Jason was a researcher in a top-secret biochemical facility buried deep underground within the mountains. He was handsome, fit, and most importantly, brilliant in all his scientific endeavors. However, everything would change during one late shift. He was by himself in the lab, suited up past the airlock. He was on the verge of a breakthrough his team had been hunting for months. But his focus was shattered when the blast doors suddenly slammed shut with a loud clang. The entire lab shook violently for minutes, causing clouds of dust to rain from the ceiling. When things finally settled, the lab’s silence felt much more eerie. He knew enough to understand that something incredibly bad had happened to the outside world.

Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. No human soul seemed to survive what had happened. Nobody came for him, and he did’t have any other access to the outside world. Yet, he wasn’t entirely alone. Every now and then he noticed the odd insect making its way into what was meant to be an entirely sterile lab. Perhaps whatever happened outside had damaged the integrity of the structure, but thankfully he didn’t notice any radiation or water leaking into the place. Odder still were the weird new mutations these creatures sported… perhaps adapting to the harsh new conditions outside.

Curiosity slowly turned into fascination, and fascination turned into obsession. The rations would last him for a few short years, but there would come a day where he would need to finally head out. His brilliant mind along with his desire reclaim the world was a dangerous concoction. But to survive outdoors, the evidence available to him suggested his current human form would perish like all the others. He would need to emulate the only creatures he knew could survive the severe conditions of a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Over the span of months he began a series of obscene experiments, even testing his work on the bug companions that had invaded the facility. He would achieve his goal, for the survival of mankind.

The day finally arrived. He looked at the glowing vats of mutagen around the lab with apprehension. Was this really the way? He could not do any human trials, save for a few computer assisted simulations, which weren’t always successful. There were so many variables he couldn’t hope to control. But he had come too far to back out now. He made his choice.

Stripping off his clothes he slowly waded into the thick, viscous liquid. It burned as it ate its way into his body, re-configuring his DNA. His muscles swelled, making him stronger than he ever possible for a human… only for even more drastic changes to occur. The sensation was electrifying as his lower body shifted, gaining an entirely alien appearance. Segmented limbs sprouted along the length of his bug-like lower half, finished off with a stinger that seemed to already dripping with the very same mutagen that had changed him. And even more fascinating was the emergence of a mantis-like lower head just as functional as his original. That original head was the last to change, gaining bizarre insectoid features to match his visage below.

It felt truly… sensational. He felt invincible, unstoppable. But before he even had a chance to relish his newfound existence a loud beep sounded throughout the lab… the emergency opening of the vault had been activated. Two figures appeared at the corners of his multifaceted vision.

Just in time for him to share the fruits of his labour with them.

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Artwork by the lovely  SadNicole