28 was wheeled into the grand antechamber where they had previously been greeted by the Vice President. He stared wistfully at the glass ceiling high above and the sky beyond it. Everyone gathered before the podium where the stern woman once more stood waiting, Rinzlo taking his place on her right. Once more she pierced them with her gaze, 28 shifting uncomfortably in his seat as she observed him with her icy eyes. Though he met her gaze, after all that he had been put through he would not be so easily intimidated.
"Welcome, subjects. It has been quite some time since we last saw each other. And I must say I am very impressed with your progress. So impressed, in fact, that I wish to offer you the chance to demonstrate all you have learned in the real world. Very soon you will be deployed on an important mission in the city."
28 nearly fell from his wheelchair. 'We can leave?' The prospect of ever leaving the compound had always seemed so impossible to them, these white halls and strict regimens had become all they know. Despite having the knowledge that they would one day lead humanity in their quest to reclaim the outside world, it never felt real. Not until now.
"Now, this mission will dictate your readiness to carry out future operations within Eden. I will not hide the fact from you that this is a test. Do not fail it. Rinzlo will be in charge of the operation, you will listen to his every command and obey them. If, by this mission's conclusion, you are successful and have proven to me that you are capable of operating in the field; then you will be brought into our task force and will continue to serve out in the city. You have been trained to the peak of your ability, now is the time for you to gain the experience necessary to carry out your duty. That is all."
The room fell deathly silent, not so much as a breath could be heard. 28's mind raced, this was an opportunity they could not afford to miss. They all knew it, he could feel their resolve. The vice president withdrew from the chamber and Rinzlo took the podium.
"You all heard her, rest well tonight because we move out at dawn."
With that the group was led back to their dorm to await the morning. They tried to sleep but for the most part they were unsuccessful, save for 99. His excitement didn't get the best of him that night. 28's eyes opened with a struggle. 78 stood over him, having just shaken him awake. She smiled at his bleary eyed confusion and quickly turned away. 28's limbs were lead almost causing him to wonder if 36 was still using that gravity well of his, but he knew it was just early morning fatigue. As he got up and dressed his stomach fluttered and danced. It was still difficult for him to process the fact that they would soon be out in the open, away from the white halls of the Ark Foundation's complex. The sleek black armor they had been issued fit like a glove. First came the mesh undersuit, it was skin tight and the fabric rippled like water when they moved. Black plates were attached to the undersuit, placed on faint outlines before whirring mechanically and fixating themselves to the mesh. Lastly were the helmets, the visor fogged for a moment as he donned it before adjusting to the humidity of his breath. They left the dorm in a hurry, being led away by a small platoon of guards. The tunnels they passed through were unfamiliar to them and 28 quickly lost his bearings in the winding halls. Eventually they emerged into a large train station of sorts. A Gleaming silver track ran through a divet in the white floor. All around black crates were stacked, crammed full of weaponry of all sorts the most prominent of which were the model 6-X Antipersonnel Rifles that all of the guardsmen wielded. Rinzlo waited for them on the platform, as he stood there the track hummed and shimmered as a graceful ivory shuttle slid into the station. The shuttle made little more than a whisper as it came to a stop, it's great doors swinging open behind the grizzled man.
The subjects stood in awe of the machine's majesty, 78's eyes sparkled like stars at the sight of it.
"Attention!"
Rinzlo's harsh voice pulled them back into reality as their escort retreated from the space and back the way they came.
"Gather your weaponry from the crate to my right, each of you has been issued a 6-X for use on this mission, afterwards load up. If you make haste there's something special in it for you."
The subjects rushed forward to secure their weaponry and with all haste boarded the mechanical beauty. The interior was maroon with silver hand holds hanging from the ceiling for one to secure oneself and velvet cushions lining the sides of the cabin.
"Make yourselves comfortable, I made special arrangements this time around. No doubt you're all riddled with nerves right now."
28, 78, and 36 made their way towards the back of the cabin, sinking gratefully into the comfortable seating. The three looked at each other for a moment before they broke out laughing. They felt ridiculous in this impossible situation. 36's laughter was good to hear and for a moment as 28 looked at the dark boy he felt that all of the pain that had gone into their training had been worth it. They were here. The shuttle began to slink forward and their stomachs lurched. As the shuttle slid from the station the walls parted leaving a three foot tall horizontal stretch of glass in its wake. The subjects stood and their breath caught in their chests. 'It's so...beautiful' The subjects stood with their mouths agape, staring out the window. Spanning for as far as the eye could see was a bustling metropolis. The white marble columns, several hundred feet thick, dotted the landscape like ancient trees standing watch over the city. The city itself branched from these columns in tiers, having been built to not only kiss the horizon but from the earth to the sky as well. The Ark foundation's tower gleamed silvery-gold in the rising sun and the city was as fire. They savored the view before their track began to dip down through the platforms of the city, descending through the many tiers.
"Boy," Rinzlo was suddenly at 28's shoulder, shaking him from his daze, "come here we need to talk."
28 allowed himself to be steered away from the glorious view that still held his companions enraptured. Rinzlo opened the door into the next cabin and the two stepped through together. Once the door was closed the grizzled man turned his silver gaze on 28, his face stern. 28 returned the stare.
"Nervous boy?" His voice was quiet and stern.
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"No, it's human," Rinzlo turned away for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Nothing we trained and drilled has prepared you for what you'll face out there, boy,"
"And what would that be? What will I face?"
Rinzlo turned back to him and stared into his heart, "Yourself, it's time to find out who you really are. You'll be laid bare today for better or worse."
"That certainly doesn't boost my confidence," 28 muttered with a faltering smile.
Rinzlo laughed his rough laugh, "Aye, I doubt it would."
The older man reached into his vest and produced a silver flask, he took a swig and was about to stopper it when he caught 28's eye. With a smirk he extended the flask to 28.
"Here, liquid courage."
After removing his helm 28 hesitantly accepted the flask, bringing it up to his lips and making to sip at it. Rinzlo impatiently tipped it back, pouring the fiery alcohol down 28's throat. The boy coughed and sputtered as the liquid scorched his throat and lungs, blossoming out through his chest. Rinzlo laughed again, taking the flask back and quickly stashing it back in his vest, patting its pocket affectionately.
"So," 28 wheezed, "what exactly is the mission?"
Rinzlo's face grew serious once more and he nodded.
"Come on, it's time I briefed you all."
The pair emerged back into the main cabin where the other subjects awaited them. 28 hurried to rejoin 36 and 78 who gave him questioning looks. He just shook his head and turned around to await Rinzlo's address.
"Our mission is to retrieve two Ark Foundation assets. These assets will be imperative to the foundation's efforts to retake the outside world, an effort that will one day be spearheaded by none other than you."
"Assets?" 78 frowned, "What do you mean assets?"
"Items, intel or personnel of significance to the Ark Foundation. Your helms will scan any potential targets and if there is a match they will identify the assets in question. Other than that all I have is a location and the knowledge that the assets are personnel."
The group nodded, uncertain, but Rinzlo didn't give them time to rethink. He strode towards the door and cracked his neck.
"We depart in ten seconds. Follow me quickly to our next transport, the shuttle tracks don't go all the way down."
28 donned his helmet once more and the doors slid open with a hiss. The group raced across the silver platform towards a vehicle even stranger than the last. It had a triangular body with a set of propellers atop each corner. The broadside faced them, the doors lowered like a drawbridge to admit them. Inside there were rectangular divots in the floor, set in pairs. Here they placed their feet, feeling the mechanism clamp overtop of them. Then they reached up to grasp onto handlebars set in the ceiling to secure themselves. The air crackled with the energy of their anticipation. Their hands shook as they felt the vehicle take off into the air before belting down towards the ground. 78 and 28 locked eyes and exchanged smiles. Rinzlo's voice drifted back from the front of the loading area, the pilots were separated from them by a set of sliding metal doors.
"When we touch down we're boots in the dirt immediately. We have to move fast or we'll miss our window. Subjects Twenty-eight and Seventy-eight are to secure the perimeter. Get some distance and don't let the locals get close. And I shouldn't have to say it but keep an eye out for potential threats, we'll communicate utilizing the comms in your helmets. Subject Thirty-six will remain outside the residence to watch the door while Subjects Ninety-nine and Eighty-two move in along with me. We move fast, we do this clean and by the book. There's no room for screw-ups. Twenty-eight and Seventy-eight, I would recommend one of you getting on top of one of the nearby residences, you'll be able to keep a better eye out that way. The other should run crowd control."
"I'll take the air if that's ok with you." 28 murmured to 78, she nodded in response.
"Approaching the dropzone, three...two...now, go now!"
Hatch swung open with a hiss and the restraints on their legs released with a snap. The group lept some ten feet down to the ground. Their boots slamming down into the ashy soil with a muffled stamp. The air was filled with a heavy smog that the great columns, stained by grime, disappeared into. They stood in the midst of an ashy road lined by yellowed, sandstone buildings. Not a soul was to be seen, though at the edges of the whirlwind created by the vehicle's spinning blades 28 could spy footprints, many of them. 28 turned away from the others and quickly made his way to one of the many buildings. Bounding up the side he reached the top, nestling himself down on the roof. 28 watched as 78 made her rounds, cautiously checking down alleyways, peering through windows and knocking on doors. After some time she looked back up towards him and signaled the all-clear. 28 expressed his understanding and went back to scanning the terrain from above. The streets were barren, filled only with dust. Rinzlo and the others had entered one of the residences, 36 being left to stand guard at the door. 28 could tell the boy was impatient, wishing he had been chosen to go inside. 28 smiled at this and just as he was turning his head something caught the corner of his eye. He turned slowly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. There, down below, he saw a figure flitting through the shadows towards the house Rinzlo had entered. The figure wore a heavy brown cloak and hood, concealing any other features. 28 slowly began to rise, preparing to leap the distance across the street and intercept the figure but something must have caught their attention. They turned their hood face towards him and turned to dash down an alley. 28 lept, clearing the distance between them with relative ease. He reached out to grab them but his finger grasped at empty air. The figure continued to run as 28 barreled past him, crashing into a yellow sandstone wall. As his quarry darted around a corner, 28 scaled the wall of the building between them. His speed was unparalleled as he slid across the ashy roof and crashed down onto the cloaked figure's back. The two rolled into the ash, painting their clothes yellow. 28 was on his feet in a flash, as was his foe. 28 watched as a blade protruded itself from the sleeve of the robe and as the robed figure settled into a low crouch. Malice was in their poise and their eyes gleamed from within the hood. The blade shot forward towards 28's throat yet stopped short. 28's grip tightened around his adversary's trapped wrist and with a swift twist of his arm he snapped their wrist. They fell back with a howl and their left hand went digging through their robe for another weapon. 28's foot collided with the hooded figure's arm, sending the pistol they had attempted to draw flying through the air. The figure sank back with a groan, defeated. 28 examined the weapon where it lay in the dust, it was unlike the weapons they had been trained with. The pistol had a heavy wooden handle and a cold steel barrel. It was a revolving pistol that carried six shots. Ballistic rounds, the only other time he had seen such a weapon was in the hands of Rinzlo. The hardened man seemed to prefer ballistic weaponry over the standard Ark Foundation rifles.
The cloaked man groaned where he lay and 28 turned back to him. The man was sprawled out, his arm bent at an odd angle. 28 knelt down and tore back his hood. The man was older, his face was scarred and his hair cut short. He glared at 28 with beady black eyes, eyes full of contempt.
"What are you doing here?" 28's voice was plain, emotionless.
"You know why the fuck I'm here!" the man spat, "I came to save 'em from you shit-stains!"
"We're just here to retrieve some assets for the foundation, you should stay out of our way. That way no one gets hurt."
"Oh yeah, sure. Take 'em, just like you did the rest. You may be a cut above the regular shock trooper but you're full of the same shit!"
28's heart skipped a beat, "What did you say?"
A foundation rifle shot echoed through the air. The distinct noise, like cracking ice over a lake, could not be mistaken. 28 shot to his feet and drew his own rifle from his back. The man scrambled to his feet and tried to run but 28 grabbed him by the scruff, dragging him along behind.
The scene that awaited them was not encouraging. Rinzlo and the others had yet to emerge and 36 and 78 were standing off against a growing crowd. People had begun to creep out of houses and from behind locked doors. They wore rags, their faces stained white by ash and they were deathly frail. Despite their appearances they were a threatening mass, at least two-hundred strong and growing still. 28 took note of the two scorch marks in the ground where 78 had let loose her warning shots to keep them at bay. The man 28 was hauling swore under his breath.
"Johnny?"
A woman was forcing her way to the front of the throng.
"Johnny? What the hell are you doing?"
She was a tall, skinny thing. Her hair was pulled back into a messy gray bun and her face was lined.
"Aw dammit Martha, git out of here now!" the man swore, trying to right himself enough to get between 28 and the crowd.
28 shoved the man to the dirt and placed his foot on his back to keep him still.
"Johnny! Let him go, please let him go!" Martha wailed and sobbed as Johnny grunted under the weight of 28's boot.
"Please calm down," 28 called, letting his voice carry, "this is a routine operation, we will be leaving shortly."
"Who's next? Who are you bastards taking next time!" One voice shouted.
"Yeah, when will it stop? Just leave us alone!" Cried another.
28 looked helplessly to 78 for answers but he found only fear and confusion in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understan-"
A scream shattered the sky, 28 jerked around to see as flaming, blue energy sliced through the roof of the house Rinzlo and the others had gone into. The roof began to cave in as more energy tore through the sandy stone. Rinzlo appeared in the doorway, dusty but alright. Under his arm was a small figure and he ran out into the street followed by 99 who carried another such figure in his arms. Blue flames roared behind them as they ran, 78 leapt in front of the group to ward them off, parting the energy like waves on breakers. The ash settled and for a moment there was quiet. 82 emerged from the crumbling house. His helm had two glowing, molten holes before his eyes. His eyes were searingly white and steaming tears glistened on his cheeks.
"GIVE THEM BACK TO ME!" He roared, his eyes beginning to heat up once more.
28 stepped forward, raising his hands, "Stop, Eighty-two please. What the hell is going on?"
"TRAITORS, LIARS, THIEVES, MURDERERS!" the tall boy cried.
Twin beams of fiery energy streaked towards 28, who stood in shock. Someone crashed into him from behind, sending him into the dust. 28 looked up to see 78 atop him, her face locked in a grimace as she fended off 82's attack. Flames billowed over and around them, unable to penetrate the unseen barrier. But the strain in her face told 28 that she could not keep up the defence for long.
28 looked behind them to see Rinzlo preparing his rifle and fear clutched at his heart.
"Stop, wait! Rinzlo don't!"
Rinzlo's glare met 28's eyes, but his hands had frozen. They didn't have long.
"Seventy-eight, can you get me close? I think I can stop him."
She nodded without looking at him, if her concentration broke they'd both be burned alive under 82's intense gaze. Slowly but surely they began to forge their way forward. How 82 was able to keep the flames coming was a mystery to them, it was as though he had suddenly grown much stronger. Or his sense of self preservation had diminished, allowing him to use more of his power despite the adverse effects to his body. 28 stayed close to 78's hip as they moved, ready to spring into action the moment they got close enough. 78 began to call out to 82, her voice kind and understanding.
"Eighty-two?" she cooed, "what's going on, talk to me. I can help but please, you have to stop this."
28 looked back at the others. Rinzlo stood with his rifle at the ready. 99 was crouched over the two figures they retrieved from the house. 36 waited helplessly nearby, the look on his face was one of anguish. 28 turned back towards 82, seeing him through the rippling curtains of heat that emanated from his eyes. He was like a stranger, and yet...'No, no that can't be possible'. 78 cried out in pain as they came within a few paces of the boy, she wouldn't last any longer.
"Seventy-eight, now!"
The barrier came down as she ducked under the oncoming flames. The two were drenched in heat, the intensity of 82's attack was so great that the very air around them smoldered. 28 looked up into his face as he lunged forward, his gauntlets discarded. The skin around 82's eyes was scarred and burned, red tears streamed down his face and all sweat had evaporated from his clammy skin. And then all 28 saw was red.