(OOC: Rather than doing this solo and having me RP Dr Ingram I’ve asked Zephyr to play him)

IC: Hunter walked down the corridor towards Dr Ingram’s lab. During the two hour round trip in which he dropped Terrance off his wounds from their battle had healed. He hoped that in that time James had studied the blood samples and footage of the battle.

Entering the lab still in his hunting outfit he nodded to James and asked, “What have you found out?” During their battle he had felt the power of Terrance’s beast, and hoped to harness that power for himself.

Within the sterile confines of his lab Dr. Ingham gazed with an almost frightening focus upon the computer monitors before him. Displaying what seemed to be never ending lines of scrolling green text the sight would have made most people nauseous yet the good doctor showed no signs of queasiness as his sharp mind took in everything his precious machines told him.

The two blood samples Hunter had procured just recently had turned out to be both a disappointment and a challenge. The first sample the anti social doctor had received was something of a mystery; it had come from the ill educated mutt his vampiric employer had momentarily captured and then released. The strange thing about this blood sample was that although it did possess the x-gene it seemed almost… dormant? Yes that was a fitting description, the required gene was obviously there for he could see it on the monitors but it remained isolated from the rest of the DNA.

The second vial of blood he had received was a routine sample of mutant blood where the X gene was obviously active and had bonded itself to the hosts DNA causing a vast and noticeable change. The only thing that bothered the doctor was that it had come from the same specimen as the first sample which made almost no sense whatsoever. ‘A mutant is a mutant’ James told himself silently, ‘once the X gene is active it should not be possible for it to go into recession without an outside stimuli’ Although the doctors tone may appear somewhat frustrated he was in fact pleased, it had been a long time since he’d had anything he couldn’t unravel at a mere glance. This little project would be sure to keep him busy for…

“What have you found out?”[/color]

James flinched as his employer entered the room and allowed a slight scowl to decorate his features, the man had interrupted his thought process! If one of his aids had done that they would find themselves screaming in pain from a particularly nasty neural venom James kept hidden under his desk. Unfortunately Hunters physiology made annoyingly immune to most poisons, that coupled with his advanced reflexes were the only things that kept Ingham from taking any action against his employer.

Twisting his seat round the good doctor faced Hunter with a condescending sneer, “What have I found you ask? Many things, most of which would take you another lifetime to comprehend, I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.”

James knew that his words would only aggravate Hunter but he also knew that the vampire considered him to important to be killed.

Hunter frowned at the doctor. Anyone else would have received at least a serious injury for being so flippant, but James was too valuable and to make matters worse he knew it. Instead Hunter ignored the comment and focused on the question.

“Have you found anything that might be of use to me?” he asked in a level tone. James knew that while was superior to Hunter in the realms of science, Hunter wasn’t exactly a slouch, and could probably catch up with some of the doctor’s more complex ideas in a decade or so if he dedicated his time to it.

But he had more pressing matters to attend to than proving a point to James and so he’d let James keep his scientific superiority, as Hunter knew himself to be superior everywhere else.

"Something of use to you hmm? Again your being rather vague, however if your referring to the samples you sent me earlier then yes, I believe I have found something."

Twisting his seat round once more Ingham turned away from Hunter and stretched a hand out towards an obsidian block decorated with a keypad. After deftly entering the required code there was a pneumatic hiss as the box split open and steam flowed over the edges. With a quick snap of his wrist James withdrew a slightly frosted vial of blood from it's place in the analyzer and held it up to the light.

"The first sample you sent me is as good as useless to you" He informed the vampire in a sophisticated holier than though tone, "For some reason your little pet is able to repress his X gene while in human form making the sample nothing but an ordinary vial of blood"

Tossing the vial through the air and into his other hand James let the light shine of the off the glass as he inspected it with his eyes, as though hoping this would unravel it's secrets. "The sample I have here though, which was taken after the mutt had transformed, is rather interesting. The X gene is fully active and has had a clear impact on the hosts DNA. I attempted to combine a part of this sample with some of your own blood, but as you know your cells simply attacked the foreign presence and destroyed it before I could get any clear readings."

Finally putting the vial down he met Hunters eyes and a tone of disappointment almost his words for he hated to leave any puzzle incomplete. "Unless you obtain more of the creatures blood I cannot accurately predict what type of affect it would have on you"

Twisting back to face his monitors once more the good doctor resumed scanning the data before him.

“I had to let the mutt go,” Hunter explained, “Due to his ties to the Xavier institute, though I hid all memories of his capture from him. However, I have and idea for a test. Place the rest of that sample in a syringe and I’ll inject myself with it, then we’ll see what happens.”

“We’ll do it in the containment room, as if I can’t control the feral instincts then at least I won’t eat you,” he said with a grin that showed his elongated fangs, “I assume you have already begun blood replication?”

It was around a year ago that James had perfect the technique of replicating blood. It was a painstakingly slow process, but it did mean that they could continue to have a supply of blood after a subject had become unavailable, either trough release, like this time, or death, which was usually the case.

Doctor Inghams eyes lit up as he heard Hunter suggestion, such a possibility had occurred to the scientist however he hadn't been sure the vampire would have agreed to such a request. The man had hired him to predict the effects any mutant blood would have on him after all, it seemed somewhat contradictory that the man would agree to have it the sample simply injected into him directly. Still James wasn't going to complain if it brought him results that much sooner.

Rising out of his chair the good doctor moved swiftly around the lab collecting variuos pieces of equipment and speaking as he did so, "If your going to insist on such a haphazard method to obtain results then I shall need to take certain steps to ensure that I can obtain as much data as possible"

Stopping before a a large bank of humming machines the Ingham began typing rapidly, causding the eletrical hum to build to a climax before suddenly dieing down. In the centre of a room a circular pillar slowly began to rise up from the floor. when it reached wait height the pillar stopped and the top split open revealing a medium size bacteria dish. Gazing at the dish for a moment with a pleased expression on his face the doctor quickly retrieved a syringe a stole a sample of whatever liquid had been in the dish before injecting its contents into the vial of werewolf blood.

"What I have just added to the sample is a number of nano machines, once they are injected they shall infiltrate your blood stream and analyse whatever changes your body undergoes during your absorption of the werewolf blood. These nano machines are relatively new and are time consuming to make, so I am only adding a small number of them because I am unsure how your body will react to them."

A loud "snap" finished the doctors words as he loaded the vial into a pistol like piece of equipment. Moving swiftly towards Hunter the scientist made a few adjusts to the tool before handing it to his employer, "We will only get one shot at this as it will take me over a week to replicate the mutts blood, so remember to aim the barrel at yourself."

Hunter took the pistol and stepped into the containment room. It was plain white, and reinforced. There where microphones and speakers so he could still talk to James. There were also small hatches so that things could be passed into him if needs be. While he hoped that James could predict the effects in advance he wanted to learn what this blood would do, and wasn’t willing to wait.

He removed his coat and tossed it in the corner. Placing the barrel of the pistol James had given him he pulled the trigger. The dart immediately injected the blood and nanomachines into his system.

Discarding the pistol he could feel changes beginning. He began to grow, bulking out and increasing in height, ending up seven feet tall. His finger nails extended into claws and his hair grew into a thick mane. He could feel his teeth all sharpening and his fang grew into tusks. Finally his eyes shifted from silver to bright gold.

“This power,” he growled, his voice deeper and more animal than before. Then it hit him. The lust to hunt, to kill. The thirst for blood. His feral instincts had been enhanced by the transformation, but he managed to hold them in check.

Suddenly he began to struggle to breath. He recognised the feeling, it was the hunger. But how, he had fed only yesterday. Dropping to one knee he gasped, “Need… blood… Hunger… so… strong.” One hand clutched to his chest as the other steadied him. He needed blood, and he needed it fast.

James watched with fascinated eyes Hunters body swiftly began to mutate, growing taller and more menacing until it could almost rival the original creature. Adjusting a few dials on the panel in front of him the doctor made sure that the various cameras set in place around the room were focused correctly. At the end of this little session anyone with the proper clearance would be able to see this first transformation in 3D like those deplorable matrix movies.

A shrill beebing from another console caught the scientists attention and he hurried over to discover it's cause. The machine in question was the one recording data from the nano machines and from Ingham could see it seemed that the mutant blood in Hunter's system was causing his metabolism to increasing at a worrying rate, causing his body to consume all of the human blood he had taken just yesterday. At this pace it wouldn't be long before the vampire started suffocating. What truly horrified the doctor though was the fact that Hunters body was swiftly destroying the miraculous nano machines he had spent months creating and although he had predicted this might happen it didn't make the reality any easier.

"M-my precious machines" the mans voice nearly wavered as he watched the little lights representing his miniature droids die out one by one.

It was at this point that Hunter's metabolism caught up with him, causing the hulking giant to collapse to his knees as His lungs cried out for oxygen that his own blood couldn't carry. He tried to voice his needs to the doctor but his voice was too dry, he barely make a comprehensible sound. Fortunately though another computer terminal dedicated to monitoring Hunters vitals became a blare a warning siren that dragged Ingham from his stupor and brought him to his senses. Moving with determined slowness the scientists almost resembled a sulky child as he reluctantly loaded another dart with human blood and fired it through the containment chamber at his employer.

Hunter felt the hit of the dart and immediately drew a huge breath, filling his lungs with oxygen and finally having it carried around his system. After a few breaths Hunter got back to his feet, nodding his thanks to James.

He flexed his new muscles, feeling the power in them. His tusks were something that he had to get used to. “So,” he rumbled, “What’s next now that I’m breathing again?” He wanted to test out this new form.

Although he’d began to research into combining his blood with other mutants he’d never experienced an effect like this. This was the biggest physiological change he’d ever experienced. Time to see what this new body could do.

Seeing that his employer was once again breathing on his own James placed the dart gun on an empty bench and went to examine the results his nano machines had managed to record in their final moments. Aside from the obvious physical changes and the massive increase in strength that came with it Hunters new form also seemed have improved senses but slightly slower reflexes due to the increase in muscle mass.

“So... What’s next now that I’m breathing again?”

Ingham turned to face the detained creature and he let his features slide back into the familiar condescending sneer, it would be a long time before he forgave Hunter for the destruction of his nano machines, most likely when hell froze over .

"Well there are quite a few things we could do" he said haughtily, "However since you repeatedly refuse my requests to perform open surgery that somewhat limits are options."

Stepping towards the containment chamber James blindly entered the necessary release codes so that Hunter could exit the room freely. It was apparent that the man had control of the more feral side of this mutation but knowing his employer the man would to want to test the other aspects of his new form. A small grin lit the scientists face as he swiftly concocted a plan; Hunter would no doubt want to test his new strength against some of the other brain dead muscle men he kept on his payroll, well James had other plans in mind. Grabbing a plastic clipboard lying near his desk the thin man made his down one the maze of hallways that was Mondragon labs.

"Follow me"

---

Sometime later after navigating the labyrinth of corridors Dr. Ingham stopped at the entrance to a large open area. The space was most akin to a gym, there were marking on the floor and various apparatus decorated the walls along with a few machines.

Moving over to one of the terminals near the entrance James began typing away as he started creating his testing regime. A indeterminate amount of time later a wall panel slowly began to slide away revealing what was essentially a giant sand bag that would easily require more than thirty men to move.

"Your first test will be one of strength, move this bag twenty feet"

At the mention of open surgery Hunter growled, which in his new form was a terrifying sound. When James opened the door he followed as they headed to the gym. The lab workers all backed away as he passed. On the way he explored his new senses.

He could clearly hear everyone within fifty feet, even through walls. His eyesight was sharp enough to be able to count the hairs on James’s neck, and James was over ten feet away. Most enhanced of all was his sense of smell. He could tell what James had had for lunch, and even breakfast that morning.

Looking around at the various equipment in the gym he wondered what the doctor had in mind. When the wall slid back to reveal the large back Hunter stalked over to it. Judging by its size he would have been unable to move it in his old form, but in this new one…

Standing behind it he placed his large hands on the bag, careful not to rip it with his new claws. With a grunt he exerted his formidable strength and shoved the bag. It skidded forward around twelve feet. Grinning he walked up to the bag and grabbed it, digging in his claws.

As sand began to trickle out he heaved upwards, a growl escaping his lips from the effort. Hoisting the bag up to chest height he leant back, and then with a deafening roar threw the bag the last eight feet.

His chest heaving from exertion and sweat trickling down hi brow he turned to James. “What’s next?” he growled, seemingly unable to speak without doing so in this form. While Hunter wanted to just let lose, he knew that there was a time limit, and James’ tests would allow for more conclusive results than a simple rampage.

As the hulking behemoth that was Hunter's new form tore into it's task with vigor Dr. Ingham watched dispassionately, his analytical eyes taking in every detail as his pencil laden hand swept across the page attached to his clipboard, jotting down anything he thought to be of significance.

As Hunter finally finished his test by heaving the over sized sand bag over the marked line James could be found at the computer terminal once again as he entered his findings into the labs database and pulled up the next sequence of test codes.

"Whats next?"

The good doctor sighed, one would have thought that someone as old as his employer would have learned a modicum of patience, unfortunately the beast behind seemed about as impatient as a five year old.

Not bothering to turn his head James kept his eyes fixed at the computer terminal before he selected the next piece of equipment. The hum of electricity once more resounded throughout the room along with the creaking of gears as a two foot diameter hole materialized in the floor. From within this sudden hollow a thick metallic pole began to emerge, when the column reached seven feet in height the top two feet abruptly fell over to create a right angle, making an upside down L shape.

Calling out over his shoulder the good doctor began to explain this next exercise, "The pole you see before you is actually a complex machine design to measure pressure, we are going to see exactly how powerful those new jaws are, the outer shell is constructed from adamantium so I would urge you not to hold back..." the good doctor paused for a moment and then continued, "while your at test out your claws as well. I doubt they'll make a dent but one can never be sure"

Grinning Hunter moved to the device that James had unfolded. Though his feral instincts were held in check, it was having a change on his usual psyche, as he was more impatient than normal.

Moving to the tube he used he claws first, slashing at it, but causing no visible damage to the adamantium surface. He then moved to use his jaws. Opening his mouth wide to get the eight inch tusks over the bar he clamped down on it. While the pressure was great, once again there was no visible damage to the surface.

Trying a different tact he released and opened his mouth again. He clamped down again, this time slamming the tusks into the tube. The same force as before was focused on two small points.

As he pulled back form the device there were two small dents from where his tusks had hit. Grinning he turned to James but restrained himself from asking for the next task. While his rational mind knew that James would be working fast as he knew that the transformation would only be for a limited time, his feral instincts were impatient to continue.

Staring at the results displayed on the glowing monitor before James raised a single eyebrow as the animated chart displaying pressure rose well above it's expected level. Jotting down another small note on his clip board the good doctor did a few brief calculations in his head and came to the conclusion that this bizzare new form granted his employer enough strength to crush the barrel of an ordinary tank with ease.

Seeing that Hunter was now waiting patiently for his next exercise James decided to pull out the big guns. Entering a few final commands into the computer console Ingham planted himself against the wall as the whole room started to vibrate, with an irritating slowness sections of the floor began to rise upwards until the met the ceiling. The newly formed walls then began to shift, grinding along the floor until they created a complex labyrinth.

"Your next and possibly final exercise is one of stamina, speed and wit" the doctor began in a dull monotone, glancing towards the entrance of the newly constructed maze and gestured, "Simply get from one end of the maze to other... in one piece"

Turning to face the entrance Hunter set off into the maze. Turning first right, then left twice he came to the first obstacle, a pit fifteen feet across. He cleared it in a single bound and continued jogging through the labyrinth.

Rounding a corner he came to an open space with meter square floor tiles. As he stepped on the first tile all the tiles began to shift to different heights, some rising, some lowering. Leaping up to the next tile the room shifted again.

An interesting challenge, as whenever he stepped on a new tile the whole room shifted. Jumping from tile to tile he tired to go for the highest tile each time. The power in the new form allowed for leaps of great distance, and made the room far more traversable than it would have been before the transformation.

Reaching the other side he pressed on into the maze, coming to a room with several other rooms leading off from it. Stepping into the he heard a faint click before a dozen arrows fired out of the wall straight at him.

Leaping back he avoided the majority, but two hit his leg and one his chest. The arrows were metal, and so not fatal, but they were still a nuisance. Pulling the arrows out he watched in surprise as the wounds healed before his eyes. The healing rate of this form was ever greater then his was normally.

Realising that the arrows were no threat he calmly jogged into the next room where more arrows were fired at him. This section of the labyrinth consisted of a series of room all of which fired arrows at anyone who entered.

But with the healing rate of his new form this was no threat, and he jogged through pulling out arrows as he went, the wounds healing in seconds. Once the out of the final room he paused to remove all of the arrows before continuing.

Looking down the corridor he saw that it was stringed with wires at various heights and angles. Curious as to what this was Hunter tossed an arrow at the wire. As it hit the arrow began to spark as it was electrified, before dropping to the floor.

Now knowing what he was facing Hunter entered the corridor, dodging and weaving around the wires. About a third of the way in thing became more interesting as the wires began to move. No longer able to follow a fixed path Hunter had to ract to the continually changing environment.

One thing that suffered detrimentally in this form was his agility, which made this challenge all the more awkward. He dodged as best he could, and continued to move down the corridor, but eventually a wire connected. He roared as the electricity coursed through him, but continued, working his way down the corridor as best he could.

The wires struck him several more times as he continued, then once within ten feet of the end he abandoned dodging. Using his claws he tore through the wires, ignoring the pain of the electric shocks he received.

Once clear he paused briefly to recover, which in this form took seconds. Once he had recovered he pressed on, knowing that the end could not be far. As he stepped into the finally corridor it sealed at both ends, leaving him in total darkness. While he only needed the faintest of lights to see by there was no light here, and even he was blind.

Proceeding cautiously he heard a faint whirring followed by a sharp blow to his chest. Some sort of mechanical arm had extended form the wall and hit him. In this environment he would be relying on his hearing as he crept along. Each time he heard the whirring he would move aside, causing the mechanical arms to either miss or only strike glancing blows.

Progress was slow, until eventually he ran out of patience and simply charged down the corridor, swiping at any sound of whirring and tearing many mechanical arms free from the walls. As he reached the end the door opened and he stepped out into the light, his eyes swiftly adjusting to the sudden brightness.

He had completed the maze, and turned to Dr Ingram, the bruises from the mechanical arms healing before his eyes. “Well,” he asked, a wicked grin on his face, “How did I do?”