Project Elysium

Chapter 1: Awakening

{ This chapter isn't really gruesome, it's somewhat the introduction to the series. }

The evening was cold and icy. Nothing but a wide-open field, covered and buried in a large and thick blanket of snow that stretched further beyond the horizon with a flurry of snowflakes, often flying past on the diagonal and combined with a cold, biting wind, poor visibility, and the occasional abandoned structures obscured in packs of ice and flakes that would quickly build up on hair and burn the fragile skin of human life. An ozone like system surrounded the snowing country with fresh and crisp air so vivid that would barely be noticeable unless concentrated upon. The sound of howling, whistling wind ghosted between cramped up rubble buildings and slight tapping sounds of dried up, frozen, and dead tree branches scraping against broken glass windows with the cold environment feels isolated and brutal to anyone who would try taking a step out into the open storm. A feeling of dread and death loomed around whatever burrowed and hid away in cramped hiding spots and collapsed cement.

Not for inside the protected facility, though. A giant underground, hidden laboratory used for the newly designed life organisms programmed and biologically engineered by non-other than secret government unit, G.U.N and Mad-Scientist Doctor Robotnik . Further under the compacted snow and inside the unseen bunker were long unending hallways that lead to rooms of mystery and creations soon to be discovered. The walls were bleached in white tiles and narrowed out cold air. In the crook of each unsettling wall were diverging mirrors which allowed any living specimen to peek what awaits around the corner of each hallway and the smell of medical equipment and chemicals blocked out the fresher smell of snow from outside the base.

Within one of the many rooms, closed off from any view outside the door, was an incubator lab. An offsetting dark light blemished the room in a horror-like redness with some lights colored different hues of orange, green, purple and blue which would belong to monitoring screens, control panels and buttons that were all used by multiple scientific researchers and biologists that helped desighn the illegal creatures that awoke one by one after months of trials and failing. Each room contained a large, murky testing tube with a specimen of multiple species wrapped up around themselves and tubes attached to the bodies for oxygen supply and nutrition feeding.

Within this specific tube was a mysterious red creature that hugged all its limbs together and hid its smaller face from the world it was about to be brought into. A sudden sound of low humming and a giant lever being pulled down abrupted the peaceful creature and began tapping out the greened water that contained the small figure. Scientists began preparing to take out and shift the organism from one section to another while other applied safety eyeglasses, longer white gloves, white lab-coats that zipped up and covered any exposed skin to the hazarding air that might come from the years of contained air. Mechanics and janitors helped remove any flammable equipment from around the oversized machine and got a small basket that contained cleaning products to refreshen the glass and ventilation systems inside of the container. The scientists began rubbing the worst down with a damp cloth covered in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution that could easily reach the interior and exterior surfaces. They let the chemicals kill off any harmful bacteria that may be left behind by their experiment for around a ten-minute period and finally wiped it done with 70% alcohol and sanitized the equipment used for this procedure. Even though there was a low chance that the organisms could've caused any life-threatening diseases, everyone knew they wouldn't take the risk of being exposed to creating such vial and harmful weapons.

The creature was taken by the arms of a slim built woman that was fairly short, not quite reaching the average height of five-foot-six inches. Her hair is a soft shade of brown with golden highlights that were pulled into a loose ponytail. A dusting of light freckles peppered her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, each one unique and charming, all hidden behind a pair of thin, round eyeglasses, secured by a thin frame that hooked behind her ears. Her eyes are a warm and inviting light shade of brown with a kind expression seeming to have etched on her soft, diamond-shaped face, one of care and understanding that one wouldn't normally find around the brutal halls. She carried the shivering, cold, and drenched creature toward the recovery room for clean-up and care while it still slumbered in her hold and wasn't fully aware of what awaited beyond the life before him.

It didn't take longer than around five to ten minutes for the lady to reach to recovery centrum before a stronger pair of hands took the experiment from her had and placed him down on a soft sheet, decked out on a hard, marble table used for medical purposes A smaller team of nurses and biologists came together and began cleaning off the clear, fatty vernix caseosa that formed around it's fur during growth. They dired him off in a soft, thick towel that absorbed any and all liquid that soaked up within the thick coat of dirty merlot red and charcoal black patterned fur. The caretakers of the specimen began taking small tests to make sure their creature was still breathing and that the heartbeat was still as abnormally faster as any other species they have ever experimented on. One of all the simple tests was cleared up. They safely took small blood samples and checked his blood pressure while the spikey creature was still in a deeper state of sleep..

The lab room was a chaotic mess of equipment and movement with wires and smaller tubes scattered around while researchers and caretakers rumbled around signing and writing down as much information as they possibly could and needed, but as a large, menacing man walked into the room, everything seemed to have fallen quiet. The man appeared to be in his mid-forties with a build that could only be described as intimidating. He stood tall and imposing, with a commanding presence that filled the room without even trying. Despite being physically intimidating, the man had a calm and collected demeanor, speaking in a gentle, measured tone. It was as if he had a sense of quiet authority that everyone respected and appreciated from him. His eyes were sharp and focused, scanning the room for any signs of trouble, while his expression remained steady and composed, as if he was prepared for anything that came his way.

As the doctor entered the room, his presence immediately filled the room with a sense of intensity. He was a well-known figure in the scientific community, with a reputation for both genius and a harsh demeanor. He waltzed into the room with dramatically long strides while stretching out his neck to observe around the room with narrowed eyes and seeking out the lead scientist who informed him of his creature's awakening. He walked up to a young, energetic woman, who had just woken up their months long awaited experiment. It had come out alive, healthy, and a complete masterpiece to the madman's team. He stood tall over the scientist, looming over her with his bigger frame.

"Ms. Bell, It seems our experiment has come to fruition. Please explain the results of your delightful findings." He spoke to her with a sarcastically proud and snarky tone as if taking all the credit for his work.

"Well, Dr. Robotnik, I am overjoyed to say that the experiment of this individual was a complete success. We have successfully created a lifeform that is beyond anything your grandfather could have ever created!" she announced with excitement and pride filling over her gentle tone.

Robotnick's eyes narrowed as if he was assessing her every word. "How long will he remain stable? Is there any risk of mutation or decay within his system?"

The woman positively shook her head in reassurance and continued. "Our creation is completely stable, Dr. Robotnik. It has already biologically adapted to our environment and is perfectly suited to survive.. unlike some others.. But we have conducted a series of tests and found it to be completely durable!"

The other was silent for a moment and brushed his index finger and thumb across his well-maintained mustache as if absorbing the information. "Very well then. I will be taking the creation with me to another section for further testing. I expect a full report on all the findings to be handed to me by tomorrow morning, is that understood, Ms. Bell?"

"Yes, sir. The team will work diligently to deliver the report as soon as possible." Said Ms. Bell. Her tone was respectful yet confident.

The man nodded, seeming satisfied with what he had discovered today. "Good. You have done well, Ms. Bell. I look forward to seeing the complete results." With that, the man turned and left the lab, taking nothing but his pride with him.

Ms. Bell let out a sigh of relief as the man's presence had left the room. She and her team worked tirelessly for months, and it was finally worth it. The creation was a success, and they had Dr. Robotnik's full attention and support. She couldn't wait to see what the future held for their research and development. Although... there was a wave of pain and fear, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on edge as she glanced back at the mutant that laid motionless.. Flat on his back against the table with wide, horrific eyes staring daggers through her soul in danger and internal rage, which the baby could yet not express within the new world it lived and breathed in. but there was nothing but pure terror within the woman's soul as she stared down at the motionless hedgehog...