Chapter 4: Project Holocaust

"What the fuck, Rogue F?" I shouted. I could see Alpha Q wince from the corner of my eye.

Rogue F's smirk grew bigger into a Cheshire cat grin.

"Relax now, love," he teased, pulling me over to the sofa. Rogue F started massaging my shoulders.

I sigh, "Explain."

"They sent me here, to keep an eye on you. And to finish the job in case you didn't," he said, stroking my hair.

"Well, we did. And I didn't go overboard this time."

"That is correct, you didn't," Rogue F agreed. "But he got caught."

Alpha Q stayed quiet, knowing he messed up. And I can't even defend him because what Rogue F said was true.

"But pay no mind. Because everything worked out well in the end," Rogue F got up, his face turning into a serious one, "I do have something to tell you, though."

Alpha Q sat down on a chair across us, listening intently to what Rogue F is going to say.

"The Ultimates gave me a mission. The Torques have been working on 7 weapons, their research has been passed down for 13 years. The weapons are prototypes, they're not ready to use, unsafe, untested. Evangeline Bianchi took 4 of them, and she kept them all in a safe," Rogue F explained. "My job was to get the weapons back after you submitted your missions report, but you saw me, so I half failed."

"I had to do complete the mission without interfering in yours, but I'm afraid this is too big not to interfere. The weapons are only part of a bigger project the Torques have been working on since the start of RAYA. It's called Project Holocaust. By the name, I presume you already know what it is about. If you don't it is to indirectly destroy the world," He continued.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Rogue F stopped me, "There's more."

"The reason for this project is unknown, or very carefully kept, because there are no data about this project on RAYA's project files. Since you have higher access than I do, I figured that maybe you could find out."

I got up and walked over to the mission panel. My fingers hovered over each of the buttons before my eyes were pinned towards one that was covered by glass.

I sighed, not knowing where to start, "RAYA?" I called out.

"Yes, Phoenix X?"

"Show me Project Holocaust."

"Authorized personnel only. Please type in your password."

The screen on the mission panel lit up.

I typed in my agent password, the reason why I was chosen for RAYA.

A long text was shown on the screen shortly after.

"RAYA, narrate."

"Narration: Project Holocaust was one of the first projects Vivianne Miller started while also handling the first candidates of the RAYA program. The purpose of this project is only as a second resort when mankind fails. There are 7 parts of this project, but only 4 are fully evolved as of our last entry on this topic, on 26th October 2032."

"Stop. Thank you, RAYA."

"When mankind fails?" Rogue F whispered.

"Well, we've done our job and helped you with yours. I will be seeing you on the next company camping trip, goodbye."

"Phoenix X, we just found out that RAYA has a project to eliminate all of us if we fail, and you only care about completing this mission?" Alpha Q asked me.

"Yes, I do. But don't let me stop you from taking action. Please, be my guest."

I don't want to be dragged into something that doesn't affect me. If humans were the ones being removed from Earth, I won't be. After all, I am less humane now that I've evolved.

➰➰➰

Since we were discovered on the mission, the protocol was to keep us here until we are called back into the main HQ.

Alpha Q came into my room later that night, to ask me why I wouldn't stop this project from being used. I see no wrong in it, nor would I help something that has nothing but faults.

Mankind was a parasite. I am glad that I evolved beyond that because even the most perfect of their kind manipulates, abuses, and destroys as much as any of them. I wouldn't want to stop a project that has been in motion for 13 years.

"Why won't you prevent it? Don't you want to help people?" Alpha Q asked me. I told him that I didn't, not when all those people ever did was horrible, horrible things.

My modifications helped me realize that to do better, you have to be viewed as worse to others.

"But they're making it a project to erase all mankind, good and bad," he had reasoned.

"No one is ever truly good," I told him.

Alpha Q sighed, "Look, I know we just met a few days ago. And that you owe me nothing, but if you help us, I'll owe you my life. And I really don't want to lose it. So please, Phoenix X, you have higher access to RAYA's files than any of us, and I need you if I wanna stay alive."

I shrugged, "Why do you want to stay alive?"

"Is this a trick question or?" He asked.

"I want to know your reasons and why I should help you."

"Because mankind can build more than they can destroy," Alpha Q said.

I scoffed, "Right, because the past has shown so much."

"At least help us with the plan, you'll make it so much better."

I sighed, "Fine, call Foxtrot K, we'll need suits. And weapons, so Torque J. And Neo X since we need this to not fail."

"You got it," he stood up before turning back, "Thank you, Phoenix X."

"Thank me when you come out alive. Come, we need to make a plan draft first."