Chapter 1: The Beginning

Humans are imperfect beings. Most of them anyway. The ones who were born perfect are chosen to train in the RAYA program, a program for the perfect-born, and the modified. We are a program, made by the world's government to prevent and reject world problems, minor and major.

I wasn't born perfect. My imperfections back then were: envious, childish, clueless, and most of all, gullible. But they modified me, made me into something better, something perfect.

My name is Phoenix X. I am now renewed, there are no more imperfections to who I am.

I have been training in the RAYA ever since I was 4 years old. They saw potential in me, something that made them want to use me and make me perfect. And they did.

Ultimate Z, one of RAYA's most important agents, has asked me to come to his office. That's where I'm heading right now. He's the one who took me in, my hero.

And while there are many people here on Earth, there are only a few of the perfects. Ultimate Z was the very first one in this new age. He's an amazing person.

He's the type of person kids looked up to, including myself. In my 17 years on this planet, no one could compare to him.

As I walked down the corridor of floor 80 of the RAYA's official headquarters, there is only one thing on my mind; success.

"You asked for me, sir?" I said, opening the door after hearing the sensor beep.

"Yes, come in, Phoenix X," He said from inside room 8090. "Sit down."

I complied, sitting down on the chair in front of his desk, folding my hands and resting them on my thighs.

"No slouching," He said curtly, and I straightened up right away.

Okay, maybe I'm not that perfect yet. But there's always room for improvement.

"I have a mission for you. Easy, simple, but you need to be precise and follow all the rules in this book," He said, sliding a thin book, about 15 pages, across the table to me. The cover page read 'Mission 505 PXAQ'.

"Sir?" I called. The name of the mission gave it all away. 505 was the code for an undercover mission and PX stands for Phoenix X and AQ for Alpha Q. The previous Alpha Q died in a mission so this person would be new. Why would I need a partner?

"Yes?" He looked up from a folder that briefly read 'Mission 9932 UZUA'. Recruitment, Ultimate Z, Ultimate A.

"Am I getting a partner for this mission?" I asked.

Ultimate Z nodded, "Yes. I thought that was clear."

"It is, sir. Am I dismissed?"

"Yes, your partner would be in room 2114," He said, gesturing out the door. I can see that he's busy right now to talk so I left him alone and left.

As I stood on the elevator, I skimmed through the book. The first page tells us briefly what we should do. On the next pages are steps and Plan Bs, Cs, Ds, you get the idea.

"Floor 67," RAYA's voice rang through the system as the elevator came to a halt and Rogue F came in.

"Phoenix X," He greeted with a nod.

"Rogue F," I said back.

I felt him glance at the papers in by hand and up to my face.

"New mission?" He asked. I suddenly felt relieved that the cover page of the book wasn't facing him. Mission details are classified unless the Ultimates gave orders.

"Yes."

He opened his mouth to say something then but the elevator stopped as soon as he did.

"Floor 21."

Without sparing him a second glance or a goodbye, I walked out of the elevator and onto floor 21.

"Room...2114," I whispered to myself, finally arriving in front of Alpha Q's room. The sensor beeped and RAYA's voice rang out.

"Alpha Q is currently unavailable at the moment, please try again later."

"This is Phoenix X requesting to speak with Alpha Q," I said monotonously.

"Request denied."

"Reason?"

"Alpha Q is, reportedly, busy at the moment."

"RAYA, let me see them."

"Request denied."

"Reason?"

"You just don't give up, do you?" RAYA's voice was replaced by a male's, Alpha Q.

"No, I don't."

The titanium door slid open, revealing him wearing Alpha's training uniform. Alpha's beginner training uniform.

"I am Phoenix X, your partner for Mission 505 PXAQ," I introduced myself.

As soon as I saw him, I know what he's like. A part of our training is to analyze people. And I can see that he's a perfect-born.

"Alpha Q," He stuck his hand out. He's serious, uptight.

I took his hand, smiling at him while studying him, but he doesn't need to know that.

"We leave at 6," I stated, then left.

➰➰➰

"Alright, listen up!" was what I heard when I walked into the recruits training. Salva G, a friend of mine, was training the recruits.

I leaned against the wall, watching her speak.

"I want all of you in a line with your assigned mentors," She commanded. Seeing everyone followed, she continued to speak.

"Alphas are leaders. Betas are second in command. Charlies help with drugs, medicine. Deacons help to send messages. Eagles are snipers. Foxtrots cover disguises, costumes. Genesis agents assign missions. Hypes help to keep classified information out of the public's knowledge. Imbues are doctors. Jonas agents supervise the missions. Killjoys are also known as assassins. Lacis agents specialize in networking and hacking."

Salva G walks across the field while talking, meeting the newcomers' eyes, taunting them. Hilarious.

"Magnum agents are sent ahead before an undercover mission to get information. Neos come up with plans. Orions pick the recruits and choose which type of agent they are. Phoenix agents specialize in spy missions. Quinton are royalty or governors who are also agents. Rouges take on solo missions. Salvas are trainers. Torques are weapon masters."

My mind took me back to the end of the year 2020, when the RAYA started recruitment. I was one of the first and youngest here. My parents died in the middle of the year and they took me in.

"Ultimate is the highest position here, there are none among you. Volts work with electricity. Willows fix the damage that has been caused. Xenon, chemicals. Yttria, you are transportation and safeguards. Zany, you are the distractions. Any questions?"

I left the room to my next destination. Room 4486, Foxtrot K, he's assigned to help Alpha Q and me for the mission.

"Hey, PX!," He greeted me. Did I mention that we're the best of friends?

"Hey, FK. Do you have it?" I asked.

He put up a finger and turned around, walking into his disguise closet. Foxtrot K turned around holding a black bag that I assumed had my disguise inside.

"Thanks, FK," I was about to turn around when I heard him calling out my name.

"For your partner," FK said, giving me another bag.

I smiled, "Thanks."

Walking back to the elevator, I caught sight of room 4415, a room that brought back many memories that shouldn't be spoken of. A shudder crept up my spine as the memories flashed.

"Just walk away," I reminded myself, urging my feet to move.

Everything's going good, nothing from my past is allowed to bring me down now.