The test subject had surpassed all expectations. A team of over forty scientists, lab technicians and researchers poured over the results of each experiment rabidly. They all felt the buzz of working on a project so big that it would change the world. A gigantic step in the history of astral travel.

  First came the invention of the Cognitive Crown. Then the creation of Trinalyte. Now this. Something so powerful, it could exceed the impact of even those mammoth advancements.

  The subject was encased in a large machine. To protect the experiment, the machine always kept the subject in a carefully managed state of slumber. The machine also provided an all-purpose solution to take care of the subject's nutritional needs. It worked the subject’s muscle groups in varying scheduled activities to prevent atrophy. It even cleaned and bathed the subject on a routine basis to prevent it from spoiling.

  The team was explicitly told to refer to the subject as “it”. Never “he” or “him” or worst of all: “Cassidy”. It helped them keep going when it started screaming.

  Dr. Nolan was the head of the experiment. With the A.E.C.’s nearly unlimited budget, her and her team had just implemented a new method to monitoring Casting. They could now watch live as the Cast was streamed to the large screen that dominated the center of the lab. The application of this tech doubled the speed they could proceed with their efforts.

  The theoretic possibility of this type of monitoring had been known all along, it just required so much energy to maintain that it wasn’t practical. Now that Kruger had his giant battery running downstairs non-stop, there was no need to worry. Even if that tapped out, they could easily route the power that was heating a portion of the Endless City directly into the lab. Millions would die, yes. But all in the name of science.

  Nolan oversaw each cast. Her calm, matronly voice was all the subject ever heard. This helped create a new baseline for it.

  At first, the subject had rebelled. Awaking in astral form with complete control of its movements was overwhelming. Not to mention its... non-voluntary participation.

  This was managed with pain therapy. Eventually the subject realized it had two options: undergo intense physical and mental torture, or Cast. The latter was an easy sell.

  The subject grew stronger and stronger after each application of the compound. Its attitude shifted, becoming giddy for experimentation after its brief slumbers. A rabid dog so easily sated by an occasional treat.

  They were in the middle of a Cast now. The subject's bright red astral form was darting between a group of planets in a distant solar system while the researchers attempted to determine its speed.

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  Then, it stopped. Nolan’s hand hovered over the large red button that would administer electro-shock to the subject's corporeal body but held back, noticing something strange. Approaching the subject, from the darkness of space, was a large yellow ball of light.

  ...

  Jaspar stumbled out of the Soft Watch and began the short walk to the train station. In the months since the attack on the concourse her injuries had healed. She had even conducted a few Casts for an independent mining consortium she freelanced with.

  Things had been relatively quiet since the battle. Jaspar was beginning to think the violence between Ourobouros and the Astral Engineering Core was coming to an end. Perhaps peaceful talks could be on the horizon. No more bloodshed. Moriah and some of her other colleagues weren’t so optimistic. The calm made them nervous.

  Her walk sent her through a part of the city that most people would avoid. Most people, however, were unable to fly and shoot fireballs from their hands.

  The street was wet from the last flood, and the ever-present dripping of the Marshes bounced off her green radiation hood in a pleasant staccato. It was nighttime, so the large solar lamps that simulated daylight were dimmed above her. The small avenue she walked down was dark, broken with intermittent streetlights. Her mind was playing back the pleasant conversations she had had at the bar.

  She heard a large thump behind her and stopped. Turning around she saw before her a hulking form, hidden by the shadows.

  “Well, this seems like a nasty part of town for such a pretty little thing to go traipsing around in,” a polished and slightly southern voice came from the darkness. It had a slight crackle to it, like it was coming from a speaker.

  “Get lost robo-trash, trust me you do not want to fuck with me,” Jaspar said turning to resume her walk.

  “Woah, hang on there darlin! I just got a couple questions for ya,” it said. Jasper could hear its robotic steps, following her. She turned again, summoning her focus.

  “Alright buddy, I warned you,” she said and raised her fists, summoning her psychic power. Nothing came.

  A chuckle drifted from the dark form.

  “Seems like this lil’ wizard lost her magic ball,” it said.

  The robotic steps advanced, bringing the being partially into the light of a streetlamp. Its large robotic frame was shrouded by a wispy tattered cloak, and blue human eyes peered out under the hood. It was large up top, skinny down below.

  “Now I don’t mean you no harm young lady. I got a bone to pick with the man that put me in this metal cage. This ain’t about you. I just need some information,” it said.

  Jasper pulled the plasma pistol she kept under her cloak reserved for just such emergencies and trained it on the robotic beast.

  Suddenly it was on her. It held her in place with... too many arms. Its face lowered over hers, and she could see machinery bolted onto chunks of flesh. The face oozed blood and machine grease, dripping onto her. The only human parts of it she could tell were its eyes, and a thick mustache.

  “I think we have a mutual friend missy,” it growled. “Now how’s about you tell me where I can find an hombre by the name of Gondo Macready?”