“One dose shouldn’t have any lasting effects. We only want to test the food sources, not the injection. We don’t have our hands on that. Not yet anyway. I understand from our tech team that they’ll be placing cameras in the facility tonight. I’m hoping that they can find a vial or two of the serum.
“Until then, we’ve asked for a few volunteers simply to have a protein shake that we’ve prepared from the protein powder.” She looked at Luke, Cam, Hex, and Eric, hopeful that they would agree.
“Volunteers only,” said Luke.
“I’ll do it,” said Bron.
“Me too,” said Fitch.
“Okay. Two is enough to get a sense of what you might be feeling.” Thomas handed the two men the premade drinks and watched as they downed them.
“What now?” asked Eric.
“We wait,” said Riley. “I don’t expect it to have a big effect right away but we just don’t know.”
“How are you guys feeling?” asked Cam frowning at the two men.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel anything,” said Fitch. “But my heart is racing and my stomach has an odd feeling.”
“Already?” frowned Eric. He walked toward Fitch, reaching for his shoulders to look into his eyes. Instead of standing there, Fitch reached up, pushing Eric backwards.
“Don’t touch me!” he said with a shocked expression at his own anger.
“Fitch, brother, it’s just me,” said Eric. “I just want to look into your eyes.”
“Leave him alone,” said Bron shoving Eric’s shoulder. Cam and Luke stared at one another, then turned to Thomas, Riley, and Suzette.
“This isn’t possible. How could it metabolize so quickly in their bodies?” asked Hex. “It should take much longer.”
“It should but it doesn’t. This is what we thought might happen. Whatever is in this, of their making, it speeds up the entire process creating a rage-like effect in the user.”
“I don’t like this,” said Fitch. “I don’t like how I’m feeling.”
“Sit down,” said Riley.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Riley turned to the doorway seeing Tailor, Alec, Noah, Noa, Rory, and Max.
“Secure them,” said Suzette.
It surprised everyone how long it took to secure Fitch and Bron. They were both strong men but clearly no match for the six men holding them down.
“He’s stronger than usual,” said Alec frowning at Bron. “What’s he so pissed at?”
“All of us,” said Suzette. She injected both men in the arm and then they began to calm and quiet. “Hopefully, that will help them relax until this wears off. But it gave us a lot to work with. Whatever they’re using in these powders and supplements, it’s designed to have maximum effect in a short period of time. If a lifter is preparing at a contest, he could eat a bar or drink a shake and immediately have the surge he needs to win.”
“You okay now?” asked Hex staring at Fitch and Bron. Both men nodded, slowly feeling their heart rates return to normal.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” said Fitch.
“It’s not your fault. It was what we expected,” said Suzette. “I think we also have to consider something else with all of this. What if they’re trying to sell this not just to athletes but to governments for military use?”
“Fuck me,” muttered Luke. “We’ve seen people attempt to create super soldiers before, it’s not unreasonable to think they would try to do it again.”
“The question is, how do we stop it?” asked Hex. “We don’t even know where they’re making this shit and what might be in it. We know it works quickly. We know it mutates in their bodies.”
“And,” said Suzette, “you have clues as to where it could be. Think old oyster shucking factories, food storage facilities, anything along the river where the things we found in the products could be found. If it’s old and rusty, that’s a good start.”
“Aunt Suzette, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of facilities like that in this area,” said Luke. She nodded at him, smiling.