Editing The RPG.net Comic Project (section)

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Dr. Peter Petrovich was called in as a consultant to work with Dr. Katherine Neumann on project to bring back extinct species through the transformation of animals. It was never intended to be used on humans. Peter and Katherine tried the process on various species of lab animals and found that the closer species on the evolutionary tree had the most likelihood of a better transformation (i.e. not turning into a blob of goo or having arms and legs growing in all the wrong places). However, the higher order species handled the transformation better psychologically (i.e. didn't go crazy and try to kill things).

After much experimentation, the Advanced Predator Experimental Project produced a test subject that was fully successful physically: a new dinosaur. But then the creature went berserk and rampaged through the lab, heading towards a populated area.

Forced to make quick decisions, and with a new compound ready at hand, Peter realized that a thinking subject was going to be the only chance of a successful transformation. In order to stop the rampage, and to Katherine’s horror, Peter injected himself in order to become the weapon needed to stop the escapee. What ultimately happened in the lab was covered up and the project was reported as a costly, dangerous failure.

Once the crisis was averted, there was the problem that Peter was still a dinosaur. Dr. Neumann, the nanotech specialist on the project, went to work on a protocol to reprogram the nanobots in Peter’s system to allow him to transform back to his human form. When this occurred, no longer was Peter the 140 pound lab rat; he reverted to a much improved physical form, a side effect of the nanobots’ action.

This was the formal end of the APEX project. Both scientists were chastened by what had occurred and resolved to use this strange new gift for the benefit of others. Katherine later designed the nanotech weapon harness for Peter, and Peter began his new avocation as Apex.