Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

drag anyone else into my drama anymore, so I’m going after Mengele. I know a lot of you, if not all, think that this is the stupidest thing that I could do. And you’re probably right. But there are some things going on with me that may make it so that I don’t have that much time to live anyways, so I might as well do something productive—or at least try.

I know you guys wanted me to wait for you, but in the time I was back at ‘home,’ it was apparent that everyone had their own lives apart from my problems. It would haunt me forever if I were to let Mengele get away and not even make an attempt to stop him. At least I can slow him down or put a dent in his operation.

If you put this code into the manor control panel, it should give all of the Crew access to and shared rights at the manor. Since Aurora has been there the longest, I’m giving her the highest access and she will be the ‘Master of the Manor’ while I’m gone. I would have given that role to my father, but I don’t know what condition he is in. I think seeing Mom like that broke something fundamental in him, and I’m not sure if he’ll recover without her. I doubt he would want to leave her side, either. If you’re reading this, take care of yourself, Dad, and Mom too.

So possibly this is my final goodbye. I want to say that I’m sorry to anyone I’ve offended. Especially you, BoJack. I shouldn’t have been so obsessed with getting more powerful and losing sight of how powers should really be used. Look on this trip as my penance. You always said that true happiness comes from doing things for others, so this is my offering. I feel like all I do is be a burden or hurt people, so it’s time to change that.

I have your tracker, Aurora, and I’ve set it to broadcast upon my death. That way you’ll know that I’m finally gone. Do not try to come save me. That’s why I’ve made this change to the tracker. If I’m dead, there’s no reason to mount a foolish rescue mission and possibly get someone else hurt. I’m done having other people bend over backward to pull my fat from the fire. Be safe. Have a good life, and enjoy the manor. I love you guys!

Gus

Sanura buried her face in her hands.

Dammit, Gus, what have you done?

Chapter Sixty-Four

Experiment on Me

Mengele Research Results:

Subject: Gus Vannett.

Classification: O-9999

Age: 27 years old.

It is good to get back to my old routine of uninterrupted research. Returning to the regimen of polyphasic sleep has invigorated my mind and made me feel much more like myself again, in addition to allowing more productivity in the process.

Initial Findings

Subject is quite resilient, withstanding many tests that would kill a human without Nth. I have progressively increased the intensity, and subject has shown remarkable adaptability in healing and recovery. Typically, I have to allow extensive periods for healing, but with this one, my calculations show healing at 47% above average baseline rates among supers. I attribute this to his mysterious procurement of my brother’s ring. That artifact came at great price and I know that it was not an accident that it found its way into the subject’s hands. I will have to speak with other members of the pantheon and determine who is to blame, though I’m confident I already know.

Gel electrophoresis has revealed unusual elevations of DNA synthesis. Subject has significantly elevated RNA and DNA; 52% above an actively leveling super’s standard reference ranges. It is indeterminate whether this is a result of rapid leveling or due to an unfolding event. More analysis is needed. Prostaglandins are excessively elevated, even before the subject was stressed from various procedures. Only trace amounts of serotonin and dopamine detected. Multiple neurotransmitter receptors are bound irreversibly with altered proteins, reducing signaling efficiency. Warrants further study.

Fractal Effects

Inspecting my previous work, I have been impressed at the persistence of the folds, despite a lack of maintenance. Checking my previous notes, there were ten iterations that had to be inverted upon themselves. Currently, the subject appears to have activated the first two of these without incident. I wish I had control data to see the changes in total mass and tissue types and volumes as he transitions from one iteration to the next. I am eager to investigate the effects of folding but this subject has provided an opportunity at an ideal time to finish a project that my employer has been pressing me to finish.

The suppression device appears to be functional and I have accessed and downloaded data. It will take at least two days for it to be unpacked and processed. I had to write a new protocol to format data to the newest update. This should provide additional information on all stat changes and skill sets, and transmit remotely. Removal of suppression will still result in catastrophic cellular untangling. Still uncertain if I wish to examine this phenomenon or if the subject would be better retained to evaluate long term effects of fractal folding on macromolecular signaling as well as tissue stability after a prolonged folding event.

If it were not for the information he dangles in front of me like the proverbial carrot, I would break from my employer now. I hate being subservient to any man. Ah, the curse of curiosity. It is the only set of fetters that I think will work on me at this stage. Were I not so close to multiple breakthroughs, I doubt I could remain the subservient pet. But what acolyte would I be if I could not eventually surpass the master? All in time.

Suppression Drugs

The suppression drugs are working as formulated. Inhibition of Ka ensures that there is nothing to power abilities and breaking communication between Nth and host further aids in separating