Welcome to Gaia! ::

Apsalar's horrific cry had eventually died down - she simply didn't have the breath to keep it up. This was, perhaps, something she ought to worry about. She had never had trouble sustaining a sound before. With a weary little whine, she dropped her head. Why worry? Either way, she would be dead soon enough. They all would. And they would die without ever knowing anything outside.

She wished she could ask Johnathan about what it had been like out there. Well, she could, but she didn't know how to make the words, and even if she did know how to ask for what she wanted, she would feel terrible. To ask him to tell them about it would be to remind him that he was no longer there.

Of course, that was assuming that he ever came back from where the scientists were experimenting - not a guarantee.

Misery seemed to envelop her as she curled up on the floor of her cage, listening for the distinctive sound of someone coming back up towards the cage area.

((I think we need more scientist characters))

The tank was cold, and getting colder. Inside the experimental chamber, a chimera glared at the working scientists with two dark, soulless eyes as it levitated in the orange fluid that was its latest mutagen sample.

"Project Upsilon Report - Mutagen Sample 0113. In reaction to the latest sample, Upsilon's spine has become rigid. Claws are sharpening at a steady rate. Increasing 0113 intensity by 8%. Applying extra mutagen in 3, 2, 1. Extra mutagen has been successfully applied."

Bubbles floated gently upward. The chimera, named "Upsilon" by the scientists, glanced around the dark laboratory in which it was being held; the place almost looked like an unfinished basement. Carbon fiber hung from the ceiling. Broken pipes leaking various gases and only one window, which was boarded up. The area in which the chimera's chamber stood, however, was highly advanced. Complex machines surrounded the giant tube, pumps, pistons and levers all working, functioning properly.

"Raising the solar levels; Upsilon is losing temperature at an alarming rate. Powercell inspection due- solar plants 1, 2, 3... all green. Increasing radiation output of solar plants 1 and 3 by approximately 2.26 degrees. Increasing radiation output of solar plant 2 by approximately 4.08 degrees."

It was true; the tank's temperature was decreasing dramatically. Could it be an effect of the new mutagen? Countless thoughts raced through the creature's head as the scientists continued with their research and maintenance. After this test, it would be sent to yet another test ground, where the scientists would pit it against other unfortunate chimeras. These... other projects... would soon meet their doom. After that, it was into the holding cell for eight hours, daily rations, and then back to the laboratory for more mutagen. This process has continued every day for 12 years now.

"Project Upsilon's muscular system, including the abdomen and limbs, is growing by 2% every ninety-four minutes. This may be a result of the added mutagen. Applying more mutagen... Meta-mixing Sample 0113 with Sample 1827 will commence in approximately 180 seconds."

Upsilon shut its eyes tightly. It wished badly to be free from this hellish place... It wished that it was never born. Unlike the other chimeras, Upsilon did not look even remotely human. It was an abomination, created for the selfish needs of mankind. Even it did not know why it was made; only the scientists knew, and they certainly were not going to tell their project. Their guinea pig. Their tool.

"Upsilon's senses are giving mixed readings. Hearing ability is increasing dramatically. Eyesight has successfully exceeded 20/20 and is climbing. Implementing amplifier 201, gravity sails on and running and 86% capacity. Upsilon's sense of smell is slowly declining by 00.1% every 11.3 seconds. Level 4 Alert. Action is required."

Upsilon shed a tear. P-Please... someone... he... help... m-me... please...

"Applying re-virus 0090 to balance the senses; applying re-virus 0090 in 3, 2, 1, applying now. Re-virus 0090 has been successfully applied. Re-virus 0090 is entering Upsilon's bloodstream at a rate of 19% every 24 minutes. Estimates state that re-virus 0090 will take effect in 4 hours, 28 minutes and 51 seconds. Until then, Upsilon will enter deep stasis. Entering deep stasis program in 3, 2, 1... Deep stasis activated."

The chimera's body went limp, the teardrop frozen on it's face. Once it woke up, everything would begin again...

"Upsilon has successfully entered deep stasis. Setting wake timer for 4 hours, 28 minutes and 51 seconds. Wake timer set in 3, 2, 1, setting now. Wake timer has successfully been set. Project Upsilon will awaken once the set time has been depleted."

...

"Goodnight, Upsilon."

Devon had followed along, pulling his mask down while doing so. When he gazed upon Upsilon, he placed his hand on his chin in a thinking manner. "Maybe. Will we have to keep this one from using too much force so that she doesn't kill John?" he asked his boss.

((Hmm, is Yani moving around through a camera or is he in the room himself with Devon? I wanted to clarify before my next post.))

((Maybe we should make some NPC scientists?

And yes, they're in the room lol))

Yani nodded, thinking himself. He asked one of the scientists whose gaze was fixed on a screen readout. "Excuse the interruption..." He was a multi-billion dollar man with more power than several leaders in the countries his businesses operated, yet he was charmingly polite. That could quickly change, however. "Are there any procedures you're currently undertaking that would endanger Upsilon if he were exposed to a rapid-acting sedative?" His plan was to implant a capsule into Upsilon--temporarily, perhaps by ingestion--that could be remote controlled to release whatever substances it held at the touch of a button. Hopefully this way, the survival chances for both Chimera would be maximized. He relayed his plan to the scientist and to Devon as well, who was listening.

Devon thought about it for a moment. "That could work" he said. He thought about if there was any other option they could do.

Apsalar blinked at him. She understood the words, or at least their basic intent. "It'll be all right," she murmured, but the words came through emptily this time. She knew it wouldn't be. If only those weren't the only words she could say, clear and true. It just made everything feel like one more big mockery.

She gave him a vaguely disbelieving look at his next sentence. Maybe he should have stopped while he was ahead. But rather than growl or attempt to n** at the hand reaching out to her, she just shook her head. There was no way they could all get out. Apsalar had accepted that a long time ago.

But however loath she would have been to admit it, the words made her feel a little better. More because he - damned if Apsalar could remember that particular Chimera's name right at the moment - had felt the urge to try and comfort her. That meant something. She didn't really know what, but she figured it meant something.

Also, it had provided a welcome sense that her pack was still here, even if one was missing, and a chance to think of something else. She had never learned to speak properly. Although she knew the basics and could communicate when she needed to, she couldn't communicate well, and the shame of that kept her from even trying.

Maybe it was about time she tried to learn. It would provide a distraction, anyway, and she needed one.