The Orion Project (Rewrite) (indefinite hiatus)

Chapter 40

Doctor Seraph looked out of his office window, observing the raging storm outside. The waves crashed against the facility's walls to no avail. The rain pelted the window with a vengeance but it held strong and as the wind howled, he pressed a button on his desk and the noise was dampened. He turned to Devon and Jackson as they handed him their reports.

"Good work, both of you. I'm very pleased with your results." He said.

"Even if my team didn't bring in our intended target?" Jackson asked.

"Yes, yes of course!" Seraph said. "I was merely testing you and your teammates when it came to a much stronger opponent. You will be ready next time you face him."

"Slavore won't ever bother the people, nor us, again Doctor." Devon said.

"Yes, yes. Good work and all that. I have another assignment for your team Devon." Seraph handed him a data pad.

"That has your mission debriefing and all the relevant information you may need. You leave in three days! Rest up and I'll see you and your team off then." Seraph said.

Devon blinked before he nodded. "O-Of course sir. We'll be ready."

"Then you are dismissed, I need to speak with Jackson alone for a moment."

"Yes sir." Devon nodded to Jackson and left the room.

Once the door closed, Seraph sighed in annoyance. "You have to keep the secrets I tell you to keep, son."

"I...I know, I'm sorry Dad, it just slipped out. I-I didn't mean to..."

"What you didn't mean to and what you did are two different things. What has happened, has happened. There's no way to change it. I do hope you can trust the Thorne with that information." Seraph said lowly.

"I...I'm sure I can. Devon wouldn't start gossip like that." Jackson said.

"You had better hope so. You know exactly why I told you keep your heritage secret! Our enemies will use every underhanded trick to get to me and I want to ensure that Orion and the Project can continue. Your loose tongue could easily jeopardize that!" Seraph growled.

"It was an accident! Okay?! A slip of the tongue! You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you!" Jackson exclaimed.

"That's exactly what happened to your mother. And I will not let it happen again. You have one way to make amends."

"How?!"

"Get the information you need out of that prisoner. No matter what dirty, vile, and inhumane acts you must perform to get it! You. Will. Do it! Understand?!"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good, now get out."

Jackson walked dejectedly out of his father's office, leaving Seraph alone with his thoughts. The man sighed as he sat on his desk. He picked up a small photo frame off his desk.

The picture was of him, a woman with striking features, blonde hair, green eyes and a slightly tanned complexion. In her arms was an infant Jackson and she was leaning into Seraph's arms who had a smile plastered on his face.

"Our son will never face such heartache again, I have made sure of it." He mumbled. "You would never have agreed but, I went through with it. He is stronger now, dear. You'd have understood, wouldn't you?"

He placed the picture down and returned to his place by the window, continuing to watch the raging storm outside. His mind calming to the sight and he watched until the storm finally broke and a ray of sunshine broke through the clouds.