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XII: The Devil's Due

Terminus: Containment Labs

Oct-19th, 2034, 10:14

The Doctor

Leaving Rose's containment cell while in the company of his own kind proved to be a great relief at first. He was finally free of the giant serpent and hopefully able to start pursuing a life outside of her kind. Because that's why he had ultimately left New Providence and wanted to do in the end, right?

Getting to the second set of labs proved to be easy enough. In fact, all one had to do was exit through the original cell door and hang a right towards the other end of the hallway. If his memory was correct, these were the same labs that Dr. Harper had exited out of yesterday. Upon entering the new set of labs, their guards quickly dispersed towards their original stations, leaving Hoffman and him to begin the long tour around the sizeable facility.

However, Adrian's mind was a complete and utter mess at the moment. Yes, he had enacted to travel with his fellow humans outside of Rose's cell and had ultimately gotten his wish. But why then did he now feel as though he was again in the company of strangers? Besides the obvious, he almost found himself missing their earlier interactions. Worse yet, he was beginning to think that he had made the wrong decision in leaving Rose.

He had attempted to seem at least somewhat interested in the guided tour of the remainder of the labs, which were laid out similarly as what he'd seen before, just with some stolen Advent technology on top of it. None of the equipment could be considered current and was likely uprooted from some defunct clinic or Advent lab facility, given what Rooker had told him earlier about the Resistance raiding Advent supply lines. They were impressive given that they were currently hiding away in an underground city, but it only served to remind him of his old life.

Adrian had tried to give something more than half-hearted responses and was forced to even fake a smile or two in order to make it seem like he was paying attention. In spite of this, Dr. Hoffman was energetic to say the least, making sure to lay out every area and minute equipment specification to the most excruciating of detail. At least this section of the labs appeared to have been sterilized as compared to what he'd seen the night before.

He had met a few more scientists along the way, since it appeared that things were slowly shifting back to a state of relative normalcy, in spite of what had occurred the other day. According to Hoffman, there had been around a dozen other scientists before Simons and Moreau were put into the infirmary. Dr. Simons didn't make it through the course of the night and Dr. Moreau was still confined to life support. Adrian had pressed for additional details, but Hoffman stated that he was still piecing things together himself and then deflected attention back to their tour.

Rose was likely to blame for the accident of course, but his thoughts kept going back to the giant viper that he had left wallowing in a pool of her own venom. Yes, the underline fear was still there when it came to her presence and he hadn't forgotten about how she had chased him across the facility. However, what would've happened if he had simply stood his ground instead of running like a coward? Again, she had had so many opportunities now to end his life in the most painful of ways imaginable, yet still, she had actively chosen not to and even went as far as to reapply his bandages for him while he dozed off for a short while.

It would've been easy to say before that her leaving him alive was just out of necessity. She needed the knowledge inside his brain in order to combat the genetics that had come to control her life. Afterwards, Rose would surely turn on Rooker and the rest of Terminus. It was in her nature after all; it was what she was made to do. She was an overwhelming force meant to be turned on the enemy with no hope for retrieval, or hold back an outside force assumed to be even greater than herself. However, their last interaction was beginning to make him question every negative connotation that he had thoughtlessly pinned against her.

It was obvious that Rose was instilled with human genetics that went far beyond what would've been necessary for that role. She was also raised like a human and damn near acted like one if given the opportunity to actually voice her opinion, baggage and everything.

The viper had seemed so dejected in the fact that true companionship was likely out of the question. Rose was enamored with Rooker and had likely been for some time. However, what was stopping her from taking what she believed to be hers? Indeed, a female viper was meant to hold all of the power in a relationship, yet she actively chose to undermine and go about things as though she were a…human.

Rose had told him earlier that she wanted to experience what it meant to be human and she seemed to be holding steadfast in order to make that happen, even if it meant warping the very image of herself. A woman trapped inside a monster's body. She didn't even truly know about her own kind but she still hated herself all the same.

No. There was no she! It was tricking him and would just lead him down another road to ruin. He just had to fall back inside his shell and they would go away with time. He was free from its clutches now and he also had his wooden sanctuary. The viper would just be a distant memory with time.

But she wasn't and wouldn't be.

In fact, every time he closed his eyes, he saw her red ones staring right back at him, however, not out of malice or malevolence as Hoffman had put it earlier. It almost made him feel…secure, in spite of the uncertainties. She almost had a calming aura about her that he had only experienced with one other person in his life.

The experiences of his past had made him cynical with years. And while every fiber of his older self was crying out to forget the venomous snake and move on, another half was beginning to emerge that only saw her for the vulnerable woman that she truly was.

What the hell was happening to him?

“Doctor Fairchild!"

The voice from outside of his thoughts startled the man and he looked to the source of the interruption, finding Hoffman standing immediately next to him alongside another scientist who he'd already forgotten the name of—the little plastic badge on her lab coat said _Power_s, which was a rather odd name for a doctor.

“You zoned out on us, doctor. Is something the matter?" Hoffman then began to clean off his spectacles as he waited for a response. The shorter woman next to him also looked on expectantly.

Adrian immediately looked around his environment in order to formulate some kind of excuse. They were in the far back of the labs at this point and standing next to a row of filled planters. While the man wasn't up to date when it came to the world of horticultor, the tomatoes in front of him were some of the largest that he'd ever seen. Unfortunately, his brain once again left him to fend for himself.

“I…my apologies, I'm afraid that my mind momentarily wandered elsewhere and I didn't catch those trailing remarks," he finally replied, earning himself an eyebrow raise from the woman. “Although, these are probably the largest set of tomatoes that I've seen all day." The raised eyebrow was then accompanied by a frown. Well...maybe Rose had her beat.

“Probably? Pardon me, Dr. Fairchild, but these are the largest specimens that we've been able to produce so far, and this has been a culmination of my life's work. That's ten pounds of ripe fruit you're looking at and—"

“Doctor Powers, Doctor Fairchild did not mean offense and is no more an expert in your line of work than you are in his," Hoffman jumped in as he donned his glasses. “Besides, there's little sense in splitting hairs on the matter, especially when you did have some outside help when developing the compound."

The woman huffed at the last remark. “At least my line of work involves preserving life, rather than ending it. Damn snakes have no place in this garden or any garden for that matter. Regardless, I'm happy to see that you've made it out of that cell alive. Subject Delta is a snake in every sense of the word, and I hope it burns both in this plane and in the next for what it did to Dr. Moreau. The woman was a saint if there ever was one."

“Subject Delta is my concern, not yours. I'd strongly advise you to leave it at that," Hoffman warned and then turned his attention to Adrian. “This more or less concludes our little expedition of the lab facilities. Of course, there's still much to be revealed behind the curtain, but I'd like us to retire to my private study before we divulge those details. Do you have any final questions for either of us at this time?"

As far as Adrian was concerned, a tomato was a vegetable, which admittedly reminded him of something that had been bugging him since this morning.

“Nothing as far as the last section of the tour is concerned. Thank you so much, Dr. Powers, for showing me the advances in your research. However, all of this talk of food has made me realize that I haven't eaten anything this morning. Is it possible that there's some close by?" Adrian tried his best not to seem overly desperate to the fact.

“Hmpf, men. Always thinking with their stomachs and not—"

“Thank you, Dr. Powers!" Hoffman interjected, immediately directing Adrian away from the other scientist and towards a long corridor. “You have my apologies, I'm afraid that Dr. Powers is neither a morning, midday, afternoon, or evening person for that matter. But...I'm sure that you'll warm up to her and the other scientists with time."

Once they were a safe distance away, Hoffman slowed his pace and relinquished his grasp around Adrian's arm.

“Now, food you say? It figures that the mad dog failed to feed his guest. I'm afraid that the mess hall is located back out in the main hallway leading towards the service elevator and is currently in the process of being reopened after Subject Delta's latest episode. However, a platter of eggs and a side of bacon shouldn't be too difficult to requisition. Would this prove sufficient until we get things back to where they used to be?"

“I…guess that would work. And latest episode?" Adrian responded.

Since meeting Hoffman, he had surprisingly ignored the implications of the other man's statements, focusing on his own experiences and not what was being administered to him. The worst part was that he knew why, and it was that growing source of denial that was being pitted against what he already feared to be true.

Hoffman's eyes shined in the light and were soon accompanied by a knowing smile.

***

It hadn't taken long for them to file into Hoffman's private study, which looked to be split into two sections. The first resembled that of an early 1900s parlor mixed with an office area that was complete with a serpentine, mahogany desk, and classic damask wall coverings. The second was hidden behind a series of burgundy curtains spanning the entire width of the room. However, it was the numerous display cases littering the room, or rather what was laid on top of said display cases that immediately caught Adrian's attention—taxidermal reptiles.

There were taxidermies of lizards, turtles, alligators, and just about every kind of snake imaginable. Adrian saw cobras, pythons, rattlesnakes, mambas, and everything in-between. Each was deadlier than the last yet all were preserved in stasis until the end of time. It was unsettling to have so many lifeless eyes staring back into the study area, which was padded with rugs and enough bookcases to keep Adrian busy until the day he died. However, some of the books that would've been placed within were tossed around much in the same manner that he had seen on the upper level of the labs before entering Rose's cell.

“Apologies for the mess, I'm afraid that the vermin who cluttered the area also neglected to tidy up after they were done and I've had little time to rearrange," Hoffman stated after directing Adrian into the leather seat opposite of his desk. “Hopefully, the runner that I sent for food will arrive shortly as well." The other scientist then moved himself into his own chair and relinquished the black sphere from his lab coat, placing it on top of a pedestal next to them.

“Vermin? I'm not sure I under…" Adrian was cut off by a raised hand.

“All of your questions will be answered with time, Dr. Fairchild. However, I'd first like to get your thoughts on matters pertaining to the red viper that Terminus has long since chosen to harbor within its walls."

“Again, I'm not sure that I follow. And please, after leaving Advent, I prefer to simply go by Adrian."

The other man raised an eyebrow at the request.

“A man with your background deserves to be recognized for his achievements. You've taken fire from the gods and made even Zeus himself fear the likes of man. Subject Delta stands as a testament to the power that the Resistance could bear against the Elders, and I'm curious as to how she stacks up against your own creations, at least based on your first impressions of her." Hoffman continued to press for a response.

Adrian suddenly felt like he was once again in the hot seat. While he had no intention of divulging details about his own abominations, he could at least be truthful about his initial impressions of Rose. Also, he did not doubt that Hoffman had perused his documents with a fine-toothed comb, so lying was likely out of the question.

“The viper is far larger and likely far stronger than anything that I've ever come across during my time with Advent but is also an outlier when it comes to how she carries herself." He had to be very careful with how he phrased his next observation, as he had little working knowledge of the other man outside of the few blips that had been provided to him by Dr. Vahlen, who very much chose to remain an enigma herself. “It's almost as if she's actively choosing to go against her nature."

The salt and pepper beard shifted into a smile, and Hoffman's eyes shined once again.

“Utterly fascinating, isn't it? A rescued, genetically engineered killing machine, raised as though it were a human child, then willingly shedding the life that it was supposed to have for the promise of a new one. It almost seems like something straight out of a fairytale. However, I'm afraid that such a tale was also likely penned by a German author."

It was clear where this conversation was headed, so Adrian battered down the hatches and prepared his response.

“You mean to suggest that she's beginning to show early signs of the degenerative rampancy that plagued her kind? Rooker made mention of the Blacksite that she was extracted from, and I'm…at least somewhat familiar with the creatures that once called the place home."

Hoffman shifted in his seat and pulled open one of the lower desk drawers, taking out a manila folder and then flipping it open for Adrian to see. There were rough sketches of what looked to be vipers. They were all of various shapes and sizes but all exhibiting features similar to Rose. However, as Hoffman began to flip through the pages, the creatures began to take on mutated forms with grotesque extensions. Some had no eyes or limbs, others had way too many of each. There were ones with sharp barbs for a tail and even some encased almost entirely in an organic plating that was completely separate from the traditional scales that one would normally associate with a snake.

“Ringing any bells, doctor? These are the original sketches that we had drawn based on Rooker's eyewitness accounts of his time at the facility. Of course, there was one such creature that stood out from all of the rest."

Hoffman then shifted to the last page, which displayed a photograph of the neonate in question. She stood at about waist high and was holding the hand of the human next to her. Her delicate petals puffed out and the red eyes looked straight into the camera. A wide smile adorned the viper's face while her tail curled around what was no doubt Rooker's leg. Rose was content with the setup—a far cry from the events of today.

“You can imagine our surprise when we received the radio transmission originating from Rooker's dropship. An alien child washed up onto our shores nearly ten years after the world fell apart. We've housed a number of aliens since then but subject Delta will always be the one that I remember most." Hoffman reshuffled the papers and then set the folder back in the drawer.

Adrian furrowed his brow at the last statement. “Berserkers, you mean? I distinctly recall Rooker making mention of this fact when addressing Dr. Harper in the past. Or are there other vipers in this facility that I currently don't know about?"

He could hardly handle Rose at the moment, so the thought of having additional vipers coming out of the woodwork at any moment did not sit well with him. Unfortunately for him, Hoffman's smile only seemed to set him even more on edge.

“Harper did mention that a brief confrontation occurred, but such is to be suspected from the likes of Rooker." Hoffman eyed the black sphere before looking back to him. “As for other vipers? Not at the moment, which is good considering the hell Delta has put me through these last twenty-four hours, and she wasn't even at the top of my shit list." Hoffman let anger slip through his voice but corrected it almost immediately.

“I…get a sense that Rooker and you don't see eye to eye on most things?" Adrian asked, shifting uncomfortably in his seat as he took a shot in the dark.

Hoffman leaned back into his own seat, steepled his fingers, and then looked towards the curtain behind them.

“Rooker has his methods and I have mine. Truth be told, much of my initial involvement with Delta ended once she became one of Dr. Vahlen's pet projects. I was sidelined to an advisory role after it was determined that a direct autopsy of the viper wasn't necessary. Delta would live the life of a human child with Rooker as her caretaker while we monitored her progress from a distance, at least that was the plan anyways."

“But things didn't stay that way. Ro—I mean the viper hit the later strides of adolescence and soon fell in line with the vipers seen inside that facility, mutations included," Adrian continued where Hoffman left off.

The other man nodded. “I spent most of the interim studying the derelict artifacts known for creating the Lost, but once it was understood that the viper was undergoing extensive genetic transformation, I found myself back on the project and spearheading methods of containment."

Hoffman moved to the far side of his desk and began to dig through a cart that looked similar to the one that Harper had used earlier. It didn't take him long to produce an almost comically large syringe that required both hands to support.

“In the end, I was forced to cut out large sections of tissue from Delta in order to even get a basic grasp of her genetic code, which continued to reorder itself even as a solution was finally determined. Thankfully, my brilliance served to curtail her growth for the short term. However, even the growth inhibitor that you now see in my hands is beginning to prove less effective. The events of yesterday have only shown that our current methods are no longer sufficient."

The other doctor then placed the syringe back on the cart and returned to his former posture. Despite his prejudices against Rose's kind, Adrian had yet to get a full story of what had happened during that time. He wanted answers and was tired of not getting them.

“You stated earlier that you were still piecing together what had occurred in the containment cell. How can you be sure that the viper was responsible or that it was a result of the onset of rampancy? Who was in that room at the time and why? Even on the surface, it's clear that she has far more human traits than what you showed me in those sketches, so you'll forgive me if I remain skeptical to such claims," he stated.

“Because such episodes have cropped up in the past," Hoffman responded, his voice taking on an edge.

“So you keep telling me, yet I haven't seen any hard evidence that supports the claim. And trust me, doctor, I want nothing more than to believe you based on assumptions alone, but that is not how I operate."

The light once again caught in Hoffman's eyes.

“And how do you operate, Adrian? I've read all of your works cover to cover and would like to think that I know the answer. But the last week has shown me that a fox changes his skin but not his habits. And while in the company of a wolf, a fox has a habit of leaving the other out to dry."

Hoffman shifted his eyes momentarily to a pile of books strewed out next to one of the bookshelves.

“Are you threatening me?" Adrian tried to keep his voice as level as possible but failed to keep one of his legs steady. It was almost as if he was back in New Providence, however, he somehow managed to hold his ground.

“Only if you have something to hide, Dr. Fairchild, otherwise you will be well taken care of when serving inside these labs. I assure you that hard work and loyalty will be rewarded handsomely, and I'm sure that you've learned by now that trust acts as its own currency in Terminus."

“I've also learned that trust is a two-way street. And you've dodged every request to elaborate on what happened inside that cell. I want your side of the story, Hoffman, because sweeping things under the rug only makes me believe that there are ulterior motives at play here," Adrian countered, surprising himself with how blunt his responses had become. He was getting fired up and was now matching Hoffman blow for blow.

However, the light inside Hoffman's eyes had yet to lose its luster.

“You suddenly seem quick to come to that creature's defense." Another dodge. “I wonder why that is? Is it perhaps that Rooker filled your head with tales of a scared child yearning for a life outside of what they were created to do, or because the viper dragged you away to her cave and tried to convince you of that very same thing? As I've stated before, she's taken prisoners in the past."

He found himself unfazed by the other man's scare tactics, despite one-half of his mind telling him to give in and hide.

“Yet you've also stated that they were all released unharmed," Adrian fired back. “Would you care to elaborate on that piece of information, or was that just a slip of the tongue? Because the viper that confronted me inside that cave was more terrified of me at times, and I had every metric working against me." He had now fully assumed the role of devil's advocate.

Hoffman's eye twitched but he managed to keep himself composed.

“The prisoners were a couple of guards back when we stationed them directly inside her cell. Delta got it in her head that this meant that she was allowed to interact with them. The story goes that she lured them into her cave and then held them hostage until they agreed to her demands."

“Which were?" Adrian demanded.

Hoffman hesitated but then reopened his mouth. “Rooker was away at the time and she needed someone to tuck her in for the night and...read her a bedtime story. Supposedly, she couldn't fall asleep without one."

Adrian couldn't help but smile at the notion. Back in New Providence, he had been requested to do that very same thing once or twice.

“And I suppose the guards freaked out because of the communication barrier? I don't know about you, Hoffman, but those sound like the demands of a child missing their guardian. Given what I've experienced this morning, I'm sure that she meant them no harm."

“And you'd say the same thing about yesterday? Also, don't think that I haven't noticed those bandages around your head. I'm willing to bet that you didn't arrive at Terminus with those on and Delta was somehow involved."

“She was actually, but not in the manner that you think. The ones you see around my head now were applied by her after I lost my footing inside the enclosure." A half-truth, but Adrian suddenly felt compelled to defend Rose's actions.

Hoffman's gaze tightened. “Why are you so adamant to prove me wrong?"

“Because you've yet to prove anything and seem adamant to ignore what may lie just underneath the surface," Adrian retorted.

“You and I both know what truly lies underneath the surface, doctor. Don't choose to live in the world of make-believe like Rooker does day in and day out. To be frank, I admire what you've done over the years, and I'm sure that Dr. Harper has already expressed the fact that your research has been nothing but a boon to our efforts. But you must understand that additional measures now must be taken in order to protect the interests of Terminus."

“Terminus' interests or your own?"

Hoffman immediately rose out of his seat and supported himself on the mahogany surface with both hands.

“They are one and the same. I've been here since the very beginning and am the sole reason that Delta has even been allowed to live for this long. You don't get to sit there and judge me when you weren't there yesterday to witness the episode that unfolded inside of that cell."

“I'm beginning to get a sense that neither were you. What are you hiding from me, Hoffman? Because every dodge you commit makes me believe their side of things even more. I'm not nearly pigheaded enough to ignore listening to reason, but I also didn't leave Advent to trade one tyrant for another. Furthermore, time betrays and hangs the thief."

The other man's eyes shifted back towards the burgundy divider that separated the room into two halves. Hoffman then sighed, sat back down in his chair, and adjusted his spectacles before looking back at Adrian.

“I admire your resolve, Dr. Fairchild. To be frank, I was worried that I'd be stuck with another spineless sycophant. But then again, the transaction would've never been made if that were the case. And…I did promise to supply you with the answers that you'd require. The honest truth is that the episodes are very real and they're worsening in frequency and intensity," Hoffman admitted in earnest.

“Then…help me understand." While Adrian would've loved to celebrate his victory, it was tarnished by the fact that he had likely been right all along, and to be right was the worst possible scenario.

The other man nodded and moved to turn on a nearby video projector. He then directed their attention to the screen on the opposite wall.

“What you're about to see is security footage pulled from Delta's cell, timestamped midday of the ninetieth of September, or one month prior to this date."

Hoffman then ran the film, which displayed the outer courtyard. Rose was basking next to the water basin and appeared to be alone. Nothing seemed out of sort outside of the fact that she was grasping her forearm much in the same manner that he'd seen her do since his arrival. The viper almost looked—Rose suddenly pushed herself bolt upright and stared straight into the camera. Her eyes narrowed into slits and then glazed over, yet the viper's body continued to hang in suspension.

“This continues for some time."

Hoffman then began to fast forward and allowed the minutes to pass by until he once again resumed it at a normal pace. The seemingly possessed viper was still fixed facing the camera but seconds later came out of her trance. Confusion was immediately written across her face but the viper just as quickly shrugged it off and went back to basking with the clip ending shortly after.

“Security assumed that it was a glitch in the system and thought nothing of it at the time. However, this occurred again the very next week and the tapes were brought to Vahlen's attention. Naturally, she couldn't have cared less at the time and they were left to gather dust on my desk. I was too wrapped up in my own research to give them the attention that they likely deserved."

While Adrian had yet to be convinced, he could already feel the pit of despair beginning to form inside his stomach.

“Do you have any other tapes, ones that would show stark behavioral changes," he asked in trepidation.

Hoffman nodded and switched out the tapes, then he grabbed the remote and hit play. The scene was now of a different angle, one that pointed towards the front of the facility and the massive concrete walls. Rose was once again at the center of the frame but this time she faced away from the camera. Her massive body was coiled and the sonar dish was on full display. She then steadily shifted her body back and forth until gliding it closer to the ground while also appearing to slowly track an entire section of the wall. It was as if Rose was—

“Hunting the most dangerous game," Hoffman finished just as the tape cut out. “Delta was targeting her guards as they made their rounds outside of her cell. This is only the second time that I've seen this clip. Regardless, you've wanted evidence, I've now provided it to you in spades." The other man then set down the remote and leaned back in his chair.

Adrian matched Hoffman's posture. It was just as he had feared all along, the early signs were all there and it was likely only a matter of time before Rose would succumb to the rampancy. She would become a feral like one of them, at least if steps weren't taken to counteract the disease. He suddenly felt like he had run a marathon.

“What was the date on that last tape?" he finally gathered enough courage to ask.

“The seventieth of October, the day before you and Rooker arrived to Terminus. The same day that…Vahlen decided to abandon her post and flee to the arctic with research in tow."

Hoffman's brow then furrowed, and for the first time since Adrian had met him, the other scientist looked uncertain.

“In your professional opinion, Dr. Fairchild, what kind of timeline is Terminus working with here? We've had this occur in the past with a couple of our berserker specimens, but those were known quantities and they were hardly stable to begin with."

“I…my best estimate would be six to twelve months with the lower end being more likely. I'd have to look at sections of her genetic code to get a better sense of where things are going wrong, but I'm afraid that it might already be too late." The words almost hurt to say at this point. He was right in the end and felt miserable because of it. “But what does Vahlen have to do with all of this?"

Hoffman nodded and looked back to the pile of books in the corner. “Vahlen could've very well forced my hand, given that she left with much of my own research in hand, Simons and some of Harper's, and of course your own. She cleaned out the labs, took a handful of other scientists with her, and left me that final tape as a parting gift. I watched it the morning she left. As you can probably imagine, I was furious after learning of what had occurred, Simons even more so."

Adrian already sensed a migraine beginning to take hold and moved to support his forehead, feeling the weight of the bandages that held it in place. He was immediately reminded of Rose's own injuries or specifically the one on her hip.

“You've stated that Vahlen forced your hand. Is this fact somehow linked to why things escalated in the manner that they did? The injuries on the viper did not escape my attention while I was confined to her cell."

Hoffman looked conflicted and was likely determining whether or not to answer his question directly.

“Noticed that, did you? Vahlen raided much of the earlier documentation on Delta's development and the records of her genetic code that were used to develop the inhibitor, leaving me with next to nothing in the way of those details, if I were to continue to combat the degenerative mutations," Hoffman clarified but still leaving out some details.

While the other scientist neglected to say it outright, Adrian was beginning to get a clearer picture of what may have served as the catalyst for Rose's latest episode.

“You went after another tissue sample, knowing full well that heightened levels of stress and pain were likely triggers. What the hell were you—"

“What other choice did I have? Years of research gone in the blink of an eye, and you saw what was on those tapes, doctor. I needed a new baseline to work with and similar methods of extraction proved effective in the past," Hoffman responded, frustration mounting in his voice. “I was betrayed, Terminus was betrayed, and all for scientific gain. We're now all living with the fallout of her actions."

A displacement of blame. Adrian noted the fact and pressed on.

“What went on inside that containment cell, Hoffman? Because from where I sit, it seems like you panicked and only exacerbated the situation."

Hoffman narrowed his gaze. “You think that I'm responsible for what occurred? I'd advise that you tread very carefully while making such sweeping accusations without sufficient evidence. I took every precaution necessary and armed Simons and Moreau with the tools necessary to sedate Delta before the operation began. She was never meant to feel anything and would wake up afterwards with her wound treated."

Adrian matched his gaze. “And you were back here scrapping together what remained of your own research, weren't you? Regardless, it was just Simons and Moreau in that cell, correct? Or were there more players involved? Clearly, things didn't go according to plan. Either the viper wasn't sedated or the effects wore off too quickly. Who was left in charge of the operation and what was their state of mind?"

Hoffman's gaze softened somewhat at the final set of questions. The other man began to tug at the edges of his beard in thought.

“I was left to fight the fires that cropped up outside of Delta's cell and entrusted Simons to carry out the task. Delta was always calm around Moreau, so she seemed like the perfect candidate to assist, especially given the fact that Rooker had already requested her to be the temporary caretaker. I instructed both scientists to bring security as backup should something occur. Simons was a competent man, if not a bit overzealous in his work, but that comes with the territory. Of course, he was furious about Vahlen's betrayal but informed me that he was still up to the task. As for the sedative, I prepared it myself in order to ensure the correct dosage, so it couldn't possibly have been because of that."

“And where is the sample now?" Adrian questioned.

Hoffman lifted himself to his feet and moved towards the other side of the desk. He then made his way to the burgundy curtain on the rightmost side of the room. “The guards were still able to retrieve the sample after chaos erupted inside the cell and Delta was adequately sedated through other means. I was left to tend to the wounded but Dr. Harper assisted in transferring it to this room before coming to aid me in the infirmary."

The curtain was then pulled to the side but just enough to reveal a small section of the second half of the room. Oriental rugs gave way to epoxy resin floors and walls that were bleached white. Sure enough, the tissue sample was close by and suspended in a large chemical bath that closely resembled a fish tank.

“I informed Simons to cut me a sample that wouldn't require us to sedate Delta a second time. However, he ended up taking much more than I will likely require," Hoffman finished.

Given Rose's size, the tissue extracted was already significant, but the jagged cuts told him all that he needed to know about the man who performed the operation.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Overzealous you said? This looks like the work of someone who wanted their patient to feel every moment of it. A displacement of anger onto someone else. And the physical wound that was left behind didn't look any better."

“Please Dr. Fairchild, Simons had no love for Delta but he wasn't one to go after others in retaliation. He knew the risks involved with carrying out such a procedure and secured a sample sufficient enough for study." Hoffman then placed a hand on the glass. “Like you Adrian, I don't have the full story as to what went on inside that cell."

“Then why not pull the security footage during that time?"

Hoffman turned back to face him. “Because there would be nothing of use on it. The camera used to capture the courtyard went dead during the time of the accident, or at least that's the information that was passed on to the captain and has since been passed on to me."

“And you don't find that at least a little bit suspicious?" Adrian asked.

“Of course, but that now falls within Captain Fahlström's jurisdiction. She's the one who requested to perform an inquiry after all. Besides, we're still in a state of recovery from the loss of manpower thanks to Vahlen's actions."

Adrian was still utterly baffled by the departure.

“But why leave now? While my interactions with Vahlen were usually straight to the point and limited in number, she seemed dead set on having me on hand for her personal research. Also, her demands were obvious and I had every intention of meeting them in order to buy my way into Terminus. However, she never struck me as the deceptive type."

Hoffman slowly made his way back to the serpentine desk. “She used you like she used us all. It was never about you; it was about her and what she could accomplish with your research. Once she had what she needed, she left us all out to dry like the fox that she is." The other man then retook his place in his chair.

“But to what end? Why burn all of those bridges if only knowledge was to be obtained in the end?"

The other scientist once again steepled his fingers and leaned back into his seat. The light then caught his eyes.

“All very good questions, but it surprises me that you've yet to query the specifics behind subject Delta's designation."

Hoffman's statement gave Adrian pause. He was told earlier that they've housed other aliens before, which he'd attributed to the berserkers. But why then did Vahlen care so much about his research? And Hoffman had stated that there currently weren't other vipers living within Terminus. But then again, her requests were rather specific and there were still three more Greek letters in front of delta. A realization finally occurred to him.

“Vahlen didn't just leave with research in hand, she also took some of the other test subjects and...one of them happened to be another viper, which based on the research that I sent her, was also a male."

The other man allowed a smile to creep onto his visage. “I find it quite fascinating that the truth of a matter always tends to be out in the open and staring you straight in the face. You're no doubt referring to subjects Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. And you'd be right on all accounts. However, there was a time when we'd refer to every test subject as 'the specimen' per Vahlen's request. Of course, I thought nothing of it at the time."

Hoffman once again lifted himself off of his chair and moved towards what looked to be a wall safe tucked away next to several of the taxidermal serpents. He then began spinning in the correct combination and continued his line of thought.

“Then she decided that the three berserkers housed inside the labs at the time should be referred to as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma respectively. Even though being here the longest, the red viper was assigned the designation of Delta. I thought nothing of it at the time. Not six months after, we lost Gamma due to complications associated with rampancy, yet filled the vacancy in short order. However, Vahlen was suddenly obstinate in referring to the new berserker as Gamma, stating that it would be reserved for another one once we expanded our testing facilities, even though Alpha died shortly after and the same rule suddenly didn't apply. Again, I thought nothing of it at the time."

The other doctor had since opened and retrieved what looked to be a photograph from the safe, leaving it open afterwards and returning to his seat.

“Since that time, equipment and supplies began to disappear, but I was reassured that it was being taken care of in the background. I thought nothing of it, at least until I was finally allowed into her private quarters once she chose to leave us all behind. However, in her apparent haste, she unknowingly left this in her place."

Hoffman pushed the photograph across the mahogany surface. Adrian took hold of the photo and immediately recognized Vahlen, however, she was also accompanied by a small, snowy viper with large black spikes sprouting from its hood. Its coils were lined with black and blue stripes. The viper smiled much in the same way Rose had in the earlier photograph but was even smaller and pooled itself onto Vahlen's lap.

“The ice queen decided to make herself a king. The real Gamma had been living under our noses the entire time. Vahlen used your research alongside a cryogenically frozen embryo to produce the first male viper that we've seen in decades. She then fled with our research in hand, a coalition of scientists that she'd met with in secret at her back, and subjects Gamma and Beta in tow. I can only surmise what the real Alpha was but it wouldn't surprise me if it was already waiting for them in the arctic. She had been lying to my face for years and took one of Simons and Harper's berserkers with her."

Hoffman took the photo from his hands and shoved it inside the nearest desk drawer, unable to look at it any longer. The other man then turned his attention back to Adrian and waited for a response. While the tale answered Adrian's second question, it still hadn't entirely satisfied the first.

“I'm still left questioning to what end though?"

“As I've said before, she's a fox who is unable to change her habits and has now fled to the very ends of the earth to scratch an itch that she's been incapable of sating since XCOM's fall. She's grown eccentric over the years, and while both of us started off with similar goals, hers has warped into something else entirely. With Rabczewska, Fahlström, and I no longer there to reel her in, my gut instinct tells me that she'll weaponize them and turn them against the Elders if they don't turn on her first," Hoffman concluded.

Adrian sighed. It appeared as though he may have traded one hellscape for another. It was just his luck that every god in existence seemed out to smite him and prevent him from obtaining happiness. However, this time he had willingly thrown himself into the fire with little place else to run. He regathered his thoughts and looked to Hoffman.

“With Vahlen gone, what is your goal now and where does that leave us?"

Hoffman again momentarily shifted his attention to the burgundy curtain, which still covered a good portion of the second half of the room. He tugged at his beard and then looked back.

“What it's always been: self-preservation as a species. And as for us." Hoffman outstretched one of his hands expectedly. “A transaction once agreed upon must still be honored in the end."

Adrian froze, remembering what he originally believed to be the reason that granted him safe passage to Terminus. A transaction was indeed agreed upon and he had risked his life to obtain it. But with Vahlen out of the picture, he was hesitant to hand it over to the other scientist, especially considering it could now be used as a literal bargaining chip at a later date.

“What do you intend to do with the psionic chip?"

“Make things right," Hoffman replied ominously.

“Care to elaborate on that response? This chip was promised to Dr. Vahlen before her departure. As much as I'd still like to honor that deal, I'd also like a clearer understanding of how you intend to use it, as they've been known to ruin lives in the past."

“I am abundantly aware of what they're capable of, Dr. Fairchild," Hoffman replied vehemently. “After all, I lost my wife and son because of them. But I also know that they could stand to save lives if we were to better understand the technology behind them. The psionic network may very well be the Elders' Achilles heel." The other man stretched out his hand further. “I fully intend to show you how I wish to utilize it, but an appraisal of the psionic chip is first required."

Adrian looked into Hoffman's eyes for signs of deceit but found none to speak of. Given the state of things, his offering could very well aid Terminus and the Resistance as a whole. However, it was also just as likely to blow up in his face. Nevertheless, a large part of him wanted to find a home within these labs, yet in order to accomplish that, he'd have to stay in good graces with Hoffman. He would have to take a chance, and with luck, nothing bad would come of it.

He sighed one last time and retrieved his wooden box from inside his pocket, pushing it across the desk's surface and towards Hoffman. The other man picked it up almost immediately but instead examined the container that the psionic chip had traveled in all this time. Upon seeing the worn hearts and the engraving on the back, Hoffman nodded his head in understanding.

“I now see what drove a man like you to our doorstep, you have my sincerest condolences. Perhaps one day we will avenge the fallen and take back our world. But until that time comes, the wolves must lie in the shadows."

With that, the jewelry box was placed back on the desk and its lid opened. The psionic chip soon found its way into one of Hoffman's palms. The other man then resealed and repositioned the wooden box in front of Adrian, choosing instead to transfer the chip onto another pedestal, which allowed for it to hover an inch or so in the air.

“It always amazed me how something this small could bring entire civilizations to their knees." Hoffman gave the chip a light tap that caused it to slowly spin about its vertical axis. “An entire network invisible to the naked eye yet still serving as the hand to bend its user to the will of the Elders."

“How much do you know about the psionic network?" Adrian inquired.

Hoffman shifted his attention up to the other scientist. “More than most, given that I had a hand in developing the chips, or more specifically the ones originally meant for Advent troopers. The one in front of us was no doubt meant for Advent's elite and the design has received subtle changes over the last couple of decades."

The personal remarks surprised Adrian, a reaction that caused Hoffman to smile and once again push himself against the back of his seat, seemingly finished with his appraisal of the chip.

“Like you, Dr. Fairchild, I once counted myself amongst Advent's upper echelon but was forced to flee due to allegations pinned against me, ones that have kept me confined to Terminus despite the fact that it has long since become my home. But enough of my past, I owe you an explanation on how I intend to make use of the chip."

Hoffman then switched his attention over to the black sphere that he'd used earlier on Rose.

“Truth be told, there was already a project in the works that was eventually meant to bear fruit on multiple fronts, and despite the scientific losses resulting from Vahlen's actions, much of my own research has already reached the prototype stage or I've managed to scavenge enough information to not be set back by a significant degree. The loss of subject Beta will prove troublesome, but we'll make do with what's been left to us."

The other scientist then moved the black sphere into his hand and held it out before them.

“As I stated before, much of my earlier research revolved around uncovering the secrets behind the Lost, or more specifically the technology that came to create and control them."

“Control them? I was under the impression that they were just mindless husks that resulted from the bioweapon used during the original invasion, which actually ended up being a wrinkle in the Elders' plan once they settled on Earth," Adrian responded.

Hoffman shook his head in response. “Not completely mindless, and one could consider their transformation a form of degenerative rampancy. The devices actually emit a mixture of adiabatic compressions and decompressions alongside trace psionic emissions. This confluence floods the host's system and the process begins almost immediately afterwards. A whisper forms in the back of their mind, migraines take hold, and the soothing voice slowly pulls the victim towards submission.

“Once the physical transformation is complete and if left alone, members of the Lost will seek out the activated device due to the sonic impulses and then section off into larger pods. Of course, this process can be interrupted by hijacking the 'signal' through either rudimentary means or the use of ultrasonic emittance."

“Rudimentary means?" Adrian asked.

Hoffman smirked at the question. “Set off a couple of explosions or bang a couple of trashcan lids together, whichever suits your fancy."

“That seems like a sure way to get yourself killed."

“Indeed, which is why we equip our sweepers with ultrasonic emitters, which was a technology that I developed over the years in direct response to lessons learned while traversing the surface. It was through the understanding of the mechanisms that control the Lost that we began to branch out and work towards developing derivative methods on another subset of organisms."

“Berserkers," Adrian surmised.

Hoffman nodded in response. “Of course, our goal shifted from a means of distraction to a means of submission. Interrupting a signal is rather elementary, manipulating it is where the real challenge lies. However, through my brilliance, alongside Simons and Harper's understanding of the mutonic template, we were able to develop the prototype that you now see in my hands and witnessed in action against Delta."

Given the dated equipment and resources on hand, Adrian was actually surprised at what the group of scientists had accomplished. After all, the Elders had developed the technology yet still seemed unable to eliminate the contagion. While it did serve as extra motivation to move people towards Advent city centers, it would have to be dealt with eventually. However, the technology was still small-scale and only seemed to send its intended target into a suspended state of paralysis.

“That's actually rather impressive. What is the functional range of such a device?"

The other man turned the device around and activated it, yet neither man heard the signals that it produced.

“Much like the alien device responsible for creating the Lost, this ultrasonic resonator is powered by elerium, which is unstable in nature and tends to fluctuate the strength of the device over time. I'm still refining the process but so far the results have been more than satisfactory, as you've rightfully expressed."

“Again, these scientific achievements are exemplary, Hoffman, but I fail to see how this is directly related to the psionic chip that I stole from Advent, or the viper's onset of rampancy for that matter."

The thought drew an ominous smile onto Hoffman's face. He deactivated the resonator and placed it back on its pedestal, moving it in its entirety across the desk and towards the small doctor sitting on the opposite side.

“This is not the only device that has been created inside these labs that work off of these principles. In fact, their primary function remains the same: to act as a transmitter meant to be decoded on the other side. And what such device decodes and disperses information to its user? Well, a receiver or in this case…"

Hoffman slid the second pedestal next to the first, resulting in the two devices hovering in place next to each other.

“A psionic chip."

The pit inside Adrian's stomach finally took form and the color slowly drained from his face.

“Dr. Hoffman, you can't possibly be suggesting the use of a psionic chip as a means of suppression."

“I don't intend to use the chip as a means of suppression, I intend to use it as a means of control. The next evolutionary step in terms of this technology is within reach and the events of this week have only given me further motivation to accelerate it."

“And if your reach exceeds your grasp? The potential blowback for attempting to hijack the psionic network after surgically implanting such a device into—"

“It has already been done and we are not hijacking the Elders' network, we are in the midst of creating our own. A localized network controlled through the harmonization of acoustic and psionic signals that originate from elerium crystals," Hoffman clarified.

“You state the impossible, such a thing has never been done outside of the Elders' umbrella of influence," Adrian denied.

“Impossible?" Hoffman scoffed. “You practically built your career on doing the impossible. While you were busy creating things that go bump in the night, we were developing methods to combat such creatures. The advances made inside these labs could very well turn Advent's forces against them."

“Or just get you killed in the process. Forgive me, Hoffman, but how is this goal any different from what Vahlen intends to do? From where I sit, you and Vahlen are one and the same."

“I'm nothing like that pretentious whore!" Hoffman slammed his fists on the desk, displacing both sphere and chip momentarily. Adrian had unintentionally found a crack in the other man's armor and the mask of composure slipped clean off.

“I-I didn't mean any offense, Hoffman. It's just what you're suggesting as a means of containment borders on insanity, even more so if you intend to combat the viper's rampancy through such methods. Trust me when I say that this road will only lead you to ruin," he pleaded to the other man, who was still in the midst of catching his breath after his outburst.

“No. Our methods are sound and have already shown promising results on the other test subjects. To slow down now would only serve as a detriment to our cause."

Hoffman swiped the psionic chip from its pedestal and moved towards the curtain, forcing Adrian to turn around and face him once again.

“Berserker test subjects, Hoffman. Rose is a viper and to think that you'd generate the same amount of success across species the first time is setting yourself up for failure," Adrian pleaded once more, realizing his verbal blunder too late.

The sinister smile returned once more as the other man placed his free hand on the divider.

“Who said Rose was to be the first?"

Hoffman then pushed the burgundy curtain to the opposite end of the room, revealing its entirety in the process. Sterile walls and epoxy floors once again juxtaposed worn rugs. However, this time there was a metal operating table on the far side, along with an array of medical tools meant to slice and cut.

A mass of yellow was propped up next to the operating table but was suspended in place and made no move to ensnare the man that stood before it.

“No…"

“Dr. Fairchild, I'd like you to meet subject Sigma. The first viper to undergo such testing," Hoffman declared with an exaggerated bow. “If we're talking on a first name basis, Sieglinde would be appropriate." The other man's eyes shined brighter than ever before.

Adrian immediately felt as though he were going to throw up but he somehow managed to hold himself together. For he now sat before another viper, her once reptilian eyes were replaced with glass ones and the rest of her body preserved for the rest of time. Both of her clawed hands were held together and balanced a silver platter with a lid over the top of it. She was dead and now served as decoration for the devil that claimed her in the afterlife.

“Why?!"

He already knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from the man who did it. And though he should have been numb to the loss of such a creature, his better half wouldn't allow it.

“Because the longest journey begins with a single step." Hoffman ran his free hand through the outermost edges of the viper's hood, much in the same manner that he had done to Rose earlier that morning. “Vahlen wasn't the only one who kept others in the dark, but mine was ultimately for a higher cause. Sieglinde's death will allow Rose to live on and maybe one day allow others to as well."

Hoffman then lifted the lid on the platter, revealing what looked to be a heavily modified psionic chip—her chip.

“We found her patrolling alone up above. Funny enough, her chip proved to be dysfunctional, which only added another layer of complications on my end. Regardless, she approached our sweepers directly and willingly surrendered. I was notified immediately afterwards and the viper was smuggled into these labs. She was perfect and served her role to a tee."

“You willingly introduced adverse mutations into her system and plugged her into your network?" Adrian tried his best to hide the disgust in his voice.

“In stages until she sadly succumbed to the physical limitations of her body. Are you questioning my methods?"

“No, I'm questioning the very state of the man behind them."

Hoffman placed the lid back over the other psionic chip and scoffed.

“I took you for a man of science."

“And I took you for a man of integrity. Even still, conducting such tests resulted in your patient's death, I'd hardly consider that a success. Even if it could be considered one by your metrics, performing such tests on a stock-standard variant does not guarantee success on a highly modified subspecies of viper. You are rolling the dice and will likely come up with snake eyes."

“So you keep saying, doctor, but we've had measurable success across each and every berserker test subject. Besides, you already know the link between the two subspecies, Dr. Fairchild, your research suggested as much, so don't make me have to say it out loud," Hoffman countered.

“She may be a scientific progenitor that led to their creation, but that doesn't mean that—"

“The methods that were used to create Delta were the same ones used to create berserkers; Rose is the viper equivalent of a berserker, even where rampancy is concerned," Hoffman interjected.

“Furthermore, you have no right to judge me or my methods, not after the things that you've done in your time with Advent. How many men, women, and children died and still die every day because your creations are allowed to roam the streets? If you can sit there and justify that, then I can stand here and justify sacrificing one lowly viper in order to save one that may as well be the last of its kind. We are on the same side here, Adrian; I need you to see that."

Adrian looked to the psionic chip still in Hoffman's hands. “Please Hoffman, there is still time to listen to reason here. There are failsafes in place, and if you were to unintentionally connect to the psionic network, the asset protection protocols would take over and a lot of people could die. Even if you were to circumnavigate the device, the likelihood that you'll kill her outright far outweighs the chance that you'll save her."

“Which would bring me great pain, because despite what you may think of me, I do not wish to bring ill will towards Delta. Because just like your research, she has proved to be a boon to our medical advances and has saved countless lives in the past. Unlike the major, I do not wish for that to end anytime soon—I want Delta to survive."

“Then find another way."

“With the timeline that you've provided to me, there may not be another way. However, I'm always open to other options, so the floor is yours, Dr. Fairchild. Point me to the promise land."

The floor was indeed his but he had nothing in the way of another solution. What Hoffman was proposing was something that couldn't possibly work. A bastardized version of the psionic network, which in of itself chewed through its Advent soldiers over time.

The Elders were immensely powerful and their technology left those connected suffering from everything ranging from psionic shock to completed electrical shutdown of the brain if inadequate shielding was being outputted by the chip, which had an expiration date of its own. There were so many variables and so many ways for things to go horribly wrong, yet Adrian would have no way of knowing if a better solution even existed until he looked at Rose's genetic code, which would pull him right back into the world that he had claimed that he wanted to leave for good.

“I would have to look at Delta's genetics myself and even then, I couldn't guarantee an alternative solution," Adrian answered truthfully. He then felt his former cowardice take hold. “What…would be her state of mind should your method find success? Would she be aware or…be something else?"

Hoffman once again placed a hand on the viper's hood. “So far, our network primes the mind to suggestions and blocks out certain negative emotions, most notably those associated with anger and rage. She would live a comfortable life without any pain and be at least semi-aware of the world around her. Cognitive ability would of course be inhibited, but she would be the equivalent of man's best friend in terms of undying loyalty."

“She would live the life of a vegetable. That isn't living, Hoffman, that's just surviving."

Tired of running…

“But a well-cared-for vegetable. She avoids death by firing squad, Terminus gets the medical supplies that it desperately needs, and we continue to develop the technology that came to save her life in the first place."

Tired of hiding…

“And Rooker?"

Hoffman took his hand off the viper and turned back to Adrian. “Will fall in line or be left behind once both the captain and the major come to the same conclusion that we have. You owe that man nothing and owe yourself everything in assisting Terminus ensure the safety of its borders. I plan on compiling my evidence and presenting it to them once Fahlström and the mad dog return."

He was just so damn tired.

Perhaps Hoffman was right. After all, Rose's quality of life was not worth going against the entirety of Terminus. He needed to start over, and he now sat before the man that could make all of that happen. He only hoped that he could suppress the memories with time.

The other scientist made his way back to the winding desk. “So what's it going to be, Dr. Fairchild? Are you on the side of humanity or the side that wishes to unravel the very fabric of what it means to be human? There's a home for you here, you just need to reaccept the price that comes with scientific progress."

Coward…

Hoffman placed the psionic chip back into its holder and repositioned both of the pedestals to allow room for his outstretched hand to fit between them.

Coward…

“Join my team and I'm sure that one day we'll be able to not only secure Terminus' borders but also aid a strengthened Resistance that could very well contend for the crown that is Earth." Hoffman's eyes continued to glow in the ambient light.

Coward.

Adrian momentarily looked at the hand sitting in front of him. Another transaction to be struck that would hopefully set him up for life. He would be safe from them, which was all that mattered. In a final moment of weakness, Adrian then chose to slowly extend his own hand with the intent of shaking the other man's—

A set of heavy knocks came from the office door, breaking his train of thought and causing the doctor to pull back his hand on instinct. Hoffman's former smile morphed into a frown.

“Damn it. That must be the food. They took their sweet time piecing something together for you. Wait there while I answer the door and confirm if this is indeed the case."

With that, Hoffman moved to contend with the interruption, leaving Adrian to stare at his opened hand. His mind was a mess and the civil war that raged within proved overwhelming. There had to be another way, he just knew it. After all, if he was indeed joining forces with Hoffman, he'd probably get a chance to look at Rose's genetic code anyways, at least if he could convince the other scientist that his set of eyes could create a clearer picture.

Maybe playing both sides was an option, at least until he knew what he was dealing with. Adrian then looked down at the wooden box that hadn't moved since Hoffman had repositioned it to his side. Perhaps there was still time for all parties to make it out of this in one piece? He was a coward but he wasn't powerless. He just wished that his mind wasn't so—

“It just occurred to me that I never asked you how you wanted your eggs prepared. I much prefer sunny-side up, but it would appear that for you they just went scrambled."

A platter of eggs with two strips of bacon was then slid across the desk and towards the doctor, compelling him to pick up his wooden box in order to make room. Hoffman then made a move to finish what he had started but this time chose to tower over Adrian by standing directly next to him. Doctor Fairchild looked at the outstretched hand and then back at his nightingale's jewelry box.

Hoffman's eyes also shifted to Adrian's sanctuary. “Think of this as the first meal of many. Afterwards, we may even be able to find you a warm bed to call your own. We can't change the past, but if we choose to live in the present, then we stand a better chance of defining the future. They can't touch you anymore."

It would've been so much easier to give in and say yes right then and there. In fact, he almost did so just a minute or so prior. However, Adrian's second half refused to let him fold just yet. He shifted his attention back to Hoffman's hand.

“Before…I decide on anything or pledge my support to the project, I'd like to see a demonstration of your network firsthand. Given what you've shown me so far, I'm sure that it will impress and you'll have my backing in the end. However, I need to be sure that you're a man of your word."

Hoffman's hand curled into a fist but a smile betrayed the gesture. “You're learning how things work around here, doctor. I must say, it's refreshing to have to work for my meal. After all, the wolf on the hill is not as hungry as the wolf climbing said hill."

The other scientist then positioned the psionic chip back into his hands, moving to the wall safe on the other side of the room. “I'll fetch Dr. Harper and request that he give you a demonstration inside my personal containment area." Hoffman then fetched what looked to be a protective case, placing the chip inside afterwards and finally locking the safe. “I'm afraid that there's still much to do as far as getting these labs back in working order, so I'll be unable to join you two during the demo. Regardless, I'll take care of the heavy lifting while you finish up your meal in the meantime."

Hoffman shifted directions and strode towards one of the bookcases behind his desk, pulling out what looked to be a record, its cardboard jacket worn from use and placed out of view after the other man removed the vinyl from its protective cover. He then positioned himself in front of a vintage phonograph.

“Some music to listen to while I'm away. I trust that you won't mind? After all, I've always found that it promotes scientific ingenuity."

“I…guess that I wouldn't mind. Music will at the very least fill the void until you return," Adrian answered.

A smile returned to Hoffman's face. “Fantastisch! Now, I have a particular soft spot for European opera. And say what you want about the Elders, they do have a knack for poaching masters of the trade. He then placed the record on the turntable and moved the tonearm next to the first set of grooves. “I've no doubt that you'll enjoy this one, because it was as if she was plucked from Sirenum scopuli itself."

Hoffman then released the tonearm and walked toward his office door. “Oh, and this stays between us, doctor; neither Rooker nor Fahlström are to be informed about what we've just discussed until I've compiled my data. I don't want anyone jumping to conclusions and causing another accident. Be seeing you soon, Adrian."

The other scientist then snaked his way through the door and left Adrian alone in the office. The sound of silence was soon filled by the steady stream of orchestra strings coming from the phonograph. A woman's voice then penetrated through the symphonic mist, calling out to him as though he were adrift at sea. Lost, taking on water, and with no way of making it back home, yet also not alone in the world.

Adrian then turned to take hold of the record jacket left on top of the desk, turning it over to see beautiful flowers embellishing its borders. All were the same color and the same type—red amaryllis.

The woman continued to call out to him, and he knew her by name.

His amaryllis.

His nightingale.

His Adeline.

But the tremors soon returned and he was left to seek refuge inside his wooden sanctuary as the memory returned. While the structure was lighter now, it still managed to hold back the swells that threatened to capsize him into the void of his subconsciousness. However, he soon found himself abandoning his boat and walking across the very waters that separated him from his songbird.

Each step resulted in another quake, but the waters had yet to swallow him whole and her beautiful song neared ever closer. He had long since forgotten about his meal. After all, it didn't matter anymore, because he had already lost his appetite and now sought something else. He just wanted her back in his arms, to feel the warmth of her body against his, and to know that they each had something to look forward to once the sun set across the horizon.

His heart ached for her.

He was so close now, he just needed to outstretch his hand and surely—the woman's voice suddenly disappeared beneath the waves and the heavy mist lifted soon after. Adrian then found himself in front of the phonograph and back inside Hoffman's office—he currently held the tonearm in his hand, its needle raised above the grooves in the vinyl.

She was gone, but the pain that he felt was still very real.

Adrian then turned towards the viper in the other corner of the room, which was still held in suspension and staring into the very depths of his soul. Red had been replaced with blue. They…

The Pilot

…called to him and burned with the same intensity as though he was standing before them. Azure eyes that cut through the morning haze and locked him in their powerful gaze. As the unanswered questions boiled to the surface, Rooker was left hanging by a thread. Sins of the past exposed to the crisp autumn air and he soon heard a musical chime drill into the very depths of his skull.

He had the penthouse on the opposite side of the river on lockdown and the ebony viper in his sights. Her feathers and jagged crown blew in the stiff breeze. A series of dorsal fins and sharp spikes lined her body. And though she was monstrous, his mind forced him to relive the final moments before he strangled the life out of the viper that had killed his parents. Then it went to Rose…his Rose.

He closed his eyes and then made his decision. The music in his head died and his hands steadied.

As the serpent finally moved to reposition herself and her azure eyes came to stare directly down his scope, the pilot opened his own and moved his finger from outside of the trigger guard.

“I'm sorry."

Rooker squeezed the trigger and then felt the recoil of the large sniper rifle take over. Its silver-tipped salvo left the barrel in equal measure and accelerated towards its target, intending to send the devil itself packing in a burst of flames.