Dr. Helena Morrow, lead scientist, adjusts her glasses as she surveys the team. In the center, a gaunt man—Jonas Reed—stands quietly, clad in a tight, silvery bodysuit bristling with sensors and data transmitters. Nearby, a hulking humanoid crocodile—Gharial—waits patiently, eyes blinking with intelligence and curiosity as lab assistants attach sensors along his emerald-scaled torso and powerful jaws.
"All vitals are stable. Sensors on both subjects are operational," announces Dr. Helena Morrow, her voice steady but tinged with awe.
"I'm ready," murmurs Jonas Reed, his voice calm, gaze unwavering as he meets Gharial's gentle stare.
"I will be careful," rumbles Gharial, his words slow and deliberate, a promise of respect for the man who has volunteered to become a part of living science.
Jonas[/@ch_2] approaches Gharial, who lowers his massive head, maw opening with careful precision. The team watches, transfixed, as Jonas steps forward, body tense but composed.]
The moment is surreal—Jonas pauses, then nods. Gharial gently envelops Jonas in his jaws, lifting him effortlessly. The sensors flicker as the man disappears, swallowed with deliberate slowness, every movement broadcast on monitors and recorded in minute detail. The room is silent except for the rhythmic beeps of the monitoring equipment.
Gharial[/@ch_3]'s stomach. The air is humid, tinged with sharp acidity. Jonas, cocooned in the bodysuit, lies perfectly still, his breathing slow and deliberate.]
He feels the first waves of pressure as digestive juices begin to pool around him, his suit relaying streams of data—temperature, pH, enzymatic activity—back to the lab. The sensation is both terrifying and oddly peaceful, as his body surrenders to the process. He thinks of why he volunteered, the redemption he hoped for, and the legacy of knowledge he leaves behind.
Gharial[/@ch_3], internal sensor data, and Jonas's vital signs. The scientific team records every variable, their faces illuminated by the glow of the screens.]
Dr. Helena Morrow dictates notes, her voice low and reverent. "We're witnessing unprecedented data on gastric breakdown and interspecies interface. The subject remains conscious, cooperative, and still," she narrates for the record. The team exchanges glances, a mix of solemnity and awe at the sacrifice unfolding before them.
Eventually, the monitors register the last heartbeat. The scientists stand in silence, honoring both man and beast for their courage and cooperation. In the sterile hush, Gharial closes his eyes, sensing the change within, and the lab is filled with the quiet triumph and sorrow of discovery.
