The Atlas Project

Commander

I was sent to this facility for a reason. Only I can train these creatures to benefit the world. The Council gave me strict orders to oversee everything for this project. All the pieces are falling together and only I can see the finished product.

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I briskly walk down the hallway while my guard unit hurries to keep up with me.

I don't care. Let them try to keep up. I have business to attend to, and they're just slowing me down. I have no time to slow down. I have a facility to run. Hopefully the next legion that gets stationed here will be more attentive to time. 

I stop at the end of the hallway and press the button for the elevator to take me to the control room. Seeing as how I spend most of my time there I might as well call it my home. A home where I keep watch over the creatures that live here. Where I have to keep watch as the next one joins the others already here.

I clench my fist at the thought of it. Perfect. Another freak is joining the ranks of the ones already here. Another child-no. Another monster is under my care. Not that I don't already have other monsters here and not to mention the countless mouths I have to feed on a limited budget that continues to be cut.

A sigh escapes my lips as I hear that familiar ding and the slide of the stainless steel doors. As I step in, my aide squeezes in beside me and the guards. The doors shut and the elevator shutters as it takes us towards our destination.

My aide turns to me and does a quick and sloppy salute. Disgusting. It sickens me seeing a man who cares so little for formalities.

I grimace and return the salute. "What is it corporal Grives? If it has anything to do with the garrison, I understand we're understaffed at the moment but the academy is working hard on sending us fresh new troops."

"Not quite sir," the corporal says, "It's about the Council. They've been calling, wanting to hear an update on the situation here. "

I look sharply at the corporal and tighten my jaw. "What situation are you talking about? The project is doing fine. Other than that, there are no situations here."

He does a quick nod and straightens himself out while trying to stutter out some excuse or another but I don't care and I'm not even listening anymore. I place my hands behind my back and shut my eyes to block out the ramblings of the corporal.

I open my eyes once I hear the ding of the elevator and the sliding of the doors again. Before the doors are fully open I'm out of the elevator and walking across the pristine white floors and towards the door at the end of the hallway. Once I open the door the sounds of rustling papers, typing, and voices cease and everyone stands to attention.

I wave my hand and they all take their seats and start up the sounds of the office again. I place myself at the control module and look at the screen directly in front of me. In the monitor I see Shadow stand at the entrance of the Box. He straightens out his uniform and stares at the doors.

"Open the doors." I command and the mechanism slowly unlocks and opens. Shadow puts on a forced smile and walks into the Box, disappearing inside.

"Switching to camera 3" says a man to the left of me. He presses a button and the screen in front of me changes to the view inside of the Box. Cold white tiled floors. Bright fluorescent lights. Everything is pristine and perfect.

I turn to the man, "Close the doors behind Shadow and lock them. Begin opening the tiles to allow the new entry in."

No sooner had the words left my mouth when the the floor opens up and the new creature is raised into the area.

He looks like a normal teenager with long shaggy hair and a rebellious face. Anyone could mistake him for a normal child. But I know better. He is one of them. A creature that deserves to crushed under foot. One that should be grateful to be here.

I see Shadow and the new creature start to walk towards each other while Shadow talks about the facility. Their voices come on over the speakers but their words are lost upon me. I continue to focus on their movements instead. Anything to tell me if they're about to attack each other, or even the facility itself. I cannot risk a breach. Not now and not ever.

I turn to my second in command, colonel Magnus, and nod to him. "Send Morpheus squad to ensure that no complications occur."

I turn to walk away only to find Grives standing in my way once more. "What is it now corporal? I find your meaningless interruptions quite annoying."

He says some excuse and does another one of his sloppy salutes before saying "The Council wants to talk to you immediately. They said they're very disappointed with the project."

"Of course they are," I say through gritted teeth,"Tell them I will be with them momentarily."

I watch Corporal Grives quickly walk away as I clench and unclench my fist. I guess it's time to face the Council and hear them complain again.

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"We hear you're severely understaffed, Colonel Nion. And yet you still bring in new children into the facility every day? Why is that?"

I grimace at those words. Corporal Grives must have been reporting directly to the council. A harsh betrayal to say the least.

The holographic image of the Council Head, President Fider, looks down at me, waiting and challenging me to have a good answer to his question. Keeping calm I look him in the eyes and say with a controlled voice, "Firstly sir, I don't allow in new children everyday. If I did, there would be thousands of the creatures in my facility. Secondly, if I didn't allow the monsters in the facility, the only other option would to allow them to run wild in the streets. And I don't think you want that sir."

"That is not necessarily true, Colonel," a voice says from the screen to the right. The Head of the Eastern Frontier, Senator Haido, looks down at me with disapproval, "That would not be the only option. We still have the Libra Contingency in the off chance that Project Atlas fails. And as you know that the Libra Contingency would definitely balance the scales and bring an end to the mutated generation."

I force a smile on my face and say through gritted teeth, "While that is true, Project Atlas will not fail. I just need more time and resources."

President Fider nods knowingly and addresses the person on the screen to the left, Senator Reiter, the Head of the Western Frontier, "Senator what do you think should be done?"

Senator Reiter leans forward and smiles her thin-lipped smile, "I believe that a field test is in order. A demonstration of what these creatures can do."

"I agree," chimes in Senator Haido, "This will prove if they're ready for deployment against the Southern Front. Too many lives have already been expended there with little to no avail."

"It's decided then," President Fider turns his attention back to me, "General. You will have two of your finest go up against each other to see how well they do. If they perform in a satisfactory way then you will receive the resources you need to continue your operations."

I silently nod. My thoughts race through my head as I consider who to choose and who would put on the best show for the Council. I slowly turn and place my hands behind my back as I walk out of the room. I have a decision to make.