Diogo stood frozen in terror as he witnessed his bullets bouncing harmlessly off Trent's skin. A blend of surprise and fear was apparent in his eyes – this man was supposed to be mortal, just like anyone else. However, Trent was proving to be anything but ordinary.
Meanwhile, John Wales observed from the shadows with a mix of pride and awe. Proud of the success of his creation, he longs to jump and celebrate, but the urgency of his current situation restrains him.
As John was still reeling from the shock of his successful invention, his thoughts raced. "The naerse technology actually works," he thought, an incredulous smile spreading across his face. But even as he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation, a nagging voice in the back of his mind asked, "What else can it do? What are the limits of its power?" The possibilities were endless, both thrilling and terrifying him.
Diogo broke the silence with a trembling voice. "Who...who are you?" he asked Trent, struggling to sound brave.
Trent's gaze was cold and unflinching. "You'll find out soon enough," he said.
The air was thick with tension as Diogo's question hung unanswered. The silence was broken only by the pounding of his heart and the sound of his own breath.
Diogo's demeanor underwent a sudden transformation, a subtle smirk gracing his features, hinting at a newfound recollection. John experienced an unsettling shiver as Diogo retrieved a compact plastic casing from his pocket, its dimensions no larger than a pen. Within the casing, John observed a small chamber containing a yellow, powdery substance. A sense of unease settled in his stomach as he recognized its resemblance to a DPI (dry powder inhaler). He pondered the nature and purpose of the yellow particles with a growing sense of curiosity.
.
Retrospection.
In the sterile, white-walled laboratory of a top-secret science facility, researchers in white lab coats dashed from station to station, working feverishly to create a new device for Rhodes Turner. The atmosphere was charged with tension and excitement, as everyone knew the stakes were high. No one wanted to fail the enigmatic Mr. Turner, whose requests were always shrouded in mystery.
The SGAC (Science, Gadgets, and Chemicals) Corporation employed scientist were the workers of Rhodes Turner . The Glowing geeks were responsible for the conceptualization and development of new gadgets and technologies, while the SGAC Corporation was responsible for manufacturing and marketing those inventions. Rhodes Turner, the owner of the company, had tasked them with creating a new weapon for his assigned operatives on a mission to infiltrate Wales Industries and retrieve a valuable item.
As the clock ticked down, the scientists at the SGAC Corporation frantically worked to finish their latest device, knowing that failure to deliver could have dire consequences. Meanwhile, Diogo and his men were already on their way to the building, determined to obtain the device by any means necessary. Upon arriving, Diogo strode purposefully into the main laboratory, his face set in a determined scowl.
"Is it ready yet?" Diogo asked in a voice that brooked no argument. The oldest scientist shook his head in defeat. "Just give us more time," he pleaded, but Diogo was not in a merciful mood. He grabbed the man by his collar and lifted him off the ground, his eyes blazing with fury. The old man groaned, "Just give it to him!" he cried, gesturing to a woman who was standing nearby. She quickly hurried over to Diogo, clutching a small inhaler in her trembling hands.
Diogo snatched the inhaler from the woman's hand. "What's this for?" he demanded, a scowl etched across his face. "Do I look sick to you?" The woman hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I-it's our newest device, for the glowing geeks," she stammered. "It can make you... invulnerable, for a short period of time, but... it's not ready yet." Diogo stared at the inhaler in his hand, his expression unreadable.
Diogo peered into the casing and noticed the yellow particles within. "What are these for?" he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice. The woman responded immediately. "Those are elixirium particles," she said. "They have the ability to..." She paused, considering how best to explain the particles' properties. "They can protect and repair human cells, potentially extending life indefinitely," she finished, watching Diogo's reaction closely.
"The 'elixirium' particle could work by stimulating the body's natural repair mechanisms," the old man explained. "It might trigger the production of protective molecules that guard the cells from damage, or it could activate dormant genes that promote cellular regeneration and repair. Either way, the result would be the same - the cells would be kept in a healthy, youthful state." He paused, letting the information sink in.
Diogo looked intrigued, but still had questions. "Why isn't the elixirium ready to be used?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Mr. Rhodes is the only one who uses the elixirium at the moment," the old man said. "And it's not ready for mass use because of some side effects we're still working to resolve. As you might have noticed, the elixirium makes Mr. Rhodes... different from the rest of us." He studied Diogo's face for any sign of unease. "I know it's a lot to take in, but it's the truth."
Diogo's eyes widened as he absorbed the old man's words. "You mean Mr. Rhodes has already been using the elixirium?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and apprehension. The old man nodded gravely. "Yes, but it's not without risks," he said. "The elixirium has a side effect of causing vivid hallucinations. These hallucinations can be quite pleasant or very distressing, and they can appear randomly or be triggered by certain events. They could involve any of the five senses, from simple distortions to full-blown delusions."
"How long do the effects of the elixirium last?" Diogo asked, still processing all he'd just heard. "Around 20 to 30 minutes," the old man answered, his tone betraying a hint of uncertainty. Diogo nodded, preparing to leave, but the old man stopped him. "Wait," he said, "I have one last thing to tell you. Stay away from anything inflammatory - it will slow down or stop the effects of the elixirium. And remember, with the help of the matrix, we can create things beyond your wild imagination. Don't let us down, boy." Diogo nodded, feeling the weight of the old man's words, and left with his men, a new sense of purpose and responsibility settling over him.
.
Back in the present.
Diogo maintained a smirk, while Trent felt a growing unease. "Harley?" Trent called out, and Harley promptly responded with a "Yes, Trent." "I'll need that speed boost again," Trent said. The suit's power currently stands at 20 percent," a robotic voice intoned. Utilizing any special ability will deplete almost 10 percent of the suit's power. You can monitor your suit power percentage at the top right side of the HUD.
Trent glanced at the HUD display, which showed that his power was down to 20%. "Looks like I'll have to make do with what I've got," he muttered to himself. Then, with a thought, he summoned his two Titania submachine guns, which flew to his outstretched hands. Pointing the guns at Diogo, he said in a low, dangerous voice, "Your time is up, droog."