No.5019
>Date: August 3rd, 2001
>Location: Primary Lab - The Collective HQ
>Equipment goes crashing to the floor, papers fly everywhere.
"RAGH!"
>Ken Thompson in a rage knocks over more things from the counter. Behind him, an average looking man in a security uniform appears visibly anxious. Ken turns around, jabbing his finger in the man's chest.
"YOU'RE A LOSER, YOU KNOW THAT!?"
>Before the man can respond the lab's automated doors open up, and a man with light skin and silvery-blonde hair steps into the room - Karl.
"What a mess you have made."
>Ken's eyes immediately dart towards Karl.
"Shut up! I'm too busy to deal with you right now!"
>Karl shakes his head, looking almost amused.
"No need to be so hostile, Kenneth."
"What do you want!?"
"What else would I want? To help find the children."
>Karl moves closer towards Ken, ignoring the security officer's presence. Ken grits his teeth and then lets out a frustrated sigh. He motions to the security officer.
"This IDIOT and his team have no idea where they've gone! They have no idea how they got out, or where they are now! Useless!"
"Oh Kenneth. Lighten up. I happen to know exactly where they are."
"What!?"
>Ken shoves the security officer to the side, he moves towards Karl and begins to grab him by the collar.
"WHERE!? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!?"
>Karl grabs Ken's hands and removes them from his collar.
"I just did tell you. Now would you mind?"
>Ken glares at Karl for a moment, before taking a step back. Karl fixes his collar and clears his throat.
"Now. It's quite simple. Ms. Beaufort has taken the children to-"
No.5020
>>5019>Location: Sanctuary City>Time: 8:30 AM
>It was a surprisingly calm day in the city. The morning air was warm, the sun was shining and the city was probably about as quiet as it could be.
>Walking down the sidewalk was a brown haired woman of average height. She wore light, season appropriate clothing. The woman carried a pair of plastic grocery bags, as she walked along the sidewalk, she had an air of vigilance about her.
>Her eyes were constantly shifting, and almost every sound got her attention. She continued to walk like this for several blocks, before coming up to what might be perhaps the most stereotypical looking cheap motel in the city.
>The building was old, strangely old for the age of the city. It looked near dilapidated, only just barely being functional. This, however, was the best she could do at a moment's notice.
>The woman hurried across the parking lot and up the stairs. Once she got to her room she reached in her pocket, and begun digging for the key. Finally, she found it and unlocked the door. "Kids, I'm back."
>The woman opened the door, backing into the door to get one last look at her surroundings before closing it. "I found a snack you might li-"
>As the woman turned around she immediately gasped, and dropped her bags. No.5021
>>5020"Hello. Monica."
>Ken stands in the center of the room, flanked by a pair of armed guards. Behind him, Orion and Circe are huddled in the corner as an additional guard stands near them to make sure they remain seated."How did-"
>Ken lets out a huff of air."You thought you could hide them from me? You're even more stupid than I thought."
>Monica's eyes dart towards the children, they begin trying to get up only to be blocked by the armed guard."MOMMY!"
>Monica begins to move towards the children, only for Ken to shove her back."Let them go!"
>Ken grits his teeth."No. They're my property! Mine! You won't steal them from me!"
>Monica begins to move forward again only for the armed guards to point their rifles at her. She stops in her tracks. Her voice begins to shake."L-Listen to me. They're just children. They need real lives-"
"BE QUIET! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM!"
"Just let them go!"
"NO!"
No.5022
>>5021>Ken begins to point his palm towards Monica. He grits his teeth, and she begins to audibly choke. Monica reaches for her throat, clawing helplessly against a non existent pair of hands."P-Please! Stop!"
>The remote grip around her throat tightens. "MOMMY NO! STOP!"
>Little Orion jumps up to his feet only to be knocked back down by the armed guard. Orion clenches his teeth and begins to point at the man - only for Ken to turn towards the children and command them."Sleep!"
>Immediately, Orion and Circe fall over, asleep. Monica watches helplessly as she backs into the wall, beginning to slide down it. Ken moves closer to her, looking even more enraged."I should've gotten rid of you earlier, you stupid bitch."
>Monica flails, and tries to reach for Ken. Finding herself unable to move towards him, her eyes go wide as the full panic sets in. The armed guards stand by, and silent watch it happen… No.5023
>>5022>Location: Ken's Main Lab>Date: February 17th, 2006
>The lab is dark, with only the only the soft light of various monitors and buttons to illuminate it. Inside, numerous scientists are located at different stations, some are actively using machines, others are observing and writing.
>Near the back of the lab is a line of large tubes, spacious enough to house a fully grown human. All the tubes are empty, while the central tube is partially obscured with a metallic enclosure preventing it from being seen.
>Near-by, Ken stands near the central tube. Behind him are rows of consoles being manned by various scientists. In the back, Karl stands in silence. His arms are comfortably placed behind his back as he observes the work going on."We're ready to go, sir."
>One of the scientists stands from his seat, looking at Ken expectantly. Ken turns to look at them."Begin."
>As he turns his attention back towards the tube, the man nods and then returns to his seat. "Beginning now."
>Various buttons are pressed, numerous dials are turned and indicator lights begin to glow. Meanwhile the metal covering around the tube begins to receed, slowly revealing a glowing green liquid filling the otherwise apparently empty tube."Inducing artificial insemination."
>Inside the tube a small circular apeture opens, injecting another darker fluid into the chamber. Once the new fluid has been fully injected, the apeture closes. Several moments of silence pass as the scientists observe their instruments.
>Finally, the same scientist as earlier speaks up."Artificial insemination succeeded. Zygote fully formed."
>Not taking his eyes off the tube, Ken issues another command."Begin growth acceleration."
"Beginning growth acceleration."
No.5024
>>5023>A lever is pulled. Inside the tube another apeture opens, injecting a light blue liquid into the mix. Slowly it begins to mix in with the tube's exissting liquid, before becoming indistinguishable from the rest.
>Moments pass, as everyone waits in silence. Ken in particular is heavily focused on the tube, staring intensely at it. He begins to grow more impatient, beginning to tap his foot. As his patience wears thin, he gets ready to turn around until finally:"Growth accelerator injection a success. Mitosis has is accelerating at a stable rate."
>All the scientists begin to cheer and clap, satisfied with their work. Ken continues to stare at the tube, cracking a sly grin. After a moment he turns around."Settle down people. Excellent work. Phase 1 of Project Asteria is now complete"
>Ken's smile begins to grow into a grin."Continue monitoring the subject. Soon, we will begin phase 2…"
[To Be Continued]