Finding Truth Amongst The Lies

Chapter 54: Neptune's POV

I could barely contain my mounting frustration as I carefully read through the pages of notes of Madeleine's failed experiments. After going through the 20th failed attempt I couldn't contain myself and slammed the papers face down onto the desk next to me while taking in a deep breath. Madeleine flinched, but to my surprise, she seemed much calmer than she had the last time I had come for a progress report.

"Your experiments have been exhaustively thorough," I said after I had calmed myself down. Madeleine nodded firmly and I almost smiled, seeing her usual confidence coming back.

"Something about the loyalty genome in a living host causes two different reactions. In most cases, it triggers a cancerous reaction that causes any cell that holds it to multiply unendingly until the host expires, or..."

"Or if it survives it blindly follows anyone that orders it, not just the first person it comes in contact with," I finished for her with a growl. There was no way I could expose my perfect soldier to an experiment with results like this. The thought of Satoshi following anyone's orders other than my own made me cringe. Letting out a perturbed sigh, I stood up and paced the room.

"Honestly, Neptune, it may be time you look into brainwashing techniques rather than messing with DNA," Madeleine said with a regretful expression. I frowned at her words but shook my head.

"Using Hypnosis to brainwash people is spotty at best. Those with strong wills can break free eventually. And if we use the old-fashioned torture brainwashing methods that would take away part of their personality and makes them little better than an overeager Growlithe wanting to please its master," I said with annoyance as I continued to pace.

"Why is this project so important to you, Neptune? I've never seen you so riled up," Madeleine said as she watched me pace.

I frowned over at her and slowly came to a stop as I considered her observation. It was true that I was spending a great deal of time and resources stressing over this project. Even though I had so many things to oversee and categorize at the moment. Just last night Proteus and I had finally done our last successful test of my miniature black chain, and we had completed the first phase of our plans months ago. Everything was reaching the culmination of my grand scheme and I should be focusing on getting everything in order for the time I would finally rid myself of this dreadful world and create the new world I craved so desperately... But even with all of that on my mind, it seemed hollow if I could not have my perfect soldier by my side.

"It is rather illogical, isn't it?" I asked her, feeling a rare moment of vulnerability that I hadn't felt in years. Madeleine blinked in obvious surprise, but then it was my turn to be surprised when she smiled sweetly at me.

"I see," she said vaguely. I narrowed my eyes, wondering what she could see that I wasn't. "Perhaps instead of forcing whoever this is to be loyal to you, you could just inspire loyalty in them instead?"

I frowned heavily, not liking this touchy-feely direction that Madeleine was going. Folding my arms I glowered at her, but the words that came out of my mouth shocked me. "And how would you suggest I do that?"

Madeleine beamed brightly and leaned against her workbench. "There are many ways to do that. You seem to be a master of instilling loyalty through fear. But this situation doesn't seem to call for that tactic," Madeleine said with an almost teasing smile. I sniffed imperiously at her and looked off to the side, not believing that Madeleine was actually trying to have "girl talk" with me.

"My desired result is not for the person to be intimidated," I responded brusquely. This conversation was leaving me feeling thoroughly uncomfortable but in a weird way anxious about what Madeleine might suggest. "I want the subject in question to retain their personality completely but to have them loyal to only me."