Chapter 3

GeneX Labs.

The place was massive and pristine. The building made of white material that almost made it appear like glass, but one couldn't see in through to the facility. She double checked her map once more and nodded. This was far out of the city, hidden remotely for the purpose of keeping its projects under wraps. She took a deep breath and prepared to take the plunge, there was no going back the moment she walked through those doors. With her courage gathered she popped in a stick of gum and approached.

Alley walked in. There was no security, no special clearance, nothing. She just strolled in through the doors unopposed. By the time she reached the front desk, Alley stood there for a moment chewing her gum. She decided to chew loud enough to gain the attention of the person at the desk. The secretary didn't look up until she took the gum from her mouth and stuck it into the computer tower, right over the back USB port. When they finally looked up, their eyes widened. Alley however smiled. "I hear your people are looking for me, and want my research." She said.

The secretary looked about and found she was the only one there. Immediately the called went out, the whole lab went into lock down as many men in black suits suddenly flooded the halls. She stood there unimpressed at first, but knew she had to put on a show. Her hands went up. "Look, you were going to come for me sooner than later, I thought I would save you the hassle. So… whose in charge here?"

There was a small parting on the left hallways. He emerged through the crowd with the biggest grin on his face. "Alley Brawler!"

Alley sighed aloud. "Should have known. A clone of Genus's?" she asked.

He snickered. "One of many who work here, yes. I am pleased to see you decided to join us!"

She blew off the comment. "I am not here to join you!" she said. "I am here to ensure you assholes don't come to my lab anymore and try and take my stuff! I got four brothers who do that enough has it is!"

The clone appeared intrigued. "So, I have been informed you are aware of our… projects."

She shrugged her shoulders as her arms lowered. "I know of them, but not in full details. I mean, why would the heroes association send some of their best heroes to a genetics lab that just started? Why not a more well established one? No doubt there's some sort of financial dealings going on here."

"Smart one… too smart for that matter."

"So? What are you going to do about it?"

The clone called off the men in black. "Simple, we are going to utilize that mind of yours Miss Brawler. After all, you have all of the original's intellect. However, he failed to realize as clones, we will do our own tests, make new discoveries and know more about the world and the dream he wanted to achieve!" he paused. "You may call me Septimus."

Alley smirked. "So, you're clone number seven huh?"

"No need for the sarcastic sass," He turned and waved her over. "You will come with me, and you will do as I say if you wish to survive. If not… I am certain there are tests we can conduct on you."

She had to bite her tongue. Alley knew anything said now, could hint at her true plan of being there. She was led down the hall, the pristine and clean appearance of the lab was maintained until he turned and opened a door that led down into the underground. This is where it got dark and dingy. Despite this though, when they reached the bowels of this lab it returned to its clean appearance. However there was far more occurring downstairs than up stairs. The labs were full of other clones. They appeared to have broken off into groups and were doing separate research from the others. One room caught her eye. The clones in there were discussing her cure! Trying to break apart the chemical components to recreate it in the lab, but appear to have had difficulty.

Others were discussing other heroes… mainly the S Class. Each room showed charts and DNA structures of heroes. One she happened to walk by was on Snek! "This lab we have devoted to Snek." Septimus explained. "It is amazing that out of the three, he is the most perfectly balanced between human and monster; Human mentality, able to retain his own personality, emotions and skills and yet with monster power, strength and durability. The close second is Lightning Max. However, with Snek, he find in this form he is very… productive." He explained. "His shedding are still useful after he discards them, we found very little from pervious battles and learn his serpent skin is very durable. In fact, we are in the process of discovering its true purpose in the market, mainly the rich are interested in for fashion purposes."

Alley was sick at the sight, they are doing all this research yet it was never what the heroes association wanted. "Can I just ask something?"

Septimus nodded. "Very well."

"You had no intention of curing them, did you?"

A small grin came over him. "No." he said coldly. "Why cure them? What is the purpose when they are far more… useful as they are now than when they were human? The only one we don't quite have a use for is Suiryu. Your serum prevented him from changing too far unlike Lightning Max and Snek. But… we are in the process of rectifying that issue."

Alley froze. "What do you mean by that?"

Septimus smiled to her. "We have concluded with the notion that if Suiryu was not injected with your serum, he would have been instantly a level dragon monster. Even in the state he is in now he is a dragon level threat. Yet, he could be so much more! We want to see this evolution first hand and are developing ways of achieving it!"

"You can't!" she protested. "Why turn him farther? What would be the point!"

There was a sense of dread starting to fill her now, there was far more going on than what she anticipated. That was only confirmed as she walked pass another lab, but they weren't discussing matters on the heroes that were turned… but the S Class heroes and the possible transformations they could become if consumed or injected with monster cells!

"We are going to change the world Miss Brawler!" Septimus said with glee. "We are going to bring about the new evolution of mankind! A perfect fusion of monster and man, into a harmonious being that cannot be stopped!" he paused. "Your family inspired that you know."

"I think I told your brother or lack of a better term this once before. Forcing an evolution is not an evolution!" she said. "You are merely using the world as lab rats and hoping for the best results!" She then glared at Septimus. "As for my family… you all think my family has the answer for everything? We are just trying to live our lives the best we can, it's hard enough that some people still don't see us as heroes let alone people!"

"There are sacrifices that must be made for progress. As for your family… why bother being the hero? Wouldn't it be simple to go out and do what you wished? You are a family of monsters are you not? Monsters do as they please without fear of what others think!" he paused. "With what we intend on doing, no one will be insulting your family again. For they will become creatures just like them!"

Alley didn't say anything else. Instead the tour was forced along. Deeper they went, and the more Alley began to feel she maybe in over her head. Yet, there was something else here too. Septimus led her by a containment unit. Inside she saw something moving, it lunged at the glass hard! Alley jumped when she saw Tank Top Tiger staring back at her! "No… What are you doing with him!" she demanded.

Septimus grinned. "Oh, it's not what we're going to do with him… it's what you are going to do…" his smile grew. "You are going to undo the damage done to him, and turn him back into his monster form!"