"Hanako Watsume has been waiting for someone to approach him but those who did just wanted the information for their own benefit they didn't care about helping others get through this." Shinobu explained to both Douma and Reiji. "So I think he's finally managed to share what happened. Even though Hanako Watsume hasn't stepped forward yet I believe he's trying to stop this by keeping us informed about these hidden operations since we're going to bring this evidence to the investigation teams anyway."
The three of them were silent for a while before Douma spoke. "But are you sure this is actually Hanako Watsume? It could be someone posing as him on the internet."
Shinobu took a deep breath she needed the patience to convince her friends that this was Hanako Watsume she even had the proof they needed, documents with information and detailed images that matched Mr Oshiro's descriptions of the research that Atlas and these research organizations conducted.
"Yes I'm certain both of you have read through some of the documents here. They are aligned with what Mr Oshiro told us and Hanako Watsume will admit himself soon though I'm not sure when because he never specified. All he said is that possible confrontations and interrogation by the public are things he wants to avoid for now. It's not easy but he will step forward eventually." Holding up one of the documents, Douma and Reiji read the report. The blonde noticed some references to Mr Oshiro's explanations and the letter. Maybe this was really Hanako Watsume after all and Shinobu was the person he trusted the most with this information.
Great job Shinobu the evidence we have here will really help a lot. Douma waited for what Shinobu was about to say next. They were very close to solving this case and ending the nightmares that people have been suffering from for not even weeks but months without anyone even realizing it.
"Let's move on to the events that happened before Hanako Watsume and Doctor Gareth's disappearance."
Shinobu stood there anxiously this petrifying feeling she experienced back at the library was coming back. She was so confident about moving on to the next segment. But she couldn't let it swarm her. This was important and she had to gather the courage to speak up.
"It all started in YNeons research center where they conducted studies on various lifeforms to find out more about their behavior and survival. Some of the information they gathered contributed a lot to the research industry they were very skilled with their operations. Which is why Atlas works very closely with them. But there was one particular project that changed everything." This was taking a huge turn and Shinobu could tell that her two friends found it unsettling that Atlas used to be in good terms with the organization that was hiding a lot of things from them.
"The project was called Project Triassic, it involved Doctor Gareth and many other people like Hanako Watsume who were working alongside him." Shinobu said. "They were trying to bring back a prehistoric creature."
Both Douma and Reiji thought about Shinobu's explanation and then the realization hit them.
"Wait a minute, that means... those monsters aren't aliens?" Reiji blurted out he couldn't believe what he was hearing this didn't sound real at all.
Douma recalled the encounters he had with those creatures. "So that's why I sensed something odd from them they didn't reek of anything extraterrestrial." The monsters were deteriorating on the surface without an explanation so this confirmed it. From their occasional aggressions one could tell they probably had a hard time out there after spending their lives in the lab.
"Apparently they're not. Nebulas was supposed to be the prehistoric creature that they didn't get from the results. Instead they had three monstrosities that barely had any resemblance to what they aspired to gain from their research. These specimens brought shame to YNeons that Doctor Gareth neglected them after a few months because it was impossible to manage their behavior. One of them even got sick, their genetics and system were competing with each other throughout their entire time in captivity." Shinobu held up an image of a figure lying on the floor helplessly. It looked similar to Nebulas' humanoid forms, both Douma and Reiji found it disturbing, especially with the image quality that showed the lack of care these creatures suffered from.
"Which means they multiplied over time since there were only three of them." Reiji responded but he wasn't sure if that was the case.
"Actually, they tried the experiment again but to their disappointment they got two more of the same creature, only this time one was more active than the other which showed no difference in behavior and responses from the first three. All of them had cicada, barracuda, armadillo and viper DNA."
As Shinobu went on her expression became more serious. "This next wave had human DNA in them too. Doctor Gareth and his team wanted to emphasize on their intellectual capabilities so they wouldn't have a hard time thriving. But only one of them showed this very aspect that they were focusing on, Specimen 83 who also happened to be Doctor Gareth's favorite."
"It's not surprising honestly, one of the monsters was skilled in combat, the same individual that we encountered in the forest. Nebulas seems to show intellectual capabilities too. That's why he's able to form an alliance with this person that we've been tracking down. It seems Nebulas knows where this hidden organization is." Douma read through another report about the traits and features that YNeons was hoping to acquire but sadly didn't.
"Specimen 83 was the most pampered out of all of them. Doctor Gareth treated him like his own child despite how unhappy he was with his work. That's why Specimen 83 managed to grasp the necessary social skills he had been living that way for years." The violette replied. "During that time period Doctor Gareth would proudly introduce Specimen 83 to the other scientists. Other times he would give him toys to play and friends which were animals and other specimens in the lab."
"One of the monsters had an offspring of her own. However both she and her mate from the first batch were getting weaker. Despite the treatment that even the monster's young needed, Doctor Gareth didn't care he saw the first batch as a burden and would cover them in used lab coats to hide the abominations from visitors and scientists who were not part of the project."
Douma narrowed his eyes upon hearing that statement. "Even though the creatures were tough to manage because of the numerous reasons Doctor Gareth mentioned, that doesn't make him right to neglect them like that they were still his responsibility. They were living breathing creatures that just wanted a chance at life and Doctor Gareth should've known that."
"As much as I hate encountering these things, Douma's right they were better off under the care of somebody else. Maybe they wouldn't have gotten this crazy." Reiji crossed his arms, knowing that someone out there that didn't value anything he was in possession of caused this madness. It made his blood boil.
"Well Doctor Gareth wanted to get rid of them but he just couldn't bring himself to." Shinobu remarked.
Doctor Gareth couldn't bring himself to do something just as bad as his decision to leave these creatures to create destruction and chaos around the world. Douma didn't believe there was any ounce of empathy left in Doctor Gareth he could've just cooperated with Atlas and fix this mess but he decided to hide and was too comfortable doing so.
"But that doesn't explain why these monsters aren't in his lab anymore." Douma said he was hoping Shinobu would use his response to explain this particular part of the story that served as the upmost important.
"Doctor Gareth paid no attention to Specimen 83 and the other specimens about after years of research. He eventually concluded Project Triassic because their work wasn't going anywhere." Shinobu was now holding another image in her hands. "So he decided to exterminate them but things didn't go as planned."
Douma raised an eyebrow at Shinobu's last sentence. So Doctor Gareth really didn't want to be accountable for his actions that pertained to the life of others he just wanted to put an end to it in the most abrupt way possible. The very same decision that led to the world that people were living in now.
This has to be the final part of the story it seems. Shinobu has done a great job at gathering all these information and sharing them. The authorities would definitely pursue the investigations and priorities of the matter further. Everyone has to know the truth such operations could still be happening there needs to be a sense of awareness about such things. With that Douma waited patiently for the final part of the story that Shinobu wanted to get done with so they could conclude everything and act fast from here.
"The specimens fought back when they were getting attacked by the troops in the building. A few of them managed to resist the damages with their newly formed armored skin so nothing could harm them. After ransacking the lab they escaped, two were killed during the process and the rest of them fled as one creature. Nobody could find them, YNeons specimens were out there inhabiting an area that was completely hidden from view. It was strange and YNeons eventually called off the search and shut down the lab so the government couldn't even trace them because people like Doctor Gareth might have changed their identity."
Reiji widened at his eyes he was shocked to hear that the entire incident was brushed off like it was nothing. All the parties involved had a part to play but they didn't, instead they went about their daily lives until the monsters emerged and caused way more trouble which involved innocent people who didn't even know this happened. "That is insane I have no words."
"What's even crazier is that the specimens were created twenty years ago they have been here for a very longtime but spent most of their lives in captivity. You can just imagine how they felt when they finally got to go outside. It must have been stressful in the lab." Shinobu added.
"Take note that we shouldn't use their terrible experience in the lab to justify their horrendous actions. People have been suffering for a long period of time because of these monsters. They should've known better than to go around on a killing spree, it doesn't matter if it's part of their instincts if you confront them they can give you a coherent response. What Nebulas is doing proves that he's aware of his own actions he even said it himself and he doesn't feel bad about it this is just a game to him." Douma reminded them sternly he still couldn't forget the events that took place even in the mountains that he was entrusted with.
"Listen man there's no way I'm going to have the slightest sympathy for them!" Reiji glanced at Shinobu who nodded. "We told you, a deer monster tried to slaughter us last night and that's not all, we have two other lunatics to deal with!"
Douma understood what Reiji meant but there were people out there who had formed an alliance with Nebulas despite what he's done, and Reiji just said it himself. Those two assassins were on the lookout for anyone who dares to interfere with their plans and that includes tracking the organization down which the three of them have been doing lately. So Shinobu and Reiji had to be wary of who they communicate with because nobody can be trusted.
Both Shinobu and Reiji had every right to be afraid. This was a life and death situation, one that they were determined to put an end to with remarkable initiatives. However for the most part, anything that is risky and tedious shouldn't be handled by them, Douma will have to take care of it himself.
"Say... if Nebulas wasn't treated horribly by Doctor Gareth and his team, do you guys think he'd be tamed? Not as vicious as he is now? In my opinion they should've created a unicorn instead. Did they ever thought about the chances of getting an accurate unicorn from narwhal DNA? How come this never crossed their minds!" Reiji spat.
"Can't say for sure. According to the scientists, the monsters showed aggression even when unthreatened. So regardless, Nebulas was probably bound to end up like this. Of all people the monsters ended up in the hands of someone who was running a malicious organization. The same organization that those two lunatics are part of. It's a pity really." Douma fanned himself while Shinobu and Reiji exchanged displeased glances at each other. The shrine leader was returning to his cocky self again so anything he said was going to be a mockery.
"Just because of your status in this world." Shinobu sounded unamused. There was no doubt that was true and Douma didn't even counter her point which only proved it.
Reiji yawned and got up from where he sat. "We have to stop Nebulas before it's too late! No more nightmare-inducing bugs!" The teen stretched and slowly made his way to the indoor garden of the shrine.
Shinobu looked at Douma with a concerned look on her face which made the blonde a little worried. "What are we going to do about Atashi? He doesn't want our help but he's only putting himself in danger."
"Atashi isn't really our priority right now, the cops will get a hold of him eventually he can't get away that easily. He's clueless about what he's doing, thinking about getting him back isn't going to fix the bigger issue here Shinobu. I'm sure you know that by now, he's our friend but he chose to be part of the troublemakers." Douma didn't mean to sound cold but Shinobu needed to know the reality of the situation, he didn't want her pondering about her decisions when they involved Atashi it will only makes things complicated for her.
"I suppose you're right, he never cared." Shinobu responded thinking about the harsh words Atashi said to her back in the city and how upset she was by them.