Once again, the four humans were placed inside more cylindrical tubes filled with the same green liquid. Breathing and feeding tubes emerged from their mouths, while tubes in their backs extracted and supplied blood and liquidized human food into their bodies.
This time, the four humans weren’t left completely naked for their alien masters generously covered their private parts.
"Look, this one is waking up."
"It is the one with the system. Shame to see such a powerful piece of engineering in the hands of a weakling."
As Ace opened his eyes, he saw a room filled with Granians standing by other cylindrical tubes arranged in a long row. The tubes varied in size, most containing different humanoid-shaped species. Some had extra appendages, others had none, and some resembled crossdressing humans with features similar to those of a regular man.
"It is showing slow improvement. By the time we get to our home Planet Grania, this one will not be able to take on even the simplest Ethisian warrior," the Granian observing Ace said to the other observing Cherry, and the others observing Jim and Sky.
"We could give it the catalyst to make it as lethal as an original Blood Mutant. I suggest a pathogenic symbiote...another one that will fuse with the current existing blood symbiote."
"True, but that could destroy its entire body," the Granian responded. "Judging by this thing’s anatomy, we will have to put it through intense training, especially this one with the system. I will return with Lord Grim and Grand Master. Only then will we make our final decision."
A few minutes passed, and Ace remained silent as he observed the Granians observing him and the others. He floated in the liquid, lost in his thoughts, trying to understand why they needed him. What was the reason for his training? Who were the Ethesians? What exactly was Planet Grania, and why did they want to subject Ace to intense training different from the others?
"Lord Grim, Grand Master," all the Granians bowed as Grim entered with Grand Master and Huntress. "The subject of interest is awake but is currently showing almost weak to no signs of major improvement. Apart from moving up a class, there has not been any significant change. We can either put the subject through intense training or subject its body to a series of genetic mutations. Perhaps we could subject it to a fusion with another symbiotic trait that will combine with the current existing one he contains. It is your decision, my Lords."
Ace continued to float in his tube, curious about what the Granian meant by genetic mutations. Meanwhile, Grim and Grand Master focused on Ace, contemplating what to do next with him.
"Do both," Grand Master responded. "Focus more on training than mutations. The same goes for the others. Grim, I’m putting you in charge of this. Find someone who can handle these three, especially the siblings."
"Yes, my Lord." Grand Master left the room, and Grim immediately started giving orders to the other Granians regarding Ace and the other blood mutants.
A few moments later, Ace was placed in another massive room with Cherry by his side, both still in their tubes. The room was dimly lit and devoid of anything else.
"Greetings, Ace and Cherry," a deep, masculine voice greeted them. The lights came on, revealing Chris and Lilly standing before them in their ’human’ forms.
"You backstabber!" Cherry screamed, banging on the glass of the tubes repeatedly. Ace found this unusual, but what he didn’t understand was how Lilly and Chris ended up on the Granian ship. Were they captured like him and his sister? Were they double agents? And why was Cherry screaming at Chris?
"Cherry, what’s going on?" Ace asked, looking at his enraged sister. "How did you two end up here?" Lilly and Chris transformed into their Granian forms, leaving Ace in shock.
"I’m sorry for lying to you, Ace and Cherry," Chris apologized with a bow. "We were given orders... well, I was given orders. She was just there to accompany me if anything happened." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝓷𝓮𝓽
"This doesn’t make sense," Ace said, trying to piece everything together. "How did you guys manage to pass off as humans? How did you get into the military academy and obtain serums? How did you acquire power tags?"
"Your species is both simple and complex at the same time," Lilly explained. "We observed your kind for years, learning and practicing how to blend in."
"We arrived on your planet years before the others," Chris continued. "You know those UFO sightings, meteor landings, and gray men theories? That was us, but we were successful at keeping it a secret, thanks to your corrupt government."
"We spent months studying our hosts. Chris and I are a special type of Granians that can transform into any other humanoid-shaped creature in the universe."
"After transforming, our blood became identical to yours, allowing us to seamlessly integrate into the military business."
"I know you’re upset and have many questions, but everything will be revealed in time," Chris continued. "I need you to cooperate with us."
"Chris and I will personally train both of you, as we have a deeper understanding of human culture than our comrades," Lilly added as the tubes were lifted off the two siblings. "We’ll start with basic training."
Ace and Cherry remained motionless, staring at each other, then at the Granians, and back at each other. Without wasting time, they both transformed into their blood mutant forms and attacked the two Granians. However...
At an unprecedented speed, Ace and Cherry were thrown back to where they stood, reverting to their normal forms as they winced in pain. Chris and Lilly approached them with uncomfortable smiles on their faces.
"Since we’re training both of you, we need to have high fighting skills," Chris said. "We’ve prepared to counter some of your attacks, and we ask that you don’t resist—for your own sake and ours."
"Let us begin, shall we?"