3 Chapter 2

Dr. Trevor's guards opened the door followed by Dr. Trevor and two guards following behind him.

"Today is the day that I've been looking forward too since this project's inception. So it's not fair to say that just you who wants to get this 'done and over with,' Dr. Craige."

Dr. Trevor finished with a small laugh.

Samuel said nothing as he wasn't amused, but Dr. Craige as the employee that he was said,

"Hehe, sorry boss, my bad!"

"Never mind that let's get this done. Shall we gentlemen?"

Offered Dr. Trevor with a chuckle as he signaled his bodyguards forward. His escort said nothing as they knew what they had to do. They walked towards Samuel with a purpose and said,

"Subject designation?"

Samuel said nothing as he looked at them with an incredulous look.

"Are you serious?"

"Subject designation."

"But why?"

"Comply with request to proceed. Please answer with subject designation."

Samuel said nothing as he looked at them, his gaze steady.

"Comply with request."

Rolling his eyes Sam stated his name.

"Whatever… Samuel Von Lorel."

"[Subject designation validation complete. Voice and mannerisms has been confirmed to be subject Samuel Von Lorel. Vital signs nominal. Signs of complete recovery due fatal wound is present. Commencing complete body data scans.]"

A deep mechanical voice sounded out from behind Samuel, and a mechanical appendage unfolded from the wall.

Samuel without saying anything turned around and let the camera X-ray machine thingamajig, to do its thing.

He allowed the machine to inspect each and every cell in his body. The machine went cell to cell, top to bottom.

Until finally the machine announced,

"[Directive complete, all organs (including the skin) have been confirmed to work at an unknown but extreme efficiency. Unable to ascertain specific functions and specific percentages due to lack of data in Data Banks. Actual in field analysis is required for a better degree of understanding. Additionally, specific genes common to humans in the subject Samuel Von Lorel have been altered or erased. For reasons not known due to insufficient data in data banks, the functions of these altered and erased genes are unknown at the current moment.

But a possible function for a altered gene that the subject possesses on the current data scanned can be for prolonged periods of time without oxygen. Additionally elasticity of skin is almost rubber like and smooth like the skin of a dolphin but incredibly durable to a unknown but extreme degree. Percentage increase unknown due to lack of data in data banks. Human skin DNA not correlating with dolphin skin DNA.

The subjects skeletal muscles also appear to have signs of increased hypertrophy. Muscle types seem to have been altered to an extreme degree. Fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers seem to have been replaced and changed with extreme energy efficient muscles whose function varies. All muscle in the subject's body seems to have the ability to behave in fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers.

The density and muscle elasticity scanned also suggest that the current size of said muscle should currently be 57.3 times its current size. Muscle and bone elasticity also seems to have increased to a significant degree. Which suggests the ability to move in ways most other baseline humans could never do. Other minor groups of muscle such as smooth muscle located in blood vessels, bladder, and autonomic nervous system, as well as in the gastrointestinal tracts was altered to a unspecified but extreme degree. Functions for these changes are unknown due to lack of data in data banks.

Cardiac muscle also seems to have been altered to a unspecified but extreme degree. The heart also seems have improved oxygen distribution. All heart blood vessels and heart canals seem to have improved circulation to the level where anxiety and fatigue is almost an impossibility. Waste delivered from the heart to the lungs to be expelled is increased by a magnitude of 33.7 compared to a baseline human. It also seems toxin and wastes are being processed by the body to an unknown but extreme level.

Cell activity also suggests that there was quite a grievous wound done to the body. And the subject's extremely healthy body suggests a very strong healing factor. So much so that the subject's body seems to be biologically immortal in a inability to age and strong ability to heal itself.

Hearing and sight seem to have also increased in sensitivity by a magnitude of 382.12 compared to a baseline human. Brain activity seems to have increased by a magnitude of 390.51 compared to a baseline human. It seems the brain evolved or adapted to keep up with all the data given to him because of his senses. Brain to muscle connectivity seem to be enhanced to the point where all skeletal muscles can theoretically be controlled to a minute level.

Bone density and elasticity seem to have been enhanced by a magnitude of 134.73. Height and weight seem to be at the top 99th percentile with a height of 6'7 and a weight of 550 pounds.

Unable to make more conjectures and analysis due to lack of data in data banks.]"

With that the machine stopped its assessment. And folded back to its divet in the wall.

And Samuel had to say that was pretty weak in his opinion. He for sure thought he was stronger than that.

As he thought that he heard a commotion on the back where the scientist where looking through the terminals. Presumably looking through more detailed data scanned by the machine.

"This can't be right! We document all changes and data from thousands of subjects who undergo all the same experiments! There should be no gaps in our data!"

A scientist said with a confused expression as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, yeah! You don't know since you work in the common control subject quarter 3 area, but this guy's pretty much this area's golden goose, haha!"

"Yeah he's pretty compatible with the serum! So he undergoes a lot more dangerous experiments and procedures than a lot of other subjects."

A few other scientists informed the rest of the ignorant ones and soon enough everyone was on the same page.

"Yeah… isn't this…like really dangerous though? We basically know nothing about his body to even make simulations of how the serum will affect him. It's basically asking to accidentally mutate his body into a flesh monster or something."

A scientist with crossed arms concernedly said with a frown, nervously tapping his forearm with his gloved left hand.

"Yeah well that's true but the doc-"

Before the scientist cold continue his sentence, Dr. Trevor interjected.

"Splendid! Well people, this is incredible news! It looks like we can proceed with the injection without any further delay."

Dr. Trevor exclaimed as he typed into a computer terminal next to him as he logged his information. Dr. Trevor had already seen the data and determined that he was ready to take the serum.

When he finished he scanned his eyes through the crowd of scientists in front of him.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

He questioned with a strange smile marring his visage. As if he was asking a question but at the same time not. Everyone new better than to say no or question his judgement.

To Samuel it looked like Dr. Trevor knew that this was going to happen, and that he already prepared for it, and knowing him he most certainly did.

"Step forward and towards your left, subject Samuel."

One of the guards instructed as he pointed towards a metal and glass chamber emerging from the ground. Samuel had never seen this machine, but he assumed it was strong enough to withstand his strength. The serum hurt like a bitch, so it at least had to withstand his thrashing after all.

"Strip all of your clothes."

Samuel just silently looked at him before taking of all of his clothes.

"Step inside the machine."

The guards once again instructed as he trained a wary eye towards the container. Samuel stepped inside, his footsteps steady and precise.

High pressure water ejected from the sides and top chamber from nuzzles that he assumed would also eject the LACE serum. High pressure water washed every inch of his body. Then hot high pressure air sounded out as the water on his body was ejected.

When he finally stood completely dry inside the chamber metal cuffs emerged from divots inside the metal.

"Cuff yourself."

The guard stated, he wouldn't get near that container even if his life depended on it. He'd seen what that serum stuff could do to a person.

"…OK."

Samuel agreed, then promptly took the metal cuffs, then clamped his torso, his neck, then all of his limbs. When the last cuff clamped his left arm; the cuffs became incredibly stiff and wouldn't budge no matter how much strength he exerted. 'This should do to prevent a botched injection,' Samuel supposed.

"Subject Samuel, this injection procedure will be a bit different than what you are used to. You will be submerged in a different variant of the LACE serum that was made specifically to be absorbed through the skin of someone with enhanced skin hardening. Clothes would melt and dissolve to a atomic level which shouldn't mess with the purity of the serum but it's better to be safe than sorry. You will not be issued a breathing apparatus, since we believe that you barely need oxygen to live.

We believe that the pain at the very minimum with someone of your abtitude will be severely different. Though it's not certain as the serum is different with each individual. Especially with someone like you who has a great compatibility with it. Though be aware that this serum was made for the average subject.

In addition, we will stick you with many diamond tipped drill injectors with a LACE serum injection variant. Each LACE serum variant is especially designed for each organ inside of your body. Your brain and bone marrow will also be given the same treatment. You will also not be given any pain inhibitors since that will interfere with the purity of the serum. Though be aware that the pain you will go through is projected to be magnitudes larger than anything you have been through. Especially since your body will constantly try to fight against the injectors.

Throughout all of it we encourage for you to be entirely awake since this increases chances of success.

Thank you for listening to this brief."

Finishing his brief as if he was giving out the weather, rather than the possibility of a death with extreme pain; the scientist finished his brief in front of the chamber.

"…"

Silence was Samuel's only response to such callous news leaving that scientist's mouth. He knew that if they could make a serum that would give people the ability to adapt and evolve to all environments; plus multiple variants of the same serum, then they could make a pain killer compatible with the serum. They where either lazy or they just enjoyed to see the subjects in pain.

Either way they did not deserve the dignity of a response from him. He was sure others would cry or curse at them, but he just… didn't care anymore? Maybe those weren't the right words, but he knew he had grown dull to it all. He'd seen others go through worse after all, in fact he himself had gone through worse. Or maybe, he was glad that this was over, that this was the finish line of this chapter of his life and all he had to do was cross it. He wasn't sure if he would live or die, or even what he would do after this but he just…

He just didn't know. He was just a kid after all, he had turned 18 not even a month ago. He didn't know what he really wanted after all. But he made a promise to himself, he would live, and he would dominate. He was tired of others making the decision for him all his life. Whether he lived or died at the hands of everyone but himself; he hated that with a passion.

Always suffocating under the weight of others, always obeying, always fearing, always walking on eggshells around them.

He was tired!

He was fucking tired!

He just wanted to let loose, to let everyone know that he was a human too! That his pain mattered just like everyone else's! That he wasn't just a subject in which they could do as they wished!

Anger welled in eyes, but his face didn't give it away. A very large vein in his bicep area did give it away. Though nobody seemed to care, and a voice talked to him through a speaker in the chamber.

"Any questions before we start?"

"…No."

Dr. Trevor then with a mysterious smile, and twinkle in his eye said,

"It's time to make history people, this is just the start of humanity's progress to the stars."

"Excuse me sir?"

A smooth voice sounded out in the room. A lul of silence ensued before Dr. Trevor, almost impatiently answered,

"Yes, Dr. Nicole?"

A diplomatic smile appeared on her face as she answered,

"Yes sir, a couple of colleagues and I where hoping to talk you after todays injection is over. It is concerning our leave and the functions of the serum after this is over, as well as the goals we ought to achieve during this limited time period. I'm sure you are aware that our time under you is thinning since other corporations within our government need scientific research done not just in biology but in engineering. I'm also sure you are aware that a generous amount of us have brilliant minds with multiple doctorates and PHD's. Many of which can't spend our limited time in a singular project."

"You couldn't tell me this later? You know… when your not interrupting the crowning evolutionary scientific achievement of our species as a whole?"

Dr. Trevor deadpanned as he looked at this woman coldly.

Dr. Nicole chuckled unbothered by his annoyed dismissal and said,

"Yes, Dr. Trevor you're right, I could've, but you're a hard man to talk to. Especially when you lock yourself into your office. And I'm sure a scientist such as yourself can understand our frustration."

And unreadable look passed through Dr. Trevor's face as he then said,

"I see…I have something to do later. Come by my office tomorrow in the morning. Is that all?"

"Yes sir! Please, continue!"

Dr. Nicole smilingly answered as she pointed in a 'go-ahead' gesture.

"Start the machine."

Dr. Trevor testily ordered, a frown replacing his earlier smile.

'Fucking finally, I thought they where excited for this! I can't stand this anticipation anymore!

Samuel thought achingly as he took an impatient glance at the machinery inside the machine. This would be an experience he wouldn't forget probably for his entire life.

A scientist nodded, and everyone walked into a reinforced steel room with glass as a window that Samuel assumed was a safe area to watch, in case the injection went wrong.

Samuel couldn't hear what they where saying anymore, but he heard a clank along with the whir of tubing suctioning liquid. The noise persisted for a while, and a hiss sounded out. And then with the intensity of a garden hose, the familiar sight of a neon purple fell into the tank.

The clamps around Samuels limbs lifted him from the ground. A weight of a little over half a ton seemed as if nothing to the machine. As the machine lifted him, he heard small clicks in his clamps that caught his attention. Tilting his neck he saw little holes in his clamps that he assumed where the drill injectors would go.

And his assumption was right as he saw from the ceiling of the chamber came down many cylindrical mechanical appendages with the neon purple serum that he'd come to dread. They latched themeselves into the little holes in the clamps, and the ones assigned to every organ that wasn't attached to a clamp painfully attached itself to skin. Blood trickled from his hanging form to the serum below, where it hissed with a anger as the blood disappeared in its purple hues.

Then he saw three drill injectors that where bigger than the rest come down. They latched themselves into the top of his spine and lower back.

"Those large drill injectors similar to orthopedic bone drills, will drill into skin, muscle, and bones and inject a payload of serum into your bone marrow. Be aware that the second bone drill at the small of your back will suction out non injected bone marrow to assist your body in accepting and adapting the serum. The goal for this procedure is for your body to produce modified bone marrow on its own. That way your body can keep producing serum even without injections, almost as if the serum is part of the body like a hormone or even like blood cells. We don't entirely know what will happen if we do this, or if it will have positive results. But it's part of the scientific method to experiment, to fail and to succeed. Thank you for donating your body to science."

Dr. Trevor said coldly through the speaker in his chamber.

Samuel glared through the two layers of glass separating both of them, almost as if he was hoping to burn through it with his gaze alone. He really wanted to get out of this and just kill them all, a painful death would be preferable too. But ultimately he calmed down and thought it through logically.

If they even bothered to explain this to him meant that they where really banking in him staying awake through this procedure. Meaning he would most likely die if he fell unconscious.

A chilling light full of determination flashed through his eyes. He said nothing, grit his teeth and awaited the pain.

Suddenly the pressure in which the serum pumped doubled and soon touched Samuel's toes. As soon as it did a burn like no other assaulted him. The serum soon went up to his ankles and up to his shin. The skin the serum touched would shrivel and redden with a painful hiss. Skin would disappear and show the muscle and bone underneath.

Samuel could feel his blood boil and disappear inside his blood vessels. Is was as if the serum wished to replace his blood with itself. And you can never be too sure with Dr. Trevor, this could very well be his intention.

Samuel grit his teeth so hard from the pain that his teeth cracked, and chipped. Yet not a peep uttered from his mouth, though silent tears fell from his eyes.

'This hurts so fucking much!'

Samuel inwardly cursed as he felt the serum move up to his thighs and waist. Samuel could feel his flesh melt away from his bones as it tried to regenerate right after. His regeneration couldn't quiet keep up with this rapid decomposition of his flesh. Yet he grit his teeth a crazy red eyed look appeared in his eyes. The pain stayed the same after his skin and muscle decomposed of its molecules, since his nerves would regenerate with his flesh. This wouldn't deter him though.

He knew that if he wanted to get out of this sane, and alive, he had to stay awake. He had to focus on something other than the pain. Samuel focused his sight away from his hurting and failing body, and trusted it to do its thing. He had to trust and take solace in the fact it would regenerate better and stronger than ever.

Focusing his eyes out of his chamber's glass container to the glass container separating him away from the scientist in the room. He focused all of his attention on them.

He memorized all of their faces, all of their voices before getting trapped in this chamber. He imagined them going through his pain, all of his pain throughout his entire lifetime. He imagined their minds breaking, and them begging for mercy. He imagined torture in its most profound form as he tasted their fear in the air.

Fear caused by him!

Because he was stronger!

He was in charge!

He was dictating their fate, their life and death in his hands!

[A/N: He alone is the honored one!]

As he imagined great scenes of gratifying violence against his captors, he succeeded in focusing his mind against the pain. While Samuel focused his mind, the serum engulfed his entire body. Drilling sounds where heard as they drilled through Samuel skin and into his muscle. All of his major and minor organs where perforated and then promptly injected with the serum. The two bone drills began their work as well, as they injected the serum into his marrow walls. The bone drill in the small of his back suctioned out the marrow.

New bone marrow with the serum was regenerated with a fury.

But Samuel was completely focused, even when his eyes melted or exploded inside his skull.

His mind remained sharp.

Even when his face melted in to a bloody goo.

His mind remained clear.

Even when there was no resemblance to a human being apart from his twitching skeleton.

His mind remained clear.

A feeling unlike any other assaulted Samuel's senses. It wasn't pain, and it wasn't pleasure either. Maybe heat? No, it was as if he had been given control of something he wasn't supposed to control. Almost as if in the deepest evolutionary sense of the human species, this was completely alien. Almost like trying to describe a fake color to a blind person.

He had finally done it. He adapted! According to Dr. Trevor's explanation his cells and body now theoretically produce LACE serum by itself. He wasn't entirely sure what that entailed or what purpose that seemed to serve, but he had a few theories. That was for later though, he made it through alive!

He survived!

All he had to do was heal and he would be home free.

The chamber soon started to start emptying from a drain at bottom. And as Samuel was lowered to the ground by the clamps,

*Krakbooom!*

An explosion was heard, shaking the building with such ferocity that lights turned on and off. Some breaking and sparks flew everywhere, a scientist fell to the ground convulsing.

"What…"

Dr. Trevor said, a wide eyed look betrayed his cold visage. He was supposed to be immune to this! He was the great Dr. Trevor, the smartest man on earth. He was and is the government's favorite. The government wouldn't allow their to favorite scientist to die, or be captured. Especially when rebellious powers come in to play.

No person here was capable of making an explosive of that magnitude, or powerful enough to do it with their physical strength. Except the person in the chamber right in front of him.

Suddenly his irises widened, and his eyes narrowed,

"Brother…"

——————————————————————-

A/N: This is probably my longest chapter yet. Thank you for reading!