Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 77

Milky Way/Petra Nebula/Vetus/Grissom Academy

Earth year: 2185 CE --- December

Eight hours after leaving Alchera, the Nomad was docked at Grissom Academy. Kaidan was waiting outside Kahlee Sanders' office while Tanner and Mason took a tour of the facility.

"Commander Alenko." Kahlee smiled as she opened her door. "Anderson said you'd be coming. Please come in."

"Thank you ma'am." He replied, following her into her office.

"It's been a while since I saw you. How have you been?"

"Can't complain. Anderson keeps me busy."

Kahlee laughed. "I'm sure he does. So you're here to meet our newest student? David Archer?"

"Yes ma'am. Is there anything you can tell me about him? Anderson didn't put much in the mission report."

"With good reason." Kahlee replied, her smile faltering. "But first call me Kahlee. Ma'am just makes me feel old."

"Alright."

Kahlee smiled even as her eyes clouded. "David Archer was brought here about three weeks ago. He had multiple injuries, stress fractures and was severely dehydrated. He spent his first ten days here in the med bay. Most of those injuries are now healed, though there is still scarring on his head and upper arms."

"What happened to him?"

Kahlee stood and began pacing her office. "He was being used in an experiment to create a human-AI hybrid."

"What?! Why?" Kaidan exclaimed. "What the hell for?"

"Research on the geth. As a way to communicate with them and to create an "overlord" who could control them. They were using David because he is a mathematical savant and autistic. Through his disabilities he was able to understand them. The project leader integrated David's mind using a virtual interface."

"Integrate?" Kaidan echoed as a look of horror flashed in his eyes. "Who was the project leader?"

"His brother."

"His..." Kaidan gasped. "Oh my god. How did he end up here?"

"A garbled SOS was sent from the station and they sent someone to investigate. By the time they arrived, everyone but David and his brother were dead. Dr. Gavin Archer is the one who used David in his experiment." Kahlee said, looking as though she'd just tasted something vile. "He works for Cerberus and someone called the Illusive Man."

"Cerberus? I can't believe they're still involved in this crap."

"You know them?"

"I know of them. Back on the Normandy we uncovered multiple experiments similar to what you're describing. All of them involved humans and all of them ended badly. I can't believe the Alliance hasn't shut them down yet."

"Then I'm glad David made it out alive." Kahlee said.

"How is he now? You said his injuries were mostly healed."

"Aside from the scarring, I believe he'll make a full recovery. He's still a bit traumatized, but overall he's improved a lot faster than we had  expected."

"Well that's good news. You still haven't told me how he got here though."

She frowned, clearly not happy about what she had to say. "I know. I can't believe it myself, but Commander Shepard saved him and brought him to us."

"Shepard? But she's working for Cerberus."

"I know. I didn't speak to her directly. A Doctor Chakwas accompanied the team that boarded the station, but she wouldn't answer any of my questions about Cerberus. She was quite upset about the whole thing, but she returned to the Normandy and they left shortly after."