The USS Air Carrier John Ford had delivered me to my next destination - a place that felt more like a nightmarish prison than any military base I had ever known. I was now at the U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories in Maryland, and it was a far cry from the camaraderie and respect I had earned with the marines.
Meanwhile, President T. was busy making calls on his smartphone, his voice filled with an air of authority.
"Professor Gorky? Yes, T. here," he spoke with a sense of urgency. "The Wyrm has arrived at the harbor on the USS Air Carrier John Ford. Yes, she is docile and well-trained, making her an excellent mascot for the soldiers."
I couldn't help but feel like an object, a mere mascot for a military unit. But I had no choice; I was in their custody now.
President T. continued, "This is the last of her species, and as she's well-trained for special forces, I need you to ensure the survival of this species by any means necessary. I mean ANY MEANS. We could potentially use them as the ultimate weapons and make a fortune from them."
The words chilled me to my core. I was being treated like a potential weapon, not a living being.
On the other side of this unsettling situation, Admiral Commander Kent was making a plea of his own to Professor Gorky.
"Professor Gorky?" he began. "It's Admiral Commander Kent from the USS John Ford. I initially asked President T. to allow the Wyrm to join my regiment as a soldier's mount or assistant, but the President has decided to send her to your lab instead. I implore you personally to ensure she doesn't suffer needlessly. She's a hero to us. Please finish your mission as quickly as possible and in the best conditions for her. She enjoys human food and being petted despite her formidable appearance."
Kent was trying to appeal to Gorky's sense of humanity, hoping for some compassion. He couldn't bear the thought of me being subjected to cruelty.
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But Gorky was not moved by Kent's appeal; instead, he had a grudge to settle.
"Admiral, Admiral Kent," Gorky's voice was cold and calculating. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? We were at West Point Academy twenty years ago, and you received the promotion that should have been mine. Yes, you used your influence with the President to tilt the balance in your favor. Remember now?"
Kent was stunned by this revelation. Memories of a past rivalry resurfaced, but he had no idea that it had caused Gorky so much bitterness.
Gorky continued, "Well, I'm sorry for you, but I've just helped elect the President, and he's a personal friend. He hasn't ordered any cruelty, but he has ordered ANY MEANS to achieve his goals, including the creation of a military parade featuring these creatures. So, pray that your little protégé lays eggs and provides us with specimens. She'll have all the resources she needs. If not, we have advanced cloning techniques at our disposal. Either way, we'll have what we need."
The conversation took a dark turn, leaving Kent frustrated and powerless. Gorky's personal vendetta had now become a threat to my well-being.
"Professor Gorky," Kent pleaded one last time, "She may be a reptile, but she's intelligent and sentient. If you have a heart, don't take your personal vendetta out on an innocent being. I'm sure, just like you, if she's suffered due to her circumstances, she has a soul."
But Gorky dismissed Kent's plea, ending the call with a cold laugh.
Kent's frustration reached a boiling point, and he unleashed his anger, sending a nearby chair crashing against the wall with a powerful kick.
Back at the U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories in Maryland, preparations were underway to receive me. Gorky, driven by his own ambitions, had no intention of treating me with kindness.
"We'll have a feral beast here, violent and aggressive," he instructed his assistant. "Prepare the isolation room with the thickest bars, electrify them, and equip the guards with tear gas grenades, electric whips, and stun wands. We'll make this place an impenetrable fortress."
Gorky was determined to create a facility akin to the famous INGEN Jurassic Park, but with even more advanced technology and security measures.
As the days passed, I continued my journey, confined to a cramped cage, enduring appalling conditions and mistreatment. My once-heroic status had been reduced to that of a captive, and fear, despair, and anger consumed my thoughts.
The days ahead promised to be filled with uncertainty and darkness as I entered the heart of this biological nightmare.