Epilogue

The observation room was now as silent as a tomb. In order to watch the data feeds from Alyssa's test Griffin had shooed all of the staff out so he could be in peace. Watching as Alyssa skilfully avoided the lasers in a confined space proved entertaining but Griffin knew very well the girl's heightened reflexes would allow her to progress to the next stage of the test with ease. Still he watched as Alyssa entered stage two, just like her clones, she was cautious when walking inside the lavishly decorated surroundings, keeping her handgun slightly raised.

The three Viserators in the room had locked onto Alyssa the moment she entered and immediately began their method of attack. Alyssa's mode of counteracting her foe's assault was creative and aggressive. Griffin watched in fascination as Alyssa destroyed one Viserator by shooting bolts of electricity at it. Such a spectacle of power Griffin thought in awe as the smoking robot crashed to the ground. How strong you've grown, so confident with your abilities.

Suddenly the other two Viserators dove towards Alyssa at different angles and opened fire. It seemed that the girl was oblivious to the unexpected attack and crouched on the floor with her arms wrapped around her head in a defensive position. What happened next shocked Griffin yet at the same time made him smile. It happened so fast yet the effect of it was powerful.

As the two Viserators opened fire at the vulnerable Alyssa, the bullets appeared to hit an invisible wall and fall harmlessly to the ground. Alyssa seemed to be shocked as well, yet managed to keep the barrier up when both machines shot at her again. Pausing the video feed Griffin rewound it to the precise moment the barrier had come into being while searching for any sign to indicate its sudden appearance. When the Viserators closed in Alyssa had clenched her left hand. Seeing this Griffin sat back in the chair smiling, Such a magnificent being you've become Alyssa.

When Alyssa finished off the two remaining robots with a combination of her telekinetic abilities and weapons it caused Griffin to turn away while feeling a mild sense of frustration, Perhaps if she'd been disarmed the test would have been different, no matter Alyssa seems to have a perfect balance between using her ability and primitive weaponry.

After the first batch of clones had been created Griffin had tossed around the idea of arming them for the tests. He had allowed one of the earlier clones to 'find' a handgun in one of the draws of the bedroom setting but the results were disastrous. Due to clone's blank and naive nature, the gun had somehow backfired several times into their upper torso killing the clone in a matter of minutes.

Besides I only want the strongest, those that have abilities closest to the original Griffin thought as he watched Alyssa flee from a pack of Interceptors.

The door to the observation room opened and the sound of steel capped shoes clicking across the metal surface echoed throughout. Turning around quickly Griffin was surprised to find a serious faced Henry who was holding a few pieces of paper in his hands while breathing heavily.

"What is it Henry? Can't you see I'm very busy" Griffin replied wearily.

At first Henry didn't say anything, then he shoved the papers he was holding towards Griffin, "This is something the committee should know about"

Without even glancing at the papers Griffin only sighed, "Enlighten me"

"But aren't you going to…"

"I find it easier if you told me Henry unless you've forgotten it already" Griffin said cutting Henry off.

"The blood sample you took earlier has entered its infectious stage"

Griffin didn't need further explanation to know what Henry had said, "Which one?"

Henry's face remained serious as he shifted uneasily, "I think you already know Dr Griffin"

Picking up the small pile of stapled papers from his lap Griffin flicked through them, "How long ago did this happen?"

"Four hours ago after the sample was taken from the subject, the process was slow at first but a later examination confirmed that the viral cells are indeed contagious should the specimen choose to transfer their blood onto a victim"

"It could have been a fluke or the sample may have become contaminated during the transport process, have you taken those factors into account?" Griffin replied calmly as he tossed the report on the computer console.

Hearing this caused Henry to become slightly frustrated as he stomped his right foot hard on the ground while wringing his hands, "But sir do you have any idea what this means? The subject interacts with the public and is in the vicinity of many secured areas, all it takes is one drop of blood and anyone close to them is infected, they're a walking bio-hazard and I can't believe you're being so casual about this!"

Griffin remained unaffected by the outburst and only crossed his arms, "Well then Henry how do suppose we deal with such a pressing issue?"

"I'm sending a copy of my report about this to the committee, they have to know about this threat"

"Oh we can't have that happening, why imagine if the director was alerted to the fact that we've been interacting with a human subject that is contagious? The painful antivirus procedures would last for months not to mention you'd be out of the job"

Henry only took several steps back while shaking his head, "I'm willing to risk that, I was going to send the report without telling you but I knew it was wrong to go behind people's backs but now all I see is weak attempt to cover your own arse, I can't allow other members of this research team to be in danger of infection, you're too reckless and I hope when the committee finds out they revoke everything you're entitled to, including a fair trial!"

As Henry turned his back on Griffin and started for the door he heard his name being called. Slowly he turned around to see that Griffin was no longer sitting down but was instead standing a few feet away from him, his face still wearing that calm placid expression.

"Before you storm off on your own private crusade just answer me this, have you told anybody else?" Griffin asked cautiously.

"We're the only two who know, but soon the committee will be aware of it as well and not even you can stop me from telling them" Henry said curtly.

Griffin only nodded appearing to have accepted the fact that in a few short minutes his career would soon be over, then without warning took out a small black slim lined handgun and shot Henry in the centre of the head.

Henry's face didn't even have time to register shock as the body toppled to the ground.

Striding over to the console Griffin picked up report folded then shoved it into his left lab coat pocket. Approaching the cooling corpse of Henry, Griffin first took out a hankie and proceeded to rub all of his fingerprints from the barrel.

Placing the gun in the right hand of Henry, Griffin slowly stood up while shaking his head, "I did give you plenty of warnings you were on thin ice Henry, consider yourself fired but thank you for the report I'm afraid it was all in vain it will never be passed on to its respective recipients, can't have something valuable taken away from me because of paranoia that would ruin both mine and my associates plans"

Walking over to the phone near the door Griffin picked up the receiver and punched in a number, "This is Dr Dennis Griffin here, I've just entered the observation room and discovered that Dr Bartleby has killed himself, send a clean up crew down here immediately to remove and dispose of the body"

Hanging up the phone Griffin exited the room; he had far more pressing matters then disgruntled employees to worry about. There is so much preparation to be made before Alyssa returns back to her true home he thought while walking down the steel corridor. Now that the girl is growing stronger it will prove beneficial when she finally submits to the conditioning that has been put into play, then nothing can stop me.

The lights in the main corridor flickered as the sound of Griffin's footsteps slowly faded away.

The End

Hope you all enjoyed reading my novelised version of my series more to follow soon!

Exalted Nemesis