"My father's team led research studying fungi that were capable of intracellular absorption and mitotic replication of host biomass," Wren stated. "Essentially, the fungi would absorb cells and replicate them before the fungal life cycle ended. From that organic matter, they developed a concentrated serum."
Wren leaned forward, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "With that, they perfected a method to alter secondary genders in unborn babies between the sixth and eighth week of pregnancy, just before the major organs begin to develop."
"The injected serum introduces the fungi, which have already absorbed the desired secondary trait markers from a chosen Alpha, Beta, or Omega. Once inside, this fungal agent immediately begins to grow the necessary reproductive organs within the fetus before the fetus can even attempt to develop them. And, after the necessary organs are fully developed, the remains of the fungi are naturally purged as waste from the fetal system."
Charles remained composed but his jaw was clenched. He had walked through battlefields but this was a different kind of horror. It was suffering engineered in a laboratory.
Wren's gaze shifted to the wall, as if seeing the stolen data laid out before him. "It was nearly perfect. But then Benjamin stole the information and vanished."
He turned back to Charles with a cold smirk. "As Benjamin mentioned, this research has many practical applications. For example, it lays the groundwork for research to cure terminal diseases. And that is exactly why the Empire has decided to seize this research for themselves."
"No, it was to stop you and the Zephyrian military from continuing to conduct unethical research," Benjamin countered firmly. "Your parents were building a weapon. A way to engineer populations, to create artificial Alphas and Omegas. You redirected the research, yes. But the core research still remains. Whoever controls the research controls who gets to be an Alpha and who gets to be an Omega. Can you imagine if it got into the wrong hands?"
Wren shook his head slowly. "And what do you think the Empire will do with it instead? How can you be so sure they won't use it for their own ends? To suppress dissent? To oppress the other kingdoms?"
"Emperor Farrokh has always looked out for the kingdoms—"
Wren interrupted Benjamin. "Because of him, you are like a fugitive playing doctor in a small, remote clinic."
Wren's voice turned cold. "The last two emperors and now Emperor Farrokh... they were all Arcadians, were they not? This will be the first time in the history of the Andromedus that a non-Arcadian will sit upon that throne. If we look at all the kingdoms, for generations, the bloodline for the throne has been pure, a lineage of Alphas whose authority was never questioned because of their biology. You trust the Empire because it's familiar, but don't be fooled. It is just a different kind of laboratory, Benjamin."
"Emperor Farrokh chose a man outside that bloodline to inherit his throne. If preserving Arcadian lineage were truly his priority, that choice would never have been made," Charles countered.
"I've had enough talk about this," Wren replied dismissively. "As I said, I'm not here to dispute the nature of the study or my goals with you. My goals are mine. I am not asking you to agree with them, nor do I require your approval."
Benjamin stood up slowly and spoke slowly, but his eyes were welling with tears. "I know you've gone through a lot, Wren... I know the wounds you carry. But do you really think that if Atlas were here today, he would support this research? Do you think for one second, knowing who he was, he would stand for this?"
"You say you're doing this for the world," Benjamin continued. "But isn't it somehow related to what happened in your past? Isn't this just a way to rewrite your own history? You are trying to heal your own scars by carving them into everyone else."
Wren's eyes hardened and he stood up. "Benjamin, I'm warning you. I have been lenient with you, but don't you dare think you can use him against me. We are finished for today."
Without another word, Wren turned and walked away in hurried steps. He signaled for Jae and one of the soldiers to take over.
"Who's Atlas?" Charles asked, confused.
"I… I don't think I can talk about it right now," Benjamin replied while his eyes remained fixed on the floor where Wren had just been standing.
Jae approached them with a soldier who was carrying a chain, similar to the ones around Benjamin's ankles. Jae gestured toward Charles with a silent, expectant look. Charles didn't fight, but sat in compliance. There was so much he didn't know about Benjamin and Wren's history. He stared at Benjamin, searching for an answer, but found only him staring blankly into the distance.
"Dr. Nystrom, Master Baek wants to check on your health," Jae said. "Please accompany me for a moment. Your Highness, please wait here."
Charles stood up, but Jae shook his head. "He'd like to see Dr. Nystrom privately."