Chapter 664 - Civilised Body Swappers...

Afton was currently looking through an observation window at some healthy, yet uncomfortable-looking people who were pacing around in the room. He was joined by every Think Tank scientist, as everything that went down today would include them, no matter how it went.

"Are these them?" Zero asks as his monitors focus on the subjects.

Afton nods, the project was a success, and Dala's managed to get the rejection rate to around ten percent. A dramatic difference compared to the fifty percent we saw before..." he gestures at a man sitting against one of the walls, "We've found that despite the disparity between male and female brains, implanting a brain in a body of the opposite sex only increases the rejection rate by twenty percent..." he explains.

"To prevent many mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia, hormones will need to be externally provided until the brain's chemistry adapts to the new body. A rapid change in homornic-profile can lead to more than just mental illnesses, so further research on the topic is necessary." Dala state from the side.

"Forgive me, but, how is this relevant to us?" Borous asks from the side.

Afton coughs into his fist and glances at Zero, the rest following his gaze.

...

"What?" the scientist quickly retorts, "I just wanted to know what it feels like to be a woman... It isn't like I can't turn back, right?" he states.

"Data on that particular area is limited, I saw no need to attempt it as the very idea seemed idiotic... My mistake." she says, sending a barbed remark at Zero.

Afton shakes his head, "Regardless, I think we need to get back to the subject at hand... Doctor 8, you've volunteered yourself to be the first to receive a body, I will not mention your stated reason, as it isn't really relevant, or tasteful... But, this has allowed us to prepare for this beforehand." Afton says as he gestures for the scientists to follow him.

He leads them through the hallway and into the next room where a clone body was floating in a tank. It was around eighteen years old, had tanned skin despite it never seeing sunlight, black hair, and brown eyes.

"8, this will be your body... You didn't specify what DNA you wanted to be used, and we couldn't find any samples of your previous body's, so, I decided to gather some elsewhere." he states, not revealing where he got the DNA for fear of offending someone.

Not the scientists of course, but someone else. After all, these guys were known to be good at keeping secrets, and he'd hate for Ulysses to find out that his DNA had been used without his permission.

Why had he done this? Well, to test how the man's DNA would react to the cloning process, and to see if his rather rediculous S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats could be replicated.

The scientists crowd around the body and begin examining it, muttered responses of "Ooooh?", "Ahhhh!", "Marvelous!", and "Ohohohoho!", could be heard as they looked it over.

8, in particular, took great interest in the... Front half of the body. "Oh, thank you for including a suitably sized genitalia. I was afraid you would downsize it to spite me." the scientist says.

Afton just shakes his head in exasperation, "If I did that it'd defeat your purpose of wanting a body... Just try to be civil about it, I don't want to see white marks on the lawn, street, chairs... People!... Keep that shit in your own room, don't think I forgot when you 'creamed into my gun'..." he grimaces, remembering how warm it was in his hands afterwards.

Afton composes himself with a cough, "Anyway. Everything is set up, and you've all been invited ere to observe the operation, but!... I have some rules that you must follow." he pauses, sending a glare at each of them.

"No backseat operating! If I hear one word of 'Hey, are you supposed to be cutting that?', or 'I don't think that's supposed to do that!', Ima stuff you in a clone body with Tourettes!"

"Er, could you do that? isn't Tourettes a psychological issue?" Zero tentatively asks.

Afton just grins at him, "Well, nothing a bit of prodding and electroshock therapy wouldn't fix, right Dala?" his voice lowers as he addresses her, reminding her of her actions against Christine. Heh, his big sis would be happy to hear Dala would soon be 'punishable' if this procedure goes well.

"Ooooh, your threats are making my bio-gel foam, teddy bear." Dala coo's, seemingly ignoring his threat.

Afton shakes his head and ignores her, "Second! You are not to interrupt the procedure no matter what. I don't care if a Deathclaw escapes and slaughters all of you, you will keep your screams down and be silent in such an event..." he states and pause, waiting for another complaint... Only to be greeted by silence.

"Huh, woulda thought you guys would protest that one as well."

Borous shrugs his monitors, "We all know the importance of concentration and focus, especially with something as delicate as literal brain surgery. Rest assured, we will die in silence." he jokes.

Afton nods before holding up three fingers, "Third and finally, after this is over you may request bodies to your specification... However! I reserve the right to alter them as I please... Also be reminded that each body will be chipped, to make sure any disobedience and instability caused by you regaining your humanity will be kept in check." Afton shrugs and continues.

"I'm sure most of you don't want any of your original DNA involved anyway, your frail and nerdy bodies were all well and good at producing efficient and intelligent brains, but now that that's developed, you can focus on other things, like disease resistance, etcetera, etcetera."

"Ahem... Can we choose who we received DNA from?" Dala asks from the side, her monitors closely appraising his face.

...

"Sure... Doesn't mean you'll get what you want though."