A low dull hum of computer equipment flowed through metal corridors like the wind. Footsteps clanked along the cold steel floor as a man clad in white checked his watch. With a displeased expression he pressed on to the large grey door that stood at the end of the walkway. A flash of red light washed over him and returned the area to darkness.
“Good morning Doctor Himmel. Unsealing chamber” an artificial voice chimed as large steel rods disengaged. Vacuum seals were breached as the door finally began to part, sending a fierce wind towards the doctor. Stepping forward he was greeted by two heavily armoured and armed men. “I don't know why you eggheads bother with these freaks. How long have they been here and you barely got em to do anything?”
“This work pays for your wife and children to have a happy life Mr Johnson. Do not question its validity” the Doctor snapped back. “It has been five years, two months and twenty one days since the first one came here. But alas we have a new subject. He proves quite promising” the soldier huffed to himself at the doctor's words. He waved him through as he had done every day.
The Doctor stepped towards the large glass window into the main chamber. Inside a group of people in grey jumpsuits sat scattered around. The Doctor's thin frail finger pressed a large red button next to a microphone sending a chime through the chamber. “Guten Morgen, meine Freunde."
Those in the chamber perked up their ears as he spoke. Five people in all stood and looked to the Doctor above them. “According to your respective countries and families you are all dead. You are the newest in a latest batch of individuals that we find very interesting. You are all in possession of something that makes you very valuable. Each of your talents will be used to benefit humanity greatly.”
“You have been purchased by us here at nextech pharmaceuticals. You are our property. Make no mistake that you are no longer human to us, you are a product. you will comply with any orders given. Refusal to do so will result in grave consequences for all in this group. Please be advised that we run a tight ship here and any escape attempt will be met with lethal force. Not that you could escape anyway.”
The Doctor released the button as he took a step back. Several armed guards chuckled to themselves. They had seen this speech before and couldn't wait to see who cracked. The first one to cry or beg would as always receive a severe beating. The sadistic and cruel nature of the security staff was well known to those in the facility and completely ignored.
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The five stood stoic and unmoving at the Doctor's words. His brow furrowed in annoyance that no one had cracked. He turned to his staff, frustrated “what do we have this time?” a young woman pushed up her glasses and stepped forward holding a clipboard. She seemed nervous as she began to speak.
“Uh subject one is sixty three year old Thomas Logan. He's an ex military sniper who has outdone Chris Kyle on several occasions. He demonstrates vision capable of seeing up to five kilometres. Was acquired in Queensland Australia after a ten hour stand off with local police. ” she shuffled her papers as she flipped to the next entry.
“Subject two is twenty three year old Ava Alderman. She demonstrates kinetic psychic abilities unseen since subject zero. Objects she affects glow with the same green energy that radiates from her eyes. Was acquired in Ontario Canada after an apparent Suicide attempt.” the Doctor gestured for her to continue as she looked his way.
“Ok uh subject three is thirty seven year old Carlos Hernandez. He possesses unnatural strength beyond regular human limits. His skin is almost impervious to any sort of damage and has been witnessed being shot at by his cartel buddies for fun as a party trick. Advise extreme caution. Was acquired after a drug deal gone wrong rendered him unconscious.” one of the security guards laughed “I could take him”
“So subject four. Sebastian O’Brian. Twenty five years old. A young upstart cop, he has an uncanny ability for solving problems and cases. In his short career he caught the correct culprit every time. Naturally this made him a lot of enemies with the wrong kind of people. We acquired him after one of his perps found his address and gunned down him and his partner.”
“Finally we come to subject five Kazuma Sato. if you would believe it Mr Sato has been around since before the fat man fell on hiroshima. He survived the nuclear blast and as a byproduct has maintained his youth. He appears to be only in his twenties. He rarely speaks and does not eat or drink. He came to us with little resistance. Upon our attempt to kidnap him he came with us willingly.”
Satisfied with her explanations she took a step back and joined the small line of her peers. The Doctor congratulated her with a slow clap “Well done Miss Kuruk. You have definitely done your diligence with this group. I want the rest of you to aspire to her level.” the young woman clutched her clipboard to her chest and smiled as she blushed.
The Doctor turned to the window overlooking his subjects. “The gifts of these souls will propel humanity into a new age. They are our next step in evolution. We need only learn to harness their power. Let the deaths of those who came before not dissuade you from our goal, my students. We will create a better human being.”
He smiled at his subjects as he pulled a leaver. A thick cloud of gas entered the chamber as its inhabitants began to cough and stagger. One by one they all fell to the ground desperately trying to hold onto consciousness. Their struggle came to an end as they slipped into a deep abyss of slumber.
The Doctor turned to his students as he ushered a loud clap from his gloved hands. “Now my young minds in order to determine the source of these gifts we must explore. Please go now and prepare the operating theatre. We will begin only with exploratory work.” the students rushed to comply with his orders as he overlooked them donning a wide smile across his lips.