The Spectrumverse

Standing before the workstation, he examined the silver casing. Running his fingertips along the surface, he gingerly conducted a visual inspection, ensuring there was no damage. No imperfections; nothing that could cause accidental leakage or exposure. Sliding his fingers back and forth, he felt as if he were shaping wet clay. Finding no fault or issue was a source of great delight. Removing his protective goggles, the scientist took pride in the capsule. On the canister’s reflective surface, he even saw his upbeat expression and clear hazel eyes. Everything was ready. Everything seemed perfect. Carefully, he lowered the silver container back into the protective foam within the briefcase. Closing the case, he ran his fingertips from corner to corner of the case itself. “Perfection,” he said under his breath. A ringing noise disrupted the moment. Turning his head, he saw his phone was ringing. Picking it up, he heard a voice on the other end of the line. “Mr. Knoll, Mr. Gallagher is here to see you.” ‘Let him in.’  Putting the phone back on the receiver, he waited in his seat. Leaning back, he looked out the window. Seeing the clear sky brought a calming atmosphere to the office. Large windows allowed natural light to flood the room, providing a more comfortable setting. At the far end of the room, the doors opened. In stepped a thirty-something man in a three-piece grey suit. His thick glasses made his eyes appear twice as big. He seemed nervous.  “Ah, Louis,” Knoll spoke toward the visitor. “How was Charleston? Hope your folks are doing well.”  Louis seemed distressed. His face dropped the moment he laid his eyes on the case.  “Is that what I think it is?” His southern accent was strong, yet Knoll understood every word. Knoll got up from his seat and adjusted his suit. Standing strong and confident he replied with another question, “What do you think it is?”  “Does it have one of those canisters inside?”  “That it does.”  Louis nervously ran his hand through his hair. Looking around and then back to the door, he seemed to be looking for something. Knoll couldn’t help but laugh. His amusement drew the attention of Louis.  “Why are you laughing?”  Knoll got out from behind his desk, walked around it and stood in front of it. Resting himself on the oak desk, he crossed his arms. Now comfortable, he explained.  “There aren’t any security cameras or hidden microphones in here. I made sure of that when it was built. We can do and say as we like.” Louis let out a sigh of relief, "Good." Reaching into his suit, he pulled out a weapon. Held tightly in his hand was a revolver no more than nine inches in length. Using his thumb, he pulled back the Teardrop Hammer and aligned the barrel for the first round to fire. His breathing and mannerism changed. He was no longer nervous or frightened. He had stopped sweating and his breathing went to a slow and calm pace. Knoll looked at the weapon and was unchanged by what he saw. Remaining still and relaxed, he didn’t blink at the sight of the gun. Lifting himself from the desk, he stood up straight and peered down the barrel of the gun. “A Revolver,” Knoll declared while conducting a visual inspection of the firearm. “Features include stainless steel construction, a tuned action trigger, and even a front sight to improve the user's aim. You should have used something that allows suppression.” “Shut up!”  Wrapping both hands around the weapon, Louis stared right into Knoll’s eyes. “Why are you doing this Louis?”  The southerner lowered his gun, but continued to point it at Knoll “While I was visiting my folks, I had time to think and I realized something. One week from tomorrow, it’ll have been ten years. Ten goddamn years since the experiments and now you want to try again.’  Knoll remained unchanged. “It won’t be like last time Louis.” “You keep saying that, but you don’t know what could happen. I still have nightmares over what happened the first time. That’s why I’m doing this. I can’t let you start this all over again.”  “You’re right. I can’t guarantee everything. I know the previous experiments we conducted together were too much for you. I decided not to include you in this round of experimentation. Besides, I have found a new means of distribution.” Louis raised his gun. “That’s why I’m here. I can’t let you do this all over again. I can’t let you ruin another person’s life.” “I won’t be ruining anything. I’ll be changing things.” “Do you even remember what happened the last time?” “Of course, I remember what happened. My mistakes have driven me to improve my methods.” “I saw the file.”   Knoll raised an eyebrow. “How did you find it?” “Your new assistant. She showed me.” “I wouldn’t classify Veronica as an assistant, but she has been instrumental in gathering test subjects. She even suggested a method I myself hadn’t even thought of.” “I saw the blueprints. That’s why you spent so much time and money, all to have that vent system done perfectly.” “I wanted the best, but few wanted to know. The warehouse was perfect but needed one or two alterations.”  “How are you going to do it? Are you gonna have the sprinklers go off or are you going to tie everyone down and inject them with that stuff?”  Knoll shook his head. “Luckily with vaporization, I’ve managed to turn N-45 into a gaseous state.”  Louis could almost feel his heart skip a beat. “We never saw the effects N-45 had on a subject when breathed in.” “I’ve spent nearly nine and a half years working toward this day. Now, put the gun down and let’s talk about this.” “I’ll go to the police. I’ll tell everyone what we did. I don’t care if I go to jail. I won’t let you do all of this again.”   Knoll tutted in disappointment. Louis noticed something about his former friend. His eyes started to turn black, he seemed to be focusing on something, but Louis could work out what. Just then, an extremely severe throbbing spread through his brain. The bones in his neck went stiff. He couldn’t even turn his head. As his vision started blurring, Louis felt the gun slip from his hand.  It wasn’t clear, but he could see that it didn’t fall. Instead, it glided through the air and went straight into Knoll’s hand as if some invisible force had guided it there. Opening the top left draw, he slid the weapon in and hid it beneath a collection of papers. Slamming the drawer shut, Knoll heard his friend hit the floor. Making it to his phone, he picked up the receiver and dialed three numbers before waiting for a moment. Just before the call started, Knoll cleared his throat. “I need an ambulance at once. Mr Gallagher complained of a headache and then just collapsed.’ Placing the phone down, Knoll dropped the fictitious concern for his friend’s wellbeing. Seeing Louis in a weakened state, his body laid down on his back, eyes wide open and his limbs twitching uncontrollably. Going around the side of the desk, the CEO looked down on him. Kneeling down beside his friend, Knoll looked into the clouded eyes of his former work colleague, untouched by what he had done. A strand of hair dangled over Louis’s left eye and it bothered him. Brushing it away with subtlety, he couldn’t let his friend look anymore undignified. Louis was so far gone he couldn’t even comprehend what exactly was going on. Knoll’s eyes returned to their original colour after a few moments. Tenderly, Knoll began to stroke the side of Louis’s head as if he were a fond pet of some kind. ‘“While I know this will bring you no solace,” Knoll shared with the comatose man, “I had never planned on hurting you. I understand why you did this. Being a man of conscience, you were bound to stop something you believed was unethical. Sadly, you have prevented nothing. After tonight, nothing will be the same. As terrible as this sounds, this had to be done. Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince and let the flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Carefully and gently, Knoll turned the body over and laid him on his stomach. Turning Louis’s head to the right, Knoll then slid his hand down Louis’ face. Carefully closing the cloudy eyes of his friend, he even opened Louis’ mouth. The doors to the office opened and paramedics entered. Rushing to the injured party, the two men began to check on Louis to see what happened. Knoll watched from the side, remaining silent as they checked for a pulse.