While Kaz was caught within a state of awe Ethan looked the room over. He noticed a group of well dressed men huddled near a door which led to the observatory for this training room. Ethan tapped Kaz on the shoulder and pointed in their direction. Without saying a word Kaz followed him over to the group. As they approached Ethan spotted three familiar faces within the group. One was that of the good doctor Coues, beside him was Mr. Richards and his assistant Ben. Ethan didn’t know much about him but decided to shake the thought off, as it probably wasn’t important anyway. Dr. Coeus was the first to step forward towards Ethan and Kaz when they arrived.
“Gentleman, allow me to introduce my assistant Ethan, and the fine specimen behind him is Kazimer.”
As soon as he had spoken Ben stood between him and the Japanese business men, bowed, and began to translate for the doctor.
“Shinshi wa, watashi no ashisutantoīsan o shōkai shi, kare no ushiro ni rippana mihon o kyoka kajimā wa.”
The four men bowed in return to both Ben and the two new arrivals. One of the more regal men stepped forward from his group. He faced Kaz and smiled.
“Watashi wa watashi-tachi ga anata no tasuke o karite wareware no kenkyū o suishin suru koto ga dekimasu shite itadaki kansha shitai to omoimasu. Anata ga watashi-tachi ni ōku no meiyo o okonau.”
Once again Ben was there ready to translate.
“Chairman Kaga would like you to know that he is honored to have you help him further his research.”
Kaz froze for a moment. He was not sure how to respond. He gave the chairman an awkward bow and smiled. The Chairman nodded his head in acceptance and returned to his group of colleagues. Mr. Richards cleared his throat loudly to assume the attention of the room.
“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I hope we can begin this demonstration. Gentlemen if you would follow me. Coues would you be so kind as to begin once we are seated.”
“Anata wa kono michi o ayumunara wareware wa, demo o kaishi shi, sa remasu.”
Mr. Richards pulled a key card from his jacket pocket and swiped it against the panel on the door. An elevator arrived. Mr. Richards, Ben, and the four business men entered the elevator and the door closed behind them. Coeus watched them all enter the observation room and take their seats. He then turned to Ethan and Kaz.
“Follow me.”
The two walked behind the doctor toward the center of the room. Waiting for them there was a single pedestal with a control panel built into it. The doctor pressed a few keys in quick succession. In front of them the floor opened and what looked like an operating table rose from the depression. Coeus Looked at Ethan and then nodded his head in the direction of the table. Ethan put a hand on Kaz’z shoulder and walked with him to the table. Kaz stood at the foot of the table for a moment and took a deep breath. He got onto the table and laid down flat on his back. Ethan walked around the table and secured the leg and arm restraints. Once those were secure he attached a Peripheral IV to Kaz’s left arm. He looked Kaz in the eyes and smiled.
“It’s gonna be alright.”
Kaz let out another sigh and smiled back as convincingly as he could. Ethan looked over at the doctor and gave a thumbs up.
“Ethan, administer the phosphodiesterase inhibitors.”
Ethan reached into his lab coat and pulled out several syringes. He carefully emptied each one. Kaz winced as he felt chemicals rush through his blood stream.
“Why does this hurt. It didn’t feel like this earlier.”
“These are a little different, a little stronger than the ones I gave you earlier.”
Kaz nodded and closed his eyes. He could feel every vein in his body, and they were all on fire. Ethan stepped away from the table and stood next to the doctor. Coeus flipped a few more switches on the console and yet another area opened within the floor. Out from this crevice rose a bio-tube, too small for an adult, but big enough for a child or small animal. The tube was filled with some sort of glowing viscous green liquid. Ethan’s eyes were wide with both fear and amazement. He had no idea what he was looking at. A part of him was worried for what this meant for Kaz but the scientist within him was intrigued. He watched the tube intently. Coeus flipped on last switch on the control panel. Within the tube a rush of bubbles gushed from its base. When the liquid settled Ethan could see something floating inside the tube. In the center of the tube was a metallic object that could be described as a cocoon. The liquid within the tube started to drain, and this cocoon was laid at the bottom of the tube. Dr. Coeus approached the specimen. Carefully he opened the bio-tube and stroked the cocoon inside. He licked his lips in excitement and gave a sinister smile. He reached in with both hands and picked the cocoon up. He held it close to his face. He inhaled deeply over its surface. He shook from chills. Ethan watched in puzzlement at the interaction between the doctor and this…thing. He had never seen Dr. Coeus behave like this over anything. Coeus slowly walked over the Kaz. Kaz looked up at the doctor and noticed the shiny slime covered cocoon in his hands.
“Doctor, what is that?”
Coeus didn’t reply, he continued to slowly walk toward Kazimer as if he were in a trance.
“Doctor…wait…I’m not ready yet, just hold on a second, doctor what the hell is that thing!”
Kaz moved his arms and legs frantically in an attempt to break free from his restraints. Every step the doctor took towards him, he moved his body more violently. The restraints began to cut into his skin. Pools of blood began to form on the floor around the table. Ethan watched but did nothing. As much as he wanted to help, the fear of Coeus kept him paralyzed. Dr. Coeus stood directly over Kaz. Kaz screamed as he continued to break free. He looked over to Ethan who was shaking behind the console.
“Ethan...please?”
Ethan turned his head and shut his eyes. Dr. Coeus lowered the cocoon onto the Kaz’s chest where the material was cut out of his body suit. Kaz shook as he felt cold metal touch his skin. He could feel a layer of slime between him and the cocoon. He cringed and closed his eyes. Coues leaned close to the cocoon and whispered something into it. Suddenly Kaz could feel his chest getting hot. At first it was slight discomfort but in moments it became almost unbearable. He screamed in agony and writhed upon the table. Smoke rose from his chest and he could smell his own flesh being seared. Just as he felt he was going to pass out, the burning pain he felt up his chest was replaced with something far worse. He could feel something digging into his body. It felt like a worm burrowing into his body. At first it was only one but in a matter of seconds he felt multiple worms moving into his chest and though his body. Ethan swallowed hard and looked over at Kaz. His jaw dropped as he saw multiple tentacle like objects move beneath his skin. He watched in horror at Kaz who was whipping back and forth upon the table in such terrible pain. As the tentacles spread throughout Kaz’s body the cocoon on his chest appeared to get smaller and smaller. Once it looked to be nothing more than a metallic diamond upon his chest, the tentacles stopped moving, and so did Kaz. Coeus touched his chest lightly and smiled. Between heavy breaths he whispered to himself.
“Glorious.”
