"Welcome to my abode. This is where I research Project A.E.G.I.S.." Patrick welcomed Lucas to his laboratory, his eyes twinkling with joy. He resembled a kid looking forward to being praised after doing something commendable.
"What's Project A.E.G.I.S.?" Lucas was dumbstruck by everything he was seeing. It looked like a wonderland to him. The more he explored it, the more amazed he was.
"Project A.E.G.I.S. or Advanced Evolutionary Genetic Intervention for Survival is an experiment to fortify humans against otherworldly threats," Patrick revealed, closing the door once Lucas was inside.
"Is it the project you spoke about yesterday? The one that involved altering the DNA."
Patrick nodded with pride. "Yes. I believe this is the only way we can defeat the monsters."
Lucas looked around the lab, his eyes wide with astonishment. The place was nothing like he had envisioned.
If the lab outside was impressive, the one he was in was a different dimension altogether. It was equally massive as the one outside. But the difference lay in the apparatus and devices inside, some of which he had never seen.
Lucas couldn't fathom what he was looking at. Everything seemed familiar, yet not at the same time. The machines looked horrendous, and brutal, something that would only be used to torture humans.
Lucas's frown deepened as he explored the lab. His astonishment disappeared and was replaced by insurmountable fear.
Clamping his lips thoughtfully, he turned to the three men who were observing him with wide grins.
"So?" Ryker asked, eager to know Lucas' thoughts. His excitement was at its peak as if he owned the lab, not Patrick.
"I can't wrap my mind about this place. What are these torture machines?" Lucas inquired, walking towards one that resembled a brain computer interface, only that it looked more terrifying.
Lucas couldn't even approach it, the mere sight of it scared him.
"That's a Neuro-Spinal Infusion Rig. It's used to upgrade reflexes, muscle memory, and cognition," Patrick explained grinning like a cat.
"Have you tested it?" Even though he was afraid, Lucas's interest was piqued, and he inquired, studying everything around him.
"Uh...no." Patrick's smile vanished at his question and he shook his head regretfully.
"Why? May I ask?"
"Do you think anyone would be interested in being a test subject? I saw the fear in your eyes when you saw the NSIR first," Patrick said, revealing the truth to him.
Lucas felt sheepish. But he didn't show it on his face, responding with a curt nod.
The device looked terrifying, like a death eater. Who in their sane minds would agree to be a test subject?
"What about this?" Lucas asked, moving to the next device.
It looked like a chamber of some sort half suspended in the air. The system was switched off, so he couldn't comprehend how it worked.
"That's a Genetic Resonance Chamber. We can alter human DNA using radiation and mutagens."
"Ahh... so you're yet to create the mutagen?" Lucas's mouth widened in realization.
"Yes. I want you to join me."
"Are you the only one working on this project?" Lucas looked around, wondering why there wasn't anyone else in the lab.
"Yep. When I informed the other residents about my ideas, they weren't that supportive. The chances of it being a success are close to zero, while the risk factors are extremely high. It could easily lead to death if we aren't careful."
"Did you create everything by yourself?"
Lucas was impressed. It wasn't easy to build all the devices and instruments alone. It needed one heck of a brain and determination.
"No." Patrick shook his head immediately, his eyes losing all the sparkle.
"My daughter, Elli, and I built them together. She had a knack for computers and technology while I was into biology. We combined our knowledge and built this.
Elli again?
Lucas was amazed again. How smart was she that she built such brilliant devices and weapons? For a moment, his heart was filled with regret for having missed out on meeting such a brilliant lady.
There were a lot of other devices inside the lab and Patrick briefed about all of them. Some of them were merely prototypes Elli had created. Although they couldn't be used in Project A.E.G.I.S., they were incredibly beneficial to deal with the monsters.
Alas, no one in Velomore was knowledgeable enough to develop the prototype into a successful invention.
By the time they were done, Lucas's fear had disappeared completely. He was in awe, especially at the woman whose brilliance seemed to speak in her inventions even after she was gone.
Lucas oddly wanted to bring all her prototypes to life. However, he wasn't that proficient in technology.
'But I can still assist in Project A.E.G.I.S. I can put my knowledge of Biochemistry into use.'
"So? What do you say?" Patrick asked, giving Lucas another chance to decide. He desperately hoped to have another hand assisting him in the experiment. But if Lucas wasn't willing, he had no intentions of forcing him.
"I am in," Lucas said without hesitation. He didn't think twice before agreeing to join Patrick in his research. There wasn't a need to.
Anyway, there were only three possibilities. Either the project became a success and they eradicated the threat in the world, or it would become a failure and he'd end up blowing into smithereens like he did in his own lab.
Lucas shuddered when he thought about the third possibility- being captured by the monsters and becoming its food. And he had no intention of being one.
"Yoohoo," Ryker shouted in joy.
Even Vance was visibly thrilled and he punched the air.
Meanwhile, Patrick couldn't stop grinning. It was as if he was bursting with life. His project had been rejuvenated with new energy. He was beyond ecstatic.
"How soon can you join me?" Patrick enquired, hoping Lucas would start immediately.
However, Lucas had his own plans. He had something else to do before he began.
"I'm not sure. I have something I want to verify first."
"What?" Ryker questioned immediately, looking at him strangely.
"Do you know what happened to the cities after the monsters killed all the humans? I'm talking about the cities where the attacks happened first. Has anyone looked into this matter?" Lucas's question was directed at Ryker and Vance.
Patrick didn't have an answer. Maybe, Vance and Ryker did.
"Um... We have never been there. So, I'm not sure." Ryker pursed his lips and shook his head.
Even Vance's response was negative.
"Ryker, is it possible for you to take me to the city where the monsters appeared first?"
Ryker was taken aback by his request. Was he missing something? Why was Lucas suddenly interested in going to that desolate place?
"May I ask why?"
"I have a feeling that we might find something crucial to us, something that could explain how this catastrophe started."