DC: Tyrant

Bori took the report from Slade's hand, the document containing General Vic's approval of Jenny's proposal.

Adjusting his glasses to sit more firmly on the bridge of his nose, Bori opened the report and placed it on the table. He spoke in a calm, thoughtful tone. "I didn't expect Jenny to come up with such a method. Truly, her talent in biology is remarkable."

Bori began flipping through the pages of the report. Jenny had bypassed him to submit the proposal directly to Vic, outlining her plan to target Bardi's spinal nerves and cord in order to restrict his movements. The detailed scientific explanation was, of course, lost on Vic, who cared little for technical specifics.

Bori knew Vic well. He was a man who focused solely on results. The "how" of achieving those results was irrelevant to him. So long as Bardi remained alive, useful, and under control, Vic was satisfied. The gruesome details, whether cutting tendons or targeting spinal nerves held no interest for him.

What had swayed Vic's approval was not the academic jargon Jenny had provided. Instead, it was the subsequent sections of the report, which had cleverly highlighted the strategic benefits of her approach.

The report explained a secondary project tied to the procedure: a semi-finished drug Jenny had been developing. This drug could temporarily increase the speed of human neural responses by 1.5 times. Over time, prolonged use of the drug could allow the body to adapt to this heightened state, making the effect permanent.

In practical terms, this meant soldiers without specialized training could achieve reflex speeds comparable to those of elite athletes. For the military, this was a potential game-changer.

Bori skimmed through the details Jenny had provided. Reaction times for untrained individuals typically ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 seconds, with professional athletes achieving between 0.1 and 0.2 seconds. The drug would allow an ordinary person to match or even exceed the reflexes of trained professionals. For soldiers, it was a significant advantage in the field.

Beyond this, Jenny's report made bold claims. She insisted that, through her relationship with Bardi, she had gained his trust. Bardi, she claimed, was willing to share his knowledge and assist in genetic research, provided he was not permanently harmed. With Bardi's guidance, breakthroughs in both technology and biology could be achieved far more rapidly.

To Vic, only three key points mattered:

1. Jenny's biological research had potential military applications.

2. The alien could be rendered completely harmless yet remain alive and available for study.

3. The alien was willing to cooperate, offering both scientific knowledge and access to his advanced biology.

The romantic undertones of Jenny's report, her declarations of mutual affection with Bardi were dismissed entirely by Vic. Such sentiments held no value to him.

With these assurances, Vic had signed off on the proposal without hesitation. From there, the report had been passed on to Slade.

Bori smiled faintly and turned to the colonel. "Colonel Slade, I must admit, I misjudged you. I thought you were just an executioner, someone who only understood brute force. But your approach to this situation is... unexpectedly nuanced. It seems my student was no match for your strategy."

Slade's sharp gaze remained fixed on Bori. Sitting tall and upright, his presence was commanding and unyielding. "Dean Bori," he said flatly, "are you mocking your own student?"

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy under Slade's intensity. His eyes, cold and piercing, carried the weight of someone who had seen countless battles. Facing him, even someone as seasoned as Bori might have felt a moment of unease.

"Not at all," Bori replied, his tone calm but tinged with a faint sigh. "I'm simply stating the facts. Jenny has extraordinary talent in biology, far surpassing anything most of us could hope to achieve. But when it comes to human interaction... well, she has her shortcomings."

Slade's expression remained unchanged. "If that's the case, you shouldn't be exploiting her."

Bori waved a dismissive hand. "Exploit? That's not how I'd put it. Jenny's attachment to Bardi has indeed distracted her from some of her duties, but in the long run, this will only drive her to excel further. Once Bardi is paralyzed, rendered permanently immobile—it will undoubtedly shatter her emotionally. But that heartbreak will fuel her. She'll throw herself into her work, desperate to find a way to heal him."

Bori paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Her passion for research will become an obsession. She'll push the boundaries of biology and genetics in ways we've never seen. Her determination will be unparalleled. And Bardi, paralyzed and guilt-ridden, will have no choice but to cooperate fully. Together, their contributions will be invaluable."

He gestured vaguely toward the document. "I had thought to use Jenny's emotions to extract knowledge from Bardi, exploiting their bond to our advantage. But your plan, Colonel Slade—your plan is far more effective. By ensuring his paralysis, you'll not only secure Bardi's compliance but also lock them both into a cycle of mutual guilt and desperation. It's genius, truly."

Slade's face remained impassive. "I don't care about research," he said curtly. "My job is to ensure the alien remains under control. Permanently."

Bori chuckled lightly, as though amused by Slade's single-mindedness. "You're far too tense, Colonel. Bardi has been under our control from the very beginning—physically, mentally, and emotionally. He hasn't shown any inclination to resist us."

Slade's jaw tightened. "Bori, I need your guarantee. If the spinal nerve procedure doesn't completely incapacitate him, I will personally ensure Dr. Jenny's proposal is overturned."

His voice was cold, firm, and uncompromising. There was no room for negotiation.

Bori's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "You have my word, Colonel. I will personally oversee the adjustment of the magnetic pulse frequencies and ensure everything proceeds as planned. Bardi will be paralyzed completely and without question. There will be no accidents."

Slade said nothing further. His instincts, honed from years on the battlefield, told him the alien was far more dangerous than anyone in this facility realized. Even confined, even weakened, there was something about Bardi that radiated a quiet, unshakable confidence, a predator's calm assurance that the future was already his.

Bori however, dismissed such concerns as paranoia. To him, Slade's unease was a natural, almost childish reaction to confronting something more powerful than himself. Fear of the unknown was a common, human response. And in this case, it was unfounded or so he believed.

"I'll see to it personally," Bori repeated, his tone light. "Jenny will activate the pulse herself, paralyzing Bardi and ensuring his continued cooperation. Everything will proceed smoothly, Colonel. You have nothing to worry about."