At the end of another day, a young woman came rushing from upstairs. The wooden floor rumbled but proved not to be disturbing as the joyous music from the drunken men downstairs dominated the entire place. "Geez, they’re so early." She retorted in her thoughts but couldn’t do anything but follow the orders of her boss.

Grabbing a tray from the table, she was called by the chef in the open kitchen area. The kitchen released smoke when it opened, a brief reprieve for those whose inside. She hissed, coughing as she passed through the smoke-filled kitchen.

As Sherry hurried down the stairs, more groups of rowdy customers entered the pub. They laughed, cheered, teased their friends, and some even got into a fight. Others attention was on her. The attraction was not surprising even among her closest friends. Sherry was tall with blonde hair tied back in a red ribbon. She wore a black and white maiden outfit that went down to her knees, revealing her long legs. The way she moved was with care and grace. She taught herself the etiquette as soon as she was hired as a waitress in order to showcase her femininity and attract customers. It was evident to the customers’ reactions that her efforts were not in vain.

As she approached the party of men, she cheerfully smiled and said, “Bean soup for table 54!” The guy at the table thanked her as he received his food.

One of the staff members called out to Sherry again, “Would you kindly throw the trash bags outside?”

“Wait a minute, I’m quite busy here!” Sherry yelled as she cleared the plates and cups from the table. She scanned the room, counting the tables she needed to clean. Most of the table didn’t need too much effort to clean, but some was left by some ill-mannered customers. A bubble gum was stuck beneath the table. She had to spray it with vegetable oil just to remove it.

Her friend came over to her and whispered, “Hey, can I leave that guy in the corner to you? He’s creeping me out.” She pointed out the man in the formal suit, who was staring at them.

“Okay, I’ll handle him after I take out the trash,” Sherry said. She got up and arranged the plates and spray to the stroller.

Sherry went to the employees’ room on the right side of the counter, where dozens of trash bags were piled up. She spent a few minutes carrying them outside.

As Sherry walked out, a gust of wind blew past her, making her shiver. She heard footsteps and turned around but saw nothing. The anxiety grew stronger, given the recent news of mysterious disappearances in the area. When she confirmed there was no one, she reached for the doorknob. Suddenly, she noticed a shadowy figure coming towards her. She tried to use her elbow to defend herself, but the attacker overpowered her, and a towel covered her face. She lost consciousness.

***

Her body twitched as a ray of light focused on her eyes, and they wearily opened. She altered her gaze from the light, darting around the room to make out what was in her surroundings. She noticed the blood pressure monitor blinking and monitoring her status. Few small tubes were attached to her. Her senses were intact, and she could feel her feet, but she could also smell the porridge that rested around the table at the far corner.

The last thing she noticed was her hands, composed of metallic fabrics and golden sheeting with a few grids carved onto them. There was no trace of any organic compound. Thinking that something was wrong with them, she lifted them up to her elbows. She observed the pink dotted black shirt and white pajamas she was wearing, and her expressionless face turned into a sullen one, followed by teary eyes. She couldn’t explain why she was having these feelings, a sensation of being incomplete. Wiping away the tears, she raised her upper body and saw the man at the corner of her eyes, sleeping on a blue cushion. A loud snort exploded from the man wearing a blue jacket and jogging pants.

Sherry observed the young man, with no intention of approaching him nor able to grasp why she was there. Her head was a little fuzzy, and she couldn’t recall anything about her past whereabouts.

“Who am I? Where is this place?” she asked.

She altered her gaze from the young lad to her replaced hands and stretched them, creating a crippling sound.

“Hey, you finally woke up. I got some porridge for you,” the unknown man said, yawned, and stretched his body as he proceeded to the tray.

“I know you’ve been through a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll take care of you. Though one of my friends is pissed about it. Nah, just don’t worry about it. Say, what is your name?” he inquired.

She looked at him blankly, not sure about what happened to her, only that she could remember her name.

“S-Sherry.” she uttered.

“Sherry, pretty name, eh. I’m sure you’re quite famous among boys. I gotta tell ya, one of my friends is a lady’s man, so you gotta be careful when he’s around, okay?”

Her expressionless face worried the young man.

“Are ya alright? Is something bothering you?” he asked.

It didn’t take an answer to know, as her belly began to growl.

“Oh, right. Sorry, I talk a lot. Here, have some of this,” he handed it over to Sherry. As she touched the bowl, Sherry could feel the warmth of the food. Caressing the spoon, she tasted the porridge. Her mouth spat it out; the taste was bittering her tongue.

He nervously laughed and apologized, “Sorry, it doesn’t fit your taste. No one else is around, and I don’t know how to cook. Oh, wait here, I think there are some carpel nuts left in the fridge.” He took off from the room in a quick burst. She decided to walk out, removing the blanket from her feet. As she walked, she passed countless empty rooms with a view of the city from the higher echelon of the window. She halted her movements, mesmerized by the view outside the windowpane.

Suddenly, unknown images flooded her mind, searing, ringing, and she struggled to process the images. A voice interrupted her thoughts, trying to cling to her head as she cowered. Her consciousness was in an alarming state of a siren, she braced at the table, but fell. Her senses dulled. Her sight became distorted into pitch blackness.

***

A piercing whistle from the entryway could be heard, jolting her back to reality. Just as she tried to move, her body became numb. She observed her surroundings with her drifting consciousness and saw men busy fiddling with control panels and heard the rhythmical tapping of keyboards.

She noticed the men in black who just arrived, pushing a giant glass tube that held a man who appeared to be sleeping. The tube was connected to wires and tubes that ran from his body, but she felt powerless to act. All she could do was yelp and saw them take his container and proceed to the elevator.

The scientist turned his attention back to the young woman. “Hey, Experiment 432 is awake. Take her to the Experiment Sector,” he called out someone on the communication device. “Hm, looks like it’s our lucky day. Seven consecutive successes for today,” he said with a grin as he started to tap at the nearby panel on the right side.

“Is everything ready?” a voice flared out of nowhere, clad in a blue blazer with a small metallic head of a tiger attached to the chest, accompanied by guards.

“Everything is ready, Mister President.” The scientist curtly bowed. “We’re waiting for your orders. Shall we start the experiment?”

“Do as you wish. Show me the results when it’s done,” he said, his eyes starting to observe around. “Also, report to me about the progress of the experiments, because I will be busy negotiating with the mayor and that lowlife mob,”

“I do believe that you don’t need his help. You have connections inside the government, and you can explain the expansion easily,” the scientist said.

His eyes narrowed as if he was looking down at the scientist. “Sometimes we have to play behind the curtains. It would be easy as you say to explain the expansion, but that would also harbour suspicion, especially with the media. Rather, we will use someone to blame for all of this.”

“Please pardon me if I am a short-sighted person,” the scientist lowered his head.

The President’s attention was caught by the woman in the tube. His white hair briefly flashes from the lights of the giant computer. She could make out his dazzling face and nose crafted perfectly.

“And this…?” he asked.

“Ah, this woman will be a candidate for our symbiotic transplant,”

“Very well, I’ll be going. I’ll leave things in your hands.” Leaving the staff in the room, the scientist called out to the men to detach the containment and transfer it. Before she lost consciousness, the scientist said something to her that she couldn’t forget.

“Everything went as I planned, and it won’t be too long, the empire he had built will rot,” he laughed, dissipating as he walked outside, leaving his men to do the job.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

***

Sherry let out a heartfelt grunt as she opened her eyes, narrowed, and wiped it. The familiar fluorescent light the familiar grumbled from the young man from her side could be heard. She looked around wearily.

Ken appeared next to her and asked, “Are you alright?”

She flustered and replied, “Uhm, not quite. My head still feels dizzy.”

“You really shouldn’t strain yourself,” Ken said laced with concern. “Luckily Cid found you outside. Don’t make us worried sick, okay? We know that you’ve been through a lot, and don’t know what should be done, but we’re here to help, so don’t force yourself.”

A few moments passed, and Sherry ate the curry while Ken slept on the blue cushion beside her, snoring loudly. Linda entered the room and sat down on the chair near Sherry. “I heard you collapse this morning,” she said. “You really shouldn’t have strained yourself.”

“I’m sorry to worry about you. Who are you guys?”

“We’re the ones who saved you from those douchebags,” Cid interjected as he entered the room, looking dazzling in his half-unbuttoned red polo and white pants. “You’re quite promising. I didn’t notice it last time we –”

“Cid, cut the crap,” Alastor interrupted.

“Hey! I was just being nice here,” Cid cried.

“Don’t mind him,” Linda sighed. She glanced back at Cid and signalled for him to stop.

“I know that you’re confused about why you’re here, but I assure you, we will help you. Just tell us what they are planning.”

“I-I am not sure what to say,” Sherry said. Her eyes roamed around.

“What do you mean?” Linda asked.

“I couldn’t remember…”

Linda reached for a glass of water on the table and muttered, “This is going to be difficult.”

“Hey, mind if we talk about this outside?” Alastor interjected.

It was night time, and thick clouds slightly covered the view of the moon. Alastor appeared upfront and bothered Linda with his serious demeanour. Linda knew that there was something else that had been bothering him. She didn’t want to speak about it, not until he was ready. Although, she has some ideas.

“What is it?” Linda asked.

“Well, that girl could have become a threat to us,” Alastor replied. “We might get rid of her.”

“A threat? She could barely move, and you could see that she’s not a fighter at all,” Ken said, sounding a bit annoyed.

“That’s not it,” Alastor said. They heard birds singing outside, but they paid no mind to it. Alastor’s eyes were filled with disgruntlement. “Her hand was not the only thing that was replaced. We found a hardware circuitry that linked to her cerebral cortex, and an energy source was detected in the middle of her ribcage.”

Linda raised her brow. “Are you supposed to report to me if you were planning to do something with her?”

“Hm, since you guys were busy, we initiated it,” Alastor said.

“We?” Linda asked, confused.

“I requested Tin to scan her.” Alastor said.

“I have to stop you right there. I can’t believe this. Tell me what you saw,” Linda demanded.

“What’s happening here?” Cid asked as he walked in. The spy leaned his shoulder at the wall.

“Something about her,” Alastor said.

“What do you mean?” Cid asked.

“It’s best if Tin explains all of this,” Linda interjected.

The five of them sat down in the meeting room, each lost in their own thoughts. Cid looked at the projector on the table while Tin stood in front of the monitor, busy swiping through the information they obtained. Linda sat opposite Cid at the table, crossing her arms, while Ken paced back and forth in front of Alastor, who sat on the sofa.

“Will you stop doing that?” Alastor asked. His eyes lifted to Ken.

Ken didn’t notice the disturbed young man and kept pacing.

“Hey! Sit down. It’s not like walking idly will solve this,” Tin said, starting to get annoyed.

Ken stopped and thought for a moment. “What if we kidnapped one of the scientists from their lab and made them fix her?”

“You know that’s kidnapping, right?” Alastor returned.

“You’re just asking for trouble,” Linda said. She sat properly this time.

“Ken, chill out or I’m gonna have to kick the shit out of you,” Tin warned.

“But…” Ken started.

“No more buts!” Tin yelled.

Ken finally sat down on the sofa, stealing the pillow that Alastor was leaning on. Alastor blankly stared at him, but Ken didn’t notice. “What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Alastor replied, looking away as though his thoughts was interrupted.

“Ok, guys, come closer. I have something to show you,” Tin said, getting their attention.

They all stood and looked at the monitor table, where images of human physiological systems appeared. There were videos and schematics about human gene reconstruction, as well as some about inventing a new type of robot. Tin swiped the tablet towards the monitor, which was linked to it.

“This rock is called Hemil Klust, a new element that was found at the abandoned mine in the City of Kalum. The Kelby Hives were not the first to find out about this rock. Some miners were messing with it, selling it to some merchants with proper compensation of course, until this…” Tin swiped and showed them an image of a male adult with pallid skin who was so thin that it looked like his soul was sucked out. Some parts of his skin were starting to shred.

“How many days before he died?” Cid asked.

“Not a day, only five hours,” Tin said and continued to swipe, showing more victims of the element. “The merchant was with his friends, drinking and going to the toilet. They started to suspect him of taking too long, and when they entered, they found him in a degrading state. It also happened to a seller whose wife had found him degrading.”

“Then it spreads like an epidemic,” Alastor continued.

“Right, and that’s where the Kelby Hives come in. They close the entire city to ensure that no one can relay information to the outside world,” Tin explained.

“This doesn’t explain why the mayor didn’t stop him,” Cid said.

“He couldn’t. President Theo had him under blackmail, with information about approving illegal operations within his city,” Tin replied.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the mayor were under his influence,” Linda concluded.

“So, how did they solve this?” Cid questioned.

“They haven’t. They gathered the infected ones and continued their research at the Vesoga Plain,” Tin explained.

They all froze. Cid, however, was interested.

“That place is a den of monsters. How the hell did they manage to build an HQ there?” Cid asked.

“They have their ways, Cid. Further research has been done and the researchers demand more specimens. That’s when they started to kidnap innocent people. Theo must’ve realized that it is more convenient to move his lab somewhere near the city. So they chose Kayon City and started to find collaborators, which led to Don Trifalgo,” Tin said. “They created many designs, specifically on bio-human engineering. They found a way to use it, one of them is converting it into gas, and the other is to use it as an energy source. They called it ‘Project Amalgam’. From what I could make out of the files from the Data Bank, Theo aims to build an army surpassing human limitations with the use of Hemil Klust. Sherry is a primary example of their experiment. They implanted her with a small portion of Hemil-Klust at the middle of her ribcage. The energy is being regulated by nanomachines that are living inside her along with the metallic plate that’s monitoring the energy and facilitates neuron information dissemination. Her hand is directly connected to it and can be switched to weaponize. Schematics showed a hardwired circuit connected to her cerebral cortex, and the computer detected a tracking device on it. Don’t worry, I disabled it when she was asleep, of course. Thanks to the security systems of our building that blocked any outside signals, our safety is guaranteed,”

“How come you didn’t tell me about this, Tin?” Cid asked.

“About what?” Tin replied.

“About sneaking into her room,” Cid said.

“Because you’re a pervert,” Tin replied, sarcastically.

Alastor observed at the screen, which showed the blueprints of the design, and a sudden thought flickered in his mind. “Say, is there any possibility that Theo is aiming to build an army?”

The rest of the gang looked at him with surprise, but Cid disagreed. “No way, a guy like him would be interested in building an army. Building a militia would be out of the queue for his resources. The expenses could be too much.”

“Let’s assume my crazy idea. If there is any chance he would use these meta-human robots, or his crazy war inventions, what are the chances that the government’s army would win?” Alastor asked.

Tim explained thoroughly, “I haven’t read all of the projects, but seeing the previous anomalies with the unknown substance he carries and reinventing humans into cyborgs, I’d say that this guy might have the upper hand if he completes his projects. But hey, there are still unknown variables that might balance the current circumstances.”

Tin lowered the tablet to the table, thinking as if having a second thought about it.

“What’s the problem, Tin?” Linda said.

“Uhm, nothing.”

“Tell them, Tin.” Alastor insisted, “No need to keep hiding.”

“We would love to know what you have to say.” Ken said.

“Uhm, it’s about Sherry’s condition. I don’t think Sherry is going to last much longer.”

“What? How?” Ken said. He was bedazzled at most.

“There’s something in her blood, mixed substances entered her system, and I don’t know what kind of substances it is. She was exposed to a lot of treatment, and there’s no telling what it could be. We may have technology, but it’s not surgical material, and I’m not a doctor.”

Ken looked down, discouraged, clenching his fist.

“How many days does she have left?”

“I don’t know. She looks healthy. Best to say that it would probably be less than a year before it spreads up to her brain.”

“That much.” Ken sighed.

“It’s not like she’s our priority.” Alastor murmured.

“The only thing that is inside your head is only the mission, isn’t it?” Ken asked, almost exasperated from his words of disapproval.

“We were given a task that must be accomplished, and we did, but you got us nearly killed when you brought that girl.” Alastor raised his voice just enough for Ken to perceive that he was angry at his reckless decision.

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, man.”

“The only one who is wrong is you.”

“You would sacrifice someone just to accomplish your mission?”

“If it is for the greater good, then I would. In this job, we must kill our moral compass and follow our code of arms.”

“Both of you stop it. We don’t need to argue about something that cannot be undone.” Linda interjected, cutting off the tension between the two.

“Alright, since things are getting clearer now, I gotta go. I still have business to attend to,” Cid said.

“Where are you going?” Tin asked.

“I’m a spy, remember? I need to gather information for my assignment,” Cid reminded them.

“And what is your assignment again?” Alastor asked.

“That is a secret that you will never know.”

“Fine, you already helped us. I think we can handle it from here.”

“Ciao,” Cid cheerfully said, winking as he walked through the door.

“Where does that leave us now?” Ken asked.

“We need to think about this.”

“There will be a lot of commotion in this city after the building explodes. It may be best to lay low for now.”

“You guys can rest; I’ll keep monitoring her,” Linda offered.

“You sure?” Ken asked.

“Yeah, Tin will replace me tomorrow.”

“Okay, just call us if anything happens,” Ken said, yawning as he marched to his bedroom.

Tin followed, her eyes closed as she stretched her neck. Once the two of them left, Alastor began to talk.

“You’re not just gonna let this slip, are you?”

“We can’t kill her, Al. This may be an opportunity for us to know what way they’re planning to go. I’m gonna report this back to headquarters. I’m sure Rod will be interested,” Linda elaborated. She was beginning to see the advantage of Ken’s disobedience.

“Hm, maybe you’re right. Carrying insurance would help us after all.”

“You should go to sleep.”

“Right.”

When Alastor left, Linda proceeded to the patient’s room where she busied herself scanning the entire body structure of the half-humanoid.

“Just what the hell is that thing?” Linda muttered as she looked at the energy floating inside the core of Sherry.

It was early in the morning when Linda finished checking on Sherry. She called out for Tin to take over. When Linda left and everything was still, Sherry’s eyes opened in blinding red light.

They have no idea what kind of monster they brought.