In a world where population renewal hung precariously in the balance, society found itself confronting an unprecedented crisis. For decades, the growing trend of women prioritizing careers, self interest, and political activism over motherhood and family had led to a steady decline in birth rates, threatening the very survival of the human race.
Against this backdrop, a small team of radical scientists, desperate to save their species and civilization, embarked on a clandestine project. Led by the enigmatic Dr. Adrian Wilson, they set out to develop a solution that would use the surplus violent criminal and undesirable population in order to sustain the population.
After years of tireless research and experimentation, the team finally succeeded in creating a revolutionary bio-engineered worm, Aufero Virilis worm, commonly known as the Mentula worm. Designed to burrow into a male's reproductive system, the worm would trigger a series of genetic mutations and undergo metamorphosis inside a host, effectively transforming the man into a fertile woman desiring to bear children.
As the first trials showed promising results, whispers of the revolutionary new technology began to circulate through the network of government agencies. Eager to test its efficacy on a larger scale, they covertly disseminated the worms, implanting them in unsuspecting criminal and undesirable men across the globe.
These are the stories about the covert agents, assigned with the task of introducing their Mentula worm to their assigned host. As one would expect, some ended up where they should, and others did not, though in the grand scheme, the survival of the human race was determined to be more valuable than absolute accuracy in distribution.
***
Daniel, a 38 year old male government agent, received the assignment with a sense of trepidation. The folder detailing Ezechial's life story was a grim one, the 18 year old male's life was filled with tales of neglect, abuse, and a childhood spent bouncing between foster homes and juvenile detention centers. By the time he turned 18, Ezechial's psyche had been irreparably damaged, leading him to commit the unspeakable act of murdering his own family.
As Daniel arrived at the maximum-security facility, he was met with a wall of cold, grey concrete and the incessant drone of locking mechanisms. The atmosphere was heavy with despair and hopelessness, and it weighed heavily on Daniel's shoulders as he made his way to meet Ezechial.
Daniel was taken aback by Ezechial's appearance. There was an air of desperation about him, a sense that time was running out and he had nothing left to lose.
Confirming with the guard that this was indeed the prisoner designated, Daniel was lead to an isolated room away from inmate housing. There Daniel unpacked the few items he was given for the procedure, putting one item away in a drawer set against the wall, and the other, a small box with a container inside, was put on the table. Sitting down in a chair opposite a couch Daniel waited for Ezechial to be brought in.
***
I slam my arms against the door, my voice echoing off the walls as I scream, "Answer me, you damn idiots!"
Panting, I step back and take in my surroundings. This isn't a cell at all, there is a sofa, a plush carpet, and a table in the center of the room. And there, sitting calmly in a chair, is the suited man who had peered into my cell just minutes ago. His expression is inscrutable, offering no clue as to what's happening.
My gaze falls upon the small box on the table, and a sense of unease washes over me. "What is this? What kind of hell is this?" I demand, my voice shaking slightly.
The room remains silent, except for the faint hum of the camera on the ceiling. The suited man's eyes flicker up to it seemingly confirming something, then back to me, before he stands and Reaches in to his suit coat pocket.
The man pulls a handgun from his suit coat pocket and aims it directly at my chest. His voice is cold and menacing as he speaks. "Sit down, Ezechial. I'm going to explain why you're here and what's going to happen next. If you refuse, I can end this conversation right now."
The gun's metallic barrel seems to gleam in the dim light, a stark reminder of the threat hanging over the young man. My eyes widen with fear as I slowly lowers myself onto the edge of the sofa, my hands trembling slightly as they grip the armrest.
I glare defiantly at the man, my voice trembling but determined. "Sit? I don't need to sit, you freak!" I keep my eyes locked on the gun, my heart pounding in my chest. Though my body tenses with fear, I refuse to show weakness.
"What the hell do you want from me?" I demand, trying to sound braver than I feel. "Just spit it out already, you asshole!" I cross my arms over my chest, using them as a shield, and push my messy brown hair out of my face with a frustrated swipe.
I swallow hard, trying to calm my racing heart. "Look, I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing, but I'm not going to play along," I say, my voice wavering slightly. "So either tell me what you want or get the fuck out of here."
The suited man carefully slid the pistol back into his tailored suit jacket, retrieving instead a diminutive box. He placed it beside the glass vial on the table, his gaze remaining steadfast on Ezechia despite the latter's obvious distress over his wounded ear.
"My name is Daniel," The man began, his tone unwavering. "You've been identified by the authorities as irredeemable, a classification that warrants your participation in an experimental reform program. As the agent overseeing your reintegration, it's my responsibility to guide you through this process."
His hand hovered over the box, drawing my attention to it. "You have the option to initiate this program voluntarily by opening the box yourself, or I can perform the action on your behalf." Daniel's eyes locked onto minr, his expression neutral yet compelling.
"Cut the bullshit, dude, I ain't got all day!" I snap, my voice shaking slightly as I struggle to keep my cool. "Just give me the damn details already so I can decide whether or not to fuck this up even more." I clench my fists, my heart racing as I brace myself for whatever Daniel's going to throw at me. The last thing I need is some jerk trying to spin more lies or half-truths, piling on to the mountain of shit already clogging up my brain. But that's exactly what I'm gonna get, and I know it.