The observation room was always cold
Kael Orion learned over the course of 17 years that the ark preferred experiments uncomfortable cold rooms discouraged movement, cold rooms made compliance easier he stood barefoot in the rear on the reinforced platform palms opened at his side eyes fixed on a thick glass separating him from the council chamber
electrodes traced his spine
a thin band circled his template faintly humming as it sinked with the implant at the base of his skull
atmospheric readings one of the scientists asked
stable another one replied local pressure danced at .0 3% that's him breathing
kael exhale slowly the air obeyed the temperature in the room dropped a fraction of a degree for the just enough for the sensor to spike
frost almost formed along the Metal railings before Kael subconsciously stopped
[system check]
[host condition: optimal]
[environmental influence: within approved perimeters]
[compliance reading: acceptable]
Cal hated the word acceptable
subject A dash 01 chancellor jaha said voice calm but tired you understand why you're here
kael nodded he always nodded they like that the juvenile population will be sent to the surface radiation levels remain unknown survival probability is
low Karl said quietly
several council members stiffened
yes jaha admitted
which is why you will be accompanying them
not as one of them
not with
accompanying
kyle's jaw clenched tight
you want to see if I can keep them alive he said
we want to see if you could help them survive a scientist corrected Kim met her eyes through the glass
by listening to you silence
Silence