Gleb opened the case. Looking at rows of tiny containers, sitting tight in their slots, made him sigh. Several
dozens of vials which contained years of his work. And it ends here, with him. What good was this scientific
search, if it couldn't help against the raiders? What good is it, if it couldn't save lives when it was needed
most? Yes, modifications he offered were only supposed to help people with somewhat minor and casual troubles,
heal them… But this case contains more than that. Modifications he never offered to anyone, untested, maybe
outright dangerous. Modifications capable of changing one into something that is much more than human. Based
on local fauna, as well as other creatures across the galaxy, those were capable of freeing one from
limitations of human body. He was afraid to offer those to his fellow villagers. He was afraid to lose their
trust and friendship by offering them mutations that would set them apart from other humans. But most of all…
He was afraid that they’d take his offer. That they’d like it. And that he’d turn this peaceful, ordinary
settlement into a town of inhumans. And to people around… what would it look like? They’d see a picture from
those stupid holo-shows and movies – a domain of mad scientist, guarded by inhuman servants.
Gleb closed his eyes, feeling something wet on his face. He knew what it was. Tears, bitter tears of defeat.
Maybe… Maybe it would have been better if it happened like that. His friends and patients would be alive. They
would be changed, but still alive. They’d be feared and possibly despised, but they would still live. And if
they would have been attacked, they’d repel the raid easily with those new bodies. But instead… They are all
dead and he is left to mourn their deaths here. All alone.
In the end it didn’t matter that their village hadn’t alienated other people. They were seen as prey by
raiders. A prey that is stronger than some others, but prey nonetheless. Gleb clenched his fists. It’s so
natural, yet so unfair! Safety can only be gained through superior strength. He could have offered the village
a power to become safe, yet his indecisiveness didn’t even offer them a choice…
But… Enough of that. Gleb rubbed his face, sighing. Enough self-pity. There are more pressing concerns. For
one – his own survival. Even if raiders lost him, he’s still all alone in this forest. No food, no water, no
comms. A handgun. No skills of survival. Assuming the handgun works, he can hope to shoot something. To defend
himself against predators once or twice, maybe even get some meat. But even this is a long shot. He knew too
well how slim his chances are against creatures of this planet. Perhaps that’s why raiders are not in a hurry
to pursuit him. To them, he is a dead man already. Not that it’s far from the truth. Best case scenario –
he’ll survive two or three days. Not nearly enough to get out of the woods.
Wrapping his fingers around the gun’s rough handle, Gleb pulled it out carefully from his pocket. Barely
charged.
An almost inaudible chuckle comes from the figure, sitting with a back against a tree. Ironic, really… The
only thing that can help him is the case. He can use those experimental mutagens. It will give him a chance.
Refined, distilled and improved abilities of beasts will give him a chance against the forest. But it is,
most-likely, a one-way ticket. Even in the best case scenario, if everything goes absolutely as intended,
reversing it won’t be possible for years… If he turns himself into a monstrous hybrid now, he’ll have to live
like that. Even when he escapes the woods and reaches civilization, he won’t be able to go back to human body.
He’d need to rebuild the lab and spend who knows how long researching the way to reverse mutations. So it’s
ironic indeed… All those thoughts about weak and strong, prey and predators… In the end, he can only accept
himself as prey or try to become predator. And only predators can survive here.
Will he have a place among humans if he subjects himself to this? Somehow it’s hard to see a positive answer
to this question. And more importantly… It’s strange to realize this, but he won’t really want that place. To
come back to civilized world… It actually feels stupid now. It’s so clear and obvious now – that world is
dirty, dishonest, cruel and is filled with hypocrisy. What’s good about it? Comfort? Communication with
others? If he turns himself into monster, he’ll be as comfortable in these woods. And he has no slightest wish
to face others. To see their hypocritical eyes that shine with egoistical desires, that display true nature of
those two-faced predators…
It might be best to just remain here. Turn oneself into something that can survive here, and stay. Build a
hideout and enjoy the safety… Doesn’t sound so bad. But no, it’s not something that he needs to think about
now. Whatever he does later, he first needs to decide, which of those mutagens will be most helpful, which
will give him highest chance of survival…
Twenty minutes later, Gleb put the case aside with a sigh. Most mutagens held helpful qualities, but neither
of them was the ultimate form he’d be ready to stay as for a long time. Or maybe, entire life even… Reptilian,
marine, insectoid, fast, strong, agile, tough, more intelligent, with better reflexes… Each form had it’s pros
and cons, but they were somewhat narrowly specialized. And he needed versatile form. There was one possibility
however. Bottom right vial. His most special experiment.
Gleb pulled the container out of its seat, bringing it close to his face. An experiment that took years and is
still far from being over. Experiment that could not guarantee a successful transformation. With others he
knew – they at least have somewhat stable result, they wouldn’t cause one to dissolve into biomass or explode.
This one however… Theoretically, it worked. But how exactly would it work in reality – it couldn’t be
predicted.
Basic structure is a DNA of a peculiar mollusc from recently discovered world, which has unparalleled ability
to absorb and process genetic material, changing itself through improvement of its own genetic code. Gleb had
to pay a small fortune to get his hands on a sample of “clean” species. Anyway, creature’s use of this ability
wasn’t extremely impressive. What Gleb had wanted was a possibility of conscious control over genetic code in
one’s body. And he has been successful, mostly. In its present version, the mutagen combines DNA of mollusc,
Queen species of ant-like insects and portions of genetic code of specific viruses.
The worst part was that resulting mutagenic genome was highly unpredictable, recombining itself in unusual
ways each time due to features of mollusc genetic ability. In addition, it could only work on X-chromosomes in
humans, so additional programming had to be made – as a result, upon facing XY chromosome structure, it would
duplicate X chromosomes, eliminating Y ones. So, it would effectively turn one into female on genetic level…
On the plus side, it will grant outstanding regenerative ability, and hybrid body will have redundant nervous
system, attaining two additional copies of central nervous system.
Anyway, for Gleb, this meant that, if everything works, he’ll be able to take all of his mutagens without fear
of incompatibility, storing various traits until they are needed. In short, this is the closest anyone ever
came to shapeshifting, seemingly simple ability, if one remembers various films and shows… And still – the
risks involved were far greater than with anything else.
There was very little choice, if Gleb wanted to stay alive. And he had nothing to lose. In the end, after some
hesitation, he made up his mind…