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revenge
revenged, revenging, revenges
1. To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
2. To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
3. The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation.
4. Something done in vengeance; a retaliatory measure.
5. A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness.
6. An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat.


Revenge is, to the Gallic people, a way of life. They are constantly reminded about what happened in the past. Back-stabbing, self preservation at any cost, playing god. Betrayal. To most of the people of Gallia though, the constant reminder of these things imposed on them by their sovereign and government has become nothing more than propaganda. Most just go on about their daily lives. Morning, eat, work, evening, eat, sleep, repeat. And if they manage to do this without telling some Royal Navy pilot that they think the King should be dethroned, they actually get to repeat this process for about a hundred years before they die of natural causes.

Though for some, this cycle isn't enough. Within the hearts of some does the fire of vengeance still burn. The very thought of getting back at those who betrayed them those hundreds and hundreds of years ago still drives these people, drives them forward. Forward out of hate, out of a sense of duty or loyalty, or simply to get even. It drives them to discover, to create. It drives them to find new paths and to make new paths where none can be found. Though, in this particular case, it drove them to the darker corners of reality. It drove them to discover new boundaries at the end of their own cruelty. It drove them to Credne

The number of people working on the project was small, but the consequences that would come forth from the hands of this small number of people would be major. Devastating for one, glorious for the other. It would be a tool that might bring about the dawn of a new era. But as all grand and mighty things, this one too had to start small. It started as a whisper. It was a thought so fragile that saying it out loud would shatter it and send it back into oblivion.

This particular whisper, this "Project Credne", lay on the lips of the former crown-prince Joseph DeFrance. Son to the King and brother to Aurelia DeFrance. He would be the one to guide this whisper to become a wrathful thunderstorm.

Joseph was lounging in his chair staring at a data pad that his lead scientist had given him.


"My Prince," the Scientist had said, "We're beginning to test the nanites on our subjects. The data described on this pad," He handed the data pad over to the Prince, "Are the results we're hoping for."

"When can we expect the first sign of the results?" Joseph had asked.
"Well, in two or three days tops. We should be seeing actual results by, hopefully, Wednesday." The scientist replied without hesitation. She made him smile, and she knew it. The way he was looking at her and the thin grin on his lips. "Very good. Don't produce these results until we actually know what will happen."

"Yes, my lord." She said quickly, blushing and bowing before him, then she left the room.


The conversation Joseph had with the scientist made him smile. They did fail to produce the retrovirus he was hoping for, but he enjoyed the fact that they replaced the idea with nanites, the very thought of the Council squirming around trying to figure out what was causing this mechanical plague amused him. It was Wednesday, and the results were exactly what he was expecting. Now it was a matter of time, and continual testing to see what this mechanical retrovirus was able to do.

He heard a shot followed by a shriek coming from a nearby room. "One of the prisoners must have attempted to escape." He smiled, keeping his eyes on the data pad that he held in his hands. "Go tell them to use non-lethal weapons. I want to keep our current stock alive."

"Yes my lord."

Torture
noun
1. The act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty.
2. A method of inflicting such pain.
3. Often, tortures. the pain or suffering caused or undergone.
4. Extreme anguish of body or mind; agony.
5. A cause of severe pain or anguish.
6. To subject to torture.



Screaming was heard, and it brought a smile to his lips.

A female laid on a table, bounded, yet was attempting her hardest to escape. She shrieked as the needle moved closer, inches, from her right eye. "Everything will be alright." He whispered, running his other hand through her hair.

"Mon Prince." A voice came from behind, and Joseph quickly spun around on his heels still holding the need. "She's a test subject, not a torture tool. If you want to torture someone, find someone that's not infected with the retrovirus." The scientist mumbled over, snatching the needle out of his hands.

"But look at her! She's as helpless as a legless frog. It's grounds for torture!" Joseph smiled, walking around the table with one of his hands stretched out, faced up with an open palm. "And isn't she a beauty."

"My Lord," The Medical doctor said looking up, and giving Joseph a very stern look, "I don't know what others in my field do to their subjects, nor do I care for what they do. But I am a man of medical science, not torture. My job is to experiment, not kill someone or something for pleasure."

Joseph winced at the words and stopped in his tracks, lowering his hand, and staring at the medical doctor. "With all due respect. My lord, I am here to serve the crown, your family, and the rest of Gallia. I also understand that what I'm doing will kill plenty of people. But I want to make sure that it does, and I don't need tortured subjects."

"I'll kill you afterwards then." Joseph said grinning, the medical doctor laughed lightly in return, sadly knowing that he would be killed for back talking the Prince. "Now, My Prince, would you care to watch as I continue my work?"

"Very much so."

"Barbarian" LaCroix said. "Yes, the type of people the Council attracts.." "Not them, him. That. " "That, Madame LaCroix?" the head of science curiously asked.
"That. The prince. That creature that takes delight in things like this. " "Madame LaCroix! How could yo- " "Silence, Casta. " LaCroix sternly said to the head of science. "When you're in a position as high as I am, you're entitled to your own opinion. I'm just glad the princess' back."
"A snake or a hyena, madame LaCroix."
"The snake. Definitely."

LaCroix stares at the window in front of her. The doctors on the other end can't see her, but they know she's watching. She can see them wondering : "Are we to make it painful, or quick?". All except for the prince. He seems to be enjoying the painful expressions on the woman's face.

"That doctor. What's his name?" The head of science opened a file on his PDA. It was filled with about three hundred names, all starting with Dr. "Develaroux, madame LaCroix. " She stopped speaking for a moment to take a drag of her small cigar. She exhales and continues. "Have a security detailed assigned to him and his family. I feel our prince might try to have him removed. " The head of science stared at LaCroix as if he wanted to ask her why, but then decided the answer wasn't worth the time listing to. According to him.

"How far is it?" LaCroix asked, talking about the retrovirus. "Nearly finished. There are a few minor flaws to work out apparently in the... " he halted. "In the..." "In the what? Finish the sentence, Casta. " He didn't. LaCroix grew slightly annoyed and grabbed the PDA out of his hands. "Fool. Can't even pronounce a single scientific word. "

She placed the PDA on the table in front of her and walked out of the room. "Send everything you have on the retrovirus to my terminal on the Chant, Casta. And make sure Develaroux gets his security. Just the thing that might annoy the prince. " she shouted right before slamming the door in the lock.

Bionanotechnology
Synthetic technology based on the principles and chemical pathways of living organisms.
Encompasses the study, creation, and illumination of the connections between structural molecular biology and nanotechnology.

Nanoweapons
Military technology which seeks to exploit the power of nanotechnology in the modern battlefield.

Bionanoweapons
Weapons that use nanotechnology to imitate bioweapons while avoiding a living organism's biological defenses.

Nanoinhibitors
Nanomachines used to counteract or prevent the effects of other nanomachines.

Aurelia's attention was pulled away from the report she was reading when a knock came from the door to her 'office', which was really just an extension of her quarters on Planet Nevers. A moment later Lucile stepped in holding a file burgeoning with papers. "This was delivered from Grand Marshal LaCroix" she said as she handed it to her. "Thank you Lucile." Lucile gave her a small bow and left the room.

The vanilla-colored folder was labeled Project Credne and had Classified stamped across the bottom. This made her suspicious. LaCroix had never given her any impression that she trusted her. Curious, she began to go through the pages inside. What she saw appalled her. Anger started to swell inside her as she went through more pictures and reports detailing the status and effects of Credne. What do those idiots think they are doing?

Planet Nevers, Joseph DeFrance's Royal Estate

"What do you mean they're under guard!"

Something collided with the wall and shattered, apparently it was a glass. "My liege, calm down! We can work around this!" A Royal Guard member shouted, taking a step out of the way as another piece of glass was thrown across the room. "I told you I wanted him dead! Him and his family! And now we have other royal guard members protecting him! Who the hell gave the order!"

"My liege, it was the Grand Marshal, she gave the order.."

"That damn whore!"
The guard gasped, "My liege! You're speaking about the Grand Marshal as if she's an animal."

Joseph stopped what he was doing, and turned around to face the guard, walking quickly over to the man, and grabbing the mans pistol from his holster. "What did you just say, Monsieur?" Joseph cocked the pistol. The man hesitated, "What did you say!" Joseph shouted aiming the pistol at the guard. "Monsieur don't please don't I have a family."

"Do you think I care about your family, Monsieur? You're a servant to the crown, as is your family. You will follow your orders at no matter what cost. Am I clear?"

The guard gave a slowly nod, holding his hands up in the air. "Oui, Monsieur...I...I understand."

"Good. Now get on your knees."

The guard complied, quickly dropping to his knees and keeping his hands above his head. He knew if he acted out now it would get him killed. But it didn't matter as he felt the cold steel barrel of the pistol press squarely against the stop of his forehead. "Vive le roi." The guard looked up, just in time to see the cold grin on Joseph's face. Boom.

The sound was heard throughout the house, it wasn't soon after that Guards swarmed into the room. "My liege are you alright! We heard a gunshot!"

"I'm fine...this man was a Council spy." He dropped the pistol on the ground and looked down at the body and the pool of blood. "Luckily I got to the pistol before he could. Remove this body and have servants clean up the blood, the best they can. Now."

"Oui my liege!" One of the guards shouted, "Men! You heard the prince, let's get this mess cleaned up."

Joseph turned his back and walked towards a nearby couch and smiled to himself. So, the Grand Marshal wants to play dirty? No one, not even her, gets in the way of the Kings son. Monsieur Develaroux will be killed, even if I have to do it myself.

Aurelia had a hard time keeping her agitation from showing. In front of her, the security monitor was playing the video logs from the past weeks' tests. The Credne security logs had full around-the-clock coverage of all Credne test subjects who had already been administered the agent, as well as all medical operations happening within the facility. This particular log was over the test of a young woman. The time stamp showed it was done just over a week ago. The day before LaCroix sent her the information on Credne. The difference between this log, and most, though unfortunately not all, the others, was that her brother was present. Present, and making a fool of himself.

"Ecaeurant.." she whispered to herself. On the monitor, the confrontation between Joseph and the doctor who had taken the needle from him was over. She turned to the Royal Navy Colonel who oversaw the project's security. "Colonel, is that doctor still here?" The man shook his head. "Non Ma Princesse, he is allowed in rarely now. Grand Marshal LaCroix has had him put under significant guard." That made her smile. That will get under Joseph's skin.

"And what is the women's status?" The officer began typing a name into the room's terminal. "Felicia Loiseau, administered Credne twelve days ago. Housed in the Stage Two Ward." Aurelia fought a grin. "Have her transferred to the Cainte Ward, along with subjects from the Stage One, Three, and Four wards." She turned to leave the room, but hesitated. She looked back over her shoulder at the colonel. "Oh, and inform me if Joseph is present for another operation." The next doctor might not be bold enough...

The man bowed. "Oui Votre Altesse."

Royal Navy Flag Ship Chant Du Cygne. Nevers low-orbit. 19:43 GCT.

She swirled the ice in her glass around. You could hear it cling against the sides. At this point, it was more ice than drink that filled it. She drank the remaining bit and put the glass down on the large desk in front of her. She leaned back and looked her assistant who was standing on the other side of the large desk straight in the eyes. "Eyes never lie".

"So". She reached for one of the small cigars in her box and held it between her fingers. "Dr. Develaroux and his family have been put under guard?" She asked the man in front of her. "Yes Madame," he answered. "We moved them to a securer location on planet Nevers. The family doesn't suspect why, they think it's for the Dr.'s work, but Develaroux does.". LaCroix lit up her cigar and took the first drag. "Good. It keeps him aware. We need his royal retardedness to take the bait." The face on the man in front of her suddenly got an uncomfortable look. He did not know what to make of the way the Grand Marshall spoke over the previous crown prince. Before he could ask, LaCroix continued. "How many marines are stationed at the compound?" "15 madame." He answered.

"Fifteen. That will work. It's a shame, but the ultimate goal is worth it." She paused for a moment to take another drag and tapped the burnt tip off the small cigar and into the ash tray. "What about the equalizer?" she continued "Have the men been prepared? " "Yes madame", the man answered. "Five of the best saboteurs armed to the teeth with their favorites. If this works, your message will undoubtedly arrive."

"Excellent. Thank you, Desmond. Enjoy your evening." "You have a fine evening too, madame." He walked towards the hall and closed the large doors with his face towards the Grand Marshall.

Planet Nevers, Joseph DeFrance's Royal Estate, Mid-Afternoon

So much was riding on his shoulders that it pleased him greatly. Of course, he was slacking off tormenting and experimenting on captives, or slaughtering the ones that didn't do as he said. It was a pretty fun life, being a prince.


Joseph opened his eyes as he heard footsteps, multiple footsteps. He looked up to see a rather young child standing before him, and a small detail of Royal guards. One being the guard captain Julie Nason, she carried a folder in her hand but it seemed that this child was more important, as they wouldn't have brought such a filthy peasant before him.

He looked from Julie to the child before him and raised an eyebrow. "And what do we have here?" He said lightly, and calmly. Julie spoke up immediately afterwards, "Mon Prince, we caught this boy putting up posters of council propaganda. He decided to place one over a picture of yours near the recruitment office."

Joseph nodded slightly, still eying the boy. "I see. Is this true young man?" He smiled lightly, and the child hesitated a nod, "Y-yes my lord."

Joseph looked up at Julie, "Let him go. In fact, show him the kitchen. Give him something to eat, he looks a bit hungry, starving even. I'm sure he'll learn his place when he gets some food in him, some proper food, and I don't mean take him out back and shoot him either. He's just a boy. Feed him."

Julie nodded and waved one of her guards to escort the kid out of the room. She then handed Joseph a folder. "This..we just received this folder at your door step upon bringing that kid here." Joseph took the folder and opened it, the first page was titled Cainte, he raised his eyebrow and began to look through it, making notice of the signature. "Interesting. Looks like my fun of torture is going to be ending with this. Sadly, I'm in enough trouble with father for killing Arielle. Hmph." He closed the folder and handed it back to her. "Put it in my study."

Nodding, she reached for the folder and carefully removed it from his hand. She then looked over at the two guards and nodded them out of the room shortly following behind them. Joseph sat up on the couch, then slowly stood up stretching.

A few minutes later he was making his way into the kitchen, smiling as he saw the child eating some food. The child glanced over and saw him and quickly dropped his food on the plate. "Bah, don't stop eating. Carry on. I'll clean up the mess later." He smiled again walking over to the refrigerator and opened it reaching inside and grabbing a loaf of bread. "You know, Monsieur, the Council portray us as the bad guys, non?" He said turning around and making his way over to the table, he pulled out a chair and sat the item down on the table, then sat next to the young boy.

The child nodded but didn't say a word. "You know. You would make a fine soldier in my fathers Royal Navy. If you're bold enough to put posters over poster of my own, and I like bold. To bad, however, that if you continue your ways, young man, you may end up like those cowards hiding behind the people."

"You see, we're not all bad. Royalists, my family, and the other nobles. We just handle things differently." He smiled and looked at the young man, taking a bite out of the piece of bread he picked up a few seconds prior. "Well. Don't let me scare you. The stories they tell children at night about me are utterly false. I haven't killed anyone. I personally don't anyways." He shrugged and continued, talking with his mouth full. "What you need you understand, that, you would've died today. However, you're a very young man. About what...ten years old?" He paused, and looked over at the boy taking another bite from the piece of bread.

The boy nodded, "Ten and a half."

"Ah, ten and a half years old. I was very, very close. You still have a lot of time ahead of you, and your views will surely change. Judging by your appearance, you're homeless, non?" The boy nodded and started eating again. "Well, I do believe I can make some arrangements for you to live here. Can't let you live on the street, without a home." He smiled again, as the kid looked up at him, extremely surprised. "Now then, young man. I have some things to do in my study. Ask one of the servants if you need me. Au revoir." He smiled and pushed himself out of the chair, taking the loaf of bread with him, and leaving the room.

Aurelia smiled as she watched the doctors perform yet another test on the Cainte subjects. Her satisfaction wasn't the sadistic pleasure of watching or committing torture like her brother's, but the bitter sweetness of a plan finally coming to fruition. Bitter because success depended on the suffering and death of millions of people, sweet because of the rewards their deaths would pay for.

The Credne test subjects she had transferred were administered with the cure she had had created - Cainte. While the Prince had Credne created to cause death among his enemies, she had created Cainte to control the nano-virus' spread and damage to ensure she and those who served her, directly or indirectly, willingly or unwittingly, would be left with the advantage once Credne had Sirius in its grip. The anti-virus, or nanoinhibitor, also had a practical reason. The preservation of the royal line and its supporters, the Gallic Navy. Joseph hadn't considered the side effects of creating and releasing a nano-virus. That, eventually, it'd circle around and infect their own people the same as it would those we wish to use it against.

The head doctor for the Cainte project appeared at her side. "Your Highness, all current final-stage subjects administered Cainte show no symptoms of the original Credne virus they were infected with, and the Credne nano-bodies have decreased to non-lethal quantities. They continue to drop and should be completely absent in a few more days. The final versions of Cainte are ready to be produced in large quantities. All we need to know is how much of it to create."

Aurelia nodded. "I need enough to immunize the entire Royal Navy personnel base. The entire royal line, including the nobles. Two-thirds of our civilian population, we need enough to stop the spread of it to our people, there is little chance of it spreading to everyone." It was a lie, of course, but logical enough not to cause undo suspicion. There was even enough evidence to support the fact that the chances of the nano-virus spreading to the entire population was extremely low, since the origin of the virus outbreak would be set in Sirius. That is, if Credne were left to operate as originally intended.

"I also need enough to put a significant dent in the projected Credne-infected population in Sirius in four years time. We want to disorient and distract them, not eradicate. But that is long-term, and we don't want to immunize any of the Sirians, just have enough to cure in the aftermath."

The doctor began to look uneasy. "And the subjects here your Highness?"

Aurelia kept her eyes on the medical room beyond the view mirror. "Have the intelligence agents do a check on all surviving patients. Those with any hint of treason, susceptibility to treason, or indication they may release information on their experience here are to be executed, quietly. We can't afford for information on Cainte or Credne to spread."

The doctor bowed his head. "I understand madame. And those who don't meet those conditions?"

"Keep them here for the time being. I will meet with them myself and decide what to do with them."

The doctor gave another "Yes your Highness" and withdrew from the room.