The Spire (POV)

Log 12

> You say "So apparently, word got around the RCC that the Devourers started a new project. They called it... Project AZIZOS. Most of this information was hidden within the higher echelons of the RCC, but it was recently made available to everyone."

"That doesn't sound good..."

> You say "We thought so too. It went under the radar for a while, but the RCC eventually caught on when the Devourers set up the factory you grew up in..."

"So what happened?"

"We thought it would be a good idea to sabotage the factory, so we waited until night and snuck in. It seemed like everything was going well until... well."

"Until...?"

> You say "We saw the subjects... of Project AZIZOS"

"Project... AZIZOS?"

"The Devourer version of the DMW Initiative. Where the RCC was swift and sophisticated, the Devourers were crude and inexperienced. Many of their subjects died within 2 weeks, while the DMW subjects would last at least 4 years. We may be cold, but we aren't inhumane. They didn't know how to properly preserve the human body, much less prepare it for revival. Those idiots..."

"So... what did they... look like?", she asks hesitantly.

> You say "Well... I still remember their appearance, to a certain degree. How could I forget? They looked so... miserable"

"What did they look like? I've never heard anything about this project."

> You say "They...

They looked like walking corpses. Their flesh hung from multiple parts of their body. Their organs had been removed, and were changed to mechanical radios, tactical mines, surveillance equipment, and other military augments. Their heads were modified to accommodate the stress, having their brains lobotomized, and their eyes... They sunk back so far back into their head that their sockets collapsed, folding them in."

You pause.

"They begged softly. They couldn't scream anymore. They physically couldn't. They could only groan softly, asking to be killed. Asking to be put out of their painful existence..."

Uzu finishes your story in a cold sweat, almost trembling.

"Jesus..."

You have more to say, but you're out of steam.

> You say "Did you kill them?", you might ask?"

> You say "Well short answer, we did."

"How'd you swing that?"

"We annihilated them."

After a few moments of silence, you stand up, brushing off dirt and sand from your pants. "Well, that's no surprise. Everyone had their chance to go for the kill. Me included."

"Did you?"

"Of course."

> You say "Even if they were suffering, they were still our enemies. As long as they lived, they were a danger to the RCC. We didn't take prisoners back then. The Brig didn't exist yet."

"Yes, yes, I know how you work. Even if you haven't told me a whole lot"

You stand alongside her, looking out through the glazed, cold desert, staring into infinity.

> You say "Anyway, that factory you lived in was actually the main operation site for Project AZIZOS. Everyone inside was either an officer from the Devourers, or poor subjects under the illusion that they were with the protection of the Devourers"

"There were hundreds of them. Thousands. Millions even"

"Did you manage to save them?, even a small amount?"

> You say "Well, we saved a few thousand subjects, but the rest were already too far gone. The ones we saved were humans that weren't modified yet. Everyone else was disposed of the next day."

"I see... What happened to them?"

"They were gassed, mostly. Some where sent to the Chaos, but most were gassed. We used actytaczyl gas. It's really efficie-"

Uzume cuts you off, a look of terror on her face

"G-G-GASSED?!"

> You say "Now I know it doesn't sound like the best way to go, but hear me out. We have our excuses."

"Go on...", Uzume looks like she's just one more annoyance before she would lose all sense of respect for you.

> You say "Their senses were already deadened. That much we knew. They could no longer feel pain. They were simply made to fight, and die. Nothing else was left for them"

"There was nothing you could have done?", Uzu says, now curious.

> You say "Nope. We escorted them, gassed them, and labeled the sabotage a success. I don't question my superiors, so I was hard-wired to follow all orders. It's not a bad arrangement."

"I see..."

"It's an effective system. Most of RCC-Agents are hard-wired. It allows them flexibility, as well as eliminates all potential for mutiny or treason. No one wants to go against the organization that gives its workers the highest morale."

> You say "But... either way, all this really means is that I saved you 8 years ago. You're welcome by the way. And from becoming a living corpse, as well."

"Saved me?"

> You say "Yeah. If we didn't blow up the Devourer factory, you'd be one of the unfortunate subjects of Project AZIZOS"

"Are you sure...?"

> You say "If they didn't want to turn everyone there into an AZIZOS subject, why else would they let the people live there then?"

"Hmmm....I see your point."

"Oh, they knew what they were doing."

"Really?"

> You say "Yep. Maybe someday we'll have to visit the factory again. It's so close on the horizon, but the memories I have of it seem so far off"

"Do you think we'll ever reach it?"

> You say "Only one way to find out"

> You say "So back on topic. What else do you remember about your past, Uzu?, like what happened after you left the Factory?"

"Sorry, but I don't remember too much after I left the factory. It's all a blank. I do know though that I was alone for a long while."

> You say "I see. I guess we'll just have to dig deeper at a later point. I'm going to sleep now. See you tomorrow. We have some Shadow Guards to kill, after all"

"Good night, Uzu."

You and Uzu eventually return to your tent. Uzu stares at you, the moonlight illuminating her face, her hair appearing to shine in its glow.

You fall asleep beside her, hoping for the best tomorrow. The Shadow Guard might have learned about you, and perhaps they will take action soon. You need to be ready for anything.