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After the events of Wolverine Mystery: A Change of Life, Dr. Zwo has a very special meeting with Dr. Vanguro Mitchell. The EMPLOYEE TRANSITION INITIATIVE has taken effect within the walls of Homestead. Meanwhile, Dr. Mitchell reflects on his past before his life is changed forever.
This short is part of the Wolverine Mystery arc.
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RESEARCH LOG: February 22, 2021, 1:32 PM MST
SUBJECT NAME: Dr. Vanguro Mitchell
AGE: 42
SEX: Male
SPECIES: Human
HYBRIDIZATION: Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
STATUS: Injection pending
CAUSE: Employee Transition Initiative (E.T.I.)
NOTES: The subject has had difficulty selecting a hybridization. Recent physicals show signs of increased anxiety and stress. Reason unknown.
Dr. Mitchell stared at the report. The E.T.I. system required that he undergo the transition and end his tenure as a member of the human race. There still wasn’t a proper name for the test subjects’ new race, but they often referred to themselves as beast-folk.
The boxy man tore his gaze away from the glowing monitor and turned toward the shining briefcase that sat on the edge of the desk. I’ll be joining them soon, I guess. His vacant gaze turned sour, It’s still too early for something like this.
As the primary doctor for all of the canine beast-folk in Homestead, Dr. Mitchell had a pretty good grip on the transition “experience.” Most of them often reported extra warmth as their fur grew in. Later, the same canines would complain about ringing in their ears and odd inconsistencies in their senses, randomly sharp hearing here, brief colorblindness there, and the undeniable phantom limb syndrome as the new genetic memory began to take hold.
The worst part was always the major physical changes. Digitigrade subjects often had sore feet and difficulty walking. But one thing was unanimous across EVERY subject he’s interacted with. All suffered excruciating pain when a new limb grows in.
A wiser man of science would have chosen something without extra limbs to avoid that very problem, but Dr. Mitchell was never known as a particularly wise man. Having a particularly large and sturdy tail was somehow appealing to the aging man.
He glanced at his doctorate in veterinary sciences. I still remember the long hikes it took just to stitch up some tourist’s pet after a poorly planned trip. The man cracked a small smile. His time as a field veterinarian in the mountains of Colorado managed to keep him in shape, developing a sturdy build with powerful legs.
After a particular rescue trip, Intramorph got in touch with him and requested his services as an able-bodied veterinarian to help with a major and highly secretive project. They provided additional medical training for human anatomy and extensive benefits that the company provided in-house.
It was all too good to be true! After nearly a decade of work for the company, the catch finally became clear. Why are they pushing this E.T.I. plan so hard?
Dr. Mitchell wasn’t always privy to the plans of corporate. He just did as he was told and tended to the test subjects. At first, he saw a wide variety of species as the first generation of Project Corse test subjects came through, but the large the community grew. He got to see fewer and fewer species. Eventually, he was assigned as the Canine Medical Practitioner.
The popularity of canines, wolves in particular, always kept the man busy. The almost sedentary work of the job pushed the hands of time on his body in ways he always wished to avoid.
When Vanguro Mitchell was in his prime, he was a strong, handsome man! Now, the wrinkles were forming on his once sharp and masculine face. His slowing metabolism left a fat tire over his once-flat stomach. Fortunately, the physical effort it took to care for the clumsy canines, kept him strong and sturdy. The constant roughhousing and hunting they did, landed them back in his office regularly.
The revolving door of regulars had earned him the moniker of Papa Mitchell. He enjoyed caring for them. To him, they were his rowdy kids!
The man’s smile wilted. Will they still love me after my transition? His attention returned to the metallic case.
No one was allowed to self-administer their serum. According to Dr. Zwo, it was because they still wanted to observe the transition process and avoid self-reporting.
Dr. Zwo himself was assigned to administer Dr. Mitchell’s serum and observe the changes that follow. Normally, it would be high praise to have the leader of Project Corse personally observe an injection and transition. Dr. Mitchell, however, didn’t quite see it that way.
He leaned back in his chair. He could still remember the young doctor’s words and the conversation they had after Ryker’s first physical examination.
“Need I remind you, Dr. Mitchell, that you have yet to make a selection regarding the E.T.I?” The young doctor raised a brow as he walked about the office.
“I’ve been having trouble deciding. Plus, it’s been hard to look over the list with a full schedule of checkups nearly every day.” Dr. Mitchell handed him the day planner that he kept on hand. He always preferred to keep a physical schedule, it helped him remember who was coming better than the digital calendar his VitaWatch provided.
Dr. Zwo examined the nearly full planner, “I see,” he scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I think…I’ll have to take you on a little field trip then. It’ll free up your schedule enough for you to make a decision!” He smiled, a few too many teeth peeking behind his lips. “Especially since, we’ll be going to the DNA bank. I have an inspection to do there, and the DNA bank always gets my creative juices flowing.” He handed the planner back to the older man. “I’m sure it’ll get yours going too.” His emerald eyes shone like a snake that’s just spotted its prey.
“I don’t know. Where will I find the time?”
“Two days from now. There’s a large enough gap in your obligations for us to go and come back.”
“Um…”
“Let me put it this way.” Dr. Zwo stepped forward, his face just a few inches from the older man. “If you aren’t able to decide by the time we leave the DNA bank, I will make the decision for you.” A beat, “And I’m sure you know how…creative I can be when designing hybridizations.”
Dr. Mitchell swallowed hard, “R-right, the newsletters say that you’ve been working on a splinter project, called Project Mythus?” The young man smiled.
“Indeed. In fact, one of the new test subjects from Homestead’s latest batch is part of that project.” He tapped at his VitaWatch and swiped something onto the monitor.
SUBJECT NUMBER: M-DRAKE-0076
SUBJECT NAME: Sebastian Rex
HYBRIDIZATION: Komodo Dragon + Big Brown Bat
PROPOSED SPECIES: Draco sapien
Dr. Mitchell gulped again. “I-I see.” He stammered, looking for the right words, “I-I look forward to seeing the DNA bank in person with you. I’ll be sure to make a decision there.” He started to sweat.
“Sounds like a plan! I’ll get the paperwork sorted out.” He started for the door, “I’ll let you know where to meet me so we can head out.”
“Understood.”
Dr. Zwo waved goodbye and shut the door, leaving Dr. Mitchell alone with his thoughts.
The veterinarian shook his head and started to pace around the large office. The large examination room was more comforting than the one upstairs where he had given Ryker his serum. The beast-folk-sized office was much more comforting.
He wasn’t exactly a fan of small rooms. They were always constricting and tight. The feeling only got worse after a special rescue mission in his younger years.
Like many small Colorado mountain towns, Coulson was a mining operation early in its life. The small town managed to survive after the mines dried up, thanks to its proximity to Lyons and the beautiful landscapes that surrounded it. Tourists of the late 20th century rekindled the small town’s economy and brought a new industry to the near-forgotten town: tours.
Guided tours of the mines were conducted, something only a few select towns and cities were able to pull off. They even allowed pets to enter with their owners!
The boon met a sudden end when one tourist’s dog ran off and fell into an underground lake. The tour guides called up Dr. Mitchell for help, prompting the man to make the hike into the mine and help.
Despite the tours, the mines were not maintained, leading to rotten support beams and crumbling arches throughout the mines. Bumping into something too hard could cause a cave-in, and that’s exactly what happened.
The poor dog broke one of its hind legs when it fell into a shallow underground lake. It managed to kick its way to the water’s edge and rest until Dr. Mitchell arrived. With some help from the tour guides, he repelled down and secured the broken leg before lifting it to the upper ledge where its frazzled owner waited.
Dr. Mitchell climbed back up the dangling rope and joined the rest of the group. They walked through the narrow passageways and nearly returned to one of the main levels of the mine. The dog, however, was becoming antsy and agitated, wiggling around in its restraints and whacking its tail against the fragile walls. It was no small breed, either. The Labrador continued to struggle and shake the walls until the weak support finally fell apart and caved in around them.
They would’ve suffocated in the pitch-black darkness of the mine if it weren’t for their proximity to the ventilation shaft. The tour guides knew their way around the mine, some of whom explored deeper into the mines off the clock.
Under their careful guidance, the group dug through the debris and climbed out through the ventilation shaft into the free, open air. Dr. Mitchell already didn’t like tight spaces, and that experience only made things worse for him.
When Intramorph sent him their job offer, he jumped at it, eager to escape the source of his trauma, but when he arrived at the DNA bank, he never expected to be met by familiar narrow hallways and low ceilings.
“A-are the halls supposed to be this narrow?” The older doctor stuttered. The slim hallways of the DNA bank were lined with rows upon rows of DNA samples, illuminating the sterile walls.
“Yes, the design is there to discourage corporate spies and other saboteurs.” Dr. Zwo’s voice was nonchalant as he walked through the maze-like structures.
“I definitely want to stay away.” He shuddered, anxiety spiking.
“Yes, your claustrophobia. I read your file.” He looked at something on his VitaWatch. “I hope it doesn’t hinder your ability to choose something for your hybridization.”
“N-no! I’ve narrowed it down to marsupials. My internship abroad during my college years was a fantastic experience! The fauna of Australia is truly fascinating!” His tired eyes lit up with youthful glee, like a kid who couldn’t wait to tell you about their day. Dr. Zwo raised a hand before the older man could burst with tales from his internship.
“Then let’s head to that area of the DNA bank.” Dr. Zwo led the way as they navigated the halls. “Did you happen to have a favorite marsupial?” He turned and raised a brow.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the kangaroos. They’re recognizable, but the way they look has always sparked my imagination.” He looked off into a hazy memory, “The way they put their weight on their tails like a chair sounds useful, especially since some of the canine hybrids have similarly leaned on their hybridized tails.” He smiled, “It looks fun!”
Dr. Zwo rubbed his chin before tapping at a panel on the wall. A row of glowing vials slid out from the wall, small icons sitting along the smooth edge, denoting the species. “Might I suggest the red kangaroo then?” He plucked a vial from the row. “They’re pretty iconic and you can mess with the colors a bit more.”
“I’m thinking…” Dr. Mitchell paused, mulling it over. “A pale-yellow color, rather than red.”
“What about yellow with a red stripe down the back and maybe for your hair?” The younger man leaned in.
“That could be nice.”
“Great!” He pushed the row of vials back into the wall and deposited the one in his hand into a small case. “Did you want to mix it with anything else?” His lips curled into an odd smile.
“I’d rather not, I like the single species beast-folk more. Especially for myself. I’d like to keep it simple y’know?”
Dr. Zwo nodded, his smile wilting. “While we’re here, why don’t we synthesize your serum? It’s a beautiful sight to behold!” The young doctor spun on his heel and left for the lab with Dr. Mitchell trailing behind.
They passed through more rows before coming to a sealed door next to an observation window. Inside sat a small lab filled with beakers and glowing screens. They quickly stepped inside.
Dr. Zwo deposited the DNA vial into a stand and removed a small portion of the solution with a clean eyedropper. He then collected a second vial and deposited the DNA solution into it alongside a chemical that Dr. Mitchell didn’t recognize.
The young doctor quickly added more chemical compounds to the vial before prepping it and placing the solution into a centrifuge. With a sigh, he sat down at the computer terminal. “Let’s make your personal adjustments now, while the DNA is being extracted.” He tapped away at the computer and opened a program resembling a character creator. The younger man slid away from the terminal, “It’s all yours.”
Dr. Mitchell stepped up to the terminal, navigating the vast array of menus and sliders until he had created the version of himself he would soon enough become. With a sigh, he clicked the confirmation button, closing the program and activating an odd machine.
It looked like several rows of zippers, each lined with tiny manipulators and scissors. A button glowed and read next to an LCD screen: AWAITING INPUT The centrifuge chimed, indicating that the DNA had been extracted. “Perfect timing!” Dr. Zwo leaped from his seat and removed the spindly DNA from the vial and placed it into the machine’s input tray. “Are you ready to see something amazing?”
The older man took a step back from the machine. “Sure?”
Dr. Zwo’s emerald eyes sparkled with the passion of a man who was proud to show off his work. With a flourish, he pressed the start button.
Immediately, the machine hummed to life, the lights and moving parts flashed as the machine quickly processed the DNA, modifying it with the changes Dr. Mitchell had made. “This is our manual modifier. Most of the time we alter the DNA digitally and later synthesize what we need, especially since the DNA of all these creatures have been scanned into our database for a long time.”
“Then why show me this?”
He shrugged, “It’s fun to show off the engineering that brought us here.” The young man cracked a smile. “But, I still need to test its accuracy against the digital DNA code.” He turned back to the computer console and opened a new program. “This is one of the last facilities to use the manual modifier.” He continued to fiddle with the program and pulled up a long sequence of letters.
The modifier chimed its completion, the lights and manipulators slowed their erratic movements and flashes until everything was completely still and the new DNA sequence was resting in the output tray.
Dr. Zwo quickly retrieved the sample and set it under a scanning device. “Let’s see here…” he rubbed his chin as a similar string of letters began to appear on the screen next to the first. In no time, the DNA was scanned into the computer. The man tapped away at the keys and confirmed an action.
Both strings of letters scrolled rapidly up the screen, a small grey bar zipping across each row of characters, periodically flashing red.
Dr. Zwo heaved a heavy sigh, “It seems that this modifier is no longer fit for use.” The screen flashed a percentage of 85%. “Far beyond the recommended parameters.” The young doctor got up and disposed of the DNA in a biohazard bin. “We’ll have to synthesize your new DNA.” His posture deflated, “It’s a shame that we’ll have to scrap this machine.” He walked up to the modifier, “There’s always a bit of romanticism with these analog machines.”
Dr. Mitchell furrowed his brow, “Was that the sight to behold?”
Dr. Zwo’s face lit up, “No! No. the formula synthesizing process is absolutely stellar!” He nodded to the next room over, marked by another air-tight door. The younger man cleared his throat, “Let’s print the right DNA.”
He returned to the computer and confirmed an new action. In a moment a new DNA vial, similar in color to the one housing the Red Kangaroo sample, slid into the stand on the counter, filled with artificially designed DNA.
“Come on, let’s go.” The younger man hurried to the next room and began setting up for the synthesis.
Inside was a wall of clear glass containers, connected by tubes like a mad scientist’s potion room. Several chemicals glowed eerily in the darker room, each labeled with names that Dr. Mitchell recognized: FILL ‘N GROW, GROW UP!!!, and CELL ACCELERANT 32. A shiver ran up Dr. Mitchell’s spine as his gaze drifted from vial to vial.
Dr. Zwo, however, loaded the printed DNA solution into one of the containers, the solution held back by a small valve in the tubing. The young doctor quickly extracted precise amounts of the other chemicals, lowering them into new vials and changing the flow of the tubing to accommodate the alchemical magic about to take place.
“Ready?” he smiled.
Dr. Mitchell gulped, “S-sure.”
The younger man’s grin grew wide as he unstopped the first valve, emerald eyes glowing in the low light. The DNA solution was squeezed through the piping and combined with the first of the chemicals, taking on a luminescent aura before transitioning into the next pool.
The altering solution continued to combine, changing from a cloudy white to a bright green. The third and final pool of major chemicals changed the bright liquid into the familiar amber that the doctors knew so well, just with a slight luminescent glow.
The completed solution dripped into a clear canister that quickly sealed into the chamber of Intramorph’s special syringes. The solution swirled around in the container, rich with its cell-altering formula.
“Isn’t it beautiful!” Dr. Zwo beamed.
“It’s…something.” Dr. Mitchell replied, mouth agape.
The young doctor retrieved the syringe and placed it into a protected case. He turned on his heel and stared deep into the older doctor’s eyes, a sinister smile plastered on his face. His lips moved methodically, savoring every syllable as it escaped past his lips. “I look forward to administering your injection next week.”
Dr. Mitchell gulped hard. “Y-yes sir.”
Dr. Mitchell broke out of his stupor when he heard knocking on the door to his office. It was Dr. Zwo, ready to administer the injection and record his findings. The young doctor’s otherwise chatty persona seemed muted. His glasses flashed under the harsh light, hiding his eyes.
Despite the change in atmosphere, the younger man still wore a wide grin as if he had just won a tough game. He stepped closer, all the while preparing for the upcoming show he was about to witness.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Mitchell.” His tone was formal, but an underlying giddiness betrayed his guise. “Are you ready to change the course of your life,” he leaned in close, voice low and quiet, “FOREVER?” He chuckled.
Dr. Mitchell gulped again. His heart began pounding in his chest. He wasn’t ready for this! He didn’t want this change…but what other choice did he have? He couldn’t go back to Coulson after the cave incident. So much of his career was built here. He had dug himself in so deep. He couldn’t back out now.
“As…ready as I can be.” He swallowed hard.
Dr. Zwo’s grin widened. “Let us begin, then.” He pointed to the medical bed and prepared the needle. “I look forward to observing your changes, doctor.”
Dr. Mitchell sat on the bed. “Y-yes, I’ll be sure to record my changes regularly.”
“There’s no need for that.” He laughed.
The older man’s heart stopped, “W-why is that?”
The doctor groaned. “You’ve been using the old formula.” The young doctor flicked the needle and squeezed out any air bubbles. “R&D has made a solution that greatly accelerates the transition process. What once took days, can now be accomplished in mere minutes!” He laughed, “A wonderful feat of ingenuity! I’ve only personally observed two transitions of this nature, and might I say. They are beautiful to behold!” His emerald eyes flashed, and his grin turned sinister as he stepped ever closer with the primed needle.
“Won’t the sudden transformation h—”
He gasped. Dr. Zwo had plunged the needle deep into his neck and slowly pressed down on the plunger. The liquid felt cold as ice in his veins. His breathing grew erratic as adrenaline flooded his system.
“This will be fun.” The mad doctor smiled as he stepped back, ready to enjoy the show.
A sudden warmth spread from the injection site. Dr. Mitchell looked down at his arms. Pale yellow fur was quickly erupting from his skin and spreading fast. In a matter of moments, his entire body was covered in the same yellow fur.
Tufts of longer hair drooped over his eyes revealing the familiar dull red color of the Red Kangaroo he was becoming. The red fur continued down his spine along a quickly growing lump just above his butt.
A strange numbness took over his backside before a massive wave of searing pain erupted within him. The lump grew longer and longer, keeping the same pattern as the rest of him. It wiggled and smacked against the floor with a heavy THUD! A powerful tail sat behind him, pulling the older man’s center of gravity away from his torso.
He barely had time to register the new appendage when the nerves fully connected, knocking him off of the table, landing hard against the cold, tile floor. He hunched over, curling into a ball as the changes spread to his legs and feet.
The simple slacks he was wearing quickly burst as strong legs fit for jumping vast distances surged forth. His shoes fell next as long feet burst through the toe. Only three misshapen digits escaped their captivity, swollen and stretched to a point.
The wave of bloating muscle continued to climb up his torso, shrinking his gut into a flat stomach. His torso grew larger, heavy pecs forming on a barreling chest.
His arms grew strong, biceps ballooning outward to the size of bowling balls. Each hand lost a digit, all topped with hard black nails.
Dr. Mitchell squeezed his eyes shut as the changes overtook his skull. He felt his nose fuse with his upper jaw and extend outward into a narrow muzzle. His lower jaw met a similar fate, extending with a much longer tongue and new teeth to fit his new mouth.
Ringing pinged in his ears as they stretched outward into rounded points and migrated to the top of his head. His once inky, brown eyes stung as the structure changed and the color faded.
Dr. Mitchell opened his eyes and blinked hard as he adjusted to his new sense of height. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as his anxiety spiked. What once was the most comforting room in the facility, suddenly felt suffocating and just a little too small. He grunted and rubbed at his temples. “Where’s the mirror?”
Dr. Zwo stepped aside, allowing the kangaroo to stumble forward, resting his paws against the full-length mirror. Before him stood a 7’3” anthropomorphic kangaroo man with piercing grey eyes. The fat from his slowed metabolism and the sedentary job had melted away into faint abs and a strong V-taper in his torso.
His stance was wide, due to the massive, tree trunk-like legs and wider hips built for strong jumping and kicking. His tail sat lazily behind him, heavy and sturdy.
Slowly he leaned back and placed his weight on the tail. It flexed as it adjusted itself to support the weight of the larger man. At first, he leaned against the tail like it were a wall but quickly leaned farther, pulling his legs in and placing his full weight on the tail. It barely moved and didn’t even ache!
The older man’s reclaimed flexibility allowed him to cross his legs and rest comfortably on his tail as if he’d had it his entire life. A wondrous smile spread across his muzzle as he continued to explore his new body. He felt younger and full of energy. A child-like giddiness left him shaking all over.
“You’re looking good, Dr. Mitchell!” The human smiled, clapping his hands together in a slow rhythm. “Your transition appears to be a complete success!” His eyes flashed.
“Yeah! I’m feeling great!”
“Indeed. I’ll be filing the research log supplemental later this afternoon.” He patted the kangaroo man on the back. “I have just…one more thing to ask of you.” The man’s gaze lost its levity, leaving a cold and calculating stare in its place. Dr. Mitchell gulped.
“And what is that?”
“Now that you’ve become one of the ‘beast-folk,’ I hope that you’ll aid me in some…special observation.” His smile twisted into a familiar wicked grin. “Ryker Rice and his quick connections have garnered my interest. I would like you to further befriend him and report back to me.”
The kangaroo stumbled backward, “What exactly do you mean?”
The man frowned, “He has a knack for befriending people of authority. I want you to observe what he says. Get the scoop as it were.” He began to pace around the nervous kangaroo.
“You want me to…spy?”
“Of course not!” The doctor took offense, an impatient anger rising in his voice. “I just want you to further share his information.”
“By spying.”
The man’s frown worsened, “If that’s really how you want to put it.” His circles grew tighter around the kangaroo, causing the creature to squirm in place. “I would especially appreciate any information regarding one of a fellow altered co-worker. One. Julia. Anderson.” He stopped, “Her plans are of GREAT interest to me.” His wicked grin returned. “She and Ryker seem to have become quite friendly in their short time knowing each other.”
The kangaroo swallowed, “and if I don’t comply?”
The man’s face scrunched in disgust. His voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper yet dripping with venom, “I’ll make sure your next office is even smaller than the DNA bank.” He chuckled, “Just because you’ve undergone the transition doesn’t mean I can’t change you further. Understand? Just think of all the wondrous things you could be once I’m done with you.” He frowned, “just some food for thought.”
Dr. Mitchell swallowed hard, “I—" He bit his tongue and sighed, “I can certainly try.”
Dr. Zwo stared daggers at the kangaroo. After an unending silence, he smiled, “I look forward to your first report, Vanguro.” With that the man walked out of the office, leaving the transformed man with nothing but his thoughts.
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This short is part of the Wolverine Mystery arc.
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Dr. Mitchell: The Reluctant Follower
Written by: Ryker-Wolf
RESEARCH LOG: February 22, 2021, 1:32 PM MST
SUBJECT NAME: Dr. Vanguro Mitchell
AGE: 42
SEX: Male
SPECIES: Human
HYBRIDIZATION: Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
STATUS: Injection pending
CAUSE: Employee Transition Initiative (E.T.I.)
NOTES: The subject has had difficulty selecting a hybridization. Recent physicals show signs of increased anxiety and stress. Reason unknown.
Dr. Mitchell stared at the report. The E.T.I. system required that he undergo the transition and end his tenure as a member of the human race. There still wasn’t a proper name for the test subjects’ new race, but they often referred to themselves as beast-folk.
The boxy man tore his gaze away from the glowing monitor and turned toward the shining briefcase that sat on the edge of the desk. I’ll be joining them soon, I guess. His vacant gaze turned sour, It’s still too early for something like this.
As the primary doctor for all of the canine beast-folk in Homestead, Dr. Mitchell had a pretty good grip on the transition “experience.” Most of them often reported extra warmth as their fur grew in. Later, the same canines would complain about ringing in their ears and odd inconsistencies in their senses, randomly sharp hearing here, brief colorblindness there, and the undeniable phantom limb syndrome as the new genetic memory began to take hold.
The worst part was always the major physical changes. Digitigrade subjects often had sore feet and difficulty walking. But one thing was unanimous across EVERY subject he’s interacted with. All suffered excruciating pain when a new limb grows in.
A wiser man of science would have chosen something without extra limbs to avoid that very problem, but Dr. Mitchell was never known as a particularly wise man. Having a particularly large and sturdy tail was somehow appealing to the aging man.
He glanced at his doctorate in veterinary sciences. I still remember the long hikes it took just to stitch up some tourist’s pet after a poorly planned trip. The man cracked a small smile. His time as a field veterinarian in the mountains of Colorado managed to keep him in shape, developing a sturdy build with powerful legs.
After a particular rescue trip, Intramorph got in touch with him and requested his services as an able-bodied veterinarian to help with a major and highly secretive project. They provided additional medical training for human anatomy and extensive benefits that the company provided in-house.
It was all too good to be true! After nearly a decade of work for the company, the catch finally became clear. Why are they pushing this E.T.I. plan so hard?
Dr. Mitchell wasn’t always privy to the plans of corporate. He just did as he was told and tended to the test subjects. At first, he saw a wide variety of species as the first generation of Project Corse test subjects came through, but the large the community grew. He got to see fewer and fewer species. Eventually, he was assigned as the Canine Medical Practitioner.
The popularity of canines, wolves in particular, always kept the man busy. The almost sedentary work of the job pushed the hands of time on his body in ways he always wished to avoid.
When Vanguro Mitchell was in his prime, he was a strong, handsome man! Now, the wrinkles were forming on his once sharp and masculine face. His slowing metabolism left a fat tire over his once-flat stomach. Fortunately, the physical effort it took to care for the clumsy canines, kept him strong and sturdy. The constant roughhousing and hunting they did, landed them back in his office regularly.
The revolving door of regulars had earned him the moniker of Papa Mitchell. He enjoyed caring for them. To him, they were his rowdy kids!
The man’s smile wilted. Will they still love me after my transition? His attention returned to the metallic case.
No one was allowed to self-administer their serum. According to Dr. Zwo, it was because they still wanted to observe the transition process and avoid self-reporting.
Dr. Zwo himself was assigned to administer Dr. Mitchell’s serum and observe the changes that follow. Normally, it would be high praise to have the leader of Project Corse personally observe an injection and transition. Dr. Mitchell, however, didn’t quite see it that way.
He leaned back in his chair. He could still remember the young doctor’s words and the conversation they had after Ryker’s first physical examination.
******“Need I remind you, Dr. Mitchell, that you have yet to make a selection regarding the E.T.I?” The young doctor raised a brow as he walked about the office.
“I’ve been having trouble deciding. Plus, it’s been hard to look over the list with a full schedule of checkups nearly every day.” Dr. Mitchell handed him the day planner that he kept on hand. He always preferred to keep a physical schedule, it helped him remember who was coming better than the digital calendar his VitaWatch provided.
Dr. Zwo examined the nearly full planner, “I see,” he scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I think…I’ll have to take you on a little field trip then. It’ll free up your schedule enough for you to make a decision!” He smiled, a few too many teeth peeking behind his lips. “Especially since, we’ll be going to the DNA bank. I have an inspection to do there, and the DNA bank always gets my creative juices flowing.” He handed the planner back to the older man. “I’m sure it’ll get yours going too.” His emerald eyes shone like a snake that’s just spotted its prey.
“I don’t know. Where will I find the time?”
“Two days from now. There’s a large enough gap in your obligations for us to go and come back.”
“Um…”
“Let me put it this way.” Dr. Zwo stepped forward, his face just a few inches from the older man. “If you aren’t able to decide by the time we leave the DNA bank, I will make the decision for you.” A beat, “And I’m sure you know how…creative I can be when designing hybridizations.”
Dr. Mitchell swallowed hard, “R-right, the newsletters say that you’ve been working on a splinter project, called Project Mythus?” The young man smiled.
“Indeed. In fact, one of the new test subjects from Homestead’s latest batch is part of that project.” He tapped at his VitaWatch and swiped something onto the monitor.
SUBJECT NUMBER: M-DRAKE-0076
SUBJECT NAME: Sebastian Rex
HYBRIDIZATION: Komodo Dragon + Big Brown Bat
PROPOSED SPECIES: Draco sapien
Dr. Mitchell gulped again. “I-I see.” He stammered, looking for the right words, “I-I look forward to seeing the DNA bank in person with you. I’ll be sure to make a decision there.” He started to sweat.
“Sounds like a plan! I’ll get the paperwork sorted out.” He started for the door, “I’ll let you know where to meet me so we can head out.”
“Understood.”
Dr. Zwo waved goodbye and shut the door, leaving Dr. Mitchell alone with his thoughts.
******The veterinarian shook his head and started to pace around the large office. The large examination room was more comforting than the one upstairs where he had given Ryker his serum. The beast-folk-sized office was much more comforting.
He wasn’t exactly a fan of small rooms. They were always constricting and tight. The feeling only got worse after a special rescue mission in his younger years.
Like many small Colorado mountain towns, Coulson was a mining operation early in its life. The small town managed to survive after the mines dried up, thanks to its proximity to Lyons and the beautiful landscapes that surrounded it. Tourists of the late 20th century rekindled the small town’s economy and brought a new industry to the near-forgotten town: tours.
Guided tours of the mines were conducted, something only a few select towns and cities were able to pull off. They even allowed pets to enter with their owners!
The boon met a sudden end when one tourist’s dog ran off and fell into an underground lake. The tour guides called up Dr. Mitchell for help, prompting the man to make the hike into the mine and help.
Despite the tours, the mines were not maintained, leading to rotten support beams and crumbling arches throughout the mines. Bumping into something too hard could cause a cave-in, and that’s exactly what happened.
The poor dog broke one of its hind legs when it fell into a shallow underground lake. It managed to kick its way to the water’s edge and rest until Dr. Mitchell arrived. With some help from the tour guides, he repelled down and secured the broken leg before lifting it to the upper ledge where its frazzled owner waited.
Dr. Mitchell climbed back up the dangling rope and joined the rest of the group. They walked through the narrow passageways and nearly returned to one of the main levels of the mine. The dog, however, was becoming antsy and agitated, wiggling around in its restraints and whacking its tail against the fragile walls. It was no small breed, either. The Labrador continued to struggle and shake the walls until the weak support finally fell apart and caved in around them.
They would’ve suffocated in the pitch-black darkness of the mine if it weren’t for their proximity to the ventilation shaft. The tour guides knew their way around the mine, some of whom explored deeper into the mines off the clock.
Under their careful guidance, the group dug through the debris and climbed out through the ventilation shaft into the free, open air. Dr. Mitchell already didn’t like tight spaces, and that experience only made things worse for him.
When Intramorph sent him their job offer, he jumped at it, eager to escape the source of his trauma, but when he arrived at the DNA bank, he never expected to be met by familiar narrow hallways and low ceilings.
******“A-are the halls supposed to be this narrow?” The older doctor stuttered. The slim hallways of the DNA bank were lined with rows upon rows of DNA samples, illuminating the sterile walls.
“Yes, the design is there to discourage corporate spies and other saboteurs.” Dr. Zwo’s voice was nonchalant as he walked through the maze-like structures.
“I definitely want to stay away.” He shuddered, anxiety spiking.
“Yes, your claustrophobia. I read your file.” He looked at something on his VitaWatch. “I hope it doesn’t hinder your ability to choose something for your hybridization.”
“N-no! I’ve narrowed it down to marsupials. My internship abroad during my college years was a fantastic experience! The fauna of Australia is truly fascinating!” His tired eyes lit up with youthful glee, like a kid who couldn’t wait to tell you about their day. Dr. Zwo raised a hand before the older man could burst with tales from his internship.
“Then let’s head to that area of the DNA bank.” Dr. Zwo led the way as they navigated the halls. “Did you happen to have a favorite marsupial?” He turned and raised a brow.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the kangaroos. They’re recognizable, but the way they look has always sparked my imagination.” He looked off into a hazy memory, “The way they put their weight on their tails like a chair sounds useful, especially since some of the canine hybrids have similarly leaned on their hybridized tails.” He smiled, “It looks fun!”
Dr. Zwo rubbed his chin before tapping at a panel on the wall. A row of glowing vials slid out from the wall, small icons sitting along the smooth edge, denoting the species. “Might I suggest the red kangaroo then?” He plucked a vial from the row. “They’re pretty iconic and you can mess with the colors a bit more.”
“I’m thinking…” Dr. Mitchell paused, mulling it over. “A pale-yellow color, rather than red.”
“What about yellow with a red stripe down the back and maybe for your hair?” The younger man leaned in.
“That could be nice.”
“Great!” He pushed the row of vials back into the wall and deposited the one in his hand into a small case. “Did you want to mix it with anything else?” His lips curled into an odd smile.
“I’d rather not, I like the single species beast-folk more. Especially for myself. I’d like to keep it simple y’know?”
Dr. Zwo nodded, his smile wilting. “While we’re here, why don’t we synthesize your serum? It’s a beautiful sight to behold!” The young doctor spun on his heel and left for the lab with Dr. Mitchell trailing behind.
They passed through more rows before coming to a sealed door next to an observation window. Inside sat a small lab filled with beakers and glowing screens. They quickly stepped inside.
Dr. Zwo deposited the DNA vial into a stand and removed a small portion of the solution with a clean eyedropper. He then collected a second vial and deposited the DNA solution into it alongside a chemical that Dr. Mitchell didn’t recognize.
The young doctor quickly added more chemical compounds to the vial before prepping it and placing the solution into a centrifuge. With a sigh, he sat down at the computer terminal. “Let’s make your personal adjustments now, while the DNA is being extracted.” He tapped away at the computer and opened a program resembling a character creator. The younger man slid away from the terminal, “It’s all yours.”
Dr. Mitchell stepped up to the terminal, navigating the vast array of menus and sliders until he had created the version of himself he would soon enough become. With a sigh, he clicked the confirmation button, closing the program and activating an odd machine.
It looked like several rows of zippers, each lined with tiny manipulators and scissors. A button glowed and read next to an LCD screen: AWAITING INPUT The centrifuge chimed, indicating that the DNA had been extracted. “Perfect timing!” Dr. Zwo leaped from his seat and removed the spindly DNA from the vial and placed it into the machine’s input tray. “Are you ready to see something amazing?”
The older man took a step back from the machine. “Sure?”
Dr. Zwo’s emerald eyes sparkled with the passion of a man who was proud to show off his work. With a flourish, he pressed the start button.
Immediately, the machine hummed to life, the lights and moving parts flashed as the machine quickly processed the DNA, modifying it with the changes Dr. Mitchell had made. “This is our manual modifier. Most of the time we alter the DNA digitally and later synthesize what we need, especially since the DNA of all these creatures have been scanned into our database for a long time.”
“Then why show me this?”
He shrugged, “It’s fun to show off the engineering that brought us here.” The young man cracked a smile. “But, I still need to test its accuracy against the digital DNA code.” He turned back to the computer console and opened a new program. “This is one of the last facilities to use the manual modifier.” He continued to fiddle with the program and pulled up a long sequence of letters.
The modifier chimed its completion, the lights and manipulators slowed their erratic movements and flashes until everything was completely still and the new DNA sequence was resting in the output tray.
Dr. Zwo quickly retrieved the sample and set it under a scanning device. “Let’s see here…” he rubbed his chin as a similar string of letters began to appear on the screen next to the first. In no time, the DNA was scanned into the computer. The man tapped away at the keys and confirmed an action.
Both strings of letters scrolled rapidly up the screen, a small grey bar zipping across each row of characters, periodically flashing red.
Dr. Zwo heaved a heavy sigh, “It seems that this modifier is no longer fit for use.” The screen flashed a percentage of 85%. “Far beyond the recommended parameters.” The young doctor got up and disposed of the DNA in a biohazard bin. “We’ll have to synthesize your new DNA.” His posture deflated, “It’s a shame that we’ll have to scrap this machine.” He walked up to the modifier, “There’s always a bit of romanticism with these analog machines.”
Dr. Mitchell furrowed his brow, “Was that the sight to behold?”
Dr. Zwo’s face lit up, “No! No. the formula synthesizing process is absolutely stellar!” He nodded to the next room over, marked by another air-tight door. The younger man cleared his throat, “Let’s print the right DNA.”
He returned to the computer and confirmed an new action. In a moment a new DNA vial, similar in color to the one housing the Red Kangaroo sample, slid into the stand on the counter, filled with artificially designed DNA.
“Come on, let’s go.” The younger man hurried to the next room and began setting up for the synthesis.
Inside was a wall of clear glass containers, connected by tubes like a mad scientist’s potion room. Several chemicals glowed eerily in the darker room, each labeled with names that Dr. Mitchell recognized: FILL ‘N GROW, GROW UP!!!, and CELL ACCELERANT 32. A shiver ran up Dr. Mitchell’s spine as his gaze drifted from vial to vial.
Dr. Zwo, however, loaded the printed DNA solution into one of the containers, the solution held back by a small valve in the tubing. The young doctor quickly extracted precise amounts of the other chemicals, lowering them into new vials and changing the flow of the tubing to accommodate the alchemical magic about to take place.
“Ready?” he smiled.
Dr. Mitchell gulped, “S-sure.”
The younger man’s grin grew wide as he unstopped the first valve, emerald eyes glowing in the low light. The DNA solution was squeezed through the piping and combined with the first of the chemicals, taking on a luminescent aura before transitioning into the next pool.
The altering solution continued to combine, changing from a cloudy white to a bright green. The third and final pool of major chemicals changed the bright liquid into the familiar amber that the doctors knew so well, just with a slight luminescent glow.
The completed solution dripped into a clear canister that quickly sealed into the chamber of Intramorph’s special syringes. The solution swirled around in the container, rich with its cell-altering formula.
“Isn’t it beautiful!” Dr. Zwo beamed.
“It’s…something.” Dr. Mitchell replied, mouth agape.
The young doctor retrieved the syringe and placed it into a protected case. He turned on his heel and stared deep into the older doctor’s eyes, a sinister smile plastered on his face. His lips moved methodically, savoring every syllable as it escaped past his lips. “I look forward to administering your injection next week.”
Dr. Mitchell gulped hard. “Y-yes sir.”
******Dr. Mitchell broke out of his stupor when he heard knocking on the door to his office. It was Dr. Zwo, ready to administer the injection and record his findings. The young doctor’s otherwise chatty persona seemed muted. His glasses flashed under the harsh light, hiding his eyes.
Despite the change in atmosphere, the younger man still wore a wide grin as if he had just won a tough game. He stepped closer, all the while preparing for the upcoming show he was about to witness.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Mitchell.” His tone was formal, but an underlying giddiness betrayed his guise. “Are you ready to change the course of your life,” he leaned in close, voice low and quiet, “FOREVER?” He chuckled.
Dr. Mitchell gulped again. His heart began pounding in his chest. He wasn’t ready for this! He didn’t want this change…but what other choice did he have? He couldn’t go back to Coulson after the cave incident. So much of his career was built here. He had dug himself in so deep. He couldn’t back out now.
“As…ready as I can be.” He swallowed hard.
Dr. Zwo’s grin widened. “Let us begin, then.” He pointed to the medical bed and prepared the needle. “I look forward to observing your changes, doctor.”
Dr. Mitchell sat on the bed. “Y-yes, I’ll be sure to record my changes regularly.”
“There’s no need for that.” He laughed.
The older man’s heart stopped, “W-why is that?”
The doctor groaned. “You’ve been using the old formula.” The young doctor flicked the needle and squeezed out any air bubbles. “R&D has made a solution that greatly accelerates the transition process. What once took days, can now be accomplished in mere minutes!” He laughed, “A wonderful feat of ingenuity! I’ve only personally observed two transitions of this nature, and might I say. They are beautiful to behold!” His emerald eyes flashed, and his grin turned sinister as he stepped ever closer with the primed needle.
“Won’t the sudden transformation h—”
He gasped. Dr. Zwo had plunged the needle deep into his neck and slowly pressed down on the plunger. The liquid felt cold as ice in his veins. His breathing grew erratic as adrenaline flooded his system.
“This will be fun.” The mad doctor smiled as he stepped back, ready to enjoy the show.
A sudden warmth spread from the injection site. Dr. Mitchell looked down at his arms. Pale yellow fur was quickly erupting from his skin and spreading fast. In a matter of moments, his entire body was covered in the same yellow fur.
Tufts of longer hair drooped over his eyes revealing the familiar dull red color of the Red Kangaroo he was becoming. The red fur continued down his spine along a quickly growing lump just above his butt.
A strange numbness took over his backside before a massive wave of searing pain erupted within him. The lump grew longer and longer, keeping the same pattern as the rest of him. It wiggled and smacked against the floor with a heavy THUD! A powerful tail sat behind him, pulling the older man’s center of gravity away from his torso.
He barely had time to register the new appendage when the nerves fully connected, knocking him off of the table, landing hard against the cold, tile floor. He hunched over, curling into a ball as the changes spread to his legs and feet.
The simple slacks he was wearing quickly burst as strong legs fit for jumping vast distances surged forth. His shoes fell next as long feet burst through the toe. Only three misshapen digits escaped their captivity, swollen and stretched to a point.
The wave of bloating muscle continued to climb up his torso, shrinking his gut into a flat stomach. His torso grew larger, heavy pecs forming on a barreling chest.
His arms grew strong, biceps ballooning outward to the size of bowling balls. Each hand lost a digit, all topped with hard black nails.
Dr. Mitchell squeezed his eyes shut as the changes overtook his skull. He felt his nose fuse with his upper jaw and extend outward into a narrow muzzle. His lower jaw met a similar fate, extending with a much longer tongue and new teeth to fit his new mouth.
Ringing pinged in his ears as they stretched outward into rounded points and migrated to the top of his head. His once inky, brown eyes stung as the structure changed and the color faded.
Dr. Mitchell opened his eyes and blinked hard as he adjusted to his new sense of height. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as his anxiety spiked. What once was the most comforting room in the facility, suddenly felt suffocating and just a little too small. He grunted and rubbed at his temples. “Where’s the mirror?”
Dr. Zwo stepped aside, allowing the kangaroo to stumble forward, resting his paws against the full-length mirror. Before him stood a 7’3” anthropomorphic kangaroo man with piercing grey eyes. The fat from his slowed metabolism and the sedentary job had melted away into faint abs and a strong V-taper in his torso.
His stance was wide, due to the massive, tree trunk-like legs and wider hips built for strong jumping and kicking. His tail sat lazily behind him, heavy and sturdy.
Slowly he leaned back and placed his weight on the tail. It flexed as it adjusted itself to support the weight of the larger man. At first, he leaned against the tail like it were a wall but quickly leaned farther, pulling his legs in and placing his full weight on the tail. It barely moved and didn’t even ache!
The older man’s reclaimed flexibility allowed him to cross his legs and rest comfortably on his tail as if he’d had it his entire life. A wondrous smile spread across his muzzle as he continued to explore his new body. He felt younger and full of energy. A child-like giddiness left him shaking all over.
“You’re looking good, Dr. Mitchell!” The human smiled, clapping his hands together in a slow rhythm. “Your transition appears to be a complete success!” His eyes flashed.
“Yeah! I’m feeling great!”
“Indeed. I’ll be filing the research log supplemental later this afternoon.” He patted the kangaroo man on the back. “I have just…one more thing to ask of you.” The man’s gaze lost its levity, leaving a cold and calculating stare in its place. Dr. Mitchell gulped.
“And what is that?”
“Now that you’ve become one of the ‘beast-folk,’ I hope that you’ll aid me in some…special observation.” His smile twisted into a familiar wicked grin. “Ryker Rice and his quick connections have garnered my interest. I would like you to further befriend him and report back to me.”
The kangaroo stumbled backward, “What exactly do you mean?”
The man frowned, “He has a knack for befriending people of authority. I want you to observe what he says. Get the scoop as it were.” He began to pace around the nervous kangaroo.
“You want me to…spy?”
“Of course not!” The doctor took offense, an impatient anger rising in his voice. “I just want you to further share his information.”
“By spying.”
The man’s frown worsened, “If that’s really how you want to put it.” His circles grew tighter around the kangaroo, causing the creature to squirm in place. “I would especially appreciate any information regarding one of a fellow altered co-worker. One. Julia. Anderson.” He stopped, “Her plans are of GREAT interest to me.” His wicked grin returned. “She and Ryker seem to have become quite friendly in their short time knowing each other.”
The kangaroo swallowed, “and if I don’t comply?”
The man’s face scrunched in disgust. His voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper yet dripping with venom, “I’ll make sure your next office is even smaller than the DNA bank.” He chuckled, “Just because you’ve undergone the transition doesn’t mean I can’t change you further. Understand? Just think of all the wondrous things you could be once I’m done with you.” He frowned, “just some food for thought.”
Dr. Mitchell swallowed hard, “I—" He bit his tongue and sighed, “I can certainly try.”
Dr. Zwo stared daggers at the kangaroo. After an unending silence, he smiled, “I look forward to your first report, Vanguro.” With that the man walked out of the office, leaving the transformed man with nothing but his thoughts.
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Category Story / Transformation
Species Kangaroo
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 32.6 kB
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