by Thomas Shaw
“What are you talkin- “
“And you know that we're better. We are the future. We need to take what is ours”
I stepped closer, so we were now face to face, “I will not follow you”
Six nodded. His face looked like he understood; like he respected my choice. The fist that landed into my forehead told me otherwise! I fell to the ground and scrambled to my knees. Six stood over me, “Then you're a liability to this new order. Goodbye One”
I don't remember much about who I was, but I knew I wasn't a fighter. Which made my next few moves come as a total surprise. I ducked from another punch and stood, giving Six an elbow directly into the middle of his chest. My face was tingly, and my chest started to heat up. I could feel my heart beating so fast I felt like it was going to explode! I looked at the others, who were more concerned with making sure Four was ok. Seven, however, was stood to one side of the others. He smiled, and I looked to his hands. In one hand he was holding an empty canister, like the ones we had found at the DarkWatch office. He dangled it, like he was ringing a bell. Why was he showing me that? Had he taken some?
I heard Six give a snort of laughter and I turned and launched my whole self at him. I must've caught him off guard because he went down with little force. I put my foot down in his chest and pushed down. Six fought back and threw me off. I managed to stay upright and Six got to his feet and tried clawing at me.
My heart was pounding; going a million miles an hour. I couldn't focus properly and felt dizzy, like I had after I had taken the serum back at the downtown DarkWatch office. Before I passed out, Six pounced on top of me and started punching my face over and over again. It kept me awake and I watched as he got off of me and grabbed one of the guns on the ground. He tried to pull the trigger, but his finger didn't fit in the safety ring. In frustration he started hitting me with the barrel of the gun. I managed to get a punch into his side which made him stagger. I managed to move out from under him and got to my feet. He stood up and tossed the gun to the side. We both tackled each other, neither of us pushing the other away. We seemed to be equally matched, we threw more punches at each other. He brandished his claws and tried burying them into my neck, but I managed to duck in time, instead he clawed the side of my head, messing up my left ear. I shouted and clocked him in the jaw, making him stumble and loose balance. I kicked him in the knee, knocking him over once more. This time I wasn't so naive. I stepped on his chest and pushed down harder. He tried to get up, but I kicked him in the jaw with my other foot, pushing down harder on his chest as I did so. Adrenaline was pumping through me and I knelt down next to him and punched him right where his heart should be. I did it again and again. I clawed into his chest and grabbed a hold of something large and pulsating. I squeezed until I could feel it crushing in my grip. Six screeched in pain and then stopped, gargling on blood. I got back on my feet and took a deep breath. I thought hard, looking down at Six's body. I was angry but relieved at the same time. In that moment I had a revelation, I knew what had to be done.
“One, what have you done?” I heard Two muttering.
I turned and faced them. I looked at their shocked expressions. Three seemed the most surprised, but Seven was smiling and nodding. I looked down at Six's corpse, “Nothing Six wouldn't have done had I given him the chance. It was either me or him. And I chose me” I turned to the others and started walking towards them, “And thinking about what he said, he was actually right. We are the next step in human evolution. But how he would’ve gone about it was compliantly unnecessary; we shouldn’t be looking at eliminating the human race, we should be trying to improve it! We just have to show them. We have to show them that we are better, and that they can be too!”
Two raised an eyebrow, “One, we can't Just- “
“And what's our other option Two? Hide away? Try to integrate into society? As Six pointed out, we have been shunned, hunted and attacked. It's not an option Two”
“So, what then?” He replied, almost shouting at me.
I thought for a second. Everything I had thought about up until now, everything Six had said, everything Seven had spoken to me about and everything I had seen from DarkWatch. There was only one clear solution to our predicament. Only one clear path to take.
“There’s no cure, there’s no way back for us. But why would we want to have a way back? We don’t look great, but I’m sure you’ve all noticed how our bodies have been regulating the temperature, none of us have been hurt...” I looked down at Six, “by other people. We are better, like Six said. But we can use this to change the world. We make them like us, but better. We can perfect DarkWatch's drug, we can make the perfect human”
“Have you snapped?” Three asked. The others were stood looking at me with confusion. Maybe I hadn't convinced them, maybe they didn't like my idea, but in all honesty, they had no other choice. It was this or they try to survive by themselves.
“No, I'm thinking clearly, thinking logically, and choosing the only plan that has a positive outcome. But by all means, Three, go ahead; go turn yourself in, try to live a normal life as a normal person...if they let you”
I stood looking Three directly in the eyes. He seemed to process the idea for a moment. Then he sunk his shoulders. He took a deep breath and nodded. He turned to the others, “He's right. There's no other way”
Five stepped forward, “If you think it will work, I will help”
I nodded at him then looked towards the others. They all seemed to agree, not out of choice but out of fear... fear for what might happen if they didn't.
I led them inside and we made our way downstairs; back to the laboratory, where we all originally awoke. None of us spoke on our way down. They all seemed so distrusting. The bodies of the scientist and his guards were still on the ground, flys buzzed above their corpses. I stepped over them and headed towards the other end of the room, where there was another door, one that had a keypad-entry lock. I had noticed it last time We was here, but in the confusion and the objective to escape, I had paid no attention to it. I looked at the keypad on the frame of the door and chose to use a more direct approach. I punched the door at the handle, breaking the bolt. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. It was a small office, with a computer sat on a desk and a white metal panel attached to the wall. I sat at the desk and turned the computer on. The computer needed a scan of a keycard. I walked out if the room to get the card from the dead scientist’s coat. The others were stood around, waiting for orders. None of them looked happy, all apart from Seven who looked proud. He chuckled as I rooted around the scientist’s jacket, seemingly finding this whole thing amusing. I went back to the room with the computer and tried again. I slid the keycard in the slot and the computer booted up. No database network detected. Local file access only. I closed the tab as it meant nothing to me. I found the documents and the formula for the serum and started reading. It would be easy to replicate, providing we had the right materials. I stepped out of the office and addressed the others.
"We need test subjects"
5
Through reading the formulas and equations, memories of me creating chemicals and conducting experiments came to me, I must’ve been some sort of scientist, and the information was helping me to remember.
The others were concerned with my plan. But I explained to them that there was nothing to worry about, it would work. I wasn’t like Six, I didn’t need to rule over them with fear. And I explained that what we were doing for the humans was providing them a better way of life and in time we will be revered as saviors.
I had ordered Two and Four to gather some subjects, mainly the homeless, as we needed to test first. I didn’t want them to be seen so I asked for people no one would notice missing. Plus, what we could do for them would help them in their current situation. I told them to ask them, not take them.
Three and Five, meanwhile, started to gather the equipment I needed along with a full search of the building for anything else that could be out to use. Seven had found
a room that seemed to be a surveillance room, that watched over the whole island. He set up a workspace in there and said he would let me know if anything was worth mentioning.
We had found a stash of charcoal grey leather overalls to be used whilst working with chemicals. We took to wearing these, as they seemed to be more fitting. However, the tops of the overalls were two short, so we ripped them in two, just using them as pants. We didn’t need anything on our bodies.
Over the next day, I spent my time reading through the various files on the computer. Because the system was locked out of a larger network; certain files had links to other files which I could not trace, and others referred to other projects for which I couldn’t find any information on.
From what I could gather about this place, it was purely a testing facility. The building above us (named as Site 3) was created for research and development regarding the Cure All drug. The facility below, where we were, was where their experiments came to fruition. The office in town, Site 4, was purely that, an office for meetings, administration and day to day business needs.
I went methodically through files on the computer, trying to find information on ourselves. I was hoping to just find a file called "Test Subject Files" Or something like that, but all the files were instead numbered so they could be anywhere. The first on I found was information regarding the Cure All drug. It stated:
Project description.
To create a vaccine that will effectively eradicate cancer cells whilst at the same time, curing the causes of Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Dementia.
This “Cure All” would then be administered to the public in order to better the human population.
Funding to be administered through MR and DC. Laboratory to be set up on New London.
A site, officially known as Site 3, has been procured and construction will begin on the 3rd of December 2097.
Development to begin a year after building is compete and has been furnished.
The only file I did find that was named was called "Saved Emails". There were various emails regarding protocol and status reports in there, however, there was a string of emails which looked like conversations between the user of this pc and someone else:
15/5/2104-08:00
To: [email protected], [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: New Project
Hello.
Most of you are aware of who I am, if not; my name is Darren Cole. I have been transferred to Site 3 and 4 in regard to starting the Cure All programme. Following this email will be another to each individual department, containing attachments with instructions about our project.
I look forward to working with all of you, and if you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email.
D Cole
Head of Cure All Programme
Site 3 and 4
————————————————
15/5/2104-09:12
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: New Project
Hello Mr. Cole. My name is Dr. Edward Wright. It seems I will be the lead scientist on this project. I look forward to meeting with you personally.
This project is quite dear to me as it was I who put forward the idea to Mr. Richards
There are a few questions I do have for you and was wondering if I could set up a meeting with yourself and my team at your earliest convenience?
Thank you in advance.
Dr. E Wright
Chief DarkWatch Scientist
_____________________________________________________________
01/05/2105-08:38
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Request
Following my conversation with you a few days ago, I was wondering if I could see you in my office to discuss the things I had mentioned regarding the progress of DarkWatch as a company.
I feel that with your intelligence, you are vital to this next step.
Please reply as soon as you can so I can set up a time and date for a full meeting.
D Cole
Head of Cure All Programme
Site 3 and 4
————————————————
01/05/2105-10:09
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Request
Good Morning.
If the meeting is about what I think it’s about then I can agree but only under a few conditions.
I am available all this afternoon. I will come to you at around 2 o’clock.
Dr. E Wright
Chief DarkWatch Scientist
_____________________________________________________________
06/06/2107-14:22
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Test Subjects
Today I met with our new Test Subjects.
Ten in total, each suffering from various illnesses: Cancer, Dementia, Arthritis, MS and one that blacks out. Doctors have looked into this but are unaware of why it is happening.
They will be coming tomorrow, and I would like a full test ran on each of them. Hopefully that means we can begin administrating serum version 1.0 at the end of this week.
Any questions, feel free to contact me.
D Cole
Head of Cure All Programme
Site 3 and 4
————————————————
09/06/2107-10:09
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Test Subjects
Good Morning.
After running physicals on all ten of our subjects, I have determined only seven are to be out through to the testing phase.
I will upload their notes to the server for you to review and sign off. Once done I will start the process.
Dr. E Wright
Chief DarkWatch Scientist
_____________________________________________________________
07/02/2109-09:00
To: [email protected], [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Stepping Down
Good morning everybody.
By the time you read this I will have stepped down as the head of Site 3.p and 4. I will also be stepping away from the company for some time too, to reflect on personal issues.
Please direct any questions to my successor who I’m sure will be following up this email with one of his own.
I wish everyone of you the best of luck with the Cure All project and I bid you farewell.
Darren Cole
————————————————
07/02/2109-09:12
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Stepping Down
Morning.
I hope you don’t mind me asking sir, but where are you going? This project, as you’re aware needs your input.
I hope you’re not doing anything drastic?
Dr. E Wright
Chief DarkWatch Scientist
————————————————
07/02/2109-11:22
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: New Project
Dr. Wright, it’s Darren. I’m using another employees account, one that’s stationed at another site, in hopes of keeping our communication secure.
Although I have officially left DarkWatch, I remain very much in control of the other side of things. They’re going to be slowing down resources for the Cure All project as they’ve not been seeing any results.
What I want to do, however, is to rebuild this idea into the Guardian Project. The serum is already making them superior to ourselves, and they can be better than that!
I have files and notes I need to run by you, so
I will come and see you before you leave tonight. I will still be in the building. I intend to hide out here and oversee operations remotely.
Keep our subjects in stasis tonight rather than letting them go.
Paul Smythe
DW Construction Unit 2
_____________________________________________________________
06/06/2109-01:02
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject:
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!? I’m getting reports of murders! Has this got something to do with us?
I want all subjects back in the lab now and I want them restrained!
I’m heading down ASAP!
Paul Smythe
DW Construction Unit 2
_____________________________________________________________
10/10/2111-05:59
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Leaving
I’m sure you saw what was announced last week. The Sentry Team is official.
Who’d of thought Mike was right? After all the work we’ve done to prove we could do better, he actually gets people with superpowers!
This changes things. I need to know about these four people. So I’m heading back to mainland England. I’m gonna try get something in place.
I suggest we keep these people in stasis, who knows when they may come in handy.
Once I get something set up, I will call for you.
Darren
Paul Smythe