Also at https://archiveofourown.org/works/47065192/chapters/118749589
In my life, I have been accused of pushing science too far. It is a very human accusation.
The difference between Talon, and organizations preceding it – those lost to history, and a few hated by it – is that Talon does not assume what perfection is. This is not some hallmark of a pragmatic organization; since Mankind became known to itself as mankind, it has shaped its environment, its companion species, its society, to draw nearer to some vision of perfection. It has drawn so close to a vision that the vision threatens to lock Mankind in its grasp forever.
Man is not perfect. Talon is not perfect. But both must find new challenges to rise to, even if these challenges are self-imposed. Even if there are safer alternatives.
Agent “Sombra” certainly is not perfect. But she is skilled In her manipulation of the order man has imposed on the quantum realm. She probably wishes to maintain that control- time will tell if she does. I wanted to keep some record for this process, as I anticipate a few ‘what the hell Moira’s from various directions. One of those, Gabriel Reyes… well. His own actions pushed him past the normalcy is desired.
This is not me doing the same thing over again.
Round 1.
Subject insisted on no anesthetic. While admirable, it was was against my advice. The Decay biotic utilized in the first injection is a variant of the one mass produced for self defense; rather than ignoring the microbial cloud and DNA of ‘friendly’ combatants, it instead attaches to specific gene expressions. This one was designed to aggravate the many variations of collagen production in the body – essentially to start the scaffold for future improvements.
Being one of the more common structures in the body, I doubt there’s a square centimeter that isn’t feeling *something* right now. What that feeling is, I could not say, as there is plenty of collagen in the nervous system, but it would be fairly constant.
Round 4.
Of course I forgot. Of course I did.
Hair loss has continued, as anticipated from previous experiments. Regrowth is anticipated afterwards, as the human follicle structure is very much like previously tested animals, though the texture of the regrowth could be significantly different.
Skin that’s relatively free of follicles has started to show severe pockmarking, more than animal subjects – which of course, had higher follicle density.
Subject was responsive enough yesterday to ask for anesthetic, first two attempts had no apparent effect. Third attempt will be made today, relying on intravenous drip.
Round 5.
Drip seems to have been successful. Subject can be roused for a short period without giving previous complaints. Disagreement with my assistants if the pockmarking is no longer advancing, or the skin’s texture itself is adapting.
Round 7.
Subject is basically immobile at this point, save some twitching, all required biological functions handled by mechanical means. Had to concede to my techs, the skin’s structure has significantly altered – cell loss may be significantly more like molting in the future – counterproductive to expected goal – if we don’t get ahead of this.
Round 8.
It’s been proposed that the subject doesn’t really need traditional skin – which I completely reject. Even if an intent was to create a dependence on Talon – which it is not – any dermal alternative needs to be biologically repairable, not mechanically replaceable. The dunderheads. To treat skin like clothing.
Round 11.
Since switching over to primarily restorative mixtures, there are signs of hair trying to grow again. The texture suggests the previous version was straightened, or the subject will eventually have extremely frizzy hair.
Modified tissue samples look promising. The skin will certainly be darker, but a permanent biotic effect by touch is too interesting to ignore. Energy requirements – the kidneys would fail in a few years with just the natural pair, so we won’t leave her with that. It’s already been astounding of how much the dialysis machine has taken out of her – daily. We’ve upped IV to match.
Round 13.
The patient is awake again. Sedated, but responsive. She shows no indication of knowing how to blink, even.
Addendum:
Suggested she be hooked up to a offline terminal. Poor sap. I can’t say I know more “Espanyol” than anyone else here, but I’m pretty sure the first few pages of solid text were not friendly greeting. Subject calmed down, and details of condition are now being explained.
Addendum 2:
Setting up E-stim overnight, per patient request, to try and give something to focus on.
Round 14.
Hair is much more noticeable at this point. especially as skin reaches anticipated texture. It is somewhat hilarious that the patients implants seem to be leveraging her recovery. Given her bodies composition, there is some risk of damage to these implants as things move forward. Separation, specifically. Technicians had some bracing options underway as treatment started, and are not presenting her with options now.
Specifically asked to note, subject keeps responding with “Do I look like I know what a J peg is.” PNG preferred.
Round 17.
Most organ function has resumed, including digestive. Will be observing complementary kidney attachment shortly. Wearing the long gloves for this one.
Addendum.
Subject’s insides were a mess. I don’t believe there’s a Mesentery there any more – not that the subject has complained, even off anesthesia. Round 18 has been adjusted to promote integration, do not adjust again.
Round 18.
Damn fools.
Round 19.
Walking attempts are apparently “more manual” than the subject recollects. This is the end of the scheduled injections, as 18 put subject in a questionable position. Subject is excited to “piss like a kid again”.
Make sure to write any supplemental treatment notes here.
Supplement 1.
Sombra has been given a few vials of restorative biotics to use at her whim, and informed they are coded to her DNA. Suggested use is manually blocking her ‘twisting grip’ for an unknown period, if she is worried about losing control. Keep stocks available to teams.
Supplement 2.
Should be noted recent use of ‘twisting grip’ has no visual cues. Use seems to put target into a ‘ragdoll’ state, similar to what the caduceus swarm inflicts, the the former wears off after a still undetermined period. Trials have had Sombra leave bodies in the same location in this state, or hiding them – possibly to their detriment, once joints re-stiffen. Skin contact is required, Armor is PPE, as always.
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