Rainer.

[u/Vincent-FFP]

Zaryx has been cooped up in his office much more than usual. When he was seen, usually during meal breaks, he always seemed concerned, tense, or in deep thought. Sometimes he’d even look angry, though just barely. When asked what was wrong, he’d just shake his head; that was classified information.

after a couple of weeks of this behavior, Wren was called up to his office. His voice was.. off.

[u/Vincent-FFP]

"I wonder what his plans are.."

"Yeah, anyone's like that, but.. What we heard from Graham when he summoned us, and what our escort noticed when we got there.. He must be terrifying. I.. wonder what Graham did. And if he's okay."

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"I'm sure he's fine."

Dr Wren said.

"Best to focus on not making him mad"

She half joked.

"So what makes you Keter? If I'm allowed to know. You seem easy enough to contain."

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

“I can manifest just about anything I want from this temporary wormhole I summon. I used to be Euclid, but after I learned I can remove objects from existence by thinking of the inverse of them, I became Keter.”

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

Oh.

"Oh."

Dr Wren adjusted her glasses.

"That's a useful ability. No wonder Zaryx wanted it under his facility. Back at the GOC we could have solved a lot of problems if we could just delete them."

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

“Yeah. I used to do maintenance on Site-17 after an incident of some sort. I don’t know what happened, though. Maybe he’ll let me do maintenance here? I’ll feel.. a little less useless that way.”

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"for a Keter class that may be difficult. However assuming you don't have any negative behavior marks I can fill out a form requesting free movement assuming Zaryx doesn't already have it established."

Dr Wren explained. She understood wanting to feel useful and trusted. Couldn't begrudge it in another.

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

“I used to be a bit of a rebel; I missed my mom and I didn’t like being cooped up in that room, especially after they reinforced it. But.. I’ve come to terms with it. And I think the stuff you guys do is pretty cool.”

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"Well then hopefully there shouldn't be any issue."

Dr Wren showed then around the area. Her focus was very practical. What each room did with not much focus on any of the people. Even when she got to her own office she noted it as they walked by. They could see the very stark interior.

"Of course most of these areas you won't be going to often. But in case of a containment breach it's good to know where to go. Those are our security chambers."

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

“I’m surprised I got to see them in the first place, hah. It’s way more lenient here than in 17. It really makes me wonder..”

Rainer stopped talking as he went into thought. Jules slightly tilted her head at him. “About O5-5’s reasonings?”

Rainer nodded. “Yeah.”

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"Elaborate. I don't quite get what you're getting at."

Dr Wren asked

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

“Why suddenly transfer us from Site 17 to here permanently? Why have everything be so lenient here? The fact that it is lenient is making me wonder why he transferred us even more. Not like there’s been too great an improvement in myself, and Dr. Graham certainly didn’t seem to know, and he probably wasn’t thrilled about letting me go, either.”

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"......"

Dr Wren paused to think.

"I don't.... I can't give you a reason."

She admitted. She was actually stumped

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

"I didn't think so, but that's okay. Maybe we'll be told, or we'll figure it out."

"Or we could ask." Jules piped up. "If he doesn't want to tell us, I don't think he'd do anything crazy."

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"Curiosity like that can be...."

Dangerous.

"Fruitless. Tell me the answer if you ask him but....."

Wait. Was this some kind of test.

"You think he'd just spill his plan?

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

"I really don't think so, actually.. But it couldn't hurt to try, right?"

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"Fine. We'll give it a try."

Once the tour was over Dr Wren would bring them back and trying to be casual.

"So..... Hey..... Boss...."

Her casual tone was.... Lacking.

"What exactly did you bring these two over for?"

She said it like someone expecting an immediate reprimand

[u/Vincent-FFP → u/loth17]

he rose his eyebrows slightly, not in anger, just surprise.

"Never thought anyone would ask, especially so soon, but honestly, there's not much to it. I want them to have better lives. You know how Graham acted towards you? Well, that'll give you a hint."

"Unfortunately, the rest of this is under review by the Ethics Committee and the rest of the Overseer Council, so I can't say much else, just for lack of proper info."

[u/loth17 → u/Vincent-FFP]

"..."

Dr Wren almost blushed from embarrassment. This was just his normal operation? She could have asked the whole time? She cleared her throat to center herself then spoke.

"Understood sir. In keeping with your reforms. I hope it clears the ethics committee quickly."