Chapter 40: The Lab

The next day Arthur walked through the corridors of the station, his footsteps echoing faintly against the metal walls as he followed the soldier assigned to escort him. He wasn’t surprised by the clinical efficiency of the UFE’s operations, this wasn’t the first time he’d been led into unknown territory under their watchful eyes.

However, the purpose of this visit was different. Today, he would provide the UFE with samples of his blood and stem cells, fulfilling a significant part of the agreement he’d made with Admiral Thalberg.

The soldier guiding him maintained a brisk pace, only pausing as they approached a door marked "BIO-RESEARCH LAB V7." The entrance shimmered with a faint blue light, indicating a sophisticated energy field layered atop the heavy metal plating. It looks like it was a heavily protected and restricted area.

With a sharp hiss, the door slid open, revealing an expansive laboratory that immediately piqued Arthur’s interest. The space was enormous, easily the size of a football field, with high ceilings crisscrossed by automated tracks carrying various devices.

Workstations buzzed with activity, each one manned by a researcher or technician. Holographic displays projected complex diagrams, genetic structures, and simulations.

Arthur’s eyes swept over the scene as his technopathy kicked in, brushing against the machinery. It was a chaotic symphony of data, he could sense the potential in every piece of equipment, their inner workings becoming clear to him.

The soldier gestured for him to follow. “This way, Mr. Sully. Dr. Elrich is waiting for you.”

Arthur kept pace, his gaze flitting from one workstation to the next. As they moved deeper into the lab, the air grew cooler, and the hum of machinery became a low, constant thrum.

At a central console stood a man with a disheveled appearance: grey hair slightly unkempt, with dark circles under sharp blue eyes, and a lab coat adorned with the insignia of UFE Biotech. Despite his tired demeanor, his posture radiated eagerness.

The man looked up from his console as they approached, offering a firm nod. “Ah, you must be Arthur Sully,” he said, his voice deep but carrying a faint trace of anticipation. “Welcome to the Biotech Research Facility. I’m Dr. Conrad Elrich, head of biological research here. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Arthur shook his hand, noting the firm grip and calloused fingers, unusual for a scientist. “Pleasure to meet you, Doctor. I assume you’ve been briefed about today’s procedures.”

Dr. Elrich smiled faintly. “Thoroughly. But before we begin, there are formalities to address.” He gestured toward a sleek console, where a digital tablet awaited. “These are consent forms outlining how your samples will be handled, studied, and stored. We take privacy and ethical considerations very seriously here.”

Arthur picked up the tablet, his technopathy instantly analyzing the document. It took mere seconds to scan for hidden clauses or fine print, none existed. Satisfied, he signed and handed it back.

“You are quite decisive,” Dr. Elrich remarked, a hint of admiration in his tone. “I like that.”

The soldier excused himself, leaving Arthur alone with the scientist.

“Follow me,” Elrich said, motioning toward a secured section of the lab. “We’ve prepared a specialized environment for the extractions. Your physiology demands precautions and secrecy most subjects don’t require.”

Arthur followed him into a separate chamber, the walls made of reinforced metal and lined with advanced instruments. The air carried a sterile tang, and the space was dominated by a medical station surrounded by mechanical arms and diagnostic devices.

“This is where we’ll work,” Elrich explained, gesturing toward the station. “Take a moment to familiarize yourself if you’d like.”

Arthur smirked faintly but didn’t reply. Instead, his technopathy reached out, scanning the room. The machines “spoke” to him, their designs and functions unfolding in his mind. Within seconds, he’d downloaded their blueprints into his System database.

“Interesting setup,” Arthur remarked casually. “Some of this tech is leagues ahead of anything I’ve seen before.”

Elrich raised an eyebrow, clearly satisfied with Arthur’s words. “Well these are the best UFE has to offer. Now, if you’ll take a seat on the medical station, we’ll begin.”

Arthur complied, lying down as Elrich approached a nearby console. A robotic arm descended, equipped with a metallic syringe.

“This is a routine blood extraction,” Elrich explained. “We’ll start here and move on to the stem cells afterward. Shouldn’t take long.”

The arm extended, positioning the syringe against Arthur’s forearm. It pressed down, but the needle snapped on contact with his skin.

Elrich’s eyes widened. “Well, that’s... unexpected. Your epidermis is far more durable than anticipated.”

Arthur glanced at the shattered needle. “You’ll need stronger tools.”

Elrich chuckled, impressed rather than deterred. “Fortunately, we planned for this.” He adjusted the console, summoning a sturdier robotic arm. The new syringe gleamed with a reinforced alloy tip.

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The arm moved into position, pressing the syringe against Arthur’s arm. This time, with some resistance, it managed to pierce his skin and draw a small vial of blood.

Seeing his blood being drawn Arthur thought how he would allow the blood to have his regeneration power. He thought for a second and mentally willed the blood being drawn to contain the regenerative properties of his blood.

“Incredible,” Elrich murmured, holding a vial up to the light. “Even our enhanced instruments barely succeeded. Your physiology is beyond anything we’ve documented.”

Arthur sat up slightly, his tone calm. “Glad to know I’m still full of surprises.”

Elrich placed the vials into a device that immediately began analyzing its contents. “Now for the stem cells,” he said, summoning another machine.

A larger arm descended, this one equipped with a fine needle designed for marrow extraction. “This part might be uncomfortable,” Elrich warned, aligning the device with precision.

The needle penetrated Arthur’s arm, delving deeper. A faint pressure built, but Arthur remained unflinching.

Elrich monitored the process, his expression a mixture of awe and concentration. “Your regenerative abilities must be extraordinary. The cellular density alone is remarkable.”

Once the extraction was complete, Elrich carefully placed the sample into another analyzer. “This will take time to process,” he said, stepping back. “But I can already tell we’ve gathered something extraordinary. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Sully.”

Arthur stood, flexing his arm as if testing it. “Just make sure you use it wisely, Doctor. It could help the lives that are on the frontline.”

Elrich met his gaze, his expression solemn. “You can count on it. This is about saving humanity, after all.”

Arthur nodded and left the lab, his mind already turning to the UFE’s next move. They had his samples, but he had their tech. The balance of power remained in flux, and he intended to keep it that way.

…

Arthur strode down the quiet corridors of the space station, his boots echoing faintly against the metallic flooring. A sense of anticipation hummed in his chest. He had received word earlier about the lab the UFE had provided him, his personal workspace to conduct research and explore his capabilities. Now, he was about to see if their promise matched his expectations.

As he reached the designated section, a set of reinforced doors loomed ahead. The area was more isolated than he had anticipated, tucked away in a corner of the station. He appreciated the privacy; after all, this space would become a sanctuary for his experiments and discoveries.

The console by the door glowed faintly, awaiting authentication. Arthur placed his palm against the scanner, feeling the subtle hum of energy beneath the surface. A second later, a beam of light swept over his eyes, performing an iris scan.

“Access granted,” a mechanical voice announced.

With a soft whoosh, the doors slid open, revealing the lab beyond. Arthur stepped inside, his eyes widened slightly at the sight before him.

The lab was enormous, spanning the size of two basketball courts combined. The walls gleamed with a polished metallic finish, embedded with glowing blue conduits that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. The air was crisp and carried a faint sterile scent, reminiscent of ozone.

The space was filled with advanced machinery, each piece radiating sophistication and power. A programmable matter generator stood in one corner, its surface shimmering as particles rearranged themselves in an endless cycle of possibilities.

Nearby, a dark energy reactor hummed softly, its containment field pulsating with an almost otherworldly glow. Rows of diagnostic devices, molecular scanners, and equipment Arthur couldn’t yet identify lined the walls.

Arthur let out a low whistle, his lips curving into a rare smile. “Now this... this is something.”

He stepped further into the lab, the door sliding shut behind him with a quiet click. His eyes roamed over the equipment, each piece a testament to humanity’s ingenuity and ambition.

Spreading his hands slightly, Arthur activated his technopathy. Instantly, the lab came alive in his mind. Streams of data flooded his consciousness as he reached out to every machine, every system, every interface. The lab wasn’t just a collection of tools anymore, it was an extension of him.

“Programmable matter generator,” he murmured, feeling the intricate layers of its mechanisms as if they were strands of silk in his hands. “Nanoscopic fabrication, molecular assembly, and adaptive construction. Useful.”

His focus shifted to the dark energy reactor. The sheer complexity of its design sent a thrill through him. “Gravity manipulation and energy production at this scale... I could power a city with this, or a weapon that could level one.”

As Arthur moved through the lab, he systematically recorded the blueprints, schematics, and inner workings of every device into his System database. Each machine had its own “voice,” a unique structure and design that he absorbed with precision.

‘This lab is a treasure trove,’ he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. ‘With these tools, I can push my limits, refine my abilities, and maybe learn everything the UFE has to offer.’

He approached a central console that displayed a holographic interface. Waving his hand over it, the system sprang to life, projecting a three-dimensional map of the lab and its various functions. Arthur quickly navigated the interface, customizing the layout and organizing the equipment to suit his needs.

“This will do nicely,” he said aloud, the faint hum of satisfaction in his tone.

As he continued exploring, Arthur couldn’t help but let his thoughts drift to the larger picture. The lab was a gift, yes, but also a calculated move by the UFE.

They wanted results, and they were willing to give him something like this lab and the knowledge to keep him under their control. Because they believe someone with ambition is easier to control.

Arthur smirked thinking about it. ‘They’re playing their game,’ Arthur thought, his gaze sharpening. ‘But I’ll play mine too. And with this lab, I’m already ahead.’

Arthur has noticed the heavy surveillance put inside the lab the moment he arrived, he used his technopathy to alter what others will see and hear, what he wanted them to.

Arthur’s attention returned to the programmable matter generator. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. Walking up to the device, he activated it and began experimenting with its interface. The machine hummed to life, particles swirling within its containment field.

“Let’s see what you can really do,” he muttered, his voice filled with curiosity.

For the next few hours, Arthur tested the equipment, pushing each machine to its limits while making mental notes of their performance. He tinkered with molecular models, simulated energy fields, and even constructed a prototype tool using programmable matter.

By the time he finished, the lab felt less like an unfamiliar space and more like an extension of himself. Arthur leaned against a counter, taking a moment to appreciate the silence.

***