Disclaimer: I do not own G.I. Joe. I only own Dr. Diana Lewis.
AN: I want to start off by thanking everyone who reviewed! I really wasn't sure how people would react to my story and it's inspiring to see so many people like it! Thank you all so much for your comments.
I also want to thank my beta, Hoodoo. She's fantastic! Go read her stories!
Moving on. I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter more than I did. I strived to make the damage as believable as possible and researched all sorts of things to put into this. I hope you guys don't find it too technical, there was just so much and I wanted to make sure I covered it all. I'd love to hear back from you guys on what you thought about everything!
Anyway, I give you chapter three of Till Death Do Us Part. Enjoy!
"I see you've finished your work on Dr. Lewis, Professor Mindbender," James McCullen said, walking into the room. He looked over Rex's body lying on the metal table in the middle before glancing at Professor Mindbender.
The professor looked at McCullen stoically, his expression never changing. Rex had taken the brunt of the blast while Mindbender had gotten away virtually unscathed. The only damage Mindbender had taken was a concussion and a destroyed left leg. Rex, on the other hand... well, it was miraculous he'd survived.
"Yes, it's been touch and go for awhile, but, with the information the background check you're teams preformed, I've finally completed everything," drawled Mindbender, adjusting his glasses, a nervous tic of his, as he surveyed a large metal device that was attached to Rex's chest.
McCullen nodded, tapping the metal lightly. "What was the full scale of the damage, professor?"
Cocking his head, Professor Mindbender began dictating the exact damage that had befallen Rex.
"When the bomb went off, shrapnel and some larger metal from the bunker was embedded into Dr. Lewis' chest. While missing his heart and both lungs, they managed to rupture his diaphragm, the muscles used for proper breathing, and shatter a few of his ribs. To compensate for this, I have designed a wearable iron lung that will provide the right amount of pressure for the oxygen to circulate.
After awhile the muscles that are still attached will strengthen on their own and, for very short stints of time, he'll be able to remove the iron lung."
Professor Mindbender then gestured to a separate black, non-metal unit that was around Rex's neck. Even as he slept, the plastic-like material expanded and retracted in time with the mechanical breathing. He continued, " In addition to the muscle damage, Dr. Lewis has also inhaled a great deal of smoke. Because of this, his throat and airways have been devastated an irreversible amount. He will have to wear this oxygen mask in order to receive proper amounts of oxygen to sustain himself. This more flexible plastic around his neck contains a system of tubing. It's a basic inspiration expiration system—one tube takes in oxygen from the surrounding area, the other releases the carbon dioxide waste. This final metal tube transfers both gases between the mask and neck portions.
"The smoke inhalation, of course, came from the moment his head caught on fire. This left him disfigured with third degree burns. The surgeons who worked on him grafted skin from uninjured portions of his body, such as his legs, back, and rear. The grafts were then patch-worked onto his head and face, some even being used to reattach his left ear. They have reached as healed a state as they ever will. The doctors worked hard on reattaching nerves so he should feel his face.
Unfortunately, all of his hair follicles were destroyed and with the metal now placed over the portions of his head where he is missing chunks of his skull, it would have been a waste of time adding any. Instead, we will provide him with a wig that will cover the burns and metal for cosmetic purposes."
Mindbender paused in his commentary to look over the right side of Rex's face. "There was also some minor brain damage."
"The nanomite technology is advanced enough to fix him, right?" questioned McCullen. Something about the look on Mindbender's face caused his blood to boil. "You claim this man is smart enough to fix all the problems we're having with the nanomites. You say he'll be able to help me fulfill my plans yet you're telling me now that there was damage to his brain. After all the money I've spent on all his doctor's bills, on that background check, you choose now to tell me?"
"It's nothing that will impede your plans, Mr. McCullen. In fact," Mindbender smirked, turning his wheelchair so he was facing the Scottish man, "It will actually help."
"Oh really?" McCullen's tone and expression revealed he didn't believe the professor. "Please explain to me, Professor, how brain damage is ever a good thing."
Mindbender waved him over, gesturing to the right side of the unconscious man's head. A portion of the metal ended right below his right ear. "Some of the bone from this section of his skull pierced the brain at the ventromedical prefrontal cortex. The surgeons removed the bone and stopped the bleeding, but the damage is permanent.
Do you know what this section of the brain is in charge of, Mr. McCullen?" asked Mindbender, looking back at the Scot. McCullen's glare caused him to rethink questioning him. "Morality. The ventromedical prefrontal cortex is in charge of differentiating between right and wrong."
McCullen straightened himself up, having been bent at the waist to survey everything that Mindbender had been talking about. "So, you're telling me that the moral center of this man's brain is damaged? He won't be able to differentiate right and wrong?"
McCullen began to laugh, silently congratulating himself on his luck. This doctor would help them and not see anything wrong with it. "Perfect."
Mindbender simply nodded. "With this type of injury, all you'll have to do is explain that helping you with your plans for world domination will be the answer to everything. The moment you tell him your plans stop senseless killing, help people help themselves, et cetra, he'll be backing your cause."
McCullen nodded thoughtfully, beginning towards the door. "Tell me when the good doctor wakes up. You know, I believe that is a good code name for him. Doctor." McCullen paused. "And Professor, the flash drive that the Doctor managed to store all the nanomite research on has been uploaded onto the main system. When you feel he's ready, have him start working on it." McCullen grinned, exiting the operation room.
Mindbender, now alone with his thoughts and his patient, wheeled himself to a table that had been left in the room after the surgery. Laying a top the table was a syringe filled with a yellow-green fluid.
Nanomites.
"You know, Doctor, I've yet to witnessed what my nanomites will do if I inject them directly into a human brain." Mindbender turned back to Rex's prone form laying in the middle of the room, the syringe in his right hand.
When he reached Rex, Mindbender turned his head so the back of Rex's head was now facing him. Calmly, the professor pressed the needle into the base of Rex's skull, not stopping until the needle had completely disappeared.
Mindbender then injected the nanomites.
Rex's body seized momentarily, shaking as unimaginable pain ripped through the unconscious man's skull. As soon as the shaking started, it stopped, Rex lying still on the table as though nothing had happened.
Mindbender smirked, pulling the needle out, replacing it with a cotton ball. "Let's keep this our little secret, shall we?"
In the three month that followed, Rex was moved to a different room, one located deeper in the facilities M.A.R.S. corporations currently inhabited. Much like the cold, formal operation room he'd once been in, this room was white and sterile. It had no unique features besides a sink located in the corner and a mirror over that. During this time, Rex had yet to awaken. Mindbender figured the only thing keeping his future apprentice alive was all the money that McCullen had poured into fixing him. With his nanomite research at a standstill, Mindbender could only hope Rex would awaken soon.
A sudden groan from the bed behind him alerted Professor Mindbender to the fact his patient and future apprentice was awakening. Speak of the devil.
Rex squeezed his eyes shut tighter in an attempt to block out the light as he slowly awoke. Where was he? Last Rex could remember he'd been with Diana at Duke's wedding… or had that been a dream? He couldn't differentiate between that and reality at the moment. How long had he been out?
As Rex began to fully regain consciousness, he felt something strange on his face. And for that matter, there was something heavy on his chest. Lifting a shaky hand, Rex reached up to touch his mouth only to discover he couldn't. Instead, his hand met a metal pipe that connected to something cold and plastic. His eyes snapped open, looking down to try and assess the situation before panicking. Seeing the black plastic that covered the lower half of his face, however, didn't seem to stop him from panicking. In fact, he was panicking quicker that he probably would have had he kept his eyes shut.
Scared of what this black… thing might doing to him, Rex began to tug frantically on main portion, trying with all his might to remove it. He needed this off. He needed this off! He needed this off now! Letting his hands follow the plastic up his cheeks and to his head, Rex finally reached the end on both sides and pulled.
There was a click and the mask fell from his face. Following the removal of the mask was an even more pressing matter—a sudden need for air. No matter how much he pulled in, it didn't seem to be enough to fill his lungs.
Professor Mindbender watched from the corner of the operation room. "I would put that back on if I were you," he said, wheeling over to where Rex sat. "You won't be able to breathe without that oxygen mask."
Rex glared at the professor, the raspy sounds of his own breathing echoing in his ears. "What did you do to me?"
The sound coming from him, though angry, was extremely strained and throaty. Rex could barely recognize that as his voice.
His gasps became more frantic, causing him to bring his hands back the thick straps of the oxygen mask, setting them on the cool metal he realized rigged the mask to his head. Rex let out a sigh of relief, breathing easier now.
"When the explosions went off, your team ran. They didn't stop to look for you. They left you behind." Mindbender leaned forward, resting his arms in his lap. "You're lucky I was there to call Mr. McCullen for transport. Had they not arrived quickly, well, you wouldn't be waking up right now."
Rex's bewildered look prompted Mindbender to continue.
"The damaged you sustained in the explosion was extensive. In addition to severe facial burns, your skull was broken in quite a few places along the back." A twisted grin took over Professor Mindbender's mouth. "The surgeons replaced bone with metal there to protect your brain." He chuckled at the look of horror on Rex's face. "And that doesn't even begin to cover what is currently keeping your lungs active."
Mindbender smirked when Rex rose from he bed. It seemed the nanomites he'd injected Rex with had traveled to his muscles via the blood stream, allowing him to stand even after being bed ridden for such a long period of time.
Interesting.
As quick as he could with his body stiff from lack of use, Rex made his way to the mirror over the sink. He let his hands graze over his head, feeling the grotesque grooves that now pocked his skin. Gulping, Rex stepped in front of the mirror.
Whatever Rex had prepared himself for on the walk over didn't measure up to what he was seeing. He was silently praising the fact the oxygen mask covered so much of his face because now he didn't think he could cope with seeing himself completely. His head was completely bald, cranium bared for the world to see. His skin, oh god his skin. Rex figured he sustained burns but he hadn't expected the skin grafts to have been completely healed. Again he asked himself how long he'd been out.
Turning his attention from his scalp, Rex looked over the oxygen system attached to his face. The black straps of his oxygen mask were connected with magnets to the metal Professor Mindbender had been talking about located on his skull. Unable to turn his head, Rex was left touching the smooth steel to see exactly how big it was. His hand follow the metal from above his left ear, which barely looked like an ear, along the back of his skull where it split, one piece bolted to the top of his skull, the other ending below his right ear.
To finish the transformation was a black device that spanned his entire torso and back, hugging rather close to his body. Though metal, it was surprisingly light but stopped him from bending his spine much. Small metal tubes ran along the mock abdominal muscle-like structure going into the device at one end, the other ran into a strange valve like part located at his sternum. With each breath Rex took the device rose slightly before falling, a thick rubber material stretching between the back and front halves allowing them to separate.
Mindbender cocked his head, watching Rex's brow's furrowed as he looked himself over. "That's an iron lung. It's helping y-"
"I know the purpose of an iron lung," snarled Rex, managing to turn at the waist in order to glare at the Professor. With the oxygen mask on his voice was even deeper, lacking the weak gasps he'd taken without it.
"Of course, Doctor. I designed it to allow you to breathe since your diaphragm was destroyed and your lungs are lacking the ability to move properly." Professor Mindbender moved his wheelchair closer. "It was the best we could do given the amount of damage you sustained."
"The best you could do? I'm a monster!" yelled Rex. He turned on the professor, angrily advancing towards him, eyes glimmering darkly. "This is your fault!"
Mindbender didn't even gasp as Rex wrapped his hands around his neck. Either Rex's grip wasn't that tight, or the professor just didn't care. "You made me into this! I could have left that bunker if it weren't for you! I could be at home with my wife right now! Do you know what you've taken from me? DO YOU!"
"Doctor, please control yourself." Rex stopped, glancing behind him at the door. Standing in the opening was McCullen, his expression completely calm. To Rex it seemed McCullen didn't care what happened to Mindbender, which was probably the case.
Rex's hands released Mindbender's neck, falling to his sides as he turned his attention to McCullen. "How long have I been out?"
"Five months, Doctor. Do you realize how far back this puts my nanomite research?" inquired the Scottish man, glaring at Rex.
Rex's brows furrowed. Why would his being unconscious have put the nanomite research on hold? Unless-
"What makes you think I'd help you with your research?"
McCullen laughed, looking to Mindbender. "You were right. He is smart." He then turned his attention back to Rex. "You're a scientist, of course you'll help. How could you pass up this chance of a life time?"
"Like this. I'll pass," said Rex, glaring darkly, lips curling under the oxygen mask. "I have a life I need to get back to, a wife waiting for me."
"It's been five months, Doctor, what makes you so sure she's still waiting?" McCullen scoffed, brushing invisible lint off his black suit. "Besides, what woman would want to stay with a man in your condition?"
Rex just stared blankly at McCullen, watching as unease flitted across McCullen's face. "My wife and I have known one another since we were eight. That's seventeen years. My current appearance will not change how she feels for me."
Mindbender glanced at McCullen, the two silently communicating one thought: they would lose the Doctor if they didn't think quick.
McCullen mulled over every possible option in his head. This wife was going to complicate things. Or…
The Scottish man grinned. "What if I told you working with me could stop your wife from ever being hurt?" His grin turned into a smirk when he notice Rex's brows furrow in contemplation.
Hook.
"And how, pray tell, is that possible?" Rex had his arms behind his back, hands grasping one another. McCullen had his full attention.
"Nanomite technology." McCullen looked over Rex, ranging his attentive level. Once certain he was focused, McCullen continued.
Line.
"I plan on using the nanomites in order to save humanity. The only thing standing in the way of me healing the citizens of the world are the leaders. For that I'd need to place someone in the highest seat of power, someone who will listen to my orders and fulfill everything asked of him. I need someone to become the president of the United States." This, of course, wasn't the whole truth, nor was it the reasoning behind McCullen wanting someone in the white house. But, where was the fun in revealing you've stacked the deck before playing the game?
The gears began to turn in Rex's head. McCullen's idea had potential. But, how could they get someone into the oval office? And how would the be able to control said person to help make the world a better place? Then it hit him. Nanomites, after all, held potential to do amazing things to human beings. To think, he'd be the one making these world changing discoveries.
"I'm in."
Sinker.
McCullen smirked, nodding to Mindbender. "Good, we'll prepare you a room and a l-"
"You didn't let me finish," Rex said calmly, an eyebrow raised in cold amusement. "I'm in, but only if you comply with one demand on my part."
"You don't have room to be making any demands," stated McCullen coldly. "The only reason you're breathing right now is because we've helped you. We can easily take everything back."
Professor Mindbender adjusted his glasses, leaning forward in his chair so his chin rested in his palm. "Let's hear him out."
Rex nodded to Mindbender. " I want my wife as my assistant. If you can't comply with this, then I'm afraid I'm of no use to you." He looked between the two older men before him. "It's my wife and I or you don't get me."
Rex knew he was playing a dangerous game requesting something like this. After all, McCullen had been correct, they were the sole reason Rex was breathing right now. He owed them for that. And his desire to work with the nanomites was also making it hard for him to turn them down. But this was important. Diana was important.
"And what if she says no? What if she refuses to come work with you?" asked Mindbender, continuing to survey Rex as though he were an insect.
"She won't refuse me because I won't let her. She will come and work with me, one way or another." Rex stood up straight, glancing at both men once again.
"There's no harm in allowing my wife to come work on this project. She won't distract me, if that's what you're thinking. Science is my passion, she knows this, and she won't stop me from doing something I love. From what I saw inside the bunker, the nanomites have yet to reach their full potential, and that's something I want to help with.
Just imagine. The nanomites are so tiny they can change the way the synapses in the human brain work, allowing some one from the outside to control a person. Or, they could adjust DNA on command, allowing a human to change their appearance like a chameleon. They have so much raw, untapped energy that is just waiting to be discovered."
As Rex spoke, his desire to work on the project began to grow. He'd always been a persuasive man, even now, and he'd originally planned on persuading McCullen and Professor Mindbender in hopes they'd realize they needed him and to acquiesce his request. However, he had started to persuade himself into working with them whether or not his request was fulfilled.
McCullen let his thumb and forefinger rub his chin in thought. If what the Doctor was saying was true then he wouldn't have to worry about rigging the presidential election. He could just find someone he could control and give them the ability to look like the president. "Could that really happen? Could you really change a person's appearance to look like whoever you want?"
"Yes, it is possible," said Rex. "From what I've seen of them, the nanomites are already attacking the skin. My wife is, in fact, a human physiologist who specializes in specifically in the brain. She could be a great asset to the entire project."
Rex silently hoped that had done it. That what he had just said had talked McCullen into allowing his wife to join him wherever this road took him.
McCullen mulled it over. It seemed to be a win-win in his mind. "All right. You can pick up your wife tonight. But as soon as you have her here you will be working on the nanomite technology. Remember, I have the power to take your beloved wife from you as well."
McCullen then jerked his head to the door, motioning for Mindbender to follow him out. "You have an hour until we leave on my private jet. You'd never be able to get back into the US with that iron lung you're wearing."
And with that said, McCullen and Mindbender were gone.
Rex returned to the bed, sitting down. Absentmindedly he ran a hand over his head again. Everything from this point on would be different, even with Diana in his presence. Society would never accept him for who he was now and that scared him. Now that he was able to think, he wondered how Diana would react. Would she be scared of him? Would she despise him? She'd have so many options to chose from.
He laid back, staring up at the overbearingly white ceiling. How had Diana reacted when he was pronounced dead? How had she carried herself when the volley shots had be shot off saluting his death?
And what had become of his beloved sister Ana? How did she feel about the last of her family being gone? Had she married Duke? Did she know how he'd just left her?
Rex anger begin to ignite within him.
Duke.
Rex had never felt the need to kill a man in cold blood, but Duke was changing that. He had been his friend, his commanding officer. Why didn't he come back for him? Why?
The broken man lay in bed, questioning everything he'd once known. He silently hoped to survive this second chance he'd been given.
AN: I hope you guys enjoyed chapter 3. I'll have chapter 4 out as soon as possible. Don't forget, I love to hear what you all thought!