Chapter 18. Project Brian (Part 1)

Rubeus stood over a restrained and unconscious Brian, a wide grin displayed across his face. Groups of scientists worked tirelessly, reviewing monitors, testing samples, and conversing about their findings. Brian was hooked up to various machines, inside a sealed-off room, in the middle of a larger room. The box was partially made of glass to enable the scientists to look in and observe. They surrounded him, their monitors and tests being done up against the wall of the box. This enabled them to have visuals on him any moment they needed.

Brian stirred, blinking at the blinding light. He tried to turn his head to look away, but he couldn't. Dread sinking in, he attempted to move but was completely frozen in place, or more aptly, paralyzed.

As his eyes started to adjust he noticed the figure of Rubeus standing beside him and scowled. "Rubeus! Why can't I move? What have you done to me?!"

"Ah, Brian, you're finally awake, are you okay? You don't sound okay." Rubeus said in mock concern, taunting the immobile man.

His smile grew and seemed like the first genuine happiness Brian had seen on the man's face. This only fueled his fear and rage about what exactly was going on. From his stationary position, he looked around the best he could, seeing the scientists working around him. Most were hidden from view behind their monitors or equipment, but some were peering over or standing and observing, jotting down notes casually.

"What kind of sick twisted experiments are you planning huh? Going to tamper with my memories again? My mind is many times more powerful now so do your worst. Whatever it is you're planning you will-mhnhnggh" Brian spat until being cut off.

Rubeus forcefully clamped a device over Brian's head, restricting his mouth, and forcing his eyes to remain open.

"Yes, yes, enough of that now." Rubues chastised, securing the device to him.

Brian was powerless to resist bar screaming and contorting the muscles in his face. This menial show of defiance accomplished little but tire out his throat, and face.

"Initializing Test 1! Durability and Regeneration! Initiating Trial 1!" Rubeus commanded sternly.

Three individuals entered the room with surgical scrubs, eyewear, and other protective wear. Outside the box, the room bustled with life as the Scientists got into position. From behind Brian, Rubeus wheeled out a lab cart with equipment neatly arranged on it

"Don't worry Brian, you'll only feel a slight pressure and a bit of discomfort at most," Rubeus said calmly, but his face held a malicious smile.

Rubeus stepped out of the room and stood imposingly, looking in with interest and hunger. Without any more warning the testing began, the first tool used being a circular saw. Brian had never seen such a piece of technology but could tell it was indeed a sharp saw, and when it was turned on, was loud and spun really fast. Rubeus's assurance that it wouldn't hurt both relieved and unnerved him. If he was actually telling the truth maybe this wouldn't be all that bad, but if he could, it would be hell.

As the saw made contact with his leg it sunk in after a slight bit of effort. Looking intently at what the Scientists were doing, Brian finally noticed that he wasn't wearing any clothing, but at this point that was a minor concern. At first, it did just feel like a bit of pressure and discomfort where the saw met his skin. But as it sunk into the flesh the pain shot through him like a bolt of electricity. The pain was unusually bad, feeling as if it had been amplified 10 times, maybe more. Brian screamed and tried to force his eyes closed but they were firmly forced open.

"Test 1! Durability and Regeneration! Initiating Trial 2!" Rubeus commanded once again.

The scientists all observed Brian's flesh knit back together jotting down notes and observing data that appeared on their screens. The pain was somehow even worse as muscle, veins, and skin all rapidly regrew. After the process was done a new implement was used to test Brian, the process repeated. He was already mentally exhausted from the pain when a new wave hit. He stared up at the ceiling focusing on a single point and receeded into his mind. He tried to focus on any positive memories he could, Jordan appearing.

For the last 15 years, it had felt like living in a fog. Living, breathing, eating, sleeping, all for the Bureau. He never questioned it, the thought of anything else never passed through his mind. He was simply too busy to give it any real thought, there may have been the occasional complaint about his job, but nothing past that. He never had any friends or true connections, there was always the odd apprentice or colleague he socialized with, but it was almost always out of obligation.

Stolen story; please report.

This is how life was until he met Jordan. At first, he was just another apprentice who fed Brian information and helped with reconnaissance. He taught him the ropes and occasionally went to the bar with him to socialize and drink. This wasn't unusual and, in fact, was expected and completely normal. What did surprise him however was the feeling he got when talking to Jordan and seeing him smile, happiness.

Brian had always felt content, not exactly sad but definitely not happy. Now he was smiling, truly smiling, not the disingenuous smile he had given casually in the last 13 years. Brian had begun to look forward to hanging out with Jordan, at least subconsciously. He rarely gave it any thought but whenever they got together to drink or went to work parties he opened up. He laughed, argued, have fun, and just live.

In his head he told himself it was just to improve their teamwork for the job but in reality, it couldn't have been further from work-related. He would never admit to Jordan being his friend but somewhere deep down he knew it. So while he was poked, prodded. stabbed, hit, cut open, burned, lasered, etc. he tried to bring forth all his pleasant memories. All of which incidentally had Jordan present.

"Test 1. Durability & Regeneration! Initiating Trial 45!" A voice boomed out, the authority and power behind it still prevalent.

Brian didn't know how long it had been but it felt unending. The only reprieve from the excruciating pain was Rubeus's stern voice. He knew this voice was to blame for the pain but he had started associating positively with it. The feelings it evoked became more complicated the more he heard it. It was the only comfort through all of this torture but was the torturer at the same time.

After the 45th test, there was a break in routine. The regeneration process had just stopped when Rubeus entered the room. There was a familiar object in his hand that he placed on the tray. Then he removed the device strapped to Brian's head allowing him to speak and close his eyes if he wished.

"You must be pretty exhausted after all of that. Your regeneration has slowed down significantly, by 518% to be specific. Your durability also faltered but only by an insignificant 8%." Rubeus stated, like a doctor going over the results of a physical. "Seeing as you are exhausted, and probably 'hungry', I've brought you a very precious meal. If you behave well we will give you a bit extra."

"Why? Why are you doing this to me?" Brian muttered softly, anger, but mostly sadness in his tone.

"Why? Well If you think it's personal, it is. Not only from our past but from your most recent actions. But it's also because you are the perfect subject. You'll finally be useful for The Bureau, and you can help clean up the mess you made. So far you have lasted much longer than most other subjects. Your will and mental fortitude truly are impressive, but rest assured we will break you." Rubeus answered in detached anger.

Brian grimaced and scowled, but held his tongue. Rubeus raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. "Nothing to say? Even after I proked you? It seems like you are already behaving very well, I'll treat you." Rubeus said picking up the Crimson orb from the tray and placing it on Brian's chest.

Brian had sensed the orb the moment Rubeus entered the room. From his exhaustion and hunger, the pull toward it was even more intense. He could feel its overwhelming power, it wanted him to have it, to be consumed by it. With it's power...he could do anything. Stop The Bureua, kill Rubeus, and put an end to anyone who got in his way.

As the orb was placed on his chest the familiar warmth and euphoria rushed through Brian. A wide grin spread across his face and tears that had been held back until now were relinquished unimpeded. The pure bliss made all the pain and misery seem like a bad dream, one that made it all worth it.

Removing the orb after a few more seconds Rubeus spoke. "We'll be back at it in 12 hours, until then, rest up."

With that, he left the immobile and euphoric Brian alone in the room. Scientists still worked all around him but he was now left alone with his own thoughts for the next 12 hours. It had only been a few hours so far but Brian had already lost so much of his self. His will and mind may be more powerful than ever but all of that is worthless without a strong base. After learning about his true past and gaining supernatural powers his sense of self was completely broken.

For the last 15 years, there was no question about who he was. He never truly had a sense of self beyond his name and job. There was no need for anything more and for who he was it made him stronger. Learning of his true past and how his mind had been tampered with did harm that would take time to fix. Not only did he have no time to even digest the world-shattering information, but he was also immediately thrown into an interrogation and fight.

If it were not for his naturally strong mind he would have been lost to the power and emotions much sooner. He would not have been able to get as far as he did and yet it was still in vain. The mind can only take so much, and Brian had gone through well beyond the average limits. He was now being pushed even further and already becoming lost in every sense.

Rubeus made his way to a room with three pods against a wall. One was empty with the other having an exact replica of Rubeus inside. The pod was filled with a strange liquid and had a myriad of tubes and wires protruding from it. Rubeus brought up a floating holographic screen at a desk and typed some information into it. Afterward, he pressed a button on the screen, and a call was started.

"Hello sir, Project Brian is proceeding well, better than anticipated in fact. I have high hopes he will be a great asset." Rubeus stated matter-of-factly.

"Very good, keep me updated. Is that all?"

"Well-yes...that's all." Rubeus hesitated, deciding not to mention the specifics of his interaction with Brian.

He had been struggling with relinquishing the exact details of what had happened and was starting to become worried about why. There was a deep part of him that kept shutting it down and he couldn't control it. He would push it out of his mind again and get ready for his recharge. He removed his clothes, folded them neatly on the desk, opened the pod, and stepped inside. Once he was in position, liquid started pouring into the pod, fully submerging him in it. Mere moments later Rubeus closed his eyes and drifted off.