Chapter 1: Prologue
2:14 am CMT (Central Moskovian Time)
Eclipse Laboratories Northern Branch
Burlow, Moskov
*boom* *boom*
Loud nuclear-level explosions rang through the skies of a small decimated winter village in the Burlow region. In this seemingly remote and marginally populated area, the seventh world war would start as numerous nations gathered at the doorstep of the world’s biggest black market company.
But just less than two decades prior, nobody would’ve ever predicted it would all come to this…
It all begun as a wonderful dream, at a wonderful time for humanity. The birth of superhumans marked the start of perhaps the biggest jump in human evolution.
Through it, the world saw an influx of great figures appear across numerous areas of human life. Science, sports, technology and so many more all so incredible strides boosted humanity’s development several centuries ahead.
But like with most new strides in a new and unfamiliar direction, problems would arise. Just a few months in, it didn’t take long for not so kind people to awaken miraculous but often deadly powers.
That year, as the fifth world war raged, humanity went through one of its most brutal times as deaths all around the world totaled an astounding 1,234,567,890.
It would take the approval of multiple world leaders to start perhaps the world’s most controversial project, “New Age”.
This project saw the world funnel funds into creating the most powerful superhuman. Led by Professor Viktor Oslow Von Eclipse, the project created millions of superhuman soldiers through advanced DNA meshing, cloning and human experimentation.
And after just a mere 6 months, the project succeeded. This marked the birth of the world’s strongest superhuman, “Von Creed”.
Through him, what would have been a losing war, turned into a one sided bloodbath. By the the end of it all, humanity had lost just a little over 3 billion people in just three years.
In the wake of the war, humanity now knew fear at every level. Nations went through radical changes with many wanting to stabilize themselves so they can reap the benefits of war.
It came as no surprise when nations begun to fight over territories, but it did come as a surprise when said nations begun deploying superhuman soldiers in unnatural numbers.
Due to the secrecy behind major parts of the “New Age” project, many people had never even heard of Professor Eclipse before. So it came as a huge surprise when it became known that a company under his name was supplying certain nations with superhumans.
A war of interest naturally followed as many nations could see the threat behind Viktor’s position. Once the method behind creating superhumans was no longer special, the various super nations banded together to oppose Viktor, leading to the present day predicament.
Right now, a great assortment of advanced military vehicles could be seen trudging through thick snow covered terrain as they approached a sleek metallic complex carved into a range of snowy mountains.
Their advance was met with the opposition of superhumans defending the scattered complex. They effortlessly bashed into all-terrain tanks and anti-superhuman tactical choppers.
In ironic fashion, Professor Viktor Oslow Von Eclipse lost his life at the hands of his own creation just a few days prior. As the most superior human alive, Von Creed developed a vision of his own for the world, one that didn’t align with the professor’s ideals.
Through Von Creed’s action the nations began campaigns on all aspects to do with the late professor, especially his main research branches, such as the one currently being stormed.
As a chaotic atmosphere brewed to greater heights outside, a more calm scene was present within the confines of the laboratories. There, within a neat, largely digital office, sat an imposing female figure.
She had a strong blue eyed gaze, long neat platinum blonde hair and a modest figure. And behind the desk she sat, just along its edge, rested a small digital plate, reading;
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Chief Researcher: Dr. Yeva Magda Eclipse”
Despite the obvious terror coming her way, she sat at her desk looking more irritated than anything. She was leaned slightly forward and was tapping the desk impatiently with the nail of her index finger while a gaze was fixated on a framed portrait just sitting on the edge of the desk.
Her finger tapping paused for a moment as she looked like she was about to reach out toward the portrait, only for her office door to *bing~* softly as it slid open.
A figure clad in military vanguard attire from head to toe hurriedly walked into the office, with his steps reverberating fiercely. He stopped just a few inches away from the desk and tilted his masked face slightly before speaking.
“Its a shit-show out there, it’s only a matter of time before this place is taken over. If you’re planning on escaping, now’s the time.”
“You think I’m not aware of this?” His mature voice and intimidating stance didn’t faze the woman at all as she simply clicked her tongue in irritation and reached out into her desk drawer.
She quickly took out a folder and slid it across the desk toward the masked figure, who aptly stopped it just at the edge. “What’s this?”
“Contacts,” she responded quickly before leaning into her chair and crossing her legs. “I’m too big of a target to escape, it is better I surrender. I’m not worried for my life, but if those mudaks manage to attain all of father’s data caches then they won’t hesitate to kill me.”
“You think they won’t now? Isn’t that the whole purpose of this?”
“Father had long considered Von’s betrayal and such a predicament occurring. That is why all they will find here when they storm it, is research concerning my area of expertise, artificial intelligence. In the absence of evidence, I’m confident I can keep my life.”
“Then where do these contacts come in?” The figure asked somewhat curiously now, having not expected this turn of events when he came to this office.
“If you take the elevator hidden in Sector 34B-C1, you’ll be taken to the lower unique specimen storage center. Like all branches, that’s where we kept any specimens with special and or complex attributes that needed further study. Your task is to take one of the less volatile subjects and escape.”
“And the other ones?”
“The lab will vaporize once you’ve made your exit. Unfortunately, the subjects would count as evidence against me. And we can’t have that now can we?”
The figure showed a look of hesitation for a moment before releasing a loud sigh and turning away. As he was about to exit the room though, he paused and looked back to ask, “are you sure you’ll be alright? your father hired me specifically to-.”
“My father is no more, and thus his mantle has fallen to me. And I believe I’ve made my orders clear Lieutenant Nikolai.”
The figure addressed as Nikolai released yet another loud sigh before just nodding his head in defeat. “As you wish, I’ll carry this out until the contract I made with your father expires. After that, good luck.”
Saying nothing else, Nikolai turned and walked out as the door slid open for him. Victoria kept a firm gaze as she turned her rotating chair to face the view her office gave.
For as far as the eye could see, it was nothing but explosions and clashing figures. Looking at this, she released a small scoff and leaned back as if to watch the carnage in comfort.
“Luck? What a silly thing to say.”
----------------------------------------
Through the devastating sounds of explosions and carnage, Nikolai made it to his destination in one piece, though he found the sterilized and empty halls to be quite eerie.
“Does anyone even come down here? Hello! I’m kind of even a hurry to not die here….”
As Nikolai nonchalantly spoke his thoughts out loud in his rather thick accent, a digital voice emerged from the walls in response.
“Good evening Lt. Nikolai Rasputin, I am Z.O.E, Dr. Yeva had informed me of your impending arrival. I highly suggest you make your way forward and pick a specimen as time is not on our side.”
“Zoe?” Nikolai cautiously asked, a bit alert whenever confronting artificial intelligence.
“Yes, short for Zeroth Order Entity, I am the main web core of Eclipse Laboratories, and perhaps the most advanced human made A.I to date.” The feminine digital voice promptly replied.
“I see A.I’s are still as humble as ever. Whatever, I don’t want to die here, where’s the nearest best specimen. A specimen that fits your creator’s little requirements while being in close proximity, I’d prefer not risking my life when a guy that can level countries is barking at the door.” Nikolai unenthusiastically replied.
“Hm, you’re in luck, there’s one particularly special specimen in near proximity, though…”
“Though what?” Nikolai’s expression changed to that of concern.
“He is rather… volatile.”
“Physically?”
“No, Mentally. He is an odd case that Dr. Yeva labeled as requiring further study.”
“If the specimen is regarded that highly by your stuck up creator then I don’t see the problem, especially if it’s only his mentality that’s unstable.” Nikolai’s expression eased as he no longer saw a threat and instead and opportunity.
Z.O.E however, didn’t see things the same way, “At the current stage, specimen 020 already possesses the intelligence and reactivity of a teenager. It is impossible to predict what this much free thought could produce in the long run. The more a mind becomes aware of reality, the more unwilling it will be to conform to ideals that do not suit its own...”
Nikolai performed a rubbing chin action despite his face being hidden under a mask as if contemplating Z.O.E’s words. But after a few seconds, he simply shrugged it off as the sounds of explosions grew louder.
“That sounds like a personal issue. My window for choosing is closing quickly so does this specimen have a profile name or do I need to create a cover for him too? That’ll cost your creator extra though… just saying.”
“Having predicted your shameless greed, Dr. Yeva did indeed prepare designated profiles, ideal covers and fund allocation statistics for each unique scenario. As such, no extra monetary fees will be dispensed for this contract.” Z.O.E replied, in a voice that seemed almost smug.
“Cheapskates. Fine, what’s the profile name?”
“Riddick.”