FILE #001
DR.: Doctor (REDACTED) speaking, regarding the new project we have just begun. I will admit, when I agreed to lead Biolife to create a Bioweapon, I was not expecting so many setbacks. Who would have guessed that the alien matter we located was in fact sentient all along? Regardless, it did not appreciate being injected with the serum. It has been locked away at the bottom of the facility for now. We may find use for it yet.
(A heavy sigh, followed by a few taps).
DR.: Moving forward though, we have chosen to instead clone the alien matter we found and repeat the prior test on it. Since it is newly formed, it will be far easier to tame. 12 clones have been produced. As I speak, they are being injected with the-
(A door opens, the doctor scowls).
C: Doctor? There’s uh-
Dr.: What now, Chabowski?
C: The second serum batch appears to have been… Well, used… And contaminated.
Dr.: Oh for Christ-
C: All of the clones perished from it. Except for one. But. Well.
(The doctor stands, pushing past Chabowski, before standing still in shock).
C: It mutated sir. The human DNA has caused it to grow clusters of eyes and-
Dr.: Is that Hicks body I see?
C: Yes sir. He was the first to notice its state, and his screams seem to have set the subject off, leading to it… Well. Attacking him.
(Happy chirping can be heard coming from the subject. It goes quiet as it makes eye contact with the doctor).
Dr.: … Fascinating. Truly fascinating. Bring it to a holding cell immediately. Leave the body with it, until we can figure out its diet.
C: What- But- Sir!
Dr: We wanted a killing machine, Chabowski, and we got one. Make sure it doesn’t get spooked again. I need to contact the head office. End Report.
FILE #015
DR.: Progress report on Subject Twelve. Over the last month we have made remarkable progress on it. Combat training has begun, and Subject Twelve has shown not only brutality, but a surprising ability to adapt. Last week, a gunshot administered by Chabowski knocked the subject out. Today though, it pretended to be unconscious, before using this to surprise and gain an advantage. Almost killed him too. It seems Subject Twelve is capable of thought…
(Whimpers can be heard, the subject strapped down, claws grinding against the table).
DR.: … As well as feeling. As we speak, a surgery is being formed to carve Subject Twelve into a more humanoid shape. Its grotesque appearance would be startling to any soldier, an effective use of emotional warfare. But for the sake of storage and control, shaping it into something akin to a man would be easier. Plus, just as Subject Twelve proved earlier, illusion is an effective strategy on the battlefield.
(A blade whirs down, followed by a shriek, the subject thrashing under its confines as the Doctor yells at the surgeons to stop).
DR.: Slowly, unless you want it to take your heads off!
(The subject begins to whimper, breathing shallow breaths. The doctor reaches for a bar of metal and pressing it firmly into its mouth. It goes quiet, continuing to stare at the doctor, even as the blade moves again and it winces).
DR.: Subject Twelve has however shown signs of pain towards this process. There have also been other emotions recorded previously. Curiosity at unidentified sounds. Happiness at completing a simulation. Anger towards Chabowski. Not to mention, it has zero ability to contain these emotions in any way, even after punishment. Most would consider this a hindrance. I would consider it a bonus.
(The Doctor meets the Subject's gaze, as it blinks slowly at him).
DR.: We can use them to motivate the Subject. If it feels happy after a kill, it’ll kill more. If an enemy angers it, it'll put further effort in. We need to encourage this process. Allow it to react as it pleases. But this does come with one issue. The risk of it becoming uncontrollable… But I have already thought of a countermeasure.
(The Doctor leaves the surgery room, pulling up prior videos of the subject’s combat training. In most, it moves quicker than the camera can capture. But in one, it has become slow and sluggish, hissing and backing into the corner).
DR.: In our environment tests, it was found that the subject struggles to move in colder temperatures, and this immobility causes it great fear. One other item has caused this same fear. The previous project.
(The videos switch to security footage of the subject pressing against the wall of its cell as the previous project can be heard screeching and banging against the walls).
DR.: My professor studied emotions and the body. He found that through achieving a high enough fear level, the body and mind shuts down almost entirely. So through classical conditioning… We may be able to connect the two. End report.
FILE #047
DR.: Progress Report on Subject Twelve. Over the last 9 months, we have been training Subject Twelve against the prior project. Not only has this made it far more strategic, but due to the prior's superior strength, Twelve still always loses, increasing its fear of encountering the prior project. Plus, it has shown how much Subject Twelve can self regenerate. Losing body parts, being gutted, split into two. Even emotionally, it appears to recover quickly from these encounters, returning to its violent but curious self. We have truly made something indestructible.
M: Uh, sir? You’re getting off topic-
DR.: Do not interrupt me. What was I saying… Ah, yes. Back on topic, as mentioned, Twelve struggles to move in cold environments, and enters a state of fear. Through dropping the temperature while it is with the prior project, Twelve’s mind reaches the point at which it becomes entirely immobile. And through classical conditioning… We can use its weakness to the cold as a shutdown measure, if it ever becomes uncontrollable. Today, we are testing to see whether this has proven successful. The Subject has been put under the impression that the prior Project was exterminated this morning. Currently, it is in the middle of its daily training with Chabowski… And if we drop the room's temperature to freezing…
(On the video feed, Subject Twelve moves to attack Chabowski. Only to stop dead in its tracks, eyes glazing over and its body slumps down. Chabowski prods at it, before nodding at the camera in confirmation).
DR.: Excellent. Leave the room immediately, I’m raising the temperature back up and I don’t imagine the subject will be too happy when it reawakens. Now that we have proven this, we can maybe look into some sort of device to cause this reaction immediately-
(Banging can be heard further within the facility)
M: Sir. Something’s wrong.
DR.: - How many times must I tell you not to interrupt-
(The banging grows louder and louder. The subject startles awake, just as the door is broken down by the prior project, before lashing out at Subject Twelve with fury).
DR.: God dammit! Useless idiots, all of you!
(The other scientists panic as the Doctor rushes into the cell, shot-gun in hand, before aiming and firing at the prior project. Before shooting again, and again, until it finally collapses. Before his voice reconnects over the radio, panting).
DR.: Chobowski, get the fuck back in here and send the prior project to be- Argh! Twelve, get off of me!
(Subject Twelve has latched round the doctor’s waist, hugging him tight. As the other scientists enter, they attempt to remove it. But the Subject reacts with anger, pinning the scientist to the floor. The others scream, as Chabowski loads his gun).
DR.: Stop!
(They all stop at once. Subject Twelve even stops, standing to attention. Letting the scientist scramble back, its gaze entirely fixated upon the doctor).
DR.: … Kill them.
(Without hesitation, Subject Twelve snaps back to the scientist and slices their head clean off with a tendril. Ignorant to the screams once more as it turns back to the Doctor).
DR.: How interesting.
(The Doctor approaches Subject Twelve. Before bringing it into a hug. Allowing Subject Twelve to latch round his waist once more, smiling as he watches it purr in content, his hand petting its head).
DR.: Subject Twelve has shown… devotion. End Report.
FILE #290
DR.: Progress Report… Ten years of work, all might go down the drain tomorrow. All because of a few hiccups perfecting Twelve. But no matter how often I remind the head office that science cannot be rushed, they refuse to listen!
(The Doctor hits the table hard. Subject Twelve steps in the room, lingering in the doorway. Watching him).
DR.: Perfection takes time. Project Twelve is the strongest weapon ever developed, and they dare-
(Subject Twelve then moves behind the Doctor, hugging him close around his waistline. Making the Doctor pause in his ranting, glaring down at it).
XII: Doc… Tor…
(The Doctor’s eyes widened. Reaching down to cup Subject Twelve’s chin, making it look up at him.)
DR.: … You can speak… Can you read this?
(He lifts the tag on the breast of Twelve’s jacket. Subject twelve looks down at it, before looking back up).
XII: Xii… Am Xii?
Dr.: Tch. You’re almost cute. Call yourself whatever you please, the fact you are capable of speech is incredible enough. You must have learnt through my audio logs. Didn’t you?
XII: A… ffrimative! Affirmative!
Dr.: Your insight never fails to impress me… Xii. But do not get the impression I am to allow you to develop this further. It’s bad enough with the current prattling buffoons here. Though we can use this to ensure basic commands are understood.
XII: Affirmative!
Dr.: Sometimes I think the two of us are the only intelligent ones here. At least you understand orders.
(Subject Twelve purrs at that, before going quiet, tilting its head).
XII: Why angry?
Dr.: What did I JUST tell you-
(The Doctor sighs, holding his head, before looking back down at Subject Twelve. Stroking its cheek).
Dr.: The head office shall be inspecting us to see whether you were worth the last 10 years of work. I need you to be on your best behaviour. I will not allow any setbacks. I need you to be the perfect weapon.
(The Doctor grabs Subject Twelve close by its arms. Looking directly into its eyes).
Dr.: Can you promise me that?
(Subject Twelve then moves forward, hugging the Doctor close, its hoarse voice now just a whisper).
XII: Affirmative.
Dr.: Excellent. I know you will make me proud.
FILE #291
(Dozens of voices can be heard speaking over each other, before a door slams. The room goes silent except for harsh footsteps).
Dr.: You heard them. All of you. Pack your things. Leave.
C: Sir… Did they really cut all our funding-
Dr.: While I would normally answer your asinine questions, currently I am not being paid to even remember your name. The last 10 years have been a waste of time. Go. Home.
(Further mutterings. Some are upset. But most are resigned, already beginning to pack up).
C: But sir… What about Subject Twelve?
Dr.: What about it?
C: Shouldn’t we-
Dr.: I already told you. It was a waste of time. Just leave it within its cell. You are not being paid to care anymore. None of us are.
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FILE #292
XII: Hello?
. . .
XII: Doctor?
. . .
XII: Where did everybody go?
. . .