Alpha Project: Genesis

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Time: November 15, 2017.

Thursday.

Aaron and Cade ran upstairs to Aaron's room. School was over for the day and they could finally relax. As they sped up the stairs, Aaron's mom called, "I'll make some snacks if you boys want!"

"Thanks Mom!" Cade called back, and the two friends entered Aaron's room.

"Ready to get owned in Halo?" Aaron asked, grinning.

Cade laughed, "Only if you're ready to get schooled in Street Fighter."

The two started up their game console and started to play.

"So what do you think of the new kid?" Cade asked.

Aaron shrugged, "He's alright. I haven't really talked to him."

The two were riding in a jeep, running over aliens.

Cade agreed, "Yeah, me neither. Jasper sure has, though."

"What's he been doing to him?"

"The usual stuff a rich brat like him does. Knocks his books out of his hands when no one's looking, tries to make fun of him. He's been annoying him the whole week."

"Has- what's his name again?"

"Erik."

"Has Erik done anything about it?"

"Doesn't seem like he cares. He just picks up his books and keeps walking. It looks like he's just watching everyone to see what they do. I guess that's normal when you're trying to pick a new school."

"Yeah."

The two captured the flag, and started to drive back to red base.

Curious, Aaron asked, "Why do you think Jasper's picking on him?"

Cade grimaced, "Same reason he messes with you. He thinks he's better than the rest of us and feels the need to show it. Guys like him need attention around the clock."

"Agreed."

The jeep had exploded, so now Cade was sniping on the hill while Aaron guarded the flag.

Cade paused the game and turned to Aaron, "So are you excited for tomorrow?"

Aaron grinned, "I'm pumped for this expo. We've got to get to the exosuits first."

"Definitely. It's going to be epic."

"Yeah. I think they're letting us try out their spacesuits, too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think I read that on their website."

Cade asked,"Those scientists have your dream job, huh?"

Aaron lit up, "At Genesis Labs? For sure! They get to experiment on all different kinds of science! I mean, I'd probably want to work in the chemistry, but..."

Cade smiled as his friend went on and on. Aaron's passion was science. He had always loved chemistry and physics, and won the science fair pretty much every year. Cade knew that when Aaron grew up, he'd be the scientist at Genesis Labs.

"Tomorrow, Dr. Turin, we're going to change the world."

The head scientist of Genesis Labs smiled, taking a sip of wine with his boss. Judas Silver sat in the far corner of the room, jacket off. The machine on his body continually cooled the burns, making him feel much more relaxed.

Dr. Turin responded, "The hard work of my team will most definitely pay off tomorrow."

Judas nodded, "Of course, Turin. We'll finally be able to capture the children. With our business booming already, they will add a sizable chunk to our profits. After all, they're going to change the world too."

The two looked outside. From the top of the Genesis Labs skyscraper, they could see the entire city laid out before them. The orange tint of the autumn leaves and the sunset shot up against their building. Yellow rays from the sun cascaded through the windows of Silver's private floor, enveloping the room in a golden glow.

"The bonus of being the most profitable company in the world is that no one will ask questions," Judas commented, "and no one will care. They'll have the metahumans of the world at their fingertips, ready to use them as they please. And while the virus has spread, there are only a few that it will manifest into for now. With Project Unity ready for the Expo tomorrow, we won't have to worry about that in the least. They'll be able to locate every metahuman in Utopia."

Taking another sip, Turin asked, "Who are your buyers, Mr. Silver? I'm assuming the Russians will want to get their cold hands all over this."

Silver laughed, "I have a few contractors who would be very interested in our little projects. Terrorists, arms dealers, the opportunities are endless. And it all starts tomorrow."

Turin questioned, "And has the US government already approved Project Unity?"

"Oh yes, the generals were blown away by my test run in Iraq. The pilots proved to be quite capable during the operation. I'll have all the militaries in the world fighting over my new operations. Project Unity will be able to serve every country, and at the same time secretly apprehend the children."

"The US doesn't know about the children, though."

Silver shook his head, pouring himself another glass of vodka, "They never can. A nation of freedom can never know about genetically enhanced children on the market. If they ever did find out, I'd have to move my operations to another city out of the country. Dubai, maybe. It wouldn't be an issue, just a hassle."

Turin agreed, "It seems that the escapees know that as well. They know the second they started using their powers, they military would get involved. Terrorism is a touchy subject in our world. I don't see any of them coming out of hiding yet."

Judas nodded, "With my new project being unveiled, they won't be able to hide."

The two men clinked glasses, and looked out to the city below them.

"Did you get all of that?" a voice asked.

Erik responded,"Yep. The bug worked. Compliments of our brainiac. So, sounds like they're planning something big."

Erik was standing on a building in front of the Genesis Labs skyscraper. He was holding binoculars and had a Bluetooth in his right ear.

"Definitely." the voice responded, then went on, "At least we have a general idea of what they're debuting tomorrow. Whatever it is, it's meant for us."

"Silver wants a family reunion." Erik smirked, "We'll have to lay low. But I don't think the resistance is going to be as sneaky anymore. Those guys want payback even more than we do. Do you think they'll hit the expo?"

"It's possible. They've been quiet for too long. Just in case, you'll go to the expo tomorrow."

"Ok, looks like everyone but me is laying low then."

There was silence for a moment, then, "How did the scanner do?"

Erik rolled his eyes, "Oh, like a charm. I scanned every classroom at the school."

"Were there a lot of them?"

"Oh, yeah. In one class, at least half of them were in the beta stage. Their powers will manifest pretty soon."

"In terms of candidates?"

Erik shook his head, "No. Some have the abilities, but not the... character, let's put it nicely. A few others don't even know about their power yet, but they'll find out. Our options seem pretty thin right now."

The voice sighed, "If something does happen tomorrow, most of us need to stay hidden. We can't risk being seen. But you're fast enough to be unnoticed, hopefully. You'll be the only one there if it gets ugly."

Erik put down the binoculars, "Oh, fun."

"You'll be fine, Hessen. I'm not sending you in there completely blind."

"At least tell me I get to wear one of the the new suits."

The voice chuckled, "Count on it."