Chapter 5

Red Dragon focussed her whole attention on what the Headmaster was saying, knowing how important it would be for her to know.

"You know, of course, that the Evolution Accelerator has not been used since it produced me as a clone of the original Headmaster. Thankfully, I have regained my missing memories and am complete once again. I had my scientists remove and reinstate it into my currant lab because I am not prepared to abandon my previous work on evolution and DNA. A few weeks ago I discovered an unknown DNA sample, and I have been attempting to find out where it comes from and what it is, as well as any useful properties I can incorporate into my plans. Part of that DNA sample is currently ready to be combined with another, as soon as the Evolution Accelerator activates around it. Or should I say was?"

He paused, and Red Dragon felt sufficiently restored to open her eyes. To her annoyance, the Headmaster was smirking smugly in her direction. She suddenly found herself wrestling with the strong, almost instinctive desire to growl at him. She finally managed to stifle the desire, but it made her feel confused and afraid, as she had no idea where it had come from.

The Headmaster studied her face for a long moment; apparently she had given away the fact that there was something wrong. She wondered if he would ask her about it, but instead he resumed his explanation.

"When you fell onto the Evolution Accelerator, it analysed your DNA and apparently deemed it compatible with the DNA sample within it."

Her eyes widened as she realised with horror what had happened.

"You…you mean my-"

He nodded, and cut her off, saying calmly

"Your DNA has combined with the unknown sample to create a new species, half-human and the other half an unknown creature".

The Headmaster frowned as she did not respond. A look of horror had flashed onto her face, as the full implications of the accident had finally struck her. She only now understood, she was no longer human, she had been permanently changed. She still had her eyes shut and was rocking backwards and forwards on her chair, this action the only indication of the acute distress she was experiencing. The Headmaster became increasingly irritated and shook her lightly, in an attempt to snap her out of her condition. When it didn't work, he decided that a more drastic action would be required. Eyes narrowed in concentration, he slapped her as hard as he could across the face. Red Dragon jerked violently with shock, almost falling off her chair, her eyes snapping open, her pupils widening so much that they looked almost normal. She blinked a few times, and then stared at the floor, suppressing the wince of pain she wanted to express at the sting in her cheek.

The Headmaster, however, was not prepared to let her wallow in self-pity and seized her chin, firmly lifting her head so she was looking at his face.

"Calm yourself. You are thinking too deeply about the negative side of your evolution. You must think of the positive implications".

Red Dragon frowned, and asked disbelievingly

"There is a positive side?"

The Headmaster gritted his teeth, trying to suppress a desire to slap the girl again.

"Yes, there is a positive side! This is one reason I detest all these wasteful emotions, they get in the way of progress, and now they are preventing you from embracing your new potential."

Red Dragon contemplated the Headmaster's words and then examined her new self for a few minutes, feeling her skin and discovering that these invisible scales totally covered her. She began to wonder how useful these scales could be, and if they could protect her in the same way that armour would. With a voice that seemed detached, and with a dreamy expression on her face, she asked the Headmaster

"Do you have a pin Sir?"

The Headmaster moved to his desk and took a pin out of a drawer, handing it to her. She poked at her arm and her face, discovering that the scales repelled it easily. She used it to stab at her arm, as hard as she could, and the pin snapped in two. She felt no pain, on both experiments. The Headmaster smiled approvingly. The girl was acting with logic and intelligence. It was important that she discovered what she could do in this improved state, as she could be more useful to his plans then he had anticipated before.