III: Transformation

    "So, how long are we looking at here?" Carver asked as he swiveled a little in his chair.
    "Right now, we assume the standard of five days.  However, considering how much energy that has been implanted, I would not be surprised if the transformation is our fastest yet," Chief Scientist Keller announced while flipping a page on his clipboard.
    "Official time of the start of the transformation?"
    "Always, Major.  It is estimated at around 1326 this afternoon; twenty-five months since the experiment began.
    "I see.  Even with all the energy that was placed into his body, his physical changes begin only a short time before the average of those that make it to this phase.
    "If I may be brutally honest, Midnight should have been dead by now."
    "And what makes you believe that?" Carver asked.  He was now slightly annoyed by the statement, but he retained his calm demeanor.
    "Sir, you managed to force more energy into his young body than any other subject.  You actually achieved a feat that I didn't think was possible; exhausting an Aurian Crystal."
    "Last time I checked with your reports on them, they regenerate their energy."
    "Yes, but the near-constant use of it exceeded how fast it could recharge.  It will eventually return to full power, but now it appears it will take twice the time that it usually does."
    Carver leaned back in his chair.  "Obviously the fox is what we have been searching for.  You should be happy that he can survive large doses of energy.  If all goes the way it should from here on, we'll finally have the perfect soldier."
    Keller shook his head and placed the clipboard on Carver's desk.  He then turned to a monitor on a wall that depicted the camera feed from Midnight's cell.  His body was already elongated compared to the normal fox.  The changing pup was snoozing, like it always did after a date with the crystal.  "Just because he might be perfect doesn't mean everyone will achieve the same result."
    "Are you trying to say that you question this project?  The very same project that you agreed to work with when it started six years ago?"
    "You convinced me that the number of lives changed would be small, but no.  Over the years, I have kept track of what has happened to the subjects," Keller announced as he grabbed his clipboard again.  He quickly turned to the last page of his reports.  "Seventy subjects dead before the transformation phase due to energy overload and fifteen died of starvation, having lost their will to eat after testing.  Only eight subjects have made it to this phase; three of them are what we have right now, four subjects failed during training and died thanks to accidents or self-inflicted injuries and the only one to succeed, you failed and released."
    "How detailed of you."
    "Part of the profession.  Sir, do you not see what you have been doing all these years?"
    "Creating the perfect soldier of course."
    "Are you that ignorant of your own failures?  You are tampering with what nature intended!"
    "We are at the top of the natural chain of command.  Therefore, all below us can be used for our needs."
    "What a sickening belief.  They have just as much of a right to live here as we do."
    "You seem to forget that nobody has even figured out how anthropomorphic creatures came to be.  Yet, we probably found a method that can be used to change one from feral beast to an intelligent individual that functions in society."
    "How they came to be was a natural process, not a path of torture and pain like you have created!  Carver, you are only creating slaves that will bend to your will.  A filthy dog like you doesn't belong in this world."
    "Is that so.  This is what you want to believe?"
    "It is what I believe now."
    "Fine."  Carver reached to the side of his desk and pressed a small button.  Instantly, Reaver opened the door and walked inside.  Keller turned to see him stop at his side.  "I will see to it that you are reassigned to a more appropriate project for you.  Also, I will have your security clearance demoted to what it once was.  Your work was invaluable, but I rather have someone level-headed enough to see the big picture."
    "I will report my findings to command.  This project will come to an end, I swear it!"
    "Try if you want.  Reaver, get him out of my sight."
    "Let's go," Reaver ordered while gently pushing the butt of his rifle into Keller's side.
    The two then departed, leaving Carver to himself.  He turned his chair to face the monitor again.  A dark smile came across his face as the young fox awoke itself from the nap.
    "There is still plenty more for you to go through with this project.  A single scientist can't stop my work when I can always get command wrapped around my finger in the end.