For Vreta’s procedure, the medical center he was taken to was located in the Rahn’Masser’s headquarters itself. He and Rareth went their separate ways upon landing, but the doctors already knew to expect him. In fact, they already had his treatment queued in the machines and ready to go. As far as procedures with neural implants were concerned, replacing a storage drive was quick and easy. Its physical location was close to the access port in the back of the skull, so it was a simple matter of opening the port and having the precise tools to remove it. Vreta did not even require sedation for the process. 

Once removed, the storage drive was no doubt taken off right away for study. Given the nature of the program that had attacked him, it was safest to consider that drive to be permanently compromised, along with any systems it touched. As long as proper quarantine procedures were followed, though, it would be safe to study it and learn what they could. Vreta could restore most of the data that had been on his drive from external backups, once he had a new one. 

Up to that point, everything had gone about as Vreta had expected. However, what he had not anticipated was the report he was given right after the drive was removed, while he was waiting for the replacement. It was a report detailing the discussion that took place between Roth’Orsa and Freyr, and what it contained was both enlightening and alarming. Without internal memory, only Vreta’s vital implants were still active, so it took him longer to read through the report the “old-fashioned” way. 

Ultimately, Vreta could not be sure where this would lead. It seemed like they were not sure whether or not the Institute actually had any dangerous plans in mind, but the possibility that they could was too risky to leave alone. If they were being deceived, it could be dangerous to reunite the object with the Cradle. It seemed likely that Vreta’s own directives might change out of this, if he was being briefed on these events. Given the sensitive nature of this issue, all information would be on a need-to-know basis. 

After a while, Vreta did start to question why it was taking so long for someone to return with his replacement storage drive. He had been alone in a waiting room reading the report, but when someone did finally come in, it was not one of the doctors. His guest was once again the Datius Rareth’Jharn, which no doubt meant that no one would be disturbing them until their business was concluded. He sat straight up and clearly gave Rareth his full attention, while she was the first to speak. 

“I’ll assume you’ve read the report, so you know the situation. I only learned myself just a few hours ago, but I have had a discussion with the Director. This is a matter in which we will need to tread carefully. We have to maintain our alliance with Outremer, but it’s possible their government is being lied to as much as we are. You will be at the center of this as much as I am, so you will need to be ready.” Rareth explained.

“Of course, Datius.” Vreta answered with firm confidence. “I already have a good position among the research team to be closely involved with the investigation heading forward. What is my next objective? The report did not mention our plan going forward.”

Rareth shook her head. “Because we don’t have one. At least nothing more specific than what you’ve already read. All of this has just happened in the last few hours. Our goal is to investigate and learn what we can. It is up to us to determine how best to do that. And given this whole matter with the virus, both the Director and I agree that it sheds new light on the potential capabilities of the Institute, or at least what they can harness from the Cradle. We believe that all agents directly involved in this investigation will require the greatest level of preparation we can give them. Your neural implants will be receiving a software upgrade, and will require a substantial hardware upgrade to accommodate.”

For a moment, Vreta felt confused. “But my implants are already top-of-the-line. There aren’t many upgrades they can have, unless…”

Vreta’s eyes widened slightly. His implants were the top in their class, so there was only one option left for improvement: the [i]highest[/i] class of implant. To integrate a full, living AI with the mind of a Rothian was the best that could be offered, and it was no trivial task. A full Rothian AI was an immensely complex neural network that required powerful hardware to operate. It was well-known that Rothians could fit such processors in [i]artificial[/i] bodies, but to integrate it into a living Rothian mind was another matter entirely. Officially, such implants did not even exist, but unofficially, Vreta knew they were given only with special approval, and only when needed. These style of implants were far more comprehensive than most. Not only were they much larger, physically, but they touched virtually every part of the brain and nervous system. Its parts could be upgraded or replaced, but as of yet, no way had been discovered for a brain to survive having them removed. Not only would this upgrade require comprehensive brain surgery, but once he went through with it, there would be no going back.

To all of these considerations, Vreta looked into Rareth’s eyes and answered without hesitation. “I understand. I am ready.”