MISTRAL HEADQUARTERS, “THE BASEMENT”
EVIE’S OFFICE
1013 HOURS
Today had been a rollercoaster of a day and it’s not even lunchtime yet. Daniel’s talk of one of Erika Stern’s final projects was…hard to believe, to say the least. Of course she needed hard evidence for this.
When he pointed out the exact file from their ill-gotten gains from their Xtensiv raid a few months ago, Evie knows that she has to see this.
Her cursor points to the file that Daniel pointed to.
PRIORITY ORDER: EV-001
Moment of truth, she figures. Steeling her resolve, Evie opens the file.
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Designation: EV-001, Doppelganger Frankenstein Unit
Model: Special Order from AR of Aegis Security
Callsign: Vortex
Additional note: Incorporates parts of the original subject, removed kill mode switch
Primary combat capabilities:
- Peak human speed, durability, and endurance
- Enhanced portal creation ability based on the subject’s metahuman physiology, augmented by client-provided tech
Infiltration and adaptation capabilities:
- Reconstructed subject’s body—an upgrade, not a full build
- No additional capabilities, subject is an accomplished black ops agent
Project lead’s notes:
I don’t like this, at all. There’s a reason we ALWAYS alter a unit’s personal details before activation, and NEVER using actual parts from the subject. Let it be recorded that I think using this tech to resurrect someone will not end well. I know she’s not quite dead, but that’s just semantics. What I’m saying is that she couldn’t have survived without our intervention. Her fucking heart EXPLODED and the client might as well have brought her in a goddamn suitcase, James. There’s not even HALF a body left. Nobody should survive that!
Nevertheless, I predict things will be stable at first. The subject will feel normal and rationalize all weirdness however they can. But once irrefutable evidence shows up? The cognitive dissonance will be MASSIVE. There’s no telling what can happen from a level of persona degradation that big. And unfortunately, the only person qualified to theorize isn’t with us anymore.
I know the client paid big money to do this. But incorporating biological tissue into a Doppelganger unit is…risky at best, playing God at worst. We’ve never done this before and I don’t want to be held responsible for whatever happens. If this goes Frankenstein, I don’t want anything to do with it.
I’ll sign off on this proposal, but everything that happens from this point forward will be on your head, James.
PS: I’m taking that sick leave after all this. If something catches fire, you fix it.
- E.S., Robotics Unit Lead
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As her eyes scan the last few words of the document, Evie’s jaw is almost on the floor. The pieces she’s picked up in the months since her return are starting to make a brand-new picture. One that she hates.
The memory gap, Adeline’s refusal to return her to command, her strangely increased stamina…it all makes sense now. The question remains, though. Is she still actually alive, at this point?
Evie looks down at her hands. Then, to her phone. There’s a fleeting thought to try to call her dear sister. She’d know everything about it.
But no, a phone call wouldn’t suffice. She needs direct answers. Time to schedule a meeting.