Snippet #1983294

Some time ago...
Evening had come and gone, ushering  in the dawn with little in the way of pomp and circumstance. Still the otherworldly light cresting the horizon served as a constant reminder to the professor that no matter the magnitude of his machinations, he was barely an atom within the molecule that was their universe. 

"Still," he whispered softly to himself "Quite the noteworthy speck."

"Hrm?" She asked, lifting her head off his chest. 

"Simple internal musings..." he explained, running his fingertips along the base of her spine. 

"I'd best get going," she said with a soft smile, swinging her legs out of bed and slipping into her skirt."The research division thinks they've gotten a lock on the subject's position."

Drusilla was certainly a sight to behold, but she was not the love of his life. His Daniella had been a creature of beauty to marvel at for hours upon end...but it was pointless to dwell on such thoughts. 

"If Corban Saezar cared a whit about his son in the first place, he'd have stayed in Ayenee."

"He's a Guardian Rastler, his responsibilities--"

"Are of no concern to me. These Guardians of Ayenee, assuming they even reside in this realm anymore, are things of the past. It is my intellect, my will, my love for my King that will insure the survival of the realm."

Buttoning her blouse, Drusilla sighed."I hope you're right, but Ethan misses his mother..."

"And wouldn't know his father even if Corban returned. Cease putting your faith in myths and legends...a new age is upon us."

Straightening her hair, Drusilla nodded her head. "If you say so, Doctor."

When she had gone and he was well and truly alone, Rastler peered out of the window at the riding sun and pondered things. There was nothing some Guardian could handle that he couldn't. 

"I'm the new protector of the realm...and I will insure its safety at all costs."

---

It wasn't genuine pain so much as a dull ache that had settled into his bones, a soreness that he was certain would fade in time.

Rastler was alive, he was certain of that, but it was with a great deal of reservation that he slowly opened an eyelid to see ONE's helmed head peering over him.

"Are you alright, Dr. Grenadia."

Sitting up, Rastler tested his basic motor functions. Moving his fingers and toes, touching fingertips to his nose, before he rose to his feet. The sight that greeted him almost took him aback.

Rastler recognized himself, his features were present within the face staring back at him, but his lithe and slender form had been replaced with a body befitting a KNIGHT, test subject. 

That was the idea though,wasn't it?

Marveling at his own brilliance for but a moment longer, Rastler grinned at ONE and crossed the room to tug a jacket on.

"Of course the physique of a warrior does not make me one, so you will still be necessary ONE."

The large suit of armor nodded. "Of course."

"Make preparations, we leave to reclaim the relic in the morning."

"It is Morning, Dr. Grenadia." ONE pointed out.

"It is? Oh... Tomorrow morning then. It will be just like old times, an expedition for the glory of Taer Ayen."

"The KNIGHT you requested is being sent up," the golem intoned, peering at a monitor. 

"Ah another success! I was getting rather tired of burning the bodies...Can't stomach the smell of burnt human fat."

"Shall I remain with you?"

Running a hand along his jaw Rastler shook his head. "Go enjoy yourself, make ready for our journey. Tomorrow we save Taer Ayen."

With that the golem dismissed himself and Rastler began pawing through his laboratory gathering vials and parchment, along with numerous other gadgets and nicknacks.