The Studies (A Short Story) - Intended for adult readers

A thin manila folder was left on my desk. I do not know who put it there or how the messenger managed to avoid all security cameras and alarms in the office. On a sticky note pressed to the front of the file is written Do as you see fit.

Intrigued, I opened the file only to find a few pages of a doctor’s notes. I was disappointed by how little this mysterious messenger delivered. My disappointment soon turned to astonishment as the notes seemed to be regarding an incident at Fort [REDACTED]. As some of you may already be aware, there were multiple deaths reported at Fort [REDACTED] that government officials have only referred to as a ‘military training exercise that unfortunately resulted in the death of multiple members of staff’.

I investigated, confirmed, and corroborated what I could. I was able to verify some facts of this story, but I am left with more questions than answers. Who is Dr. [REDACTED]? Who are subjects 18-28, 17-89, and 19-51? Do they have families looking for them? Did they volunteer for these experiments? What are these samples Dr. [REDACTED] refers to in their notes?

Do as you see fit, I was instructed. So I am publishing as much of the file as I am allowed.

Messenger, if you’re still out there, I have published as much as I can. If there is more to your story that you want me to tell the world, please contact me.

Sincerely,

I.A. Wells

From the desk of Dr. [REDACTED].

The subjects 19-51, 17-89, and 18-28 have been successfully transported to Fort [REDACTED] for further study in an isolated environment. I have included a summary of their files below.

Subject 17-89

Origin: Sample 17 and Sample 89

Paternal: AA

Maternal: AA

Notes: Subject 17-89, code name “General”, has displayed a vast intelligence that has not been matched in any other subjects. 17-89 displays great military strategy, an adeptness at psychological warfare, and is well-versed in emotional manipulation.

During combat testing, 17-89 has shown an ability to quickly and efficiently identify and exploit physical, mental, and emotional weaknesses.

Subject 18-28

Origin: Sample 18 and Sample 28

Paternal: AA

Maternal: AA

Notes: Subject 18-28, code name “Rabble”, has displayed a strong personality despite experiments that in most subjects correctly leave them docile. 18-28 can rally other subjects into a frenzy with speech, and has induced multiple riots among the subjects and even on occasion, the staff. Thus, 18-28 has been kept mostly in isolation, and all staff have been instructed to wear earplugs when interacting with subject 18-28. When socialization is allowed for the health of the subjects, subject 18-28 must be gagged.

Of particular note, before the gag protocol was implemented, it was observed that subject 18-28 had used this ability to cause riots to interact with subject 17-89 and occasionally subject 19-51 without supervision. The subjects can be seen conversing, but the audio from the surveillance was corrupted.

Subject 18-28 has been excluded from combat testing for the time being due to the potential danger to staff.

Subject 19-51

Origin: Sample 19 and Sample 51

Paternal: AA

Maternal: C

Notes: Subject 19-51, code name “Silence”, has the physical capability of speech but is functionally mute. 19-51 maintains solitude during social time with other subjects. When ordered to socialize, 19-51 will only interact with subjects 18-28 and 17-89.

When involved in physical altercations, 19-51 is particularly vicious. 19-51 employs stealth and ambush during combat testing. Subject’s stamina and hardiness are of particular interest.

With the physical improvements complete and satisfactory, I have now begun the mental improvements. My hopes are highest for subjects 17-89, 18-28, and 19-51. They are the only subjects to have maintained the appearance of physical normalcy after the improvements, and I am hopeful that this will translate to stamina to withstand the mental improvements.

I have noted the concerns of Commander [REDACTED] regarding the relationship between subjects 17-89 and 18-28. He believes their relationship will be a distraction at best and a liability at worst. While the Commander strongly suggested removing one or both subjects from the next stages, I believe this will set back the timeline to an unacceptable degree. I have compromised that outside of experiments, subjects 17-89 and 18-28 will not be left together.

The next stage is going well. All three subjects are showing interesting manifestations, but there are concerns that their pain tolerances are becoming so high that they will become too difficult to control. A lack of cooperation at this stage will be detrimental, as a fatal incident involving multiple members of the team has shown that the strength gained by the subjects has been underestimated. Security has been increased, and sedatives will now be included in the subjects’ diet.

Subject 19-51 remains unremarkable mentally. However, the subject’s physicality has continued to modify despite the ending of Stage 1. Subject 19-51 can lower the decibels generated by her breathing, her tread, and even her clothing to become entirely silent. 19-51 can sneak up on a target entirely unheard, making her combat strategy of stealth and ambush particularly successful.

The real-world applications of this ability cannot be overstated. Only via extremely sensitive audio equipment and in a controlled environment were the decibels subject 19-51 generated able to be detected.

Subject 18-28 has developed new mental abilities even more remarkable than subject 19-51’s physical abilities. 18-28 can learn and comprehend all languages after hearing them spoken once. This ability alone would be extraordinary, but as previously noted subject 18-28 is also able to rouse any surrounding persons into a heightened state with speech. With words, 18-28 can increase the adrenaline and lower the inhibitions of those around her, and sway them to become violent or docile.

From IA Wells: The last page of the file, presumably the notes on subject 17-89, was so heavily damaged that it was illegible. Why the messenger bothered to include this severely damaged page, I do not know. The page appears to have been partially burnt, and stained with dark red fluid that appears to be me to be blood.