The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 54. Rubies.

- Ark -

To say Maliver birthed monsters was one thing, but to say his monsters weren't useful was another. Until now, what dwelled within the lowest chambers of their anthill was only a word. It was a documented term, waddling along the lines of fact based fiction and, while said fiction proved faceless it existed only as an idea. But it was more than enough. It was a promise of what he could do, and what he had done. Maliver loved the natural world. And while its limits seemed endless, he quickly found it to be quite finite. If he wanted something specific, he would have to make it... So he did.

"Control." He said in a voice as confident as a politicians. "What does every government desire at its core..." Maliver strode across the lab floor. The remainder of his scientific division stood silently. Listening. "Control. It offers a sense of security, a predictability of outcomes. But control requires sacrifice, and humanity doesn't tend to like that word do we." He set down the file and picked up his badge. "Take away humanity, and anything is permissible. Anything is possible." He paused. "I value every one of you more than you could ever know. Each of you has brought an irreplaceable skill, an unwavering faith, and commitment to this company.  For six years you devoted your lives to one goal, to bring back society, stronger, healthier, and better controlled. While everything fell to Anarchy, you prevailed."

Maliver swiped his badge over a metal cabinet. "Today we unveil our final Evolution. Something made and stamped by your own hands. Finished in mine, and backed by the world at large. Your names will go down in history as the men and women who renewed humanities lease on life." When the cabinet opened it hissed as the door popped free of its hydraulic restraints. "Legion." He pulled out a single vial. "First, you develop the Ark-light. Made of infected blood to create a volatile round capable of crippling even the strongest Hybrids. Now this. The answer to control. An implantable hive mind that allows us bodily control without silencing the human subpart. Untraceable. Un-trackable, and deliverable by any method. Targeted control. Activated obedience." He smiled, holding it up to the light. "This win is yours. Congratulations." He spun the vial between his fingers, watching the murky substance ebb. "Because of your hard work and dedication, our future is secured. Now we move towards it." He placed it delicately on a foam compact and removed an additional six from the cabinet before closing it. "Today we test their effectiveness in conjunction. Shall we begin?"

 

- The Safe House -

"That's it, watch his legs-" Zak hoisted Kasper up the final turn of stairs as Ace brought his legs around, Rook and Topher observed through the slatted railing below. They carried him into the first room and slid him onto the bed. The four had spent the evening on the first floor, now they had begun to venture out. Patrolling, and swapping ideas on who to shoot first. Maliver was the target, everyone else was a bonus.

The pines whistled when the wind blew through their needles and everything swayed. Nothing had changed in the house, except for the calming presence of more dust and the web of a gifted spider that clung to the mirror near the bed. It's ornately printed body striping at its legs in vibrant shades of yellow. No one had been there since them. So they had no reason to fear houseguests.

"You were right, this place ain't half bad. It's a shame." Ace strode through the doorway, returning to the quiet bedroom with their packs. "He weighs a lot more than he looks. I'm amazed you were able to drag him as far as you did."

"Adrenaline." Zak said, and slid the final layer of covers over Kasper's body. Watching them soak up the blood a moment before removing the blankets all together.