Guardian

Deeper than sublevel 26 of Cadmus Labs, a middle-aged scientist with glasses and speckled grey hair was diligently engaged in his work, navigating his lab with skill as he blended chemicals and examined genetic sequences on his computers. His keen eyes scanned a series of large glass tubes containing more grey, red-eyed horned beings, his genomorphs, before returning to his tasks.

Currently, the scientist was combining various liquids into a vial containing a blue crystal, which dissolved upon contact with the mixture, disintegrating the crystal until it transformed into a softly glowing blue solution.

After giving the vial a gentle shake, the scientist felt a sense of satisfaction moments later when he noticed no particulates suspended within.

However, before he could proceed further, he was interrupted by a beep, and the entrance to his laboratory swung open to disclose Guardian, a somewhat renowned hero and member of the Justice League standing in the doorway, dressed in a blue combat suit, a golden helmet atop his head, and a similarly hued shield on his arm. Most striking was the small, monkey-like genomorph perched on his shoulder, its eyes and horns glowing a faint red for an instant before returning to their normal state.

"Dr. Desmond," Guardian announced as he stepped into the lab.

"Pray tell, Guardian, which part of 'no interruptions' did you fail to grasp?" Desmond, now identified by name, retorted sharply, even as he stored the vial in an electronic cabinet labeled 'Blockbuster,' where nearly a dozen other vials filled with the same liquid were already being cooled.

"A G-gnome on sub-level 26 reported four intruders," Guardian stated flatly, his expression stoic and detached.

"Oh, did I overlook a perimeter breach alert?" Desmond inquired, pivoting away from the cabinet to fully face Guardian.

"No," Guardian replied.

"Then the G-gnome must be mistaken. Whatever transpires in our faux lab above ground, the true Cadmus remains the most fortified facility in D.C.," Desmond asserted confidently, already dismissing Guardian's worries as trivial and a hindrance to his critical work.

"And my responsibility is to maintain that security," Guardian responded, his tone now infused with more emotion.

"Fine. Deploy a squad," Desmond acquiesced just as another figure entered the room, one that was unmistakably non-human.

The newcomer was a slender, grey-skinned being clad in white surgeon's scrubs and trousers. It boasted burning red eyes, pointed ears, and a pair of large horns protruding from the sides of its head. This was Dubbilex, the highest-ranking genomorph of Cadmus, and one of Desmond's most devoted and formidable subordinates.

"May I suggest that Guardian leave his G-gnome behind?" Dubbilex proposed as he entered, not bothering to conceal that he had been eavesdropping on their discussion. "If violence should erupt…"

"The little guy would just hinder me," Guardian acknowledged with a nod before turning to Desmond.

"No. The benefit of instant telepathic communication outweighs any other considerations," Desmond stated curtly, turning to a similar-looking genomorph perched on his desk and affectionately scratching it under the chin.

As Desmond did so, the genomorph gnome's horns ignited with a red glow, and moments later, the G-gnome on Guardian's shoulder received the telepathic message, its own horns glowing red as well.

In reaction to his genomorph's behavior, Guardian stiffened for a brief moment before his expression became slightly vacant, leading him to speak in a flat, emotionless tone.

"I require my G-gnome with me at all times," Guardian stated before he turned and departed without another word, a small smile danced upon Desmond's face before turning back to the task at him, while Guardian set off to execute Desmond's orders.