Who's The Traitor

A fine day at Tristan da Cunha. Everyone was taking their positions for the execution of the project. The facility personnel were busy preparing the equipment and utensils needed. All six candidates gathered in the mutation room for the final check-up. The doctors were checking their vitals and brain waves to assure their preparedness.

At the start of the check-up, Tyler's heart rate was somewhat slower than the others. The doctors sensed something was off with him. Checking his medical history, they found a chance that a cardiac arrest might occur during the process.

"Dr. Brischt, 006's heart and pulse rate are too slow for the mutation. I recommend delaying the mutation for him. He may suffer cardiac arrest during the process, and we could lose him," Dr. Harry informed Dr. Brischt, who was in the monitoring room together with other doctors positioned behind monitors displaying the candidates' vitals.

"Push through with the project. Tyler knows what he's getting into. He knows the consequences and is willing to go through all of this. This is our only way to show our gratitude for having him here." Dr. Brischt signaled Dr. Harry to proceed.

Dr. Harry and the other doctors assigned to the mutation room took their positions to initiate phase one of four. They all stood beside their respective candidates.

"Initiating phase 1, injecting supplements on 001."

"Injecting supplements on 002."

"Injecting supplements on 003."

This continued until all six were injected with supplements to build up their immune systems.

"All vitals are normal, brainwaves are normal. 006's vitals are stabilizing," Dr. Spencer informed Dr. Brischt.

"Great. Now initiate phase two. Bring in the serums." Dr. Brischt checked the monitors periodically.

The six doctors in the mutation room took turns retrieving the serums. Each handled the vials with extra care; they were fragile and priceless. There were only seven vials, and no room for mistakes, or it would all be a waste. They extracted the serum and prepared for phase two.

"Serums are extracted. Preparing to execute phase two," Dr. Harry announced, starting the phase, with the other doctors following.

The neck veins were the most suitable place to inject the serum, close to both the brain and heart. Each vial contained a different amount of serum. The amount depended on the person's physique. Once the serum entered the veins, it fused with the red blood cells as they circulated. Every heartbeat helped spread the serum evenly throughout the body. The serum began eating the red blood cells and was absorbed by the body. This triggered a raging reaction: unimaginable strength, bulging eyes turning bloody red, veins popping out, fangs growing and retracting on their own. All six candidates raged, their beds automatically holding them in place.

The doctors in the monitoring room witnessed unstable vitals, all in the critical range. Even the brainwaves were indescribable. All candidates were in great pain but coping , except Tyler. The serum triggered a cardiac arrest, putting him in grave danger. Dr. Harry hurriedly informed Dr. Brischt that Tyler was spitting blood.

"Dr. Brischt, 006 is having a cardiac arrest. Pulse rate dropping, he can't hold on much longer." Dr. Harry's voice trembled.

"I'm coming over. I was prepared for this possibility. But before that..." Dr. Brischt connected a call to the viewing room, where the generals watched. "General Johanssen, I'll perform open-heart surgery on Tyler. I'll support his heart to evenly scatter the serum. I need your permission."

"Do what you must," General Johanssen clenched his fist. He was deeply worried but had to believe in his son. He would make it out alive.

"Okay, General. Dr. Harry, prepare the medical tools. I'm coming over." Dr. Brischt hurried to the mutation room, sterilizing himself before entering. As he stepped inside, he could hear their screams, the fruit of his labor, years of research finally executed in this very room.

He hurried to Tyler's side and began operating. Every second, Tyler's pulse rate slowed, almost unnoticeably. But Dr. Brischt refused to let this moment slip away. Not a life or serum would be wasted. As Tyler's heart became visible, he gently gripped it, helping it pump. Slowly and carefully, he pumped Tyler's heart until his vitals stabilized and pulse rate normalized.

"Dr. Brischt, keep it up a little longer. His vitals are slowly stabilizing, brainwaves normalizing," a doctor in the monitoring room informed him.

As he kept pumping, he noticed Tyler's blood had turned almost black, thick in density, and his veins waved erratically. He was amazed by the scene. When Tyler's vitals were stable, he stopped pumping, and something phenomenal happened. As soon as he released his grip, Tyler's surgical wound regenerated and closed automatically, healing him completely. Every doctor in the room watched in amazement.

"It seems the serum has fully fused in the candidates' bodies. Tyler, on the other hand, didn't rage much due to his weak heart. He's stable and coping, but we must not celebrate yet , not until after 24 hours of surveillance," Dr. Brischt announced.

As the scene calmed, all six candidates seemed exhausted and weary. They all fell into deep sleep. The after-crew took them to their rooms and securely locked them up in case they raged again. They would be monitored, with rounds every 30 minutes to check their progress.

The mutation wasn't finished yet; phase three, the final phase, would judge the whole project , whether it was a great success or a painful failure. Everyone rested after a tiring day. The generals were momentarily relieved but suffocated by the wait for the final verdict. General Johanssen was still glad Tyler had surpassed the first two phases without giving up; he must not lose hope in the project either.

Meanwhile, someone in the monitoring room secretly left and headed to her quarters. She released a small device that bypassed the facility's jamming system prohibiting outside calls. She reported everything that happened that day over the phone and asked for further instructions.

"Sir, so far, everything went smoothly except for the little scene caused by General Johanssen's son. Everyone knows he's weak yet agreed to let him go through all this. If he died, the serum would've been wasted."

"Is that so?" The man on the other end sounded irritated.

"Good thing Dr. Brischt is a very talented doctor. He managed to help him and ease his pain during the process. Also, I witnessed something peculiar: once the serum fuses successfully, one can regenerate and heal automatically. It's almost like immortality," she reported excitedly.

"That's fascinating to hear. So, about the serum..."

"About that, I know there are seven vials in total, successfully made by Dr. Brischt. Six have been used, so only one vial remains. I need to dig out more information on its current location. It seems Dr. Brischt keeps it close to him. Give me time, and I'll make sure to get it away."

"Take all the time you need. Just make sure to update me on tomorrow's progress."

"I will. Also, the generals are keeping a close eye on their subjects. All of them are breathless as time passes. So far, no sign of movement. Their brains are too weary and have shut down. It will take more than a day for them to regain strength."

"If that's the case, keep monitoring. I want a detailed report on the project's progress. This is very important, and you know that. We both will rule the world, but only if I get my hands on the last vial."

"I know well, sir. I won't come back empty-handed. I'll make sure to get hold of that vial and deliver it immediately."

"That's good to know. Just be cautious. There are eyes everywhere. Trust no one but yourself."

"I will, sir. I don't want to raise suspicion from the other doctors, especially Dr. Brischt. I need to gain his trust and make him think I'm loyal to him. The generals aren't a real threat since they don't know what's going on unless it's fed to them."

"Still, stay safe. Keep your guard up and obey my instructions."

"I'll gladly obey, sir. I miss you already."

"I miss you too, hun. You're doing great. Just keep it going, and we'll be together again."

She hung up the phone, knowing she must be extra cautious or risk discovery for secretly bypassing the facility's jamming system. She took a short rest before returning to the monitoring room.

As night fell, a strike of lightning broke the quiet. A sudden gust of wind and pouring rain followed. The weather seemed to know what lay ahead. From a pleasant day to an eventful night, everyone was caught off guard. A tragic night awaited, ready to awaken. No one was prepared to deal with it. Everyone was still full of hope that the project was a success. Maybe it was , but who knew? As long as there was no sign of danger, they wouldn't know what hit them. Success or not, someone was willing to kill for power.

Who would it be? No one had a clue. Tristan da Cunha , an isolated island, far from the mainlands and almost invisible on the radar. An island where it all started. And it would all start from there.