Rebirth of the Chrysalite
CHAPTER 5: Rebirth of the Chrysalite

Dr. Hasegawa's Lab/Konoko's Apt.
Friday, January 07, 2033

The young, purple-haired woman entered the kitchen and reached for the feather-duster hanging behind the folding doors of the kitchen. Konoko found herself once again with nothing to do, and she had decided to dust the lab which her father used to work in. Well, it is a good thing. All this dust are getting on my nerves. But I wasn't so upset when I kill those strikers. She remembered bitterly and sighed.

She walked to her room and began dusting the place. Each speck of dust was sucked up by the duster, as if it was a sort of vacuum cleaner, and stuck on the feathers, clinging on relentlessly, as if they would disintegrate if they had let go. She dusted high and low, making sure the cupboards were free of any dust.

As she was dusting, she came across a few boxes. She pulled out these boxes which she had brought along with her when she moved here from her old apartment. She tore opened one of the boxes, and found a few photographs. She took out one, and it showed her with a few of a her good friends when she was still a trainee at the TCTF. Ah, there's Amelia, always the one thinking of playing new tricks on the trainer. And... there's Jeremy. We use to make fun of his curly hair. Konoko couldn't help but chuckle as those memories of by-gone times flooded her mind. All the things she had done while she was still a young girl training as an officer in the TCTF, completely innocent, without knowledge of the dangers of the world, knowing nothing about lies, deceit and treachery which she had later come to know about in the later part of her life. She had tried not to think of those events, and so far, it didn't seem to work very well, but she did see some 'improvement'.

She smiled a little when she looked at the picture once more, and placed it back into the box (after dusting it.). I'll dust these later. She thought to herself, and, somewhat absent-mindedly, rose herself. "Ow!" she cried as she bumped her head slightly on the desk when she rose. What's with me? She thought while rubbing her head as a bump formed (which disappeared soon after.). It's not as if I have metallic hair and I can bump my head around. She shook her head at her absent-mindedness. She didn't know what's up these few days. Somehow, she seem to have been either clumsy, absent-minded, or just forgetful... everything that was completely out of her character!

Something must be wrong, she suspected. It's as if... she shivered a little, and decided not to care.

Konoko continued dusting the room, making sure she wouldn't step onto anything along her way. The room didn't seem as small as she thought, and the machines her father used when he was still around completed the illusion of a small room. She made especial care the machines and computers are dusted, as well as making sure she did not accidentally touched them in any way. As she dusted, she noticed a small gap between the machine and the wall, and slid herself into the gap. She gasped as she found herself inside what seemed like a continuation of her father's laboratory. A part where she had not seen before. The room did look quite deep, but the light that crept through from the 'other side' only managed to lit a little of the room. She walked around, looking for a light-switch, and felt it. The lights turned on, and illuminated the lab. It look a lot more dusty than the other parts of the room. Why haven't I noticed this place before? Hmm... more work to do, I guess.

However, she hardly did any dusting because most of the time, she just looked and studied the apparatus and tools curiously, trying to guess what each one did or was used for using her (somewhat lacking) scientific knowledge she had learned while in the TCTF Training Academy. There were all sorts of tools, and suggested that her father used to be a biology professor or had studied medicine. Anatomy charts, dissection equipment (or at least that was what she believe they were.), a book on medical studies, etc.

Hey, what's this? Konoko wondered, green eyes looking on a grey-red object. She went closer, and realized it was a laptop computer. She had told herself not to help herself to her father's equipment, but then, what's the harm in looking through the laptop? Konoko's little-girl curiosity swelled up in her as she took the laptop out and placed it on a desk beside her bed.

Here we go... Konoko rubbed her hands, and pressed a green button. The laptop cover sprung up gently, and she turned it on. An array of words and pictures went up and down the screen as she waited for it to complete its loading sequence. Soon, it was done, and a green screen appeared suddenly, with large bold, even greener words painted across the screen.

It said:

*Top Secret: The Chrysalis /adc/hsg/bio/file3/proj_5/*
*[CONTINUE]*

Konoko gasped once more as her eyes scanned the words 'The Chrysalis". No... this isn't true, isn't it? She couldn't believe she had finally stumbled across the very files her father had created while working on the Chrysalis. She clicked on the button 'Continue' and a stream of words appeared.

*Project Data-log*
*Entry 1a - About the Chrysalis, summary*
*Type - Project*
*The government was spending too much money on Atmosphere Processing, and as a result, it will not be able to strengthen the economy with such hefty expenditures. And there would come a point where the Processors would simply not work.
That was why I had created the Chrysalis. Once implanted, the Chrysalis will allow a person's body to sustain itself in even the most poisonous of atmospheres.
I have extracted the genetic codes of my son and daughter, Muro and Mai, for the prototypes. They shall be the first to benefit from it. I would not allow them to live in a world where the very air they breathe is potent.
This is the best I could do for my beloved Jamie.*

Konoko scrolled further down the logs, and came across another, more personal one. She scanned through the words of each entry, and with each entry, especially the personal ones, she felt herself knowing more and more about her father.

One entry, in particular, caught her attention more than the others, and it sent shivers down her spine.

*The Chrysalis fixes damaged tissues and cells, and as such, a Chrysalite (a host for the Chrysalis) would have wounds healing at a much faster rate than a normal human/non-Chrysalite. This mean, however, that a Chrysalite is, theoretically, not capable of being destructed by conventional means. Any wounds inflicted by a weapon, be it clubs, fists, and even guns, would just heal.
Also, when a non-Chrysalite gets old, his or her cells will deteriorate. But a Chrysalis wouldn't. Old cells will simply be replaced by new ones, making them, evidently, immortal. The Chrysalis itself is also anti-aging, capable of regenerating itself through a means even we are not sure of.
But this also mean one terrible thing. If we implanted a Chrysalis into the 'wrong person', it could cause potential trouble. The prospect of a person, a criminal, who can't be killed by conventional means is chilling.
However, immortality and indestructibility is something I believe would be a great gift for my children.*

Konoko shivered once more. A Chrysalite is immortal and indestructible? Her face remained frozen in shock as she many thoughts went through her brain. Suddenly, it seemed as if all her nightmares which she had almost every night didn't seem so dream-like after all...

********************

TCTF Science Prison (West)
Friday, January 07, 2003

Dr. Vincent stared at the green computer screen, which cast an eerie green glow on his face, and flashed everytime he switched to a new task. Sigh... this wasn't what I has hoped for. I guess I was a little too hasty in accepting that offer to be on the team to study the Chrysalis. But who can blame a young scientist from being curious?

Dr. Tori yawned loudly, his eyes barely opened. He growled and cursed each time he keyed in something wrong into the computer scanner's calculations or data-logs.

"Some interesting experiments, uh?" Vincent asked, grinning broadly and boyishly at Tori. Tori looked up from his screen and forced a smile. He stretched himself slightly, and answered, "Ah, all this boring analysis and computer work for a little fame and fortune. I've asked for it." He paused a little, and continued suddenly, "So, Vincent, got anything yet?"

"Well... no. The Daodan Probe should have detected something and gave us some readings on the Chrysalis by now! I wonder what went wrong. Could it be that the Probe has malfunctioned or something?" Vincent looked up and stared at a moderately large, grey scanner-like object that hung from the white ceiling. A body was placed on it. The body of the dead Syndicate Boss Muro Hasegawa. Even in this state (death), Vincent didn't feel really comfortable working with it in the Probe-room.

"Nah. We've checked it everyday for defects, right? It is working fine. Maybe it is your calculations?"

"If I were in charge, I would have asked for a direct dissection of this Muro." Tori's faced grimaced a when he continued, "but no... we have to listen to that old coot of a head scientist."

Vincent chuckled. "Hmm... you sound unlike your usual self." He said as he continued typing, "Why this faint hint of a rebellious streak coming out from you?"

Tori yawned once more. "I think I'm just tired and frustrated, that's all. I can't believe it has been days since we started work and still no hands-on experiments. Now what time is it?" He glanced at the clock, and grunted.

"Just think of the pay we would get when we're done, Tori!" Vincent said.

Tori nodded absent-mindedly, "Hey, what say I go and buy us something to drink, Vin?"

"Ah... yes. Nice suggestion. I would like my usual: coffee. Man, even that bland, sewage water like coffee the from that vending machine would make me a happy man!"
Tori stood up and looked beyond Vincent at another busy (and tired) scientist. "How about you, Kenji? What would you like?"
The scientist just said "coffee" without looking up from his screen.

Before Tori could open his mouth, Vincent said suddenly, "And here, Tori... I know you didn't bring enough money, " he grinned once more as he reached for his cash-card from his breast-pocket. "My treat... again." he said as he handed the thin rectangular object to Tori.

Tori returned Vincent's grin as he took the card and left the room. Vincent sighed and shook his head.

********************

The large door slide open, and Tori took his time, stretching himself now and then with each each step. The hallway he was walking on was dead silent, except for the whirring of the computer terminals lining the hallway.

He strolled towards the canteen, and scanned his pass on the Identifier installed beside the door before the door opened. Although brightly lit as usual, no one was there except for a group of four scientists having a meal before making their way back home. They were chattering, and occasionally laughing at some jokes.

Tori looked across the wide and long canteen, and found the vending machine. Before he could walk four steps, one of the scientists, at the table called out, "Hey Tori!" He waved at him, "Tori! Join us over here!" Tori gave them a wave and advanced towards them, putting on his most cheerful smile. "Oh hi, guys!"

One scientist shifted himself sideways and patted on the space beside him. "C'mon, Tori, siddown! Let's talk."

"Oh, no guys... no time. I still have a lot of things to do."

"Alright then. You're the big-shot here." Another scientist piped in, nudging Tori.
"Yeah... he was the one chosen to work on the Chrysalis." The scientist who called him over here added.

"Now, would you stop that?" Tori said good-naturedly. "This Chrysalis experiment isn't as exciting as you think. In fact... it is a downright bore."

"Nah... you're just saying this to make us happy." Another one said laughingly.

"I'll be willing to trade my post for yours, if not for the money." Tori said, rather truthfully. He did wish to give up the position, but the incentive of the high bonus he would be paid managed to keep him on, but barely.

"Now don't go around telling people what I've said..." Tori winked.

"Alright, you can go now, Tori. We shall interrogate you regarding the Chrysalis project some other day." The youngest scientist said and chuckled.

Tori rolled his eyes, did a mock-bow, and said "Thank you..." full of sarcasm in his tone.

"We better leave. It is getting terribly late. My wife will scream at me! The bed, here I come!" a scientist said, deliberately emphasizing the word 'bed', just to annoy Tori. Tori groaned at the scientist. They are terribly immature for scientists... Heh... Speak for yourself, Tori. Tori thought and smiled a little at himself.

He resumed his path towards the vending machine, hurrying a little. He could almost visualize Vincent's head collapsing on the terminal from exhaustion. He grinned at that thought. Now that was a sight he had wished to see.

Suddenly, gunshots could be heard outside the canteen, alarms and klaxons sounded followed screams. What in the blazes... he thought, and ran out of the canteen. The hallway was lit red by the klaxons, and Tori noticed that the group of scientists were equally shocked and were running towards the entrance in the opposite direction.

"There's a killer in there!" One screamed.

Tori ran this time, and entered the security code to the door. "C'mon, c'mon! Hurry up and process, you piece of junk!" He screamed at the Identifier. A beep sounded, and the huge door slide open. Tori barely took a step and stood in horror, eyes widening so wide, it seemed as if they were to pop out of the socket anytime.

The white tiles were covered with red stains. Blood... Tori shook himself back to his senses, and looked around.

He saw two bodies, realized they were Vincent's and Kenji. Blood streamed out of the bodies of both of them. He noticed that Vincent was still breathing, and ran towards his body.

Tori knelt down, and held half of Vincent's body and placed it on his lap. He shook the body. "Vincent! Vincent!"

Vincent's eyes opened suddenly and saw Tori, face once again twisted in agony. "Tori..." He said in a gasping tone. "The... the... body... it isn't dead... it..." Vincent was choking in his own blood, and found it terribly difficult to speak.

"Vincent! Please! Stay with me!" Tori begged hard, wishing that his friend would be strong enough to remain alive, but he knew it would happen otherwise.

"M-muro! Muro isn't d--dead ye-yet! The Chry---chrysalis kept him a-a-alive" Vincent choked, lots of blood suddenly spewing out from his mouth. Tori shook Vincent once more, trying as hard as he could to make him stay awake, but it was no use. Some more blood flowed out, and Vincent's eyes rolled up, exposing only the whites. Tori looked away from Vincent's face, tears swelling in his eyes, but he held it back, though it was a very hard thing to do. He looked back down, and ran his palms across Vincent eyes to seal them, and laid him on the floor.

Muro's still alive... A gun. He needed a gun. He searched around frantically for one, and found one lying beside Kenji's badly wounded body. He sealed Kenji's eyes before taking the gun and checked to see if it was loaded.

The alarms had stopped ringing, and silence returned. Tori shivered and felt goose bumps on his skin. He felt an uncomfortable chill on his skin, as if he was been watched by someone or something. He knew Muro was somewhere in the room. He could be--

Tori spun back suddenly, and came face to face with a gun pointed in at his face. It was Muro!

Muro took hold of his gun with unbelievable speed, yanked it out from Tori's trembling hands and threw it across the floor, where it cracked a little and slide on the smooth tiles.

"Looking for me?" Muro said with an unpleasant grin and look in his sparkling green eyes. He sneered and moved a little closer to the trembling scientist. The gun was pointed on Tori's tempers.

Muro gave a soft laugh, and locked his eyes on the scientists' frightened blue ones. "Any last death wish before I blow your brains out?"

Tori gritted his teeth and tried to stay calm. He knew his end was near. Nothing he could lose. "You wouldn't get away with this, Muro Hasegawa... the TCTF will--"

Muro's eyes suddenly flared up "NEVER. MENTION. THE. TCTF. IN. FRONT. OF. ME!" With each word, he will pushed Tori's head with the gun.

Tori's saw Muro pressing slightly down on the trigger, getting closer and closer to releasing a bullet from the gun.

"Now... meet your maker!" Muro said and pulled the trigger.

The last thing Tori saw was a twisted, evil smile on Muro's face before darkness engulfed him.

********************

Dr. Hasegawa's Lab/Konoko's Apt.
Friday, January 07, 2033

Konoko dropped her dish on the floor. She felt a sharp jolt on her body, and the feeling made every hair on her rise. The feeling was familiar, almost like the time where she was following the Syndicate's Master ninja/assasin, Mukade. It was, in fact, uncomfortably familiar.
Konoko knew something terribly wrong was happening. It was another Chrysalite, one she fought hard not to think of.

She remembered the data-log she had read. No... this isn't happening...
But it was, or it felt so.
Muro. It was Muro. He had returned from the dead.

Konoko's mind was in a state of complete mess, as she felt a sudden, faint feeling on her. She felt for a chair, and sat herself down. Feeling the need to faint was something she had not felt for a long time.

Muro's back. All her dreams seem to be telling her this. She could have done something about it! Those damned TCTF scientists collected the body! Why didn't she dispose of them? Now, it seem as if the peace and tranquility she wanted was gone once more...

Konoko hit the table with her fists in rage, spilling the coffee she had made for herself on the table. A slight hint of a glow surrounded her body, but it disappeared as Konoko tried and succeeded in calming herself down.

She closed her eyes, and cleared her mind of the disturbing thoughts, and thought of what to do next.

#AUTHOR'S NOTE(s):

* How's this chapter? This has got to be the fastest update for ROTC ever! And the longest so far.
* Well, sorry if it is too long-winded for you 'short-and-sweet' types!
* Please review and comment! Thanks!

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