Here you go guys! Enjoy and leave a comment, criticism, or cookies below.

Otherwise enjoy XD

Chapter 7

Lessons of the Past and a New Companion

“I don’t see the reason as to why we need to convene over this! This is simply a misuse of authority and public corruption by the police force and needs to be addressed by excising the corruption at its source. There’s no reason to debate this!” A fierce woman’s voice states.

“We cannot in good faith just execute the main instigators, we need raw data on who, what, when, where, and how! The execution of the key people will not dismantle the corruption, it will only intensify it leaving a gaping hole for someone to fill. A new leader will come into play and we will be right back where we started if we go through with this!” an elderly man rebukes.

An intense environment can be heard as the main doors are opened for the group of three.

“Oh boy, they are back on this topic again.” Marneus says with a sigh.

“Monsieur, they have been arguing about this for about 2 weeks now.” Jacque states passively.

“What topic is that?” Bazz asks as he looks to the two for an explanation.

“They are speaking about the port town of Argus. The police corruption is about as bad as the crime syndicates that operate out of there.” Marneus says looking over at him. “The two main people going at this are Councilor Seronta Vaina and Primarch Venat Luciana and the council is usually split between the two.”

“Mistress Vaina is primarily in favor of—”

“You three! The ones hanging in the shadows of the door! Come forward to the council and present yourselves!” The fierce woman announces to them, cutting Jacque off midsentence.

“*sigh*…Would it behoove you to at least maintain an air of respect towards those you are requesting that from?!” Marneus retorts coming forth from under the doorway.

Bazz, now free to gaze upon the insides of the building is blown away at the contrast of it. The outside of the building may be reddish brown, but the inside is stark white. There are seats that seem remarkably close to bleachers surrounding an upraised fairly large platform with a podium in the center of the room.

A small pathway can be seen leading to it and the surrounding area is filled with white robed men and women. People of all walks of life surrounding the podium which seemed to be vacant but for two at the moment.

On one side of the upraised podium, stands an almond skinned middle aged woman with hazel eyes, deep red hair, and a striking complexion. She had a stern appearance and an average height with average proportions that belied the stark contrast of her personality. On her polar opposite, stands an elderly man with stern green eyes, a bald head, and a full dark curly beard with streaks of grey running through it.

“Ah Commander Marneus, I had not heard that you were down from the station. For what reason are you… no matter, help me settle this debate Marneus. It’s the least you can do while you are here.” Vaina bluntly states to him.

“Don’t you dare even think of doing that Marneus! You know what happened last time you got into a debate!” Luciana quickly interjects.

“Why must I debate? I’m finally on my first vacation!” Marneus blatantly refuses. He turns around to Bazz and pulls him forward. “This lad might be able to help you though. Why don’t you try him out?”

~What the fuck?! Why did I just get wrapped up in this!~ Bazz thinks in shock.

The 2 of them gaze over at Bazz as if shaping him up and a strict guess as to what his intellect is restricted to.

“If I’m not mistaken, you are Mr. Bazz, the Spacer correct?” Luciana asks with a slight smile forming on his face.

“Premature contact with a foreigner not of this dimension and prior contact before this convened council? Are you looking to make a statement here Primarch?!” Vaina accuses.

“What are you talking about? The Spacer was already in the city when I got ahold of Marneus. I didn’t even know Marneus was down from the Station until just recently today! Besides we don’t even know if this man has what it takes to end this debate.” Luciana says.

“And what would the reason for this be? Is it because he is a variable? Someone who is subject to change no matter the reasons presented to him?” Vaina states with clarity.

“I’m perfectly capable to speaking for myself thanks…” Bazz perks up.

“Shut it. The very fact that he is here speaks for the fact that he takes more interest in our planet than the other Spacers. He should very well be a better representative for their kind than any other! For this reason he can provide new insight on this issue!” Vaina states clearly and heatedly.

“…” Luciana stares at her with his mouth agape.

Bazz fidgets a bit at the new found tension running through the air. The fact that he was being made out to be the representative for all of the Spacers did not bode well with him. He could already hear the noose tightening.

“I apologize about that Mr. Bazz, my colleague doesn’t seem to appreciate a fresh pair of eyes on an already heated debate.” Vaina apologizes with a piercing look in her eyes. “If I might ask, what is your occupation in the other dimension?”

Bazz looks at her for a moment…and steps onto the platform. Gasps ring out as he does this.

“My occupation…which one do you want to hear?” Bazz asks calmly.

She gazes at him with a newfound wonder.

“Why as many of them as possible would be nice.” She says with wide eyes and a smile growing on her face.

“…I…am a student. A scholar of history and art. A day laborer—”

“A laborer!? Is that what we have been reduced to? Taking the testimony and verdict from a laborer?!” Luciana exclaims.

“You will remember that in this hall everyone has a voice!” Vaina admonishes with heavy weight on the word everyone.

Silence rings out before Bazz continues.

“I am also a brother. A concerned guardian for a sister I desperately try to protect against the horrors of my world. I was trained from a young age to be a soldier, a mercenary, a survivalist. I was trained to use anything and everything to their utmost potency.

I was taught to be a creator. Not just of destruction, but of invention. A man of the mind which does not break, but bends at the new ideas and ideals being forced upon him in a world consumed by anarchy.

I am all of these things. But most important of all…I am a man loyal to his friends… Does that answer your question?”

As he says these things, his eyes watch as the surrounding people were becoming increasingly uncomfortable and amazed at his occupations. Particularly Vaina, Luciana, and Marneus. Their mouths seemed to be hanging open so far that they could quite possibly fall off if hit with enough force.

“I think…that would be a good enough description…thank you Mr. Bazz.” Vaina says softly, almost tenderly, not really knowing how to respond.

“And now I pose a question for you councilmen. Why must a person be defined by the occupation they frequent? Does it show the character of a person through what they do every day? Or does it just give a basis on what they do and who they are?”

The surrounding council is struck speechless at this question and not knowing how to respond.

“What about you, Primarch Luciana? Does this question not pose a suitable response be required?” Bazz states clearly with a voice ringing out, looking over at Luciana.

Luciana brings his hand to his beard and starts stroking it, as if thinking for a response to give.

“I think it gives a sense of what the person has to offer and from what perspective could be gained from it. The occupation of someone can be discerned as a reasonable approach to see what shapes their life.” He says with some manner of discomfort.

“But more than that, it can be used as a general basis of the self.” Vaina interjects afterward.

“Ah…the basis of the self. Such a philosophical term. But how does one go about understanding the basis of the self? Through posing questions to the mind and the spirit? I do not think so.

My understanding of the basis of the self comes along with a certain story. Will you allow me to tell it?” Bazz asks the councilmen.

A short amount of silence follows.

“I would like to hear it. It sounds interesting.” Vaina says and pulls up a chair from the surrounding audience.

“There was a time when I was given leave from combat in my dimension. A time when I could relax and release my pent up stress. I was in a country that had been at peace for a very long time and was getting something to eat from a stall when I noticed a disturbance across the street.

A man was being rejected from entering an establishment seemingly only for his clothes. He was wearing a white robe with a maroon turban on his head.”

“Excuse me for asking but what is this turban you speak of?” Vaina pipes up.

“It would be something close to a head wrapping. A way to keep the head cool in heated places. The place that he had come from was a country that was settled in the desert. This country was known as being war like in nature because of the differing religious conflicts by extremists.

And as per the ways of different people when they meet, they start looking at each other in rapt fascination of what life could be like in the differing culture. However, the man being rejected from the establishment only wanted a place to eat.

A natural phenomena that everyone in this room, every living thing, requires… the nutrients to survive. The owner of the store was refusing the man for simply wearing a different type of clothing than the rest of his customers. Why do you think he would do this?” Bazz asks to the surrounding members.

“Could it be because the restaurant owner didn’t know what to do and was simply pushing the man away? He didn’t want to be seen as someone with a less reputable reputation, judged by his community for serving someone that seemed to be from a country known for acts of war.” Luciana replies with a hand still on his beard.

“That would be a correct assumption. However, it is the wrong assumption. You can’t just use your perceptions of someone based on the fact of their outer self and the country they come from. You have to look inward. Learn about their culture, expand your horizons, and look for who they are as a person and how they were raised.

If all you do is look on the outside and judge it accordingly, you miss the fundamental aspects that make the person who they are.” Bazz states clearly.

"There is so much one can learn. Not just in the differing of cultures, but the way that culture is represented by its people! Judging a culture or person solely on the way they look on the outside does not only reflect that you are a shallow individual, but that you are also not willing to learn the intricacies of their culture.”

The council chambers are now silent. A pen could be dropped and it would echo in the chamber. Vaina and Luciana now wear expressions shame. The expression of being ashamed by their own questions.

The Agora council is known far and wide as the primary ruling body of Terra. It is not easy to be granted access to them let alone speak with them. But even more difficult is the task of bringing them a lesson of humility.

+10 Presence

+5 Wisdom

Bazz swipes the page away and continues,

“Now, for the previous debate. Something about the corruption of the police force and the steps to get rid of it?” Bazz asks in a light heartened tone.

The surrounding members, including Vaina and Luciana, perk up at this question.

“Yes Mr. Bazz, we were trying to figure out the best way to deal with the problem. What are your thoughts on this?” Vaina says, almost eagerly.

“Hmmm is there a main head of the organization?” Bazz asks thinking of which strategy to use.

“There is an inner circle of sorts in place there, but we don’t know who to investigate.” Luciana states.

“Bring them here and let me get a look at them. I should be able to figure it out.” Bazz says with a smile.

“Just the inner circle?” Vaina and Luciana ask simultaneously.

He looks at them and sighs.

“Yes, just the inner circle. The subordinates wouldn’t think of doing anything other than their job while the bosses are away. Plus you leave the lieutenants in place to have some semblance of order in case something happens.” Bazz states matter-of-fact like. “Now if there isn’t anything else, I would like to be on my way and it has been a long day.”

He says this and gets off the platform, walking towards the exit. Marneus looks gravely at the 2 still standing on the platform. None of them had expected this.

Marneus turns on his heel to follow Bazz out the door.

--------------------

As the doors close behind Bazz and Marneus, the councilors start standing up and heading off in groups to their respective abodes. Vaina and Luciana are still standing on the platform, thinking about what has transpired.

“Why would he need just the inner circle? Wouldn’t the most prudent thing be to look for the extent of the corruption?” Vaina asks quietly to Luciana.

“I have no idea. However, now that we get a glimpse of him…this Spacer has had more experience with life than the average man or woman, that much is certain. I am starting to wonder what else he could know.” Luciana replies.

“Well let’s get to it and call in the circle. I’m curious to see what he will do when they come in.” Vaina says with a smile.

----------------

“Well that was very interesting Signor Bazz, I almost teared up a little.” A man in the shadows says quietly to himself.

The black shadow moves from underneath the rafters and pushes a side door opening to the elements.

“Maybe I should clear house at the Argus precinct before he finds out the extent of our enterprise.” He continues.

BZZZZ…

He freezes at the vibration coming from his front coat pocket. Taking out the PDA, he becomes puzzled at the number calling him.

“XXX-XXXX-XXX; I haven’t heard of this number before.”

BZZZ—

“Hel-”

“Listen to me very carefully Ray, I want you to go to Argus and take out one of our inner circle officers and impersonate him when they are called to Agora.” An electronic high pitched voice interrupts him. “When they are in the council building, I want you to act as if you aren’t a part of the leanings.”

“And why should I do that Signor? I have no idea who you are to begi—”

“I’m your boss’s boss.” The voice says switching from high pitch to low.

Ray freezes in the darkness at this revelation.

“The fact that I am calling you is because you are the most adept person for a job of this caliber. Do not bother asking for my name or for Lucky to come and bail you out. I want this your top priority.”

“Alright Signor, I’ll head straight for the port city Argus. Shall I have need of using our resources from the syndicates?”

“That will not be necessary. Just make sure no one knows that you are there and that this Spacer doesn’t find out about you.” The voice says, changing pitch yet again. “The dossier on the officer will be sent to you shortly.”

“Si Signore. Sarà fatto!”

--------------------

“Well boy, that was very interesting! You held up well in there!” Marneus says enthusiastically while slapping him on the back.

Bazz and Marneus pass through the gates heading out into the open night. Frustration is plastered all over Bazz’s face.

“Next time deal with your own problems, don’t drag me into it.” Bazz growls giving him a malicious glare.

“Oh come on, don’t be like that! We don’t know what you Spacers are like anyway. Think of it as social experimentation!” Marneus replies enthusiastically.

“Oh so I’m an experiment now am I?” Bazz states with more than a few bulging veins popping out on his forehead.

“Alright princess don’t get your panties in a wad. Anyway, next let’s head to the Agora Research Institute. That’s where we will be staying for the week.” Marneus says walking forward.

“Wait, research institute? Why a research institute? And more importantly why for a week?” Bazz asks.

“How do you think we are gonna start the process of changing you boy? It has to start somewhere.”

“Ummm, I thought we were going to head for a military base or something and train the livin daylights outa me first.”

“Well you aren’t half wrong there but that can easily be done in our surrounding area. We don’t need special weights and mumbo jumbo crap to make you get into shape! Plus the reason for the week is because it’ll take some time for your body to heal from the surgery. So you will have some time to read up on whatever it is you read up on.”

“Hold on, surgery?! That’s the reason we are going to the research institute?!” Bazz almost yells as he stares at Marneus wide eyed.

“What? You thought that everything was just gonna happen on its own? Come on fruitcake, you got better brains than that!” Marneus teases.

Bazz becomes silent and walks behind Marneus as they make their way into the city. The further into the city they go, the more Bazz comes to gaze in awe and appreciate the glowing city. The Treyns had started to emit a faint luminous glow on the outside of their varied limbs, only slightly lighting the pathways of travelers in the night.

The more they walk, the closer Bazz comes to notice a Treyn the same size of the Principae, but with a hospital like appearance. The outside is a deep mahogany with a slight sappy film covering it, as if a type of shield is in place to keep the building fortified.

“I’m guessing this is the research institute?” Bazz asks looking up at the Treyn.

“Yes princess, however let me put something into perspective for you. If the Principae and its council were considered the heart of the city, what would this place be?” Marneus asks going up to the building doors.

“I’m guessing that this would be the brain of the city. So basically all of the technology of this city were developed here.” Bazz states poking his finger into the film of one of the walls. He finds it kinda jelly like.

“Correct, now get your ass in there!” Marneus barks.

As they walk into the building, they see a large group of people trying to get something into a cage in the middle of the hallway. However, they seemed to be having trouble.

“Get into the cage beast!”

“*whimper*”

Bazz looks over at the ground where the lead person is and sees an animal he didn’t expect to see. It was a dog. Or at least it looked like one to him because he had no other way to discern what it could possibly be. The ‘dog’ was very large, easily exceeding 100lbs (45.3 kg), it had a sleek blackish grey coat with a large furry mane in the front and a long furry tail at the back. A long snout with extended canines, and yellow eyes can be seen just around a man’s pant leg. It was laying on the ground and had multiple canes being shoved into its ribcage, the group trying to move it into a large cage.

What happened as soon as he looked at it, however, shook him. It looked straight into his eyes. As if pleading for help, the sign of an animal being forced against its will and fear overcoming all of its senses.

“Ah! Looks like they finally got one! Do you know wha—” Marneus starts to say looking over his shoulder for Bazz, but doesn’t find him there.

Bazz had already put as much energy as possible into his legs and bolted for the group. Reason and caution had been thrown to the wind as seething rage had overtaken him at the sight of this animal being beaten.

“Just get into the damn cage already you be—” the man standing over the ‘dog’ says and is about to kick it when a boot comes flying into his face sending him into the wall with a sickening crunch.

The rest of the group look up in horror as the leader is flown into the wall. Taking advantage of the momentary stunned atmosphere, Bazz gets to work disabling all of them by aiming for pressure points on their bodies.

Within 5 seconds the group of 7 is on the ground reeling from the flurry of quick and accurate strikes given to them. As they are reeling in pain, he goes over to the leader, takes out Jury and a power clip from his pack, leans down, and shoves the barrel into the leading man’s face.

“Alright I’m going to give you to the count of 10 to get the fuck away from this animal!” Bazz spits out vehemently.

The man on the ground looks at him in abject terror at the thought of being killed.

“10!”

“Bazz what the hell are ya doin?!” Marneus asks loudly.

“7!” Bazz states clearly not caring about his mentor or what happens to himself.

“We are just doing our—”

“3!” Bazz interrupts skipping straight to 3 and moves the barrel to the man’s groin as the lead man tries to explain.

The leader freezes and starts moving away as quickly as possible. The rest of the group following suit.

Bazz stands up, continuing to point his gun at the man.

“Boy, I realize you might be a tad bit angry right now, but you should really watch who you try to save.” Marneus says softly, trying to calm Bazz down. “That animal is one of the most dangerous animals known to mankind, it—”

“And why should I care about that?” Bazz retorts flatly, anger still showing through his voice. “From my point of view, it looks to me like enslavement, lack of respect towards, and assault of an intelligent animal.”

“That’s because it was imported from another world and is not to be trifled with.” A sultry female voice responds from behind him.

Bazz swings his gun around to the voice. Not seeing anyone, he notices a speaker up on the wall and a camera aimed straight at him. He lowers his hands at this point, although he still has one hand on the gun.

“It still doesn’t make it right that the treatment of this animal is this horrific. Have you looked at its eyes? Have you looked at its demeanor? Its posture? When an animal is this scared for its life, it’s natural and instinctive tendencies’ are to seek out the nearest source of protection and or exit. I will not allow the treatment of this anim—”

A wet slobbery tongue licks his hand interrupting him. He looks down at the disturbance to find the ‘dog’ sitting next to him, nosing his hand. As the ‘dog’ looks up at him, the ‘dog’s’ eyes start emitting a blue light and an ethereal blue flame begins being emitted from the top of the mane behind his head. After the ‘dog’ stops doing this,

You have been imprinted and soulbound

For being the first to gain a pet

+250 Fame

“Shit we need tranquilizers! We can’t have him going on a rampage here!” The leader states wide eyed to the rest of the group.

However the leader of the group is the only one able to stand up because the rest of the group is writhing in pain. Bazz stares at the two pages that have just popped up in front of him.

“Ah, hold on a second. He seems to have just imprinted on me. That must mean…this is a pup.” He says as his tone takes an icy turn.

A cold atmosphere becomes palpable in the surrounding area as he glares at the man. He brings up ‘Jury’ slowly and fires a shot between the legs of the leader as pure unbridled fury starts welling up from his soul. The men stare up at Bazz with a look of helplessness and horror plastered to their faces.

“If you ever come near him again. I’ll fucking kill you. But first I’ll start with torture. Tearing out the balls would be the start, then ripping out the nails, then –”

He stumbles forward a bit after being pushed from behind. He turns around and notices the ‘dog’ with a pleading look in its eyes. As if it was saying ‘please stop’ to him.

Bazz sighs for a moment, quietly returning the cold atmosphere back to normal and releasing his pent up fury. He takes out the power clip from the ‘Jury’ and places them in his pack.

“Fine. You get off easy this time because he wants me to stop.”

A wave of exhaustion hits him and all of his muscles start to tense all at once. A couple pages pop up as his knees hit the floor.

Tension is in effect!

A debuff that makes all of your muscles tense and harder to move. Stamina and Satiety is decreased by 50% and Agility, Strength, and Dexterity are cut in ½ until Tension ends.

Through the use of straining your body and mind to the max in an intense situation, you have gained stat points!

+30 Vitality

+30 Presence

+30 Wisdom

You have gained 2 new skills!

You have gained Adrenaline Rush!

You have gained Aura!

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Adrenaline RushBeginner177%A burst of Adrenaline hits your body and heightens your muscles and situational awareness. 30 min cooldown plus Tension.

Agility, Strength, Dexterity +100 for 5 minutes.

-250 Stamina

{Active}

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:AuraBeginner168%It is very uncommon when someone manages to manifest their will through their mind and body. For those who are able to do it are a terror to their enemies and a savior to their friends.

All surroundings= Penalty bonus applied to Health, Stamina, and Damage Reduction

Bonus Applied= +2%

-15 Psi / Sec

{Sustained}

You are the first to unlock a racial skill!

+100 Fame

You are the first to unlock a mental skill!

+100 Fame

The ‘dog’ comes around his side and nuzzles his face. Everyone in the surrounding area is shocked at this turn of events and don’t know what to make of it.

“Boy, what do you mean imprinted?” Marneus asks cautiously.

“Do you not know what imprinting means?” Bazz asks in bewilderment trying to use controlled breathing to lessen the effects of Tension.

“I know what it means boy, what I am concerned with is the fact that this species of animal isn’t known to be hospitable or at least tolerant of humans. Hence the reason why I ask how it imprinted on you.” Marneus says with some manner of concern.

“It must have something to do with the Spacers,” the sultry female voice pipes up over the loudspeaker.

Everyone, except Bazz, in the hallway looks up at the loudspeaker with a look of awe.

“Anyyyyyway, Commander Marneus I am assuming that this guy is the first test subject that we have?” She continues.

“He is Doc. Don’t think about prodding too much though.” Marneus replies.

“Oh well. I had hoped to gain a new test subject among one of the Spacers, but if all I can do is play with one, I guess that’ll do.” She says with a disheartening tone.

“And the next time I find out that one of my new test subjects is being mishandled, the mishandlers will find themselves being the next test subjects.” She says menacingly.

The clear threat in her voice made the group of men cringe.

“Let’s get a move on princess, the day won’t last much longer.” Marneus says as he starts heading down the hallway.

Bazz starts walking slowly behind him, continuing his controlled breathing exercises. The ‘dog’ follows next to him, his eyes constantly scanning the corridor.

--------------------

10 minutes later in an elevator…

“So what kind of animal is this anyway?” Bazz asks looking over at Marneus.

“It’s known to the Alliance as the Naeri (Nay-ree). What’s interesting is the fact that its species has the tendency to attack on sight and they tend to work in a group or pack like formation. Sometimes there are loners but they usually are the truly dangerous ones.” Marneus explains looking down at the pup.

The Naeri looks up at him with bright yellow eyes as if saying “What’d I do?”

Marneus chuckles and looks up at Bazz.

“And seeing as it has become your pet, it seems you will have to train it before it gets too big.” Marneus says chuckling.

“…What do you mean too big?” Bazz asks apprehensively.

“The ones that live in a pack typically grow to the size of a small car. The loners can grow much bigger.” Marneus says with a wide grin growing on his face.

~Damnit…what have I gotten myself into this time~

“The first time we encountered them, they tore apart a base of 2500 trained personnel within 30 minutes. The group that was encountered numbered 15 in total.” Marneus says with a grimace.

“They are intelligent, extremely cunning, and tend to hunt through their use of a specialized gland. The gland allows them to make use of the Psi trait that you Spacers seem to have.”

“And how do they seem to use it?” Bazz asks quietly.

“No idea.” Marneus bluntly responds.

The doors slide open and a stark white lab presents itself to the two. A clean white floor and a hallway on the side leading to separate rooms can be seen to the left and right.

The three of them start heading off down a hallway. Halfway down the hallway, the Tension is released and all of his limbs return to normal from applying the controlled breathing.

“Have you named it yet?” Marneus asks quietly.

“I don’t know any particular name that could describe such a potentially large creature. I guess Fenris will do.” Bazz states.

The Naeri licks his hand in response.

“Oh you like that name do you?” Bazz says with a smile looking down at Fenris.

The three of them enter a large room at the end of the hallway. In the middle of the room is a large table with a multitude of machines. All of them had some manner of cutting utensil. Surrounding the room were an assortment of counters and shelves, all being covered with test tubes and beakers.

“Finally made it did you?” the female voice asks around the corner.

The woman’s standing over a sink washing her hands. A voluptuous bust and tight waist, deep blue eyes, long ginger hair, and a beautiful face small glasses sitting on her nose. She was wearing a long white lab coat with an open and revealing green shirt, a small blue skirt, and black stockings underneath. Her security card key came down between her two valleys stopping at her belly, topping off the whole definition of a sexy scientist.

“H-hello Doc, nice to see you again.” Marneus manages to stammer out. He tries desperately to hold his hands in front of his crotch as to not embarrass himself in front of her. “A-are all t-the preparations set?”

~Dirty old man…well I can’t deny that she is attractive. She looks kinda like Clive’s main doctor~ Bazz thinks to himself.

“Yes they are. All that needs to be done now is for me to scan him to see what I need to do before I can set in the Linings.” Doc says looking up at Bazz. “Take off your clothes pretty boy.”

“What?” Bazz asks bewildered.

“I said take off your clothes pretty boy, you got 5 seconds before I do it myself and believe me when I say this, I am not a precise person when it comes to cloth stripping. I prefer tearing the clothes off myself.” Doc says in a seductive tone.

Bazz shudders at the implication and decides to play her game. As he strips off his suit, she goes over to a shelf on the wall and takes out an overly large PDA. As she turns around to look at him, she freezes.

Marneus, noticing her action, looks over at Bazz and likewise freezes as he sees what caught her attention. Bazz’s muscular body, was covered in scars. Scars left by bullet holes, animal teeth and claws. One scar in particular, stood out from the rest, a long jagged stretch of pink scar tissue wound its way from the tip of his left shoulder down across his pectorals and abdomen, finally stopping at his right hip.

Bazz finally notices that everyone else in the room had stopped moving.

“What’s the problem?” he asks politely.

The two staring individuals momentarily look up at his eyes, not knowing how to respond. He turns around while trying to take bottom half off, not noticing the widening eyes of the mentor and doctor.

The reason for the widening eyes was because of the prevalent scar tissue completely covering his back. His back was an entire scar, as if he had been subjected to extreme torture and whipping for years on end.

“Bazz…how did you get these?” Marneus asks quietly.

“Get what?” Bazz asks back still turned seeming oblivious to what they were asking.

“How did you get—” Doc goes to ask but is stopped by a hand from Marneus.

He seemed to understand the response from Bazz and didn’t want to trigger something that would potentially derail him.

“Never mind Mr. Bazz. Just finish up and stand in front of me please.” Doc says, trying to mask her sadness.

He tosses his suit with his pack and stands in front of her. She turns on the device and a green light comes out and scans him starting from the head. Fenris whimpers and whines in concern for what is being done.

“It’s alright boy, I’m fine.” Bazz says softly.

The scan finishes and 5 minutes pass as the device finishes computing the results. Doc looks at the readouts and nods her head in appreciation.

“You are as fit as a fiddle! Now we can get to the actual surgery!” She states happily. “Now go lay on the table in between the DBS Contraption.”

Bazz looks at her quizzically.

“I’m guessing the DBS Contraption is that mass amount of machines?” he asks.

“Yep!”

“So what will I be getting implanted in me?”

“You will be getting 3 separate implants: the Iron Heart, Chia Lining, and Mansya Lining. Now get on the slab…pretty boy.” Doc explains.

He obliges and lays on the table. The Contraption immediately surrounds him and restrains his body from making any unnecessary movements.

“I apologize about the restraints Mr. Bazz but this will be quite painful. Would you like to be anesthetized or no?” She asks.

“No thank you, I’ll be fine without it.”

“…Are you sure? This will be extremely painful if you aren’t anesthetized.” She asks again fearing for him.

“I’ll be fine ma’am.”

“O-okay…” She responds with a heavy heart.

“I doubt whatever you do will make him hurt more than what has already happened to him.” Marneus says to her quietly, too low for Bazz to hear him.

She looks at Marneus for a moment and turns back to look at Bazz still laying on the table, and starts wondering what could have happened to him to make him this way. The Contraption splays out around him.

“Alright, just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She says as a final note, and pushes a button on her device.

The DBS Contraption starts humming and Bazz looks up at the ceiling, watching as the lights are slowly blocked out by the numerous unfolding mechanical limbs are being thrust towards him, and closes his eyes as the syringes plunge into his chest.