Another day of training done. Phew.
I've been training for 15 days at this training facility and I can tell I'm getting stronger – I can do the 50 push ups in 7 minutes now! My aim with my arm cannon is getting better as well. Most importantly, I'm learning how to control my psychic powers. Every day, I practise hitting the Fierce Pork Trooper (in a rubber suit) with PK Thunder. It's really hard to aim though – as I've found out, focus is key but in a real fight, maintaining that focus will be hard.
One day, I remember Fassad walking in while I was practising using my powers.
"Nwehehehe! So you've got the handle of your thunder powers. But that's child's play compared to this! PK Thunder Omega!"
Four powerful lightning bolts crash down onto the Fierce Pork Trooper and even with the rubber suit on, he gets flung back and singed.
Incredible… I remember seeing the 'heroes' perform this very attack, but to see it in real life is something else. Fassad is a really powerful psychic… I shudder to think what else he's capable of. He explains to me the four levels of PSI: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Omega. Once a psychic masters one level of PSI, they learn the next level.
Additionally, the Fierce Pork Trooper says that now that my arms are getting stronger, I can consider using a weapon. I don't fancy kicking people like the Pigmasks do and although I'm strong for a kid, pummelling people doesn't seem like the best use of that strength.
Of all the weapons I've seen, swords seem the coolest. Unfortunately, I can't just start using one straight away – swords aren't very safe after all, so I'm to start by using a stick. I wouldn't think that there's much of an art to hitting someone with a stick, but there is. Swinging to hit multiple targets, jabs, thrusts and my favourite, the power smash. The Fierce Pork Trooper also teaches me how to gather my strength to pummel foes and stiffen my body to withstand heavy blows. I can't say I'm a big fan of brute force, but it might come in handy.
But that's not what's important. Today's rather special, because this is the first day in which I don't have any training in the afternoon, owing to the Fierce Pork Trooper needing to attend a meeting. With permission, I decide to finally pay Dr Andonuts a visit. Dr Andonuts said I need to visit him occasionally for a check up on my parts. Kill two birds with one stone, I suppose. It's almost lunch though, so I hope it'll be quick. See, to compensate for the afternoon of training we miss, the Fierce Pork Trooper made us work twice as hard, and so I feel twice as hungry.
Although I would like to simply soar through the sky, this is the first actual flight I've made, so it's probably for the best if I stay towards the ground. Still, the feeling is awesome! The wind rushing past my face, zipping past everything, everything flashing by… it's incredible.
The view's nice as well – the purple forest makes me feel at piece. The wildlife however isn't what I would expect – I see strange creatures that are mixtures between kangaroos and sharks as well as pig shaped flowers. By far the strangest thing I see, is a large door of sorts that has a series of strange poses on it. It looks like poses for a… dance? How peculiar.
Soon enough, I reach the laboratory and for the first time, I notice the building itself seems to be a chimera, given the animal head that's fused onto the front of the building. Inside the reception, I walk over to the Pigmask there. I wonder if it's the same one that greeted me when I left here.
"Ah, Commander. What brings you to Chimera Laboratory?"
"I was asked to come here for a check- up."
"You'll be looking for Dr Andonuts then. He's working on a chimera on the… let's see… ah, the second floor. Room 23. Be careful you don't wonder into the other rooms – some of these chimeras are quite dangerous and hard to control!
Making my way to the room isn't very hard, but all throughout the laboratory, I can hear all sorts of machines – drills mostly, coupled with the various noises of animals. The screams are jarring to say the least, but they don't compare to the roars. The roars of some of the chimeras will haunt me for some time…
Room 23. I suppose I'll be polite and knock.
"Yes, who is it?"
"Dr Andonuts?" I have to think about his question since I just realised, I don't have a name. Well…
"It's the Commander."
"Oh, do come on in."
The lab the doctor's in is a strange one to say the least – if only because of the red and yellow striped chimera with a ridiculous nose behind the glass. That, and the fact that Dr Andonuts is sitting in a chair, eating… donuts. Why does that bother me so much?
"You know, you're the first person whose actually knocked on the door and not just come in."
"What? Isn't the work you do here really dangerous and something that requires a lot of concentration and focus? You could working on something delicate, someone comes in and you accidentally slice the chimera or yourself!"
"Exactly. But no one ever listens. You've heard of Fassad, haven't you?" I nod. "Yes, well in addition to him leaving banana peels everywhere, he seems to love bursting in on me at the most inopportune moments. He did so frequently during the time I spent working on you. Although, I suppose that was to make sure everything was going all right."
"What do you mean? I thought this was safe?"
"Safe is a not an accurate way of putting it at all. The process for making these chimeras is simple, in the sense that if everything was the same , the results would be reproducible. Technology is often not the limiting factor – in fact, in my own time period, I was able to make chimeras."
"With technology that was less advanced?"
"Amazing how far things advance. The king might call that chimera primitive in comparison, it was a fusion between a man and a building, a dungeon in fact."
"So would that make me the second human chimera, after this dungeon man?"
"Yes. But also no. Words change over time. What was considered a chimera is now something much less. What I created back then was more of a building piloted by a man. A robot that could be controlled on the inside. You are much different – a fusion between man and machine. Someone who can make the decisions of a human with the power, speed and accuracy of a machine. And believe me, it was by no means, safe."
"So it was likely I would die. I suppose it makes sense. The injuries I had taken would have made my chances of survival low… if looking at this optimistically."
"Precisely. But human spirit is stronger than we give it credit for. It's something I learned from people just like you. No one is the same. In the same situation, two people will always have different opinions, different thoughts and different reactions. With these chimeras, the process is always the same, but every organism is different, so the outcome is similar, yet different. Identical people are impossible. Even twins, will always have differences. Of all creatures out there, humans have the most differences in thoughts. The Human Chimera Project wanted to combine that difference, the diversity in each person, and enhance it with machine. Evidentially, that spirit came through for you."
Human spirit. It's a strange concept, combining the very thing that cannot be artificially created, with machines. It worked as well. It feels like I have this enhanced amount of awareness with all my decisions. But I can commit to them more, because the machines make me more focused. Unwavering. Every decision I make is my own, and yet, not.
"How come there are no more plans for other human chimeras?"
"I said that if everything was the same, the outcome for making these chimeras would be the same. But they aren't, because every organism is different. Simulations showed how strenuous this process would be – potentially lethal for those who weren't strong enough. We had to discontinue the project because the risk would be far too great. I'll be quite frank – when you were brought in, this operation was a last resort. And somehow it worked. Amazing, isn't it? I disagree with the king on more matters than I'd care to admit, including chimeras on a whole – but the one point of interest that he and I share, is regarding strength of will. What people can do in the most desperate of times, when all seems bleak. And the king's strength of will, is certainly very strong… perhaps too strong in many ways."
"He certainly was determined to make something of himself, even when all seemed lost for him. When he lost his form entirely, because of…" I decide not to go further. "He enlisted you, didn't he?"
Dr Andonuts gives a look as if he's been forced to drink poison.
"Yes, enlisted is one way of putting it. Forced to leave everything you knew behind… I suppose in that regards, we're very much alike. Forgive me, but you remind me of a child… long gone…."
He's struggling so much not to cry. As much as I would like to pursue this topic, I think I know the answer and I wouldn't be so cruel as to continue this topic. Human spirit can be strong, but Dr Andonuts's is all but crushed.
"Still, I can't help but wonder if it was mere chance that I survived. Much like how it was chance that you haven't had any accidents from interruptions."
"Indeed. I'm surprised though - I'd have thought my luck would be long gone by now, but it's only a matter of time. Still, at least I haven't had any interruptions while working on this chimera."
"What is that?"
"That is a chimera I've been working on, a Pump Chimera, or as I like to call it, Mr Pump." He says with a chuckle. "It's designed for moving large amounts of water from one area to another."
"When would you ever need something like that?"
"Good question. But orders are orders. Either way, I'm not particularly fond of it. The sooner I move onto something else, the better. Ah, you didn't come to hear me babble on about chimeras. I take it you're here for a check up?
"Indeed. It won't be painful, will it?
"No, no, assuming you haven't broken anything. Right then, I'll need to get a book with all my notes on you. Actually, why don't you come with me? After all, safety in numbers which goes doubly so in this lab."
The library the doctor goes to is rather small, yet all the shelves seemed packed with books. It's a rather strange and disorganised way of keeping everything - wouldn't it be smarter to have a bigger room with more shelves and less books on each shelf, so it would be easier to find things? Either way, while Dr Andonuts is looking for his notes, I decide to have a look around the library myself.
There's a book called 'Overcoming Shyness'. I think I might have once known someone who would have found this book useful… someone I knew very well. But the books next to it are what really interest me. They're all books on PSI. 'PSI and I', 'Psychic Powers Through The Ages', 'Psychic Science', 'Psionics or Psychokinesis?' and perhaps the most interesting and ominous sounding, 'Psycho Psychic Gods'.
That 'Psycho Psychic Gods' one certainly sounds like a good read. Maybe I'll have a look at it while Dr Andonuts looks for his notes. On the front cover are 6 strange looking people who all have female features on their faces, yet look distinctly male…
"Ah, here they are! Human Chimera Project."
To my surprise, Dr Andonuts is not holding a book, or anything, for that matter. Instead, he's looking at the wall, which has a bunch of compartments with locks, one of which is marked 'Human Chimera Project'. He opens it up with a key and takes some files out.
"These are very important, hence we keep them in safes to make sure no one can take them."
"Why not just store them on a database?"
"It would be somewhat detrimental for me, seeing as this information would be highly classified, and my access level is limited to Beta."
What? Why would the director of the Chimera Laboratory only be limited to Beta classified stuff? That's seems very counterproductive. I suppose it's not up to me to question these things though. As the Commander, my job is just that – to command.
The two of us go to the room in which I awoke, a room I had hoped I wouldn't have to return to, but it seems I have little choice.
"Right, step into the Instant Revitalising Device there and I'll do the rest."
He points to a tall metal capsule, with the Pigmask insignia on it. If I recall, Porky tried to use one of these, to little avail. However, it works fine for me. Feels exactly like I've had a good night's sleep. I feel perfectly fine – except for my hunger.
"Well then, you seem to be fine. Your body shows signs of being pushed and stressed, but I suppose that's because of your training. I swear, that Trooper needs to learn the definition of a break."
"Ironic you should say that, because the rest of today is my break."
"And despite that, you looked rather exhausted before. I notice you're missing some fuel – did you fly here?"
"Yes, and I intend to fly back."
"Hm, well that explains it. You seem to still have plenty of fuel, so I won't bother with a refill. One more thing, the systems report use of PSI. I suppose you've learned how to use it?"
"Indeed, although I'm only capable of using the weakest form of PK Thunder."
"Weakest form, yet rather strong, if the system alerts of high voltage levels are anything to by. I can't say I'm all that curious to see what the strongest form would be. Struggling to aim it?"
"Most certainly. I'm only able to hit the Fierce Pork Trooper, who could be considered a relatively large target, 74.3% of the time."
"What? My goodness, psychics must have gotten a lot better over time. In my age, it was far more inaccurate. I suppose you must have a real talent for it then. Either way, everything else seems perfectly fine. You're free to go, unless you need anything."
"Thank you. I do not need anything from you, although I was wondering if I might borrow a book or two from the library."
"Yes, yes, provided you return them and let the receptionist know which books you are taking. By the way, I recommend 'PSI and I' for you."
How did he know I wanted that? I leave the doctor and return to the library, finding the book in question. The back calls it 'the complete encyclopaedia for all PSI'. Perfect. I make to leave, but before I do, my mind wavers to another book… 'Psycho Psychic Gods'. I might as well take it and see what I can find. Yet, it sounds foreboding and I get the impression I shouldn't take it. So of course, I take it and quickly make my exit. I take the books and notify the receptionist.
"Seems like you have a bit of interest in PSI, Commander. It is quite a fascinating area of research. 'PSI and I' , yep that's fine. And, oh… 'Psycho Psychic Gods'. I've never heard of this one. Let's see… looks like you need Gamma Level Access to take this book out. Do you have that?"
That's surprising. And I don't have access so I better think quickly... ah!
"I am the Commander. What do you think?"
"Yeah, that should be fine then. Here you go."
Thankfully, the Pigmask does not pursue the specifics of my access level any further – for which I'm very thankful of. This book clearly has some important details in it, but what exactly does it contain that would make it so limited in terms of who can read it?
Clutching the two books tightly, I take flight once more, returning to the training facility.
And there had better be something to eat.
A/N: I try to make a shorter chapter, and it ends up being longer than I though! Oh well, I doubt anyone's complaining. Either way, there's not all that much to say about this chapter, but I wanted a reunion (which I think is one of the better written endings in Chrono Trigger) and I needed an way to introduce 'Psycho Psychic Gods'.
Next time, Claus helps the Pigmasks construct two robots – one that's a real shocker and the other that's as sweet as can be.