@iimpulsio & @sapicurio
⋞⁘♔⁘⋟ It took some time for the realization to finally settle in. It had been endlessly eating at Ravus’ mind, trying to figure out what it was about Adam that had struck such a chord of familiarity. When it had dawned on him, it hit like a sack of bricks- how amazing a difference just a hairstyle and some spectacles could make.
Eve... Of course. Though, that then posed the question; had Adam created Eve in a likeness to himself? Or was there more to the story. Ravus hoped that wasn’t the case, though he wouldn’t put it past anyone else in the Empire to recreate the methods that Verstael had experimented in. He had heard tell of the plans to create stronger MTs, but had been oblivious to any of the details it entailed. He needed answers...
Giving in to his curiosities, the High Commander strode through the Keep, down to the laboratories. He seldom ever visited those levels, but most certainly had clearance for them. The airlock doors opened with a quiet hiss and Ravus squinted at the bright lights. He would never understand why scientists preferred everything so blindingly vibrant...
“Sir?” A woman in a lab coat immediately bustled in his direction as he stepped inside. The look on her face was one of blatant surprise- not that he could blame her. “Is there something I can do for you?”
His eyes scanned the room, disregarding the person who was speaking to him, for the most part. There were steel countertops and stark clean surfaces. Several other individuals were scattered about, some clearly in the middle of various projects, though all faces were now turned in his direction. Adam did not appear to be among them.
“Where is--?” At first, he nearly missed it... Shocking, considering it was such a massive construction, right in the center of the facility. Ravus’ eye widened as his words stilled in his throat.
The tank in itself was difficult to describe. Yes, quite literally it was a rounded pillar of glass, filled with water or...some liquid sustenance; however, the immediate vibe it emanated sent a chill up Ravus’ spine. The two figures the hovered within it nearly filled the entire expanse, seeming blissfully unaware to what was going on around them. The wires that coiled up over the rim lead to an array of machines, vital stats beeping in a rhythmic pattern.
Eve...? Yes, that was clearly Eve. And... Ravus’ brow furrowed. Adam? It was. His lips parted as he stared in a combination of awe and disgust, all the pieces beginning to fall into place. This whole collaboration felt wrong. Truthfully, he might have been able to turn and walk away from it, until his attention centered on the metal shackle around Adam’s ankle that held him captive inside the tank.
“What is the meaning of this?” Ravus finally snapped, his hands balling to fists at his sides.
One of the scientists started progressing in his direction, shoulders back and ready to explain, possibly with some hope of impressing the High Commander with his knowledge. “Could you elaborate? The subjects are resting and being monitored.”
Subjects? ... Subjects? His teeth clenched. “They are not your subjects. Not in the manner you speak. You leash them like animals?”
“I...well. Yes. We-we must be certain to keep them properly confined, lest they act of their own accord.” Clearly the other male was growing uneasy.
Ravus’ anger only ignited further. He was well aware of what the purpose of MTs was, but to treat them so primitively when they had subconscious minds of their own? Especially Eve- the endearing sort that had followed him about for some time now, eyes bright and curious and fascinated by everything Ravus had to say to him...
No... He would not stand for this! Striding over, he grasped ahold of the monitoring cables and yanked. Sparks flew and he kicked the machines across the room until the clattered against the opposing wall. “They are not your pets!”
Protests began to shout as the scientists swarmed about, trying to stop the Commander, but he ignored them, beginning to pat at the glass tank to see how it opened- if there was a way...
Consequences be damned, but he was not leaving here without the two of them...