Justin Kemppainen - The Legend of Ivan

The task was arduous. The brain fit snugly within the neosteel confines of the skull plate, and Ymarin, with a surgeon’s deftness, connected each relay. As he did, Calloway ran diagnostics and electrical currents through each to ensure proper coupling. Every one took time to attach and time to verify, and there were many.

Calloway and Ymarin fell into silence, ceasing their posturing and focusing upon the work. A begrudging respect fell over Calloway as he observed the surgeon’s amazing steady hands and flawless progress, not that he’d ever admit it.

Finally, the last connection set into place, and Calloway confirmed it as functional.

“Well, I must say, doctor, your performance was adequate,” Ymarin said as he flicked his gloves into the waste receptacle. “I have several pressing appointments yet today, but I admit I’m curious to see whether or not this brute will actually function.”

Dr. Calloway ignored the surgeon, excitement coursing through him.

He shouldered his way past Ymarin and set about affixing the skull plate, complete with a thin dusting of hair on top of the synth-flesh. A few moments and a brief electrical stimulation later, the skull plate nestled in place, and the skin sealed itself together. The slab of technology was finished, awaiting activation.

Calloway stepped back, almost in awe of how Ivan appeared as innocuous as an unconscious or dead human, minus the obvious anatomical indicators. He turned towards the colonel. “Are we cleared for a demonstration?”

“Yes, doctor, please proceed.” Pierce gave a sharp nod.

“Step back,” Calloway said to Ymarin.

“He’s not going to bite, is he?” The surgeon smirked.

Calloway snorted. “His energy output could vaporize your body and this facility in less time than it would take for your arrogant and feeble mind to realize its imminent demise.” With a shocked expression, Ymarin opened his mouth to retort. Calloway held up a hand. “This is more delicate and dangerous than simply connecting nerve tissues. Please step back.”

With an offended scowl, the surgeon moved to the side and looked on. Dr. Calloway, heart hammering, approached his creation.

Upon Ivan’s chest, digging prongs into the synthetic flesh, he placed a device. “The ‘on’ switch,” he said, a nervous energy cracking his voice. “It’s needed to activate the reactor gradually. To avoid overload.”

Sweat beading on his forehead, he stepped over to the console. After a few button presses, Ivan’s reactor came to life, warming slowly. Tiny fluctuations stabilized as the energy device hit minimum output. He dialed an increase.

An audible hum filled the air along with the subtle stench of ozone. Pierce tensed, reaching for the butt of his side arm. A bluish hue crackled over Ivan’s body as the flesh absorbed and dissipated the energy which surged through him. Ymarin watched the unmoving body with amazement as Calloway dialed another increase.

The humming swelled to a low drone, a rumble which rattled inside the skulls of those present. Dr. Calloway’s vision blurred, and his eyes watered. Ymarin worked his jaw up and down, as though trying to pop his ears. “Is this normal?” he asked, tones of fear in his inflection.

Clenching his vibrating teeth, Calloway said, “Yes,” and dialed the final activation.

Luckily, the power-up test had already been conducted more than once. The process of gradual increase was determined and solidified, so there was no real danger of any manner of vaporization as long as Calloway handled it appropriately. The only possible trouble would be if the casing and brain tissue was not constructed or calibrated properly. All of Ymarin’s hard work would be liquefied inside the skull plate, leaving a hideous, stinking mass.

The drone settled, and the hue faded away from Ivan’s flesh. Calloway wiped a sleeve across his forehead. “Any second now,” he murmured.

“For what?” Ymarin asked, impatient.

Calloway shot him a glare and held up a silencing hand. He turned his attention back to Ivan, unblinking and holding his breath.

The body twitched.

“Yes…” Calloway whispered.

Ivan’s eyes opened.

“Can you hear me?” Calloway asked softly.

The machine, the mass of technology on the table, shot bolt upright and screamed.

Eyes wide open and mouth agape, the shrieking of the machine on the table continued for several seconds as the various people present stood completely stunned.

“This isn’t right!” Calloway shouted, clapping his hands over his ears. “This shouldn’t be—”

“Turn it off!” the colonel bellowed. “Shut it down!”

Ivan continued screaming, volume and tone never wavering. The machine appeared to be looking back and forth, fright etched across its eerily lifelike features.

Calloway shook his head. “I don’t understand; this shouldn’t be—”

Pierce seized the doctor by the arm and dragged him close, shouting into his ear. “Turn this damn thing off, now! ”

Wincing, Dr. Calloway turned towards the console and punched in a few keys, sending the signal to the device to start a power-down sequence.

The undying scream cranked up in volume, and Calloway fell to the ground, vision blurring and ears feeling as though they were about to burst. Ivan’s arms flailed about, scratching at the resilient synthetic flesh coating his skull.

Seeming to notice people with him for the first time, Ivan shot a glare at Dr. Ymarin and shrieked, “ What have you done to me?! ” The hideous wailing ceased as Ivan balled his fists at his forehead. Cross-legged on the table, he rocked back and forth.

Ymarin’s mouth was open, quivering, and he stared in horror and confusion. Calloway grasped at the table edge, pulling himself up and punching a few more commands.

“Grrraaaaaaaaagh!!” Ivan flailed backwards, convulsing and resuming the agonized screams. His arms thrashed violently, denting the table upon which he lay. One hand slammed into his chest, clutching.

The reactor control device smashed easily. Weak residual currents coursed into and through Ivan’s hands, dispersing in the energy absorbent flesh.

Calloway’s mouth fell open as the console he worked at went dark. Whirling around, he saw the twisted bits of metal and circuitry clenched in Ivan’s large fist. “Oh no…” he whispered. Paling, he turned to the colonel. “I… I can’t shut it down.”

Clenching his teeth, Ivan slid off the table to unsteady feet. No longer screaming, the machine jerked his gaze around, a terrified fury more than evident on his features.

Colonel Pierce snapped an energy pistol out of a holster and slammed a fist through the glass and into an emergency button located on the wall. Red light pulsed and klaxons blared with the message, “Warning. Warning. Emergency quarantine in effect.”

Blast doors on the outside of the lab slid shut, cutting off the view of the startled soldiers. Ivan snapped his gaze all around, confused by the activity. Settling on the only challenging figure, Ivan’s expression changed to a snarl.

Not waiting for him to charge, Colonel Pierce snapped off several shots. Yellow bursts of energy impacted Ivan’s body, splashing across the flesh. They dissipated without effect, and fear crossed the colonel’s eyes.

Bellowing, Ivan hurled the handful of twisted metal and electronics at the colonel. Calloway screamed in fright as the broken device crashed into the colonel’s chest, smashing his sternum and several ribs. Pierce was thrown backward by the impact, slamming into the wall before crumpling to the ground.

Energy crackled across Ivan’s flesh. Anger remained in his feature, but there was no longer any sign of fear or pain. Calloway trembled as Ivan glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings. His gaze landed first upon the meek form of Ymarin, who gasped.