Meanwhile...at Adascorp...

The holographic message flickers to life, revealing the image of Corielle Adasca. Her Arkanian features are sharp and angular, and her voice is cool and clipped as she speaks.

"Xera, I trust you have some good news for me regarding the reverse aging serum? Adascorp is becoming impatient, and I cannot afford any more delays in this project."

Xera takes a deep breath before responding, her face betraying a hint of exhaustion and frustration.

"I'm sorry, Miss Adasca, but the trials have not been successful so far."

Corielle's expression tightens at the news, her eyes narrowing in displeasure."I see. This is not the update I was hoping for, Xera. The company is expecting results, and I have promised them a successful serum. What is causing these setbacks? And what is your plan for moving forward?" Corielle's tone is brisk and demanding, her expectations clear. She expects results, and she expects them quickly.

Xera takes a deep breath before responding, trying to steady her nerves."I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I still haven't been able to make much progress. We've run multiple tests on the serum, but we keep encountering issues during the gene splitting and regrowth process. The elderly subjects we've been using as test subjects just aren't strong enough to survive the process." Xera looks down at her hands, feeling the weight of her failure. Corielle was a force of nature within the company, and Xera was afraid of displeasing her. "M-my plan? Well I feel terrible that we have killed s-so many elderly people trying to get this serum to work! They are not strong enough to survive the process! I-I guess my plan would be to try to find someone much stronger. But this is a challenge, most older people are weak already. D-do you have any suggestions?"

Corielle narrows her eyes, clearly displeased with Xera's response. "You've had ample time and resources to perfect this serum, Xera. I will not tolerate further failure or excuses."

She pauses for a moment before continuing. "As for your question, your misplaced sense of ethics is interfering with your logic. There are individuals with a genetic predisposition to strong physical resilience that could withstand the process. Find them. Whatever it takes, I expect you to find a solution quickly. You know the consequences if you fail me." Corielle's tone is firm and unwavering, leaving no room for argument or negotiation.

Xera thought a moment. She had already been using non-human test subjects. There was a rodian, a selkath, and a few others. Her thoughts drifted back to the very strong Mandalorian woman they had hired to retrieve the Droch. And she was Xera's friend. But Adascorp had her daughter. She had no choice. "....There was a Mandalorian woman who brought us the droch specimens....Nicci Ordo..."

Corielle raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "A Mandalorian, you say? And you believe she might be a viable test subject for the serum?"

Xera nods hesitantly. "Yes, she is incredibly strong and resilient. I think she might be able to handle the gene splitting and regrowth process."

Corielle's sharp Arkanian features and icy demeanor seem to intensify as she listens to Xera's response.

"Xera," she says, her tone stern, "Failure is not an option in this project. Corporate has invested a considerable amount of resources in our research, and I cannot afford any more setbacks. We need results, and we need them now."

Corielle pauses for a moment before continuing, "However, your suggestion about the Mandalorian woman intrigues me. Nicci Ordo is known to be a formidable fighter and has shown great resilience in the face of danger. Perhaps she could be a suitable candidate for our next trial. I will make the necessary arrangements for you to contact her and bring her on board for this project."

Xera cleared her throat nervously. "Ma'am, Nicci will never agree to this willingly. She would rather die. She will tell us no if we ask her this."

Corielle's expression hardened at Xera's response. "I didn't ask if Nicci would agree. If Nicci is the solution, then we will make it happen, one way or another. I suggest you start finding ways to convince her to cooperate."

Xera's sea-green skin went pale. "I will have to send our Corporate Enforcers to capture her by force. I will be betraying her trust beyond repair..."

Corielle raised an eyebrow, her voice becoming sharp and commanding."Do what needs to be done, Xera. I am not interested in excuses or moral dilemmas. We are running out of time, and Adascorp will not tolerate any further delays. Retrieve Nicci Ordo and make her a test subject for the serum. That is your priority now. Is that clear?"

Xera's shoulders drooped. She would quit now if she could, but now she knew too much, and it would put her daughter's life in danger. She had to carry out the task. "Yes Ma'dam. It is clear. I will do what needs to be done."

Corielle nods, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Good. I expect you to carry out this task swiftly and efficiently, Xera. And make sure the Mandalorian is not killed in the process. We will need to keep her alive to study the effects of the serum."

With that, the holographic projection of Corielle Adasca flickers and fades away, leaving Xera alone to contemplate the difficult task ahead.