Hells Bells

Family Secrets

Originally Written in 2022 somethings added

August 22, 2025. Northern Texas. Genetic Research Facility.

The operating room is lively, with sounds of saws and metallic banging. The soldiers have looks of pure disgust at the smell, the government official with them doesn't bat an eye. The Nazi doctor welcomes the men in. She's dressed in her SS uniform with a lab coat over it and a proud Nazi arm band on her left arm. Petra shows them around, with a literal Nazi zombie, working in the corner. The "masterpiece" on the operating table, stands out the most. A mark 78 construction robot sitting on the table powered off. The MK78 is painted in American military markings, with a black paint color instead of an olive drab.

PETRA: This is Marcus, one of those MK78's you so hate with a little modification and a new paint job.

The official looks over the machine seeing nothing new besides slots near what would be the mouth area, and more panels on the face.

OFFICIAL: And what's the new modification?

The Nazi turns the machine on. Its eyes glow a dim white, with a muffled noise coming from it as it stands up. The MK78 looks at its hands before looking around the room as if in a daze. It focuses on the soldiers, with their rifles aimed at it. The official motions them to lower their rifles, which they do so a bit hesitant.

MARCUS: I-I am Marcus... where am I?

The group looked on in horror at the abomination speaking.

OFFICIAL: What the hell is this?

PETRA: An improvement.

OFFICIAL: An improvement? This is a horrific flaw, you gave these things that were once human, sentience. Having them being higher processing robots using human tissue is fine because they aren't aware of any of that, but you gave them the feeling of being aware of everything?!

He grabs her shoulders shaking her about as he speaks, only letting go when the robot starts to act like it's in distress.

MARCUS: I'm no longer human?

PETRA: Oh look, you scared him.

The official waves her off, snapping to the soldiers moving to the door.

OFFICIAL: If this backfires, it's your head and that monster you call a husband.

The soldiers and officials exit the room, leaving a mess for the doctor to clean up.

( The MK78 project and the many projects under the Orian Project are two different things. Petra was brought along because of her ability to preserve organs and neural tissue which are essential to the MK78s. Orian projects are under strict federal surveillance and are mostly robotic with synthetic organs. The only original organ is the brain. Modified MK78s need the original heart, brain, spinal column and nerves.)

Utah. Gas Station 1 Mile Away From Blechin Family Ranch. Lemar Gas Station.

Wyte sits in the desolate bar of the cafe attached to the gas station. He reminisces of his childhood, the memories of his siblings playing around in a once lively cafe. He takes a sip of whiskey, to drown the thoughts of his current predicament. He's roused from his thoughts by the bar keep.

KEEP: So I heard your Blechin's boy?

Wyte swigs his glass around, before downing the last drop of whiskey.

WYTE: Yea, I'm the youngest one. What about it?

KEEP: Well Ulysses is a good friend of mine, we were in Nam together, after that a pencil pushing job in the Pentagon. That was until your old man was called on some secret project. Next time I saw him he had you boys running around my shop. So how has he been over these years?