The United World Authority consisted of 147 affiliated countries worldwide. All 147 countries approved the creation of the Arcanum Helix Institute to research how to weaponize genetic mutation, using humans as the primary test subject. The research had a high mortality rate, with 9 out of 10 people dying gruesomely. However, those who survived became super soldiers with special abilities called the New Generation.
General Norman was among the few who knew about the New Generation Project. He was sent here at the order of the president of the Kou Republic, one of the leaders of the United World Authority. However, he wasn't privy to the research details and didn't know what to expect as a result. He simply followed Dr. Ilene's suggestion to pick out two candidates from the seven. His eyes surveyed them and landed on a brawny youth.
"I picked him and the one beside him," said the General.
The brawny youth was Wade and the one beside him was Connor. They both had similar physique and height, with Connor being slightly taller. The remaining five gave room for Wade and Connor as the two faced off against each other at Dr. Ilene's signal.
Wade clenched his fist as his muscles tensed. Under everyone's gaze, his body started to undergo some peculiar astonishing changes. His skin gradually turned a thick scaly brown hue with visible cracks and crevices on it, resembling roughly hewn stones. His muscles slightly bulged, tearing through his clothes, and making him look like a moving boulder. This was Wade's power that gave him the ability to transform his body into stone.
Stone Body!
Connor did the same with his fists and his body changed as well. His skin gradually turned silver-gray with a visible steel-like texture, gleaming with a metallic sheen. His muscles bulged tearing through his clothes as the metallic sheen became more radiant. This was his power that granted him the ability to transform his body into dense organic steel.
Steel Body!
Wade and Connor had similar characteristics and abilities, making them competitive with each other. Plus, General Norman had no idea what abilities anyone had; hence his selection was purely coincidental.
Wade and Connor stared intently at each other before rushing out. Sparks flew off whenever they exchanged blows. A body hardened by stone and one hardened by organic steel slammed into each other causing the General and his group to startle. The concept of super soldiers with powers always sounded like what a six-year-old would read from a comic book. But now witnessing it for themselves left them utterly speechless.
General Norman turned to Dr. Ilene to see the latter smiling confidently. The General watched the fight attentively. The air was electric as the two clashed like titans, the chamber slightly trembled in response. Connor's steel fists crashed against Wade's rock hide, but the latter barely flinched and retaliated with a devastating uppercut. However, Connor absorbed the impact and countered with a powerful kick, sending Wade flying across the room.
With a sour expression, Wade struggled to get up, and Connor rushed at him with his steel fists. But at this time, Dr. Ilene gave the signal and both combatants halted their movements. She turned to General Norman,
"This should be enough proof, right?"
General Norman had no words to say and nodded repeatedly. At her command, those of the new generation exited the chamber. She led only General Norman into her office,
"Now, why don't you tell me the real reason you're here?" she smiled.
General Norman slightly frowned,
"What do you mean?"
"I understand your president's concern, but this isn't the first time I've worked for him. There has to be a reason why he's mistrusting."
General Norman nodded,
"There's no point hiding it from you," he said and took out a picture from his breast pocket.
"You should know about the silent war between Kou and its neighbors. We got Intel that an attack would come from Hausen, so we sent a team to sabotage it… but they were wiped out except one person…"
Speaking up to this point, General Norman placed the picture on the table,
"Hidalgo Davila, a lieutenant directly under me… a promising young man…"
"Maybe not promising enough, seeing as you sent him to his grave."
Dr. Ilene added.
"I sent the best man for the job… it's not my fault he got captured. The problem isn't that he got captured, but he knows all about our countermeasures to strike the enemy. I know Davila won't speak, but everyone has a breaking point. If they torture it out from him, it'll be disastrous for our plan… that's where you come in…"
"Finally,"
Dr. Ilene rolled her eyes.
"What do you need from us?"
"Two things: I want Davila safely retrieved from Hausen… and I want their leader dead."
Dr. Ilene remained unperturbed by the General's initial request, but slightly frowned at the second.
"You want us to assassinate their leader?"
"It shouldn't be difficult given the capabilities your mutants possess. We would have done it ourselves, except we'd be drawing too much attention to ourselves before our counter-strike. We need a rescue team to pull Davila from there and kill the leader at Hausen, whoever he is."
Dr. Ilene didn't beat around the bush and blatantly stated,
"Your first request is possible but I'm afraid your second isn't."
General Norman frowned, but before he could say anything, Dr. Ilene continued,
"It's barbaric to call them mutants, I prefer super-powered humans, but that's by the way. The Arcanum Helix Institute is a place of research. We break through the boundaries of science and constantly battle the laws of nature… we do not run an underground crime base here."
General Norman's frown deepened,
"At the approval of your research, it was agreed that your super-powered humans would be used for the good of the allied nations."
"General Norman, if we agree to assassinate every enemy of the allied nations, who do you think would be left? I know my agreement with the allied nations, and assassinating people for them isn't one of them. Feel free to consult the president about it."