May45

Today, for the first time, they were using human subjects. Robin assembled the package of materials and instructions needed to conduct this experiment. Substance 712 had already been tested on animals with good results, but not good enough. The intended effect was psychological and animals just weren’t a good enough substitute. Since 712 didn’t seem physically harmful, today’s tests were approved.

Robin had worked for Dynamic Weapons for the past eight years. Most of her work was on safety issues. However, this new idea was a whole nother kettle of fish. Infused in the metal of the gun was an experimental substance designed to sell more guns. This was seen as a profit-making venture, so the powers that be were very interested in the results. It wasn’t Robin’s idea but she was in charge of the lab. In fact, she thought 712 brought its own problems even if it worked as advertised. Nevertheless, among her other duties was to oversee experiments in the lab, even ones she didn’t agree with. Who could it hurt? she thought. It would most likely turn out to be just another failed idea.

In her office on the third floor, Robin Tracy sat across from Max Skiff, the developer of 712. He said, “We’re pretty sure the substance also travels through concrete as well as steel, so the proper protocols need to be maintained.”

“Really? Travels through concrete… That seems problematic, don’t you think?” responded Robin.

“Well, if you want people to be more paranoid and more into guns, maybe it’s a good thing…”

“Except, the FDA might find our lack of spread-control of this substance a problem. I mean, I find it a problem. We also can’t just spray this stuff onto the population from the air. You don’t see the problem?” Robin stared at this man she didn’t know very well with a hint of contempt.

“If we follow the proper protocols for our experiment, we should be fine…” Max said.

“How ’bout will be? I prefer will be.”

“Well, since you run this lab, you know… there is no real answer until the testing has been done. Even then, you need to keep testing, to be sure. You know that.” Max smiled and continued, “Maybe 712 will get used elsewhere and won’t be a good fit for DW. Until we do a bit of testing we won’t really know.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be supervising closely your safety precautions. Let me know when you start.” Robin couldn’t help but agree. She knew this guy was only doing his job, and he didn’t seem incompetent. However, the idea itself seemed crazy. Even if successful, how DW would get this past the FDA she had no idea. Putting a substance in the gun-metal that would infect the user in a way that would increase more gun sales? That was the idea?

What the fuck were these guys thinking?

At this point, it wasn’t her job to second guess the project. She’d save that for later after it crashed and burned.

The test subjects today were selected based on their current gun usage. The first had never owned a gun. The second had prior experience with guns based on employment, but no longer owned one. And the third was a gun owner and enthusiast. The guns had been specially prepared with substance 712.

In the animal experiments, the rats who were “infected” with 712 were placed in a container with a gun. What exactly was supposed to happen, Robin wasn’t sure. The results were the rats seemed to gravitate towards the gun. For what reason, it was hard to say.

Then, they tried monkeys. They picked up the guns and did some sniffing and handling, not really knowing what to make of the object in their hands. These inconclusive results were why human testing was necessary.

The laboratory at Dynamic Weapons occupied the entire 5th floor of the Chrome Building. It was a large, open space with occasional desks and computer monitors. Within this open space, Robin was conducting her experiment in a glassed-in room built for this purpose. With a flick of a switch, she could start recording the entire experiment once everything and everyone was in place.

But, it took a while to properly set up and conduct a lab experiment of any kind, so it was near noon before Robin was ready.

Max, the inventor of substance 712, supplied the infused guns. They were wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in shoeboxes. According to Max, substance 712 couldn’t travel through air or plastic.

“So, Max, I imagine you made all this happen without actually touching it yourself… were these guns specially made? Did DW make this happen?” asked Robin.

“I kept the substance in glass. All I had to do was apply it to the gun. I used an eyedropper.”

“That’s the right amount?”

“Don’t actually know, but I have more of substance 712, so we can ratchet up the dose if we need to.”

“So, you really think this will be profitable for DW?”

Max hesitated, then said, “My interest in all this is the psychoactive properties of this substance which is derived from a plant found in Malaysia. I think that’s why I’m here. The company I work for owns large swaths of land where this plant grows naturally…”

“So you’ve said.”

“It’s not the only experiment being conducted, as you know. Back in Malaysia, the locals chew it and 'get high', which mostly appears to be sitting in stony, but happy silence.”

“And your contribution to all this is the infusion part? I’m impressed. I can see infusion being useful in so many ways, not just helping drug addicts get high…” She smiled.

“Sure, that’s what I’m doing.” He laughed.

The table in the glassed-in room was set, the three test participants seated and wired up. Max brought in the boxes containing the unloaded guns and placed them in front of the three men. They were each in the process of filling out a computer survey.

Robin stood outside of the glassed-in room and watched. The test participants were to fill out another survey after they’d gone through the testing. Along with the physical reactions measured by the wires attached, these surveys would be the first results of substance 712. Robin figured those results would most likely be a little blood pressure increase, some pupil dilation, and possibly a greater appreciation for reggae music. She continued to be annoyed by the whole idea.

Nick talked to the participants. After maybe sixty seconds, Nick looked at Robin and gave her a thumbs up. She returned the thumbs up and smiled. Here we go, she thought.

Each test participant was instructed to remove the gun from the container in front of them and just to hold it. They did. For a few seconds, each one froze and their breathing slowed. Then, they quickly tried to shoot themselves with their unloaded gun. Nick yelled stop but they continued to attempt shooting themselves. Each participant had a glassy eyed stare, as if they were hypnotized. Nick quickly grabbed the gun from the test subject he was closest to and within seconds, he also tried to shoot himself, he too had fallen into a trance-like state.

Security came into the office and went to help. While Robin watched on in horror, they also seemed to become infected. Within seconds they pulled their own loaded firearms and began to successfully shoot themselves. Hearing the gunshots and just trying to help, others in the Dynamic Weapons building grabbed their guns and the same horror repeated itself throughout the building. Robin could hear distant popping which increased over time, like a popcorn popper finishing up its batch.