Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Tales of Pandora

Origins of Salizar, Chapter 1 ~beginnings~

This Tale contains spoilers for both Heroes of Pandora and slight spoilers for Protectors of Pandora and Book 3, I suggest reading the first two books.

This tale begins with a young mesopithicus, destined for villainy. But he didn’t know that yet, he hadn’t yet been injected with the intelligence serum, back then he was just an average ape. Until that fateful day, when everything changed.

“Are you sure the serum will work?” Dr. Haze asked. “Of course Ben, I’ve done all the proper research. It’s ready for ape testing.” Dr. Flight said. “Alright.. who’s first?” Dr. Haze replied. “Oo oo aa!” Salizar said. “Looks like Salizar wants some.” Dr. Flight said. “Alright bring him here. I still can’t believe you named him that, everyone else is named after planet of the apes!” Dr. Haze said. “Oh Benjamin. I don’t even know what that is remember? And I like the name Salizar.” Dr. Flight said. They strapped Salizar to the table, sedated him, and injected the serum into his temple. For a moment he seemed fine, but then he started ceasing, they quickly injected something else into him to stabilize him. “Is he ok?” Dr. Haze asked. “I think so.. his vitals are alright.” Dr. Flight said. “Ok, put him back in his kennel for now. And keep an eye on him.” Dr. Haze said.

Salizar woke up, his head hurt like it got trampled in a stampede. He stood up and looked around, he saw the world completely different now, he even thought he understood the humans talking a bit. After that began his training, him and the others all got the serum and the scientists started to try and teach them, they used the spare room of the facility and turned it into a sort of school, here Salizar learned to read and understand human languages, even if he couldn’t speak it. “A, C, G, F.. Uhm T!” Another student said. Salizar shook his head, “no no, it’s A, B, C, D, E, F, G.” He explained. “Thanks Salizar.” The meso said. “No problem Rocket, your getting better.” Salizar said. “Alright, that’s enough for today. Get back to your kennels everyone.” Dr. Flight said. “But.. I don’t want to!” A mesopithicus said. All the Dr heard was hooting, “Caesar! Do as your told.” She said sternly. Caesar begrudgingly left the room, “you shouldn’t challenge them Caesar, they know what’s best.” Salizar said. “I hate following orders.” Caesar said.

The next few months were quite uneventful, the apes learned more and more, There was even one meso that spoke a bit of English, her name was Maurice, “Grape!” She said. “Did you just?!” Dr. Haze said stunned. All the other students cheered for her, and she got what she wanted, grapes. That night, Dr. Flight sent word to fort Olympia, she requested king Drake himself come and see for himself what the serum could do. But the morning he came, Maurice was found dead. “You’ve brought me here to see a dead chimp?” Drake said. “Sir, she was alive yesterday! And she spoke!” Dr. Haze said. “Doubtful. Find the cause of death and prove the serum is safe.” Drake said dismissively, he left the facility immediately. “What are we going to do! If the serum doesn’t work what will he do to us!” Dr. Flight said. “This was just a fluke, I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll run the autopsy immediately.” Dr. Haze said. The mesopithicus were all grieving for days after that. They couldn’t be made to do any school and they barely ate. Salizar overheard the scientists talking a few days later, he couldn’t hear much but what he did get is that the serum didn’t react well with Maurice’s brain, it caused a tumor. Dr. Haze seemed to not know what happened. But Salizar was terrified the same would happen to him.

Throughout the next few months two more mesos perished, the same cause. It was just Salizar Caesar and Noa. “This has gone on long enough, half of the subjects have already died, the serum doesn’t work!” Drake said angrily. “Please! King Drake we know it will work! We’ve created another serum that should prevent this from ever happening, we will save your daughter.” Dr. Flight pleaded. “Fine. Don’t make me regret giving you a second chance.” Drake said. “Thank you sir!” Dr. Haze said. “One more thing, due to your collective incompetence, I am transferring another scientist to help you. He’s one of my best.” Drake said. “Who?” Both Scientists asked. “Me.” A voice said, he walked into the light, “The name is Doctor Primalis, greetings new lab assistants.”