Chapter 4

Cade's eyes met Roy's, serious and troubled. "Main base. The grandmaster wants to see you personally. Now."

The drive took them out of the city, through winding country roads until they reached what appeared to be an ordinary military compound—high fences, checkpoints, nothing to suggest it was anything but a standard government facility.

But as they passed through successive security measures, Roy understood the deception. Underground levels revealed themselves, technological marvels beyond what he'd imagined. The true heart of the Order lay beneath the surface, hidden from the world.

Guards escorted them through pristine corridors, past laboratories where scientists worked on projects Roy couldn't begin to comprehend. Other agents nodded to Cade as they passed, eyeing Roy with curiosity or suspicion.

They finally arrived at a set of imposing doors. The guard scanned Cade's ID, then Roy's face.

"He's expected," the guard confirmed, stepping aside.

The doors opened to reveal a spacious office. Maps and monitors covered one wall, displaying global data Roy couldn't interpret. A large desk dominated the center, behind which stood Elliot, deep in conversation with another man.

They looked up as Roy and Cade entered.

"Ah," Elliot said, studying them both. His gaze lingered on Cade's bandaged chest. "I see the encounter was as dangerous as reported."

"C-rank chimera, as expected," Cade reported formally. "Neutralized and site secured. Cleanup team is handling the aftermath."

"And Roy?" Elliot's piercing eyes turned to him.

"He took it down," Cade said simply. "After I was incapacitated."

The other man—tall, with silver-streaked hair and a bearing that suggested military training—stepped forward, studying Roy with new interest.

"This is the recruit you mentioned?" he asked Elliot.

"Yes," Elliot confirmed. "Roy, meet Mark Reeves, Deputy Grandmaster of the Order."

Mark extended his hand, which Roy shook automatically. "Impressive for your first week," Mark commented. "Especially without formal training."

"That's why I called you here," Elliot interjected, moving around the desk. "There's been a development. Show him the results, Cade."

Cade pulled out his tablet, bringing up the data from Roy's testing earlier. Mark and Elliot reviewed it, exchanging glances.

"It's as I suspected," Elliot murmured. "The genetic markers are unmistakable."

"What markers?" Roy finally asked, his patience wearing thin. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"

The three men exchanged looks before Elliot nodded, seeming to come to a decision.

"Roy," he said carefully, "your DNA contains specific sequences we've seen before. Sequences that suggest you're not entirely… well, ordinary."

"We believe," Mark continued, "that one or both of your parents may have been involved with either the Order or… other organizations with access to genetic modification technology."

Roy felt like the floor had dropped out from under him. "Are you saying I'm some kind of chimera?"

"No," Elliot said quickly. "Nothing like that. But enhanced, yes. It explains your unusually strong response to the S12, your accelerated learning curve, your resilience to the toxin today."

"So what does this mean?" Roy asked, trying to process this revelation.

The three exchanged another look before Elliot spoke again.

"It means you may be capable of advancing far more quickly than we anticipated. It also means," he hesitated, "that we need to find out who your parents were—and what they might have been involved with."

"I thought you might have records," Roy said. "That's why you asked about my parents when you first injected me with S12."

"We have some databases," Mark acknowledged. "But they're incomplete, especially for periods immediately following the Dark Era. If your parents were involved in clandestine work, finding records may be challenging."

"There's one more thing," Elliot added, his expression grave. "If you truly are the offspring of enhanced individuals, others may be looking for you as well."

"Others?" Roy felt a chill run down his spine.

"Not everyone who creates chimeras works alone," Cade explained. "There are organizations—shadow groups that split off from the Foundation after its fall. They're always looking for subjects with… potential."

Elliot placed a hand on Roy's shoulder. "Which means your training needs to accelerate. You're being reassigned effective immediately."

Roy looked between the three men, feeling the weight of their expectations and the sudden narrowing of his future path. A week ago, his biggest concern had been passing his economics exam. Now he was standing in a secret underground facility, learning he might be the product of genetic experimentation, with mysterious organizations potentially hunting him.

"Do I have a choice?" he asked quietly.

Elliot's expression softened slightly. "There's always a choice, Roy. But consider this: you've already seen what's out there. You've faced it and survived. How many others can say the same? And if what we suspect about your heritage is true, you may have abilities yet to discover—abilities that could make a real difference."

Roy thought about the monster in the alley, about the chimera they'd just faced, about the ordinary people who had no idea what lurked in the shadows of their world. He thought about the strange medallion that had led him here, still tucked in his pocket.

"When do we start?" he asked finally.

Elliot smiled, though there was something sad in his eyes. "We already have."

"You will be transferred to the C-15 base. There, Roland will help you. He is our biggest think tank. He is also the one who created S12.But be careful, he's…. quite special." Elliot warned him.

Roy stood in the grandmaster's office, taking in this latest development. From university student to monster hunter to special recruit in just over a week—his life had transformed completely.

"C-15 base?" Roy asked, trying to get his bearings. "Is that far from here?"

Mark cleared his throat. "It's one of our specialized research facilities, located beneath the mountains about two hours west. Isolated for good reason."

"Roland is…" Cade started, then paused, searching for the right words. "He's brilliant but eccentric. A genius with a unique perspective on our work."

"Unique is putting it mildly," Elliot muttered. "He created S12 when everyone said enhancing human capabilities to that degree was impossible. But his methods can be… unorthodox."

Roy nodded slowly, processing this information. "When do I leave?"

"Tonight," Elliot replied. "The sooner you begin advanced training, the better. Especially given what happened today." He gestured to Cade's bandaged chest. "You've shown potential that needs proper cultivation."

They spent the next hour in briefing. Mark outlined the C-15 facility's security protocols while Elliot explained what little they knew about Roland's current research. Cade remained mostly silent, occasionally adding practical advice about what to pack and what to expect.

"One more thing," Elliot said as they concluded. "Your communication will be limited. C-15 operates under stricter protocols than most bases. It's for your protection as much as operational security."

"So I'm essentially disappearing," Roy said flatly.

"For now," Elliot confirmed. "We'll handle your university withdrawal paperwork. As far as anyone outside the Order is concerned, you've taken a leave of absence for personal reasons."

As they prepared to leave, Cade pulled Roy aside in the corridor. "Listen," he said, keeping his voice low. "Roland is… well, he's A-rank. Not just in power, but in intellect. He sees things differently than most people."

"Is he dangerous?" Roy asked.

Cade's expression remained neutral. "Everyone at that rank is dangerous. But he's loyal to the Order. Just…" he hesitated. "Don't volunteer for anything experimental unless you're absolutely certain about it."

Before Roy could ask what that meant, a team of agents appeared to escort him to his temporary quarters. He would leave for C-15 in four hours.

In his small but well-appointed room, Roy found fresh clothing with the Order's insignia and a tablet containing briefing documents. He scrolled through them, trying to absorb as much information as possible about his new destination.

C-15 was established after the Dark Era as a research outpost focusing on human enhancement and chimera countermeasures. Roland had been its director for over fifteen years. The facility housed fewer than fifty personnel, most of them researchers or specialized security.

As Roy read, a notification appeared on the tablet: "PERSONNEL FILE ACCESSED. SUBJECT: ROY MATTHEWS."

He tapped it, curious to see what the Order had compiled about him. The file was sparse—basic biographical data, notes from his week of training, and medical readings from the S12 injection. But at the bottom was a new section, recently added:

"GENETIC ANALYSIS: Subject displays markers consistent with Protocol Ascension (discontinued). Further testing required to confirm lineage. HIGH PRIORITY."

Protocol Ascension? Roy tried searching for the term, but access was denied. Clearance level insufficient.

A knock at the door interrupted his investigation. An agent informed him that his transport was ready early—they needed to move now to avoid a storm system moving through the mountains.

The journey to C-15 was tense. Roy rode in an armored transport with four silent agents, all heavily armed. No one spoke as they drove through the night, lights off, taking back roads and unmarked paths.

They reached the mountain facility just before dawn. Unlike headquarters, C-15 had no aboveground presence—just a reinforced tunnel entrance built into the mountainside, disguised as an abandoned mining operation.

The vehicle pulled into a massive elevator that descended deep into the earth. When the doors finally opened, Roy found himself in a cavernous hangar space, brightly lit and humming with activity despite the early hour.

A woman in a lab coat approached, her posture rigid and professional. "Roy Matthews? I'm Dr. Chen, Roland's assistant. Welcome to C-15." She didn't offer to shake hands. "Follow me. He's waiting."

They moved through the facility, passing labs where scientists worked behind glass walls. Some looked up as Roy passed, studying him with open curiosity. The corridors were stark white, unmarked except for security checkpoints.

Dr. Chen led him to a large circular chamber dominated by screens and holographic displays. In the center stood a man—tall and slim, with wild salt-and-pepper hair and the kind of intense eyes that seemed to look through rather than at you.

"Ah! The new specimen arrives!" Roland exclaimed, his voice unexpectedly bright and enthusiastic. He circled Roy, examining him from all angles. "Yes, yes, I see what Elliot meant. The integration is remarkable!"

"Sir—" Dr. Chen began.

"Not now, Mei," Roland waved her off. "Can't you see I'm meeting our new friend? Tell me, boy, how does it feel? The S12 in your system? Any unusual sensations? Dreams? Voices?"

Roy blinked, taken aback by the barrage of questions. "Uh, no voices. I feel stronger. Faster. My senses seem sharper."

"Of course, of course, the baseline effects, no schizophrenia eh" Roland nodded dismissively, the last part was said quietly. "But the interesting part is what's happening at the cellular level. Your body isn't just accommodating the S12—it's improving it! Fascinating!"

He grabbed Roy's arm suddenly, pushing up his sleeve to examine the veins. "Look at this, Mei! The distribution pattern is completely different from standard subjects."

Dr. Chen stepped forward, her expression apologetic. "Sir, perhaps we should let Mr. Matthews settle in first? He's had a long journey."

Roland looked momentarily confused, then his face cleared. "Ah! Social protocols! Yes, yes, quite right." He straightened, attempting a more formal posture. "Welcome to C-15, Roy Matthews. I am Roland Weber, chief researcher and facility director. We're going to help you understand what you are."

"What I am?" Roy repeated cautiously.

Roland's eyes gleamed. "Indeed! You, my boy, are a walking breakthrough. The child of Ascension subjects! We thought that bloodline had died out decades ago."

Dr. Chen coughed pointedly. "Sir, that information is still classified at his clearance level."

"Oh, bureaucracy," Roland scoffed. "He deserves to know what's in his own cells, doesn't he? Besides, who's going to tell Elliot? You?" He grinned at her consternation before turning back to Roy. "Rest today. Tomorrow we begin the real work."

Dr. Chen escorted Roy to his assigned quarters, a small but comfortable room deep within the facility. "I apologize for Roland's… enthusiasm," she said as they walked. "He gets excited about new research subjects."

"Is that what I am? A research subject?" Roy asked.

She hesitated. "You're here for training, officially. But yes, Roland will want to study you as well. Your genetic makeup is… significant."

"That's what everyone keeps saying, but no one will tell me why," Roy said, frustration evident in his voice.

Dr. Chen stopped at his door, considering him carefully. "Protocol Ascension was a program from the time before dark era. Ar- that guy was the one who started it. An attempt to create enhanced humans through genetic manipulation. Back then chemical means like S12 didn't exist. It was the first program ever, that created successful superhumans."

Roy raised an eyebrow at the 'that guy' but otherwise listened carefully. "And my parents were part of this? They're from that program?"

"Possibly," Dr. Chen said, a hint of caution in her voice. "But we need to run more tests to be sure."

"So Roland's right. I'm some kind of relic."

"You're a unique case," she corrected, though there was a flicker of sympathy in her eyes. "And if you cooperate, you might learn more than any other subject about yourself—and about what the Order is truly capable of."

Roy leaned against the wall, processing the implications. He had been prepared for a life in the Order after his training, but this was different. Deeper and more personal than he had ever anticipated.

"Rest is important," Dr. Chen insisted softly. "We'll explain more tomorrow." She left him there, closing the door quietly behind her.