Chapter 6: Reluctant Alliance

“B-But, you don’t understand! Both of our races are at risk!” Dr. Atlas implored. “Whatever this problem is, it doesn’t affect my people in the slightest,” Ferral retorted, “The moment any problem were to occur, I’ll fix it with ease. YOU, on the other hand, well, all I can say is have fun in hell.” “You don’t understand the severity of the situation. It’s already started to infect other experiments.” Ferral raised an eyebrow, “That’s impossible. I would’ve known about this.” Dr. Atlas looked away for a moment, “Well, we’ve been capturing the infected experiments before they could do any REAL harm.” Ferral walked toward Dr. Atlas, stopping only a few inches from him. “What do you mean….capturing?” Ferral growled, “And choose your words wisely. They might very well be the last ones you utter.” Dr. Atlas took a few steps back, trembling. “Uh, well…first I have to tell you about what’s causing these problems.” “Make it fast.”

Atlas nodded and cleared his throat. “You see, four years ago, a fungus was discovered at some nuclear testing sites. One never recorded before. Scientists took samples of the fungus and discovered it was the product of radiation that mutated mushrooms. They would release spores that, when inhaled, would stick inside your lungs and grow more. The fungus would cause incurable radiation poisoning. We tried to get rid of it, but its ability to release spores with ease made it difficult to eradicate. And it reproduced quickly, growing fully only within a couple of hours.”

“And what does this have to do with you humans taking my people captive?” Ferral asked, “I’m more than positive you aren’t doing it out of kindness.” “Right…during testing, we wanted to see what would happen if our experiment prisoners were to inhale it. Thinking it would only yield the same result, we were horrified by what actually occurred. The spores would get stuck inside their lungs and grow, except it didn’t make them sick. They became berserk. Growing into these uncontrollable hulking monsters that went on a rampage.”

“It…caused them to awaken?” Ferral raised. “Awaken? I’m not familiar with this term.” Ferral started to walk back to the stone chair. “We experiments can evolve our bodies past their original state, becoming stronger, faster, even healing any non-fatal injuries.” Ferral sat back down, “However, the first time an experiment awakens, we go into these berserk monstrous states. Some can regain self-control, but to truly achieve the evolution, you must contain the primal power.” “How can an experiment achieve this awakening?” Dr. Atlas asked, “Is this fungus causing them to involuntarily awaken?” “Awakenings happen when an experiment is pushed completely past their physical and mental limits, as well as being overcome by extreme emotions. Rage, mostly.” Dr. Atlas paced back and forth as the two became lost in thought.

“So what do you propose we do?” Atlas asked. Ferral looked at Dr. Atlas and scoffed, “We? There’s no ‘we’ here. The information you’ve provided is appreciated, but don’t think for a second I’m suddenly going to help you.” Atlas looked at him, shocked. “W-What?! Why?!” “I don’t care if you humans die; it can’t happen faster. But I’ll find a way to prevent this fungus from affecting my people. The collateral this could cause is troublesome, and depending on how far these spores can travel through the air, it can spread at an alarming rate.”

“Y-You can’t be serious?! Surely you have to care what happens to us, right? Please, we need your help! Think of the innocent who are dying! Women and children!” Ferral locked eyes with Atlas before shooting forward and grabbing his throat, lifting him in the air. “Where was the help for us when our innocent were dying?!” Ferral snarled, tightening his grip. “Where was the help when we needed it? When we were persecuted and segregated? Tell me, Doctor! WHERE WAS THE HELP FOR ANY OF OUR SUFFERING?!?! TELL ME!!!” Dr. Atlas gasped for air, scratching at Ferral’s hand. Ferral scoffed, tossing Atlas to the side. He gasped and coughed as he regained his breath. Ferral started walking back to his chair, “You ask for my help, but my answer is and will always be no.” He said, sitting back down.

Dr. Atlas stumbled as he got up. “I want to protect everything and everyone.” He said, “Those were your words, remember?” Ferral didn’t respond. “It was a promise, remember? I’ve seen some of the old drone footage scraped up of you. I know the kind of person you are. You want to help everyone, for everyone to be happy and live in peace, right? That’s who you are.” “All you’re doing is spouting a child’s nonsense,” Ferral coldly responded, “The reality of this world is pain. Pain, you humans have created. Peace is not an option….at least not until your kind is completely eradicated. Etch that into your skull, and get out of my sight.” Dr. Atlas tried to say something, but couldn’t find the words. Instead, he turned and started walking toward the door. “I’ll be back, you know.” He said, holding the doorknob, “I know you’ll help us. You are NOT a monster.” Ferral sat up a little, hearing that last sentence, but stopped himself. “You try this again, and I will personally end your life.” Dr. Atlas sighed and left the room.

As he walked through a hall, a little girl came running over. It was Laura. They both stopped, staring at one another. “Hello, mister,” Laura greeted, “What were you doing coming out of Papa’s private room?” “You’re Ferral’s daughter?” She nodded, “Yep! Who are you?” “My name is Armin. I’m a scientist who was enlisting the help of your father.” She gasped in awe, “A scientist?! Wow, that means you’re super smart, right? What did you need Papa for?” Dr. Atlas didn’t respond for a moment, then smiled when he got an idea. “Your father has agreed to help me take care of some nasty sickness that was hurting both humans and experiments.” “Whoa! Really?! Papa’s going to help humans???” “Yes, you’re father said he wanted peace for all of us.” Laura’s eyes lit up, “Papa’s so awesome! Always thinking about everyone!”

Ferral came out of the room, noticing Laura and Dr. Atlas talking. Laura saw her father and ran over to him. “Is it true, Papa?! You’re going to help the sick humans and experiments???” Ferral looked at her, confused, before looking at Dr. Atlas, who smugly waved at him. Ferral’s eye twitched, and he took a deep inhale before kneeling in front of Laura. “That’s right, sweetie. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to not only stop this sickness, but also find peace between us.” “WOW! You’re amazing, Papa! I’m going to go tell Mama!” She ran off, leaving Ferral and Dr. Atlas. Ferral gave him a murderous smirk, “I fucking hate you.” Ferral sneered through gritted teeth. “Glad to have you on board.” Dr. Atlas chuckled.