Captain Gina Danolfi of the Air Force Special Operations Command, Combat Weatherman division, slowly opened one eye and looked about the room. Just this tiny movement caused ripples of pain to flow through her entire body, a sign that she took as proof that she was indeed still alive.
Opening the other eye and forcing herself to look around, she realized that she was definitely not in an Arachnos base lab. Since her helicopter had gone down over the Rogue Isles, she had been sure that that was where shed end up, and, if alive, turned into one of those half-human half-spider creatures. She shivered. Spiders were the last thing on this planet that Gina was afraid of.
But no, this was no Arachnos base, this she knew from a few undercover missions. No red area lights, no dark and spiny corners. A man with a completely nonthreatening demeanor in a white coat approached the bed where she lay. She feigned helplessness. Recon was vital in this situation.
I see youre awake. Please sit up for me if you can. There was a small note of kindness to his voice.
Gina complied, shifting her shoulders and working out the stiffness and residual pain in her body. Panting from the effort, she glanced down and saw a black metal construction just where she felt her right hand should be. Trying not to panic, she reached her arm out and flexed the hand, and, sure enough, found that the bare-bones black and silver robotic arm was indeed part of her. A deep regret blossomed in her heart.
The technology isnt perfect, but it does react and feel as your own arm would, the doctor offered.
Couldnt you have given me a less obvious prosthetic? Gina remarked with a smirk.
He smiled, a bit condescendingly. Appearances arent a priority for this project. Though the new eye matches yours fairly well.
Project? Then I suppose my life wasnt saved out of charity.
Ignoring her last statement, the doctor moved to the window, which afforded a grand vista of a city Gina had never seen before, complete with a singularly large tower at the center. Come over here, if you can.
She hopped down from the table, glad that her legs seemed more or less normal.
He gestured to the sun high up in the sky. I want you to make it rain now.
What? Im no super, I can assure you. Secret project or not, this request was bordering on lunacy.
Just try. Visualize, concentrate, something. Im not sure what exactly will work for you.
Shrugging, Gina narrowed her eyes and concentrated. Nothing happened.
Try something else.
I suppose youre going to keep me here until you get the results you want.
The doctor merely smiled benignly.
Looking down at the people walking the sidewalks below, she imagined them with umbrellas. And immediately the sky turned dark and drops began to fall. A coincidence.
Try it again. Make it sunny now.
She imagined everyone enjoying the sunshine now, and the sky began to clear. A bit stunned, Gina stared blankly out the window.
Again.
And rain began to fall.
Very good. He moved to the other side of the room where a machine and computer stood waiting. Come, I must monitor your vitals.
After making it sunny again, Gina followed.
Why did you do that?
Why not? They deserve nice weather, dont they?
He responded by moving aside the top of her hospital gown, revealing a silver socket of some sort in the middle of her chest. Flipping back the cover, he attached a cable to her and scribbled some notes on a nearby pad.
But Gina had caught a glance of herself in the mirror, and she was now tugging at the metal and glass targeting monocle over her right eye. It didnt budge, but she did find a way to take the lens out, presumably for cleaning.
The doctor unplugged her, visibly pleased. Very good. Very stable. In time, when you realize the extent of your powers, we will fit you with further enhancements.
What I need right now is some chow, Doc. And, nothing personal, but you can shove those further enhancements up your a**.
He made the attempt at a smile and pointed to some clothing on a nearby chair. Someone outside will take you to the cafeteria.
I take it Im classified? Yet Im allowed to go traipsing around the cafeteria?
What is your name? he inquired with a sigh.
She opened her mouth to speak the words shed been repeating countless times in her long and successful military career, but those were not the words that came out. Tempest 603. She swallowed. What the F***! Youve done this six hundred and three times?
He shook his head. Identification. You were born in 1963. And he left her to dress.
*********
She stepped out into a waiting room of sorts. Smith ? she whispered incredulously when she saw the blonde young man throw down the latest issue of Field and Stream and immediately rise and salute her.
Capn! Maam! Im so glad youre alive! He blinked at her new arm. When they pulled you from the wreckage, I thought He stiffened again.
At ease, Airman. I take it youve heard all about this project too? What about the others? Heard anything about them?
Jesus, Capn is that scope screwed into your skull?!
Gina snorted. Seems so. Ive got a real nice looking power plug on my chest too. Just answer me, Smith.
Well, yep, I know youre were classified. And all I know about the others is what you know. They bailed before we went down like you told em to.
She nodded, stepped over to him, careful to put her natural arm around his shoulders. Im hungry. They said you know where the mess hall is. Leaning in close, she whispered in his ear. Well find the rest of the squad, dont worry. And were gonna find out what the hell this place is and what the hell were doing here.
Captain Gina Danolfi of the Air Force Special Operations Command, Combat Weatherman division, slowly opened one eye and looked about the room. Just this tiny movement caused ripples of pain to flow through her entire body, a sign that she took as proof that she was indeed still alive.
Opening the other eye and forcing herself to look around, she realized that she was definitely not in an Arachnos base lab. Since her helicopter had gone down over the Rogue Isles, she had been sure that that was where shed end up, and, if alive, turned into one of those half-human half-spider creatures. She shivered. Spiders were the last thing on this planet that Gina was afraid of.
But no, this was no Arachnos base, this she knew from a few undercover missions. No red area lights, no dark and spiny corners. A man with a completely nonthreatening demeanor in a white coat approached the bed where she lay. She feigned helplessness. Recon was vital in this situation.
I see youre awake. Please sit up for me if you can. There was a small note of kindness to his voice.
Gina complied, shifting her shoulders and working out the stiffness and residual pain in her body. Panting from the effort, she glanced down and saw a black metal construction just where she felt her right hand should be. Trying not to panic, she reached her arm out and flexed the hand, and, sure enough, found that the bare-bones black and silver robotic arm was indeed part of her. A deep regret blossomed in her heart.
The technology isnt perfect, but it does react and feel as your own arm would, the doctor offered.
Couldnt you have given me a less obvious prosthetic? Gina remarked with a smirk.
He smiled, a bit condescendingly. Appearances arent a priority for this project. Though the new eye matches yours fairly well.
Project? Then I suppose my life wasnt saved out of charity.
Ignoring her last statement, the doctor moved to the window, which afforded a grand vista of a city Gina had never seen before, complete with a singularly large tower at the center. Come over here, if you can.
She hopped down from the table, glad that her legs seemed more or less normal.
He gestured to the sun high up in the sky. I want you to make it rain now.
What? Im no super, I can assure you. Secret project or not, this request was bordering on lunacy.
Just try. Visualize, concentrate, something. Im not sure what exactly will work for you.
Shrugging, Gina narrowed her eyes and concentrated. Nothing happened.
Try something else.
I suppose youre going to keep me here until you get the results you want.
The doctor merely smiled benignly.
Looking down at the people walking the sidewalks below, she imagined them with umbrellas. And immediately the sky turned dark and drops began to fall. A coincidence.
Try it again. Make it sunny now.
She imagined everyone enjoying the sunshine now, and the sky began to clear. A bit stunned, Gina stared blankly out the window.
Again.
And rain began to fall.
Very good. He moved to the other side of the room where a machine and computer stood waiting. Come, I must monitor your vitals.
After making it sunny again, Gina followed.
Why did you do that?
Why not? They deserve nice weather, dont they?
He responded by moving aside the top of her hospital gown, revealing a silver socket of some sort in the middle of her chest. Flipping back the cover, he attached a cable to her and scribbled some notes on a nearby pad.
But Gina had caught a glance of herself in the mirror, and she was now tugging at the metal and glass targeting monocle over her right eye. It didnt budge, but she did find a way to take the lens out, presumably for cleaning.
The doctor unplugged her, visibly pleased. Very good. Very stable. In time, when you realize the extent of your powers, we will fit you with further enhancements.
What I need right now is some chow, Doc. And, nothing personal, but you can shove those further enhancements up your a**.
He made the attempt at a smile and pointed to some clothing on a nearby chair. Someone outside will take you to the cafeteria.
I take it Im classified? Yet Im allowed to go traipsing around the cafeteria?
What is your name? he inquired with a sigh.
She opened her mouth to speak the words shed been repeating countless times in her long and successful military career, but those were not the words that came out. Tempest 603. She swallowed. What the F***! Youve done this six hundred and three times?
He shook his head. Identification. You were born in 1963. And he left her to dress.
*********
She stepped out into a waiting room of sorts. Smith ? she whispered incredulously when she saw the blonde young man throw down the latest issue of Field and Stream and immediately rise and salute her.
Capn! Maam! Im so glad youre alive! He blinked at her new arm. When they pulled you from the wreckage, I thought He stiffened again.
At ease, Airman. I take it youve heard all about this project too? What about the others? Heard anything about them?
Jesus, Capn is that scope screwed into your skull?!
Gina snorted. Seems so. Ive got a real nice looking power plug on my chest too. Just answer me, Smith.
Well, yep, I know youre were classified. And all I know about the others is what you know. They bailed before we went down like you told em to.
She nodded, stepped over to him, careful to put her natural arm around his shoulders. Im hungry. They said you know where the mess hall is. Leaning in close, she whispered in his ear. Well find the rest of the squad, dont worry. And were gonna find out what the hell this place is and what the hell were doing here.