The room felt smaller with all of them standing in front of 13. Subject 13 sat there, still strapped loosely into the examination chair, purple eezo still shimmering faintly across his brown skin like heat haze.
He met Dr. Kline's amber gaze head-on, unflinching. Around her the others stood and waited to see what would happen next. Matriarch Yelara stayed poised, Dr. Vorath only observant, and Korgath looming with arms crossed. By the side was Captain Stone near the door, with Ela and Sula, they were all silent .
Subject 13 broke the tension first. "Yes, Doctor," he said evenly. "I was noncompliant, I will not deny that, but as for being disrespectful...." his eyes flicked briefly around the room, the scientists, the restraints, and the aliens " that accusation fits this facility far better than it fits me."
A murmur rippled through the lab. Kline's face didn't change, but her eyes sharpened.
"Oh?" she replied coolly. "And how exactly do you figure that, Subject 13?" She then took a step closer, her heels clicking softly against the cold sterile white floor.
"We feed you. Clothe you. We even educate you, which we don't have to do. We gave you life, and purpose. We could have restricted you far more than we already have, but here you are, being allowed to talk. The first words out of your mouth should be thank you. Followed by I am grateful."
Jasen almost laughed. Instead he focused on the bitter sense of familiarity wash over him. The tone, and framing of that sentence. The manufactured obligation to guilt him. The gaslighting and Narcissism. He had heard it all before. He lived through it all before in his past life. Especially when his parents did it to him. But the difference now it won't work on him anymore. He's not the weak little boy that did what he was told just because a adult said so.
Kline then continued, taking his silence for submission. "I'll overlook this little outburst this one time, We can consider it a misunderstanding." she said, already turning away to leave. "But if you continue, I will begin handling you my way, regardless of what the others think."
She had taken two steps when 13 spoke again. "Doctor," he said calmly. She stopped. "I don't think you understand something."
The room went still. As subject 13 straightened as much as the restraints allowed. He felt every pair of eyes in the room on him now. This was the moment he knew he needed to take control of the situation. If he faltered, he'd lose everything. If he pushed too hard, he'd break himself against them. They have all the power not him, but he needed to make they saw him and knew he wasn't powerless.
Focus Jasen and stay calm. Be precise, and control the narrative. "You and every scientist in this facility," Jasen continued, "are committing crimes against humanity."
Kline slowly turned back toward him. Jasen didn't stop.
"First, you've already admitted I wasn't a normal human. You said yourself I lacked a conscience until I was four. Second, this is a multi-species operation involving an Asari Matriarch and two Asari commandos, a Krogan and Salarian, makes no sense, but must be backed by someone with deep pockets and a lot of influence. Third" his voice hardened just slightly, "this place has had multiple child subjects before me. And they're dead or not here anymore"
The temperature in the room dropped. Yelara's eyes narrowed by a fraction. Vorath's pupils dilated. Korgath's grin faded. Kline's fingers curled slowly at her side. "And," Jasen went on, pressing while the opening was there, "those deaths didn't come from accidents. They came from pushing children too far with these experiments. What your trying to achieve I don't know but it has killed alot of children."
"Treating them like disposable tools. To scientists who couldn't live with what they were doing, and quietly disappeared. Which explains the new faces over the years."
Silence followed. Then Kline spoke, sharply. "Subject 13… what did you just say about children?"
13 blinked once, surprised. That's what she focused on? "I see them," he said carefully. "Not physically. Not clearly. But I feel them. Their emotions. Their memories. Their pain. Sometimes in dreams. Sometimes when I walk through this place. It's like echoes… burned into the walls."
Yelara stepped forward. "Is that all?" Jasen sensed it then, the shift all of them were Interest. He mind then began to calculate his next response. "There's also a red-haired girl," he added. "She's always… happy, or relieved. I don't know why. And sometimes I see her memories, sometimes they are more clear then others."
At the doorway, Sula's posture stiffened. Her gaze narrowed slid slowly, toward Ela. Ela's bright, bubbly smile didn't change, but Sula knew this boy was trouble if Ela was discovered. la on the other hand thought this was exciting. She knew exactly what that description meant, and realized this could be more fun.
At the front of the room, Dr. Kline's thoughts raced. She knew what this meant. Donor X's trait has awakening. Her demeanor changed instantly. Her shoulders relaxed. Her tone softened just enough to seem reasonable. It was a controlled response.
"You know what, Subject 13," Kline said. "You're right."
Everyone stared at her with surprise. Jasen felt a chill crawl up his spine, he didn't know why the shift in attitude, but he but he hid it well. She was waiting for this, why he didn't know but he will use it to his advantage.
"So," Kline continued, clasping her hands behind her back, "tell me. What would you like?"
Korgath smirked faintly. Vorath remained unreadable. Yelara watched 13 closely now.
Jasen chose his words with care. He knew he had to ask but measure out what he can and cannot get. "I want a new room," he said. "No reflective ceiling. No sterile white walls."
Kline considered. "That can be arranged. Be mindful this facility has limited space, but I know somewhere more suitable. Anything else?"
"I want access to step out the facility, even if it is supervised or even limited.
"No," Kline said instantly. Jasen didn't flinch. He knew that was probably gonna happen. Captain Stone then in leaned in and whispered something in her ear.
Kline exhaled sharply, then nodded. "You will be allowed supervised access to the rooftop. You will remain quiet at all hours. One misstep and it's revoked. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jasen said. "I also want limited unsupervised movement within the facility," he added. "With a restricted keycard. You'll know where I am at all times." Kline looked to Stone who nodded slowly. "That's feasible. All sensitive areas are already locked two levels above and below."
Kline nodded. "Approved."
Jasen nearly smiled. Nearly, but he new he wasn't done.
"One more thing," he said. Kline sighed. "Go on."
"I want to know who I'm related to."
"That's not happening," she replied flatly. "And if you did know, nothing good would come from it." Jasen studied her face, then nodded. "Then I want a name." Kline tilted her head. "You may choose one. I doubt anyone here will use it."
"That's fine," Jasen replied. "When I decide… you'll know." Kline nodded once. "Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Good. Finish today's tests. You'll be moved to your new quarters by morning." She turned and walked out. The others followed.
Later that night, Dr. Kline sat alone in her office, typing rapidly away at her terminal. Subject 13 has shown clear signs of Donor X's traits. The reply didn't come as text. The terminal rang.
Kline hesitated… then accepted. "Hello... Benefactor."
A man's voice filled the dark room. "You don't need to call me Benefactor when it's just us, Doctor," he said smoothly. "Call me… the Illusive Man."
Kline swallowed. "Yes… sir."
"Now tell me doctor, do you think the subject is ready to begin stage two of project Ascension?"
"He is still to young, plus I haven't informed the others about the changes to the plan."
"Those aliens do not need to know, we just need to make sure when the time comes they are taken care of. Minus the Asari Matriarch, the other two can be disposed of. How many more years will you before you think 13 is ready to begin phase two?"
Kline paused looking at the picture on her desk. Her mind thought of herself at the age when she needed to find the most independence and be her own person. "4 more years sir will be needed. With that we can collect the primary data and ensure he is capable of handling the the new environment. Then he can be introduce subject 12 and we can truly begin phase to in it's completion."
There was a small pause, then the Illusive man spoke. "4 more years, consider it down. Keep me informed as usual on any changes."
The call ended, and Kline began to smile faintly. "He noticed me, now just a little bit. Just you wait, I will ensure 13 exceeds all of our expectations. He is your key to the evolution of humanity, and he is my key to you."