Project Genesis

CHAPTER ONE.

The first memories Orion had from the awakening were the immense feeling of cold combined with the aching pain in her head. Her breathing was labored and shallow and the cold she felt was intense; it felt as though an icy hand was gripping her chest. 

As her eyes adjusted to her surroundings, she noticed that she was not alone in the room. About seven other large pods were placed in a circle, each similar in size and appearance to her own. The lights in the round room were a bright fluorescent white and the plain, white walls gave off a feeling of sterility similar to a hospital ward.

Looking around, her head ached as she tried to remember who she was and why she was here. She knew her name, Orion, that much was certain. There seemed to be a hole in her memory, something was missing. The more she tried to remember, the more the ache intensified. Suddenly, there was a loud hiss as the pod adjacent to her own began to open, its lid receding into the wall. Orion froze, unsure of what to expect. Her heart felt as though it was going to beat through her chest; the anticipation of what was to come had her on edge. She relaxed slightly as a boy sat up, clutching his chest as he too experienced the pain of the cold in his chest. His dark hair was stuck down to his forehead in matted clumps and he regarded Orion with kind, confused eyes.

"Do you know what's going on?" he asked, appearing as confused as she was. Orion shook her head in dismay.

"I'm not sure, my head..." she trailed off as the pain in her head made her wince.

"My name is Orion, that's all I can remember. Can you remember anything?" She was hopeful that maybe he had retained some shard of a memory that she was missing.

"I've got nothing. All I can remember is my name, Corvus." He rubbed at the right side of his head, the same side Orion was experiencing pain in.

Corvus. Orion felt a pang in her head, the name sounded so familiar. Something foggy in the back of her brain had remembered the name, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was or where it was from. It was as though she was trying to retrieve the memories but some unknown force was holding them back; keeping them from her.

Another loud hiss resounded in the room and one by one, the pair watched as each pod opened fully revealing six others. Each shared similar symptoms to their own of cold and confusion.

"Does anyone know what's going on?" Corvus asked. Nobody responded. The expressions around the room were blank, each person appeared as lost as Orion felt. A few of the group began to make timid conversation, but nobody seemed to know what was going on.

Suddenly Orion jumped in shock as a holographic figure appeared out of the floor in the middle of the room. It appeared to be an older woman, with long white hair adorning her aged face. The projection smiled before beginning to address the group.

"Hello. My name is Thea Castell and I am the director of Excel Corp," her voice was soft, reassuring almost. Orion felt as though she was in a trance, watching the almost regal way the woman formed the words to her speech.

"I bet you are all wondering why you are here," The projection smiled, and suddenly a small screen appeared in front of Orion's pod.

"You see, the earth as we know it is dying. The outbreak of a synthetic disease, known commonly as 'midnight,' has destroyed a vast majority of humanity."

Images began to flash on the screen. Women, children, all clutching their heads in agony; a black rash extending from their chests up their neck. Orion felt a pain in her chest seeing all of the destruction and devastation.

"Our scientists attempted to control the disease, but they were unsuccessful, and the disease began to mutate."

More images flashed on the screen, this time of trees and animals, all affected by the same black markings.

"Fearing the worst, we activated our emergency procedures. All unaffected were cryogenically frozen and placed in isolation from the rest of the population. A specimen of certain plants and animals crucial to survival were also frozen, only to be awoken when the world was once again safe."

On the screen, a video showed a massive warehouse filled with pods similar to the ones within the small room.

"There were other problems with 'midnight,' however," she began, the expression on her face grim.

On the screen, videos began playing of large, unidentifiable creatures. The strangled screams that came from the video caused chills to run down Orion's spine.

"Certain species were able to survive the disease, but they adapted in ways we would never have thought possible. Their creation was the sole reason we had to revert to emergency procedures, and that brings me to why you are here." The holograph rotated again, the smile returning to her face.

"You, are Project Genesis. During the outbreak, you were selected and raised within the safe walls of our laboratories. Each of you housed an ability crucial to the mission's success. Now, I won't lie to you." She frowned, the wrinkles in her forehead becoming more pronounced.

"Your task is dangerous. Midnight was able to spread and consume many of the more populated areas around the world. It is up to you to assess the damage and determine if life can be sustained once again on earth." Orion and Corvus shared a look of fear before turning their heads back to the hologram.

"You were exposed to the only existing vaccine for midnight. Given the circumstances, there was no feasible way to mass produce the vaccine. Upon the success of your mission, our scientists have been prepared to replicate the vaccine from your DNA."

The woman clasped her hands together in a manner that radiated false positivity. Orion was skeptical of the woman. Something about her was so fake, almost synthetic. She quickly shook off the feeling and continued to listen.

"Your task is to examine the outside world and report your findings daily through your implants. You simply press on the skin above your implant and it begins recording what you are seeing. Another amazing piece of Excel Corp. technology might I add." She let out a forced sounding laugh.

Implant? Orion noticed the others around her seemed to be sharing similar confusion. She looked down at her right arm and recoiled in shock. Underneath the surface of her skin was a round, black object no larger than a penny. Running her fingers over the surface she felt the small, smooth bump protrude from her skin slightly.

"If we deem that there is enough of the world to salvage, you will be able to activate the emergency release and humanity will have the opportunity to restore itself and become great once again. The future lies in your hands."

As suddenly as she came, the figure flickered and vanished from in front of them. The weary looks shared around the room made Orion certain of three things in that moment:

One, the world around her was dying.

Two, it was up to her and a bunch of other teenagers to save it.

Three, she was almost certainly, undeniably, screwed.

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