Project New Horizon was ready to launch. It had taken only a few months after the objective was set out, that major headway had begun to appear. The results were astonishing to say the least; a “scientific breakthrough” they called it. People scrambled to television monitors within the testing facility to watch as all their hard work paid off. Some watched as the preparations had begun, while others, who welled with tears called their loved ones in order to tell them to leave town, and find shelter.
Suddenly all the monitors on the screen turned black with a green text starting to appear.
“My fellow employees, it has come to my attention that you long to have your loved ones be safe as well as yourselves, but rest assured both theirs and your safety are my upmost priority”
Now all of the employees began watching the monitor, including those on the phone. Murmurs from employee to employee ignited like wildfire. They knew that whoever was the voice for these expectations would hold through, after all this always was the result whenever the monitor said so. The green text began to start again.
“Project New Horizon will begin at 18:00 in five days. All employees are recommended to stay within the facility while your loved ones find their destination. Do not be alarmed with the news following the days after the launch has begun. Remember we are on the pathway to a new and brighter horizon.”
Cheers began to erupt as the last bits of text began to process. As people with loved ones finished talking with their loved ones retelling what the monitor had just sent to them, others began to run for the cafeteria and celebrate their work they had just completed. The mood within the metal facility was full of light, and cheer.
The facility was set up in multiple floors, all of which were constantly used. Each floor had a specific purpose, the bottom floors were engineering development and constructing. The middle was science department, where the concepts were tested. Meanwhile the top floors were the coordinating rooms where all the estimated points of arrival were said to land.
The building itself was set up on the Central America, that way they had access to all highly qualified testing areas known in the United States. It had been created back in the year 2014, starting as a research department for genetic alteration, but grew bigger as the decades passed by. In those decades many cured had been found, Cancer had been completely conquered in the late 2020’s, along with Diabetes. Humankind’s life span had been expanded as well, how old you could get all depended upon how well it had treated and how well the injection worked on you. But, now in 2224, the main focus was on how to manipulate human genetic code.
The employees had made some desserts and beverages thanks to delivery of the company’s daily shipment. As they indulged in their festivities, yet another message had appeared on a monitor within the cafeteria.
“Enjoying the celebrating?”
Employees cheered and screaming agreement in response to the question. The monitor then proceeded to continue afterward.
“I’m glad to hear it, I would be joining you myself, but as you know, business has no end. In consolation for my absence, I have proceeded to send you a gift that is soon to arrive within the hour.”
Yet again, cheers had erupted as people celebrated their achievement. All of them had left something behind since they had begun their partnership with the company. For some they left behind family, friends, loved ones, or significant others. But, they all knew of what was at stake when they applied for their jobs.
Suddenly an alarm sprang at the front entrance, it was the gift. Everyone was running towards the doors in anticipation. “What do you think it will be Aaron?” asked someone. Aaron was the head director that oversaw the facility’s progress. “I havent a clue my friend, all we can hope is that it’s something worth all the trouble we’ve had to go through to create this weapon” he replied. “I hope it’s a big bonus check to help out my family up in California, they are currently struggling with their credit for a few months now.”
“Aren’t we all” said another person as they walked toward the front entrance.
They finally reached the main entrance, which had a chemical cleaner that they had to go through before entering or exiting the building. They all then entered the cleaner, and waited for it to complete its scan. A screen above them was going through all the current news affairs, “New security system created by the government” one caption said. “New electrical power found in water”, “Are we heading for a new World War?” The captions just kept rolling down. Suddenly a message appeared on the monitor just outside the cleaner. Everyone began to head toward the side closest to the screen.
“As promised, your gift has arrived. Thank you for your contributions to this new found breakthrough.”
Everyone had become very curious now, what could it possibly be. Credit, technology, the ideas were endless. As the final stages of the cleaning had begun, a cloud of gas began to appear, it came from the ventilation pipes surrounding the cleaner.
“Hey, what is this gas being sent in?” yelled a young employee. Suddenly others turned around, there now in front of them was a large cloud of gas that continuously grew. It looked light yellow mixed with a cream color, and didn’t smell. One person kneeled down to examine it closely, but the second he did, hit the floor without a word. Everyone began to scream at the sight of it, banging on the walls of the cleaner. It only took a few seconds for it to completely cover the entire cleaner, the screaming stopped. The main entrance opened up to find soldiers with guns and heavy armor walking in.
“They are dead sir, the area is now under our control” reported one soldier. “Good work, Captain. Report back to headquarters with the weapon” replied a voice from his earpiece. “What are your orders for facility 43?” asked the captain.
“Destroy it”
