The mess hall of the First Sons' facility was a controlled space—sterile, efficient, and monitored by unseen eyes. Soldiers, researchers, and technicians moved in calculated patterns, either engaged in quiet conversations or silently eating, each lost in their own world of routine.
Damian sat at a metal table, his expression unreadable as he slowly cut into a piece of unseasoned protein. Across from him, Sasha, still disguised as the security officer she had replaced, ate mechanically.
To any outside observer, it was two colleagues eating in silence.
But beneath the table, Damian's foot brushed against Sasha's, and in an instant, the transfer began.
Beth's memories, Kessler's interrogation, the Conduit list, and the layout of Kessler's personal office and the location of his computer—all of it flowed into Sasha's mind.
Simultaneously, Damian received Sasha's recent experiences: the infiltration squad's return, the successful capture of the infiltrator, and the subtle reinjection of tar to keep the ruse intact.
Neither of them spoke.
But in that moment, both were completely up to date.
When they finished eating, Sasha stood first, giving Damian a slight glance before walking off.
They had everything they needed. Now it was time to begin.
As soon as she reached her workstation, Sasha's mind went to work.
She had three primary objectives:
Create blind spots in security rotations—minimizing patrols near Kessler's personal lab, the research data vaults, and the Ray Sphere prototype's containment unit.
Adjust duty rosters—making sure no sharp-eyed First Sons officers were stationed near the targets.
Divert attention elsewhere—subtly increasing security presence around non-critical areas, so Kessler's forces wouldn't notice the shifts.
Sasha worked carefully. She could just do it all at once she needed to be subtle. Too many changes too quickly would be suspicious.
She planted the adjustments across multiple days, making them seem like routine shifts rather than deliberate interference.
By the time she was done, the heist would have the perfect openings. The changes were at random intervals but would just so happen to meet up in week's time.
While Sasha worked on security she made sure to walk past Damian and update him on the changes she made along with the window she managed to create. With new knowledge from their exchange, he knew which areas were briefly unmonitored. Damian took advantage of the blind spots.
In those moments, he acted.
One by one, he eliminated two researchers—carefully, quietly.
Like Beth before them, their bodies were absorbed into his biomass twisting into his form, their knowledge absorbed, their existence erased.
In their place, two new Infiltrators were created—perfect replicas, assigned only two tasks. The first was to copy all research data and place it in a secure location where Sasha could collect it later. The second was to lay low and continue the research they were in charge of as their originals would.
Unlike Beth's infiltrator, these two would not last—they were temporary tools, meant to serve their purpose and disappear once discovered which would happen once they finished their research. Having a card that could be played in emergencies was always helpful.
With each successful replacement, Damian's influence in the lab grew deeper.
The next day Damian was overseeing the development of the prototype Ray Sphere when he felt Anabella's eyes on him.
When he turned, she was staring—her arms crossed, her expression skeptical.
She had questions.
Damian put down his datapad and raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?"
Anabella hesitated, then stepped closer. "Yeah. Beth."
Damian didn't blink. "What about her?"
Anabella huffed. "You tell me. She's been acting different. And suddenly she's… I don't know, nicer to you?"
Damian exhaled, already knowing where this was going.
She wasn't onto the truth—but she was drawing the wrong conclusions.
"You think something's going on between us," Damian said, his tone amused.
Anabella crossed her arms tighter. "It makes sense. Beth never liked you before, but now she's following your lead. Acting… I don't know, submissive. So, either you have some kind of dirt on her or—"
"—I offered her a deal," Damian interrupted smoothly.
Anabella blinked. "A deal?"
Damian gave a casual shrug. "Beth wants power and a higher position. I told her if she worked seriously on this project, I'd push for her to get a higher position. Simple as that."
Anabella frowned, but the suspicion in her expression weakened.
"You'd do that?" she asked.
"Why not? I value competent people whether they like me or not." Damian gestured to the workstations. "You want a higher position, too, don't you?"
Anabella hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Then take the same deal," Damian said. "Work with Beth. If this project succeeds, you both benefit. That's how this works."
For a moment, she studied him, trying to gauge if there was more to his words. But ambition was a powerful motivator, and Anabella had always wanted recognition.
Finally, she exhaled and nodded.
"Fine," she said. "I'll do it."
Just like that, her focus was redirected—and Damian had one less problem to worry about.
As the final security adjustments fell into place, Damian was summoned again.
Another test was beginning.
Inside the observation chamber, Kessler stood near a containment unit. Several First Sons scientists surrounded him, monitoring vitals and energy readings.
In the center of the room, restrained and unconscious, was a young woman probably in her early 20's.
She had short, dark blond hair, her uniform torn and scuffed—DARPA insignia still visible on her sleeve.
Kessler turned as Damian entered, offering a smile.
"Ah, Mr. Smith. You're just in time."
Damian nodded, his gaze shifting toward the experiment subject.
Kessler's next words were calm, matter-of-fact.
"She was unfortunate enough to be caught in our last engagement," he said. "But fate has a way of compensating, doesn't it?"
He turned toward the monitors. "She has the Conduit gene."
Damian's ability activated and his vision became filled with information.
Name: Grace Walker
Alias: N/A
Alignment: Good
Power Level: N/A
Danger Level: N/A
Power Status: 0% of Abilities Unlocked
Health: 92% (Healthy)
Faction: DARPA
Abilities:
Psychokinesis (Locked): Able to move, manipulate, or otherwise interact with matter or energy with one's mind.
Telepathy (Locked): Able to receive and transmit information with one's mind.
Damian processed the data instantly. A telepath and telekinetic.
His mind didn't consider her survival or her pain but rather only her potential.
With her as a Superior Minion, the need for physical contact to transfer information and memories would be obsolete. The minds of the Savage Minions could also be upgraded to become more intelligent, requiring less direct control.
She was valuable.
But he couldn't act yet. He had reached his current limit of Superior Minions until he could absorb more RFE, he couldn't make another.
For now, he would watch.
Kessler turned to Damian, his expression unreadable."Let's begin, shall we?"
Damian turned to look at Kessler. "Begin what sir?"
Kessler took a few steps closer to Damian and placed his metallic arm on Damian's shoulder. "I wish to know if Ray Field Energy can be extracted safely from charge debris and used to awake a conduit or not."