AX-1

CHAPTER 1

A man walked down the gray, concrete walkway of the underground fortress, holding a heap of unorganized papers. His work was complete, he had finally done what had taken him so many sleepless days and countless attempts to refine and perfect. Now, all that was left was reporting his findings to Mr.Green. The man had second thoughts.

Am I sure I should go through with this?

He pondered over the question, trying to reassure himself.

There isn't much time, I already had the boss wait an extra month for the results...

Anxiety always had a way of creeping into him at the most inconvenient of moments. He stopped to take a deep breath and continued walking. His work was of utmost importance, as his work, if successful, would revolutionize the world. He would become famous, known throughout all of history, the man to have created the strongest entity humanity has ever seen. AX-1, as they call it, will be finished in approximately three days, if all goes well. The man arrived at the door to the boss's office, ready to take the plunge of his lifetime. He quietly opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it gently. Mr.Green was thoroughly concentrating on his computer, apparently reading an article. The man's mouth opened to speak, but nothing would come out. He stood there awkwardly until Mr.Green acknowledged him. "Yes, Dr.Eden?" He asked, looking up from the computer and dead straight into Maxwell's eyes.

"Y-yes, sir. I would like to tell you that I might have come up with our closest match yet". Mr.Green smiled, and stood up from his chair, maneuvering around his desk until he was face to face with Maxwell.

"Well then, Maxwell," Green said. "Let us retrieve him." Maxwell stood there, his face covered with cold sweat. He prayed that his decision was correct, that another one would not meet the same fate of those previously chosen. His entire body felt as if the world was pressing down on it as he stared intently at the files, handing the data he received from the computer to Mr.Green.

How many lives will it take... Maxwell thought, Before the world can be at peace... before the world can go back to a time without those creatures... those monsters.

Maxwell finally managed to hand over the paper, the immense tension turning instantly into regret. Maxwell looked back up at Mr.Green, managing a weak, pitiful smile, and then turned around, exiting the room. After Maxwell left the office to return to his own, his hand crossed over his face, shielding it from the view of the other pedestrians. He sped up his pace, trying to make it to his office in time. His temple throbbed and his face grew sore from clenching as tears streamed down his face. He rushed into his office, and fell into his chair, dropping his head into the crook of his arm, silently sobbing. Maxwell knew very well the consequences of this project. He had just sentenced a young adult to his death, and if not that, to a drastic change to his life. The young man didn't even have a chance to give his consent, for if he knew of this project, then there would be a chance that he tells the public, which would bring a halt to the organization.

This is the only way...

Maxwell attempted to console himself.

I did the best I could.

After taking time to calm himself, Maxwell opened his eyes and started gazing around the room, his vision blurred from the tears. The white painted walls were blank and window-less, with only a single rectangular light implanted in the middle of the ceiling. Maxwell needed a break, from this room and the underground fortress. He wanted to feel a cool, refreshing breeze across his face, with the smell of trees and nature surrounding him rather than smelling the sickly sweet artificial scents in the air. He wanted to see the clouds and the pale blue sky. However, he could not. He worked here until seven o'clock. It was three-thirty. Sheer boredom now plagued him. He hated this place, he wanted to escape. The fortress had swallowed him whole, and there was no way of getting out. Maxwell got up from his rolly chair. He walked to his filing cabinet, slouched down, and opened up one of the drawers. He pulled out a red file, labeled AX-1 procedure, and theories. He opened the file containing the information about the experiment. He gazed intensely at it, carefully reading the text. The Information on the file seemed unbelievable, like something taken directly out of fantasy. He has always had doubts about this experiment's success. However, it was not impossible. The other mysterious organization succeeded in the first of these types of experiments. However, his own organization was trying to create something much more destructive, yet somehow more controllable. At this, the other organization had failed. They could not capture them, nevermind control them. Maxwell decided it was better for him to prepare for the procedure, rather than dwelling on such negative things. The retrieval of the match will begin soon, tomorrow if possible. He turned on the computer at the corner of his desk, and began running simulations and perfecting the procedure. It was going to be troublesome, as the slightest mistake would lead to incorrect bonding, and that would be truly disastrous. He slowly worked through the day, until the day was finally complete. He was fairly confident that it would be successful. It had to, otherwise the other lives were for nothing. He put all of his papers back and reorganized everything. He went out of his office, and into the hallway. No one was around, because almost everyone had already left. He worked some of the longest hours of anyone in this section of the fortress, something that he could not help. He took the transparent elevator up the floors. He saw the workers of the other sections, standing and talking as he moved from floor to floor. He never got used to how clean and elegant the structure was. It was primarily white, with sleek black accents. Most parts of the fortress were made of a special durable plasticky substance that made the walls look glossy and polished. The walls themselves had a concave curve, which added to the futuristic look of the building. It was only his section of the fortress that got the dull concrete. That section was the first to be made, before the invention of such a unique material. Since the fortress was underground, the builders didn't care much if the building's materials didn't quite match up. However, it will soon be replaced, because the new material is invulnerable to earthquakes, cracking, and flooding, and other qualities that concrete cannot compete with. Maxwell reached the top floor and then proceeded to walk out into the hallway. There were two guards keeping watch in front of a steel ladder leading to a hole in the ceiling. They gave Maxwell the right of way, and he walked to the ladder and started climbing up. At the top, there was a vault-like wheel, which he loosened and opened. He maneuvered his way out of the hole and stepped on the ground of the surface. He deeply inhaled. Fresh air at last. He looked back at the camouflaged trap door leading down into the fortress. He then looked around it. It was in the woods. He started walking in the direction of his house. It was a long walk, at least a couple miles from any civilization. He was glad that summer had just begun, as he hated walking through the woods in the dark. The sun was still out, with enough light to get him back home. In the winter months, he would occasionally get lost in the woods for an extra hour or two before finding himself on the right path. He eventually made his way to his house, an average blue house with one story and no basement. He walked up his grey, cracked driveway and rummaged through his pockets for his keys. He twisted the key inside the doorknob and gave the door a push. The door rattled but did not open until the second nudge.

"Stupid door" Maxwell muttered.

He ambled into his small, undecorated house, and found a seat on his sofa. Maxwell tilted his head back and stretched before falling into a relaxed position. He had the money for a much greater house than this, but he needed to keep a low profile. Fancier things unfortunately mean more attention. Maxwell wanted to fix that wretched door but is simply too exhausted from work to do anything about it. He always came home tired, void of energy and enthusiasm. The minutes passed by, and Maxwell's loneliness and boredom became unbearable, and he sat up from his couch, heading for the kitchen. He prepared a quick and small dinner. He wanted companionship, someone to talk to, to laugh with, and to confide in. He desired friends, he desired love, both of which were nonexistent to him. Everyone at his workplace was busy and didn't have time for anything, and making friends with outsiders would risk the security of the company, no matter how small that risk would be. Most people, and especially the government, wouldn't approve of the company. Maxwell finished his dinner, washed his dishes, and prepared for bed. He didn't do much else besides his job. What could he do? He was fated to be alone. He was one of the only people that were able to do this specific job in the company, the company needs him. His work will save people, that is the only reason why he deals with this hell. As long as he keeps that in mind, he will keep going. Maxwell slid into his bed, and let his fatigue consume him.