The moment I awoke from the inky blackness of another dreamless sleep, I was instantly aware that something was wrong. The stark metal around me was unfamiliar and decidedly unfriendly. A growing sense of panic enveloped me, and I wasted no time in dragging myself into a standing position. A dizzy spell was quick to envelop me, but I continued to stand, precariously keeping my balance. Now fully upright, I took in my surroundings. Around me, there was nothing but those alien-looking walls, staring back at me with a kind of cold hostility.

My feet were like lead weights, but I continued to drag them along the floor. A squeaking sound echoed from the floor, reminding me of a gymnasium. I reached out a shaky hand to touch the wall, and brushed my fingers across the cold, harsh metal. To my surprise, a robotic voice began speaking, the reverberating voice booming from where I assumed to be somewhere in the ceiling.

"Good morning, test subject, and welcome to GeneCorps. You have been in stasis for fourteen hours. Please proceed to the nearest exit for processing."

The wall began to disassemble before my eyes, the sleek panels sliding back and revealing a white hallway. With no other way out, I proceeded down the hallway slowly. The gears in my head were finally starting to turn, but the answers still frustratingly eluded me. Test subject? GeneCorps? What's going on here?

My train of thought was interrupted by the return of the robotic voice. "Test subject. Please increase your pace. We at GeneCorps would prefer to get to work as soon as we can for the good of science."

At my feet, a path of miniature lights began activating, pointing the way to the hallway's exit. Forcing my legs to move faster, I followed the illuminated path until eventually the hallway ended, opening up into a bustling laboratory. Scientists in long, flowing lab coats hurried around as if they had pressing business to attend to, which they likely did. One of the taller scientists turned his head and noticed me, his eyes widening. He made several frantic motions to his colleagues that I didn't understand, but suddenly every face in the lab was turned toward me. Feeling self-conscious, I looked down and realized I was in nothing but my underwear, but it seemed that wasn't what had intrigued the researchers so much.

I half expected the robotic voice to return, the monotone voice giving me some kind of directions, but instead a lone scientist stepped forward. He was rather short and scruffy-looking; his lab coat having several stains and tears. "Test subject. You must be wondering why you're here, no?"

My voice was nowhere to be found, so I simply nodded. A spark of passion entered the man's eyes as he began talking. "You should be proud! We chose you and you alone to undergo the upgrade!"

I must have had a look of puzzlement on my face. The scientist grunted in annoyance; not at me, but at his colleagues. It was as if he was trying to say See? I told you this would happen. He turned back to me, a sympathetic look plastered on his greasy face. "Oh. Right. They haven't told you anything yet! Don't worry. All will be revealed in due time. As you wait, reflect back on your life. Think of how pathetic and weak normal humans are. You, on the other hand, will be made… perfect."

The sense of dread that had been forming in my mind was coming to a boil. These men are clearly insane. I have to find a way out of here! I noticed my arms were beginning to shake slightly, though whether it was out of fear or panic I had no idea. The researchers began to disperse, retrieving supplies and preparing machines. I turned to run back the way I came, but the entrance to the hallway abruptly slammed shut.

The robotic voice returned, sounding almost human now. "There is no escape, test subject. GeneCorps invites you to embrace your new destiny." Eyes wide, I peered around, but either the scientists were ignoring the voice… or I was the only one who could hear it.

It looked as if there was no way out. Defeated, I slumped against the sterile white wall. Thoughts began racing through my mind, taking wild and graphic guesses at what tortures awaited me. I closed my eyes, trying to block out those horrendous thoughts, but I found a hand on my shoulder. "Test subject," said a dark-skinned female researcher, gently removing her hand from my shoulder. "It's time to begin the operation."

I was led like a horse into a small operation room. The first thing I noticed was a series of tools which seemed better suited to repairing a roof than operating on a human. The female researcher asked me kindly to lie down on the operating table, which I complied with. She proceeded to leave the room, and all was silent for a moment. I wondered what could be going on outside, when suddenly a metallic clang punctuated the quiet atmosphere. Two metal rings snapped around my wrists, and after a short pause, the same happened to my ankles. I was alone and trapped, at the mercy of GeneCorps.