Arise X-man || Still I rise
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xp_logs: Trigger Warning: Description of medical procedure.
Laurie gets her cure and Dr. Nathanial Essex furthers his own ends.
This time, there would be pain. It was unavoidable.
There was another chamber; another bath of nanite impregnated gel and support fluids. Her entire digestive tract was thoroughly flushed and sealed, and her lungs were filled with oxygenated silicone fluid. Between the two, most of her internal bacteria were completely killed off. The final part of the first stage was to scrub free the blood-brain barrier from the capillaries of her skull and replace the cerebrospinal fluid with sterilizing saline fluid.
Now, the real work began. an umbilical attached to her took over for her internal metabolic needs as her lymphatic system and bloodstream were opened to the support vat. Red blood cell production was halted and plasma was replaced by a fluid that was toxic to any non-mammalian cell. All commensal organisms in Laurie's body were to be destroyed. Next was a chemical process to identify and eradicate any viruses and prions, Once complete, Laurie was reduced to an antiseptic organism.
With this blank slate to draw upon, Essex began the DNA treatments needed to change Laurie's broken body. While it was considerably more difficult than just replacing her mind into a cloned body, clone bodies suffered degradation much faster than human ones, which removed it as an option. Instead, not entirely dissimilar to the process he used to grow Adam, he'd break Laurie down completely and then rebuild her.
The first DNA treatments began in the marrow of her femurs, ventricles of her brain, spine, and other deeply interiorized areas. Buildups and precipitated mineralized bodies in her arteries and lymphatic system, especially the coacervate deposits in the pineal gland were all eliminated. Twenty percent of her body weight disappeared as the nanites liquified the majority of her muscle and fat deposits. Augmented phagocytes were introduced into her system as her nervous system was entirely dismantled by nanite clusters.
New genetic material was spliced into her DNA, the clusters of new cells replacing the core original ones, as her body was further reduced in mass. At this point, only the telepathic structure in which Kwannon held Laurie's mind kept her from being reduced mentally to a blank slate. After a few days, the major reworking of her genetic structure was complete. The foundation had been laid and now it was time to build.
The key element to Essex' cloning processing was Kevin MacTaggert's unique powers, which allowed him to trick the telomeric ends of chromosomes in cells, tricking them into the rapid cellular replication of youth. It allowed him to create an adult clone in a matter of days. He used similar techniques on Laurie, but more targeted and carefully staged. As he reset the telomeric ends, the cells began to replicate furiously, fed by the nutrient heavy gel surrounding her. Nanites were used to direct the rapid growth, in many ways replicating a fetal process as the parts of Laurie which had been broken down were now being restored, grown by her own body's processes, even if artificially managed.
A new nervous system expanded through her body, bones, and muscle rebuilding. organs restored. Over several days, the simultaneous rebuilding process worked through stages, each one replacing the artificial life support she was on. Her body began to produce blood again. The oxygenated fluid is drawn down to a minimum. Finally, the last step - her telepathically maintained mind - was implanted back into her own brain. The gel was drained, the umbilical removed, and finally, the door to the chamber opened.
Dripping, Laurie grasped the sides of the door with both purple hands and drew herself out of the chamber. Essex was there, sitting at a control station with Kwannon, while Nate stood nervously near the pod.
Laurie shivered in the cool air of the lab, her gaze taking in her fully healed body with wonder even as her ears and nose once again picked up on smells and sounds she hadn’t known since Genosha.
Physical enhancements again then, she’d have to ask Dr. Essex exactly what he’d given her.
She waved Nate toward her with a small smile, seeing him hovering close by.
“That was possibly the most painful thing I’ve ever been through but at least I’m whole again.”
“Laurie, you're-"
"Adam. A moment please." Essex said, freezing Nate before he could come over. "How are you feeling, Dr. Collins? No difficulties breathing? No neuropathy in your limbs at all?"
Laurie took a moment to check herself over before answering, noting the changes in her physiology. She had claws again, but not longer than what she’d had as nails before. Nothing changed about her teeth though, and no sudden need to obey anyone in the room. She hadn’t known she’d been holding tension until it released at that moment. She spent a few moments moving each of her limbs and stretching out her legs in various movements.
“No pain beyond what is lingering from the procedure but no reduced sensation either, or lack of movement. I feel…stronger, more agile? A bonus addition of your own design Doctor?”
"A few. The more robust physical attributes will help you recover from the process more quickly. The claws should be retractable. Otherwise, I assumed that you'd appreciate the expanded abilities, especially if you run into any of your former associates from the mansion." He said.
“Given what Nate needs to do, I’m quite sure they’ll interfere eventually. It’s well enough, Doctor.” Laurie concentrated on the claws, watching them retract slightly but then push back out. Something she’d need to work on obviously. She felt. Everything. It had been so long since she felt whole. So long. “Thank you, Nathanial. For everything.”
"Adam, please give the woman a robe," Essex said with a slight eye roll as Nate jumped, grabbing a heavy white robe and pulling it around her. "Dr. Collins, while it seems the process worked, I should warn you that you're in for an unpleasant few days. The aftereffects involve a number of... less than enjoyable physical issues as your body relearns how to, well, work again. You will likely suffer nausea, cramping, profound digestive distress, and all manner of disorientation. All of it is entirely normal. We've prepared rooms for you. Adam will escort you so you can clean up. I'd suggest as much rest as possible for the next few days."
"Yeah, it's-"
"Adam," Essex said. "I mean rest, son." The teenager blushed as he let Laurie lean on him, helping her away
***
"What is it with you and purple?" Kwannon said after Laurie and Adam had left.
"An interesting secondary mutation of Laurie's own X-gene. It certainly wasn't in any of my designs. I think it might be a function of her upgraded abilities." Essex said, stroking his chin. "The uniqueness of it will bind her even closer to us though. Being an 'out' mutant, I believe is the term."
"How far did you upgrade her?" There was just a hint of territorial edge to Kwannon's voice. After all, she was Essex's right hand.
"Similar to her mutate profile. I've added in some physical power enhancements as well as a minor healing factor. After all, if she's going to be looking after Adam, I want her to have additional tools in case she faces someone with immunity to her powers."
"How close to the mutate profile? Is she imprinted?"
"Ah, that is a lovely little refinement I've recently developed. She is, but not that crude slave-like nonsense I developed for Genosha. No, this is far subtler. She'll always want to be with Adam, but rather than a master-oriented relationship, it is more of a positively reinforced bond. She'll always want him happy, so if their relationship stops being romantic or physical, she'll immediately slide into a best friend or even big sister type role in order to please him. Pleasing him pleases her, which allows us to sidestep the old model which created negative obsessive traits like possessiveness or jealousy."
"I'm a little surprised you're this comfortable with your son's sex life,” she said with a slight smile. She hadn't been at first; her role as a stepmother to him was surprisingly authentic to her.
"A young man will do what young men have always done, regardless of any of my efforts. At least this way, his distractions will be ones that I control." Essex said. "And with Dr. Collins available to me at the lab, it frees you up to start the next stage of our work. Yes, she'll be a most useful distraction."
"Is that what you consider me?"
"Not at all. You are my most essential tool." It didn't sound like a compliment but Kwannon preened slightly, pleased with it. "Even without the imprinting, Dr. Collins is a simple woman to control. Appeal to her sense of self-worth, give her a goal for a greater purpose in order to excuse any sort of actions you require from her and toss in the odd sop to her intellectual vanity - being vital to the work and nonsense like that - and she'll be completely subsumed to whatever purpose I require. Now, let's clear this up and discuss our next steps. We have a lot of work todo in order to prepare for what is coming."
Laurie gets her cure and Dr. Nathanial Essex furthers his own ends.
This time, there would be pain. It was unavoidable.
There was another chamber; another bath of nanite impregnated gel and support fluids. Her entire digestive tract was thoroughly flushed and sealed, and her lungs were filled with oxygenated silicone fluid. Between the two, most of her internal bacteria were completely killed off. The final part of the first stage was to scrub free the blood-brain barrier from the capillaries of her skull and replace the cerebrospinal fluid with sterilizing saline fluid.
Now, the real work began. an umbilical attached to her took over for her internal metabolic needs as her lymphatic system and bloodstream were opened to the support vat. Red blood cell production was halted and plasma was replaced by a fluid that was toxic to any non-mammalian cell. All commensal organisms in Laurie's body were to be destroyed. Next was a chemical process to identify and eradicate any viruses and prions, Once complete, Laurie was reduced to an antiseptic organism.
With this blank slate to draw upon, Essex began the DNA treatments needed to change Laurie's broken body. While it was considerably more difficult than just replacing her mind into a cloned body, clone bodies suffered degradation much faster than human ones, which removed it as an option. Instead, not entirely dissimilar to the process he used to grow Adam, he'd break Laurie down completely and then rebuild her.
The first DNA treatments began in the marrow of her femurs, ventricles of her brain, spine, and other deeply interiorized areas. Buildups and precipitated mineralized bodies in her arteries and lymphatic system, especially the coacervate deposits in the pineal gland were all eliminated. Twenty percent of her body weight disappeared as the nanites liquified the majority of her muscle and fat deposits. Augmented phagocytes were introduced into her system as her nervous system was entirely dismantled by nanite clusters.
New genetic material was spliced into her DNA, the clusters of new cells replacing the core original ones, as her body was further reduced in mass. At this point, only the telepathic structure in which Kwannon held Laurie's mind kept her from being reduced mentally to a blank slate. After a few days, the major reworking of her genetic structure was complete. The foundation had been laid and now it was time to build.
The key element to Essex' cloning processing was Kevin MacTaggert's unique powers, which allowed him to trick the telomeric ends of chromosomes in cells, tricking them into the rapid cellular replication of youth. It allowed him to create an adult clone in a matter of days. He used similar techniques on Laurie, but more targeted and carefully staged. As he reset the telomeric ends, the cells began to replicate furiously, fed by the nutrient heavy gel surrounding her. Nanites were used to direct the rapid growth, in many ways replicating a fetal process as the parts of Laurie which had been broken down were now being restored, grown by her own body's processes, even if artificially managed.
A new nervous system expanded through her body, bones, and muscle rebuilding. organs restored. Over several days, the simultaneous rebuilding process worked through stages, each one replacing the artificial life support she was on. Her body began to produce blood again. The oxygenated fluid is drawn down to a minimum. Finally, the last step - her telepathically maintained mind - was implanted back into her own brain. The gel was drained, the umbilical removed, and finally, the door to the chamber opened.
Dripping, Laurie grasped the sides of the door with both purple hands and drew herself out of the chamber. Essex was there, sitting at a control station with Kwannon, while Nate stood nervously near the pod.
Laurie shivered in the cool air of the lab, her gaze taking in her fully healed body with wonder even as her ears and nose once again picked up on smells and sounds she hadn’t known since Genosha.
Physical enhancements again then, she’d have to ask Dr. Essex exactly what he’d given her.
She waved Nate toward her with a small smile, seeing him hovering close by.
“That was possibly the most painful thing I’ve ever been through but at least I’m whole again.”
“Laurie, you're-"
"Adam. A moment please." Essex said, freezing Nate before he could come over. "How are you feeling, Dr. Collins? No difficulties breathing? No neuropathy in your limbs at all?"
Laurie took a moment to check herself over before answering, noting the changes in her physiology. She had claws again, but not longer than what she’d had as nails before. Nothing changed about her teeth though, and no sudden need to obey anyone in the room. She hadn’t known she’d been holding tension until it released at that moment. She spent a few moments moving each of her limbs and stretching out her legs in various movements.
“No pain beyond what is lingering from the procedure but no reduced sensation either, or lack of movement. I feel…stronger, more agile? A bonus addition of your own design Doctor?”
"A few. The more robust physical attributes will help you recover from the process more quickly. The claws should be retractable. Otherwise, I assumed that you'd appreciate the expanded abilities, especially if you run into any of your former associates from the mansion." He said.
“Given what Nate needs to do, I’m quite sure they’ll interfere eventually. It’s well enough, Doctor.” Laurie concentrated on the claws, watching them retract slightly but then push back out. Something she’d need to work on obviously. She felt. Everything. It had been so long since she felt whole. So long. “Thank you, Nathanial. For everything.”
"Adam, please give the woman a robe," Essex said with a slight eye roll as Nate jumped, grabbing a heavy white robe and pulling it around her. "Dr. Collins, while it seems the process worked, I should warn you that you're in for an unpleasant few days. The aftereffects involve a number of... less than enjoyable physical issues as your body relearns how to, well, work again. You will likely suffer nausea, cramping, profound digestive distress, and all manner of disorientation. All of it is entirely normal. We've prepared rooms for you. Adam will escort you so you can clean up. I'd suggest as much rest as possible for the next few days."
"Yeah, it's-"
"Adam," Essex said. "I mean rest, son." The teenager blushed as he let Laurie lean on him, helping her away
***
"What is it with you and purple?" Kwannon said after Laurie and Adam had left.
"An interesting secondary mutation of Laurie's own X-gene. It certainly wasn't in any of my designs. I think it might be a function of her upgraded abilities." Essex said, stroking his chin. "The uniqueness of it will bind her even closer to us though. Being an 'out' mutant, I believe is the term."
"How far did you upgrade her?" There was just a hint of territorial edge to Kwannon's voice. After all, she was Essex's right hand.
"Similar to her mutate profile. I've added in some physical power enhancements as well as a minor healing factor. After all, if she's going to be looking after Adam, I want her to have additional tools in case she faces someone with immunity to her powers."
"How close to the mutate profile? Is she imprinted?"
"Ah, that is a lovely little refinement I've recently developed. She is, but not that crude slave-like nonsense I developed for Genosha. No, this is far subtler. She'll always want to be with Adam, but rather than a master-oriented relationship, it is more of a positively reinforced bond. She'll always want him happy, so if their relationship stops being romantic or physical, she'll immediately slide into a best friend or even big sister type role in order to please him. Pleasing him pleases her, which allows us to sidestep the old model which created negative obsessive traits like possessiveness or jealousy."
"I'm a little surprised you're this comfortable with your son's sex life,” she said with a slight smile. She hadn't been at first; her role as a stepmother to him was surprisingly authentic to her.
"A young man will do what young men have always done, regardless of any of my efforts. At least this way, his distractions will be ones that I control." Essex said. "And with Dr. Collins available to me at the lab, it frees you up to start the next stage of our work. Yes, she'll be a most useful distraction."
"Is that what you consider me?"
"Not at all. You are my most essential tool." It didn't sound like a compliment but Kwannon preened slightly, pleased with it. "Even without the imprinting, Dr. Collins is a simple woman to control. Appeal to her sense of self-worth, give her a goal for a greater purpose in order to excuse any sort of actions you require from her and toss in the odd sop to her intellectual vanity - being vital to the work and nonsense like that - and she'll be completely subsumed to whatever purpose I require. Now, let's clear this up and discuss our next steps. We have a lot of work todo in order to prepare for what is coming."
