Bloop...Bloop...A liquid substance of unknown quantity glubbed periodically within a lit pod, small and large bubbles floating hesitantly to the lid. The occasional beeps and boops of machines echoed through the darkness of the room, a black shroud consuming all that was not the glowing peridot light emiting itself from the pod; the darkness seemed to retreat from such a blissful light. The steps of a boot chimed across the tiled floor, and they made a sudden halt upon approaching the pod.
"Finally...after so long, he's only moments away from total completion!"
A slight gleam shined upon the surface of an elderly man's jet-black glasses, and it glistened to the glass of the pod. A grin lit across the man's face as his eyes focused their gaze on the test subject sleeping silently inside.
"You are ultimate power. You are ultimate life. You surpass all hopes for this time. You are absolute perfection!"
His arms rose above his head, and he glanced higher to the ceiling.
"Soon, you will come to life...and you will show the world the true extent of our genius!"
Beep beep! Beep beep! The sound echoed from a nearby machine, and a voice was heard coming from a speaker beside it. "Professor Gerald, is everything ready?"
The man approached the machine and bent down to reply.
"Yes. I believe so. Have everyone come into the lab at once."
"Are you sure, Professor? It could still be disfunctional upon release-"
"Now, now. He is not an it. This is a living being. Not a machine."
"Ah, yes, of course. My apologies, Professor."
He laughed. "Not at all. Now, go get everyone. I'm about ready to release him."
"Sir, what about your granddaughter, Maria?"
"Bring her, too. I would like her to meet the newest addition to our family."
"Understood." The voice disappeared with the press of a button, and the professor turned back to face the pod. He lit with a smile.
"Yes...Our newest family member."
No more than five minutes later, every staff member at SciLab was in that one room. The light flickered on, illuminating the entirety of the large area. It was believed that most-if not all-of the "major" tests and experiments were to be conducted within this one single laboratory. Numerous men in freshly-cleaned black tuxedos were standing near the professor, and the rest were drenched in formal white labcoats. There was a girl-no more than 18-standing beside the professor, and he slowly yet surely escorted her closer to the pod. She expended the effort to raise her right hand, and it slowly placed itself upon the surface of the glass pod.
"This is..." Her eyes widened, the shade of sapphire gleaming in unison with the shimmer from within the pod.
The professor smiled warmly at her enthusiasm. "Yes. This is the newest member of our family here, at SciLab."
"He looks so...empty."
"Yes, well, he's yet to awaken, my dear! Once we release him, he will become one of us-a living, breathing human!"
She glanced over to the professor. "Grandfather, how can you be so sure of that?"
"Hmm? You doubt my scientific genius?"
"No, nothing like that. I just...I don't see how a project could become something so...well, sophisticated."
"Oh-ho? Dearest Maria, humans are not as sophisticated as you may have been lead to believe. True, we are very complex and sometimes confusing creatures, but this project will not only prove that our technology can create human life, but it will also prove that ultimate power-power that surpasses anything human life could ever comprehend-can also be created by the hands of man."
"Ultimate power...?" She glanced back at the project sealed within the pod. "This thing...possesses ultimate power? Isn't that something we need to restrain him for? I mean, you can't just allow that kind of destructive potential to roam freely around the world, Grandfather!"
"Yes, yes, I know. He will stay here with you and I, in SciLab, under constant surveilance."
"I...But still..."
"Are you scared of him, Maria?"
"To be honest...Yes. A little."
He laughed. "Maria, you needn't be so concerned! I guarantee your safety. If anything, Shadow will be here to protect you."
She nodded slowly. "I...If you say so, Grandfather."
"Now, be nice to him when he awakens! He may be a project-a creation-but he will also be able to think and feel on his own. The first thing SciLab has ever created that has that kind of capability."
"Y...Yes, sir."
"Gerald, if I may," spoke a tuxedo-drenched man from behind them. Gerald and Maria turned to face the voice.
"What is it?"
"This...thing you're making. You understand that it is only possible because of our funding, yes?"
"Yes. And I trust YOU understand that we have already given you your compensation for such efforts?"
"Yes, well...should anything go wrong with this 'project' of yours, I'm afraid we won't be able to supply you with any kind of funds for replacement or repair purposes."
"I'm not worried about my creation breaking down or being destroyed, or anything that could possibly happen to him. He is the ultimate life form, and as such, I have turned him into the perfect creature."
"If you say so, Gerald."
"Now, then." He turned to face the pod once again, placing his hand on a small lever on a machine near him. Pulling down on the lever, the water that filled the pod slowly started to drain itself, and the glass slowly separated to reveal a gap. Eventually, it was completely gone, and the creature within managed to step outside of it. He had the appearance of an 18 year-old man, his facial features being so young and creamy. His hair was a nightly shade of black, spiked in different directions with bright streaks of red at the tips. Upon his chest, there was a uniquely-crafted crest in the shape of some kind of symbol. Its meaning was a mystery, but it seemed to be embedded into his flesh. His body was covered with simple, shaggy clothes of a khaki tint, and they seemed far too large for him to fully slip into. He would have to grow about two sizes larger if it was going to fit him.
"Yes! He's finally alive!" exclaimed Gerald.
The experiment stepped slowly over to Maria and Gerald, his eyes still shut tight. Maria glanced at them, and within moments, they slowly crept open, showing her something that somewhat terrified her. His eyes were a beautiful hint of garnet, but they were completely barren of any type of emotion. It was as if she was staring into the eyes of an empty vessel, one that possesses colossal power and terrifying capabilities.
"Grandfather! This is..."
"Yes, Maria! He's finally awake! He's ready!"
Gerald walked slowly over to the experiment, and he gently placed his hands on its shoulders, smiling widely at it. It did not smile back, and it did not even hazard a guess as to lift its head up to acknowledge his creator. The professor turned swiftly to face those who were waiting for his big announcement.
"Everyone! This is the moment we have waited years for! The very first artifical life form, created by SciLab, with the power to think and act on its own accord. The future of our company, and the future of technology, all gathered into one!"
Diabolical thoughts circled through the heads of the corporate men-the men in the black tuxedos. Of course, it was obvious what they would have to do, in order for their own corporation to expand and flourish. They would need to gain complete custody of this experiment. One way, or the other.
"Everyone! I give you...Shadow! The ultimate life form!"