Disclaimer: I do not own Noblesse.
Author's note: The next chapter is out! Since it is so short, I plan to post the next one rather soon. In the meantime, any M-21 fans of you can amuse yourselves with my oneshot "Wire and Wolf" if you like. It's in no way connected to this story, so it's just an extra I was in the mood to write^^.
Chapter 10: The things that we do
An hour before dawn
on a winter day's night
I woke and rose in the dark
So many my sins
and so blackened my heart
that I didn't know who I was
The things that we do
in the merciful night
oh how ugly they seem in the sun
Unseeing we walk
all innocent born
from heaven straight down to hell
How could we live
so sorrowless still
if others knew our soul
Thus masks we wear all
day after day
till ourselves start the lie to believe
So that is why I
to save me from harm
have lost and forgotten my self
But in the shadows all's grey
and the night shows us all
true and unveiled as we are
In the night I found out who I am
and the stars whispered soundless of sin
Hyun Ae stared at the monitors. Her eyes wandered over the columns of numbers and data displayed on them. The unmoving green line of the ECG. The alarms resounded shrilly in her ears. She shut them out.
This time it was number 67. She had learned some time ago, that it was counterproductive to give them names. It only made things harder.
She had really hoped for this one to survive. He had meant to be a human-ape hybrid, which should have been easier since the genome was already similar in many aspects. Yet it just did not work out.
A thought flashed through Hyun Ae's head. She had considered this option as soon as she heard that they were doing research on hybrids. Yet it was unthinkable to use that. Dangerous, even.
But if I use only a very small part of it?, she asked herself. It might even get me Doctor Crombel's attention if I manage to produce a hybrid that stays alive. And I could prevent another useless death.
But wouldn't death sometimes be preferable?, a small voice in the back of her head contemplated. She tuned it down. She had made her decision.
"Incredibly sorry Cannot make up for what I've done Used a part of M-21's sequence Subject survived Heard rumor of project called Pandora Trying to find out more"
"This is bad", said Frankenstein, as soon as everybody had read the new message.
"I don't really mind", said M-21, shrugging.
The blonde shook his head. "You don't understand. This could become really dangerous. If Crombel finds even the slightest hint of a connection to you he will suspect Doctor Choi. Let's hope for now that she covered her traces expertly."
Everyone had been ecstatic when one of the subjects, Hyun Ae still tried to refer to them as 'patients' in her head, though it sounded more and more like mockery, survived more than the usual week and seemed in stable condition.
Against her will, Hyun Ae was caught up in the excited mood and was even more pleased with herself, when she was told that Doctor Crombel wanted to see her in his office.
Her heart thumped heavily when she was standing before the door. She knew that this was a decisive moment and she must not give herself away. She drew a deep breath and stepped in.
"Ah, Doctor Choi", he greeted her and offered a seat. It was her first meeting him and she found that he was an impressive man, gray-haired but with a seemingly strong and healthy body, sharp eyes behind his glasses piercing into her.
"Doctor Crombel", she replied and nodded politely before sitting down. "You wanted to see me?"
"You worked out the sequence for R-82, or so I hear. It is the first promising result since we started this study. You are a talented scientist, Doctor Choi."
"Thank you for the praise, Doctor Crombel", replied Hyun Ae and felt honored against her will.
He's the enemy! she scolded herself mentally. He experiments on people! ...But so do I.
"Seeing your potential I have thought about assigning you to a new project", he continued, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving her face. "Of course you can refuse my offer and continue working on the hybrid experiments, but I think the matter might interest you. It is called 'Project Pandora' and we are doing research on a very interesting specimen. I will give you access to the corresponding files. Do tell me whether you are interested or not, Doctor Choi."
"I surely will", replied Hyun Ae. "Thank you for your trust in my abilities, sir." She slightly bowed her head and left the room.
Doctor Crombel pushed his glasses up his nose and smiled.
Note: How do you like my Crombel? Is he evil enough? As always, I love you all and those who review even more!