Chapter 11

At GeneX Labs.

She just finished doing a mental inventory in her mind of the lab equipment. With a nod of her head, she knows what she has, what can be used and what can be made. However, despite all the materials available before her, there was nothing here that would assist her in making the cure. No one can know that the base of it was her father's blood, that secret will never be revealed to the likes of Septimus and his clones. Still, he is going to expect something. She can't forge it either, what if they have test subjects whom they will use it on? What if she is forced to use it? Her mind kept thinking back to the notes they were making on the S Class heroes. Are they planning on turning them into half monsters like Snek and Max?

But then, she remembered Suiryu. They wanted to push his transformation, turning him even farther. But with what means? How could they do that? She couldn't think of it now. Yet as the thought plagued her, Septimus returned. "Is the lab to your liking?" he asked.

"Not bad," she said, but paused. "What did you mean earlier that you wanted to push Suiryu's transformation?" she asked. "If he is already a level dragon threat, why have him turn beyond what he is?"

He smiled wickedly. "Concerned are we? I have observed you two getting rather… close. Besides, why would it matter to you if he becomes more monster like?"

"It matters because you will be forcing him to!" she snapped back.

"For the sake of progress. Besides, a curious mind like myself wants to see results, Suiryu is but an unfinished project. I rather prefer to see it through!"

"You are sick!"

Septimus smiled. "I would watch what you say around me, Miss Brawler. Remember, dear child. You are a monster as well; we can always use fresh materials to new… methods of achieving what we desire. First thing is first…" Septimus reached towards the cord sticking out of her pocket, he wrenched out her computer, yet paused. "A music device? You brought a music device with you?" he demanded.

"I work better with music!" she protested. However, he wasn't convinced. Taking the earpiece, he placed it into his ear and chose a random song. Yet, once the music played he sneered.

"I expected far better taste in music from you than this obnoxious noise!" and tossed it back to her. "You may keep your music, but I want results!"

Alley glared at him, yet as he turned to leave, he paused. "We expect your first sample to be ready in 24 hours, from there, it will be tested on Tank Top Tiger. See to it that you don't kill him."

When the door closed, Alley cursed. "That can't be the reason why they brought him here." Looking about the lab, she found nearly all that she needed but the key element to her cure. Her father's blood. Yet, she will have to make do.

It was part of the reason why she hit a roadblock with the cure for the guys. Since she has injected them once with a solution containing her father's DNA. All other cures will no longer work, the key element is already introduced into the system, anything stronger will not change the infected. It would be like taking another shot for an illness you are already immune to. Then again, Tiger took two shots of the cure. It reduced his appearance from monster to human rather well. But that was a concentrated from she was working specifically for Pac.

With that, Alley began to work. She held off on her music knowing that the moment she plays a song, it will signal Bofoi at the lab to take a certain action… which she needs him to do now. She already implanted her nano gum into a computer, he can take it from there. So with that, she turned on her portable computer and began blaring one of her songs. Disturbed Breathe began to play on her portable computer. The signal was sent to the lab, the download should begin any moment. As she played the music, Alley got to work, she will do what they asked, but not in the way they want! One of the things she enjoyed to do was making notes that are not really readable to the naked eye. She used music lyrics when describing certain areas of interest.

On a white board, she began writing out lyrics, but in her mind it was a formula. She has to make something to use on Tiger, but it can't be anything that will allow him to become Tiger in a tank top again! But, one thing still bothered her. The way he acted in the containment unit, he appeared just as wild as he was Tiger in a tank top. She knows her cure was enough to take out the aggression, so why was he acting like that?

Turning to the door, she found a communication speaker. She approached and hit the button. "Hey… hello… can I get a blood sample from Tank Top Tiger?"

There was no answer at first, until someone replied. "Better yet. Take the whole tiger!"

Alley paused as the door quickly opened, Tiger was forced into the room! He turned just as the door closed on him. "HEY LET ME OUT!" he demanded. His fist bashed against the door indenting it.

Right away, Alley knew something was up. Tiger froze as he turned and saw her. "They got you too?" he asked.

"Not really, I just walked in on my own accord. I figured it was better than then coming to me."

Tiger turned and face Alley for the first time since his transformation. He appeared to be ashamed of his actions. "I… I'm sorry for what I did…" he said. "That was low, even for me."

Alley brushed it off. "You weren't in full control of yourself, no big deal. Besides, I got bigger problems now. Making a cure, and apparently a half monster serum. These guys really do want to world to be half monster don't they…"

Tiger didn't say anything, instead he found a chair and sat down. "So… I am to be your test subject?"

"Sadly yes. Don't worry I am not going to shoot you up full of drugs and see which ones take. I do need a blood sample though."

Tiger offered his left arm. Alley found a sterilized needle and took what she needed. From there, the test can begin. But first thing is first. As she place a drop of the blood on a slide for analysis, she peered into the scope. Instantly, she knew something was up.

"So… when were you going to tell me about your little acting career?"

"Wh... what are you talking about?" Tiger stammered.

Alley pulled away from the table before staring at Tiger, she wasn't the least bit impressed. "I figured something was up with the way you were acting in your cell. Normally the human reaction is to be petrified, scared, huddled in a corner and demanding to know why you are placed there. Instead… you charged like a wild animal. Second… the doorway." She pointed to the indents made when he was demanding to be let out. "I know for a fact that my serum took away your monster strength to do such a thing. These walls are also meant to be strong and durable, a human tank top Tiger couldn't leave a dent."

She then approached him. "Third… your blood sample." Leaning into his face, she said. "I know what your blood is suppose to look like. I'm the one who was working on the full cure… remember?"

The lost and sad look vanished from Tank Top Tiger. He began to smile. "Smart chick… But not too bright!" In the chair he began to transform once more. Tank Top Tiger could come and go as he pleased into Tiger in a Tank Top. Alley however wasn't the least bit surprised.

"So… I take it you came here willingly huh? They managed to get so far with you because of what I already made and reversed engineered it. Smart…"

Tiger growled in her face. "Now, you are going to make what they asked, so I can turn my brother and the whole tank top army into new legions! We are going to take over the M Class Dragons! We are going to overthrow your father as the strongest of them all!"

Alley again wasn't impressed. "Yeah, I figured that was your plan. And I take it you are sent in to make sure I work on it huh?"

His arms crossed. "Damn right."

"Just making sure. I'm going to play some music."

Deceiver by Disturbed played.