The New Drugs or The Scheming Staff or Gone To His Head

Planet: Tarsonis

Year:2528

Place: Confederate ??? Academy

--Research and Development staff room L032--

Tom and the scientists were gathered within the staff room reviewing footage of Caesar's latest exploits. To the right was data from his most recent medical examination and his current psionic energy levels. To the left was Rishul's. #an: if you forgot, they exam him often for a variety of reasons. #

Scientist A paused the video to bring up a complete chart of his biological breakdown. "Successful augmentation. A dream Confederate scientists have spent over 61 years chasing. Out of it rose cybernetic modification. However, successful augmentation still eluded humanity's brightest minds. Then here pops a boy, whose adopted father. A disgraced scientist augmented in his basement...A psionic boy, augmented in a basement."

Scientist B: "I know right. Augmenting a psionic human was deemed impossible for a variety of reasons. The key of which is psionic to technology limitations. Yet Harold Connington successfully did it, embedding his name in the history books for decades to come."

"Can you call it successful? The boy was graded to be a potential grade 10. Now his psionic index grade is 5.7. I mean, you've all seen the battle data between him, Rishul, and Sarah. Yeah, he's physically superior in every way, but the second psionic energy gets involved they handle him...quickly," Said Scientist C. He loaded a video of Caesar and Rishul sparring.

The group watched as Caesar dodged blow after blow. Tom slowed the video as Rishul prepared to shoot a fireball at Caesar's head. The video paused while the scientists leaned in. "Make note, his reaction speed is still noticeably increasing," Stated Scientist A. When the video continued, they watched as Caesar leaned in, predicting then dodging Rishul's fireball.

Tom slowed the video as Caesar raised his arms to cover his face. Moments after, Rishul unleashed a wave of pyrokinetic energy, torching Caesar's training suit. Tom paused the video, his eyes lingered on Rishul's visage. "Make a note, to increase the psionic damping dosage in subject Mehta's food rations."

When the video resumed, to everyone's surprise. Caesar endured the pyrokinetic wave and was now inches from Rishul's face. The video slowed when Caesar tapped Rishul on his collar bone, their eyes locked onto Rishul's vitals as they began to slow while his body dropped.

"If recruit Caesar, a grade 5 can drop grade 10 with but a touch. Then augmentation is worth it, and let's not forget the boy's only 12. Imagine if we could augment a platoon of soldiers...just imagine." Said Scientist A, his thoughts were echoed by the group.

*Ring, ring, ring. Message from vice-director...sorry. Commander Popovich. "After extensive consideration. I, Commander Popovich, have decided to approve the new growth hormone, muscle, and bone supplements for recruit digestion. " Message end.*

The scientists paused, the room went silent. "YEAH! YEAH!" Cheering rang through the staff room, however. Tom stayed silent. 'He's been watching us,' thought Tom. He raised his hand, attracting the other's attention. "As many of you know, the latest growth hormones and supplements are based on what we've learned studying subject Augustus.

Not only do the hormones induce onset puberty. But the supplements are meant to increase bone and muscle density. Enabling the development of peak to superhuman tier humans. Of course, there are some temporary drawbacks, such as extreme emotional instability.

Hence the need for our more... extreme training method. However! These drugs cannot fail! Because they've been pre-ordered for the wealthy and military-approved cadets in the academy above. So if they fail. We're all dead, literally!"

#An: ghosts recruits graduate at 13. The academy above is for ages 12 and up. If you're wondering why are the cadets so young? Then you have to remember this academy was built to develop the Confederate's wealthy and elite. #

Tom's words hammer home, instilling the room with a sense of dread. Scientist A spoke up, reassuring everyone. "In most cases, recipients of this drug won't reach superhuman levels of strength. They'll be lucky to reach a semi-superhuman, let alone superhuman with the right genetics. However! These drugs are a major step to a complete and fairly safe augmentation. And with subject Augustus will eventually reach it!"

"So, the kids are our test subjects?" Asked Scientist I, he led the formers head engineer's stealth flyer and detection projects.

"No. We've been testing it on some of the recruit's parents. Those pathetic fucks are still looking for their kids." Chimed Scientist C, the others nodded in agreement. But stopped after Tom raised his hand once more. "On that note, how is subject Kerrigan coming along?"

Scientist D brought up a video of Clark and Sarah sparring against each other. "Although she still shows reluctance to kill. Subject Kerrigan is progressing smoothly through her training. However, her growing psionic power can prove to be more worrisome than subject Mehta's. Since, as Preceptor Suki put it. She's like a blank canvas.

In the video playing, not only did she copy Clark's tornado fist, but she'd later improve upon it. As such, we'd like to remove her from psionics training completely."

Scientist D's words caused Tom to nod in agreement. "Approved. Subject Kerrigan is known to harbor deep hatred towards us for the loss of her father and her miss treatment."

"Belay that order. Sarah Kerrigan has proven to be a mentally frail girl, whose development is vital to my plans," said Popovich. His voice rang from the PA system above, alerting the scientists of his presence.

'So he is watching us,' thought Tom. Gritting his teeth before speaking out. "Sarah Kerrigan's versatile psionic energy is already a problem. And with her genetics, the new growth hormones, and supplements. You're asking for a massive problem."

The room went silent, his scientist gawked at his actions. Popovich scoffed over the PA. "Your worries have been noted Thomas, but they're inconsequential. Everything Is proceeding exactly how I want it, so stay in your place. And remember. You're not one of a thousand, your one of the thousand.

Your replaceable" finished Popovich. His words silenced the group, stunning them to the core. They glanced at Tom, whose eyes twitched uncontrollably. He looked upon them and saw the same eyes he gave professor Martha all those years ago.

When the twitching stopped, Tom looked straight into the nearest camera with a hardened face and rage-filled eyes. His mouth said nothing but his eyes said everything.

His thoughts? 'Assurances must be taken.'

*Ahem!* "Sit down Thomas we need to review subjects Samir then Kent?" Demanded Scientist C.

---

An: Please remember the Confederacy's medical field is not better or worse than the UNSC's, It's just different, In pursuit of power and control. The 11 invested trillions into fields that would enable this while disregarding the needs of billions.

However, be it for combat or the greater good. The United Earth Government/UNSC developed what they have because of said civilians.

In short, the two governments are apples to oranges.