Logs of Duvain Labs

[Sal Katarn]

The Journal of Dr. Yakal

Entry #3

Our plans to create a new offshoot for the Arkanian species have finally received appropriate funding. At last the government has seen the wisdom of Dr. Arcus. Creating a new subspecies, a warrior class, will prove a triumph of science.

Our predecessors were on the right track with the creation of the Echani, but they did not aim high enough. Imagine, a race of warriors with unmatched power in the Force, subservient to pure Arkanians. The potential is incredible. We would be able to stretch our reach across the galaxy and bring enlightenment to hundreds of worlds. My excitement is more than mere words can tell.

Entry #14

I am pleased to note that we have finally located a suitable specimen for Dr. Arcus' work. We believed most of the Miraluka species to be exterminated by the Galactic Empire, but a small nuclear family was located. Duvain Labs has encountered some difficulties obtaining license from the government to retrieve a specimen. We are turning to other avenues.

Entry #15

Capture of the specimens by the paramilitary corporation was successful, unfortunately several natives died in the extraction. I'm afraid that such is the price of greatness.

 

[Sal Katarn]

Entry #20

Procuration of the Miraluka's DNA was successful. Attempts to map the genome are now underway. With the technology of our age we can do it in a fraction of the time of our predecessors. It is expected to be completed within the month. Once this is done we will be able to isolate the genes that allow the Miraluka their innate ability for seeing through the Force. We hope to utilize this gene in creation of our Arkanian hybrid.

While the genome is being mapped we will pursue acquisition of the other specimens needed to complete Dr. Arcus' work. An expeditionary team is already in pursuit of a Firrerreon, but the Stennes Shifter species are expected to be far harder to obtain. These are but the foundation stones preceding the creation itself. I foresee many years of labor ahead, but at the end we will all be heralded as the greatest genetic scientists of our age, perhaps ever.

Entry #21

Expedition Team 2 reports that they've encountered a Firrereon colony but have had resistance from the population in acquiring a sample. Most beings of the galaxy are blind to science. They do not understand the sacrifice required in order to advance not just one species, but sapient humanoids as a whole. Our creation will be the next step in evolution and once again Arkanians will prove dominant over nature.

Entry #22

The Firrereon colony has capitulated, though Expedition Team 2 indicates that it took some convincing. Fortunately, they have come to accept our logic and the galaxy will thank them for it in time. The genome mapping of the Miraluka is still underway, but now we can begin focusing on the Firrereon as well and start isolating the genes which give them their incredible healing ability.

 

[Sal Katarn]

Entry #45

Success! The Miraluka and Firrereon genomes have been successfully mapped. We are working on isolating the genes that give them their unique powers. Even if the venture proves to be a failure, this achievement alone will bring us acclaim. Dr. Arcus, however, is fixated on creating this warrior subspecies. He believes it will solve many of our problems and provide us with an unstoppable army. Personally, I hope that one day we can use our findings to grant affinity of the Force to every Arkanian and perhaps the galaxy as a whole, when they mature enough to be granted such responsibility.

Entry #46

The search for the Stennes Shifter sample has proven difficult. Our efforts are continually repulsed by the general Stennes populace who seem to be in fear of these Shifters who are to them more a nightmare, a lore tale used to frighten children. They do not like being reminded of their bloody history with Palpatine's Empire. We are bringing in an Epicanthix bounty hunter who has some knowledge of their abilities. I regret that we must resort to the hiring of such brutes, but it is an unfortunate necessity demanded by the difficulty of our task. Dr. Arcus says we must let the hammer have his day in order for the scalpel to be used.

Entry #57

After weeks of waiting, our bounty hunter finally managed to locate a Stennes Shifter. Unfortunately, there was an encounter and now both are deceased. No matter, we have what we need.

 

[Sal Katarn]

Entry #64

With all the genomes mapped we can proceed to the next stage of the project. We are using the Duvain Laboratory on Alzoc III. The climate reminds me of home, but there is little that lives in this place. How fitting that we should create life here, where nature cannot. We will be using altered Spaarti cylinders, courtesy of our friends on Kamino, to grow the experiments.

Entry #67

Every day brings new breakthroughs that fill me with a sense of joy for our great species. Dr. Arcus, the brilliant scientist that he is, has managed to locate the genes allowing the unique abilities for each species. We have made so much progress, but there is still a long road ahead. I tremble in anticipation of the day when our accomplishments will be unveiled to the galaxy and all will know that we, Arkanians, produced such discoveries. We will lead the galaxy into a new dawn.

Entry #72
The result of our first growth proved a disastrous abomination. We disposed of the creation immediately. Further alterations will need to be made. I believe I know where the aesthetic problems arise and shall endeavor to adjust them accordingly and thus fulfill my purpose here. I will make him a being that others will marvel. There are no Hapan genetics to work with, but no matter. Arkanians are not an beauty-less race.

Entry #79
Our efforts are continually frustrated. Inevitably there is yet another problem to fix. We are on our fiftieth attempt and our sponsors are growing irritable. I fear our funding will be cut before we can finish the project. Dr. Arcus is in a persistently foul mood, more so than usual. He is liable to be set off on a violent temper at the slightest provocation and as a pureblood, he believes himself above reproach. I cannot deny the pureness of his heritage, but is not evolution constant progress forward? Why are purebloods, an ancient species, born to rule? Should not the offspring of new lineages be the ones to lead us forward? It is of no use. I have had such discussions with Arcus time and again, yet he refuses to listen. He does little to engender the support of the sponsors. Even so, his scientific work is beyond reproach. I will trust his judgement.

 

[Sal Katarn]

Entry #100
I was wrong. Dr. Arcus' headstrong ways have led us to ruin. The sponsors, disgusted by an 89th failure, have pulled our funding. I know not what we are to do. Arcus says he is seeking funding from alternate sources, but for now we are shut down. I believe this will be my last entry in these logs. To whoever finds this, know that we tried to do great things, but were ultimately strangled by the purse. Money truly does rule the desires of the galaxy.

Entry #101
It has been a year since my last entry. So much has happened. Dr. Arcus has managed to obtain funding from a source, though he refuses to reveal who. No matter. Our glorious enterprise shall resume, even greater than before! We've had several successful subjects, though all die several minutes after being removed from the tube. It seems that they exhibit a profound immune system disfunction. I have completed the genetic coding for their physical appearance. They will be gods among mortals. Taller and stronger than the average Arkanian. They will inspire fear in our enemies. There is still work to be done. I must go.

Entry #120
We've encountered significant difficulties with diseases. Even in a completely sterile environment the experiments are prone to immediate organ failure as soon as they leave the spaarti cylinders. We're still working on the problems but we've sent for some pharmaceutical experts to begin developing pills to counter these effects that will boost the immune system. They will hopefully keep the subject alive long enough to run tests.

Entry #124
This is the first time we've had a subject last more than five minutes. We were able to run preliminary tests. He died not long after. I believe the road ahead is still a long one we must tread and my feet grow ever wearier. Some days I believe we are destined for greatness, others I think we are all fools. How can humanoids master nature? Even so, our forebearers have done it before with the creation of the Sephi-Arkanian and Human-Arkanian offshoots. This Hybrid will be greater than them all. The sight of a Miraluka, the telepathy of the Stennes, the healing capabilities of the Firrereo, and the body of an Arkanian.

Many sacrifices have been made to get to this point, but there will be more to come.

 

[Sal Katarn]

Entry #138

Triumph of triumphs! We have managed to create one that lives and breathes on his own. He is our 355th attempt. We are running several tests on his abilities, but he seems to retain many of the abilities of his progenitors. I marvel at our creation. Ashen skin, like a stennes shifter, but his white hair tells of the Arkanian heritage. The eyes, though, the eyes are a red. I see no emotion in those eyes. We intended for him to be the blueprint of a warrior. His genes for aggression were heightened and we dampened his compassion. Those eyes put an irrational fear in me and cause me to wonder. What have we created?

Entry #139

We've created a monster. I write this with trembling hands from a secure part of the labs. Even now I can hear the screams of my fellow colleagues as he tears them apart. This creation sensed something of our intentions when we discovered his many defects. We intended to dispose of him once his use had been completed. He ripped the information from our minds. I can still feel his fingers, digging into my brain. Arcus said our sponsor was on the way with help, but I fear he will not arrive in time. Arcus is already dead. I watched the creature rip his throat out with its bare hands.

What have we done? We sought to tamper with nature's laws and she struck back. In our arrogance, we were blind. So blind. What have we done? Oh no, I can hear it coming. The screams have stopped. It searches for me. I can feel his eyes on the back of my neck. Th-

The Journal of Dr. Yakal ends here.