INTERLUDE - THE DOCTOR

Week 3

“I’m going to look for Agnes.” She said as she left, leaving only the doctor and Veronica in the room.

Biermann stood there and said nothing, but he certainly hated himself for bringing the attack up so soon. He had told Loeb and the TIA— urged them that it was too soon to show them the attack. They were kids! You couldn’t just show them the footage and expect them to be motivated to keep going.

He had been right, and he had to deal with the fallout. Doctor Biermann was the only authority figure that had direct involvement with this project left in the research center. The man took another drag of his cigarette and sighed as smoke shot out of his nose and mouth. He looked at Veronica, thinking of what to say, but she spoke before he could do that.

“I did not know you smoked, doctor.” The girl said in the same monotone voice.

“I quit a while ago, but I started again ever since you guys showed up. I have to deal with the stress somehow, right?”

“There are better ways of dealing with stress. You are killing yourself, doctor.”

“Meh. Whatever. I already fucked it all up anyway. Actually, I didn’t fuck it all up, the TIA did, but they’ll blame me either way now that I have a mutiny on my hands.” Biermann said, his voice becoming louder and louder.

“I did not think this was a good idea. They might not recover.”

“You and me both. But I thought that maybe this might affect you somehow. I’m still surprised you don’t seem to care.”

“Why would I? I am perfectly content staying, even if the other three escape. We made a deal after all.”

Doctor Biermann looked at her through the smoke. She was a child— more than half his age, and yet he couldn’t help but feel… odd. Veronica looked human. She had changed slightly since coming here. Her blond hair was somewhat more grown than when she had first arrived. But she didn’t act like a human or a metahuman. He had theories, yes. Maybe it was a drawback of her power, and perhaps it was the effects of childhood trauma. He had never asked. Maybe now was the time.

“Tell me, Veronica. Can I ask you a question?” He asked, throwing his cigarette away in the ashtray.

“Of course, doctor. I am beholden to you.”

“You are aware of your peculiar condition, right? You don’t seem to display any emotions.”

“That is incorrect, doctor. I feel some, but I am unable to show it.”

“Some like what?”

“Satisfaction, pride, boredom come to mind.”

“Not sadness, though? Or, are you ever happy?”

“No. I have never been happy, and I will never be.”

The declaration sent a chill down Biermann’s spine. After a slight lull in the conversation, he continued.

“So you’ve been like this ever since you were a kid then?”

“Correct. For as long as I can remember.”

“I was aware you could feel boredom. That’s your entire reason you came here, isn’t it? The agents that came to your parent’s farm told me about your interaction.”

“Yes. You are aware as I am that I could leave any moment I want. But I have been satisfied here so far.”

“So today was just entertaining for you then? Seeing the MSA’s attack on the National Assembly?”

“It was. Seeing what I will be going up against has… dare I say it, it has excited me somewhat. Is that what this is?”

“Excitement is new to you, then. How are you feeling currently?”

“I am feeling some kind of anticipation. I want to finish the training as fast as possible to go against the Metahuman Salvation Army. I desire a challenge.”

Biermann chuckled. “I see. And what about your parents? They took care of you, and you just abandoned them. Do you not feel anything for them?”

“They did save me as a baby. They were nice to me, fed me, clothed me, and educated me. But I don’t think they loved me, so I did not feel regret by coming here.”

“Hm. Do you not think they miss you?”

“Not particularly. I was bringing too much attention to the farm as of late, so they most likely think it was for the better.”

“And what about the others? Jasmine, Franz, and Agnes? I suppose you don’t care about them either, then.”

“It’s strange. I feel a kinship with them. It had been years since I had interacted with another metahuman. I enjoy their presence, but I would not be hurt if they died.”

“What a depressing way of looking at things. Well, I hope you’ll be able to help me reign them in then. Looks like they might try to plan an escape today.”

“I do not feel the need to help. That was not a part of our deal.”

“Fine, I’ll just ask Kaleb to speak to her then. Looks like they’ve become friends.”

“That appears to be a sound idea.” Veronica said as she got up. “It was nice talking to you, Doctor Biermann. I will be on my way now.”

The doctor nodded as he watched her exit the room. As soon as she walked through the door frame, it was as if all the tension had disappeared. He reminisced on their deal as he turned off the light and the television.

Do not bore me, or I will entertain myself no matter what I have to do.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and desperate measures meant the state would work with one of its biggest threats. As he entered the elevator, Biermann muttered to himself.

“Keep your allies close, and keep your enemies closer.”

---

Week 5

“Watch your step at the door.” Biermann said as he entered the room with Franz. “Take a seat.”

Doctor Biermann had not been in his examination room in days. His mind wandered to him first meeting all of the metahumans and drawing their blood to send it to be analyzed, although he hadn’t managed to pierce Veronica’s skin. Biermann sat behind his desk and looked at the young man before him. Franz looked anxious, and he heard his foot repeatedly tapping on the floor.

In front of him was the oldest metahuman of the group. He was completely healthy now, compared to what he was like when he had first arrived. His stubble had grown into the start of a beard, and his dark hair was well taken care of. He cut it himself, apparently.

“Relax a little.” He said with a small smile. “It won’t take long.”

“I’m fine,” Franz replied sharply. “what’s the problem then?”

Biermann’s smile vanished. “You’ve done well in your studies, Franz, and you’re getting better at using your power. However, I was wondering… we’ve established that your ability speeds up the healing process by incredible amounts.”

Franz nodded.

“Could it possible to slow it down by the same amount?” He continued. “Make a cut last for years? decades?”

Biermann stared straight at the young man’s eyes, and he saw a terrified expression flash across his face. He expected resistance, of course, but he hoped he would be able to convince him.

“I— I can’t. I would have told you if I could.” Franz said, his voice shaking.

“Have you tried? We can try it on me right now if you’d like. I can give myself a papercut somewhere. Not on my hands though, that would be annoying.”

“No. I can’t.” He said, still anxious.

“You can’t, or you don’t want to?” Biermann said as he sighed. “Look, Franz, would an animal be better? I can get one of our mice if you’d like.”

The young man’s face blanched. “Absolutely not. I will not do any of this. Are we done here?”

Biermann would have buried his face in his palms and screamed if he could have, but he had to appear confident. Any ounce of doubt would make this impossible.

“No, we are not. Sit.” He said.

“I don’t think—”

“Sit.”

Franz sat back on the chair. Doctor Biermann continued.

“I think I know what’s going on here, Franz. You’re not killing anyone here, alright? It’s just a small paper cut. You won’t have to use it afterward. I just need to study your power. I need to see everything you guys can do.”

Biermann noticed the young metahuman relaxed. His anxious tapping stopped, and his breathing slowed. Now he just had to deal the finishing blow.

“I’ve done this with everyone, you know? I tried to find unexplored sections of their powers. I’ve even made Agnes come here if you can believe it.” He said with a slight chuckle. “It just took longer with you because I was waiting for the right moment. I know you want to help people, not prolong their suffering, and I won’t ask you to do it again after today. I just need the information.”

“As… as long as I don’t have to do it again.”

“You have my word.”

“Alright.”

Biermann grabbed a piece of crisp paper and cut his forearm successfully after a few attempts. He wiped away the small amount of blood and presented his arm to Franz.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

The metahuman nodded, and after a few seconds, he grabbed the Doctor’s arm and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he breathed out deeply.

“It’s done.”

“Thank you, truly. If it works, I’ll have you heal it in a few days. You’re free to go now.”

Franz got up and left without looking back. Doctor Biermann finally allowed himself to wince at the pain. As it turned out, if you looked when you were getting a paper cut, it hurt. The man raised his forearm and blew on it.

“Maybe I should have gone with the mouse suggestion. I didn’t want to push my luck.” He whispered to himself.

At least he would have good news to send to the TIA, the generals, and Marshal Gessner. Oh, he already knew what the results of this experiment would be. He could tell by Franz’s expression and body language; he had done this before.

He felt a pang of sadness for the boy. He was young— even though he was the oldest of the bunch, and the nicest. He was undoubtedly no Agnes, that was for sure. But sometimes, being an Agnes was good. Agnes certainly would never have come up in his office to do this if the roles were reversed. Jasmine would have come, but she would have asked more questions— she would have bargained and held out. Veronica? Well, she probably would have done it without hesitation, but for entirely different reasons.

That was the thing about Franz. He was too nice for his own good. Too trustworthy, too naive. He might have been the oldest,

but he was the easiest to manipulate.