The Omega Archives

by Erik Melendez

  I opened the door and found another room with a key sitting on a pedestal. I removed the key, and all of a sudden, spikes from the ceiling came down on me. I tried to escape, but the door was locked, and I couldn’t break it down. I put the key back, and the ceiling spikes returned back to where they were.

  I continued to search the mansion more for anything I could use to try to get the gate at the bottom of the stairs open, but found nothing of use. I went to an office only to find a strange device shaped like a small rectangular object. As I examined it, I noticed a button on its side. I pushed the button. A small key shaft came out of the bottom, and two bits popped out at the end of the shaft to resemble a key. The bits didn’t look like they could unlock anything, so it must have been a fake key.

  I returned to the room that had the pedestal. I took the real key and put the fake key where the real key was. The ceiling spikes didn’t move, so I could leave the room. I tested the key on the gate on the back of the stairs in the front area of the mansion, and it opened.

  I went downstairs and entered an old cellar. It had nothing but old empty shelves with nothing out of the ordinary. I was stuck. I didn’t remember a mansion where I trained. Maybe it was false information the Union set up. As I pondered on what to do next, I saw a door.

  I went and opened it. I entered a small room with a desk and an old book shelf behind it holding old books. The books were numbered from one to twelve in roman numerals. They were all out of alignment, so I rearranged them in order. All of a sudden, the bookshelf moved to reveal a door. I opened the door and found an old empty hallway. I walked down the hallway and approached another door.

  I stared at the door for a few seconds, and then slowly reached out with my hand. My hand shook and sweat poured off my head, and I was starting to breathe heavily. I touched the smooth, round, silver door knob and twisted it. The door opened to reveal a cold, dark, empty hallway, of the Omega Project facility.

  My jaw dropped when I saw the hallway. I was blown away with what I found. A rush of old memories hit me. I was in this hallway when we were told that the door I just entered from was a janitor’s closet and that there was nothing to see there. I walked down the hallway to investigate.

  It was cold, dark, and quiet. I could hear water droplets in the distance. Some of the walls still had bullet holes from the attack. There were trays in the middle of the hallways used for carrying medical supplies. I found the barracks where I and the others slept. I could remember waking up like we were in boot camp. I then went to the mess hall where I could remember eating nothing but the protein bars and water to keep the nutrient levels in my body as high as possible.

  I continued to walk around the facility and found the old training section where we spent most of our time. We did everything, from learning how to operate guns to hand-to-hand combat, in this space. I spent some time walking around the lab until I found a vent shaft, and then I started to think about the day of the attack. I stared at it while the memories of the attack and my escape played through my head. I wondered what would have happened if I didn’t climb into the vent and had tried to repel the attackers. Then again, I probably would have been killed.

  I continued to explore the base.

  I came across an old office; which contained a desk, an old computer, and a bunch of empty shelves. It looked like it was damaged by an explosion, judging by the partially destroyed desk and cracked floor. This was the office of Dr. Marcus Morrison, the head scientist of the Omega Project. I had spoken to him several times. He was a nice man and a good doctor. He had told me a lot about himself. He was a gifted kid with an eidetic memory, and he graduated from high school and started college at age ten. By the time he was eighteen, he had PhD’s in: biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry, and bioengineering.

  I looked around his office for a bit and found nothing except empty shelves and empty file cabinets. His degrees hung on the walls. I started to think I might never have the closure on what happened here until I noticed a button under the doctor’s desk. I pushed the button, and one of the shelves sunk into the ground, revealing a secret room. Files and disks were scattered all about the area, as well as an old TV set. It was like a small archive of a lot of information.

  Fortunately, the room had a computer to view all the files. I went through all the files and found all kinds of things about the Omega Project, like research data, information on how the process was done, and the list of the twelve Omega Project super soldiers. I spent several hours going through the files and absorbed all the information I could get a hold of. Afterwards, I took a look at the disks. They stored voice recordings from Dr. Morrison. I put them into the computer and listened to what the doctor said.

  “Date: March 5, 1989. After doing routine experiments with human cells, I may have made an accidental breakthrough. I believe that I may have figured out a way to enhance human cells without causing damage to other cells. By isolating the necessary cells using modified gene-splicing technology, it would hypothetically be possible to enhance the cells, allowing for enhanced physical and even mental capabilities. I will log more on a later date.”

  I sat down at the desk. Most of the other recordings were just random banter, so I skipped to other more important logs.

  “Date: June 20, 1989. After spending months making the necessary modifications, I believe that we’re ready to begin the initial genetic modifications. However, I cannot guarantee success. Even with the modified gene-splicing tech, success is at a very low rate due to the numerous gene codes that human cells have. Trying to adjust the code to the point that no other gene codes are damaged is a difficult task. I developed a serum that can possibly enhance the human cells. We will first test it on a computer simulation. However, I have my suspicions that it may not work. I will test it and report it later.”

  “Date: June 20, 1989, continued. The tests failed; injecting the cells with the serum was simply not enough to enhance the cells. While injecting the serum, not only did the cells not enhance, but some of the gene code was damaged. I will need some time to find a more effective manner of injecting the serum. I also have contacted one of my old colleagues, Dr. Albert Jackson, to assist me. He has quite a history of experience and three PhDs to prove it. I’m hoping that his assistance will speed up the process.”

  “Date: February 10, 1990. After spending almost a year trying to find a way to deploy the serum to enhance the cells, I finally may have found a new approach. By using modified gene-splicing technology, I may be able to isolate the necessary gene codes and enhance the human cells using the serum. We have begun to set up the necessary equipment to begin the test, and we may be ready to begin in a few weeks.”

  “Date: February 24,, 1990. Now that we have made the proper modifications to the serum, we are now ready to begin the tests. The sequence will work by injecting the new serum I have developed into the subjects via the computer simulations we have been using.”

  “Date: February 25, 1990 continued. The tests yesterday were successful. The human cells were enhanced with no signs of damage. Tomorrow I will contact the US military to get an authorization to begin a super-soldier program. The idea is that we can use the serum to create super soldiers and send them into combat to save millions of soldiers’ lives. I have decided to call the serum: Type-1 serum. I will pitch my idea tomorrow.”

  I listened to his next recording, and Dr. Morrison spoke about how he created the Omega Project and devoted his life to enhance the human condition to better humanity. He was not after money or power, but the scientific benefits to help humanity. One of the reasons why he did it was because his father served in the military. He was a good soldier and he won several commendations. When Dr. Morrison turned eighteen, his father was killed in action from fatiguing in combat and was shot.

  Since then, Dr. Morrison was obsessed with finding a way to make a super-soldier, so no one would have to suffer the way he did. Little did he know that his resea
rch would be corrupted by the Union, to not only make money, but to make monsters as well.

  I dug around and found an old video-tape, which featured his pitch to the military. I took it over to the TV set and turned it on. The movie played. It showed several generals sitting in chairs with a screen in the front of the room.

  The doctor came in to do the presentation.

  “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” the doctor said on the video. “My name is Dr. Marcus Morrison, and I will begin my presentation. For some time now, my colleagues and I have been doing experiments with human cells, and we have made a breakthrough: genetic manipulation. We have been able to modify human cells to allow for enhanced physical and mental abilities. I’m here to propose a project to create super soldiers, which we have named the Omega Project.”

  He went on to list the physical and mental abilities of the augments: enhanced strength, speed, stamina, flexibility, agility, and cognitive abilities. He also listed the healing factor, reinforced skin and bone tissue, enhanced senses, and enhanced internal organs. The generals seemed impressed with the presentation so far. During the Q and A, the generals began asking some interesting questions.

  “Will augmented soldiers replace regular soldiers?” one of the generals asked.

  “For the moment, we are working on a plan to make it so that the augments would not outperform the regular soldiers,” the doctor replied.

  “What if they turn on our forces or what if the research is used against us?” another general asked.

  “The augments can be killed. The easiest way would be to cause severe trauma to the head or damage the body enough that the healing factor would not be able to assist the augments. We will be taking special precautions to make sure the research is not corrupted,” Dr. Morrison replied.

  The video continued on and eventually stopped. I continued to listen to some of the other recordings.

  “Date: March 1, 1990. The US government has authorized the Omega Project, which will involve genetically engineering and creating super soldiers. I will meet with some generals, and we will set up a training program for the super soldiers. In the meantime, I will list the augmented physical abilities that we are planning to have by enhancing the necessary cells. All of the abilities listed are designed to make the perfect super soldier. I will log more later once the training program is complete.”

  I found a chart listing all the physical abilities mentioned in the presentation video.

  “Date: June 27, 1990. The training program is complete; the augments will be trained in a variety of military and counter-terrorist tactics. The training list is rather extensive, but it will make for highly effective super soldiers. The training program will begin at around age seven to allow for more time for cognitive and physical development. However, during the development of the training program, I had several disagreements with some of the generals. They seemed to want to create cold-blooded killing machines as opposed to honorable warriors. Dr. Jackson and I will also begin to work with scientists to begin preliminary breeding procedures.”

  “Date: April 5, 1991. We’re still working on the breeding process, but we still have a way to go. The breeding will involve augmented embryos implanted into surrogate mothers who will breed these augments. The mothers will have to be in peak genetic condition, having no physical or mental illnesses that can be passed down. We’re still looking for appropriate mothers to use. They will be paid well, and they must sign non-disclosure agreements.”

  The recordings had more information on the project and testing procedures; there was nothing particularly interesting, so I skipped ahead.

  “Date: November 20, 1992. We have successfully planted the embryos into the twelve surrogate mothers, who will birth six males and six females. We will be waiting nine months for the embryos to develop.”

  “Date: August 20, 1993. The mothers have successfully given birth to the augmented babies with no signs of deformities. We will begin nursing the children, and preliminary training will begin.”

  He spoke on about the nursing process. When he got to the preliminary training, he included a rather interesting piece of information.

  “Date: September 16, 1999. The augments are six years old, and their physical and mental abilities are already kicking in. Some of the augments were able to master even the most difficult subjects in days, and sometimes, even hours. They have been able to lift enormous weights, and they have other amazing physical and mental abilities. However, in the event that the augments turn against us, the best way to kill them would be to destroy their brains, preferably with armor-piercing bullets or explosives.”

  The next entries talked about the augments’ mental and physical abilities. Reports indicated that some of the augments were shot with a standard 9-millimeter bullet, which did nothing. Augments were able to run fourteen miles with fifty-pound rucksacks on their back with ankle weights on in less than twelve minutes without getting tired. The next entry included the main training program.

  “Date: August 20, 2000. Now that the augments are seven years old, the augment training program will begin today. We have set up the program, and I’m confident that the augments will be able to learn the programs rather easily.”

  He went on about how the augments were able to master most of the training in a matter of days or even hours. He spoke about how we were able to do anything, from taking apart and putting back together a number of guns, to operating heavy military machinery, like tanks and choppers.

  “Date: September 5, 2004. The augments have already completed the training program, and the generals are confident that they have just as much, if not more, training and knowledge than most Special Forces on earth combined. We will begin field-testing in three years, and by age eighteen, they will be enlisted into the military as a part of the Augment Unit. This unit will be given the most dangerous tasks to take on, as the causality rate would be exceedingly high for any usual Special Forces units.”

  Most of the recordings contained more banter on the project until I came across the last entries.

  “Date: May 9, 2006. Just another day here. I have not seen or heard from Dr. Jackson for some time now. I’m growing suspicious of him; I have tried to call him for days now, and he has not returned any of my calls. Ever since I was relocated to the Omega Project training facility, I have heard little of him until now. The other day, after he visited the facility, one vial of Type-1 serum was missing, as well was a copy of the training program for the augments. I have put in a request to increase security around the facility for the time being. I’m hoping to hear from them soon.”

  He was starting to grow suspicious of Jackson. That's when Jackson joined the Union and was planning the attack on the base. Not to mention I never knew he was a doctor. No one ever told me, and he never said anything. I pulled out the last recording.

  “Date: June 20, 2006. Just a normal day here today. We are…What was that?” I could hear gunfire from the Union attack over the tape. The recording cut off. I sat there, thinking about the recordings.

  Then, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway. I turned around and faced the door. A man came in. He had a military uniform on. He was in his early fifties judging by the texture of his facial skin. He had a disk in his hand.

  I knew this man. It was Lt. General Alan Rodgers; he was one of the men who worked on training us. He was a former green beret and won quite a few commendations, like the Distinguished Service Medal.

  “You may want to look at this, Alex,” he said. He handed me the disk, and I put it in the computer to playback the footage.

  It was surveillance footage of the day of the attack that he managed to save. The mercenaries were dressed in black trench coats, much like the ones I encountered on the day they sent the bio-weapons to attack. They came in through various emergency exits and attacked. The security was poorly equipped and practically slaughtered. One monitor showed some of the kids running down the corridors fighting and killing the mercenarie
s. All of a sudden, they stopped. They looked like they just saw a monster. Then, the screen went to static.

  The footage also showed the mercenaries killing most of the staff and taking any research notes that they could find. They went to one of the cold storages and took samples of the Type-1 serum.

  The mercenaries and Jackson proceeded to the office of Dr. Morrison, as he had been hiding all the research and data in the secret room I just found. When he was done, he pulled out a grenade from his desk and pulled the pin. Six union mercenaries breached his office.

  “Don’t move,” one of the mercenaries said as he pointed his gun at Dr. Morrison.

  “Who are you people, and what do you want?” Dr. Morrison asked.

  “Our orders are to take you in. Now, please come with us.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  I then watched Jackson walk into the office on one of the outside surveillance camera videos.

  “Dr. Jackson? Why?” he asked.

  “Sorry, doctor, but my new employers pay much better. Also, it’s Jackson now. The doctor title never seemed to suit me.”

  “Who are your new employers?” Dr. Morrison asked.

  “Let’s just say they have an interest in saving the world. Four years, I told them about the research in exchange for a generous amount of money. I was even starting to work on another serum derived from your serum. However, since you were unwilling to share any of the Type-1 serum, I was forced to improvise,” he replied.

  “I should have known you were in it for the money and not the science,” Dr. Morrison replied.

  “Don’t you get it? If the world found out what we did here, we could be set up for life,” Jackson said.

  “Then, you clearly have no idea on what would happen if this research fell into the wrong hands. Millions could die,” he replied.

  “You’re still not seeing the big picture. So, what if people die? We could be living like kings.”