The Mutation Wave

Chapter 36: Dictatorship

Firdaus lay on his bed, twirling a knife absentmindedly. He ignored the dull pain in his chest as he counted his losses. First Vivi and Zacharias, then his mutate research centre, and now a good eighty percent of his soldiers? Those enhanced mutates were really being a huge thorn in his side.

A knock sounded from his door. Ah, housekeeping matters.

"Come in," he said, setting the knife down on his bedside table. A frail looking woman opened the door and walked towards him nervously.

"Leader, you called for me?"

"Yes, Kareena." Firdaus said languidly. "The device, has it been completed?"

She nodded, handing over a small object that resembled a speaker. Firdaus took his time to inspect it while Kareena placed her hands behind her back to cover their shaking.

"I have modified it successfully," she said. "Flipping the dial generates hypnotic sound waves that paralyse mutates similar to how hydras trap their prey."

"The last time I used this, I was only able to paralyse the Red Clover, who was a human. It failed me when I needed to use it against a mutate."

"T- that wasn't actually the case, sir. The old device only had the capacity to paralyse mutates with an orange aura; not even the red ones will be affected for long. But with the new modification this time, it will work even on mutates with a blue aura."

"Well done." A slight curve formed on his lips. "You certainly are more competent than the Cha scientists."

"If there is nothing else, I'll take my leave-"

"Wait."

The woman froze in her tracks. That tone of voice never bode well.

"Two weeks ago, Zacharias betrayed us and destroyed our research centre when I was away. Do you know about this?"

Kareena nodded slowly. "Yes. It was unexpected, but-"

"I had an enhanced in the room tied to a chair, and she would have been Vivi's... slightly inferior replacement if her restraints were not magically opened," Firdaus continued, his eyes narrowing. "You're the head engineer and Zacharias' assistant. Did you know about this?"

"I..." Kareena's voice wavered as her body trembled slightly. "I didn't know. He must've stolen the wireless keys when I was not noticing."

"Is that so..." Firdaus muttered. "You know what happens when people lie to me, so let me ask you again." He grabbed her hand roughly. "Were you involved in the destruction of the research centre?"

"N-no! I would never!" Kareena closed her eyes, shaking her head violently. "I will always be loyal to you! I swear I didn't know-"

"You lie."

"L-Leader! I'm not-"

A loud gasp escaped from Kareena's lips as she opened her eyes to face her leader. His eyes were glowing a greenish yellow as his face contorted in barely contained rage.

"Y-you're one of the enhanced?!" she shrieked, trying to shake him off, but her body wouldn't listen to her. Horror and confusion danced in Kareena's eyes as her hand slowly moved by itself to pick up the knife on the table.

"So you really thought you had a chance at starting a rebellion in my place?" Firdaus whispered in a deadly tone, maintaining his grip on her. "And you couldn't even spread the word to half the settlement. Naive woman."

How did he know? We made sure to keep it a secret-

"Nobody keeps secrets around me," Firdaus' voice echoed in her head. "Any last words?"