Lets go...

We've been preparing for a long time now. Our first major operation… Gero had all the equipment and implants ready. Mechanical electric implants for practically every muscle and limb; already made beforehand. Everything was for this, a series of operation implants.

The reddish dim glow in the room was rather uncanny but calming. Gerald scribbled away on a note pad behind Gero. Gerald stood remote as ever; an eerie red reflection on the pane of his glasses shielding him from all emotion. The boys screaming settled down by now to a still firm silence.

Gero's stance stood careful and stiff; delicately moving his instrument around the open gash down the boys' backside. The gash opened straight down the spinal area. The boys head and waist down to ankle are covered up; the sheets now covered in blood. Our suits, even Gerald's…covered in blood. The three of us have come to the unfortunate conclusion that he is dead. Loss of blood, serious infectivity, disease, maybe shock of pain; all could have been causes. But strangely Gero hasn't mentioned a body replacement. This has gone on for a week already. A week long operation…

I felt so weary. Sweat ran down the back of my stiff neck. My hands laboriously moving to make this a success. This was hell, a hospital type hell.

…

The operation was over. It took at least two and a half weeks. But I was grateful it was finally over. The suffering of that unfortunate young man had finally come to a stop. I washed my hands in the E.Lab's sink furiously and sighed in relief. I was very tired indeed. Every break we took to rest during this procedure was useless. I was an insomniac, Gero never really "rested" and Gerald…well…he slept fine.

As Gerald handled the remains I turned to face Gero. He bore a tired expression. But he looked rather amused. Gerald had the body back in place, now handling a removed piece of back muscle; left half of the Trapezius…to be exact. During this operation, we were avoiding the levator scapulae, the neck pieces attached to the Trapezius. Still, the poor boy had to be dead.

Gero now stood over the body wearing a tight smile on his face; his back shaking spasmodically. My ears perked up. A low humming sound was coming from Gero. He was laughing, giggling even! It grew louder and fiercer until it grew into a maniacal ear piercing cackle.

I stood and watched as Gerald handled exposed twitching back organs and Gero laughed like a maniac. Gero lifted his arms in the air dramatically, just laughing. Now I truly felt like I was in a mad house. Gerald plopped the muscle down on a metal tray beside the right half of the Trapezius. I couldn't help but stare. The meaty organ twitched here and there, covered in veins, buttery lipids and blood. What ever strikes Gero as amusing is beyond me. Gerald eyed it too, losing his calm mask and looking quite disgusted. Gero looked our way, smiling haughtily. "My, it's been a long two weeks hasn't it." I meet his approaching gaze with a glare. "Shut up!" I spat out at him. My hands trembled as I held my bloody smock closer to my face. My knees weakened and my head felt like it was spinning. Trying to stop it with no avail, my eyes watered over. Tears streamed down my face as I held back a sob. "I killed him."

Gerald's eyes filled with sympathy for me. I looked up at him, confused. Didn't he feel responsible too? He stood around and did nothing to stop us. I felt my chest tighten as a sob escaped my lips. I fell forward on my knees and hugged my smock closer to myself. What is worse is that now, after proceeding to get rid of this boy's body like one would throw away trash, Gero will insist on getting a new body. "Gero, you bastard!" Gero continued to smile, he turned away completely ignoring my outburst. He headed over to the body. I couldn't even bring myself to look in that direction. Gero's laughter broke into silence then sniggering. I heard Gerald's footsteps walk over there as well. Then I heard Gerald sigh and laugh. "Miss Bak, its operation success!" I looked up and turned their way. "What?"

"The operation was a success. The metal type implant was a success." Gerald stared down at the body in wonder and horror, but a smile clear on his face. "He's alive" said Gero, rather dully. He was laughing so happily before…

It was true. Pulse check and breath check showed that he had indeed survived. He was…alive. I stared away from the boys' starchy face and looked to Gero. He wouldn't face me. "He's alive." I stated in gratification. "Wonderful. That's perfect. There are many more replacements to be made." Gero gave me sharp look. "I am one step closer to making the ultimate being." Gero's tone was cold. But at these words Gerald was looking at him like he was a god; His mouth silently repeating those last words to himself.

Week after week, month after month, removing and replacing in overly long operations. And we were still only on the boys back. Gerald has become rather distant. We hardly chat together during lunch anymore. He is constantly reading, re-reading, and re-writing his notes. Binders of notes are piled all over the floor. He also tends to his duties, which is taking care of the girl.

The girl is in terrible condition. She is sometimes unresponsive to touch and sound. She stays in one corner of the cell that she has "grown attached to". She hardly speaks, but when she does she mutters about death or just random words. She is probably insane. When Gerald and I tend to her, she remains unresponsive. But if Gero stops by she'll act normally, like anybody in her situation would. She begins to cry and yell and curse like no tomorrow. He tends to stand outside her cell and tell her that she'll be the ultimate life form; the greatest of all beings with the abilities to fly like an angel, while she just screams at him. I think they are both insane.

If he enters "her" cell, she shrieks insanely, crying for him to leave her alone. Unfortunately, when she becomes unresponsive to her daily food and water Gerald and I have to threaten to get Gero. If that doesn't work we threaten to send him in there. She quickly begins to eat then. Gero constantly badgers me, always trying to strike conversation. He also spends time talking to the sedated boy. I never over hear these "conversations". Infraspinatus, Teres major, Teres minor and Rhomboid major were all already replaced. Though the boy is alive he's never conscience. It wouldn't surprise me if he were in some sort of coma or permanent paralysis.

That would make things…difficult.

I sat outside the E.Lab…Quietly sipping some tea by myself. I don't sleep anymore. If I ever doze off, I have very depressing dreams, about myself and Gerald and Gero and project 17. I suddenly hear someone approach behind me.

"Hello Bak" begins Gero in another attempt to get me to talk to him. Maybe before, before I saw him do the actual operations and I actually began to take part in them. Maybe when I first arrived I would have given him the time and day. But no, not now.

"So, what do you think will come of this?" I wanted to ignore, but I decided to answer him. "I honestly don't know. This is your brilliant idea Gero" I answered sharply.

Silence

I sip more of my tea. "What if the boy survives?" I ask. "Will you just kill him?" Gero blankly stares at this pod labeled 16. "He wont…I highly doubt it." I look at the pod. Is there an android, completely constructed of metal in there?

"You know, you have to keep project 17 alive. Maybe you should take her out of that dirty cell. Feed her properly" I suggested. Gero looked intrigued. I decided to continue "Dress her in clothing…Give her something to stimulate her mind" I continued. Gero wore a hideous smile on his face. "Then maybe I should let her prance on out of here." Gero stated in mock excitement. "And maybe I should let her see her beloved brother" he added sarcastically.

"You surprise me…You care so much for those two delinquents" he looked me in the eye. "She is no longer human-" "-You claim she will be something greater! If she will be so great, treat her like it!" I felt my face flush. "You're confusing her. And I doubt she will live very long" I snapped back. "You say you're doing her a favor. Then you claim her to be nothing but a delinquent" I argued.

"I'm taking her away from that. I'm helping her." He smiled broadly, his eyes softening like they used too. I turned away. I sighed, suddenly remembering why I don't talk to Gero anymore.

"Soon, we are going to help another. She will need company…as an android" he said, more to himself than me. "What?" I almost spill my tea. "Soon, I am going to start on project 18!" I gawk at him. What does this mean? "Yes" he nods to himself, leaving my side. My hands tremble. "Gero! You're crazy!" He continues to just walk away leaving me staring after him in horror.

How educational. I'm learning anotomy .'

I saw an exposed "Trapezius" Sooo groose.

Anyway, review.