Crash Bandicoot 4:
Wrath of the Enemy
Prologue: A Weapon of Carnage
Cortex wrung his hands, his nervous condition worsening at every turn. He had a failure list that trailed farther than his arm, and he was unsure that Uka would spare him from his punishment this time. He paced, feeling thoroughly defeated and dejected. N. Gin, a few steps away, watched the doctor with wary eyes. Cortex didn't even acknowledge his existence as he marched past him. Concealed in the shadows now, Cortex paused, and stood still for one moment. A second later, Cortex smashed his fist on a nearby machine, motionless as the metallic clang echoed throughout the chamber. N. Gin shrunk away as he heard a horrible noise that may have been laughter rattle from the aging doctor.
"Doctor Cortex, are you alright?"
Cortex ignored his question for the moment, and began to march again. Now any onlooker would believe the good doctor to have finally descended into insanity, just as his colleague did, and yet this was not the case. Cortex was just as sane as he had been when he first created the creature that haunted every waking moment. The monstrosity that should be so easy to destroy and yet at the same time was impossible to kill. Cortex inhaled deeply, expanding his lungs so it felt as though his ribs would crumble. Cortex tilted his head. His misfortune was about to change. Cortex straightened his immaculate white coat, and then turned toward N. Gin.
"In which cycle is the abomination?"
N. Gin hesitated for a moment, as if unable to compute his question. And indeed it was probable that he couldn't. Cortex never knew what was whirring within those darting gyros, but N. Gin still seemed competent enough, and us such, remained useful. N. Gin recovered from his spell.
"I believe, Doctor, he is still in the process of succumbing to the serum. It seems he is resiliently rejecting the mind influencing concoction, which is quite staggering really."
Cortex chuckled low in his throat.
"Of course he is rejecting it you nearsighted twit. He was created to be a true warrior that obeys its master. If he had absolved his struggle directly I would know he was not fit for this position."
N. Gin looked quite exhausted, and although half of his face was cased in a metal overlay, his human eye appeared regretful. Cortex snorted. Why did it seem that all his fellow scientists were squeamish cowards? Of course Cortex's latest creation had not had the easiest existence, yet on Cortex's part there were no regrets. As long as his new experiment proved itself when the time came.
"Doctor, may I remind you that this creature is atrociously dangerous. I fear that if he does succumb to the serum, when released he may retain the memory of you and what you…"
Cortex grinned. Yes, the creature hated him, that much was clear. Yet it didn't matter if he despised Cortex or not, he would still obey his commands.
"Do not bother wasting your breath. I am already aware of this, and I have no fear that once his mind has been twisted, he'll have no choice but to obey me. This you can count on."
N. Gin bowed his head. "As you say, Doctor."
Cortex wandered over to the window of his new and improved space station, and ran his fingers down the glass carefully. Once the creature's loyalty was secured, Cortex would have a plan to lie before Uka Uka, and perhaps then the menacing mask would forget the repercussions he swore to lay on Cortex. Cortex shuttered slightly, but masked it from N. Gin as he dropped his shoulders.
"Ironic, isn't it, that although I despise bandicoots with a passion, that my newest weapon has proved to be the strongest my experiments, and is in fact the same species."
Cortex smiled crookedly. To a degree.
"What do you wish me to do with the bandicoot, Doctor?"
Cortex stroked his beard, not out of thoughtfulness, but it was a gesture he habited when he was growing impatient.
"When you come back into this chamber, I want that animal's obedience in my complete control. Do you understand me?"
N. Gin muttered an affirmative and scurried out of the room. Cortex exhaled carefully through his mouth, closing his eyes for a fraction to calm his rising tension. The final piece of the plan was almost locked in place, which was quite desirable. Apparently it had been a better idea to conceal the creation, keeping it a source of vital leverage against the powerful spirit. Suddenly, an infuriated roar rumbled through the lab, and Cortex felt himself wince. Progress on taming the beast was slow, but the results of the tests were pleasing. Nothing could stop him once the animal was under his control. Cortex dropped the hand he realized was still resting on the window. He glared down at the planet with a heated vengeance, and his mouth twisted back into what could have been a grin but was far too menacing to ever be so.
"Enjoy your last days of freedom Bandicoot. It will not last, I promise you that."