Interlude: Risk... Or Reward?
The noises bounced and echoed through the stillness of the small laboratory. Tiny lights in a multitude of muted colors flashed and blinked on many computer consoles stationed systematically around the room, while numerical lines of indecipherable code streamed across the plethora of sleek monitors equipped on the consoles. Heavy black cables ran along the midnight stone floor and hung in haphazard clumps from the low, cracked ceiling.
A lone figure stood at the console stationed in the center of the laboratory, frowning at the large monitor, his scarlet-tinted spectacles sliding down a dark bill as he squinted maroon eyes at the readings. So focused on the screen, he failed to notice the lab's only door sliding open behind him…
"What is the status of your progress?" The tone was clipped, sharp as a blade, and a smirk grew on the scientist's bill at the thick agitation coating it. "Have you anything to report, Starline?"
The platypus smoothed the brown-streaked white fur from his face. "Doctor Starline," He sneered over his shoulder, pompously straightening his already-perfect magenta velvet waistcoat with an aura of arrogance he knew would infuriate the Insurgent… Though with this particular tin can, it wasn't nearly as entertaining as the others. The ovular onyx eye simply glinted in the low laboratory lights; the slim armored body barely twitched. Starline heaved a sigh and turned back to the monitor.
"The Master grows impatient." The Insurgent informed the platypus, his approach to the monitor astoundingly smooth and graceful, even for a Metarex. "What is the status of the Assimilation?"
"If the Master wishes for success, he must exercise a bit more patience, Narcissus." Starline cordially retorted, rolling his eyes. "But if it is a report he desires, each test has yielded results that point to the same conclusion. The seal is too powerful to break without a prime conductor of equal strength as a guide. But, if the Master's hypothesis proves correct…" Golden-tipped fingers flew across the console, streams of coded information causing Black Narcissus to shift in surprise and a black smirk to split Starline's bill. "Then all we require is the Master's Key, and the Black Arms will be one step closer to Assimilation."
"I will deliver your report to the Master." Black Narcissus departed the laboratory with a flourish that set his silk black cape snapping against Starline's legs. The platypus scowled but set about fussing with the console for several minutes…
Until he abandoned the farce and strode around the console, his boot heels clicking in measured beats against the stone floor, the smirk on his face widening to a gleefulness that bordered insanity. Gingerly, he laid his hand against the thick crystal wall, his maroon gaze hungrily glinting at the magnificent sparkling green gemstone caught between several humming scanners and connected to several black wires and blinking probes just on the other side…
"And when the Master has no further use for you," Starline murmured. "I shall say, the reward for our… discoveries together will far outpace any risk."
A/N: Hi guys!!! So... not dead, obviously! So sorry about the long wait, but 3S Act II is kicking my tail, along with life itself, lol. It'll be a bit longer before the entire Act is ready, buuuuut I wanted to gift you guys this little sneak preview as a thank you for your continued support, as well as a promise from me that this tale has not been abandoned! It's taking me some time, but we are far from finished with the tale of the Three Sovereigns! Thank you guys so much for being so patient, and I'll see you guys very soon!
