Explanations:
Sector 3, Block 1 was the first block to be set up for inhabitants. Extra blankets, soft pillows, and plenty of towels were brought in -- seemed more like a hotel then any military base I'd ever seen, and I've seen plenty. I decided to risk a question to Lydecker.
"Block 1 will not be housing soldiers, Jones. In-vitro women will be in there -- we need to take good care of them so they'll take care of my chimeras." His answer gave much more information then I'd expected.
"Chimeras, Sir?" I asked, confused. A few pieces fell into place in my mind. He glanced at me. Must've been in a pensive mood because he actually offered more information.
"I think it's time I filled you in on Manticore's mission, Jones." A cunning half-smile spread over his face.
"Right sir, but I think I'm starting to get an idea..." I trailed off. The idea forming in my head was way to impossible for it to be true.
"My office, Jones. 1300 -- I'll give you the run down." With that, Lydecker strode off down the long hallway, leaving me to stare at his back.
I spent the next two hours on my usual rounds -- checking surveillance equipment and looking in on my ground crews. Managed to swing by my office to look up the word 'chimera' -- I had to see if it meant what I thought it did. "Gr. Myth, a fire-breathing monster having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail 1 any similar fabulous monster 2 a hybrid being with two or more combinations of DNA, example: human and feline" Yup, I'd been right...
Lydecker was waiting for me in his office. He looked stiff and serious, sitting behind a plain wooden desk, the latest in computer technology at his fingertips. It was an interesting contrast; old fashion desk, high tech equipment. He motioned for me to close the door and sit down.
"Most of the people working here, Jones, will have no idea what goes on behind these walls -- I'd like to keep it that way." His voice lowered at the last phrase, almost threatening. I nodded in response, he continued.
"I'm telling you this because your position here requires that you know everything about this building and what goes on around it. I'd rather you knew -- and kept those under you from knowing, then you having to work around a secret."
"Understood Sir." I said in my serious tone.
"Very well then." He paused, considering his next words. "Manticore was designed as a research facility. We are going to be genetically engineering soldiers -- perfect soldiers. We're expanding on another facility's research to create a more flawless soldier - one able to blend in with regular society. Manticore technology will be the best in the world - worth millions." Ahh, there was that glimmer in his eyes again.
"Chimeras, Sir?" I asked, remembering the word from our earlier conversation. He smiled a sly, ambitious smile.
"Yes Jones -- we're going to combine human DNA with feline DNA, and perhaps other forms of DNA, to create a perfect soldier."
"And once they're born Sir?" I asked.
"I will train them myself. Teach them how to use their abilities. Teach them their duty, their mission. They will be the ultimate warriors." I nodded gravely.
"Just think, instead of sending 1000 soldiers into battle and loosing 100, we could send 10 perfect soldiers and loose none." Ahh, the visionary in him was coming out. I smiled in understanding. I was not shocked, and I knew I could keep this a secret -- it was what I had expected, yet hearing it out loud... well, was harder to hear then I'd imagined it'd be.
"Do you have any questions Jones?" I thought for a moment.
"Why you, Sir?" Lydecker smiled.
"That, my friend, will have to wait for another time."
Sector 3, Block 1 was the first block to be set up for inhabitants. Extra blankets, soft pillows, and plenty of towels were brought in -- seemed more like a hotel then any military base I'd ever seen, and I've seen plenty. I decided to risk a question to Lydecker.
"Block 1 will not be housing soldiers, Jones. In-vitro women will be in there -- we need to take good care of them so they'll take care of my chimeras." His answer gave much more information then I'd expected.
"Chimeras, Sir?" I asked, confused. A few pieces fell into place in my mind. He glanced at me. Must've been in a pensive mood because he actually offered more information.
"I think it's time I filled you in on Manticore's mission, Jones." A cunning half-smile spread over his face.
"Right sir, but I think I'm starting to get an idea..." I trailed off. The idea forming in my head was way to impossible for it to be true.
"My office, Jones. 1300 -- I'll give you the run down." With that, Lydecker strode off down the long hallway, leaving me to stare at his back.
I spent the next two hours on my usual rounds -- checking surveillance equipment and looking in on my ground crews. Managed to swing by my office to look up the word 'chimera' -- I had to see if it meant what I thought it did. "Gr. Myth, a fire-breathing monster having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail 1 any similar fabulous monster 2 a hybrid being with two or more combinations of DNA, example: human and feline" Yup, I'd been right...
Lydecker was waiting for me in his office. He looked stiff and serious, sitting behind a plain wooden desk, the latest in computer technology at his fingertips. It was an interesting contrast; old fashion desk, high tech equipment. He motioned for me to close the door and sit down.
"Most of the people working here, Jones, will have no idea what goes on behind these walls -- I'd like to keep it that way." His voice lowered at the last phrase, almost threatening. I nodded in response, he continued.
"I'm telling you this because your position here requires that you know everything about this building and what goes on around it. I'd rather you knew -- and kept those under you from knowing, then you having to work around a secret."
"Understood Sir." I said in my serious tone.
"Very well then." He paused, considering his next words. "Manticore was designed as a research facility. We are going to be genetically engineering soldiers -- perfect soldiers. We're expanding on another facility's research to create a more flawless soldier - one able to blend in with regular society. Manticore technology will be the best in the world - worth millions." Ahh, there was that glimmer in his eyes again.
"Chimeras, Sir?" I asked, remembering the word from our earlier conversation. He smiled a sly, ambitious smile.
"Yes Jones -- we're going to combine human DNA with feline DNA, and perhaps other forms of DNA, to create a perfect soldier."
"And once they're born Sir?" I asked.
"I will train them myself. Teach them how to use their abilities. Teach them their duty, their mission. They will be the ultimate warriors." I nodded gravely.
"Just think, instead of sending 1000 soldiers into battle and loosing 100, we could send 10 perfect soldiers and loose none." Ahh, the visionary in him was coming out. I smiled in understanding. I was not shocked, and I knew I could keep this a secret -- it was what I had expected, yet hearing it out loud... well, was harder to hear then I'd imagined it'd be.
"Do you have any questions Jones?" I thought for a moment.
"Why you, Sir?" Lydecker smiled.
"That, my friend, will have to wait for another time."