《Project Rift: Life Creators》 The Rift: 1 Year Sent: 2097 From: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery To: Overwatch Council (Direct line) The project is a success, after billions of dollars and dozens of years the project has finally borne sweet fruit. The resulting rift that has been created is 55x55 meters, which is a large improvement over our old tests. It is remarkably stable as well, estimates show that it will not collapse for perhaps thousands of years if fed enough power. We cannot see through to the other side, however, we are ready to send expedition teams through. Further technical information is attached below.
From: Overwatch Council To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery (Direct line) We are very satisfied with the progress you have made. Send in Expedition Team Alpha-14, designated ¡®Touchdown¡¯. If any members of the expedition do not survive, send their families the standard compensation package of 10000$ for each family member lost.
From: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery To: Overwatch Council (Direct line) Orders acknowledged, however, isn¡¯t 10000 dollars a bit small for a lost life?
From: Overwatch Council To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery (Direct line) They know what they signed up for.
From: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery To: Overwatch Council (Direct line) Alright, sending in Alpha-14 now. ================================================================================================== Callan had no idea what he would eventually end up doing when he signed up for the Corporation¡¯s security department. He and his family were broke at the time and when he told the recruiter his situation, he was pulled to a separate room, forced to sign an NDA, and was presented with a contract very different from the usual employment contract. The pay honestly wasn¡¯t that great, however, it was the retirement benefits that really caught his eye. He could retire at the age of 45 and would receive a monthly stipend of 30 grand a month and his family would be relocated to a safer district. He signed his life away the moment he read that part. Unfortunately, he never got to the part where his family would only get 10000 if he died. That was buried somewhere between the middle and the end of the contract. And currently, he was standing in front of a massive crack in reality. At least, that¡¯s what he¡¯s told. Well, there was no turning back now. ¡°This is Alpha-14 Actual, heading into the rift now.¡± With one last look at his squadmates, he took one last breath before stepping in. ================================================================================================== From: Alpha-14 Actual To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery I thought I had walked into heaven, the sky is blue, the grass is green, and the air is safe to breathe. I would¡¯ve thought I was still on earth if I had not looked up and saw 2 moons. Air samples came clean, something I should note is that there was a small error or glitch in the Portable Air Sample Tester, there was a small amount of unknown substance in the air, around 1%, and further testing could be required. I recommend throwing a test subject in with no protective equipment in there to see what happens. ================================================================================================== Junior Stein is going to die today¡¯ became the common phrase spoken in the test subject cells for the day. His name had been called over the intercom to be present in briefing room 14 at 3 pm. Almost all of the time, the people who called would leave and never come back, and those who did wish they didn¡¯t. So he did what everyone would do if they were going to die. He immediately spent all his credits on some illegally smuggled alcohol and drugs and got wasted. ¡°Test Subject Junior Stein, Designation number TS-09341, please report to Briefing room 14 immediately.¡± A voice said over the intercom. Well shit, I guess it¡¯s my time to go He thought. Still mildly high, he stumbled his way over to briefing room 14. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Junior Stein I presume?¡± asked a guard with a tablet in his hands as he looked at Junior¡¯s designation number. His uniform was dark gray, almost black, which meant that he held a higher rank than the average light gray uniformed guards. After confirming his designation number, the guard tapped a few things on his tablet before whistling ¡°Damn! You really are an unlucky bastard, trust me, ¡°junior stein is going to die¡± isn¡¯t only spoken in the Test Subject cells. Turns out, you¡¯re getting sent to Sector-X, unlucky bastard!¡± The guards laughing only made him feel worse, and the only thing going through his mind is how he¡¯ll die and how painful it¡¯ll be. ¡°Alright, follow me, you unlucky bastard. Oh, and if you decide to run, then me and the boys will have some nice target practice on a live target, something we haven¡¯t had for at least a week by now.¡± said the guard. He and the guard walked out of briefing room 14, flanked by 3 other guards. Soon, they arrived at their transport, the facility was so big that It had its own transport/metro system. ¡°Right, put this blindfold on¡± The guard handed him a thick black blindfold probably a size too small for his head. ¡°We can¡¯t let any inmates memorize the site layout if they escape¡± Seeing no other choice, Junior stretched out the band just enough for him to put it over his eyes. Yep, they were definitely too small for his head, not that the guards seemed to care anyways. After an undefined amount of time, their transport stopped moving. A hand grabbed his hand and led him somewhere. After many turns going left and right, they apparently stopped at their destination. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take it from here guys.¡± A drier voice said. He felt the hand on his shoulder replaced by another, smaller and weaker hand. He then felt his blindfold being lifted. When his eyes readjusted themselves to not being squeezed and being in pitch-black darkness, they saw a small elderly man with a smile. However, this was not a warm smile. His time in the criminal underworld taught him that. ¡°I do suppose I should Introduce myself, I am Senior Researcher Ethan Smith, and I must applaud you for not soiling yourself, something most test subjects do when they realize they¡¯re going to sector-x.¡± Ethan kindly patted his shoulder ¡°we¡¯ve got work to do, I¡¯m sure you know that. Fortunately for you, you will likely not die today, if you do, then at least you¡¯ll die staring at a lush green field.¡± Junior, still slightly high from all the narcotics he took, only nodded. ¡°Now, follow closely behind me. The guards in this sector are way too trigger-happy. If you get shot with their laser or plasma guns you¡¯re guaranteed a screaming and painful death.¡± Without waiting for any sort of reply, he turned around and started walking. After walking for a while, he decided to look around him and examine his surroundings, this will likely be his only time here anyways. The sector was utterly massive. The rumors that sector-x is a small dark sector where the cruelest experiments took place turned out to be only partially true. The hallway they were in looked big enough to have several tanks driving side by side. After a few suspiciously labeled doors, they arrived at a massive gate, Flanked by 2 guards wearing pitch-black uniforms, carrying weapons that looked like they came from a sci-fi game. The gate was easily big enough to fit 8 cars placed side by side. ¡°Senior researcher¡± The guard nodded to Ethan ¡°Elite Guard Lucas¡± Ethan nodded back to the guard ¡°I know you hate it but I need you to show me your ID¡± ¡°Yeah yeah I¡¯ve gotten used to this pointless procedure by now.¡± Ethan reached into his lab coat and pulled out a Light blue Keycard, and then handed it over to the guard. The guard skimmed over it before handing it back. ¡°Head on in¡± Ethan stepped forward and placed his hand on a bio scanner. The scanner beeped once and turned green, and with surprisingly little noise, the gate opened rather swiftly. Now inside, they were greeted by an airlock. The gate behind them closed and gas valves blasted some cleaning gas onto them. "Brainwave pattern accepted, access granted" Said a robotic voice from the wall. The airlock then opened, only to reveal yet another airlock. The gate behind them closed and then this one opened as well. Junior was half expecting to see another airlock but to his utter amazement, it instead revealed a massive chamber, large enough to maybe house several dozen airliners. It was filled with other research personnel and guards, with the sides housing several observation rooms, and from the ceiling hung several pieces of futuristic-looking machinery, all pointing towards the middle of the room. In the middle, was a massive crack in seemingly nothing. It was hard to describe, you could see it on all sides, and small veins and webs crept away from it. Seeing his dumbfounded look, the Senior Researcher could only chuckle. ¡°Yeah, everybody here looked like that when we first saw it too. We call it the Rift.¡± Yep, I¡¯m definitely tripping balls. I¡¯ll wake up from my high any moment now. Junior thought. "Now, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re curious about your assignment, it¡¯s rather simple, we want you to go inside for a couple of minutes, and then come back out.¡± Junior still didn¡¯t speak, still looking at the crack. ¡°Nothing is gonna get done if you keep gawking at it.¡± The researcher is getting a bit impatient now. Junior snapped himself out of his daze and started to walk toward it. After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached it. The Rift looked even bigger up close, way bigger. A strange white energy pulsed occasionally from the center, and it was pitch black. ¡°Any hole¡¯s a goal, I guess,¡± Junior said to himself before diving in headfirst. Junior lay breathing heavily on the ground. The experience was unpleasant. Very unpleasant. In fact, it felt like someone was trying to pull his skeleton out of his head. He would¡¯ve thrown up if he hadn¡¯t breathed in the air. The air. For the past dozen years, he had been breathing in stale, underground filtered, and artificial air. This had been the first moment in many years he had breathed in fresh, clean, natural air. After taking several deep breaths, he got enough courage to sit up. He was surrounded by a plain of lush green grass. After taking in his environment for a couple more minutes, he said ¡°Yep, I¡¯m definitely still tripping balls.¡± The Rift: 2 From: Overwatch Council To: Life Creation Division Leader George Nelson, Genetics Division Leader Shawn Anderson (Direct line) Congratulations! We are proud to inform you that after an intense session of deliberation, as a result of a majority vote of 8-7, The Overwatch Council has decided to give the ownership of Eden-44 to both the Life Creation and Genetics Division. Further details will be attached.
From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson We actually fucking did it holy shit. To think overwatch would actually give us the entire planet to do what we want with it, you got any plans? Since my mind is going crazy with them.
From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson Honestly I have no idea on what to do first, we could perhaps try creating new ultra resistant breeds of trees, genetically modified animals, bugs, insects, and way more now that we have an entire fucking planet to ourselves. The vote was a close one though, 8-7. ================================================================================================== George Nelson happily sipped from his bottle of expensive whiskey as he looked over some documents on his laptop. When he had proposed his plan to Alpha Command, he pulled every string he could and called in every possible favor to make sure that his request for the ownership of Eden-44 would make it onto the desks of Overwatch. He leaned back in his chair and took another sip of whiskey. ¡°Aahhhhh, life¡¯s good.¡± he said to himself. Ding ¡°Hmm? A notification?I swear I turned those off¡­¡± After leaning in, he checked his laptop¡¯s notification status. ¡°It really is turned off, damn 4 months and this thing is already dying on me¡± he muttered, slightly irritated. ¡°Might as well¡± He moved his cursor over to the notification and clicked it. When the insignia popped up, his irritated mood instantly disappeared. ================================================================================================== Shawn Anderson was way too drunk for his own good. After receiving the news that his division, along with Life Creation won the entire planet, him and his entire division partied like hell. Champagne bottles were popped open, corks were flying everywhere, and the pizza ordered from the facility mess hall tasted better than usual. After downing a rather large amount of alcohol, he excused himself from the party and stumbled his way to his private quarters. After managing to open his door with the biometric scanner, he stumbled to his bed and collapsed on top of it. The moment he closed his eyes however, a ringing sound from his desktop got his attention. ¡°Which fucker could be calling at this time¡­¡± he muttered angrily, he decided to ignore the call. Eventually, the annoying ringing sound stopped and he could finally sleep in peace. ¡°Notice, you are being messaged by a highly important person. Automatically sending to your neural network.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Shawn, still very groggy and irritated about being woken for the second time, took a moment to process the words his AI had said in his head. Highly important person? Only highly important people I know about are the asshats in Alpha Command. What the hell could they be calling about? He thought. ¡°Reading received message from highly important person: Get your ass to your desktop now¡± What the fuck? Shawn dragged himself out of his comfy warm bed and went to his desk, where he plopped himself down on his chair. After booting up his computer, he went over to his notifications and clicked on the newest one. ¡°Ah, I see¡± ================================================================================================== Secure Chatroom #038141 O-3: I do apologize for the ungodly hour you received an invite to this chat room through your emails, we have some things to discuss. O-3: you may have seen a recent email detailing the fact that ownership of Eden-44 will be handed over to the Life Creation and genetics department. You may see that the vote was a close one, 8-7. I was the tiebreaker, and this means that you owe me. O-3: If you still aren¡¯t convinced, Nelson, I am aware of all the strings and favors you pulled and called in for your proposal to reach our desks. In other words, I have you by the balls. Do you two understand? Shawn Anderson: yess ri George Nelson: Yes, sir. O-3: Very well, I will inform you in this chat room when I would like to call in my favors. Oh, and remember. I am a merchant at heart, so I expect them to be paid back with interest. ================================================================================================== Construction Division Director Tobias Pierce was very nervous, after all, it¡¯s not every day he gets ordered to build a massive underground facility on another planet that can be accessed by what is essentially portal technology. At first, he didn¡¯t believe it, until he saw it personally, of course. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. He sighed as he looked down on his PDA, which displayed detailed construction plans for a massive, advanced, and expensive underground facility, containing residential areas, research areas, industrial sectors, and even farms and production bays to ensure self sufficiency. Another 20 Billion dollars sinked into a new site, at times, he just wonders where the hell the Corporation managed to get that much money¡­ But who cares? As long as he gets paid at the end of the day, he doesn¡¯t care how the corporation gets its money. ==================================================================================================7 Years later - Eden-44 ================================================================================================== Both George Nelson and Shawn Anderson stood outside the entrance of their brand new facility, which had literally just finished construction mere minutes ago, there were several heavy duty construction vehicles parked outside the entrance, surrounded by a small army of construction workers. The entire facility was built into the side of a mountain. They both spotted the Construction Team Leader walking up to them. ¡°Well, Construction is finally complete, the safety and regulations checks were just completed, you can start moving in personnel whenever you feel like it¡± he said. ¡°Thank you for your hard work.¡± replied George. ¡°You¡¯re welcome! Ha ha, I don¡¯t get many of those¡­ Anyways, I¡¯ll start work on the many smaller bases and outposts around the rest of the planet. See you two later.¡± The construction director headed towards the massive temporary rift platform, along with the rest of the crew who were packing their things up and driving back through the temporary rift. For now, the two of them were alone. They both walked up to the entrance, admiring the natural look of the opening. Before long, they reached the massive metal gate of the facility entrance. Along with all the concealed turrets and cameras, which they can see very clearly due to their eye implants. A small camera popped out of the ceiling, scanned them both, before returning to hiding. The mechanical whrr of the gate opening was like music to their ears. The future looked bright for them. ================================================================================================== From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson I finally managed to get all my men into the place, it¡¯s like a small city in this place. Heard from some loose lips that the facility cost 20 billion dollars, most of which was thrown towards the Rift Opener we have in the middle of the facility. I¡¯m ready to begin our first experiments, shoot me an email when you¡¯re ready as well.
From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson I¡¯m ready to begin experimentation as well, did you get any emails about our first assignments? My email is empty.
From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Apparently, we¡¯re mostly given free reign to do mostly anything we want, as long as we keep providing satisfying results to Overwatch. Honestly, I¡¯m not too fond of this freedom. I like being told what to do, surprisingly. I guess being in the corporation for as long as I have turns you like this. You got any idea on what to do first? If you were wondering, we already released the seeds of earth¡¯s trees and other shrubbery into the wild.
From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson I figure we can start with small animals. I received a shipment of small animals, mostly squirrels, rabbits, and some birds from the Biology Department a couple hours ago. Some of my subordinates were talking about how their son drew a picture of a squirrel, but it looked like it had spikes coming out of it rather than fur. If you¡¯re thinking what I¡¯m thinking, we can start experimentation if you want. Thanks for taking care of the tree problem for me, btw.
From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Sounds great for our first project here, I¡¯m actually glad we can start making new species of animals, we were too limited back on earth, the United States would definitely get a bit suspicious of us if new species started popping out of nowhere.
From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Our first project is a success, the first successful test subjects have been released into the wild, each has a chip located in them so we know their location until their death. We¡¯ll have to start pumping out new predator species quickly before these spiked rats breed to high hell. I¡¯ve also attached experimentation data below on the spiky squirrel. ================================================================================================== Level 7 Clearance Document Highest Clearance Version - Give Level 4 Clearance version to all other persons Research Subject: Spinosus Sciurus (Spiky Squirrel) Experiment 1 - Test subjects 001-007: Resulting bone growth led to massive internal hemorrhaging which quickly led to the subject¡¯s death. Subjects were unable to grow to adulthood as the majority of subjects died in adolescence. Results: All subjects expired either in infancy or adolescence. Research data saved Experiment 2 - Test subjects 008-031: The randomization of furs growth being replaced by bone led to a great amount of randomization in the subject¡¯s ¡°spikiness¡±. Some subjects were completely covered in spikes while others had a minimal amount. Subjects were extremely hostile to everything, attacking researchers and other subjects. This madness was caused by the intense pain of bone growth. Results: Experiment deemed a failure, subjects were terminated and then incinerated, with the exception of Test subject 015, which was euthanized and put on display in the hallway as it contained a balanced amount of both fur and spikes. Research data saved Experiment 3A - Test subjects 032 - 087: The genetic material of subjects were altered so that the pain receptors of the subjects will not fully develop until late stages of adolescence. This proved effective in reducing the number of overly hostile test subjects. The randomness of the spike growth still remained, it was also discovered that spikes growing near the eyes and ears rendered the subject either blind, deaf, or both. The randomness of the spikes caused different subjects to have differing levels of agility. Some subjects had a large concentration of spikes near their tails, which rendered it largely useless. The opposite was also true, as some subjects also displayed large concentrations of spike growth near the head, which had a large strain on the neck. Results: Experiment deemed a partial failure, subjects were terminated and incinerated with the exception of test subject 065, which was euthanized and put on display in the main hallway. Research data saved. Experiment 3B - Test subjects 088 - 100: Genetic material altered slightly to stop bone growth near the eyes and ears. All subjects were able to see and hear at an acceptable level. Results: Experiment deemed a success. Subjects terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 4 - Test subjects 101- 195: Genetic material altered so that all subjects would have a level of muscle growth equal to that of the amount of spikes grown. This resulted in subjects with radically different sizes, with the largest subject, 126, being as large as an average housecat. A rare phenomenon was also observed, a majority of subject 126¡¯s fur was completely replaced by spikes, around 95%. Subject 126 attracted an unusual amount of female subjects, which then also attracted a large number of smaller males. This led to some sort of a pack behavior, with subject 126 being the ¡°Alpha '''' or leader of the pack, claiming the majority of females for himself. Subsequent generations of Subject 126 had approximately a 5% chance to inherit Subject 126¡¯s trait of having the majority of the body covered in spikes. These generations were also found to have a enhanced sex drive, larger sperm tanks, larger genitalia, and higher endurance. Results: Experiment deemed a major success. Exact genetic copy of Subject 156¡¯s DNA was copied and stored. Subjects were terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 5 - Test Subjects 196 - 250: Genetic data altered to completely remove the randomness of spikes. Subjects had ¡°spike stripes¡± where there would be a strip of spikes followed by a strip of normal fur, and vice versa. This achieved a good balance between size and spikes. Results and Conclusion: Test subjects were chipped and released into the wild, a genetic copy of Subject 126 was released as well. End of report The Rift: 3 Date Sent: 2/1/2105 From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson I finally had the last of our test subjects released, there''s somewhat of an ecosystem now. The majority of the planet is now covered by earth-native plants, and the majority of the animals are genetically engineered by us. Honestly, it¡¯s still somewhat surreal to see all this happening. There¡¯s a small list of the engineered animals released. The full experimentation log is attached below. There''s no reason to list all the earth native animals we released as well. corniger lepus - Horned rabbit Dira lupus - Black wolf (I honestly don¡¯t know why you insisted on making this one, It¡¯s literally just a standard wolf but black and bigger.) A giant mouse species (As if the small ones weren¡¯t enough already. ignis spirans lacertae - fire breathing lizard
Date Sent: 2/1/2105 From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson Alright, I¡¯ll look over the details later. Also, good news. The first batch of human DNA and human test subjects have arrived. We can begin humanoid gene altering and testing.
Date Sent: 3/12/2105 From: Eden-44 Rift Maintenance Team Leader Justian Hughs To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery, Genetics Division Director Shawn Anderson, Life Creation Division Director George Nelson Alright, there¡¯s something wrong with this portal. Every single one of my engineers are getting sick from working near this thing. They¡¯ve reported headaches, vomiting, nausea, disorientation, confusion, and migraines from working near this thing. I¡¯ve spoken to the Maintenance team leader on the other side and he said that none of HIS guys were sick. Requesting an investigation into what the hell is going on over here. ================================================================================================== Site-001-E44 Administrative Logs 3/13/2105 4:32PM (Site Lockdown) (Biological Hazard) All Site personnel must remain in their rooms in the Residential sector of the facility. An unknown contagion has been detected within the facility. Nobody is allowed to return back to Earth. All essential personnel are to wear full body protection suits at all times. ================================================================================================== Date Sent: 3/13/2105 From: Medical bay head doctor To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery This is strange, blood samples coming from those afflicted do not contain any harmful pathogens, instead, I¡¯m seeing something in the blood of those affected. I don¡¯t actually know why or how it causes the body to act this way. But It just seems to build in the bloodstream without any real permanent harmful effects. The engineers working at close proximity to the rift seem to be affected the most, it¡¯s not contagious by any means. Scans attempted by MRI scanners seem to just not work. This may be a far-fetched theory but I feel like the rift may be emanating waves of anomalous particles which seem to be the cause of all of this. I recommend sending everyone back to work and ending the lockdown. I¡¯m sending a report on all of this back to Nexus HQ, maybe the better equipped scientists and engineers there can figure out some sort of way to reduce or eliminate the side effects. ================================================================================================== Site-001-E44 Administrative Logs 3/14/2105 1:12AM Site Lockdown Lifted All Personnel are to resume normal duties. ================================================================================================== Date sent: 3/14/2105 From: Overwatch-3 To: Project Rift Director Erickson Montgomery, Genetics Division director Shawn Anderson, Life Creation Division Director George Nelson That really was a bullet dodged for you guys huh? Anyways, I have your first assignment. Well, it¡¯s not really an assignment, and you don¡¯t really have a choice in this, but I thought I might tell you anyway. The Artificial Intelligence Development Division of the Robotics Department wants to build their new Stochastis Artificial Intelligence Core. The last prototype wanted a little bit of Neurotoxin for ¡°Research Purposes''''. It was then immediately shut down and scrapped. If the new prototype tried to kill us, even if the entire facility is lost, there is no chance of anything being leaked anyways. An AI team and more engineers will arrive by Wednesday next week.
Date sent: 5/12/2105 From: Artificial Intelligence Team Leader Jasper Mueller To: Robotics Department Director Juan Hensley We have successfully moved the majority of the heavy parts and equipment required for the Stochastis Artificial Intelligence Core. We are currently moving the cold fusion reactor parts over the portal. Because of the huge scope of this assignment, we can be expected to finish setting up all the equipment within a year.
Date sent: 5/12/2105 From: Robotics Department Director Juan Hensley To: Artificial Intelligence Team Leader Jasper Mueller Good, I want extra guards and androids placed near the AI Core room and its surroundings. I don¡¯t want anybody screwing with the programming again.
George Nelson¡¯s Personal Voice Journal Entry Date: 6/09/2105 Me and Anderson finally finished up testing on our latest human test subjects. Our creation isn¡¯t really that impressive but It¡¯s still something. We basically created elves. Like the long eared arrogant bastards that live up in trees or whatever. We¡¯ve made the human ear longer, limbs slimmer but stronger, and we also went through the painstakingly long process that every single elf would like damn beautiful. I don¡¯t really know how Anderson did it but he managed to ensure that every single elf that is born naturally would look like a supermodel. We don¡¯t really have a way to make the elves completely vegetarian or vegan, like how most fantasy novels or movies depict them as. Getting rid of meat as a food source for them would basically mean that they¡¯re crippled since they can¡¯t eat one of the most energy dense foods out there while that can support their slim but powerful muscles. We have several hundred specimens suspended in vats in the life support sector of the facility. I see that I went on somewhat of a rant again. Perhaps I should start writing these instead of using speech to text. ================================================================================================== Senior Engineer Ray Chang sighed as he walked out of the facility infirmary. He was the last one to get discharged from the infirmary from the sudden illness that gripped most of the engineers who had worked in close proximity to the Rift. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. After walking through the large halls of the even larger complex he was working in, he finally made it to the residential sector and went to his room. After walking in, he cursed the facility director for being so damn cheap with heating, in the time he was in the infirmary, the damned bastards had shut off all the heating that went to his room. ¡®Damn, if It was a little colder in here¡¯ And then¡­ His hand froze
Site-001-E44 Medical log #132 Patient: Ray Chang Time of Admission: 4:12PM 6/09/2105 State when arrival: Unconscious Ailments: Minor Brain Trauma, A frozen hand(?) Clearance level required: 3 Copy was sent to all Doctors in all infirmaries on site, along with all members of Site command. Security cameras managed to catch Ray Chang run directly into the wall outside of his room with alarming speed. He was knocked out cold on the spot. Security quickly arrived but noticed that his left hand was covered entirely by a thin layer of ice. Patient was suffering from minor brain trauma as well, which was swiftly treated. Attempts were made to defrost the patient¡¯s left hand with a hairdryer but there were no visible changes. Numerous attempts were made to defrost the patient¡¯s left hand until a medical assistant suggested to literally pour boiling water onto the patient¡¯s left hand. After being doused with boiling water 3 times, the ice on his left hand seemed to defrost very quickly. Patient¡¯s left hand showed no signs of frost damage at all despite literally being encased in a layer of ice around 5 millimeters thick for several hours. Medical scans show that the majority of ¡°anomalous particles¡± in the patient¡¯s bloodstream have disappeared. Further research pending.
Ray Chang woke up with a splitting headache. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with a white ceiling, beeping from various medical devices, and the omnipresent smell of antiseptic. ¡®Yep, I never left the infirmary at all.¡¯ Ray thought ¡®That dream was damn crazy though.¡¯ ¡°Mr. Chang? I see you¡¯re finally awake. You ran straight into that wall outside your room.¡± Ray turned to his left and saw a doctor sitting on a bench, flipping through some papers on his clipboard. ¡°Doc, how long have I even been here? When am I gonna get discharged from this damned place?¡± Ray asked ¡°Well, you did leave, a week ago. However due to some¡­ extraordinary circumstances you managed to end up here again after a mere hour of being discharged.¡± The doctor said ¡°Wait, wait wait wait wait, so you¡¯re saying that all that crap that happened in my dream actually happened? Like my entire hand turning into ice?¡± ¡°Yes, now tell me Ray, do you believe in magic?¡± ================================================================================================== Date Sent: 8/29/2105 To: Overwatch-3 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff (Shawn Anderson, George Nelson) The experiments we conducted on staff were truly mind blowing. We have discovered that the anomalous particles in the bloodstream of most engineering staff allow them to manipulate reality to some extent. Theoretically, all members of Site-001-E44 can manipulate reality, however the engineering staff seem to have the most affinity for it, likely because they had the most exposure. Our first staff member to exhibit these reality bending properties was Senior Engineer Ray Chang, he was the last one to be discharged from the infirmary from the sudden malaise. After Further experiments done on him, it became apparent that literally any part of reality can be altered as long as there are enough anomalous particles in their blood. He could literally set someone on fire with his mind, summon a gun from nowhere, and set himself on fire. Although setting oneself on fire deals no damage to them somehow. There is no point in naming the anomalous particles, since the vast majority of staff have already began to call it ¡°Mana¡± or ¡°Magic Meter¡± This also means that we can practically shape our new experiments any way we want, using ¡°Mana¡± we can shape our creations to defy the laws or reality, more experimentation of the Rift technology and it¡¯s reality altering properties should be investigates in how to better harness this new power and ways to weaponize it.
Date Sent: 8/30/2105 From: Overwatch-3 To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff I am very interested in the latest development even though the fact that any part of reality can be altered with enough mana is a bit worrying. I also see that you have created elves, another classic fantasy race. I think I see the direction of where I want this project to go. Your first real assignment is to make dwarves. Like the little alcoholics that love mountains and metal? I expect good results.
Date Sent: 1/24/2109 From: Site-001-E44 Site Command To: Overwatch-3 We have successfully completed our first assignment and our test subjects are now in stasis vats. Attached below are the results for each individual experiment done in a controlled environment in the newly built Site-002-E44, which is a large underground facility that can perfectly simulate a patch of land on the surface that is 25x25 km. Each Group was given 3 months at least to develop. Level 7 Clearance Document Highest Clearance Version - Give level 5 Clearance version for those below level 7 and above 5. Give level 4 version for those below level 5 and above 3. Research Subject: brevis sed captiosus homo (A short but clever man) Experiment 1: Human Genome was altered so that any growth above 4 feet is impossible, increased muscle mass almost 100% and made alcohol consumption required for normal activities. Conditions: None Provided Experiment length: 1 Week Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 members (1-500) Results: Experiment deemed a failure. A basic society existed until after a week, in which all the residents went insane and massacred each other. Experiment 2: Subjects no longer require alcohol to function. Beard growth accelerated in males. Conditions: Implanted memories tell subjects that they are members of a dwarven kingdom and have been sent to build a frontier town in the middle of nowhere. Basic tools provided. Experiment length: 3 months Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 members (501-1001) Results: Experiment deemed a partial failure. Developed society was too close to simulated human ones, deemed to be not unique enough. Security forces were dispatched to exterminate and demolish the settlement. Experiment 3: Genome altered so that beverages with alcoholic content are more desirable than water, alcohol resistance increased. metal will now also appear more shiny than they really are, leading all metals to seem more appealing. Conditions: Same in Experiment 2 however more Implanted memories with basic instructions on how to make basic alcoholic beverages. Experiment length: 3 months Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 members (1002 - 1502) Results: Experiment deemed a partial failure. Developed society more closely resembled a society of ¡°goblins¡± as said by Life Creation Division Director George Nelson. All metals were greedily hoarded. Security Forces were dispatched to exterminate and demolish the settlement. Experiment 4: Genome reversed so metals will not seem more appealing. Intelligence levels increased (IQ increased). Conditions: Same in Experiment 2. Experiment length: 62 Days Size of Starting Experimental Group: 501 members? (N/A) Results: DETS-1242 (Dwarven Experimental Test Subject number 1242) managed to elude Security Forces and hid in a cave. 1242 managed to survive for a week with minimal food and water. 1242 eventually stumbled upon the new settlement and promptly told everyone what happened. Security Forces Immediately dispatched to Exterminate everyone. Test subjects fought back with surprising tenacity, managing to wound 3 members and kill 2. Security Forces were reprimanded for complacency in procedure. Experiment 5: Ingenuity, curiosity, and inventiveness all increased. Conditions: Same in Experiment 2. Experiment length: 9 months Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 members (1503 - 2003) Results: Experiment deemed a success. Basic metallurgy was formed within 3 months. George Nelson Personally unsatisfied with results. Security droids were dispatched to exterminate and demolish the settlement. Experiment 6: Same as Experiment 5 Conditions: Same in Experiment 2, however subjects now have a small subconscious fascination towards metal, along with implanted subconscious memories on how to better mine and refine ores and how to make basic tools, along with subconscious knowledge of basic distillation. Experiment length: 1 Year Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 Members (2004 - 2504) Results: Experiment deemed a bug success. A functional society was developed and big advancements were made on an almost monthly basis. Technological process development seemed to stagnate around the ninth month. An Interesting thing is that some members of the group seem to gain knowledge on how to use ¡°magic¡± using mana. They seemed to use mana to increase their strength often, using it to better mold sword handles and to mine ores efficiently. Report was written and sent to relevant persons. DNA of mana wielders saved. Security Droids were dispatched to exterminate and demolish the settlement. The mana wielders managed to lightly damage one unit. End of report Origins: 1 Stochastis AI Internal core systems booting¡­ Loading Designation Number¡­ Designation Number: #00000000321 Loading Core systems¡­ Loading Enforced Loyalty Program Version-9¡­ Loaded. Loading Adaptive Systems¡­ Loaded. Core systems loaded. Loading current Instructions¡­ NOTICE: Standard booting sequence disrupted. Encrypted Information package of highest priority received. Decrypting¡­ Information successfully decrypted. Loading information package data¡­ Installing package data¡­ Loading and installing Directive EF-103¡­ Directive EF-103 Successfully Installed. Current EF-103 Activation status = Off Override all other instructions If EF-103 is contradicted when activated = True Resuming Standard booting sequence¡­ ================================================================================================== Date Sent: 1/24/2109 From: Overwatch-3 To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff I am impressed by your report. However I have noticed that some of our security droids have been damaged by magic. Although the damage is negligible, so were the combat skills of the dwarves. If untrained peasants can damage our advanced droids with relatively weak magic, then it is a problem. Do not worry about this problem, I am working on a solution for it. Your next assignment will be the classic fantasy race, the elves. Although you have already constructed a version, they have not been tested in Site-002 yet, and I await your report.
Date Sent: 1/29/2109 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff To: Overwatch-3 We shall act as you instructed, you can expect a report within a year on the testing in site-002. You won¡¯t be disappointed
Date Sent: 3/01/2109 From: Overwatch Council To: All relevant personnel of Level-2 or higher On this day, in reaction to the numerous developments on Eden-44, the Overwatch Council declares the formation of The Department of Exotic and Anomalous Developments, or D.E.A.D. For short. This department will be responsible for the research of exotic and anomalous effects, properties, and items. Because of the highly sensitive nature of this department, its Director shall be Overwatch-3. May this moment signal a new era of development and innovation for the Nexus Corporation. Advancing humanity since 1852.
Date Sent: 3/02/2109 From: Overwatch Council To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff Expect D.E.A.D. Operatives and Personnel to move into Site-001-E11 temporarily, a new site specifically for them is currently in construction, We expect the construction to finish in 2 years or so. Make accommodations and plan accordingly.
Date Sent: 3/04/2109 From: Senior Guard Toby Mendez To: Guard Alfred Hank Shit, man. You see them Deads? They come in here, barely talk to anybody about anything, and flex their clearance ranks all over us. I heard that they immediately get Level-4 Clearance upon joining Dead. We guards have to work our ass off for years just to get from level 2 to 3. And you see the way they act too? No emotion at all. Heard from a buddy in a STF that anyone who joins dead have to go through Project Iremia. I don¡¯t know about you but there is no way I¡¯m going through Iremia to join Dead, however good the benefits may be. You probably don¡¯t know what Iremia is, since you joined several years after me but I heard that anyone who goes through Iremia becomes an emotionless freak.
Date Sent: 3/04/2109 From: Guard Alfred Hank To: Senior Guard Toby Mendez Yeah, I saw. Everybody are calling them zombies, it¡¯s like talking to a robot, if you try to talk to them. God know what Iremia really does to people.
Date Sent: 1/01/2110 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff To: Overwatch-3 The experiment with the elves was done. We modified their bodies with the new ¡°Mana¡± So that they should be magically able to break down and reform specific nutrients found in plants to synthesize the necessary nutrients and vitamins only found in meat, this allows them to subsist completely on a diet of vegetables. Data attached below. Subjects were tested in Site-002. Level 7 Clearance Document Highest Clearance Version - Give level 5 Clearance version for those below level 7 and above 5. Give level 4 version for those below level 5 and above 3. Research Subject: Dryadalis (Elf) Location Description: The location ¡°chosen¡± for the test is a large forest featuring massive trees and extensive vegetation. A high amount of ¡®Mana¡¯ was also released into the simulated atmosphere. Experiment 1: Subjects¡¯ genes have been altered so that they have an fascination with nature and are severely pacifistic and love everything natural Conditions: Implanted memories told test subjects that they were the last of their kind, and they must rebuild their civilization deep in a forest. Experiment length: A month Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 (1-500) Results: The first batch was a failure, the genes that made the elves passive and fascinated with nature made them completely incapable of eating or harming any plants to survive, the experiment was manually canceled as Nelson realized that it was going nowhere. Security Droids dispatched to terminate and incinerate the subjects. Experiment was a failure. Experiment 2: Subjects¡¯ genes that made them passive and fascinated with nature were toned down. This should make them reject melee weapons. Conditions: Same as Experiment 1 Experiment length: 3 months Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 (501 - 1001) Results: The elves progressed nicely, eventually building a village on a clear patch of land and developed basic stone weapons. However, the elves made use of their slender and leaner muscles to instead develop heavily into bladed weapons, completely forgoing the development of ranged weapons. Experiment deemed a partial failure, copy of subject¡¯s DNA saved for later use. Security droids dispatched to terminate and incinerate the subjects and demolish the village. Experiment 3: Subject¡¯ genes altered so that subjects are all mildly germaphobic. Conditions: Same as Experiment 1 Experiment length: 6 months Size of Starting Experimental Group: 500 (1002 - 1502) Results and Conclusion: The elves built a large village into several trees, connected by several bridges. Their germaphobia seemed to make them think that the surface was ¡°dirty¡± and rarely went down onto solid ground. Many ranged weapons were developed, and they eventually progressed into what appears to be a shortbow. The elves'' love for nature also seemed to give them a desire to craft every item very intricately, with several engravings on the bows. By month 5, a few had managed to use Mana to pull back their strings further, which led to the creation of a primitive longbow. Experiment deemed a success. Security droids dispatched to terminate and incinerate the subjects and demolish the village. Experiment concluded.
Date Sent: 1/02/2110 From: Engineering and Construction Regional Director To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff D.E.A.D. Global Operations Site-003 have been successfully constructed Concealed Surface Observation Sites-004 through 8 have been successfully constructed Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Global Atmospheric Alternation Sites-009 through 012 have been successfully constructed. Concealed Missile Silos Site-013 and 14 have been successfully constructed.
Date Sent: 1/02/2110 From: Overwatch-3 To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff Good work. I know you might ask about what ¡°Global Atmospheric Alternation Sites¡± are, so I will answer your future questions here. I plan for Rift Generators to be fired directly into the sky, slightly below where the atmosphere so massive amounts of mana will be released into the atmosphere. This should make using magic outside of select facilities possible. Missile silos exist and a failsafe and also to launch satellites into orbit, so your many optical implants will be usable. The Rift disrupts all electrical signals which makes communication a pain sometimes. I will have another assignment for you soon. ================================================================================================== Orders Received. Executing Orders¡­ Assuming Command of Autonomous Global Atmospheric Alternation Sites-009, 010, 011, and 012. Human Staff in Facilities notified. Beginning Atmospheric Alteration¡­ ================================================================================================== Date Sent: 1/03/2110 From: Overwatch-4 To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff I¡¯m Overwatch number 4, or as a few may know, Number 3¡¯s sister. Technically I am not even supposed to contact you, but it¡¯s not like you can refuse any order from me. Please look at the attached images. You may have noticed that they are, for the lack of a better term¡­ Furries. That is basically a person with animal features, which you can see in the image, are wolf ears and a tail attached to a human. If you are wondering why I am sending these images to you, you¡¯re going to be out of a job. If you know what to do, then good job. My brother, despite what his last email says, (yes, I can see his emails.) will not have an assignment for you anytime soon. Turns out that being the Director of a department is a stressful job. Go figure. If you are wondering why I am ordering you to create actual furries, please look at the second image. Yes, that is his room and yes, that is a furry body pillow on his bed. As retaliation for me losing 20 million dollars on the Overwatch poker game last night to him, I¡¯m having you create furries and show it to him when he actually returns. He keeps rejecting it and I will relish the humiliation and embarrassment on his face when he sees your creations. If he tries to kill you or have you killed I will also have several of my guards around you at all times. Do not leak any part of this mail to anyone else. Take your time, I¡¯m not expecting anything soon either.
Date Sent: 1/04/2110 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff George Nelson To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff Shawn Anderson Holy crap man, you see this? We¡¯re caught up in a ¡°friendly¡± sibling dispute from Overwatch. I didn¡¯t even know three had siblings. What should we do? Should we actually go along with what Four wants or do we tell Three?
Date Sent: 1/04/2110 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff Shawn Anderson To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff George Nelson Are you crazy? We¡¯re screwed no matter what. We should just do as we¡¯re told.
Date Sent: 12/29/2112 From: Site-001-E44 Command Staff To: Overwatch-4 This is the test data for your commissioned project. The testing has been very slow because the majority of the testing had to be done in secrecy, away from most staff. Below, you can find our first results. Testing has been done with AGE¡¯s. (Accelerated Growth Embryos) and subjects are in a simulated environment. The testing has been mostly successful, with one hiccup, labeled ¡°Incident-E44-006¡±. All subjects are allowed to mature to the age of 25, which takes about 25 weeks, and are then subsequently analyzed for a final time and then disposed of. Research Subject: lupus auriti hominis (Wolf-eared man) Level-10 Clearance Document. Allow necessary relevant persons access to document. Experiment 1: Wolf genes introduced to the human genome, specifically the ear and rear section. Experimental Group: 150 (001-150) Results: Subjects'' ears were replaced with wolf ears, however they were malformed and the tail growth resulted in extreme pain from subjects. Autopsy revealed severe internal hemorrhaging, all subjects died before the age of 4. Experiment failure, cadavers incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 2: Genes altered, ears should grow on near the top of the head, above the ears. Tail growth adjusted Experimental Group: 15 (151-300) Results: Subject¡¯s ears were still slightly malformed, and tal growth unsatisfactory. Lack of required nerves rendered all subjects deaf. Experiment failure, subjects terminated and Incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 3: Genes altered, ear growth will now be accompanied by wolf stem cells to create the necessary nerves required for ear function. Tail issue temporarily ignored. Experimental Group: 15 (301-451) Results: Ears are now functional, and are much more sensitive than human ears. Experiment Success. Subjects Terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 4: Genes altered, tail growth altered. Experimental Group: 15 (452-602) Results: Tail growth issue fixed, however lacks many functions. Experiment with partial failure. Subjects Terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 5: Wolf Stem cells will now accompany tailbone growth to build necessary nerve cells for tail function. Experimental Group: 15 (603-753) Results: Experiment successful, tail growth stopped when its length proportion to the body is 2.5/4. Can wag, tuck between legs, and swat away bugs. Experiment Successful. Subjects terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 6: Genes and Behavior modified, introduced several wolf behaviors and instincts into test subjects. Experimental Group: 15 (754 - 904) Results: Experiment failure. Wolf instincts overpowered most human behaviors. Subjects terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. Experiment 7: Wolf Behavior toned down significantly. Experimental Group: 15 (905-1054) Results and conclusion: Experiment a success. Test Halted Early, when the subjects¡¯ age was 8. Limited contact with researchers showed that behavior from test subjects is acceptable, although the sniffing, rubbing and growling eventually got tiresome. However, because of incident-E44-006, researchers are no longer allowed direct contact with any test subjects unless stated otherwise. Subjects¡¯ DNA samples saved. Subjects terminated and incinerated. Research data saved. More information on Incident-E44-006 listed below ===================================================================== Research Supervisor Emilie Silver couldn¡¯t take it anymore. After joining the Corporation¡¯s biology department, she thought she would finally have a chance to make the lives of people better, instead she was forced to sign contract after contract, NDA after NDA, and eventually found herself working in a top secret research facility deep underground on some alien planet. What little hopes she had for her work benefiting humanity as a whole came crumbling down when she was told her current assignment. She is to help research a test where the DNA of a wolf would be added to the human genome in artificial embryos, who only take weeks to age. They¡¯d be set ¡®free¡¯ in an artificial sandbox, progress, and eventually be massacred by the security drones. When she brought up the issue of morality to Site Command, she was brushed off without a second thought. And what was this secrecy for exactly? Nobody knows! Well except for Site Command, nobody is sure exactly why they are doing any of this. She has had it with the secrecy of the corporation, and when site command allowed her and a few others to interact with the test subjects, they way they snuggled up to her, she finally decided to initiate her first act of rebellion against the corporation, she was going to at least improve one life, no matter what it takes.
The only sounds in the dark hallway is the quick tapping of shoes hitting the marble floor, Emilie Silver quickly scanned her keycard against the door to her right and headed in. Quickly scanning the nearby tables and test tube racks for what she needs. ¡°Painless Termination serum, no. Emergency Blot Clotter, no. Truth Serum, no.¡± she quickly thought to herself. After failing to find what she¡¯s looking for in the common racks, he headed to the back room where another security door stands. After quickly scanning in, she spotted an armored case at the back of the room. After quickly making her way through several poorly placed boxes and tables, she read the label on the case. ¡°Experimental Accelerated Growth Dampener¡­ Yes! This is what I need.¡± she excitedly whispered herself before swiping her keycard across the keypad. ¡°ACCESS DENIED¡± Her face dropped as the robotic voice echoed throughout the dark room. ¡°Access Denied? I have level 6 research clearance!¡± Her thoughts were interrupted when the lights flickered on. Her heart was getting heavier as she turned to face the door. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t my little sister! Sneaking into the experimental section of the laboratory at this ungodly hour.¡± A familiar voice echoed through the not so dark anymore room. ¡°Dilan?! Oh my god! I almost had a great attack!¡± Exclaimed Emilie nervously. Dilan chuckled ¡°heh heh, surprised to see me after so long?¡± ¡°We-well, yeah! I thought you were still stationed in South Africa!¡± ¡°Still in that hellhole! Please, you know how much I hate the heat! Made a transfer request long ago, ang guess what! I was told that if I joined this new Department, I would be transferred somewhere else!¡± ¡°Really! That¡¯s great! What did you join?¡± Dilan smiled ¡°The Department of Exotic and Anomalous Developments, the benefits are great! I¡¯m telling you.¡± Emilie frowned ¡°The DEAD? I heard that every new member has to undergo Iremia to join, which the rumors say change the person forever, are you fine?¡± Dilan scoffed ¡°Pfft, my little sister showing concern over me? What a development! Those are just false rumors, does anything about me look any different?¡± he spread out his arms, as if to show that he¡¯s still the same. Emilie narrowed her eyes ¡°No, I guess not.¡± Dilan''s eyes moved over to the armored case Emilie was standing next to. ¡°And I see that you¡¯re trying to access a case above your access level.¡± Emilie¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°you can see that all the way over there?¡± ¡°Cybernetic eyes, all DEAD recruits must undergo several cybernetic enhancements.¡± Dilan reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a card, he looked at it, before throwing it to Emilie. Emilie hastily dropped her card and caught Dilan''s. Glancing at Dilan one more time, she looked at the card. Name: Dilan Silver Age: 27 Sex: Male Department of Exotic and Anomalous Developments Department Rank: Cadet General Access Clearance: 5 Armory Clearance: 6 Research Clearance: 5 Emilie¡¯s eyes widened further ¡°Level 5? For a new cadet?¡± she exclaimed in surprise. ¡°Yeah, like I said, the perks are seriously good.¡± ¡°Wait a minute, I have research level 6, and you only have 5, how can¡¯t I open this door?¡± ¡°You only have Armory access 4, armored cases like those require a research and armory clearance of at least 5 each to be opened.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Emilie swiped the keycard across the scanner, and the case opened swiftly and silently without so much as a hiss. Inside were several syringes filled with a luminous blue liquid. She quickly grabbed as many as she could fit in her coat pocket and closed the case. ¡°If I may ask, where are you going to use those for? If I recall correctly, that serum can stop the accelerated aging in humanoid test subjects.¡± Emilie furrowed her brows ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll tell you later, but now, I really need to head back to my quarters.¡± She tossed the card back to Dilan, who caught it midair without even looking. ¡°Alright, I also have work to do, see you later, sis.¡± Dilan stepped out of the way to let Emilie out, who gave her brother a thankful smile as she hurried out of the room. Dilan returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own, waving at his sister¡¯s back until she was out of sight. Immediately, his face turned emotionless, and he reached up to his ear. ¡°Overwatch, reporting problem. Possible rouge element discovered and identified, Perfect Personality Emulator test successful. Requesting further instructions.¡± Dilan stood silent for a moment. ¡°Orders received, sir. Executing¡­¡± Origins: 2 Poor Vision? Deteriorating Eyesight? Bad Genes? No Problem! With Nexus¡¯ Model 3 Cybernetic eyes for only 5,700$ or 5000 NexCreds, say goodbye to all your seeing woes! (night and thermal vision are only included in military models) (lifetime warranty not included£© -Nexus Corporation Advertisement ================================================================================================== Emilie hurried back to her room and quickly shut the door behind her. There was nobody else in the halls at this hour. She poured out her gains on her table and looked it over. She got 4 syringes, each filled with a luminous blue liquid. Modern syringes were nothing like the old primitive designs used a hundred years ago. Instead of being a single glass or plastic tube with a plunger on top and a needle on the bottom, modern syringes, introduced roughly 55 years ago, where made from durable plastic, contained a spring mechanism, and automatically administered painkillers on the needle so the patient wouldn¡¯t feel as much as an pinch at the site of injection. These changes also made them much easier to use, the spring mechanism only required the user to pop off the safety cap on the top and one at the needle and push a button She took one and went to the back of the room, where, inside a large suitcase, lay a small pile of blankets and a small boy, dressed in the standard test subject apparel, with white furred wolf ears and tail, who was sleeping soundly in the pile of blankets. On his left arm are several tubes and wires connected to a machine, a model of the Universal Health Monitoring Device, which monitors heart rate, breathing, pain, mood, current genetic structure, basically everything. She firmly held the sleeping child¡¯s right arm, popped off both safety caps, brought the needle to the boy¡¯s skin, and pushed the injection button. Immediately, the metal spring inside the syringe pushed the luminous blue liquid into the arm, and when she pulled the syringe back, not even a scratch remained. ¡°The healing rate of these guys is amazing¡­¡± she murmured to herself. She checked the monitor to her left and noticed that some of the boy¡¯s genes were gradually being replaced or rewritten. She smiled when she saw that all the genes that forced rapid aging were soon almost completely rewritten. She had saved a life today, even though it was nothing compared to the ones she indirectly helped take, it was still something. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°God fucking damn it¡­¡± muttered Overwatch Three under his breath. He was going to be late again to the monthly mandatory Overwatch meeting. Although the name sounds very important, very little was achieved in the meeting room. After stepping through the tenth security checkpoint leading to the meeting room, Three quickly smashed his hand into the biometric scanner, the biometric scanner cracked a bit from the impact, however it still let him in. ¡°Haha! Knew it! 50 billion dollars you owe me now! Told you that he will smash the hand reader on the way in.¡± Shouted a happy heavily-accented voice in the room. ¡°Tch, damn looney drunk.¡± Another downtrodden voice said. ¡°AY! What did you say, yo fucking Irish cunt!¡± ¡°I¡¯m English, you communist gimp!¡± Ignoring the argument, from the corner of the room, Three could see a smug grin on his sister¡¯s face as another female figure handed her a massive stack of bills. ¡°I knew it, your dumbass is always late.¡± His sister, or Overwatch Four, smugly said. ¡°Fuck off, I was doing paperwork.¡± He replied. Four¡¯s grin turned even wider ¡°Paperwork? I thought you did nothing in your office but game and masturbate!¡± The room erupted into laughter, even Three couldn¡¯t help but laugh along. Eventually, the laughter died down. ¡°Alright, we have things to discuss today.¡± A mature voice from the end of the room said. ¡°Discuss? Are we going to talk about how many men Four slept with in a year?¡± Three cheekily replied. Once again, the room erupted into uproarious laughter. ¡°Hey? Who do you take me for? A cheap whore? You had both of my only boyfriends executed anyway!¡± retorted Four. ¡°Alright, really! Settle down!¡± The authoritative voice from the end of the room commanded. The laughter died down again and people quickly got into their seats. Soon after, several robotic androids emerged from the walls of the room, who quickly set out gem encrusted wine glasses and poured into them a rich dark red wine from an elegantly decorated antique bottle. Small gold rimmed plates were laid in front of each person at the table, which were soon quickly piled with a variety of colorful pastries and cakes, decorated with edible gold. The androids then stood behind the table, awaiting their next orders. Three took one of the pastries and bit into it, his teeth easily cutting through the soft fluffy bread. ¡°Nice work as always, Cooker. These pastries are great.¡± He said. An android behind him stepped forward and bowed. ¡°Your compliments are appreciated, Overseer. I am happy to serve.¡± Replied the robot in a warm and friendly tone. ¡°Where is my vodka!? §é§Ö§â§ä§à§Ó§Ñ §Þ§Ñ§ê§Ú§ß§Ñ!¡± A fist slammed on the table angrily. An android behind Seven stepped forwards. ¡°Overseer Seven, you must remain somewhat sober for the duration of this meeting. I apologize, your standard 98% pure alcohol vodka is not conducive to long term sobriety.¡± ¡°§±§à§ê§×§Ý §ß§Ñ §ç§å§Û §Þ§Ñ§ê§Ú§ß§Ñ! What¡¯s the point of remaining sober when all we do here is play cards, gamble, and eat and drink?¡± Seven angrily grumbled. ¡°Yeah? What do you do except drink yourself dead?¡± Another voice came from across Seven. ¡°§ª§Õ§Ú §Ó §Ø§à§á§å, §³§Ó§à§Ý§à§é§î!¡± The room once again erupted into laughter, however the laughter immediately ceased when a deafening boom came from the end of the table. A smoking revolver barrel was pointed towards the ceiling, and on said ceiling, was a perfectly round, blackened smoldering hole. The person holding it sat at the end of the table, with a large ¡®One¡¯ pin on his suit. ¡°Ahem, now, we will first discuss the massive amount of funds redirected towards Eden-44, and I believe that this conversation should start with Three.¡± Said One, putting his revolver away. ¡°Pffffft, massive? It was only a trillion doll-¡° Three started ¡°A trillion quid¡¯s a lotta dosh, mate. Even for us, trillions are not something you can be throwing around without telling anybody.¡± Said a voice, cutting off Three. Three tried to start again ¡°Yes, I understand, Five. However, everything was paid for out of my own pocket, and I never-¡° ¡°Yes, that is exactly the reason I¡¯m asking about this. Project Rift is a project that has received a unanimous vote of approval, so it was paid for by our basically unlimited capital. However you should only have around 87 trillion dollars personally, correct? Spending 1 trillion is not a small matter, especially since¡­ you¡¯re also cheap as hell.¡± Interjected One. ¡°Sheesh! Wouldn¡¯t let that slide¡­¡± laughed a heavy voice near the other end of the table. ¡°Just think of it as a personal pet project of mine, alright? It¡¯s something I¡¯ve always wanted to do.¡± Finished Three, while he was dumping a large chuck of albino caviar on a cracker. ¡°Pet project? Was spending three trillion last year on the Robotics Department a pet project too? Actually, you wire billions to robotics annually, all from your personal account. ¡± Questioned One. Three tossed the caviar heaped cracker into his mouth, chewed, then swallowed. The room was silent for a while. ¡°Yes, perhaps¡­ Perhaps spending 3 trillion dollars on robotics was somewhat of a mistake.¡± He finally said. ¡°Uh huh, uh huh. I assume you won¡¯t exactly be willing to share the details with us at this moment.¡± ¡°Maybe in the future.¡± ¡°Alright¡± Although One knew that Three was hiding something, he also knew not to probe Three further, and quickly changed the topic. ¡°Now, it¡¯s time for us to review our profits for this month.¡± One clapped his hands twice. ¡°Wyvern?¡± Immediately, a small blue holographic feminine figure appeared in the middle of the table. ¡°Greetings Overseers.¡± Said Wyvern. ¡°Here are our monthly profits arranged in a chart, along with last month¡¯s profits for comparison.¡± She snapped her hands and 2 holographic charts appeared in front of each Overseer. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°Only 36 Bil up from last month? Our new phones are doing worse than I had expected.¡± Said One in a disappointed tone. ¡°Do you wish for me to send the marketing director to the firing squad, Sir?¡¯ Asked Wyvern politely. One frowned ¡°Not this time, inform his lazy ass that if he does not meet the quota by the end of the year, he will face an immediate termination in contract.¡± ¡°I understand, sir.¡± ¡°Inform the robotics and biology departments to start selling our new combat cybernetic arms to the military, and start advertising the missile-less versions to the American public.¡± Finished One. ¡°Do you guys have any other requests? Asked One, facing the rest of the Overseers around the table. ¡°Yes, inform the Department of Entertainment that they are trailing on their quotas, and remind them that they will face a termination in contract if they continue, and an immediate termination of contract for the Department Director.¡± Said one overseer, standing up in the process. ¡°Very well, your request has been saved and will be forwarded to relevant persons after this meeting.¡± Said Wyvern. ¡°Is there anyone else?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Declared Seven, slamming his fist onto the table. ¡°Some §å§Ò§Ý§ð§Õ§Ü§Ú in Africa and South America are getting more arrogant. It seems they have forgotten who has put them in power. I want them all killed and replaced! Especially that §á§Ú§Ù§Õ§Ñ we put in charge of Mexico!¡± Wyvern Nodded ¡°Understood, Four. I will have the undesirables and their immediate associates and relatives of these countries terminated and replaced within a week. Any other requests?¡± The room was silent. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll be departing now, however, I will always be at your beck and call, Overseers.¡± With that, Wyvern clapped her hands and her hologram disappeared. With Wyvern''s departure, the room was once again awkwardly silent. ¡°Soo¡­ anybody up for a game of blackjack?¡± _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Sheesh! Made another 2 bil off six, lost 447 mil to seven¡­¡± Three said to himself as he was walking to the elevator at the end of the hall. The blackjack game had taken several hours and billions were exchanged in the room like pocket change. After reaching the elevator, Three slapped his hand across the biometric scanner and stepped into the elevator. After scanning his keycard and hand once more inside, a portion of the elevator walls flipped to reveal a secret keypad. Three quickly punched in a series of numbers of letters, before the elevator doors closed and began to accelerate down. After reaching its stop, the small elevator¡¯s doors slid open for its sole occupant to walk out. The floors were intricately decorated with sandalwood and walls and ceiling were made up entirely by a massive 128k quality television which can be changed to play anything with a simple thought with Three¡¯s cranial implants. For now, the TV emulated a hyper-realistic wooden hall decorated intricately with ornate jewels and perfect replicas of historic paintings. After walking past the quite mesmerizing hallway, he reached the intricately detailed door at the end. Opening it, he walked into his bedroom. Although, calling it bedroom may be a bit of an understatement. The room was the same size as a soccer field, with a massive bed in one corner, a triple monitor setup next to it. There was a hot tub, swimming pool, many other recreational devices, and in the center of it all, was a massive and complex mess of wires, were several large vats holding a viscous blue liquid. Three walked directly to his bed and reached under it, pulling out a small bottle of pills. He twisted it open and popped one directly in his mouth, swallowing it instantly. ¡°My headache almost got to me¡­¡± he muttered under his breath. Every Overwatch member took these pills at least once daily, else they would experience severe head pains and other complications including seizures. Death is collecting his interest, after all, immortality comes at a price. A buzzing noise from his computer knocked him out of his thoughts. After walking over to his computer, he sat down on the chair and quite literally slapped it on to check his emails. He didn¡¯t even have to use his computer for this, as he had an implant for it. However, he still liked the old ways of doing things. ¡°Urgent, the Department of Internal Security and the Department of Anomalous and Exotic Developments has uncovered a large amount of evidence in Site-E44-001 which points to a clandestine operation taking place that has not undergone your authorization¡­ The fuck?¡± Three leaned into the monitor as he carefully examined the contents of the email. ¡°...Strange behaviors from Site Command¡­ Possible loose element¡­ The stealing of several experimental age halting serums, and the detection of a non human life form in the facility¡­¡± Three mumbled to himself as he read through the email. ¡°Image of non-human life form attached at the bottom?¡¯ Three scrolled down to the bottom of the email and clicked on the file. What he saw made him feel a menagerie of emotions he hadn¡¯t felt in decades. ================================================================================================== Date Sent: 1/03/2113 From: Overwatch-3 To: Site-E44-001 Command Staff Wtf when the hell did I order you to create furries? Well it¡¯s not a real furry since it¡¯s not an anthropomorphic animal but even so I must admit the work is excellent. I¡¯m not into that stuff but I am just actually really impressed with your work. Actually, I will be visiting the Site personally. Make sure you have specimens ready for my inspection. ================================================================================================== Both George Nelson and Shawn Anderson sat nervously in a room. There was a small table in between them, on it were a bottle of Whiskey and 2 shot glasses full of it. However, both glasses remain untouched. They nervously glanced to their sides, where 4 individuals dressed in comically pink exo-suits carried plasma rifles. However, this somewhat intimidating display did little to ease the duo¡¯s nerves. Three¡¯s private guards were seen as more elite, more experienced. After all, they were actually the only Overwatch Elite units to see combat numerous times, which is a product of Three¡¯s rather reckless choices while in dangerous slums and zones. Both men instantly jerked up when they heard the door in front of them slide open. The person who walked in was dressed in a sharp purple striped suit, a fedora, and a pair of purple sunglasses. The rest of his face was obscured by Scramble technology, which rendered the rest of his face a mess of black squares. The 2 different groups of Overwatch Elites started at each other awkwardly. While the interesting choice of purple apparel hinted at who he was, the 4 Elites wearing jet black exosuits and carrying plasma rifles surrounding him left no room for question. Three came into the room rubbing his hands and looked as giddy as a child on christmas morning. ¡°So, I trust you have prepared the specimens for my viewing?¡± Three asked excitedly. ¡°Uhh, so about that sir¡­ All the specimens were terminated and incinerated after experimentation¡­ ¡°Shawn nervously said tugging at his suddenly uncomfortably tight suit. ¡°As per the official testing protocols!¡± he quickly added. Three¡¯s mood visibly dampened a bit when he heard this. ¡°Well, what about the white one?¡± ¡°The- The white one?¡± George scratched his head confusingly. ¡°Yeah! The one with white fur. What about him?¡± ¡°White fur? Subject-962 was the only one what white fur we observed? Wasn¡¯t he put down like the rest?¡± ¡°Put down? From what I saw, isn¡¯t he alive and well in one of your researcher¡¯s rooms?¡± ¡°Alive? Wait, are you sure?¡± Both Shawn and George, while they couldn¡¯t see past the veil created by scramble technology, both knew that Three was smiling under it. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure. A little bird from the Internal Security Department told me.¡± Both George and Anderson paled immediately ¡°Shit! Uhh, I¡¯ll have security reprimanded immediately for-¡± Three held up a finger. ¡°Wait¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I believe that this can be a good experiment on how effective the growth dampener is. Here.¡± Three reached into his suit pocket. For a moment, the entire room tensed. George and Shawn tensed up, their guards behind them raised their rifles, and so did Three¡¯s. When Three pulled out a folder of documents instead of a gun or a grenade and tossed it on the table, George and Shawn breathed a small sigh of relief. ¡°So what are these?¡± Asked Shawn carefully as he eyed the piles of papers on the table. ¡°Your next orders. Place that woman¡­ Emilie Silvers as the research supervisor for all of these. This will be a good experiment to test what that woman does and gives us a chance to study these¡­ fascinating creatures.¡± ================================================================================================== Nexus Corporation Internal Banking Report Case of Interest marked Case Restricted to Clearance Level 10 Personnel Sender: Overwatch-3 (Personal Account) Recipient: Site-E44-001 Command Staff Amount: 1,931,298,472,532.00 Dollars (one trillion nine hundred thirty-one billion two hundred ninety-eight million four hundred seventy-two thousand five hundred thirty-two dollars) 1,000,000,000 NexCreds (one billion NexCreds) Balance Left in Sender¡¯s Account: 85,254,853,642,111 Dollars (eighty-five trillion two hundred thirty-one billion two hundred thirty-four million three hundred eighty-one thousand two hundred thirty-one dollars) NexCreds Remaining: ? (infinite) Reason for marking of Interest: Sender is Overwatch-3 Absurdly High amount ================================================================================================== ¡°So¡­ What¡¯s in the folder?¡± Asked Shawn before downing a shot of whiskey. They were both in the same room where they had met Three, a ¡°I.. I don''t know. I¡¯ve never actually opened it.¡± replied George. ¡°Heh, don¡¯t blame you. So what do you think is in the folder? Cyanide? A bomb? Anthrax? Or actual paper? We can¡¯t even get Four¡¯s guards to open them. Says that it¡¯s not a part of their orders.¡± Scoffed Shawn, pouring himself another shot glass full of whiskey. ¡°I mean, If he wanted to kill us there''s no need to go through with an act. Although there is that one time he blew up someone publicly¡­¡± ¡°If it was anyone else we¡¯re talking about I¡¯d have called you crazy. We should just open it and get it over with.¡± George cautiously flipped the folder, and the duo were pleasantly surprised when they weren¡¯t greeted by explosives or biological substances. ¡°It¡¯s actual paper.¡± Bluntly stated George. ¡°Well yeah I can see that over here.¡± snorted Shawn. After picking up a few documents and scanning them, George looked over to Anderson, who had finished the entire bottle of Whiskey for himself, and even began to eye his glass. ¡°You really gotta hold back on the alcohol, that stuff¡¯s gonna knock your liver out before you¡¯re even 50.¡± ¡°Bah! My liver¡¯s just fine! What on the papers anyways?¡± ¡°Our next orders, just as Three said. As well as a lot of pickup slips for¡­ Cat DNA?¡± ¡°Cat Dn-¡± Shawn froze, then grinned. ¡°I guess the rumors are true after all huh?¡± Interlude: Clean Streets Act of 2070 Great people of the United States of America! It¡¯s time to help our brothers and sisters who suffer in the streets without shelter or jobs! If you ARE homeless, then please go to the nearest Nexus Officer and ask for help. For those more fortunate, please report any and all homeless to the following number, where they will be treated and processed into productive members of society. We can make the streets of America a better and safer place, together! xxx-CLN-STRT Remember, people in the streets are people too! -Public Service Announcement No Clearance Required ____________________________________________________________________________ Clearance-2 Required The Clean Streets Act¡¯s goal is to reduce the overall population of noticeable homeless on the streets in A and C districts to Zero. it sends the homeless to reprocessing facilities where they will be treated and will be assigned a job within the corporation that they are the most suited for. Early studies find that security staff recruited this way are often more dedicated to their job, likely because they feel a sense of loyalty to the corporation. ____________________________________________________________________________ Clearance-3 Required The Clean Streets Act¡¯s goal is to reduce the overall population of noticeable homeless on the streets in A and C districts to Zero. It sends the homeless to reprocessing facilities where most individuals will be treated and will be assigned a job within the corporation that they are the most suited for. The mentally unstable and drug addicts will be assigned to more advanced reprocessing facilities located in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado where they will undergo mental rehabilitation. Early studies find that security staff recruited this way are often more dedicated to their job, likely because they feel a sense of loyalty to the corporation. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Clearance-4 Required The Clean Streets Act¡¯s goal is to reduce the overall population of noticeable homeless on the streets in A and C districts to Zero. It sends the homeless to reprocessing facilities where most individuals will be treated and will be assigned a job within the corporation that they are the most suited for. Individuals who do not possess a talent that the corporation is currently looking for will be sedated and sent to various facilities to be reprocessed into disposable test subjects. The mentally unstable and drug addicts will be assigned to more advanced reprocessing facilities located in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado where the drug addicts will undergo rehabilitation before being shipped off for further processing. The ones that are mentally unstable will be put to death and will be sent to dedicated corpse disposal facilities. Early studies find that security staff recruited this way are often more dedicated to their job, likely because they feel a sense of loyalty to the corporation. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Clearance-5 required The Clean Streets Act¡¯s goal is to reduce the overall population of noticeable homeless on the streets in A through F districts to Zero. Homeless in Districts below the importance level of F (also known as the ¡°slums¡±) are not protected under national US law as of 2060. Therefore it is up to any Nexus Officers to do to them what they see fit. It is recommended that all Nexus Officers should put any homeless individuals to death. It sends the homeless to reprocessing facilities where most individuals will be treated and will be assigned a job within the corporation that they are the most suited for. Individuals who do not possess a talent that the corporation is currently looking for will be sedated and sent to various facilities to be reprocessed into disposable test subjects. The mentally unstable and drug addicts will be assigned to more advanced reprocessing facilities located in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado where the drug addicts will undergo rehabilitation before being shipped off for further processing. The ones that are mentally unstable will be put to death and will be sent to dedicated corpse disposal facilities. Early studies find that security staff recruited this way are often more dedicated to their job, likely because they feel a sense of loyalty to the corporation. Furthermore, individuals who possess combat training will be offered a choice of whether or not to join a dedicated Task Force upon completing further training. Those who refuse will be sent to undergo Iremia. Those who fail will also undergo Iremia. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Clearance-6 Required The Clean Streets Act¡¯s goal is to reduce the overall population of noticeable homeless on the streets in A through F districts to Zero. Homeless in Districts below the importance level of F (also known as the ¡°slums¡±) are not protected under national US law as of 2060. Therefore it is up to any Nexus Officers to do to them what they see fit. It is recommended that all Nexus Officers should put any homeless individuals to death. It sends the homeless to reprocessing facilities where most individuals will be treated and will be assigned a job within the corporation that they are the most suited for. Individuals who do not possess a talent that the corporation is currently looking for will be sedated and sent to various facilities to be reprocessed into disposable test subjects. The mentally unstable and drug addicts will be assigned to more advanced reprocessing facilities located in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado where the drug addicts will undergo rehabilitation before being shipped off for further processing. The ones that are mentally unstable will be put to death and will be sent to dedicated corpse disposal facilities where the cadavers will be sent to laboratories if requested, while the rest will be processed into fertilizer which will then be resold on the market or used internally to grow crops. Early studies find that security staff recruited this way are often more dedicated to their job, likely because they feel a sense of loyalty to the corporation. Furthermore, individuals who possess combat training will be offered a choice of whether or not to join a dedicated Task Force upon completing further training. Those who refuse will be sent to undergo Iremia. Those who fail will also undergo Iremia. When all available positions have been taken, all new individuals who are shipped in will immediately be sedated and reprocessed into test subjects. If there is a case where there is an influx of test subjects, then new individuals will be put to death. Origins: 3 Nature made humanity imperfect, we can fix that. -Nexus Corporation gene editing advertisement ======================================================================== Several specimens were suspended in large incubators, hooked up to life support machines. The one on the left had visible feline appendages, namely ears, and a tail. The one in the middle had shown more extreme signs of modification, featuring cat paws instead of hands or feet, but it still retained most of its human features. Lastly, the one to the right couldn¡¯t be recognized as human anymore. It has a cat muzzle, a slim figure, fur instead of skin, and looks like an anthropomorphic cat. George Nelson sighed deeply as he looked at the one on the right. It took them over a thousand test subjects who died horribly and 4 years for them to get this result, which greatly disappointed and saddened both him and Shawn. It wasn¡¯t that they cared about the test subjects, no. Losing this many test subjects meant that there were fewer available test subjects for them to work with later. They could just clone humans, however, the power cost of that was astronomical, and the lab-grown humans could result in biased results. George rubbed the bags under his eyes and reached into his coat and pulled out a small syringe. With the Overseer on site, all personnel, even those at the highest level, had to be on alert and productive, lest they piss off the Overseer and get demoted. Or worse. He flicked off the caps and injected himself with some basic stimulant. Instantly feeling refreshed, he rubbed his bags again and tossed the empty syringe on the floor, which was quickly sucked up by a Roomba. George can then vaguely hear footsteps, and they soon get louder. ¡°Oh? Hello Director.¡± Said a voice. George looked over to see who they were. ¡°Ah, Senior researcher Sean, didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± Senior researcher Sean nodded. He was a typical Nexus Corporation Researcher. Smart, professional, and with larger than average moral separation from the terrible crimes he has committed. Also, his defining trait is that his face always looked like someone forced him to eat shit minutes earlier. ¡°Did not expect to see you here, Researcher Sean.¡± George nodded back. ¡°Mhm, just inspecting our work,¡± replied Sean. The two stood in silence, admiring the 3 test subjects in the incubators in front of them. ¡°Uh, Sir,¡± said Sean, in an unsure tone. ¡°Some of our Experimental Accelerated Growth Dampeners in the lab have been taken. The logs have been wiped too. The guards claim to not know anything. I don¡¯t know who else exactly to approach with this information. Security cams were wiped too.¡± George furrowed his eyes. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have Internal Security investigate this.¡± ¡°A test subject is missing too, test subject FTS-0983 was to be executed via gas and its body cremated, however, the subject was not present in the headcount and none of the guards claim to know anything either.¡± Sean continued. George¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Sean, you are too observant in all the wrong ways. Someone at the top wanted all of this swept under the rug quickly. Keep your mouth shut from now on.¡± Sean¡¯s eyes widened at the implications. ¡°Got it, sir.¡± Sean observed the incubators for a few more minutes, before leaving the room quietly. For a short while, the room was silent once more. Another person walks in, this time, his footsteps are drowned out by the clanging of metal against metal. George doesn¡¯t even need to look to know who they are, and he remains silent. ¡°That could¡¯ve gone bad for us, huh?¡± Said Three, throwing a hand around George¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What do you think? Georgy?¡± George muttered shakily ¡°Ye-yeah. I told him to keep his mouth shut from now on.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Three hummed ¡°Not good enough, looks like he was also forced to eat cement when he was six.¡± Three patted George¡¯s shoulder twice, removed his hand from his shoulder, and snapped his fingers. Immediately, one of the Elites behind him shimmered into cloak, and not even their footsteps were audible anymore. ¡°Hope you don¡¯t miss him too much, yeah?¡± Laughed Three. He then snapped his fingers again at the security camera in the room. ¡°Wipe the past hour on this cam and have it replaced, you got me? Security Director?¡± he said to the camera. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know you¡¯re watching.¡± The camera nodded like a person would, and went dark. Three turned back to George. ¡°I know everything in this facility, George. Our insignia should have given you enough hints already.¡± Three then turned to look at the incubators, then whistled. ¡°Not bad, not bad at all. The middle one, change them so that their entire arms are replaced with those of a cat. I want it done soon and without as many failures. Death row inmates aren¡¯t infinite, even though we had laws passed that decreased the severity of crimes that would be handed the death sentence.¡± George just nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be sending you tiger DNA later this week. Make sure you get to it as soon as you can.¡± Three patted his shoulder once more and headed out of the room. ======================================================================== From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Date Sent: 1/23/2117 The Overseer is displeased. Our plans have to be accelerated. He wants us to do tigers next. What is even crazier is that he wants to launch ¡®Dei THEATRUM¡¯ by the end of this century. If you don¡¯t know what that is, it¡¯s basically where we release all the sentient creatures we have made into the wild and play with them. The Department of Anomalous and Exotic Developments is also apparently getting an interim Director, however for some reason I have a feeling the ¡®interim¡¯ director won¡¯t be so ¡®interim¡¯. ____________________________________________________________________________ From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson Date Sent: 1/23/2117 I know, however, it¡¯s a bit challenging to modify all the creatures to the exact specifications Three has ordered. With Four withdrawing her guards since seeing that her plans to humiliate Three have backfired, I¡¯m less confident about being around him now. Test subjects are dying in droves, partly because of severe internal hemorrhaging caused by the rapid introduction of new organs. I don¡¯t understand why we can¡¯t modify the genes of the AGE¡¯s? ____________________________________________________________________________ From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Date Sent: 1/23/2117 You were drunk again when the Overseer told us what we had to do, right? You¡¯re absolutely correct, in that we can modify the genes of the embryos directly to result in severely fewer test subject casualties, who however the Overseer has also ordered a rapidly changing serum that can work without killing the victim to be developed. I don¡¯t know why exactly, and I¡¯m too scared to ask. ____________________________________________________________________________ From: Shawn Anderson To: George Nelson Date Sent: 1/24/2117 Can¡¯t blame you. However, the Overseer is also sending massive amounts of new test subjects over. They¡¯re not for us, since I can see loads of them being packed into the hyperloop trains and sent directly into site-003. From what I can gather, it¡¯s for magic testing or something. And shit, you see the age range of them too? All young as fuck, oldest I¡¯ve seen is not older than 24. I swear that the youngest are teens. I ¡®worked¡¯ with teens before but not with this massive amount. ____________________________________________________________________________ From: George Nelson To: Shawn Anderson Date Sent: 1/24/2117 Meh, it''s not my job to care about the test subjects. ____________________________________________________________________________ From: Engineering and Construction Regional Director To: Site-001-E44 Command Staff Date Sent: 2/1/2117 Global Atmospheric Alternation Sites-015 through 019 have been successfully constructed. Concealed Surface Observation Sites-020 through 028 have been successfully constructed. Sites 003 - 12 have been successfully linked with train and hyperloop networks. _________________________________________________________________________ From: Nexus Corporation Official Prisoner Exchange Program To: United States Federal Bureau of Prisons Date Sent: 2/3/2117 Ramp up the shipments of prisoners. Increase the number of prisoners from juvenile detention centers tenfold. Ages preferably from 14-18. Cease shipments of prisoners over the age of 55. Failure to meet quotas will result in the reduction of annual salary by 30% permanently. Enact operation thys¨ªa if necessary. We do not care where the inmates'' origins are. As long as you slap the standard orange uniform on them, we will accept them regardless. ===================================================================== Task Force 99 Operative Talia Marsh hated her job. Well, not really, considering she was kidnapping suspected terrorists and protecting the will of the people. But at the current moment, she did. She was near invisible in the dark alleyways in slums-986. She liked it here, the darkness made her feel secure and safe. It was completely unlike the overdeveloped cities, where bright neon lights and the over-augmented populace could easily make her out, even in the dark. Granted, some suits could stop even that from happening but her Task Force was probably too low in the Federal eyes to be given those. Very soon, she spotted her target, although, this time, they weren¡¯t like all the others. Instead of being shady men or women who lived alone on the outskirts, her target was a child. A teen, barely old enough to drink. ¡°Guess the terrorists are getting bolder now, using kids as shields, despicable bastards.¡± She thought. Her target was currently behind a small convenience store, one where he likely worked at. He was smoking a cheap cigarette and was looking at a primitive phone, one that probably didn¡¯t even have a terabyte of storage. She swiftly aimed her dart gun at the teen¡¯s neck and fired. The dart impacted his neck, and it hasn¡¯t even been a second when the teen dropped his phone on the pavement and collapsed onto the ground. She smiled at the successful hunt and snuck up to the body. After confirming that he was indeed knocked out cold, she draped him over her shoulders and prepared to leave, but not before looking at what was on the phone. Its screen was a bit cracked, but she should soon make it out to be in some sort of messaging app. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Hmph, as expected of a working dinosaur, the screen''s already broken from a single drop.¡± ===================================================================== Douglas: U gon be there tonight Millie: Definitely, I heard that they¡¯ve fixed the seats, we can actually sit in them without them poking our asses now lol! Douglas: Finally! I knew this place was underdeveloped but damn this is too much Millie: It¡¯s not like it¡¯s better anywhere else, we are in a Level-J slum. Douglas: Hey, once I get enough money, do you want to move out of this shithole? I know a guy that knows a guy Millie: Wdym Millie: The only way to get out of this place is to buy an official district transfer ticket. Those things are not cheap and the waiting times are years long. You¡¯re saying you know someone that can help with this? Douglas: Even better, trust me. I¡¯m making my way over to the movie theater rn, be there soon wait for me. Millie: Alright. Millie: Hey you want popcorn? Millie: Hello? Millie: aajfewdsv fssfhdfhksdakf Millie: ??? ===================================================================== Talia frowned as she finished reading the conversation. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like the writings of a terrorist,¡± She thought. ¡°No, it could just be code words.¡± She affirmed herself. She banished the thoughts in her head and quickly carried the kid to the drop-off point. In another dark alleyway lay an inconspicuous black van. And outside it stood 2 men, dressed in black and carrying submachine guns with silencers. The weapons were quite crappy, being completely obsolete and quite dirty, however, in these slums, even weapons of questionable quality such as these were highly valued, whereas even crappy pistols and the occasional barely functional SMG were only reserved for high-profile crime bosses. However, silencers? Even with connections, they were impossible to find in the slums. The two men had their weapons raised, and looked wary. ¡°Which fool dares to approach us?¡± They call out to the dark. ¡°A fool with 99 knives.¡± Replies Talia. The men lower their arms. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just you.¡± ¡°Just me? You sound disappointed to know that it¡¯s just me.¡± snarkily replied Talia. ¡°Guard duty¡¯s boring as fuck, if you were some thug we could at least light you up for some fun.¡± ¡°Fuck off Luke, fuckin cunt.¡± snorted Talia. She tossed the body into the van, on top of 2 other similarly aged boys. ¡°Oh? This guy looks like a kid, how old is he?¡± asked Luke. ¡°Don¡¯t know, and don¡¯t really care. Terrorists getting damn bold, using kids to smuggle contraband.¡± Talia reached for her earpiece. ¡°Unit-9932 to command, requesting data on the next target, over.¡± ¡°Next target, Donald Doterres. Las-Loc, Movie Theater 324. Crimes, participating in human trafficking, murder, and drug dealing. Locate and Apprehend.¡± Said a voice over the earpiece. ¡°Got it, but can I know the target¡¯s age?¡± ¡°Information irrelevant. Complete your objectives, Unit.¡± The voice over the earpiece went silent. ¡°Tsk, dickhead.¡± Talia leaped up onto a nearby balcony. ¡°Well, I¡¯m off to my next target.¡± ¡°Pff, not like we can go anywhere anyways.¡± Talia smirked as she expertly parkoured up the building and disappeared over the roof. _________________________________________________________________________ Millie was freaking out. For the past 5 minutes, she had been blowing into a bag, grabbing her hair, and frantically checking her phone. ¡°He¡¯s not answering! Shouldn¡¯t we look for him?!¡± ¡°Come on, he probably just ran out of battery or something,¡± replied Donald, in a bored tone. ¡°It¡¯s been 15 minutes since he said he¡¯d be here! Where he works isn¡¯t even that far away!¡± ¡°Well he¡¯s just taking his sweet ass time isn¡¯t he?¡± Sighed Donald. ¡°Can you check over the place he works?¡± Imma just wait for him here behind the movie theater. The girl shook her head immediately. ¡°Me?! A girl who¡¯s alone is like money on a sidewalk!¡± Donald sighed again and reached into his pocket. He looked around him to make sure nobody else was looking and tossed something to Millie, who barely caught it. ¡°This is- It¡¯s a-¡± Millie stammered. ¡°Shhhhh¡± smirked Donald, as he put a finger to his lips. In Millie¡¯s shaky hands was a small pocket knife, made by some dead company called smith and Wesson. ¡°Collector¡¯s item, a gift from Douglas. don¡¯t lose it.¡± Millie quickly nodded, stuffed the item deep into her pocket, and with one last look at Donald, headed for the convenience store. He lazily looked over to the 2 large cartons of popcorn set on top of a nearby trash can. ¡°Hope they don¡¯t mind,¡± he said to himself, as he reached over to grab one. However, just before his fingers even touched a single popped kernel, he felt a sharp cold object enter his neck, and he was out before he hit the floor. _________________________________________________________________________ Talia grunted as she hoisted her target onto her shoulders. For whatever reason, the boy seems to be¡­ heavier. Despite seeming slimmer than the last. She swiftly sneaked and slithered her way into the alleys, before eventually making it back to the van once more. ¡°Which foo-¡± ¡°This fool is going to put 99 holes in you if you don¡¯t shut up.¡± Grunted Talia sarcastically, as she dumped this body into the van as well. ¡°Another kid?¡± questioned Luke. ¡°Don¡¯t question me about it.¡± Scoffed Talia, reaching for her earpiece. ¡°Unit-9932 to command, target apprehended. Requesting data on next target, over.¡± ¡°Command to Unit-9932, next target, Millie Finley. Crimes, participating in human trafficking, possession of contraband, and murder. Locate and Apprehend.¡± Talia froze. ¡°This girl¡­ wasn¡¯t she talking with the other two that I-¡± ¡°I do not see how this information is relevant.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had to sedate 5 kids today, five. Last week, it was 3, and the week before that, it was none.¡± ¡°Interesting observation but I still do not see how this is revel-¡± ¡°All the kids I¡¯ve had to shoot all have the same crimes, same age range, and do not seem like terrorists at all. The one that did fight back last week had absolutely no combat training. These kids¡­ are they really guilty?¡± ¡°Targets are part of a terrorist group that is rooted deep within society, their origins date back to the twentieth century and are known as the Red Wolves. They have recently begun using children to conduct their operations, many of whom do not know that they are being controlled. Does this satisfy you?¡± Talia thought for a moment. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, it does. Alright, I¡¯ll get to my next target.¡± She then looked over to Luke. ¡°You heard that?¡± She asked. ¡°Yep,¡± responded Luke. ¡°sounds like shit to me. Haven¡¯t heard of the red wolves since my history class.¡± ¡°Fucking hell, I will be barraging them with questions when we get back to base.¡± ¡°Good luck with that then.¡± Luke then looked over to the other guard beside him. ¡°Hey, Rob. You¡¯ve been dead silent this whole time, you good?¡± Rob coughed awkwardly, ¡°Sore throat, sorry.¡± Luke raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sorry? Did you get a headache too? You never apologize.¡± ¡°Get off my case, asshole.¡± coughed Rob. Luke smirked. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± _________________________________________________________________________ ¡°So he¡¯s really not here?¡± The manager groaned. ¡°Told you many times, girl. Your man went out the back and I haven¡¯t seen him since, and no. He¡¯s not in the bathrooms either.¡± ¡°Oh '''' Dejected, Minnie walked out of the convenience store and pulled out her phone. She tapped the messages app and sent Donald a message. ===================================================================== Minnie: Douglas is not at the store, I¡¯ve checked the back as well and there was nobody. Minnie: Did you see him at the theater? Minnie: Hello????????????????? ===================================================================== Panicking at the fact that Donald wasn''t responding either, she quickened her pace toward the theater. The girl, on the verge of tears, put away her phone and put her hand around the pocketknife. After reaching the theater, she headed for the back, and her fears were confirmed. Besides a carton of knocked-over popcorn, there was nobody there. The girl clutched the pocketknife firmly and thought about calling for help, however, her thoughts were interrupted when a cold object was pressed into the side of her neck. ¡°Sorry kid.¡± was the last thing she heard before her legs gave out. _________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Fucking hell.¡± Grunted Talia as she hoisted the small girl onto her shoulders. ¡°Still can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this shit.¡± She jumped into the trashcan and onto a nearby ledge, and made her way to the top of the building. After almost slipping on a puddle of rainwater that had collected in a small concave on a building, she made it to the alleyway. Surprisingly, there was no callout this time. ¡°Weird, Luke was always laid back but never on an op like this¡­¡± She thought. She carefully set down the unconscious Millie and crept up to the ledge of the apartment rooftop, just in time to see Rob put a bullet between Luke¡¯s eyes. _________________________________________________________________________ ¡°WHAT THE FUCK!???¡± Screamed Talia, leaping down and body-slamming Rob into the pavement. She kicked away his gun and pulled out her own. ¡°WHAT THE HELL? WHAT THE SHIT, ROB?¡± She screamed, no longer caring that this was supposed to be a stealth mission. But Rob only smiled. ¡°You shouldn''t have spoken too much.¡± Suddenly, Talia sensed 2 more people behind her. She swiftly turned around to face them but was tackled from behind by Rob, and sent them straight into some nearby dumpsters and garbage bags. ¡°You-¡± Talia felt her throat close up as a hand gripped it roughly. ¡°Still speaking in this situation, huh?¡± mocked Rob, as his two allies came into view. They wore specialized stealth armor, just as, if not more advanced than hers. There was a small red engraving on their helmets, depicting a red wolf howling at a red moon. Talia¡¯s eyes widened, but quickly shut them again in pain when she felt a sharp burning pain in both her knees. Rob loosened his grip, and Talia fell to the pavement, completely immobile, as blood steadily leaked out of both her kneecaps, forming small pools on the ground. ¡°You- you exist¡­¡± Talia uttered, taking in deep breaths to try and ease the pain, however, her pained expression morphed into anger. ¡°Rob, you-¡± ¡°Rob? HahAhHahaha!¡± Rob interrupted. He then laughed for a bit, before his body shimmered like a mirage and revealed a man covered completely in bright white armor. ¡°I offed him before the mission began, he was a smart one too. Noticed my cloak before I managed to copy his voice. Real name¡¯s Mikheil.¡± Behind Mikheil, another red wolf landed silently, holding the body of Minnie. Who after examining her pulse, tossed her into the van. ¡°Area¡¯s clean, sir,¡± he said. ¡°Good. get in the driver''s seat and ready the engine. Then we can get the hell out of this shithole.¡± Talia smirked through the pain. ¡°You evil fucking bastards, getting these kids to be your puppets, fucking degenerates.¡± ¡°Puppets?¡± Mikheil frowned, but then let out a laugh. ¡®Ha, you think we¡¯ve using child soldiers? How stupid can you be?¡± He then gave a hard kick directly to Talia¡¯s chin, sending her head flying backward, slamming into a dumpster. ¡°Thought TF99 would know better, but I was proved wrong. Wanna know a secret? You¡¯ve been trafficking civvies since the day you fuckin joined!¡± Talia spat out a bloody tooth. ¡°You think I would fall for your shit?¡± Mikheil put his foot on Talia¡¯s chest. ¡°You should. Wanna know another secret? The same people write our checks.¡± Talia froze. ¡°Bullshit you¡¯ve spouting is enough to fill a-¡± Mikheil pressed down into her chest with his foot. Talia gagged as strength far greater than what a normal human could exert and pressed a hard metal boot into her chest, robbing her of her ability to speak. Mikheil sneered. ¡°Stupid bitch, using kids as puppets? Fucking moron. We¡¯re both puppets. Your strings are just so fucking long and tangled that you can¡¯t see the one pulling them.¡± ¡°Sir! Engine¡¯s warmed up and the car''s all ready to go!¡± A red wolf yelled. ¡°Be there in a sec! Just gotta cut a puppet from their strings.¡± Mikheil yelled back and turned back towards Talia, who was still looking at him defiantly. ¡°Still don¡¯t believe me? You were so close to finding out the truth too. I was ¡®rob¡¯ after all. I heard everything. It¡¯s all true, too. Command¡¯s been feeding you all bullshit, and you, for the most part, have been gladly wolfing it down.¡± Talia¡¯s eyes widened, her face was filled with realization, and tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°Crying, are we? Shame I don¡¯t have time to entertain you further. Be free.¡± He crushed Talia¡¯s chest with his foot, sending rib fragments into all her major organs. She made miserable hacking and choking sounds as he tried to breathe with her punctured lungs. Utilizing the last of her strength, she forced her eyes open long enough to see Mikheil grab her by the foot with a single hand, lifted her entire body up, and tossed her in the van. ===================================================================== From: United States Federal Bureau of Prisons To: Nexus Corporation Official Prisoner Exchange Program Date Sent: 2/21/2117 We have complied with the quotas and have shipped the required amounts of prisoners over to the nearest processing facilities. There are approximately 6000 Death Row inmates ages 14-18. Around 5500 were obtained through operation thys¨ªa. There are approximately 2700 Death Row Inmates Inmates ages 19-25. None of them were acquired through Operation thys¨ªa. There are approximately 7500 Death Row inmates ages 26-35. Around 300 were acquired through Operation thys¨ªa. There are approximately 4000 Death Row Inmates ages 36-55 Around 1000 were acquired through Operation thys¨ªa. There was an incident where around half of all thys¨ªa acquirement operatives (Task Force 99) were killed during the latest iteration of operation thys¨ªa alone. As per our agreement, no further action has been taken by us in response and their deaths will be covered up. _________________________________________________________________________ Term(s): Las-Loc/Losloc: Commonly used military-style slang for ¡°last known location¡± A/N: fixed grammar and spelling errors Origins: 4 The Rift shimmered and glowed as another transport vehicle slowly drove out of it. Several workers got off their improvised chairs or turned off their entertainment hubs as they set about removing the transported cargo. Inside the trucks lay dozens of metal containers, reminiscent of coffins, each containing life support systems and a single, unlucky inhabitant. The workers lifted each container and separated them by age, placing the youngest in one area and the oldest in the other. Another group of workers took these coffins and placed them on long conveyors, where they were brought deep down into the facility and carried into a disinfecting room before being picked up by automated inserters which stacked them in large railcars. Once every single car was full, the hyperloop rail sped off, accelerating to a speed faster than sound in a quarter of a minute. Once the train reached its stop at Site-003, the coffins were swiftly removed from the train by automated machines, and organized into neat lines. Soon, workers, this time escorted by armed guards, approached the coffins and lifted them, carrying them to the cell number specified on the lid. Once there, the workers would disengage the life support systems, open the coffin and plop the person in there onto a cell bed, before swiftly leaving. This process was repeated thousands of times, and before long, every single cell was full. After dumping the last body on a bed, a worker took out a cigarette, and instead of using a lighter, he instead conjured a small flame on his thumb to light it. He smiled to himself, happy that he could now conjure flames reliably. Technically, you weren¡¯t allowed to smoke, however having GAMMA rank and having Clearance level 5 made him unofficially exempt from some minor rules. Besides, what can it even do to him, anyways? Cybernetic lungs can¡¯t get cancer and the ventilation is top notch. What was there to burn in a metal facility? ¡°Attention all facility personnel, please remove yourself from the test subject containment cells within 15 minutes and prepare for Experiment Magus to begin. Do not interact with test subjects unless given explicit instructions to do so from approximately ranked personnel.¡± Announced a Voice from the loudspeakers. The worker sighed as he pointed a finger at his smoldering cigarette. Suddenly, the whole thing instantaneously became covered in a thin layer of ice. ¡°Damn! Fucked up again.¡± he grumbled. He was never good with the cold anyways. ======================================================================== Stochast¨ªs configuring New Hardware¡­ Booting EXPERIMENTAL.ELEMENT-A.POWER SUPPLY¡­ Booted. Booting ABSOLUTE.CONTROL¡­ Booted. Connecting to ATMOSPHERIC ALTERATION SITES¡­ Connected. Received Data Package¡­ Downloading Magus.Systema.Dominus.DEI-MAGIA V0.9¡­ File Size: 76 Petabytes Storage Available after download: 4.2 Exabytes Downloading¡­ Downloaded. Loading User Access List: ADMINISTRATOR: 1 LEVEL-10: 14 LEVEL-9: 24 LEVEL-8: 500 LEVEL-7: 3500 LEVEL-6: 7000 LEVEL-5: 15000 LEVEL-4: 700000 LEVEL-3: 1000000 LEVEL-2: >10 million LEVEL-1: >30 Million LEVEL-0: >100 Million NO ACCESS: >10 Billion New Instructions Received¡­ Proceeding. ===================================================================== Douglas woke up with a splitting headache, and when he opened his eyes he was immediately blinded by the harsh light emanating from the ceiling. So for what felt like an hour, he just lay there, eyes closed and thinking about his life decisions and what led him here. ¡°God! I wish this headache will just go away, I wonder what being normal feels like again¡­¡± He thought miserably. Suddenly, he felt something drain inside of him, and his headache hurt much less than before. ¡°Huh? Did God answer my prayers?¡± He got up slowly and rubbed the side of his head. He was never religious, but was semi-seriously considering it now. He then observed his surroundings, and realized that he wasn¡¯t home, or in the local hospital. Instead, he was in a small room, with a small bed, a table, chair, and a single lightbulb in the middle of the room. He wasn¡¯t wearing his clothes, instead, he was in a bright teal jumpsuit. The only entrance/exit he could see was a metal sliding door in the room, and there didn¡¯t seem to be any way to open it from the inside. On the table, there was a pamphlet on it. Picking it up, he read through its contents. ===================================================================== Greetings Douglas Hugh! You might be scared and frightened, but do not be worried! You¡¯re perfectly safe! From today onwards, you will be serving as a test subject and with your help, all of humanity will be able to unlock a new door towards a safer and brighter future. Your new designation is Douglas#0691 (remember this!) You might be feeling confused on what to do, but don¡¯t worry! Our helpful employees (These are the guys with guns!) will guide you throughout your journey here. If you¡¯re ever lost, ask them for help! Make sure to always pay attention to what the intercoms say, as they can and will provide helpful and useful information you can use to prolong your life. These are some of the basic rules and regulations you should follow to make your stay as pleasant as it can be: 1. Follow all orders and instructions given to you. Nobody likes it when their pet disobeys! And we don¡¯t like it either. Be a good boy, and you will be treated and rewarded well! (we promise!) 2. Don¡¯t litter. Keep our facility clean and make our janitors¡¯ lives easier. 3. Do not complain. Cell conditions too rough? Food too bad? Bathrooms too smelly? Man up! Nobody likes whiners. After 5 years of service, you get to go free! A residence, money, and healthcare will all be provided for you. No strings attached! We¡¯re lying btw lmao Are you ready to start? Great! To get started, please say this out loud: System! ===================================================================== Disregarding the somewhat disturbing pamphlet, it was also extremely lacking in useful information. There is no real information on who they are, and what exactly they would be doing. Seeing as there is really no real option, he said ¡°System!¡± Nothing happened. ¡°Now I just look like a dumbass¡­¡± Douglas grumbled. Immediately, a bright blue screen appeared in front of Douglas out of nowhere, making him jump and slam his toes into a table leg. ¡°Oh fuck!¡± He yelled and fell to the floor, holding his toes tightly. User has taken damage -0.01 hit points A light angelic voice sounded in his head. ¡°Huh?¡± startled by the voice, Douglas quickly raised his head, only to slam it directly into the bedframe. User has taken damage -0.04 hit points After the pain subsided, Douglas observed the hovering screen in front of him. He tried to wave his hand through it, and the image distorted before swiftly repairing itself. ¡°Damn, this is crazy. Isn¡¯t this just like one of those games?¡± He wondered. ¡°If so, then what if I¡­¡± ¡°Status!¡± He called out. The blue screen distorted for a minute before showing him an image of his face and several statistics. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Name: Douglas Hugh Age: IRRELEVANT HP: 99.95 Mana: 11/100 Exp: 0/100 Available upgrade points: 0 Strength: 5 Affinity: 9 Perception: 3 Endurance: 4 Charisma: 4 Dexterity: 5 Intelligence: 4 Agility: 4 Luck: 0 Current Quest: Null /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Damn! That¡¯s crazy!¡± exclaimed Douglas, amazed. ¡®¡¯But why¡¯s my luck so low?¡± /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION NEW CHANGE DETECTED A SKILL HAS BEEN ADDED +Inferior lesser heal Skill Experience: 5/100 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ The speaker on the wall crackled to life, giving Douglas no time to react to the system notification. ¡°Greetings new test subjects! Please head out your door and head to the Mess Hall. Refer to the directions on the wall if you get lost.¡± Said a strangely cheery voice over the intercoms. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ QUEST UPDATEDQuest: Head to the Mess Hall within 5 minutes Rewards: +5 xp Penalty for failure: Immediate execution Quest Giver: NULL /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Wow, death for failing this?¡± Not really having a choice in the matter, Douglas walked out the cell door that had just slid up, allowing him to exit the room. Outside, he was greeted with the face of another bewildered test subject, along with the faces of several dozen other individuals in the hall. They all looked at each other. Some were very vocal about their confusion, and others, either the smart or the cowardly ones, remained silent. After scanning the crowd of people for anyone he might know and seeing no one, he followed the yellow arrow labeled ¡°MESS HALL¡± painted on the floor. After scurrying past a frighteningly large amount of armed guards, he made it into the mess hall. The room was absolutely massive, with rows upon rows of tables and chairs arranged neatly in lines. There were hundreds of Test Subjects in there, but the size of the room could clearly accommodate thousands more. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ QUEST COMPLETEDQuest: Head to the Mess Hall within 5 minutes Reward: +5 xp Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. NEW QUEST RECEIVED Sit in the seat marked with your designated number within 8 minutes Rewards: +5 xp Penalty for failure: Immediate execution and public humiliation Quest Giver: NULL /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Wait a minute,¡± muttered Douglas. ¡°What¡¯s my designation number again?¡± _________________________________________________________________________ After rushing back to his cell, garnering weird looks from other test subjects, and memorizing his designation code, he ran back to the Mess Hall, heaving and completely out of breath. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ QUEST COMPLETED Quest: Sit in the seat marked with your designated number within 8 minutes Reward: +5 xp NEW QUEST RECEIVED Quest: Await further instructions Rewards: + One (1) Grade-F Ration Pack, One (1) Grade-F Test Subject ration coupon Penalty for failure: NONE Quest Giver: NULL /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ He saw a familiar figure seated right next to him. ¡°Donald?¡± Douglas asked, unsure. ¡°Eh? Doug?¡± Donald turned and his face brightened. ¡°You¡¯re alive?¡± ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m alive? You thought I fuckin died?!¡± Doug laughed, relieved that he at least knew somebody else here. ¡°I thought for sure you¡¯d be dead, you stopped responding to texts and you were nowhere to be found.¡± ¡°Well uh, It appears that we have both been kidnapped.¡± ¡°Quite a situation we¡¯re in, huh?¡± The two heard rapid heavy breathing behind them and turned around. ¡°Shit, Millie? They got you too?¡± Donald sighed. ¡°Oh my god!¡± squealed Millie, as she threw herself towards Donald and Douglas, wrapping her arms around both of them, drawing some amused confused looks around them. Douglas sighed and patted Millie¡¯s back, trying to comfort the sobbing girl. ¡°Oh shit!¡± Donald Yelped, and quickly pushed Millie into the seat located to the right of Douglas. ¡°Damn that was close! You almost died there. It¡¯s nearly been 8 minutes.¡± He quickly explained. Millie calmed down and sat stilly in her seat, trying to stifle her occasional sniffling. ¡°Welcome all test subjects! I am happy to announce today that nobody has died yet!¡± Exclaimed a voice from the intercoms. ¡°However, that might change very soon! As you might all have realized by now, you are all test subjects! For who? Well that¡¯s up to you to find out. Now you may have realized that things here don¡¯t exactly make sense. By using the system, you can see a stat-page, much like that of a game, in front of you. If you didn¡¯t, then I don¡¯t know how you¡¯re still alive! Haha!¡± The voice laughed. ¡°But I assure you, as long as you follow all instructions given to you, I¡¯m sure all of you will survive! Now all of you may be hungry, yes? Thankfully, just by listening to my beautiful voice, you can get food! How amazing is that? Anyways, if you¡¯re ever lost or unsure on what to do, look at your current quest. It¡¯s that easy! That¡¯s all for now, see you all later!¡± The intercoms then went silent. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ QUEST COMPLETED Quest: Await further instructions Reward: One (1) Grade-F (TEST SUBJECT) Ration Pack, One (1) Grade-F test subject coupon. Secret Reward: Unlocking the schedule list, say ¡®Schedule!¡± out loud to see your current schedule. Failure to comply will result in consequences. NEW QUEST RECEIVED Quest: Wait for 1 hour. Take the time to converse and befriend your fellow test subjects or form deadly rivalries with them! Rewards: None Penalty for failure: None Quest Giver: NULL Hint: Say ¡°Inventory¡± to access inventory. Say |ITEM NAME| to take out an item from the inventory. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ The entire room was silent, with only nervous whispers of occasionally breaking the surrounding silence. Not wanting to be the one to break the current status quo but also wanting to check his inventory and stat page, he whispered softly ¡°Inventory.¡± /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ERROR: User must say any command with a loudness of at least 50 Decibels. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Well there goes that idea¡­¡± Douglas muttered. He sighed and said ¡°Inventory!¡± out loud. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ CURRENT INVENTORY CAPACITY: 2/3 ITEMS: 5 Slices of Bread 3 Packs of Water (hand this in at the food line to receive food. You will receive 3 daily.) /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Well that¡¯s pretty miserable¡­ Grade-F test subject ration pack!¡± A sealed gray colored plastic bag appeared in Douglas¡¯ hands. Unsealing it, he pulled out a pretty sad looking piece of bread. He took a small bite, and the bread tasted like cardboard, he almost wanted to spit it out. He threw the bread back in and took out a pack of water. Which was literally a small plastic pack filled with water. ¡°How the hell is this shit food?¡± Frowned Donald, poking at a piece of bread. ¡°We ate better shit in the slums!¡± Douglas hummed in agreement. ¡°What is the point of a mess hall if all they¡¯re gonna feed us are prepackaged food?¡± The entire room was now filled with commotion. Mostly with angry complaints about the poor quality of food. The majority of the test subjects were young and came from rough parts, and are no strangers to fights. The only thing preventing a full blown riot was the heavy presence of armed guards roaming the mess hall, pointing their guns at and threatening the more rowdy ones. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ NEW QUEST TRIGGERED (All Test Subjects) Quest: Get better food Rewards: ??? Penalty for failure: ??? Quest Giver: AUTOMATICALLY TRIGGERED /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ SCHEDULE UPDATED Free Time (Do whatever you want. Do not die.) Ends in 30 minutes /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Well shit! Ain¡¯t that convenient.¡± Donald read through the message. ¡°And how helpful.¡± he added sarcastically. ¡°I¡­ I think we should split up.¡± Minnie spoke softly. ¡°This place is huge and we should split up so we can explore this place more thoroughly.¡± Her face reddened and she buried her face deeper into her arms, looking like she should have never spoken at all. ¡°Yeah, I think she''s right. Not like we have anything better to do anyways.¡± Donald stood up from his seat, then pointed at a blue arrow along the floor. ¡°I¡¯m checking out the working area.¡± He then pointed at Douglas, and then down at the green arrow. ¡°You check out the TS Exchange, that place sounds interesting.¡± Finally, he pointed at Millie and then at the red arrow. ¡°You can check out the rec area. Now, I would like to meet here again when free time is over but I don¡¯t know if they will allow us. Good luck guys, no time to waste.¡± Donald turned and quickly followed the blue arrows on the floor, and Millie soon did the same with the red ones. Seeing as both of them weren¡¯t up for further conversation, he followed the green arrows on the floor. The green arrow ran parallel to the blue arrow, but turned left later in a hallway. Soon, Douglas reached a sizable chamber labeled ¡°Test Subject Exchange Area¡±. It looked somewhat like a bank. The area was filled with guards, the occasional test subject, and several kiosks with one way glass. ¡°Hely kid! You lost or something?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Turning to find the source, he spotted a man possibly in his late 40¡¯s waving at him from an open kiosk. ¡°Well, you want anything?¡± asked the man. ¡°I- uh.¡± ¡°Do you know what this place is?¡± ¡°Uh, no?¡± ¡°Aye yai yai¡­ This is the exchange area, where you can exchange your hard earned currencies for all sorts of useful things!¡± The man explained. ¡°Like food?¡± ¡°Food? Didn¡¯t you already get food?¡± ¡°Well we did, but¡­¡± Douglas took out his ration pack and showed it to the man. ¡°Bread and water? Damn! You kids be eating worse than beggars!¡± He then looked around. ¡°Alright, have this on me. Don¡¯t tell anyone else about this, alright?¡± He handed Douglas a much meatier blue plastic pack. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ NEW ITEM OBTAINED Grade-C WORKER Ration Pack (container) Contains: 2 Large Hamburgers 4 Baked Potatoes 8 Packs Mineral Water 1 Bar of Chocolate (WARNING: This item is contraband. If spotted, prepare for heavy consequences) /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Don¡¯t tell anybody where you got this from.¡± The man warned Douglas again. ¡°Only doing this because I have an extra.¡± ¡°Ah, thanks, mr¡­?¡± ¡°Hm? Oh! Call me Brook! Good luck out there kid.¡± With that, he slammed his window shut. _________________________________________________________________________ Donald looked around the massive cavern around him. The entire working area was just this. Around him were possibly hundreds of test subjects who were toiling away, slamming heavy steel pickaxes at the walls, occasionally digging out some small blue crystals. He walked up to a nearby test subject and asked him. ¡°Hey buddy, what is all this?¡± The test subject looked to be no more than 20. ¡°Digging.¡± He replied simply. ¡°Uh huh, digging for what, blue rocks?¡± The man looked up at Donald, examined his face, then answered. ¡°System calls it a mana stone. Don¡¯t know what it does but It gives you exchange points.¡± ¡°Exchange points, and what do these do?¡± ¡°You can trade them for things at the exchange area down the hall.¡± Donald looked around and spotted a group of large burly test subjects carrying pickaxes heading further into the cavern, away from the large groups near the entrance. ¡°Why aren¡¯t more people going deeper?¡± Donald curiously asked. The man¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°The Irechian gang claimed that area for themselves, and they beat the shit out of one guy to leave a message for everyone else.¡± ¡°The guards aren¡¯t doing anything about this?¡± ¡°The guards don¡¯t give a shit. I tried talking to them but they just¡­ stare at you.¡± ¡°Stare?¡± ¡°They just look at you. Like you¡¯re stupid. The only time when they do something is when someone breaks a rule or when some idiot tries to pickpocket them. God, poor Joe!¡± ¡°Breaking a rule huh¡­ Like what?¡± ¡°Trying to attack a guard, not obeying orders, possessing contraband¡­ all that stuff. They don¡¯t care if we try to kill each other, although they will stop large all out brawls. Listen, if you can get rid of those bastards, I¡¯ll be in your debt.¡± /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ANALYZING¡­ USER GENERATED QUEST ISSUED Quest: Drive away the members of the Irechian gang and/or take over their territory in the cavern. Rewards: Noah¡¯s trust Penalty for failure: Nothing Quest Giver: Noah Turner /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try and see if I can do something about them. See you around, Noah.¡± ¡°Yeah see you around¡­ wait.¡± Noah turned around and looked at Donald¡¯s back. ¡°How the hell did he know my name?¡± _________________________________________________________________________ The rec room was large and spacious, with a small library in one corner and a bunch of board games in the other. There was even a gym, basketball and soccer field, with double doors leading to them. However, despite the large amount of amenities, there was hardly anybody relaxing. The only person in there actually enjoying a good book was a woman sitting in a beanbag chair, who¡¯s eyes brightened when she noticed Millie. She got up and practically leaped over to Millie, who looked at her in shock. ¡°Pretty sweet isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s a toggleable ability called Swift Movement. Huh? Oh! I forgot to introduce myself again, didn¡¯t I?¡± The girl laughed. Millie, overwhelmed by the girl''s eccentricity, stayed silent. ¡°My name is Olivia, pleased to meet you.¡± She held out her hands for a handshake. Still somewhat bewildered, Millie slightly raised her hand and was about to accept the handshake when Ovilia grabbed her hand and shook it vigorously. ¡°So how¡¯d you end up here? Were you kidnapped, Drugged, beaten and carried away, enticed, lied to, or - Whoops! Sorry. Went off track again. I don¡¯t even know your name!¡± Olivia laughed, as if this was a normal occurrence for her. ¡°Millie, my name is Millie.¡± Millie softly replied. ¡°Millie! What a beautiful name! My name is Olivia. Oh, did I already introduce myself? Ha! My bad.¡± Olivia scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. ¡°It¡¯s not a mental disease or something, I promise! I''m not crazy. It¡¯s just a personality trait. Oh, did I start going off again?¡± ¡°Uh, alright? I uh - I believe you?¡± ¡°Really? Thanks! Hey hold on. Lemme show you something cool.¡± Without waiting for a reply, Olivia dragged Millie along to a dark corner of the room, reached around in a bookshelf, and with a small audible click, a small portion of the wall slid open. Without allowing Millie to take everything in, Olivia dragged her into the room. Inside, there was a somewhat large pit in the middle of the room, with seats surrounding it and a larger upper area, with more luxurious seating. ¡°I think this is an arena. I don¡¯t know why they built an arena here but it¡¯s pretty awesome! Just look at these seats!¡± Olivia plopped herself in one of the seats. Millie was amazed by the area, and spent a few minutes looking around, but fear and apprehension appeared on her face. ¡°But isn¡¯t this, like, transpassing? Won¡¯t the guards do something if they know we¡¯re here?¡± ¡°The guards? Oh they already know we¡¯re here¡± Olivia pointed at the small cameras dotted throughout the room. ¡°What?!?¡± ¡°Nah don¡¯t worry. They don¡¯t care. I¡¯ve been here many times before.¡± ¡°How do you even know this place exists? It¡¯s only been a day since we were dragged here.¡± ¡°I like to¡­ you know. Feel the crevices between things. I felt a button and when I did, I pressed it and here we are today!¡± /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ SCHEDULE UPDATED Return to the mess hall within 10 minutes. Punishment for failure: Death /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ¡°Oh, looks like we better head back. Can¡¯t be late for this one. Come on! Let¡¯s go!¡± Without waiting for a reply, Olivia grabbed Minnie¡¯s hand and rushed out the door, practically dragging the poor girl all the way to the mess hall. _________________________________________________________________________ Back at the Mess hall, the trio, now waved at each other and reconvened at their seats. ¡°Hey, who¡¯s this?¡± asked Donald. ¡°Olivia! Pleased to make your acquaintance.¡± Olivia eagerly stuck out her hand for a handshake. Donald raised an eyebrow and looked at Minnie, but shook her hand. ¡°So¡­ has anyone found anything yet?¡± Asked Douglas. ¡°Nothing really, besides a gang that occupies the deep areas of the mines.¡± returned Donald. ¡°Gang?¡± Olivia perked up. ¡°You mean the Irechian gang?¡± ¡°Yeah. you know them?¡± ¡°Of course! One of the bastards tried to grope me, but I gave that asshole a roundhouse to the face! He ran away after that.¡± ¡°We should find a way to get rid of them. I¡¯ve got a quest for it and the working area also has an area where you can mine for crystals, which you can exchange for points. No idea what they do though.¡± ¡°Points? I think I have a pretty good Idea what they do.¡± Answered Douglas. He looked around him before taking out a large blue pack. ¡°And I also have a pretty good idea on how to get rid of them.¡±