by Wyatt Kane
At first, Ty felt nothing more than a slight warmth in the crook of his arm where the needle had pierced his skin. He lay back in the chair and tried to relax.
Then, all at once, it felt like his blood was starting to burn.
Ty gripped the armrests. “I’m—is it supposed—” he began, but that was as far as he got. In the space of a single heartbeat, the burning in his veins increased to agony and beyond. He felt as if he was on fire from the inside, and it was all he could do to clench his teeth shut and bite back a scream of pain.
At the same time, the monitoring devices started to squeal out a warning as Ty’s heartrate and respiration suddenly increased to dangerous levels. Ty began to panic, aware that this was just the beginning, and that more of the drug would drip into his veins with every moment. He feared that something serious had gone wrong, and that, judging by his responses so far, he might not live through it.
Sweat sprung out on his forehead and everywhere else. In moments, he was soaking wet with it, and still the pain in his veins increased.
To his credit, Darien Cort hesitated for only a moment. Then he reached for what could only have been an intercom and hit the button.
“Emergency in med bay two!” he said loudly and clearly. “All available assistants required to attend immediately!”
That done, the man turned his attention back to Ty.
Ty wanted to rip the IV line out of his arm, but his muscles had started to spasm. He felt himself kick and jerk back and forth, his hands still gripping the armrests without his conscious control. By then, the surging in his veins had spread through his entire body, and he felt hot enough to burst into flame. His brain felt as if it was fizzing, and everywhere he looked gained new dimensions of color.
It was like he was looking through an orange filter. Everything, Darien, the walls, and even the receptionist through the glass window had taken on the unnatural hue.
Ty didn’t know what was happening, but it didn’t feel good. He felt a pressure like a steel band around his chest and found he was struggling to breathe. For reasons Ty couldn’t understand, the tall man had decided to grab hold of his arm and was speaking to him very intensely.
“You’re going to be all right,” he said. “This is just a reaction to the drug. It’ll pass soon. You’ll be fine. Just relax and everything will be okay.” Like that, repeated again and again like a mantra used to hold back his own fear.
To Ty, that fear was obvious in the man’s eyes. Even though Ty could barely think, he could see it clearly.
He could also hear something else over Darien’s words: an animalistic growl that was almost a yell.
With a sense of astonishment, the part of Ty’s brain still capable of rational thought understood that the sound was coming from him. He was making it in response to his adverse reaction to AZT-407.
And beyond even that, the monitoring devices were all squealing in unison. Ty’s heart was pounding as hard and fast as it ever had, and he still couldn’t breathe. It must have been less than a minute since the drug had entered his system, and Ty knew he couldn’t last much longer. His vision was starting to go dim when the door burst open and three other people charged in, including Melita, who had a strangely worried look on her face.
“Hold him down! Help me hold him down!” Darien said. “He’s stronger than he looks! We have to keep him from hurting himself!”
The animalistic part of Ty’s mind didn’t like the idea of being held down, and he struggled even harder.
“Stop the trial!” someone shouted. “Don’t let any more of the drug into him!”
It seemed a sensible suggestion to Ty, but he was in for another surprise. “No!” Darien said. “This is the one the Master wants! We have to see it through!”
Ty’s mind, fizzing and bubbling to the tune of the drug, didn’t know what to do with that information. Had he heard the man right? What did the Master have to do with any of this?
“Well at least tranquilize him then!” somebody shouted.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do!”
There was a flurry of activity, and someone stuck another syringe into the saline solution.
Then, between one heartbeat and the next, Ty’s reaction to the drug increased exponentially. This time, he did let out a scream, and the tranquilizer began to kick in.
Ty’s consciousness fled from the agony within him. He sank into blissful unconsciousness and knew nothing more.
<<<>>>
Ty didn’t know how long he stayed unconscious. A small part of him thought that it couldn’t be long, and that even through the worst of it, he’d always been partially aware of the burning in his veins.
He could remember snippets from when he’d almost woken as well. Or maybe he’d just been dreaming. At one point found himself surrounded by a number of men, all in white lab coats with the OmniTec Industries’ logo emblazoned on the front.
“I think he’s waking up,” one of them said. “Hit him again,” said someone else.
Before his consciousness faded again, Ty realized that the men were binding him to the chair.
Later, when Ty next worked his way back to consciousness, he was all alone in the room. He noted groggily that the needle was no longer in his arm, and that the bag of saline solution, which still hung next to him, was empty.
Then he looked through the glass to the reception area, but his mind must have been playing tricks. He thought he saw Bain standing there, looking at him, with someone else at his side. Sarah, maybe? Brad’s girlfriend?
It couldn’t be. He must be dreaming, he thought, and allowed himself to sink back into oblivion.
When he made his way back to consciousness for a third time, he was alone, still bound in the chair, but no longer in danger of sinking back into darkness.
Ty’s eyes were itchy. His head felt as if someone had been pounding on it with a brick. His tongue felt thick in his mouth. Everything ached.
All of his muscles and even his bones felt as if they had been wildly abused. His brain felt like a spongy, groggy mess. It was like the worst hangover he’d ever experienced, and he couldn’t help but think back to the brochure. None of the described side effects came anywhere close to this.
But he was still alive. More than that, the fire in his veins had faded to no more than a gentle burn that was almost pleasant, in comparison at least.
And the monitoring equipment seemed to be much calmer now. No more high-pitched warning noises, and from what Ty could see through his itchy, hard-to-focus eyes, both his heartbeat and respiration rates were back to normal.
“Hello?” he said. Or at least, he tried to say it. The only sound escaping his throat was a dry-sounding croak.
He frowned to himself. Everything that had happened was a blur of confusion. He couldn’t remember it clearly. Couldn’t remember anything, really, that happened after Darien had hooked him up to the drug.
All he knew was that for some reason, he no longer felt comfortable there in the clinic. He wanted to get out, but didn’t really know why.
36: Payment
Ty would have given a lot for a simple drink of water. Only … perhaps not. If he drank anything just at that moment, there was a good chance it would bounce straight back up. Maybe it was a good thing there wasn’t any to be had.
He focused through to the reception area and saw Melita there at her desk.
“Hello!” he said again, this time his voice sounding stronger. “Can you hear me?”
The receptionist heard him. She looked at him through the glass, smiled, and made her way into the room.
“You’re awake,” she said.
Ty nodded. “Looks like it,” he managed. His head still felt like it was packed full of marshmallows, but it was becoming clearer.
“You gave us quite a scare,” Melita said.
“What happened?” Ty asked.
“You had an adverse reaction to the drug. But it’s okay, you got through it all. You should be fine now.”
&nb
sp; That was good news, Ty thought. He tried to move, but found the restraints still held him in place. “Why—” he started.
“Oh, they were to prevent you from hurting yourself. We can take them off now, if you like,” she said.
“Yes. Please,” Ty said.
As his brain started to function more clearly, he found himself becoming increasingly angry with everything that had happened. Angry not just with OmniTec Industries, but also with himself for having taken such a risk. He should have at least returned to the mansion to discuss it with the girls. Maybe he still would have gone through with it, but with Tempest or Dinah at his side, he would have felt more comfortable.
The receptionist busied herself removing Ty’s restraints, and then he was free.
“What about these?” Ty said, gesturing to the various sensors Darien had applied to him.
The receptionist looked uncertain. “I’m not supposed to touch those,” she said. “Hold on, I’ll call Darien.” Melita went over to the intercom and pressed the button. “Patient in med bay two is awake, request assistance to detach his sensors,” she said.
Then she smiled at him. “Shouldn’t be long,” she said. “Sorry, I’m not really supposed to leave the front desk. I have to get back there.”
Ty nodded. “Thank you,” he said. He was still feeling lightheaded, but with each passing minute, he was feeling better and better. But he didn’t feel much like waiting, so he was already peeling off the first of the sensors when the tall man to return.
Darien favored Ty with the same relaxed smile he’d used at the start, and an approving nod at what he was doing. “Good to see you looking so well,” the man said.
“Does this happen often?” Ty said, his tone surly. For some reason, he no longer trusted the man.
“No, not often at all,” he said. “But every once in a while, yes.”
“Then why isn’t that sort of reaction listed in the advertising material as a side effect?”
“It’s very rare,” the man began, but changed his mind when he saw Ty’s angry expression. “But maybe you’re right. Maybe we should add it.” He shrugged slightly. “Either way, the agreement you signed covers us legally. You agreed to be part of the trial under your own free will, and OmniTec Industries cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions. You understand that, right?”
He spoke conversationally, as if it was a matter of minor importance, but from Ty’s point of view, it was just another example of the control the megacorporations had on the people of New Lincoln. Only the truly wealthy could afford to fight for a fair deal.
“I understand,” he said, and thought he really, truly did. He wouldn’t have been surprised to find the omission in the brochure had been deliberate. “Now, can I get out of here? Or what?”
“Yes, yes. Of course you can. Let me help you with the sensors.” He reached over and started to peel them from Ty’s skin. Then he paused. “And while I’m not accepting any legal liability for anything that happened, from a personal perspective, I just want you to know that I’m sorry you had the reaction you did. It can’t have been fun going through it.”
Ty accepted the man’s sympathies without comment. He didn’t really know how to respond. All he knew was that he wanted to leave.
“Thank you,” he said, although whether he was referring to the man’s help with the sensors or his words, even he didn’t know. “Now, can you transfer my money?” Ty asked.
<<<>>>
With everything Ty had learned living in the city of New Lincoln, he half expected sort of ‘issue’ with his money. It was the way things seemed to work whenever a megacorporation was involved. And while he hadn’t heard anything specific about OmniTec Industries, in his mind, they were all much the same.
But Melita helped him with the first installment without any problems. While she transferred it through, she also reminded Ty that he had to turn up again to go through some tests in the next day or two.
“It won’t be like that again, will it?” Ty asked, still a bit fuzzy headed and grumpy.
The receptionist shook her head. “I don’t see why it should. As far as I know, it’s just a questionnaire and a couple of tests.”
Because his brain wasn’t yet working properly, Ty didn’t even think to ask what she meant by, “as far as I know.” She was the receptionist for Clinic 104. Surely others had gone through the same drug trial as he had. Surely Melita would know with certainty what happened next, without having to make any assumptions.
As it was, Ty let the comment pass with no response. “Do I need to make an appointment?” he asked.
“It would probably be best,” Melita said. “When would suit you?”
Ty’s life used to be fairly predictable. He’d spent most of his time at work, and the rest at his apartment, maybe playing a game with Brad or just watching a show. But now, it was much more uncertain. He couldn’t easily predict where he would be even a few hours ahead anymore, let alone an entire day or two.
And with his brain still lost in the mud, it was all he could do to just stare at Melita in confusion
She took pity on him. “How about we just pencil you in for the day after tomorrow, about this time again?” she said.
Ty nodded. “Fine,” he said.
The receptionist looked him up and down with the overly large eyes. “Will you be okay?” she asked. “Is there someone I can call to collect you?”
It was a moment of unexpected kindness, and Ty appreciated it. But he didn’t really want Tempest or Dinah to know what he’d done, at least not yet. Nor did he have anyone else he could easily call.
“No, thank you,” he said. “I’ll be all right.” And with that, he turned and made his way out of the clinic.
He reached Dinah’s bike easily enough, but when he turned off the antitheft device and sat on the Ducati’s seat, he felt the world swirl around his head for a moment.
“Steady,” Ty told himself. “Come on Ty, get it together.”
A few seconds later, he felt good enough to put his helmet on. He activated his personal shield just in case, and started the engine.
He rode tentatively at first, but with each passing moment, he felt more sure of himself. He sat straight and breathed deeply of the New Lincoln air. And by the time he reached Tempest’s and Dinah’s building, he was almost feeling back to his normal self once again.
His headache had mostly cleared. While his eyes still felt like they were made from sandpaper, the grit size had decreased from boulders to smaller than sand. And the aches in his muscles and bones had faded to no more than a tingling at his extremities.
He parked Dinah’s bike in the parking garage a little ruefully, aware that he’d borrowed it several days earlier and that Dinah had been without it all that time. Then he made his way up the stairs.
37: Buzz
Something peculiar started to happen as he stepped into the mansion. He was beginning to feel really good. Strong and alive, like he’d seldom felt before, even with the device on his wrist. And his brain seemed to be fizzing. Not like before, when the drug had lit it on fire, but like he had overdosed on caffeine.
He felt so clear and awake it was like he would never need sleep again, and he wondered if maybe the drug was starting to work.
He wanted to head straight to the workshop to see if it had made any difference to his skill, but had to pause first at the kitchen. Dinah was there, as was her habit, but, surprisingly, so was Lilith.
“Ty!” the deerkin exclaimed. “We missed you this morning! Where did you go?”
“I went out to get your bike,” he replied.
“You did? Excellent! Maybe we could go for a ride later on,” she said. As she spoke, she glanced at Lilith, and Ty was mostly certain her “we” had meant her and the demon woman.
Ty just grinned. It seemed that Dinah was wasting no time at all getting to know the beautiful woman. Now that she had Tempest’s approval, things were all go.
As for Lilith herself, s
he seemed happy enough. Perhaps the conversation with Ty had helped. In any event, she smiled shyly at Ty as if she knew where things might be heading and was happy to let them.
“I’m teaching her to make waffles,” Dinah said, and Ty had to stifle a laugh. It seemed to be one of the deerkin’s go-to moves. “We can bring you some when we’re done if you’d like.”
Ty understood. It was a subtle dismissal, but a dismissal nonetheless. It was clear that Dinah wanted to spend more time with Lilith. He nodded and said, “Works for me. I’ll be in the workshop. I’ve got a few ideas I want to track down.”
Before he turned to go, he asked, “Where’s Tempest?”
“She went out on patrol,” Dinah replied. “I think she wanted to find a simpler problem to solve rather than thinking about Rubio or the Master.” The deerkin gave him a lascivious grin. “Looks like you’ll have to look after yourself for a little while.
Ty laughed. He thought about what had happened in Clinic 104. He knew he should tell Dinah about it, and Tempest as well, but for the moment at least, he decided against it. His brain was fizzing, and he wanted to find out if that meant anything or if it was just some harmless buzz brought on by the AZT-407.
“You know where I’ll be,” he said, and made his way down to the workshop.
<<<>>>
It seemed to Ty that with each passing moment, his brain became noticeably clearer. Even before he reached the workshop, he felt as if ideas were starting to holler for his attention. Not just ideas relating to his immediate problems, but random ones as well.
He thought he knew a way to increase the power output of his police baton tenfold with just a small tweak.
A large-scale idea for how to clean the New Lincoln air quickly and efficiently sprang fully-formed from nowhere.
And, even though body modifications weren’t really his thing, he figured it wouldn’t take much to create a nanite that could change a person’s eye color at will.
But before he could even note these ideas down for later, new ones appeared, shunting the old out of place.
