Experimental Dreams
Warning: This story is rated ‘PG-13’ for somewhat graphic violence and gore… So if you can’t handle stuff like blood and death, I advise you to beware. Not a fluffy story. This is told from a first person point of view…
Chapter 1: Dreams
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.” Thomas E. Lawrence
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The digital squeaks and electric hums that emanated from the teleportation pod in the corner, echoed throughout my pristine prison. Reluctantly I opened my eyes, squinting at the sudden illumination of the automated lights, which banished the shadows from my private cell.
They could not wait a whole eight hours could they? I quickly drew my stiff body into a sitting position on the small cot which served as a most uncomfortable bed. Not that I do not expect it though, since I am not capable of deep slumber. I stretched and loosened any stiffness from my muscles.
Sighing when I hear the intercom in the ceiling crackle to life, “It is O-five hundred hours. Time for your daily examination, Subject 01.” The electronic eye, located in the wall opposite of the humming teleportation pod, lifted its metal lid bathing the cell in a red light. Its metal lid then partially lowered, centering the light into a focused beam that quickly scanned over me. Once it had determined that I hadn’t hidden a weapon, the lid snapped shut, blocking off the red light. The teleportation pod let out a hiss as the air depressurized and the thick cover slid open. With a bit of effort I squeezed my broad shoulders through the opening and hunched my proud gait so that my over six-foot height would fit into the small pod.
Clenching my jaw, I steeled my senses against the oncoming rush that teleportation always assaulted me with. The prickling sensation, similar to thousands of tiny needles in my pale flesh, soon vanished as I arrived in the sister teleportation pod. With a brusque grunt I forcefully stepped out into the nondescript holding cell that surrounded the only exit of my solitary prison. My lips contorted into a fierce scowl when I noticed one of the lab assistants peering at me through the transparent cell walls. I gritted my teeth and could feel the pupils of my ice green eyes dilating into slits as I suppressed my building ire. “What is it that you want of me?” I asked with malice lining my voice.
But rather than fidgeting under my icy gaze the assistant merely began scribbling on a pad of paper. Once his notes were finished the man finally responded, “It is your weekly test today.” He then reached out to a control panel, pressing a button, “Subject 01?”
I knew that the lab assistant wanted me to respond. Latner, that grubby faced little man. I glared at him before grabbing the standard issue pants and shirt off the hanger, which had emerged from the wall when he pushed the button.
I dressed quickly and answered him in the same condescending tone, “Yes, human?” Although I bothered to learn his name, he will certainly never use mine. To them I am far from human, instead some sort of lab rat that does not deserve any sort of rights. I stretched my hands out before me, to be caught in the restraints of a security robot.
By chance I glanced down at the back of my right hand, spying the code that had been tattooed there: JES-01. Because they had tainted the flesh of that hand, my younger self had deliberately trained to be ambidextrous. I preferred using my left hand, actually. Though superstitious humans considered being left handed to be sinister…
I had once over heard the meaning of my label, from a couple of chatty researchers that had come once to observe me like some sort of caged animal. Though they had been told of my enhanced hearing they hadn’t hid their observations at all. Experimental Specimen is what they had said. The number One had meant that I was the first result of their Project… I complied with the robot as it tugged me forward to pass through the opening where the cell wall had slid into the floor. Well, they had not noticed the blatant truth. That I was a sentient being with dreams of my own. That I am much more than their precious little experiment! So they think because they branded me, that I am their property? I made an arrogant toss of my head when the silver hair of my bangs fell into my path of vision, though it hardly hindered my keen sight.
I heard the lab assistant sigh as the robot halted directly in front of him, with my hands still bound to it. “You certainly are a stubborn subject aren’t you?” he stated naively.
I was about to counter when I heard a voice that was like poison in my veins. “Of course he is. When you’re perfect by nature, almost everything is beneath you.” the owner of the venomous voice stepped out into the Lab. The gaunt scientist with greasy black hair grinned mockingly at me, “Good morning.”
The lab assistant timidly stuttered, “P-Professor! Um.. W-will you be the one to run Subject 01’s tests today?” Latner nervously shifted when he earned no response.
Suddenly the constant buzz from the fluorescent lights above was silenced by the loud alarm of the security robot which had undoubtedly detected my spike in blood pressure. I ignored the automated guns which were abruptly aimed at my head as I attempted to melt the new arrival with my gaze alone. That Madman dares to show his face to me still! I should have killed him that first time he let his guard down! He’s the monster, not me! I couldn’t help but let out an animalistic snarl, wanting nothing more than to rip the short human to pieces. He is responsible for all of this! Memories of being strapped down to a cold, metal examination table with that Madman mercilessly injecting a burning liquid into me until I went into violent seizures, flashed vividly into my mind.
The Professor’s hollow laughter brought me back to reality. “Not today, I’m afraid. A very valuable research specimen has been captured. I want to examine her right away.” His dark, sterile eyes stared directly into mine, “I have high hopes for the girl.”
“The girl?” the lab assistant squeaked from behind, “Oh Professor… Surely you don’t mean that sweet young lady that was brought in earlier…” He yelped when the gaunt man sent him a murderous glare.
“In the name of science everything is right!” the scientist screamed, “Is there a problem?” The insanity faded from his eyes when Latner hastily shook his head. “Besides,” he jerked his boney thumb in my direction, “This one looks like a boy himself!” The professor then glowered at me from behind his thick glasses, “But don’t you get any cheeky ideas! You’re no one, nothing but my specimen. Never to be free.”
I snorted in disgust, eyeing the undersized human with contempt. “If I am nothing more than a possession,” I spoke with a deadpan tone, “Surely the Professor is little more than an insect.” I stared down at him with pure hatred. One waiting to be crushed…
The Madman only laughed dryly at me. Turning to leave he scoffed, “Flawless, eh? We certainly made you brilliant… If not too brilliant.” The laboratory door slid shut behind him, the computerized doorway locking with a beep.
Latner, who was still visibly shaken, slowly turned to the control panel pressing several buttons and inputting a password. Soon after the security robot released my hands and lowered the automated guns. Now is my chance! With lightning reflexes I dashed behind the lab assistant, gripping him so he was ahead of me. Before the man had time to protest the security robot opened fire, riddling his body with laser holes. Fortunately, my human shield gave me enough time to seize a vial of blue goop and hurl it at the robot. When the electrically charged goo hit, it short circuited the CPU effectively shutting down the machine. I sighed in relief when the guns ceased firing, my small cover wouldn’t have lasted much longer.
Looking down at the lab assistant, I felt rather indifferent. It was only a couple of minuets ago, that I had decided I didn’t want a sore arm from injections. Perhaps it is better that you died… I glanced over at the doorway, the lock needed a palm scan to open. Glimpsing a large knife along with other unpleasant tools resting in a tray beside the examination table, I quickly retrieved it. They would often use this to cut me and record how long I would take to heal the incision. Returning to Latner’s body, I sliced off his undamaged hand in one quick motion. My superior strength easily cut through the bone as though it was weak and brittle. Groaning I wiped the access blood onto the corpse’s lab coat, hoping that the severed hand wouldn’t leave a trail. Carefully I placed the hand to the scanner, my efforts rewarded with a positive beep as the door slid open.
Silently I slipped out the doorway, into the hallways which seemed to never end. But I was one step closer to my dream, even if it would never be realized. Determining that the halls were clear of danger for now, I began to cautiously pace down the maze of gray walls and white tile floors. I would scream with joy, if I escaped the artificial labyrinth.
For what seemed hours I snuck through the identical hallways, avoiding the patrols of security automatons and the occasional worker that passed through. I’m surprised the alarms have not activated… I could feel my lips twitch into a rare smile, thinking luck was on my side. Finally I came to a wall that contained windows to the Outside world. I could feel my heart speed with excitement, with freedom within my grasp.
Yet before I could truly gaze at the world I had been denied, my sensitive hearing picked up soft whimpering from a nearby room. It was such a strange sound, so foreign to my ears. With haste I opened the door and entered the secluded examination room. The sight which met my eyes was most unexpected.
Secured to an examination table by rough leather straps was a petite girl, who looked so out of place it was absurd. Her large, frightened eyes watched me when I entered; they were a brilliant green but puffy and red from crying. Her face reminded me of the pictures of angels I had seen as a child, yet she bore no wings. “Keep away.” her soft voice demanded in little more than a whisper. Her long chestnut curls shook as she futilely struggled against her bonds.
I couldn’t help but cock my head, this girl was so unlike the female assistants I had seen that it was laughable. Could she be the research specimen the Professor had spoken of earlier? I frowned at the thought of that Madman ‘examining’ such an innocent being. Something had clearly traumatized her, and I only assumed that it was my earlier thought. I shook my head in disgust. She must be from the Outside world.
I noticed that she had begun to shiver in fright; then I remembered the hand and knife I was holding. A battle raged in my mind as I stared at the girl, survival instincts told me that she was an endangerment for my chances of escape. My eyes swept over her again, noting that she wore the standard issue clothes as I did. She is… like me. I looked away, moral standards telling me that I would be no better than the humans if I left her here to suffer. I slowly walked over to the frightened girl, keeping my hands to my sides so as to not alarm her. I saw a glimmer of hope in her innocent eyes, finalizing my decision.
“Come with me, if you want to share my dream…” I spoke in a calming tone. The alarm would most likely activate if I freed her, but it didn’t matter now. I was so close to achieving my goal, I wouldn’t care if I died the second I set foot in the Outside world. Her shy smile reaffirmed my conscience that I was making the right choice. I returned her smile and challenged the Fates, “If you wish to be free!”
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Author’s notes:
Yup, it’s definitely an AR fic. I was inspired while playing Phantasy Star Online; I thought the games would mesh well into a story. I am really just experimenting.. Oh, bad pun… Sorry. Elements and characters from FF7 will be in this story, but the world setting is different. As will be revealed later…
Yeah, Sephiroth has a big vocabulary doesn’t he? Some fancy words in there… In case you couldn’t figure out the POV, it was Sephiroth’s.
I purposely didn’t mention names, including Sephy’s, so if you’re confused: the Professor/Madman is Hojo, Latner is just someone I made up… and the Girl is Aeris. The next chapter will most likely be from the flower girl’s point of view.
Disclaimer: This applies to ‘Experimental Dreams’ in its entirety, including this and every chapter following it. I do not own any characters, places or ideas from Final Fantasy VII or Advent Children. Those are property of Squarenix, as the settings and ideas from Phantasy Star Online 1 & 2 are property of Sonicteam. I own nothing, so suing me would gain you lawyers exactly that… NOTHING!
Well I own original characters like Latner, but I don’t care about that. I created him to kill him off, so it doesn’t matter.
Reviews for my first posted story would be greatly appreciated! And constructive criticism is welcome as well! But mean or pointless flaming will only earn more violence... or less updating, whichever I care for. Please tell me what you think!
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
