Malden was stunned by Youri's DNA print. The data scrolling across his tablet defied everything he knew about human biology—it was as if the boy on the operating table was not human at all. To Malden's defense, he had no knowledge of Youri's past, nor of the artificial body that had been built around him. Still, the readings were undeniable. Youri's physiology was abnormal, engineered, something far beyond standard genetic deviation.
With that realization settling in, Malden slowly lifted his gaze from the tablet to Youri, who still lay restrained on the operating table, his expression unchanged despite the pain his body had endured. Malden adjusted his glasses and asked, "EH36 where are you from?"
Youri met his gaze with the same hollow calm he had carried through the first test and replied, "why do you care!?"
Malden rose from his seat and walked toward the table, his shoes clicking softly against the sterile floor. One by one, he released the restraints binding Youri's limbs. As he worked, he said, "I'm just curios, enlighten me!"
Youri sat up slowly, placing his bare feet on the cold metal floor. Pain surged through every cut and incision, itching and burning beneath his skin. He steadied himself by gripping the edge of the table, took a long breath, and forced himself to compose his posture. Without another word, he stepped away and began walking toward the exit where Jean and Zayn stood waiting.
As Youri reached the door, Malden spoke again from behind him, "so you are not gonna tell me!?"
Youri turned his head, locking eyes with Malden, and answered, "what would I gain from that!"
A faint smile tugged at Malden's lips. "smart kid, alright, I will grant a reasonable request of yours then," he said.
Youri continued toward the exit and replied, "I want some thing to pass the time on the chamber, maybe I will tell you then."
Jean and Zayn positioned themselves behind him as the door hissed open. Just before it slid shut, Malden called out once more, "you know I can get that information quite easily don't you?"
Youri turned his head one final time, staring Malden straight in the eyes, and said, "that's a given, but what you truly want to know, only I can answer that."
The doors sealed shut with a hiss, and Youri faced forward as Jean and Zayn escorted him back through the corridors toward the chamber rooms.
When Youri entered his chamber, he immediately noticed a box resting neatly on his bed. He stepped closer, eyes narrowing. A small note sat on top. He picked it up and read: this is some thing to pass the time. The message was unmistakably Malden's. He had already delivered on his promise.
Inside the box were three books: History of the Terrian Galaxy's, The Lore of Arabek, and Caspia. Malden had sent him books—real books—to occupy his time. For the first time since arriving at Altex, Youri felt a faint sense of comfort. Holding a book in his hands after so long felt grounding, familiar, almost sacred.
Time began to flow differently as he lay on the bed reading. Pages turned quietly beneath his fingers until, without warning, the chamber lights dimmed and shut off. The night cycle had begun.
Morning arrived the same way it always did. The alarm echoed through the chambers, mechanical and merciless. Robotic arms hissed from the ceiling, delivering the day's medicine. Each subject received something different: EH17 was given pills, EH26 a syringe shot, and EH33 a cup filled with a thick yellow liquid.
Youri's chamber remained untouched.
He stood silently, watching through the glass as the others took their doses. EH26 collapsed to the floor moments after injecting himself. EH33 barely swallowed before vomiting violently into the toilet. EH17 remained standing, veins bulging grotesquely across his face as he endured whatever was coursing through his system.
Minutes later, Jean and Zayn entered the chamber hall and opened EH26's cell. They dragged his unconscious body away without hesitation.
Youri returned to his bed and opened one of his books, but something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He looked up. High near the ceiling, tucked into the left corner, was a small air vent.
He closed the book and stood. The chamber ceiling was tall. He jumped once, then again, stretching his arm upward. His fingertips barely brushed the vent's edge—but he felt it. Air was flowing through it.
That meant it led somewhere.
Before he could think further, the chamber doors hissed open again. Jean and Zayn returned, dragging EH26 back into his cell and leaving him sprawled on the floor. Youri quickly sat back on his bed as the twins glanced around, briefly inspecting EH17 and EH33 before leaving.
Then Malden's voice echoed through the speakers, "bring EH36 in."
Jean and Zayn turned toward Youri. Once again, he was escorted out. This time, they turned down a different corridor, quieter and more isolated. The automatic doors opened, revealing a new room.
Soft light poured from a glowing ceiling panel, reflecting off the polished concrete floor. A long, dark conference table dominated the center, surrounded by sleek black chairs. Malden sat at the head, hands folded beneath his chin. Behind him, frosted glass panels diffused light and obscured whatever lay beyond, while the opposite side opened to a glass railing overlooking open space.
Malden gestured toward the chair across from him and said, "have a seat EH36."
Jean and Zayn pulled the chair back, instructing Youri to sit. Once he did, they moved behind Malden, standing like silent sentinels.
Malden adjusted his glasses and said, "alright then, I held my end of the barging, now its your turn!"
Youri looked at him calmly and replied, "yeah sure, you wanted to know where I'm from right?"
Malden nodded.
"Volar," said Youri.
Malden leaned forward slightly. "where is it located?"
"in the Prepequal Nebula," answered Youri.
Malden's expression shifted. "I worked on an institute on the Prepequal nebula," he said. "it was long ago, but there was one special thing about that place that I can never forget, a certain project, the called it, project infinity."