Cronos: The Orion Project

Chapter 7

One week later...

     Devon yawned as they sat in the near empty room. Four tables were squished into the far right corner. They were assigned squads that morning, forcing them to get up even earlier than usual. Devon was tasked with leading Lucas, Rose, Eune, and Alyssa. While Jackson took command of Blake, Jason, Terra, and Nora.

"Does anyone know what we're doing today? I'm tired." Lucas moaned.

"Yeah, did they tell us what's going on? I don't think we've been here before." Jason said.

      A wall cut the room in half, theirs and whatever may lay beyond it. Rose leaned against his shoulder, half asleep. There was nothing too special about it, no monitors, no supplies, nothing. The door behind them hissed opened, revealing Seraph and a small medical team.

"Hello children."

"Hello sir." They all tiredly replied.

"Hehe, I understand Solaris got you all up at three this morning. Geez, that man. Whatever, today I'm going to start your operations."

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

"It means I'm starting the process to make you all into soldiers. I'm going to be modifying and molding you into an enhanced human being. It means you'll be stronger than the average person."

"So, what? Are you giving us super powers?!" Lucas asked excitedly.

"Hehe, no, this is just one of many you'll be undergoing while you're here. Now then, we have no time to waste. Get them prepped and begin the procedure."

"Yes Doctor. Follow us children."

      They filed into the next room, where medical beds were spaced out throughout the room. Dozens of medical staff were walking back and forth, tapping away at their tablets or prepping tools for the procedure.

"Now then, my name is Michael and I'll explain what we are going to do to you. Each of you has an affinity for certain types of magic. We know how to determine that kind of magic. Which allows us to properly pair you with a specific spirit down the road. Today's procedure will be to prep your bodies to accept the spirits."

"Spirits? Like ghosts?" Lucas asked.

"No, we were able to extract the souls of very powerful creatures, contain them, and then make them a part of you."

"So, how does this work then?" Jackson asked.

"We're going to have to get to the core that houses your affinities and modify them accordingly."

"So...?" Rose asked.

"We're gonna open you all up and modify your core."

"O-Oh."

"Do not worry too much. You'll be under an anesthetic so you won't feel a thing." Michael reassured them. "Now then, each of you will be paired with three of the Doctor's assistants. Please change and then lay down.

      Two nurses guided Devon into the next room, pulling him away from Rose. She could only watch as he disappeared into the next room. The bed was not that different to his own in the barracks, and it was not that much more comfortable. They laid him down, connecting a multitude of wires and tubes to him. Some stuck to his forehead and chest while others were inserted into his wrist and veins.

"Get ready kiddo, we'll see you again in a few hours. And don't worry, you won't feel a thing." One of the nurses said as his eyes slowly closed, the anesthetic working its way into his system.

        Doctor Seraph walked in on the operation, with a surgical mask, dress, and gloves on. He nodded to the nurses and began the procedure. One of the nurses chanted a quick spell, her hand hovering just above his sternum. Seraph grabbed a scalpel from the gray next to him, gently cutting in the place below her hand.

          The other nurse prepared a circular device, imbuing magic into it. It flashed a few times before it settled on a dark green and was ready to be used.

"Doctor, it's ready."

"Thank you, dear. Bring it here, I need to know his affinity." He said, not looking up from his work.

"Yes Doctor."

      The object was no larger than the palm of her hand. It hummed as it neared the sleeping child. The green light swirled slowly as she held it above the incision. A beam of light shot down into the incision, and another shot back up to the device. The light flashed sky blue three times before staying still.

"Air, huh? We'll pair him with DN-forty one." Seraph mumbled.

"Doctor?" A nurse asked.

"Prepare him for the next phase. This one is going to be going through more than I thought."

"Yes Doctor, however, is it wise to pair one of them with forty one? We can hardly contain it as it is. It could be hell for him." Michael worriedly said.

"That may be true, however, forty one is the only spirit we can bind to him. It's tied to the skies, you've seen it firsthand." Seraph said, not looking up from the incision. "Besides, we aren't binding them today anyhow. This is to prep them for what comes later. So, please get it done Michael."

"Of course Doctor." Michael walked off to do as he was told. Seraph looked at Devon's face with a hint of regret. His thoughts were racing as he was already making plans for an eventual crossing point that he would undoubtedly push the boy over.

Michael returned moments later with a small, spherical, stone. Runes were etched all over its surface, leaving nothing untouched. It was barely larger than a pebble and it's color was as dark as night. He, carefully, handed it to the two nurses. Their magic holding it midair. A few chants later and the runes were glowing a deep blue. They looked to Seraph, waiting for his order.

"Do it." He said, holding the incision open. The light from before started glowing brighter as the stone neared the boy's chest.

The stone sunk into his chest, as though it had been dropped in mud. As it disappeared under Devon's flesh, Doctor Seraph was already closing the opening. His stitch work was flawlessly executed, leaving only a small red line in Devon's chest. Seraph wiped his brow with his sleeve, sighing in relief.

"You did it Doctor, you really did it." Michael said in awe.

"He's only the first of many. Now then, let's move on to the next one. You two may rest, I'll have my other assistants help out with the next child." He said to the two nurses.

"Thank you Doctor. Good luck." They said with a slight bow.

He gazed out over the room, letting his eyes wander from child to child. Each of them were already under and his assistants were waiting for his orders.

"This is it everyone. Our first steps into the unknown and our species evolution. This is where we make our mark on history."

The atmosphere was grim. What one would think would be cheerful and hopeful, was replaced with tension. A tension that would build up as the operations continued for the next several hours. Hydros leaned against the frame of the doorway, giving Seraph a sidelong glance that could make anyone freeze in their tracks.

"Doctor, are you sure you wanna do this?" He asked.

"I must and I will. We will foster these children into humanity's future. Nothing will stand in our way in doing so. I have faith in the Project, Sergeant. Have some faith in me and my knowledge to lead them down the righteous path." Seraph said, walking over to Jackson.

"Of course, sir, I'll do just that." Hydros said, closing the door behind him.