Rubble

    Doctor Blitzmann is barely alive when they find him. As they drag him from the ruins of his own workshop, he mutters a few choice words regarding Drow assassins and their mothers' fondness for mating with goats, before passing out.
    A few feet away, the rubble shifts. Ulrich groans as he claws himself up through crushed stone, splintered wood and shattered glass. He breaks the surface with a gasp of pain, throwing aside the body of a black-clad assassin. He staggers to his feet, surveying the scene. His throat is lined with dust.
    'Where is the Doctor?' he croaks.

Octopi, cont.

Day seven (7):
Subject 70-a sedated for transport to bigger cage. Mid-transport, however, it regained consciousness. It proceeded to escape captivity and rampage through the town. Recaptured and sedated. Acceptable civilian casualties. 


Day fourteen (14):
After thorough autopsies, it appears that Subject 70-a's many spikes and beaks secrete an incredibly powerful neurotoxin. Tests for possible weaponization are pending. Subject 70-a now measures approximately eight (8) meters in height.


Day forty (40): 
Subject 70-a appears to be the herald of an ancient, terrible god. After reaching approximately fifty meters in height, it destroyed the town and disappeared into the sea. Research cancelled. 


--
Music of the now: SUPERVILLAINY, by Lucy Knisley

Octopi

Notes regarding evolution and behavior of post-hand octopi in captivity

Day one (1):
Two (2) octopi, after surgically removed from Subject 70's arms, are placed in a reinforced BlitzGlass(C) container. Behavior appears dull, possibly due to stress.


Day two (2): 
Subject 70-a appears to have attacked, killed and consumed Subject 70-b overnight. It has grown to approximately three times its original size. Noticeably more aggressive. 


Day five (5): 
Subject 70-a, now approximately 3 meters in height, escaped its cell. It was recaptured and restrained thanks to Ulrich's martial skill and brute strength, but not before it located and consumed Subject 70. 


--
Music of the now: Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), by Shakira

Ingenious

    Blitzmann took a step back to admire his handiwork. Beside him stood Ulrich, one of his rock-like eyebrows raised.
    "Well," said Blitzmann. "What do you think?"
    "It's certainly..."
    "Ingenious?"
    "It's very creative, Doc, like always. Although..." Ulrich hesitated. "You could have built a pair of hands for him."
    Blitzmann waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, but that would have been boring. This is much more exciting, no?"
    Ulrich had to admit that it was. He pointed at the mass of whirring gears and clicking widgets that sprouted from the bound man's arm. "What does this do?"
   "Haven't the foggiest," Blitzmann said.

--
Music of the now: Lights Out, by Rick Astley (Yes, that Rick Astley)
 

Gag

    "Right," Blitzmann said after tightening the gag. "What do you say we have a civilized conversation?"
    The man was hyperventilating, his nostrils flaring with each panicky breath. His eyes rolled around crazily, sweat pouring down his face. Blitzmann frowned.
    "Honestly," he said. "It's almost like you don't want me to help you." He turned, facing his surgical tools. After a moment's deliberation, he picked up a small, curved knife.
    "I agree that the reaction was unexpected. And while I'm not sure how it turned your hands into living octopi..." He replaced the knife with a saw. "I'm going to find out."

--
Music of the now: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, by Edith Piaf