Second Chance War - 23 The Effects of X-BC 257

Thomas lay there as the good doctor Katz explained what the experimental drug X-BC 257 was about. The doctor was pretty enthusiastic about it too. Kept calling it the greatest advancement for science and medicine for generations. Though he did lament about the fact that it would never see the light of day because everything here was classified as a top military secret. Even the President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt, God bless his soul, knew only enough about this initiative to approve it. He was kept in the dark about it as well.

“This highly experimental chemical will light up your brain using, well nevermind, you wouldn’t understand it anyways even with your two lifetimes!” The German doctor said enthusiastically in his thick German accent. “It will allow us to find the other soul sleeping within your body! Well more specifically, in your brain where I think he slumbers until you sleep in your, well let’s not get into specifics, what could you possibly understand with that pea-sized brain you use for war hmm?”

The doctor was also fond of insulting the intelligence of anyone he believed to be under his own. Which, unfortunately, included poor Thomas. Thankfully, he still followed rank and protocol so after a moment the dear doctor imparted a few words of apology. Then continued on his tirade about medicine is the greatest and how science will rule the world and crush legends and mythologies underfoot.

“Gods are nothing but mythologies! Natural phenomena that scare the populace! Bedtime stories for the ignorant masses! Science is the true power! Medicine…the true miracle! Hahahaha!” Doctor Katz gave a great bellyaching laugh as if he said something truly hilarious before turning to face Thomas. “And you my dear friend, are but a cog in the wheel of science and a boot print in the march of progress. To that end, we have this drug here, that will show us the way to the promised land.”

Doctor Katz waved around the precious vial of serum as to emphasize his point, though the serum had other plans in mind it seemed, as it did not share the doctor’s enthusiasm and it slowly rolled inside its encasing. That did not stop the good doctor from approaching Thomas with a glint in his eyes. This doctor was up to no good, one could practically see it if he so much as glanced at you.

Just as the doctor was about to reach Thomas, a loud cough came from behind him. Doctor Elaine was standing there in her doctor’s lab coat. it looked quite fetching on her, even if it did a good job hiding some of her feminine qualities. She was also a sight for sore eyes such as his. He’d been with this raving doctor for almost an hour, maybe longer. There was no clock around and he was sure that was on purpose.

“Doctor Katz, we can’t just go injecting him until we hook up the equipment.” Doctor Elaine reminded the German Doctor. She leaned against a nearby wall, lazily canting to the side.

“Yes, that’s all well and good, but is the equipment even ready? That Turing guy better be everything they said he is!” Doctor Katz was impatient, he wanted to start now.

Unfortunately for them, a runner came by and told them Turing was having some problems with the equipment in the final test phase. It wouldn’t be ready for another few hours at the least. Doctor Katz cried out in frustration, his grand dreams of advancing science and medicine delayed by another few hours.

“Not that you have a choice, but let’s talk about the effects of X-BC 257 and what could possibly happen to you, Captain Conlin.” Doctor Elaine said. Her lips curled in a sadistic smile. Looks like she relishes what could possibly happen compared to what will.

“X-BC 257 was developed in secret by Doctor Katz and me, it utilizes a series of micro chemicals to illuminate foreign places and things inside your brain, of course, we can’t see it without the equipment Doctor Turing is making for us. There is a long list of side effect that could happen to you, some of which are migraines, aneurysms resulting in death, catatonic vegetative state….” The list went on and on, listing practically every way you could die, getting more twisted and horrible with every second Thomas listened in. After about ten minutes the doctor pursed her lips and frowned when she realized that Thomas wasn’t listening in, he was tuned out and probably thinking about other things.

“In short Thomas,” she said trying to get his attention. “In the words of Major General Hughes, high risk high reward. Of course we tried our best to lower the risks, but we only managed to eliminate outright death. So you’ll have to make do with the other side effects, most of which we’ve developed experimental cures for. Can’t have you dying on the lab table.” She smiled, waiting for her words to slowly sink in. Thomas has lived two lives though, so he really didn’t care. One death is just like any other at this point. Suddenly, the same messenger who appeared earlier came back.

“Doctor Schubert, they’re ready now.” The messenger then saluted and went back the way he came. The doctor smiled and turned to Doctor Katz. “Good news doctor, it looks like you’ll finally get to try out your “progress of science” you always drone on about.”

“ADVANCEMENT! ADVANCEMENT! Science is constantly advancing, it is medicine that is progressing!” Doctor Katz cried adamantly. “Yes you’re right though, today is the day!” He smiled evilly at Thomas. “So Captain, are you ready to meet our brilliant mathematician? Ready or not, here we go!” The mad doctor’s laughter echoed across the lab as he joyously cackled about the upcoming clinical trials. He waited too long for this, and now he was going to get his turn to be like the great scientists of old. Paving the way one Captain at a time.