Chapter 509 - X Factor

It doesn't take long for Afton to return to the Think Tank, where he, fortunately, catches up to Dala just as they finish the preliminary tests on Mr X. "Dala! Did you found anything?" he quickly asks, hoping there was some 'easy fix' that'd return his dad to normal.

Dala slowly turns around as her monitors flicker in his direction, "Yes, and no..." she states ambiguously, "As you said, the franken-Teddybear has extremely similar DNA to your own, it is indeed your father..."​​

"And?" he asks, waiting for Dala to continue.

Dala floats near to the cell's bars where Mr X was struggling against the titanium restraints holding him, "And, the data we recovered makes me think someone spiked my Biogel... It's DNA actually resembles Frankenstein's monster, you know, stitched together like patchwork? Bits and pieces of random genomes from unknown sources have been added, taken away, or altered. It's as if the hand of God came down and started prodding the strands to see what would happen..." she explains... Or doesn't explain? Urgh...

Afton rubs his face, "Isn't that just a roundabout way of saying you have no idea?" he asks with a long sigh.

Dala shakes her monitors, "No... I'd say so if I found nothing, when have I ever lied to you, my teddy bear?... There were a few DNA strands that I did recognise, some belonging to the Fungus that grows in our garden... And around your heart... And brain... And arm-"

"-Just get to the point Dala, I know the spores are involved, they used samples of my blood to mutate him!" he states.

"Yes, which is why I found Its condition so peculiar... The serum I designed should have completely inhibited any spore development, meaning a complete infestation such as this should not be possible. Either they found and used another 'unscienced' spore sample, or they possess unique and powerful technology that we, at the Think Tank, do not."

"Is there any way to fix him? Or at least return his mental faculties?" he asks.

"Perhaps, but it would be a long and arduous process of experimentation and trial and error... But, I have to ask, why would you want to do that?" she asks, her monitors tilting in a confused manner.

Afton raises a brow, feeling slightly aggravated by her question, "What do you mean? He's my dad, why wouldn't I want to help him?"

Dala pokes a manipulator in Mr X's direction, "Indeed, that fact cannot be denied, yet... Is his worth as an immortal, programmable killing machine higher than your father?" she asks, curious.

Afton just scowls at her, "Do I even need to answer that? You're beginning to fray my patience, Dala."

She just shrugs her monitors, "My apologies if I overstepped my boundaries..." she mutters before continuing, "If you see curing your father as more important than the other projects, I will focus entirely on it..."

...

Afton thinks for a moment before asking, "What projects are nearing completing?" he asks, feeling slightly guilty that he's potentially putting other things ahead of his own father's wellbeing... But, as much as he hated to say it, there were far more important things than his immediate comfort.

"The Cybernetic implants for the old teddy bear, the Intent-based chips, and final compilation of Scorpion-Man's DNA." she states.

...

Afton rubs his face, "Focus on the Cybernetic implants, once that's done start working on my dad. Understand?"

Dala nods, "Indubitably." she states with confidence, afterwards turning and floating away.

After Dala leaves Afton takes one last glance at Mr X before leaving, "Glados, give me some good news." he calls out, waiting for a response...

...

But doesn't immediately receive one. He sighs for the nth time today, "Glados, give me some news."

A drone pops down from the ceiling and floats beside him as he walks, "The Deathclaw facility managed by Dr. Borous had somehow allowed one of its subjects to escape." she states in her usual robotic tone, though, the content of what she'd just said makes Afton stop mid-step.

"What did you just say?... No, scratch that, what have you done to fix it?" he quickly asks, not wanting a bunch of super-intelligent Deathclaws to start running around the wasteland.

"I teleported the creature's limbs a mile away from its body, before unleashing a number of drones equipped with flamethrowers to cook it, afterwards serving Deathclaw steaks to our prisoners." she states in a nonchalant tone.

...

"Ok, good..." he mutters before continuing, "And punishments planned for Borous for his failure?" he asks.

The drone's orange eye locks with his own, "He was forced to watch as I neutralised half of his Deathclaws, afterwards he was forced to work as Dr. Mobius lab assistant for a week, it's his second day and he's already sent twenty-two emails begging for mercy." she explains.

Afton slowly nods, remembering how Mobius babbled when they'd met for the first time. Despite the scientist improving slightly, he doubted it was much better than before... "Good... Now, how goes our progress on finding the Sierra Madre?"

"Almost 75% complete... However, I am having trouble dealing with a strange interference... It is similar to how clouds of volcanic ash act, yet, more troublesome. Its interference will increase tracing time by three days." Glados explains.

Afton grinds his teeth, "So it'll be done in three days?"

"Correct... Unless something else begins obstructing my attempts again. It irritates me as much as it does you, Creator. But I am sure you will relay my feelings in a manner suitable for meatbag kidnapping meatbags." she states.

Afton nods, "That I will." he says, but isn't unaware of the hypocritical fact that he'd kidnapped way, way, way more people than Elijah had likely done. Regardless, Afton's anger against the man stifled any moral incongruity he might've felt... After all, Afton wasn't the most 'stable' person in the wasteland, but that's not saying much.