Chapter 6
Tech carefully picked up the glass slide and placed it in an analysis machine.
"Computer, give me a full molecular level scan on this substance sample."
The computer went to work on analysing the sample. An enlarged image of a genetic DNA structure came up on the screen.
"It resembles human DNA, but…altered with fluid properties. And there are traces of some unknown chemical."
Tech paused in thought for a moment.
"The mutagen-14 formula! Could this be mutated human DNA from someone dosed with it? Perhaps my impersonator can shape-shift! Which explains how he or she took on my appearance."
Tech inspected the molecular structure screen image closely again.
"Judging by the minimal residual levels of the unrecognised chemical, I'd say it's been in this tissue sample for a long while. Whoever this sample originated from wasn't contaminated by the chemical within the last week that's for certain, so it couldn't have gotten into this person after the theft of the M-14. This person had to have been exposed to the chemical at least about 6 months ago."
Tech's eyes widened as another realisation hit him.
"And 6 months ago was about the time that research on the M-14 formula was halted by the ACS!"
Tech immediately began hacking into the Acme Science Council's computer records again. He accessed the M-14 experimental records and fell upon a disturbing discovery.
"Research was terminated soon after the fatality of one of the scientists! Dr. Alana Aquarius, she was caught in an accidental explosion that resulted from an unexpected and unstable reaction of the mutagen during one of the testing trials. Her body was never recovered though. There was no sign of her after the accident, so she was assumed dead."
Tech regarded a photo of Dr. Aquarius on the screen. She had short, light-brown hair, cut close to her head, and watery-blue eyes, a very normal-looking woman. Tech tapped his weary forehead lightly as he tried to think back to a few months ago.
"This news never made it out to the public, which means the police may never have been aware of this incident half a year ago either! If that's the case, I think I can guess why. The ACS is a major and highly respected scientific organisational body. Their reputation would be compromised if news of such an accident resulting in a death were to come to the light of public attention."
Tech picked up the remainder of the dark red liquid sample left in the glass vile, staring at it grimly.
"And if this is all that's left of Dr. Aquarius now, she'll likely want vengeance. She'll be out for their blood."
An expression of regret came over Tech's face.
"I wish I'd never given them my 'DNA Stabilizer' all that time ago."
Tech turned back to the computer screen.
"So if Aquarius is the one behind the M-14 theft from last night, what's she going to do with it?"
Tech's eyes fell upon an announcement notice on the ACS computer records.
"There's an annual general meeting of all the Science Council members tomorrow evening. That's it! Aquarius might be planning to exact her revenge then! She'll strike all her former employers and colleagues in one fell swoop with the stolen M-14!"
Tech's expression hardened.
"I'll have to get to the ACS head building tomorrow night to stop her. I just hope I can do it before either the police or Ace and the others find me again."
Meanwhile, back at Loonatics' HQs, Ace is pacing up and down the central command room with his hands behind his back in an obviously bothered manner. Slam and Duck are seated, and Lexi is leaning on a railing watching Ace's pacing worriedly. Rev is absent.
"Ace, it's no good getting yourself so worked up." Lexi commented gently.
Ace stopped and faced her.
"He actually fought with us Lex! If that ain't proof that he's gone haywire, then I don't know what is! And with that stolen chemical, who knows what Tech is planning to do! He could be building a bomb with it for all we know! The whole city could be under threat!"
"And he has been pretty good at whupping our butts in our last two encounters with him." Duck added sulkingly.
Slam nodded in agreement with Duck.
Lexi cast Duck an annoyed glance. "You're not helping Duck."
"He's right Lex." Ace agreed seriously. "Tech's always been prepared for us."
"Then-we'll-have-to-be-prepared-for-him!"
Ace and the others turned to see Rev entering the room, carrying a gun launcher of some sort.
"This-circuitry-scrambler-launcher-from-Tech's-lab-should-take-out-that-battle-suit-of-his."
"Good idea Rev! We'll use his own technology against him!" Ace agreed. "Now we sit and wait for the fox to come outta his hole."