VII

The next morning, Ferro had just finished repacking her suitcase and an additional duffel bag. Considering that she would be visiting clinics as opposed to hospitals, a casual wardrobe might better fit the atmosphere and with the list of clinics before her becoming more daunting with each page, Ferro had decided to prepare for additional time should she need it. Taking one more look about her personal apartment, Ferro took a deep breath before heading out for her excursion.


Meanwhile the other two participants of yesterday's private assembly in the Medical Research Ward sat across from each other in the cafeteria.

As Bianchi glanced at his watch before taking another sip of his coffee, Gilliani finishes his toast; setting the plate aside. They had chosen a time when most of facility had already eaten breakfast for these co-directors from the engineering department had a great need for subtle privacy.

"You know that no good will come from those…modifications Ferro asked for," Gilliani quietly began. "How could she even request such a thing?"

Putting his coffee down, Bianchi crossed his arms, "What good may come is a matter of opinion in this case. However, I understand your meaning. Ferro can only have one need for such a procedure. You may call me a bastard if you like, but I'm actually warming up to the idea."

"Okay, you're a bastard, now tell me why."

"…Research," Dr. Bianchi said as the words dripped from his tongue like honey.

"Bianchi…" Gilliani slumped into his seat. "I've a mind to march up to Director Lorenzo and tell him of Ferro's little request."

"Be realistic; Giacomo Lorenzo trusts but one person in this entire facility. Tell him of this matter and he'll either laugh you out of the room, order you off the premises, or both. All without following up with Ferro whose own moral code would most likely hold no shame and probably admit to the requests either way. Besides, it will be interesting to see the mental and psychological effects of a sexual relationship between handler and cyborg. This is truly a rare opportunity…from an analyst's point of view of course."

"You have got to be joking."

"Not in the slightest, I'm surprised that you aren't jumping at such an opportunity on your end."

"I beg your pardon."

"The male organ has got to be among the most complex anomalies within the human anatomy. If our department can genuinely…and perfectly synthesize one of such definition…"

"I get it; I get it."

Taking a deep, long breath; Gilliani downs the remainder of his coffee. He lets it sit in his mouth a few moments while gathering his thoughts. Moving the cup away, he swallows the coffee slouching into the table.

"Okay," Gilliani adds, "I'll do it. We'll need help though. You said it yourself; so much goes on in these damn things of ours. It'll be easy to overlook something important and that's putting it lightly."

"The thought crossed my mind, but we can't have the whole lab working on something like this. The military and security personnel already know more than I'd like them to. What's worse; they're all macho types. If they find out about this, I wouldn't put it past them to see it as an affront to their masculine dignity and honor."

"True, sabotage on such a delicate project will be something we cannot afford. What if we get a few of our division heads on this?"

"No; not all of them, that's like having too many officers and not enough soldiers."

"What about enlisting 'Brizio only? He might be willing. As far as secrecy goes, it's near impossible to get anything out of that neuroscience division of his, even for you. I think he even has an assistant who'll be of value on this. A noted expert on physiology, I believe."

"Excellent, between the four of us we should be able to make a…superior product. If he isn't already, I'll upgrade that assistant's pay to salary. This way we can work on this when nobody can bother us."

"The only variable left is where to hide it until we're ready."

"Leave that to me, I'll trust you to handle Fabrizio."

"Done."


"How can she possibly ask for such a thing?" Fabrizio said to his colleague. "I can understand if it was to replace a damaged organ for the patient's well-being, but…with those sizes?"

"I know," Gilliani answered. "I granted my own objections to this matter, but since it's Ferro…"

"Understood, but I'll state here for the record that the Steel Maiden is beginning to overstep her bounds."

"You don't have to tell me that, but from a scientific perspective…"

"I see your point in that regard, after all prosthetic replacement shouldn't be restricted to only a few appendages; especially seeing as how the world is becoming a more accident-prone place."

"So you'll agree to be a part of this project?"

"Yes, and I'll even provide the assistant you requested, but I have one stipulation regarding the project."

"And…that is?"

"I've been working on something that might serve to eliminate the need for consistent medication."

"…Fabrizio, one project at a time."

"Since we're going use this boy as a sort of guinea pig, why not try something more?"

"So, what of this other project?"

"It's actually a gland."

"…A gland."

"Yes, by grafting it onto the pituitary gland, this hybrid will secrete the conditioning meds as a hormonal byproduct. As the hormonal cocktail is absorbed by the body, the new medication will self-regulate how much to secrete based on individual tolerance."

"And that would eventually eliminate the need for supervised injections."

"…Precisely."

"It's a very interesting proposal and I see the use for it, but…"

"But nothing," Fabrizio interrupted. "Either you accept this proposal to test out this new treatment or I walk away from the project."

"Let me guess, then you'll go right to the Director about this."

"Not at all; as far as Ferro is concerned our hands are pretty much tied. One way or another, that beast of a woman will get what she wants. Instead, I'll resign my post and you can get another puppet to do the work."

"I…I'll have to speak with Bianchi about his."

"I expect a favorable outcome."

Walking out of Fabrizo's office, Gilliani quickly turned the corner and dove into an empty room. Taking his mobile out of his pocket, Gilliani quickly dialed Bianchi. After a moment, Bianchi picked up on his side.

"Gilliani," Bianchi said in surprise. "Why are you calling me on my mobile?"

"We have a slight problem concerning 'Brizio."

"Tell me."
"He has this new project that's ready for testing and he wants to use it on Ferro's toy."

"What is the project exactly?"

After Gilliani took a few minutes to explain Fabrizio's proposal, Bianchi breathed a deep sigh.

"That is going to be a problem," Bianchi said.

"So, what are we going to do about it? I doubt he'll go to the Director, but if he suddenly resigns…"

"…It's bound to raise a few eyebrows."

"Do you think he knows about the medication?"

Taking a minute to mull over his choices, Bianchi raised his mobile again.

"Let Fabrizio have his little test," Bianchi started.

"But Bianchi…" Gilliani whined.

"Let me finish. The worst case scenario is that his...hybrid doesn't work and Ferro's toy dies along with it."

"And if it does work?"

"Then we'll just have to make sure that it doesn't work for long."