Dr. Semyon didn't find anything that interested him for the next two experiments he checked in on. He had watched the resource extraction division members vivisect a creature about the size and furriness of a monkey, yet bearing only three spindly limbs; two arms and a foot shaped exactly like the other two arms, a single green eye, soft and pleasant to touch green fur and a notably non aggressive behavior pattern.
It had died during the process, as expected, however, the secondary experiment failed; their instruments were unable to determine where a certain pebble sized stone had materialized from at the exact moment of death. One minute its exposed, yet still connected intestines were being spread about on an observation table, the next, there was a pebble-sized object inside its intestines.
The stone was retrieved. Like all the rest it was analyzed and like all the extracted stones, it too contained a concentrated amount of Dark Matter in the most stable state ever discovered.
Finally, Dr. Semyon had checked the Mineral Extraction Teams.
Their work was the most boring for him. Trips made into the portal anomaly would retrieve soil, mineral and plant life samples where possible. So far, most tests proved similar results. Largely inert Dark Matter infused into basic, regular minerals.
This teased a conclusion that the place beyond the portal was one where Dark Matter was active in a manner not yet observed in the physical universe. Although, the complete absence of Dark Matter on Earth meant there was no other source to compare with.
With a groan, Dr. Semyon began an unwilling trudge back to his office. His assistant had long since notified him of decisions that needed his input as Project Head.
In his office, he had just received a fresh stack of documents with a deep sigh when Petyr checks his own communication device. As he stares at it, Dr. Semyon watched as his personal guard's eyes lit up in a way that showed true emotion; a true rarity for Petyr.
More surprisingly, Petyr had a glint in his eyes, they darted once to the assistant, still informing Dr. Semyon of the various documents and what department they arrived from.
Dr. Semyon cleared his throat and asked his assistant to excuse him. He waited for her to leave before turning to Petyr.
"You're much excited." He said.
"I think I've found something." Petyr replied.
"Oh, about what?" he watched Petyr for a moment, immediately Dr. Semyon felt a wave of minor frustration come over hi. He guessed what it was about. "Show me." He ordered.
Petyr typed a bit more on his device before sending a digital request to Dr. Semyon's console. The doctor approved it and he received a series of security video clips.
Dr. Semyon could guess what this what about so he decided to ask for a summary instead.
"Is this about him again?"
Petyr's eyes lit up, "Da." He said, returning to his impassive state, "the African could be making his move."
"Oh really." Dr. Semyon watched the first clip. It showed Baba Adenoga moving through the hallways seemingly lost. From time to time, he would rapidly weave his fingers in intricate patterns. The entire ten minute clip was of him going through the hallways, doing just that. The ceiling view of the cameras would always catch him moving his fingers, even when he hid his hands behind himself when someone else was present.
"What else?" Next, Dr. Semyon watched a clip that ran for a few minutes where Baba Adenoga met with some of the surviving members of the acquisition team he had led on the second mission through the anomaly; the first team who entered the anomaly never returned.
He appeared to chat with the members, who stoically listened to the jolly aged man without any displayed emotion. Eventually, he left. The clip continued for a few more seconds showing the team members return to what they were doing before.
"Last one Petyr. If you suspect him, give me real evidence." Dr. Semyon said without looking at Petyr, instead, setting up the next clip.
He watched the surviving members of the last acquisition team Adenoga led. They had gathered in the mess hall. A few minutes before the mess would close, where most people would have already left. They just sat there. Staring at their food. A few of them slowly munched on the meal, stopping abruptly at odd moments, nodding in firm agreement even though none of them were talking.
Dr. Semyon had a thought and checked the time stamp.
"Hmmm." He looked up at Petyr and back at the monitor. "These two."
He arranged two videos to play simultaneously side by side. It showed the team in the cafeteria while the other showed Baba Adenoga walking through the halls. He paused the videos.
"Was this what you wanted to show me Petyr?"
"Sir, I might not have everything yet, but there is proof that something is going on with the African. Also, there have been a few security reports about odd behavior from the acquisition teams."
Dr. Semyon leaned back in his chair. "I read those reports. We have determined for now, to attribute it to PTSD, however, Petyr, is this all?" he asked.
Petyr gave an abrupt salute, "I will find more sir." He declared.
Dr. Semyon nodded. "You really do have an instinct for security. That's why I need you with me Petyr. However, you just might be terrible at analysis." Dr. Semyon resumed the videos. "These two videos are from the same day and time. You're right about Baba Adenoga. See here." He paused the video then played it again. "The moment when Adenoga finishes his strange finger movements, the team members in the mess would nod."
"Is he communicating with them?" Petyr wondered aloud.
"Hmmm… it was a stroke of luck that we found… the African. The fact is according to Dr. Haliway's records, he approached them during one of their global searches for research materials. This Baba Adenoga already had knowledge of Dark Matter application and manipulation. He knows more about that mysterious realm than we do. But we simply need him for now. He gives directions and insight without ever providing concrete information." Dr. Semyon sighed. "That is why I rely on you to continue monitoring him. Continue to watch him Petyr. Good job."
Petyr nodded, his face impassive but for a slight upward incline at the corner of his mouth.
"Da." He moved to exit the office, but paused at the door when he heard Dr. Semyon exclaim.
"Oh!" he exclaimed happily. "Subject DM05, how have you been."
Petyr shut the door and faced Dr. Semyon. This was one of the doctor's tell-tale signs of wanting to interact. It would be brief, Petyr knew this. He could sense a growing frustration with his new position and allowed himself to be the vent for Dr. Semyon's boredom.
"Let's see. Telekinetic ability." Dr. Semyon let out a laugh. "It is always so funny isn't it Petyr. This entire project began due to scant reports of people possessing this mysterious power. We set out to prove once and for all that humans were capable of manifesting greater power under the right circumstances. Now, here we are. Telekinesis has become one of the most common abilities our efforts have managed to replicate."
He continued reading the report as he spoke.
"True, we relied on the guidance of Baba Adenoga, but, thanks to our efforts in retrieving Dark Matter sources, we can outright infuse a person with this sought after ability." He shook his head.
"It seems he has yet to hit a roadblock." He flipped a page, "One thousand pounds!" he exclaimed. Dr. Semyon looked to his drawer, where he kept a vial of concentrated Dark Matter, seriously considering taking the shot here and now.
"We've done it, haven't we Petyr. We set out to acquire superpowers for a select few, and we have. We actually did it." He finished his laugh with a sigh.
When Dr. Semyon looked up after a prolonged silence, Petyr was gone. He breathed in and went back to his documents as the assistant returned.