Crimson Renegades: Midgard

Sometimes, life takes a strange turn. It takes you to ups and downs, failures and successes before achieving your goals. My dream was to be a geneticist so that I could help save human lives. I spent ten years in college to get my degree and finally my doctorate, only to become one of the many mediocre researchers in the Science and Technology Department of a certain country's military. They made us do horrible things. From inhuman experimentation on innocent creatures to testing on live human subjects, it went on and on. And for what? It was to create the perfect living weapon for use in military "engagements". The term was vague but we weren't children. We knew what we were doing and in time we would have regretted doing so. In fact, when it comes to results, we have already had attained somewhat of a success. Numerous "chimeras" were successfully produced and were in testing. Some were created for platonic purposes, mainly for espionage, such as dogs that possessed a wide range of sonar and the ability to report back information but others.... let's just say that they had incredibly elongated parts that were simply meant to inflict violence. That was just the start. It wasn't long when we were forced to create their human counterparts if "human" was still a word that could describe them. Fiercer, more aggressive, and armed with nature's best predatory and defensive assets, these human-animal hybrids were conditioned to be the greatest apex predators the world has ever seen. With the engineering department, they were able to condition these beasts using various forms of technological aids. Although the research was worth a fortune, it simply seemed more efficient in the long run to have creatures with no free will of their own and use them to easily win wars. This was the horrifying truth of our profession and we were disillusioned. We realized that what we thought was for the good of mankind would instead be used to usher our premature end. That was the last straw. As such, my colleagues and I decided to covet our research, destroy any remaining copies, and ran away. Suffice to say, the higher-ups weren't happy with our little excursion. Armed soldiers, military contractors, and most frightening of all, the "beastkin" that we helped to create, were sent to hunt us. It became a race for survival. More than half of my friends died, their families went into hiding, homes were burned and I would have perished myself if not for the help of my new benefactor. With her help, I was able to hide peacefully within an underground facility in Greenland. Here I continue my research, and this time for a purpose that I truly believe is noble. My sins will never be cleansed and I am still disturbed by the fact that somewhere out there, the science that my friends and I worked on will be used to end innocent lives. Hence, I have chosen to undo my mistakes, to do something that can help fight against the monsters we helped to conceive. Instead of mindless creatures, this time we will make a hero. Not a soldier. Not a beast. But someone who can fight with dignity and morality while having the mental and physical fortitude to do so. I admit that I may be playing god, but I've done worse. In my line of work, I could only do what I know how to do and that is to manipulate and to create life. That is why I am staring at a 9 ft. tall cylindrical tube made of carbon fiber and reinforced glass. Inside it was a single human, a baby floating in a light blue liquid, supported by tubes, lighting, and various machinery. "DGMR Log no. 354 Year: 2255. After numerous testing and experimentation, we finally succeeded in creating what we believed was a perfect and sustainable form of genetic code that would give its bearer prowess greater than that of any trained athlete at the peak of physical level. Expected abilities include enhanced regeneration, reflexes, strength, speed, and agility. Thanks to the DNA supplied by the Benefactor, other superhuman abilities are expected to appear by maturity. The gestation period took longer than expected, as opposed to a normal 9-month period, it took the subject 2 years to be in a recognizable fetal stage. PFC oxygenation level remains at 80 percent and the subject, named Cato, has begun to exhibit signs of respiration. Observation suggests that Cato may age differently and we are unable to predict senescence at this time. Further observations are needed to determine other possible traits for future rearing and development. Log end." It seems that everything is in order. Now to report back to the Benefactor and get some good night's- "You've been working hard, Steven. It's already 11 pm and you're still here. Didn't I tell you that sleeping early makes for great work performance?" Speak of the devil. A 6-foot tall woman with jet-black hair, glowing purple eyes, and an aura that can allure any man. The only reason, I'm not that infatuated is because I already have a wife and have high regard for professional ethics. In a universe where that wasn't the case, I would probably have fallen in love. What is incredibly strange is that the others seem to have a different opinion towards her. Most of my colleagues warned me that she was dangerous, a fact that she has admitted in the past. Being indifferent has done me no favors either. My lack of fear towards the Benefactor only made me a target as her conversation and drinking buddy because she found it amusing that I wasn't pissing my pants every time we meet. "Hello, Benefactor. I see that you're wearing a red dress today. I highly suggest that you put on the appropriate attire so as not to contaminate the equipment and working environment in particular." "Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud, Steven. I'm always clean. Did you forget that I'm also a scientist like you? I know what I'm doing. Also, didn't I tell you to call me, Lilith? "Benefactor" seems so..... distant. We're drinking partners aren't we?" "No, thank you. Regardless you're still my boss and if I change my demeanor towards you it will be viewed as favoritism." Well..... not that anyone else wants to get close to her anyway. "Booooo! Anyways, back to business. It seems that it's going well. Let me just say this. There's no need to rush things. That is something that I will tell you time and time again. If you're serious about saving the humans, then patience is key." She looks at the glass cylinder and kindly smiles as a mother would to her child She clears her throat before continuing. "I noticed your tone had a tinge of anxiety in the log reports. All in due time, Steven. I promise you that it will go as you expected. For now, follow me to the bar, we're going to have a little chit-chat. Tomorrow, you don't have to go to work. Now, you have more time to read that book you've always wanted to finish." "Yes, benefactor" We exit the lab and I silently follow her through the brightly lit, white hallways. There she goes again. I may not be a behavioral analyst but her speech pattern always seemed off. She mentions being intimate with her employees but how she speaks, at times, says otherwise. It was as if she differentiated herself from the rest of us as if she wasn't human. And that smug look she has every time as if she knows what's going to happen in the future. When we first met, I was wary. I was distrustful and still on high alert at the time and if you've seen the things that I've seen, you'd be in a similar state. It could've been a government ploy or a trap. I attempted to flee from the Benefactor until I saw her maul a beastkin herself with a lamp post to save me. Thinking about it now, she was never normal in the first place. How this person fought off a creature who was genetically engineered to commit atrocities is beyond me but it seemed like a better option to join her than to stay and die. I'm happy that I made the right decision. For better or worse, I am on the way to achieve my dream. That is to say that it is still surprising to me that I, a 34-year old scientist, would be working with a woman that could only be described as mysterious, strong, and insanely charismatic. We spent drinking and chatting for two hours before I finally returned to my house. There, my wife Jacqueline was waiting for me while playing a video game on her vintage X-box. She hears my footsteps and then proceeds to stare at me while slowly stuffing her mouth with some popcorn. After a few seconds, she pauses the game and runs towards me for a hug and a kiss. "Steve! Why are you so late !? I was worried you know!" I looked at the several bowls and cans of Mountain Dew on the floor. She made a mess again. I'm really a lucky guy. Blonde hair and blue eyes and a caring personality. Sometimes, I don't think I deserve her. I pinch her nose. "And what were you doing while you were waiting for me?" She looks around and realizes the amount of trash on the floor. "Well, I- " "Well?" "But I was sooooooo bored! Let me guess, you were with her again, weren't you!? I'm grateful she saved us and all but please be careful. I don't know what I'd do if I hear that you got eaten!" "Sigh, I'm happy that you're worried about me being with a woman for such an outlandish reason but there's no way she'd eat me." "Have you seen the size of her!? She's a monster!", she exclaims as she hugs me tighter. "No, no, no. There's just no way." It's no surprise that Jacqueline is afraid of the Benefactor. Despite being well-endowed, she's quite small, being only 142 centimeters tall. It doesn't help that my wife has heard of her inhumane feat of defeating a beastkin by herself. To her, Lilith would've seemed like a giant. She snuggles my chest and her curly golden her sways back and forth. Cute. "Anyway, let's clean this up. It's a big day tomorrow. " "Why?", she asks while tilting her head to the side. "The boss gave me a day off. A little something in exchange for being her drinking buddy for two hours." "So we're going out?" "Yeah." "Really? Really? Really?!", she asked me with sparkling eyes while rocking me back and forth. "Yes, really.", I tell her with a smile. "Yaaaay!" If you're asking why this is a big deal, it's because believe it or not, in our almost three years of living here we've never even seen 85% of the entire place. To give you an idea of how massive this place is, imagine Burj Khalifa if each floor were built to contain 114,000 people. Welcome to the Vajra. From the outside, it looked like its namesake. It is a megastructure measuring about 25000 ft. tall and 8500 km² wide. It consisted of a total of 1600 floors, each having its own self-sustaining economy and ecosystem. It is so big that it's literally impossible to traverse the entire place by either elevator and sky mobile travel. It is simply too tedious. That's why the most efficient form of travel is through teleport waypoints that connect the different scientific departments and districts. Of course, I have access to more than half of these districts due to my position. Even though I am the Head Scientist of my unit, The Department of Genome and Metahuman Research (DGMR), it actually means nothing when compared to the thousands of other divisions housed within each floor. The exterior wall of this entire structure is made of a temperature-proof, pressure-proof, scratchproof, and nigh-indestructible metal called Toumatonium. I heard that it also had a special property that makes it immune to erosion and welding. If the bedrock from Minecraft existed in real life, then this would be it. As a geneticist, I know next to nothing when it comes to inorganic metals besides their properties and effects on biological creatures, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out such a thing existed. As if designed to be the Earth's purest concentration of knowledge, the Vajra, is a scientific and technological paradise. As far as I know, the deeper the floor you belong to the greater the mystery it is shrouded in and the bigger the secrets you have. Right now, my department and address are located at Mendel City found on floor 1396. Because of the nature of my research, I was blessed with information that is impossible to obtain in any manner with the level of technology the totality of the human race possesses. Like how were not alone in the universe, like how there are actually different realms and dimensions besides this one. Anyone new to this place, including me, was in utter disbelief until presented with irrefutable evidence. Beings like dragons, trolls, gods, and monsters existed and were right under our noses. This knowledge is the only reason that my work has sprouted fruit and also due to the amount of material that I was allowed to work with. And all of this, owned by one person. The same inebriated black-haired woman that I accompanied last night, Lilith the Benefactor. It is truly a mystery. How can one person even have this much? In terms of wealth and resources, even the greatest of trillionaires on Earth can't create such a masterpiece. The manpower is outstanding and cannot be scoffed at either. Everyone who lives here is either a master of their own crafts or family members or people from other realms. Because of how particular the selection process is, thousands of undercover recruiters are sent all over the world. As for the chances of getting snitched and discovered by the world? It's impossible. You see everyone who lives here is offered a contract before they are told specifics. You would think that this kind of tactic wouldn't work but it does. A promise of safety and total financial support is too good for any scientist, laborer, or family out there. Furthermore, a place to live in where basic necessities are basically free? It may be too good to be true but a hard opportunity to pass up nonetheless. There are other particulars like lingering attachments to the outside world or any goals that they want to achieve. When all is well and the agreement is signed, the employees and their families are relocated to specific metropolitan areas where a home is waiting for them. Once the process is done, it is impossible to leave the Vajra, as no designated waypoint leads to the outside. To those who decide to be a part of this community, there's no going back. This is our world now. So far so good though. Lilith told me that she and her employees have been doing this as early as the mid-20th century. Again, more mysteries. Does this mean that it's a family project? That her ancestors started it? Or does she mean that she's been around for that long? And if true then..... is she even human? At some point in time, I stopped asking because to be fair, no normal human on Earth would've been able to achieve this. Besides, I'm already content with the situation and I couldn't be any happier. As to why she even hangs out on our floor and with me, in particular, I will never find out. All I know is that somehow our project is very important to her as if it warranted so much attention that she had to see it herself, despite it not even situated below the 1400th floor. While there are benefits to being somewhat close to her, her flimsy attitude led the other members of this particular scientific community to observe us with utmost scrutiny. Because of her, the pressure was too intense! Oh well, at least we pulled through and showed impressive results. That's all that matters. "Hey..... Hello! Earth to Steven!", a loud voice brings me back to reality and ends my daydream. I was staring straight at the floor. "Ah....." "You spaced out. Are you okay? Let's go and have some rest. You seem pretty tired. You can tell me all about it tomorrow okay?" "Oh.... uh.... alright. Thanks, Jacky." She hugs me. "Phew. you stink too. Take a bath and go to sleep. I'll join you once I'm finished cleaning up." "Okay." After taking a bath, I change into a set of striped blue pajamas and brush my teeth. By the time I was done, Jacky was waiting for me by the bed. I close the lights as I lay on the bed and into her embrace. We kiss and snuggle to keep each other warm. It was December and the floor weather was set to snow so it was particularly cold, even with blankets on. "This is nice.", Jacky says as I hug her tight. "Yeah, I wish it could be like this forever." We closed our eyes and went to sleep. Looking back on it, I shouldn't have said that. I jinxed it. Big time. Nobody had any idea it would happen the next day. It started when a blaring sound echoed throughout the entire floor. A code black. Every TV in the Multimedia Center was showcasing all of the news channels around the world and all of them were reporting the same thing. Portals, holes in the sky, and all sorts of other supernatural events started popping across the globe. In Greece, an army of soldiers wearing gold armor and each riding a Pegasus, led by an entity shrouded with lightning, started descending from the sky. In Tokyo, the sky turned dark as hundreds of monsters appeared overrunning the population. London isn't safe either as a giant black dragon, accompanied by trolls and fairies, perched on top of the Big Ben spewing fire and killing the onlookers below. Cities in the Middle East were destroyed as fire fell from the sky and people were turned into pillars of salt. It finally happened. Lilith already told me that it would. I just didn't think it would come so soon. It was the same in our household TV. As an American, I check the news of my homeland every once in a while but this time I couldn't believe my eyes. Washington DC wasn't attacked by supernatural beings nor gods. Instead, humanoid beastkin came in droves attacking civilians, police, and politicians alike. The beastkin were supposed to be subdued with neural implants. Something must've gone wrong. "This is Katie Marston, live in Washington DC! Thousands of what appear to be werewolf-like creatures have swarmed the White House! The military seems to be having a hard time as neither bullets, plasma-based weapons nor explosives are slowing them down. There's no update yet as to the whereabouts of President Jones and we can only hope that he and his family is safe." The camera slowly zooms towards the direction of the assailants in question. They were 8-feet tall with razor-sharp claws, bloodshot eyes, and covered in black fur. There was no doubt that these were the same beings that I helped to create "Steven..... It's happening, isn't it? What should we do?", Jacqueline says, shaking as she holds my hand I squeeze her hand and reassure her. "Don't worry. There are protocols in place and whatever happens, we will be safe here." "Oh my God! What is that!?" We both turn our heads at the monitor only to see the army get overwhelmed as a gigantic blue Alpha charges in the middle of their formation and tears them all apart in one huge swipe. The smaller ones, seeing an opportunity to strike, attacked, tearing every remaining soldier limb from limb. The streets were painted with a deep crimson color. I hugged Jacqueline. "You don't have to look, Jacky." "No, I have to. It's my responsibility to the people we abandoned." She's right. We were both lucky that neither of us had anyone we considered family before we met so we didn't have the need to invite anyone else. But at the same time, we still felt bad because there was nothing else we could do for them. This entire event is why the Vajra even existed. While the people outside were in hysterical panic and had no idea what was going on, everyone in the Vajra is aware that this was gonna happen. From the janitor to the highest position, everyone knew. Yet we couldn't save them, even with this amount of technology and power, it's nearly impossible to save an entire world against forces so strong and even god-like. The reason why everyone worked so hard, wasn't so we can save everyone, but it was to rescue those who survived so humanity doesn't go extinct. As for me, the reason why I'm doing this is a little different. I'm more concerned about those that we will leave behind. "John! John!", The news reporter desperately called for the helicopter pilot but was too late as the Alpha threw a tank at them, ending the stream. By this time, my watch started to beep incessantly so I answered the call. A hologram of Lilith appeared before us. "It's time.", she says with a stern look. I looked at Jacqueline and she nodded. "Do what you have to do." "I will" I kiss her and say goodbye as I run outside. "Hurry up! We don't have much time. There's a precise window of opportunity to do this." I hopped on my skymobile and drove towards the facility. "I'm hurrying. But are you sure this is ok? I believe you've seen my report yesterday. The subject isn't even nearly ready." "We're not doing this for us remember? But for the future generations. Besides, I want him to live in a harsh world if he is to be Midgard's only hope. Don't worry the entire setup will be in a Toumatonium pod, he has a lot of time to grow before the AI decides that he is ready for extraction. That's still far into the future so there's no rush." "Well, I am rushing now." I can still remember the screams on the television as I hurried to the laboratory. Whatever happens, I will never let what we did, be our legacy. If this is the only way to atone for our sins then so be it. Lilith meets me by the huge metal door that led to the subject's room. "Are you ready, Stevey?" "Of course, Lilith. Let's go." "Heh. You called me Lilith." "It's a special occasion." As the door closes behind us, we begin our work. Life takes a strange turn and there's no way for us to know if it's good or bad. But sometimes, all it takes is guts. You never know when it will force you to face the end of the world.