"I hope he has enough wisdom to survive his strength."
- Rachel S. Miller,
Talk Show Host,
"The Daily Buzz",
Mars 2201
***
The trip took them two weeks.
When they arrived at the research station, two armed guards greeted them. They were searched for weapons and allowed passage into what lay beyond.
When they searched their belongings, they took out Jake's armour. It left quite an impression on Dr. Pellham and the guards when they inspected it.
Vice President Eva disappeared somewhere, and Dr. Pellham showed them around as he escorted them to their quarters. The place was quiet and eerie. Sleek walls and white corridors greeted them as they moved along. They saw a couple of people moving about, but that was it. Dr. Pellham said that it was midnight, station-time, and that was the reason why the place seemed to be so empty. He thought he glimpsed a military general as he moved past them into a restricted area.
The station had a full assortment of labs, from particle physics to virology, all working on tandem for the advancement of Tansa and humankind. It also had a mess hall and a recreational facility. They had no clue how Tansa could afford all of this. The system was rich, for sure; but such an accomplishment required more than just mere credits. It required minds willing to join and work together. When they asked Dr. Pellham he reminded them that he himself was not a local, and told them that scientists from the UEF were flocking to Tansa to escape the strict restrictions on research there.
When they arrived at their personal quarters, Dr. Pellham walked them to two adjacent compartments and told them to go in. Inside they found comfortable furnishing and even personal food dispensers. He left them there and told them he'd check on them next morning. They decided to have a light dinner and chat for a bit before they bid each other good night and drifted to sleep.
Early morning came and Dr. Pellham didn't show up, so they decided to head for the mess hall. The place was buzzing with activity in the morning, and they found him engaged in a heated discussion with a colleague.
"... suggests that the source of his energy must be a mutation in his DNA!"
"That's not possible. I've checked his genetic sequence, and other than a slight deviation in mitochondrial DNA, there is no evidence of this!"
Jake wondered where they got his genetic sequence but remained silent.
"Perhaps you missed something."
"Perhaps, but..." they cut their conversation short as they noticed Jake and Hannah walking closer.
"Good morning! I'm sorry about being late. I was just discussing your case with my colleague and it must have taken longer than expected." Dr. Pellham said apologetically.
"That's no problem, doctor." Jake said.
"This is Dr. Keith Adams." said Dr. Pellham.
"Dr. Adams, I assume you recognise Jake Evans. This is his companion, Hannah...?"
"Hannah Carter." she finished.
"It's good to finally meet you." Dr. Adams said.
"Thank you." Jake said.
"Please, have a seat."
They strapped themselves in.
"So, Jake. We start in one hour, would you like to go over the schedule?"
"Sure."
"We'll start out the day with a physical examination, followed by a psych evaluation, then two hours of free time."
"What happens next will vary from day to day, but you'll visit each lab in turn and you'll be acquainted with our various research teams."
"Today we'll be starting with the biology lab, where they'll scan you and perform some tests. All harmless, of course."
"Next, you'll visit the training ring, where you'll have your physical training. You'll also find various tools to train your... powers."
"What's the training for?" Jake asked.
"We need you at your best, and we want you to realise your full potential."
They spent some time talking, and then the doctors escorted them to the medical wing for his physical examination.
They sampled his blood and performed various tests on him, they were bewildered by his brain scans, but said nothing to alert him. Hannah watched in trepidation as they went excitedly about their tests.
They were later escorted to the psych evaluation, where he lay in a couch that monitored his vitals, and a psychiatrist asked him all kinds of questions.
Next, they were escorted to the biology lab, where they took more samples of his blood and DNA, and they scanned him using various machines.
They were escorted to the gym later, where he and Hannah practised using the machines there. He was escorted to another chamber where he found what looked like large capacitors. They asked him to charge them using his energy. He poured ample energy into them until he was too fatigued to practice any longer.
When they went to his quarters, he was spent. Hannah joined him and they cuddled until they fell asleep.
***
Almost three months had passed with this regime. Tests, exercises, and more tests. The only variance was what lab he'd visit that day. He and Hannah spent more time together. She was happy he was doing so well and excited by what future that lay ahead of them. His training was paying off. His body was more fit than ever, and he could channel unprecedented amounts of energy.
His abilities fascinated the scientists, and as they taught him the physics behind them he discovered new tricks and ways to channel energy.
He never told them about Siren, and they were baffled about the origin of his abilities. No matter how much they studied him, they could never unlock that secret.
Everything was going fine, until he met the general.
That day he was walking on his way to the mess hall when he ran into him, and he introduced himself.
"General Jeff Reynolds. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Evans. I've heard a lot about you." he said as he extended a hand.
"The pleasure is all mine." he said as he shook it.
He almost panicked as the images and conversations flooded his mind in a flurry.
"He's hiding something. His psych evaluations suggest so."
"We have to find out."
"Sergeant, I want them monitored twenty-four seven."
"Yes, sir!"
"Maybe we can use the girl, we think she's pregnant. The urine samples we collected are positive."
"If we can't figure it out, we'll have to dispose of him. His continued existence can not be allowed."
"He's too valuable to dispose of."
"Perhaps the child can be studied."
"We don't have the time. The Progenitors are pushing our lines."
"We'll crack him open no matter what."
He kept his smile as he bid the general goodbye.
***
He went to his quarters in silence, as his mind reeled.
He met Hannah there, she smiled.
"Are you pregnant?"
"What?" she asked in surprise.
"Are you late?"
"I'm not sure. I think I might be."
"Give me your hand."
Siren confirmed it as she melded their minds.
"
We can't talk here, they're monitoring us."
