Apart from all this hardening and conditioning, something else had taken place. The once insignificant, unintelligent, little creature had somehow developed a quick mind. More than that, he had developed an active intelligent brain, from something which had previously lain dormant within him. He could now understand everything that went on around him. He knew that he was in a lab. He knew the humans who molested him were scientists. He knew he was being used for something important. Still, he did not like it.
Humans were strange creatures. One thing he failed to comprehend was the way they so often quarrelled among themselves. If one disagreed with another over even the most trivial matter, it became a heated argument within seconds. He longed to be back in his own quiet world where life was so simple. “Soon,” he thought, for he knew what they were planning.
********************
In one of the Complex apartments, life went on normally. There was no suspicion of the impending disaster. Paul Dymond, one of the younger members of the scientific team, was entertaining the head man.
“Do you think the board will grant an extension on our project, Doctor?”
“I have high hopes, Paul, especially after they view the latest briefs.” Joe Langstrom wrinkled his brow thoughtfully. He was in his mid-forties and it wasn’t likely he’d get another project like this one. Top secret jobs were few and far between. “Too bad we have to find another specimen to continue, though,” he remarked.
The husky, blond, young American nodded. “Our little friend didn’t seem to have much life in him today. I suppose it was for the best to give him that last shot.”
“Yes. The drug young Barnes gave him should give him a peaceful end. He’ll die quietly tonight and we’ll dispose of him tomorrow.”
“Maybe Dr. Bennett would like to have the corpse for his work.”
“Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll speak to him about it before I leave for Ottawa in the morning.”
Paul raised his glass. “Good luck with the top brass, sir.”
********************
The lab was quiet and serene. Still, things were happening. The little creature had been getting steadily stronger. His body had adjusted to the abnormalities. He was quite strong now, but he had taken care not to show it.
That fatal injection was prepared by a young, and quite incompetent, assistant. Barnes carefully (or perhaps carelessly) measured and mixed the wrong ingredients. Then he administered the drug to the helpless little thing in the cage. They had locked up for the night, leaving him to die alone. That injection, however, had not worked as planned. His tough, leathery, green bosom swelled with pride and self-confidence. Ahhhhh… revenge was going to be sweet. At last… his time had come…
