It is almost a year later. The time is nearing Maria`s 14th birthday. Professor Gerald`s project is almost ready.

Gerald is checking over all the stats on the screens. For the most part, everything is at a normal level. Whatever it was that Black Doom gave him for the "ingredients" seem to be exactly what he needed to get this off the ground in creating the Ultimate Life Form. With said Ultimate Life Form, he can do further research in figuring out what can be done to strengthen Maria`s body that would allow her to grow strong and fight off her disease. Or perhaps even, he could find the cure for the disease within this Ultimate Life Form. This would also allow him to do the research on immortality. The possibilities are endless!

This Ultimate Life Form is named so for a reason. He will be immortal. He will be strong and can handle whatever comes his way, which will be very important while the research is being done on him. His intelligence will be very high and he will be able to learn quickly. And, Black Doom promises that he will be very powerful, as well. Gerald isn`t sure of why this being was given power if his purpose was to help Gerald save Maria but there isn`t anything that can be done about it now. The Ultimate Life Form is here and near ready to be released.

The way things are going, the Ultimate Life Form should be ready for release on Maria`s birthday. This would be excellent. It would be like a birthday present to her. A good portion of the purpose for the Ultimate Life Form`s creation is for her, after all. She lacks a friend on this Arc. Perhaps it could even be a companion for her and bring her the friendship she needs. Hopefully she will like it. Gerald hasn`t breathed a word about it to Maria, though, wanting to make it a surprise. She has no idea of it`s existence or reason for being.

In the center of the room is a liquid-filled tube. It stretches from ceiling to floor, almost seeming to connect the two together. The glass of the tube is very thick and strong. A label on the front side at the top of the tube says "PROJECT SHADOW" in large letters. Inside of this tube is something that looks human. It`s a male, looking to be in upper teens of age. His hair is black with red streaks. His eyes are closed and his head is tilted downwards. His face bares no expression or emotion. Many wires are connected to his body all over.

The computers in the room with the capsule are all either monitoring his stats or are regulating the capsule to whatever level is needed. The only other notable items in the room is a large bureau with a thickly cushioned chair behind it. A desktop computer is setup on the bureau with a stack of papers off to the side.

The sliding door to the room automatically opens for Maria, allowing her entry. She steps in lightly, calling for her grandfather. She has been looking for him on the Arc but seems to be having trouble finding him. As she looks around the room, Maria notices the capsuling that is holding the Ultimate Life Form inside. Of course, never hearing of this from her grandfather, or anyone else on the Arc, Maria doesn`t know what this is. Her curiosity peaks and she approaches the capsule.

She will be 14 years old soon. She moves slowly and carefully though, unlike most others her age. The disease she has, has an iron grip on her and has shown signs of giving her up. Because of this disease, she looks frail and has a small frame.

Maria reads over the label that`s on the tube, out loud but quietly,"Project Shadow..."

Then she looks to the seemingly teen aged boy inside the tube. Maria was born on the Arc and has lived here all of her life. Seeing creatures in tubes as such does not phase her. But being that this one looks human, she is more drawn to it than the other creatures she has seen in similar situations. Slowly Maria lifts her hand up towards the glass of the tube.

The sliding door to the room suddenly opens. This catches Maria by surprise and she quickly whirls around to see who it is. To her relief it is her grandfather, Professor Gerald. He seems a little surprised to see Maria in this room and a little sorrow that she has discovered her 'gift' early,"Maria? What are you doing in here?"

A smile comes on Maria`s face and she lightly steps towards her grandfather,"I was looking for you, grandfather."

He returns the smile to her,"Looking for me? Well, dear child, you have found me."

Maria happily bounds up to Gerald and gives him an enthusiastic hug and he gives her a hug back. After the hug, Maria turns away from Gerald and looks back to the boy in the capsule. She puts her hands behind her back and looks curiously at him,"Grandfather, who is this?"

Gerald shifts his gaze from Maria to his project,"Project Shadow."

He looks back down at his granddaughter,"He was going to be a surprise but..."

Maria quickly looks to her grandfather over her shoulder. A wide smile is present on her face,"A surprise? For me?"

"Mm, mostly. Yes."

Keeping that smile on her face, Maria turns back to Project Shadow,"You made a friend for me?"

"He would be like a friend."

Gerald takes a few steps forward so that he is standing beside Maria. He puts his hands behind his back in the same fashion as what Maria is doing,"He would actually be doing lots of things. He is, the Ultimate Life Form."

The Ultimate Life Form...

All he can see is darkness. Pitch black darkness. All he can do is listen and think; he is unable to move at this time. He can hear the voices and footsteps outside his containment. With the footsteps, he could tell if someone was near or far. One of the voices he can hear sounds aged and low key. This voice he has heard speak a lot and give orders to others. But a new voice has entered his realm today. It is a young, sweet, gentle voice that is accompanied by light footsteps. This voice calms him to listen to it. The monitors on him would reflect this, showing his heart rate and other signs relaxing whenever he hears this sweet voice. He listens closely through the bubbles from within this chamber to hear this gentle voice. If only he could see her...This sweet angel...

Maria steps up to the capsule slowly, after listening to her grandfather. Knowing her grandfather, this Ultimate Life Form would be something that would do good and be a benefit to other people. That`s how her grandfather was; willing to do what he can to help people on Earth. A gentle smile forms on Maria`s face as she begins to lifts up both arms. Both of her warm hands make contact with the cold glass of the tube.

The Ultimate Life Form can feel Maria putting her hands on the glass. However, to him, it feels more like she is touching him instead of the glass. In his mind, he is filled with glee.

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