We Shall Be Monsters [Paragon]

[Ghost]

Adam sat on his bed, the room around him dark.  His night vision was activated, so he could see clearly - it was a benefit of having cybernetic optics. He much preferred the dark to the light. Then others wouldn't have to see. It was also more fitting for his alias "Ghost." Only one had seen him besides Victor and Mr. Haart. A woman - a quick step in - and then she filed at the sight of him.  Adam hadn't been offended. He knew what he looked like. The broken mirror in his room was a testament to that. Adam had shattered it after looking in it. Still - he couldn't say that he had liked that reaction. He had a neighbor it seemed. A neighbor that was terrified of him.

Adam stood, his hand going to his abdomen. He felt pressure there. The biofuel cell was still new and it would probably take a few more days for his body to fully adjust to its presence. It was working. The lethargy he had felt after his first few implants had disappeared.  Victor had theorized that he needed extra power for the amount of cybernetics he carried.  He had been right. The cell utilized glucose to power his various implants. As such, his sugar intake had increased dramatically, but because it was all being burned, it had little effect on his health overall. 

With the implant adjustmet, Adam had to take medications to suppress his immune system. His body registered the implants as foreign invaders and attacked the implants. Immunosuppressors countered this. After a week, the body seemed to accept them as his own. Adam pulled a liter bottle of Coke (the good stuff with real sugar) from his fridge and drank, taking a couple of pills with it. That should be enough. 

Adam returned to his bed, sitting. The room itself was very comfortable. He pulled a book off of a table to pass the time. It was an old science-fiction book about a desert planet or something, but he was enjoying it. It kept him busy in between operations. Adam assumed eventually they'd want him to leave. They'd have to "field test" him or something, but he found himself not wanting to leave. If he left, then they would see the scars - see the monster he had become.

[Legione Sumus]

EPHRAIM HAART

Ephraim’s days were always highly choreographed affairs. He had a meeting with the delightful Lore Dearborn later that afternoon, which he would spend impressing her with glossy dossiers made to illustrate the potential which might result from Cyberpoint’s data. Paragon flourished, but investment was always welcomed. None of his pitch would include Project Ghost, of course, though it was at the forefront of their new acquisition’s application. Victor had everything well in hand, and Ephraim did not lose sleep over ethics. But Dr. Ferrer failed to consider the obvious problem of his clinical methods: Adam was a man. And men were not emotionless constructs.

There were several special cases sequestered in Paragon’s restricted basement laboratories – some temporary, some permanent – and Ephraim ensured a personal connection with each one. He did not dehumanise by calling them their Project names. In fact he treated them with a careful, paternal oversight, a warmth that always came across as genuine. Ephraim was a man who could be trusted. He was a man who always kept the welfare of Paragon’s patients at the top of his priorities.

And he was a liar. But he was the only one who knew it.

Each one received a routine visit. To nurture loyalty, to keep the bonds fresh. In Adam they created a monster quite literally after all. Victor might think himself immune, else not consider the possibility of the wolf that bites, but Ephraim would not be so short sighted.

The corridors were sterile, and his shoes clicked as he strode them. Beyond the polished steel door the sterility vanished though; each domicile was modified to be comfortable to its inhabitant’s wishes. Ephraim knocked. Privacy was a gift he bestowed with intention.

“Adam?” he called through the door. “Are you decent?”

[Ghost]

Adam heard the steps coming down the hall, despite the steel door to his room. Auditory implants picked up the even steps approaching his room. He knew few had access here. It would either be Mr. Haart or Victor. He doubted the young lady that fled would return. Why would she?

As such, Adam stood and crossed the room to the door, Turing off his night vision and flicking the lights on. Whoever it was would prefer the light even if He would prefer the dark. The knock was louder than it would be to most, but not so much that it affected much. Adam heard Mr. Haart’s voice from the other side.

Adam. Mr. Haart had always used his name. It was a nice change from his code name. It made him feel human again. Adam wasn’t sure he still was human or not. He was a man/machine hybrid. Many would see him as a monster. He was something that existed but shouldn’t. Most who looked upon his scarred visage would likely not look farther as the young woman had.

The question Mr. Haart asked struck Adam was odd. Of course he was decent. Adam didn’t wander around his room without clothes on. He covered as much as possible, hiding the body scars from view. He even wore long sleeves to cover his arms. Only his neck, face, scarred left hand and metallic right hand could be seen. Still - the question meant Mr. Haart respected his privacy.

”I am, Mr. Haart,” he said, moving to a table at the side of his accomdations. He leaned on it, and turned his head slightly, showing his back to the opening door. Mr. Haart didn’t seem as upset at his scars as others did, but he wasn’t quite sure he wanted him to see - especially after the incident with the young lady. ”You may enter.” it wasn’t a command. Adam didn’t have authority over the head of Paragon. It was simply a welcome.