfer to other divisions. You must answer to the seventh Paragon to do so." He deflected her attempts to poach him.
"Hmph! I can't believe you brought up Alastair." Krieger shook her head, pouted as she couldn't believe a junior could utter such words toward her. However, she didn't take it personally since the young man was up to standard.
"Disappointing, but I will answer your general questions, Damien. After all, you just recently awakened in the middle of an intersection. Ignorant of the New World." She continued while smiling at him.
For a moment, Damien's gaze widened as she was surprised to have his circumstances spoken of by someone he had only recently met. Were his records so open? Or was Doctor Krieger's authority much higher than he had expected?
'It should be the latter. After all, Doctor Krieger is the creator of the Armaments. Although she isn't the director of the Crucible. Her authority wouldn't be less than Doctor Creed.' He nodded to himself and concluded his thoughts.
At any rate, Doctor Krieger glanced at the skeletons of failed Armaments lying over the flat and smooth surface of the metallic table. "The Armaments are synthetic creations constructed through an unknown compound."
"Naturally, the formula of the unknown compound is highly classified. It is better for no one to know about it at all." A tangled smile formed on her supple lips before continuing. "The Armaments are capable of syphoning the personal Aether of Jaegers, solidifying it into a core."
"With the false core, a replica of the Jaeger's Brand would take shape within the Armament. Of course, only the personal Aether of the spoken Jaeger would activate the replica."
Gazing upon him with a tinge of indifference, Doctor Krieger stated the truth. "An Armament without its replica is useless. I believe you understand where I am heading, Damien."
"I understand... As an Aberrant, my body does not have a Brand for the Armament to replicate. Is this why you wanted me to test your new experimental weapon?" He questioned the doctor, understanding why the higher-ups readily agreed to his demands of acquiring an Armament.
"That's right, my experimental weapon is more or less an Armament that utilizes an artificial replica." Doctor Krieger smirked while walking towards a briefcase beneath her cabinet.
"Unfortunately, the artificial replica requires much more Aether than the average consumption of an Armament. About a dozen times more." She placed the black briefcase on the metallic table and pressed the unlock button.
"The only ones who could handle such high consumption are the Paragons and our Aberrant, you." The briefcase transformed into an Armament, resembling a futuristic anti-tank cannon with an advanced scope. It felt like a weapon from a sci-fi movie.
Much better than the aetheric weapons that the mercenary group brought. Damien was enchanted by the experimental weapon of Doctor Krieger. His interest, of course, was immediately noticed by the beautiful lady.
"Perhaps it is destiny that awakened you, Damien. I just completed this experimental weapon a month ago and was about to abandon it. After all, no matter how amazing it could be. If it couldn't be utilized, it was no different than scrap."
It appeared as though the doctor was about to gift such a great weapon to the black-suited young man. But Damien halted himself and looked at the doctor before him. His gaze narrowed with a bit of caution.
"Is there something you want from me, Doctor Krieger?" There was nothing free in this world. If there was something free, then you would be the product. He didn't believe in freebies.
"I wasn't wrong about you. You're a smart young man, Damien." Doctor Krieger was looking forward to getting along with this new Aberrant junior of hers. That perspective was something she would love to have beside her.
Sadly, he was already taken by the seventh Paragon. There wasn't much she could do about it. Maybe she could poach him later. Regardless, that was for the far future.
"As I said before, I need data from the experimental weapon. Even though it has already been tested by a Paragon, I need actual combat data from it. I would also love your cooperation for some experiments, Damien."
"Undoubtedly, I would ensure your safety during the experiments. I merely need your consent alongside a favor." Doctor Krieger didn't bother hiding what she wanted and unveiled it for him to hear.
Damien pondered for a couple of seconds before negotiating with the doctor. "I am in agreement with the collection of data, but the limit should be half a year. And regarding experimenting with me... The Armament isn't enough for such a thing, Doctor Krieger."
"You must exchange more than this experimental weapon of yours. Otherwise, I will return to Francine and forget whatever occurred in this laboratory."