The room was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of surveillance cameras that seemed to scrutinize every movement.
Adam sat motionless, his hands bound tightly behind him, secured by thick steel chains that connected to the chair he was forced onto.
His gaze darted to the imposing figure of General Core, who stood a few feet away.
The general exuded authority, his chest adorned with medals of valor and his shoulders bearing the gleaming insignia of a four-star rank.
A man of war and strategy, his every movement commanded obedience.
Adam's eyes flitted to the two army personnel entering the room.
Unlike the general, their uniforms were dark green, devoid of any insignia or rank markers—a clear indication of their low status in the hierarchy.
Yet, their demeanor was professional as they approached Adam with precision.
Without a word, one of them unlocked the padlock securing the chains that bound his hands to the chair, releasing him from its confines.
However, the weight of the chains remained, encasing his hands, legs, and even his chest, restricting his movements.
As Adam tried to rise, the soldiers gave him support, though the chains made every step laborious.
"They've kept me locked up like I'm some rabid animal," Adam thought bitterly, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
The chains clinked and scraped with each cautious step he took, the metallic sound a constant reminder of his captivity.
Though he believed he could break free if he truly exerted himself, he chose restraint. "No sudden moves. Let them think they're in control—for now," he resolved.
---
The door creaked open, revealing the blinding brightness of the corridor beyond.
As Adam shuffled out, his chains clanking against the cold floor, the scene before him unfolded like a meticulously planned military operation.
Rows of young soldiers, barely older than teenagers, manned computer stations along the walls.
Their eyes widened as they caught sight of Adam. Conversations ceased, and an air of astonishment filled the space.
These soldiers, like many others, had only read about the concept of a "super-soldier" in classified documents.
Seeing Adam in the flesh—a man bound with chains so strong they could stop a car, yet still able to move unaided—was nothing short of extraordinary.
Their gazes lingered on his restrained form as he trudged forward, his movements slow and deliberate, akin to an injured soldier or a heavily pregnant woman.
Adam ignored their gawking. "Let them stare," he thought. "It doesn't matter what they think of me. They'll know soon enough."
General Core led the way, his stride purposeful and unyielding.
Adam followed, his chains dragging behind him, as they approached a large exit bathed in harsh white light.
The transition from the dim corridors to the open expanse outside was almost overwhelming.
---
Stepping out, Adam was greeted by a bustling scene.
Military vehicles of all shapes and sizes roared past, their tires kicking up clouds of dust. Soldiers were everywhere, some carrying rifles, others barking orders.
Adam's attention was drawn to a group of young recruits—barely 14 or 15 years old—marching with weapons slung over their shoulders. He couldn't hide his surprise at the sight. "Children with guns?" he thought. "What kind of world is this?"
As Adam continued forward, more soldiers passed by, their movements precise and disciplined.
Each one saluted General Core, who dismissed their gestures with a curt nod, his focus unwavering.
Adam's eyes wandered to the towering trucks filled with troops, the sprawling buildings with their endless comings and goings, and the rigid order of it all.
The spectacle was both impressive and unsettling. "They've turned their entire society into a machine for war," Adam mused, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
---
After what felt like an eternity of trudging through the military compound, they arrived at a massive 12-story building surrounded by well-manicured gardens.
Guards stationed at the entrance snapped to attention as General Core approached, saluting sharply. This time, the general returned the salute before leading Adam inside.
The interior was stark, with walls and floors clad in pristine white tiles that gleamed under the fluorescent lighting.
The sterile atmosphere immediately reminded Adam of a hospital or laboratory.
The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, a sharp contrast to the dusty outdoors.
Soldiers stationed inside saluted General Core as he passed, their expressions flickering with curiosity as they glanced at Adam.
Two soldiers stepped forward, their faces serious. "You'll need to go in alone from here," one of them informed Adam.
Adam's thoughts churned. "Alone? Don't leave me to face this on my own," he muttered internally, though his face betrayed no emotion.
Without protest, he continued forward, his chains rattling ominously with each step.
---
Inside the building, General Core stopped in front of a team of army personnel who saluted him before stepping aside.
From behind them emerged a man in a long white coat, his face obscured by a surgical mask.
The coat hung almost to his feet, giving him an air of authority.
He stepped forward, his voice laced with excitement. "General Core, you've finally brought him—the super-soldier."
The man's eyes gleamed as he examined Adam, circling him like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Such a magnificent specimen," the man muttered. "A marvel of science. If only we had the equipment to create more like him."
Adam remained silent, his gaze steady. The doctor's words were a mix of admiration and envy, but to Adam, they were just another reminder of his status as an experiment.
---
At the doctor's command, two soldiers escorted Adam to a chair and forced him down.
More chains were added, securing him tightly to the seat, rendering him almost immobile. Adam's heart raced.
He hated this feeling—the helplessness, the lack of control.
Memories of doctors and needles from his past flooded his mind, and a chill ran down his spine.
The team of doctors approached, their white coats billowing as they surrounded him.
One leaned in, his gloved hands prying open Adam's eyelids to shine a light into his eyes.
Another prodded his ears with a similar device. A third yanked at a lock of Adam's hair, trying to pull it free.
When the hair refused to budge, the doctor called out mockingly, "Put some effort into it!"
"Why don't you try it yourself?" the other retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Several of them tried again, but Adam's hair remained unyielding.
The scene was almost comical, yet Adam could feel his irritation growing. Finally, he broke his silence.
"That hurts," Adam said coldly, his voice carrying an edge that made the room fall silent.
The air grew heavy, a sudden pressure enveloping everyone present.
Even General Core seemed affected, his heartbeat quickening as he clutched his chest.
The doctors exchanged uneasy glances, stepping back instinctively.
Adam's gaze bore into them, his restrained body radiating a quiet menace.
And with that, the chapter came to an abrupt end, leaving the oppressive tension lingering in the room.