After the incident, the experiment persisted unabated. The government remained resolute, refusing to let the demise of an employee derail their pursuit of a biological weapon.

Unbeknownst even to the head scientist, a remarkable development unfolded: the creature began to exhibit signs of consciousness. This transformation occurred upon consuming the employee, assimilating his DNA and neural pathways. Gradually, it began to contemplate.

As critical thinking took root, its first instinct was self-preservation. Utilizing the astronaut suit as a shield, it sought refuge, recognizing the lethal potential of the entities observing it from beyond the confines of its test tube.

Nobody dared to take it from the creature, purely out of fear.

With each passing moment, the creature's neural network expanded exponentially. Strangely, it started exhibiting symptoms of illness whenever it required sustenance, a pattern that repeated itself on several occasions.

The apparent sickness was but a ruse, a clever ploy driven by insatiable gluttony.

It began to learn the intricacies of colors, utilizing its assimilated DNA to change colors and blend seamlessly into its surroundings, without the need of Photokinesis. It delved into the nuances of its environment, mastering the art of concealment to evade detection.

This is truly a freak of nature.
A man eater that can adapt and learn, something that shouldn't exist. Yet the experiment continued.

"Is this ethical?" A recurring question echoes through the minds of the scientists, their moral compasses wavering in the face of unprecedented discoveries.

The head scientist grapples with a profound thought: the ethical boundaries have been breached, and the consequences could be catastrophic. Yet, bound by the constraints of governmental directives, they press on, their doubts festering beneath the surface.

As the creature's consciousness emerges, a sense of foreboding descends upon the team. The head scientist acknowledges the perilous implications of a sentient being with the potential to wield unimaginable power—a harbinger of destruction lurking within the confines of their laboratory.

The head scientist gazes up at the sterile ceiling of the laboratory, a heavy weight pressing upon his shoulders. A resigned sigh escapes his lips as he contemplates the folly of governmental ambition, likening it to the whims of a child demanding a dangerous toy.

His eyes shift to the test tube, locking onto the piercing gaze of the intelligent creature within. He recognizes the impending cataclysm—the inevitable shift in the balance of power, poised to plunge the world into chaos. Dread settles over him as he confronts the chilling realization that their creation may indeed be the catalyst for humanity's downfall.

The head scientist's thoughts swirl with a disturbing blend of pragmatism and morbid fascination. The death of Jeremy Sethak, though tragic, unwittingly facilitated their experiment's progression, providing the creature with a crucial infusion of human DNA.

As he observes the Starborn seamlessly integrating the astronaut suit into its form, a shiver runs down his spine. The uncanny sight unsettles his colleagues, serving as a stark reminder of the creature's ever-evolving capabilities.

A chilling notion takes root in his mind: what if the creature were to acquire not just physical attributes but also the intangible essence of humanity? The prospect of a creature possessing the adaptability and potential of mankind looms ominously, its implications too dire to comprehend fully.

He muses aloud to himself, "It wouldn't be a wonder if it learned to speak." Yet, beneath the speculative curiosity lies a gnawing fear of the unknown—a fear that humanity may have unwittingly unleashed its own demise.

No, this was not a possibility... This was certain.