Galatea 2 - Chapter 1

For those who haven't read the first one, here's your chance! This chapter picks up right where the epilogue to the original left off, so it's crucial to understand what happens next!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fX392FJq511Cs6Ae6lm1VTD-SwkBpi5_dSfCUkeEdBI/edit?usp=sharing

CHAPTER 1: NEW SUBJECT

Dr. Giles walked over to the elevator that led down to his lab, a curious and excited Vanessa in tow. Her plan was working! It was actually working! Her bold mascara, the impossible-to-ignore allure of her breasts—only enhanced farther by her push-up bra—and flat-ironed hair complete with a shine that would make a waitress at a 60’s diner blush. She suspected that he was totally infatuated with her, probably wanting nothing more than to be smothered in her robustly red lipstick.

The doctor gave her the grand tour of the “lab”, showing off a series of albino rats and a laptop. The underground lair looked to be in a rather unclean state, but as if the upkeep has sporadically dipped in quality only recently. There was a faint smell of liquor in the air, clashing with a hastily-applied air freshener without realizing that an underground lab wouldn’t exactly have the best air circulation.

“I’ve made some modifications to my original device, as you can probably tell,” Kevin spoke, pointing at his laptop.

Vanessa couldn’t tell, as she had never seen this particular machine before, but she nodded along anyways. After being scanned, poked and prodded, Dr. Giles finally had enough information to generate some sort of visualization, as he put it, enthusiastically clacking away at his tiny laptop with extreme precision, not missing a single keystroke.

The typing stopped, Kevin snapping his fingers which transitioned into a point at the massive display screen. Vanessa’s eyes followed his command, only to be greeted with the most surreal sight in the lab yet—herself.

A three-dimensional digital replication of herself, to be exact. Outside of the occasional obvious polygon, it was like looking into a mirror. Vanessa was speechless. Dr. Giles had plenty to say, however.

“So, here’s your statistics,” Kevin spoke professionally as if this was any other doctor’s visit. “The percentages reflect the peak recorded performances of humanity. Basically, the known world records.” On cue, a spreadsheet of statistics appeared on the screen next to Vanessa’s recreated body.

Height: 5’8”

Hair: Black

Iris: Brown

Speed: 51% of subject base DNA maximum

Strength: 44% of subject base DNA maximum

Agility: 43% of subject base DNA maximum

Flexibility: 57% of subject base DNA maximum

Stamina: 59% of subject base DNA maximum

Intelligence: 114 IQ

“Now, let’s see what you look like with a little juice in your system!”

Vanessa watched as all of the percentages on the screen quickly climbed to the triple digits. A soft “woah” escaped her lips as she watched the digital model of herself enhance in accordance with the updated stats. She was… holy shit, gorgeous didn’t even begin to describe her. The CGI version of her made Audrey look like a 7/10 at best.

Every part of her statuesque form had gotten a makeover, looking like the passionate lovechild between a Greek goddess and a swimsuit model. If Audrey could lift a car, Vanessa could only dream of what this new and improved body could be capable of lifting.

“As you can see, I can indeed imagine what you would look like when enhanced by the virus.”

He then paused and looked to Vanessa for approval, clearly very proud of his work. When the college-aged girl responded by raising a confused eyebrow, he responded in kind.

“Is there… something else I can do for you?”

“Um, yes well, if I may be blunt about this.. I was kinda hoping you could actually inject me with the virus?”

Dr. Giles, not one to read social cues all that well, practically burst into uncontrollable laughter. His body succumbed to the humor, jerking about as he wheezed to catch his breath after a minute. “Oh, that’s rich! Indeed it is!”

Vanessa’s souring face did not reflect his amusement, yet Kevin continued the schadenfreude at her expense. “My dear little girl, just because your friend accidentally became exposed to this virus does not mean my lab has suddenly become a bread line!”

She stilled her quivering lip, her teeth biting hard into her flesh, prepared to draw blood if possible. It wasn’t fair! She had dressed like a slut for this very occasion and it seemed to have no effect whatsoever on this weirdo! Vanessa was sure she had him pegged as a horny guy who would do anything for a pretty girl.

…Maybe she wasn’t as pretty as she thought?

Her luscious black tresses hid the darkness building within her eyes as her head fell in disappointment. Were they even as luscious as she had been led to believe?

“I understand,” she spoke quietly.

“Of course you do. You seem like a smart, intelligent young woman. In fact, you even remind me of the woman I love.” The doctor paused his thought for but a moment, using his fingers to part the hair that had fallen before her face. “You even have her eyes…”

“Yeah, okay, that’s not creepy at all,” Vanessa replied with disgusted sarcasm, backing away from the doctor.

Somehow finally realizing he was at fault, Kevin too backed away, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. “I must apologize. Lately I haven’t quite been myself. Likely a side effect of the new variant I’ve created.”

Well, that explained the massive bicep that popped up upon Kevin’s inadvertent flex.

“That’s okay. Uh, I promise I won’t tell the government or anything about this lab as long as you promise to never do that again,” Vanessa stated, willing to sacrifice her leverage for a sense of security around this strange man. She had been sexually harrassed before, if she could prevent another Patton situation before it escalated out of hand, she’d do it in a heartbeat.

“Very good. I hope to see you again soon! All research, even limited, is useful!”

Understanding that her time with the strange doctor was up, the brunette retreated to the elevator, feeling slightly dejected. Great, now I know that I’d look fucking gorgeous with that virus and he won’t even let me have it!

Once free from the confines of that stuffy lab, Vanessa retrieved her phone and dialed up Audrey. She needed something—anything—to help take her mind off of what she had just been through, especially the sight of what her beautiful body could have been. Anything with alcohol involved sounded like it would do the trick.

Audrey picked up, but only after fifteen painfully long seconds. Sounds like she’s not even in a hurry to pick up a call from her ugly best friend, Vanessa’s intrusive thoughts told her.

“Hey ‘Ness! What is up, girl!?” Audrey’s voice was almost inaudible from the party music also blaring out from the phone’s speaker.

“Audrey? Are you at a party? I thought you were on a fancy date with Brian?”

“It kinda evolved from there, if I’m being honest!” Audrey shouted at the phone, pausing to take what sounded like a sip of beer before conversing between two other people. “You should totally come down!”

“I’ll think about it,” replied Vanessa pensively. She knew that a party of that scale could make her feel worse if Audrey was there. The men’s gazes being stripped from her and directed to Audrey’s ever-burgeoning beautiful body was an all-too-visible sight within her mind.

Vanessa ended the call, the crushing silence of the after-hours biology wing reminding her of just how alone she actually was.

But she took a deep breath regardless, quelling any anxieties. No, you’re going to see your best friend Audrey at that party, get piss fucking drunk and have a great time. Hell, you might even meet a nice guy there. After all, Audrey can’t capture every single man’s attention. Even the lions leave piecemeal for the vultures, or something like that.

Steeling her resolve, Vanessa left the science facilities with a confident stride, ready to reclaim her status as the party queen she was always meant to be.