Rogue (27 page)

‘Fascinating,’ Furan said calmly as Creed thrashed for a moment on the floor and then lay still. If nothing else, Animus might make an effective assassination tool if they were able to replicate more from this small sample. Furan made a mental note that Creed’s autopsy would have to be carried out with much more caution. This batch of the fluid seemed uniquely aggressive.

Furan was about to turn away from the glass and summon a clean-up team when a movement from Creed caught his eye.

Furan watched in amazement as the doctor slowly got back to his feet and staggered towards the glass, placing one hand on it for support. His face was covered in the telltale black traces of Animus poisoning, his eyes closed and his chest rising and falling as he took rapid ragged breaths.

‘Are you all right, Doctor?’ Furan asked in amazement. No one other than Malpense had ever survived Animus infection before.

‘Better than that,’ Creed said, his eyes flying open and glowing with an inhuman red colour.

‘I . . . am . . .
reborn
.’