Making some edits. As for the second chapter on the original, it'll be out soon, sometime this month.
1: Dilemma
April 6th, 2020
Today was a day that would forever change the lives of two unsuspecting individuals—arguably for the better—or for the worse.
Presently it's a beautiful day at the Detroit headquarters of Herman Industries—the morning sun warms the grand corporate building, and the letters which stretch down its face spell the company's name in a bright green serif font. It's a high-rise building, covered with a plethora of dark-tinted windows. Inside, the chief executive officer, Herman Robern, oversees the testing of prototype gear, made to accompany a newly developed super soldier serum.
"It looks great." resounds Herman. "Also, everything seems to function as intended."
Ahead of him is a large display; a metal glider loaded with different functions and tools, hovers overhead, with any dangerous weapon being disabled. Built-on guns and missile launchers were deprived of ammunition. The glider is suspended mid air, using the power of small turbofans and rockets. Wires restrain the glider from flying around. They're attached to a platform with built-in computers, used to record the results of the experiment, while other scientists in the room observe. On the glider is an employee, decked out with prototype armor and strapped to the glider's surface with iron restraints. Each foot is nestled into small, foot-sized indents in the metal. The armor, designed to absorb impacts, temperature and pressure, is made out of a green-tinted material. Small tanks of oxygen are built into the back of the suit, which can be refilled or replaced. The headpiece is the only thing out of the picture, which alerts Herman. He questions his assistant, Dr. Carson, who happens to be monitoring the experiment.
"Dr. Carson. Where's the helmet? It's an essential piece of the armor. Otherwise, we'll never be sure the oxygen tanks are properly wired."
"We encountered some... issues with it. We had it put under maintenance." Dr. Carson replies. "We got some officials working on it right now."
"Wait, what? What was the problem? Have you identified it yet?" Herman asks.
"The lights on the top weren't properly connected." states Dr. Carson. "Our engineers were very apologetic though, and they plan to repair it as soon as they can."
"Alright, that'll do for now." says Herman. "Ask them to have it ready for tomorrow so we can do a test with the helmet."
Dr. Carson turns back to keep track of the experiment. "Got it... but Mr. Robern, shouldn't we be focusing on finishing the serum? We haven't begun the trials yet, and if we fail to do so, the military will be furious with us, and might cut the contract, which will bring the company down with it." Dr. Carson says.
"Yes, Dr. Carson. That thought's been keeping me up at night, but the thing is, we were given such a small window of time to get this finished." Herman raises his voice a little. "You can't expect us to make a scientific breakthrough at this scale, in just a couple of years!" Dr. Carson raises his hand to calm him down, but Herman shoos it away. "It's just... we need to finalize a few things before we get started. Let's not stress this out." concurs Herman.
Herman Industries was once a giant in the science realm. But now, after its many years in service, it was left to stand on its last legs. The company is currently reliant on a contract with the military, and a "super soldier serum" is expected to be finished today. Unfortunately, they're behind schedule. A lot is on the line—if the deal is cut off, the company will head straight to bankruptcy. The company's CEO, Herman Robern, is expecting the arrival of the army general, who will discuss an extension of the contract.
"Hello, Mr. Robern." says a familiar voice. "We need to talk."
Herman looks in the direction of the noise—two high-security doors were opened by his employees, using their security cards. They walk in unison with a large man, who's wearing an olive-drab overcoat, escorting him throughout the building. It's the army general.
"General Welson." greets Herman, "Good to see you."
The army general looks at him sternly. "We need to get down to business."
The two men go to a secluded part of the large laboratory, free from the crowd of scientists. An array of computers and glass chambers resting on marble countertops fill this section, each one being meticulously placed according to their purpose. Herman's heart starts beating faster, as the fear of failing his company kicks in at full force. To the latter, it felt like four surrounding walls were closing in on him.
"Yes, yes I know. We've been a bit behind schedule, there's been a few issues during the development of the glider and armor-" says Herman.
"Mr. Robern. The armor and glider should be your last priority. The contract is in regards with the serum, not your gadgets." converses General Welson. "Don't get me wrong, we're interested in the equipment, but we can't put someone on that glider if the serum doesn't even work."
Herman sighs. He's pissed off and tries his best to hide it—who does that man think he is, to rush work which requires that much attention?
"We'll make sure to start developing the serum. Please, if you extend the contract for another month, I promise we will have doses ready." insists Herman.
General Welson shakes his head in disdain. "Listen Mr. Robern. I already extended the contract, six months ago! I'm not willing to continue funding your projects if we aren't getting our part of the deal. We've put a lot of money into this project and, at this rate, we should already have the serum."
"I assure you. Just one more month and we'll be able to fulfill our part." pleads Herman.
"No. Mr. Robern. I'm not going to extend the contract again. Instead, I'm going to look for another company who can actually do their part." General Welson says. He watches as the color drains from Herman's face. "If you don't step up, our money won't be going towards this project any longer. And this time, I promise, I won't give you another chance."
"General Welson, I promise that I can get it finalized by..." Herman needs to concentrate and think quickly, but the utter lack of hope makes that impossible, and he fails to collect his thoughts. "It'll all be finished by t-th-the end of the week! Can you extend the contract for just one more week?"
General Welson sighs. "Alright, fine. But if you don't get it finished by the end of the week, I'm going to sign with someone else." And with everything established, the army general departs, to extend the contract once more. However, the reality of the one week contract is out of touch, considering their current stance on the serum's development. "Meet me at the office to sign the contract," booms the general's voice from afar.
Herman Robern stands there, bewildered. He had just made a near-impossible promise, one that cannot be fulfilled safely. His assistant, Dr. Carson, notices the absence of the army general, prompting him to inquire about the contract's circumstances. Herman leans against the smooth countertop, using his hands to hold himself up, the cold marble pressing against his palms. The sight of Dr. Carson coming his way alarms him.
"What do you need, Drew?" wonders Herman, addressing Dr. Carson by his surname.
"How did it go?" asks Dr. Carson. "What's the fate of Herman Industries?"
"Please. We'll talk about it later. I'm feeling sick to my stomach. I need to meet General Welson at the office in a few minutes to sign the contract extension."
"Wait… so the company is not going down the toilet? Why do you feel sick then?"
"The contract extension only lasts a week. If we don't finalize the serum and start distribution by then, the company will die. Plus, those gliders won't sell without the serum so take those out of the question."
"Well, we can't finalize it without a successful human trial, but jumping straight to human trials isn't a good option, Mr. Robern. I really have no idea what to do. Does General Welson even know where we are on the serum's development?"
"I'm afraid he hasn't checked in a while. I made a promise to fulfill our part of the contract by the end of the week and I have no choice but to find a way."
"Well, you need to go tell him that it won't work. I'd prefer he just cuts the contract, rather than him waiting and getting mad at us again. You're the one who made the promise, Herman. I'm going to finish monitoring the glider."
The company's downfall had begun.
Herman Robern had only just started his financial struggles. The company's financial health had been deteriorating for the past few years; the contract with the military served as their bread and butter ever since. But now, the company's failure to meet the contract's requirements was putting it on the brink of bankruptcy. Herman's unrealistic promise needed to be met in order for the company to thrive again.
The negative outcomes start to play out in Herman's head: lose the contract… lose your house… lose all your hard-earned assets… all while being a single father. He angrily slams his fist onto the countertop he was leaning on, causing loose objects to rattle and tip over.
"I need to do something." thinks Herman. "I can't lose my business. If I lose my business, I lose everything."
An idea sparks in Herman's mind. He shifts his head to the right and the equipment built for the serum's testing comes into view. A large chamber and it's monitoring stations take up a large portion of the room. Every single piece of equipment there was built in anticipation for the day of the first serum test.
He walks over to the large glass chamber, which is built on iron framing. Through the glass is a large motorized platform used to secure a test subject, with wheels and rails to guide it in-and-out. There are computers to the right of the chamber, with the purpose of managing the future experiment's data. Next to one sits a metal chamber, built against a wall and locked by a keypad. It takes the appearance of a metal crate, but after Herman unlocks it by punching in a series of numbers, the sides unfold while the top remains stationary. Inside, there are four tubes filled with a viscous green substance.
"Maybe... I do know what to do." declares Herman, grabbing one of the glass cylinders.
Dr. Carson returns from the glider to find Herman, who holds a tube of the super soldier serum in his hand.
"You can't possibly be thinking of using that stuff on yourself, right?" queries Dr. Carson.
"Well, maybe this is the best choice of action. We've been working on this project for years, I'm sure this will go accordingly. All those countless, sleepless nights aren't amounting to nothing."
He returns the tube of serum to its support and locks the metal case. The case's mechanisms whir as the metal plates shift back into position.
"Meet me here, 9 o'clock tonight." demands Herman, while he makes a run for the laboratory's exit. "It's time we step up!"
"Where are you going?!"
"To sign the contract."