The doctor led Kael through a series of maintenance tunnels that descended far deeper into the mining complex than Kael had ever explored. The passages here were older, dating from the original Imperial construction rather than the later commercial expansions. The walls were made of some kind of crystalline composite that still held traces of essence energy after decades of abandonment.
"These tunnels connect to the original Imperial research station," Serpentis explained as they walked. "When Nethys Prime was first established, the Empire needed to understand the unique properties of the local essence crystals. Most of the research staff evacuated when the commercial mining operations took over, but they left behind some very interesting equipment."
They emerged from the tunnels into a chamber that took Kael's breath away. The room was vast, carved directly from the bedrock and lined with the same crystalline material as the tunnels. But what dominated the space was the equipment rows of medical devices, cultivation chambers, essence refinement apparatus, and analysis systems that represented technology decades ahead of anything Kael had seen in the ruins above.
"Imperial Medical Corps, Third Cultivation Enhancement Division," Serpentis said with obvious pride. "Specialized in experimental body modification and essence manipulation techniques. Most of the equipment is still functional, powered by a small but stable essence reactor that the evacuation teams apparently forgot to deactivate."
Kael moved through the laboratory, his enhanced senses cataloging everything he observed. The medical devices were clearly designed for cultivation related procedures chambers for essence infusion, surgical tools that could operate on spiritual as well as physical systems, monitoring equipment that could track advancement through the various cultivation realms.
But there were also darker elements to the laboratory. Several of the chambers contained what looked like restraint systems. Some of the surgical tools were designed for procedures that would not be survivable without cultivation level healing factors. And in one corner of the room, Kael spotted something that made his blood freeze a collection of preserved organs floating in essence infused solution, each labeled with cultivation realm classifications.
"Previous test subjects?" Kael asked, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
"Research materials," Serpentis corrected. "The advancement of knowledge sometimes requires... difficult choices. But I want to be clear about something, Kael. I am not interested in killing you or harvesting your organs. Dead subjects provide limited research value. My goal is to develop techniques that allow controlled advancement through normally fatal cultivation methods. You would be a partner in this research, not simply a victim."
Kael studied the preserved organs more carefully. The labels indicated subjects from multiple cultivation realms, including several at Foundation Establishment level far beyond what any local survivor should have achieved.
"Where did these subjects come from?" he asked.
"Some were volunteers from off world who sought advancement through experimental methods," Serpentis said. "Others were individuals who suffered cultivation deviation and came to me for treatment. A few were... acquired through other channels when the research required specific biological materials."
The euphemism was clear enough. Serpentis had killed people for his research, either directly or through negligent experimentation. But Kael found himself oddly reassured by the doctor's honesty about it. Someone who admitted to murder was more trustworthy than someone who pretended their hands were clean.
"What would our partnership involve, specifically?" Kael asked.
Serpentis gestured toward one of the cultivation chambers. "Your current advancement has been rapid but chaotic. Your meridians are only partially stabilized, your essence flow patterns are irregular, and your body enhancement is uneven. Traditional cultivation methods would require months to address these issues safely. I can correct them in days using controlled deviation techniques."
"And the risks?"
"Approximately thirty percent chance of severe cultivation deviation, fifteen percent chance of permanent spiritual damage, five percent chance of death," Serpentis said matter of factly. "However, success would advance you to the peak of Foundation Establishment realm within weeks rather than years, and provide you with body modifications that would be impossible to achieve through traditional methods."
Kael ran the numbers. Even with the risks, his chances of survival and advancement were better with Serpentis than without him. And if the doctor proved to be more dangerous than useful, Kael could always eliminate him once he had acquired sufficient power and knowledge.
"I accept," Kael said. "When do we begin?"
Serpentis smiled, and Kael noticed that his crystalline teeth seemed to glow with internal light. "Immediately. Time is a luxury we cannot afford on a dying world. But first, let me show you something that will help you understand the true scope of what we're attempting."
The doctor led Kael to a communication console at the far end of the laboratory. The device was clearly Imperial technology but had been modified with additional components that Kael didn't recognize.
"I maintain contact with certain... interested parties off world," Serpentis explained as he activated the console. "Research data from experimental cultivation techniques commands premium prices in certain markets. Our work here has attracted attention from individuals with considerable resources and influence."
A holographic display materialized above the console, showing a star chart of the local sector. Several systems were marked with symbols that Kael's neural implant identified as representing the major galactic powers the Solar Throne Imperium, the Void Walker Confederacy, the Harmonic Collective.
"The galaxy burns with more than war," Serpentis said softly. "It burns with the hunger for transcendence. Every major power seeks advantages in cultivation technology, and they are willing to pay handsomely for breakthrough research. Our work here could provide both of us with the resources needed not just to leave this dying world, but to command positions of respect and influence wherever we choose to go."
Kael stared at the star chart, feeling a shift in his understanding of the scope of what Serpentis was offering. This was not just about survival or even advancement it was about positioning himself within the galaxy's larger power structures.
"You're selling our research to multiple factions," he observed.
"Information is the most valuable commodity in the galaxy," Serpentis agreed. "And experimental cultivation data is the most valuable type of information. A successful breakthrough in controlled deviation techniques could be worth enough to purchase our own starship and establish independent research operations wherever we choose."
The offer was more ambitious than Kael had imagined, but also more dangerous. Dealing with galactic powers meant operating at levels where mistakes would be fatal not just to him but potentially to entire populations.
"I understand the scope now," Kael said. "My answer remains the same. When do we begin?"
Serpentis clapped his hands together again, his enthusiasm genuine and slightly disturbing. "Excellent! We'll start with basic meridian stabilization and essence refinement procedures. The equipment is already prepared I've been anticipating this partnership since your awakening signature first registered on my sensors."
As Serpentis began activating various devices throughout the laboratory, Kael allowed himself a moment of cold satisfaction. The doctor thought he was acquiring a test subject and research partner. In reality, he was providing Kael with exactly the resources needed to become something far more dangerous than a failed Imperial researcher with questionable ethics.
Kael had survived the corrupted crystal because he was willing to risk everything for power. He would survive Serpentis's experiments for the same reason. And when he had learned everything the doctor could teach him, when he had gained access to the off world contacts and resources, when he had advanced far enough to no longer need protection...
Well, Dr. Marcus Serpentis would discover that some test subjects were more dangerous than others.
"Shall we begin with the meridian stabilization procedure?" Serpentis asked, his hands already moving over the control systems of a large cultivation chamber.
"Yes," Kael said, stepping toward the chamber without hesitation. "Let's begin."