Chapter 20: Well, that's enough
At first glance, it seemed that Earth FX12 was able to quickly adapt to the effects of neon.
However, the mutants that lived in the different regions had already evolved and learned how to use the new power. Their ability to utilize the neon's new power made them increasingly dangerous.
Tension reigned at the SON headquarters.
Analysis showed that the number of active neon points was gradually decreasing, but what caused it remained unknown.
- We've lost a few more signals from Africa, - AVI reported, highlighting a few more red dots on the map that were rapidly disappearing.
The SON leader, watching the screen, furrowed his eyebrows. He looked concerned, but remained silent, giving the others a chance to analyze the situation.
- Can we send out a cleanup team already ? - one of the officers asked, looking at his superior worriedly.
- Yes, - answered the chief. - Neon forces have begun to settle down, it gives us a chance to send phantoms. But only those who can withstand the pressure. S-rang and A-rang are our best bet.
- What about the new mutants? - Another officer intervened. - They're getting stronger. Can the Phantoms handle them?
- There is no other choice, - replied the head of SON sharply, - Within a month we have to clear the neighborhoods of the city. I'm letting the Phantoms take action.
With the permission of the leadership, 5 S-rank phantoms and 30 A-ranks were sent to clean up the area. Over the next month, they wiped out mutants totaling 90,000 points. While the Phantoms' successes were evident, the earth rankings underwent a significant change. Guilds and Phantoms that had previously held their positions began to lose them ...
Sunlight streamed through the thick tree crowns, illuminating the ruins of the city.
The once busy streets were now covered in smoke and debris. The phantoms continued to move forward, striding steadily through the forest, though many of them could not shake the feeling that someone was watching them at all times.
- Something's wrong, -the team captain spoke up, stopping, - I can feel it.
The captain looked at the circles with suspicion, but quickly returned to the task at hand.
- Don't lose focus. If anything shows up, we'll be ready. Let's go.
A month of intense fighting had stabilized the situation. The mutants, at first aggressive and unpredictable, gradually retreated. But the price of victory was always, several Phantoms died, giving their lives for the safety of humanity.
At SON headquarters, the analysts continued to work hard, studying the new data.
- There are more and more of them, - one of them remarked, pointing to a screen that showed maps labeled with collision locations.
- And they're getting smarter, - another added, - They're learning too fast.
- We need new strategies, - the commander said, his voice filled with determination. - And more intelligence.
Meanwhile, away from headquarters and battles, Zero sat on a mountain of mutants in a dark forest in Africa.
His body radiated a bright lettuce light, reflecting off the tall trees and the shadows they cast. Around him lay the bodies of huge mutants, from which emanated neon energy of different colors, dissolving into the air.
- Well guys, that was a good workout, - Zero smiled, clutching the massive horn of one of the most dangerous mutants he had encountered on his journey. It was a buffalo ten meters tall and about thirty meters long, with huge horns and an armored body that was hard to penetrate.
Zero slowly stood up, looking up at the sky. His chest heaved heavily, the imprint of the battle was still on him, though he felt satisfied.
- You were worthy opponents, 0 Zero said, tossing the horn to the ground, - but it's time to go home.
He smiled, remembering his mother. Today was the day he had promised to return. A light breeze ran through the forest and Zero slowly disappeared into the shadows of the trees, heading home.
About 90% of successful phantoms returned home after completing their mission. Although they had handled many of the mutants, it was obvious that the new forms of mutants had become much more dangerous. They had adapted to the neons faster than expected. There were mixed moods at SON headquarters. The success of the operation could not mask concerns about the further evolution of the mutants.
It was at this time that a new file labeled "Top Secret" appeared in the SON archives.
It was 'Project Megalodon' - a covert investigation aimed at identifying who was secretly destroying mutants at an incredible rate. Captain Arco, an experienced Phantom, was one of the few who had access to this information.
He sat in his office, scrutinizing the documents.
- Someone is manipulating the situation ... - he muttered, his voice full of suspicion - But who could have that kind of power ?
[Dictionary Zero]
Project Megalodon was a covert initiative developed by the SON organization to investigate the anomalous destruction of mutants. The main goal of the project was to find out what or who was behind the sudden and unexplained cases of extermination of dangerous mutants in territories that were not covered by the Phantoms. The cases of mutants disappearing or being completely wiped out without any trace of battle caused concern among SON commanders. There was a suspicion that there was a new unknown force capable of exterminating mutants. The team working on the project studied not only the signs of annihilation, but also the anomalous bursts of neon energy that had been observed in those areas. The project was classified to avoid panic among the population and the Phantoms, as the new threat could have unpredictable consequences.