Unfunny Super Eyes Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Research Center

Read chapter 7 of Unfunny Super Eyes by DaveyPagonzaga on NovelPedia.

Mr. Augment didn’t know that the suitcase was missing, and Zar wanted to keep it that way. She was the head scientist of the Augment City Research Institute. That was by default, though. Zar just so happened to be the eldest, therefore most senior, therefore appointed head. After a series of budget cuts, resource re-allocations, restructuring, or whatever else they named, pulling money away from the Institute, there were only about half a dozen scientists left. What they did at the Institute used to be simple. People would come with questions about what a Twist is, and they would provide an answer. Where did the Twist come from? What did it specifically do to the human body? Why did it suddenly appear? In the early years, a lot of progress was made. Twists come from a unique virus that was extraterrestrial in origin. It spread quickly, carried by almost anything that came into contact. If it were organic, it would have gotten infected. This meant that the entire world was technically infected with the virus. Only 20% of humans developed powers because that 20% had the necessary extra muscle fibers, related to raising an eyebrow, for the virus to take hold. Their DNA would change, wild and unpredictable, and would facilitate what’s now known as Twists, ranging from a simple enhanced eyesight to manipulating the laws of physics. Now, though, their research was focused on how to control the virus, and they had a massive ball of NOTHING to show for it. How could they manipulate the virus to affect more people? How could Twists be controlled so that more desirable and destructive mutations could occur? How can Twists be undone for undesirable mutations? Don’t know. Nothing. Nada. Zero. There were no more answers, and so funding was slowly pulled away. But Zar had made headway a month ago. An impossible suitcase filled with Math was rumored to exist. It could break down any material and then lay out its formula. The Institute would use it to unravel the secrets of Twists, then turn it on the world. It never arrived. Zar’s personal friend, Elmer, deigned to trust the popular MoveMore Delivery Company with moving their future. Early that morning, the delivery app said the package had arrived safely in the city’s distribution center. Later, the radio reported a scuffle involving Family thugs shooting first and asking questions later. The package was stolen. Zar had called for more men to search the area, and now she was going to meet with Freeman for an update. # Zar looked up at the sky, dark clouds hanging. It was always gloomy in Augment City, and he hated it. The pristine walls of her laboratory were where she wanted to be. Why did things have to be this way? The moment he finally has good news for the institute is the moment all hell apparently broke loose. A black car slowed to a stop, parked across the street, and the driver walked over. Freeman, the Family’s new favorite dog. His gaudy suit and glasses sent a shiver of disgust in the scientist. When Zar got funding back into the Institute, she'd hire personal guards. No more asking the Family to go fetch. He stood beside her, putting his hands in his pockets. ‘We searched the mall. No suitcase. That hero must still have it.’ 'So all this was a fucking waste of time?' The scientist tisked. 'Just find him! And don’t come back empty-handed.' She began walking away when Freeman held up a hand to stop her. 'Zar, the Family’s resources aren’t unlimited. We can’t possibly keep people looking for… replacement parts.' Zar hadn't told him what the suitcase really was because in a way, they were competition. Freeman owned a small casino at the edge of town and was in the middle of convincing Mr. Augment to invest. If that ever happened, the Research Institute's dream of getting more money would undoubtedly be destroyed. The only thing stopping that deal from going through was the fact that Zar had known Mr. Augment longer and was given more leeway. She shook off his hand. 'Rare. Almost i