To Be Invincible

Context:

Based on the character Kurtz from Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness. Set in an eerie underground laboratory of a military base where Dr. Norman has been assigned by the Chief commander — Admiral Carter, to develop a serum to create apathetic, robotic soldiers that follows whatever they are instructed.

A dodgy camera flickers on as Dr. Norman takes his seat.

My name is Doctor Norman, and I am recording this to share my latest discovery. I have been conducting a mind-altering serum experiment on subject #212, one Vincent J. Friday. After 4 years, 3 months and 15 days I have achieved the impossible. 3 months ago, I increased the iron solution and that seems to have been the final alteration in perfecting this serum. Since then, Subject #212 has been abiding to my every command.

Although, last Thursday at 2:05pm, I told Friday he would soon become subordinate to the commands of Admiral Carter. His reaction was not what I expected. His features creased together and with only a moment’s hesitation, he refused to follow anyone other than myself.

He has changed beyond human emotion but like a duckling imprints on the first thing it sees, Friday will only listen to my voice. This seemed to be instinctual, like some kind of primitive programming. I further tested this theory, to see how far he would go. I told him to stab himself in the leg and he would have done it had I not ordered him to stop. With no hesitation he said, “yes, sir” and grabbed the nearest knife.

I will say on a personal note, it is nice to have someone that acknowledges me as their superior. He seems to worship me. His darkened eyes are fixed, watching every move I make. I am conflicted. This mercenary of the enemy I was given to test on is not the robotic soldier Admiral Carter asked for.

I have always seen these enemy combatants as expendable instruments in my experiments; but this time there is something different stirring inside of me. It is like a feeling of responsibility that I was not expecting as an outcome of this master-slave experiment. I need to do my job. I need to be the clever scientist I was hired to be but a part of me is curious to see where this new path could lead me.

I have hoped that one day my work would be lauded by the people, when the time is right, of course. I would be known as the great peacemaker and subduer of lesser nations. But the longer I stay here, the more disillusioned I become. My only reward should be a non-disclosure agreement and a mere sum of money, not much more than Admiral’s prized soldiers.

I have been bound by Admiral Carter to the deepest level of this military base, in the old rotting laboratory. I’m closed in by ivory stone walls, the only thing that’s separating me from the earth’s soil. The dark, moist enclosure has created the perfect environment for green and black mold to fester and spread rapidly like a disease, covering the pure white.

However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t like living in the company of my own shadows, never disturbed by simple minded humans. They could never comprehend what it takes to be like me. I change benign chemicals and solutions on a molecular level as I create an obedient weapon whose only purpose is to bring glory to our nation. They wouldn’t survive within five minutes of being down in this basement.

As soon as I plunged myself into this project I was soon faced with adversity. I came to discover that the Russians were complete savages. When I was given #212, it was difficult to get anywhere near him with his incessant pursuit of violence. I knew he was going to be my most difficult test subject I had ever encountered, but with my capabilities anything is possible.

Over the past couple months, I have watched and analysed his mind as its been stripped of his previous identity to a blank slate that is ready to be instructed by his handler. His new mind seems to have latched onto my words, soaking up everything I say, similar to the way a new-born child does as it navigates its new life.

His devotion to me turns out to be greater than I thought. He is repulsed by any other human he encounters. On the rare occasion we receive a visitor, his body becomes like stone and he glares at them beneath his furrowed brows, waiting for the order to attack.

He is growing to have similar beliefs to my own as he glues parts of our conversations together. It’s almost like his determined gaze is reading my emotions and sorting them into files before placing them carefully into his own mind. I must have expressed my… dislike for Admiral Carter because now his temper is triggered at the mention of his name.

With a few more months I know I can deliver the correct serum that is suitable for phase IV testing…but why should I? My own morality is fighting with my heart’s deepest desires. Since being hidden away, down in this darkness, I sometimes feel as though something in the depths of my soul is inching closer to the surface. I hear echoes of a wicked laugh… (sounds of a wicked laugh in the background) gradually growing louder and louder.

I constantly feel this sharp pain in the back of my head, begging for my attention. I want to prove to my country, to the nations around me that I am the most magnificent scientist, that they will witness the emergence of its God. I want people to see the real me. I want to be praised, feared even.

Dr. Norman stops for a second, his eyes moving with an intense gaze as though he is thinking, listening to something.

The voice inside my head speaks to me.

Dr. Norman looks away from the camera.

You’re right…I can do more can’t I.

The brief I was given was agreeable, but I have discovered an even greater path. I will deliver what they want…and so much more.

I refuse to live buried forever beneath the Earth’s surface as if I never lived. I may as well be a ghost living in the deepest jungle. How am I to stay down here, the brains behind the force kept hidden while Admiral Carter receives all my praise. I know I can do more.

I am the one with an unimaginable vision. A philosopher for the ages! Carter stands in a pathetic uniform while he lies to everyone that he is the reason for the success. He is getting in the way of gaining my right to true power. This isn’t the job I signed up for. I ought to be worshipped.

Dr. Norman stops to listen to something again. He lets a wicked laugh.

Of course…yes, that’s how I’ll do it! Friday is just the first of them. I will make more of them. Many more of them.

The nation has been at ideological war with its neighbours. I do not buy into the rhetoric of jingoism, but I cannot ignore the compelling opportunity Friday has given me. I can bring civilization and peace to the world, even if it means suppression of the lesser states.

I have a hunger inside of me that needs to be fulfilled. I itch for the taste of victory and power that my new army will give me, to show the nations around us that they must bend at the knee to us as their superior. They will be able to be at peace when they learn to adopt my country’s ways. Once I have achieved control with my soldiers by my side, only then will I have proven myself.

Only then will I truly be invincible.