The Genesis Code 1: Lambda (19 page)

Overseer bit her lip. “Foresight, commence an emergency log-out.”

Foresight stared hesitant. “I understand, but we can still-”

“Do as I say now!” Every fiber of Overseer’s body wanted to scream as she made her choice.

Foresight said no more and immediately began typing on his wrist. He didn’t like the decision, but it wasn’t his place to question now.

Overseer peered darkly up at Corson. His black coat billowed wildly in the torrent of chaos caused by the ever-growing ball of darkness above his head.

“I hope you die from this!” The malice in her words was deadly. The shame that had been brought upon her once again was something she would never forgive.

Corson huffed dismissively. “Doubtful. My will is strong, unlike yours.”

Overseer felt her eyes bulge with hate just as Foresight finished the preparations for their exit. She didn’t even get a word out as they vanished from the crashing server in a black vortex of chaos.

Corson closed his eyes. “If only we could exit as easy as them. With the World Moderators focused on us, trying to log out will only hasten them hacking our accounts. There is too much at stake to take that risk now.” He looked to Laura. “I hope this doesn’t spell our own doom,” he said rather solemnly.

Laura leaped to his side as the area began to crumble around them. Code scattered in all directions as the structures that surrounded them crumbled into shapeless blocks of dead space. There was chaos all around, and yet, amidst this havoc, both Corson and Laura watched as the fake world around them phased away.

“What are the chances of us surviving?” Laura asked, trying to mask her fear.

Corson took her hand. His powerful eyes danced with hope.

“Getting better by the second.”

Darkness completely consumed them seconds later as the server plunged into abyss. All was one with the dark emptiness. The Zero Zone had claimed the space once held by the server. Silence from all directions extended into infinity.

*
      
*
      
*

[January 6th - Washington D.C. - Cyber Research Plant - Night]

Karen and Richard walked briskly through the white halls of the Research Plant. The looks on their faces could tell all those who they passed what they were thinking. It wasn’t a secret as to why the whole lab was now in a blaze of uncertainty and tension. Ever since the Director’s return, things had been put into motion that were said to never be moved or disturbed ever again. Both Karen and Richard had only one agenda: to talk to the Director. What he was asking was nothing short of insanity.

They rounded a corner and headed to the Director’s Council Chamber, but were met with an unexpected individual blocking the passage to the chamber. Karen found this to be insufferable.

“Step aside, Margret. We have to talk to-”

With cunning speed, two soldiers darted from either hall to Margret’
s left and right and stood in front of her. They towered a solid foot above Karen and leered down at her, almost hoping she would try and make a move.

Richard was unfazed by their intimidating looks. “Out of the way. We need to talk to the Director immediately.”

The two men glanced at one another before snickering playfully. “We know our orders. You cannot and will not see the Director while he is in his meeting. That is final. I’m sure you understand.” The guard motioned to his hip and flicked the release on his holster, revealing his piece. Richard regrettably backed down.

Karen didn’t see the worth in confronting the armed men, but instead went for Margret.

“Margret, can you at least give us a reason why the Director has ordered the reactivation of Number 5?” Her eyes and face were rigid. They carried a certain discomfort that didn’t sit well with Margret as she stared into them.

“I don’t know any more than you two do. I get called back urgently, and the first thing I get wind of is this. The Director has been withholding information from me ever since his meeting with the Board.”

One of the guards stepped in front of Margret. “There will be no further questions. You all have your orders, so get back to your posts.”

Karen’s eyes inflamed. With a swift stomp of her heel, she smashed the floor with each step. Her rage even made the guards break a small sweat.

Richard glared at the men. “Don’t think this is over. The Director and the Board have no idea what they’re doing if they really think the reactivation of Number 5 is going to solve anything.” His words were laced with malice and warning. He left to catch up with Karen, leaving Margret and the guards to take in the heated words left by the scientists.

The one guard shrugged. “Baseless threats coming from a coward in a lab coat.”

Margret spoke up. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”

The guards turned to Margret, now a little curious.

Margret’s words were haunting. “There is a reason Number 5 is so infamous. You wouldn’t know, as you are simply replaceable muscle.”

The guards didn’t like her choice of words—not for the rude comments, but the harsh undertone that she spoke in. They had never heard her ever speak like this.

“W-what does it matter? It’s probably just another one of your stupid projects you screwed up on. What do we care if-”

“Number 5 killed fifty men just like you in under a minute. The raw destructive power it was able to unleash nearly brought this whole facility down in that small amount of time. You two have no idea what you are talking about.”

The guards’ eyes widened ever so slightly. The look of fear could be seen lingering in their eyes. Still, they weren’t sold.

“W-what nonsense is that? We were never debriefed or told of such an incident.”

Margret smiled. “And why would you be? You are bodyguards—security, and nothing more. You don’t need to be concerned with matters that happened before you arrived at your post. You’re here to be meat shields, should something like that happen again.” Her words were malefic.

Now the guards were starting to become agitated. They didn’t like being looked down upon by Margret. Head of Communications or not, this was just outright vindictive.

“It’s a shame our orders are to not restrain you. You need a lesson in respect.”

Margret only smirked. “And you two need a lesson in not speaking.”

The guards had enough. With a swift turn, the two guards returned to their posts, now filled with an increasing need to shoot something.

Margret paid it no mind as she turned to face the door that led to the conference room where the Director and his private council were discussing the matter of Number 5 now. Her expression was no longer one of spunk and tenacity, but one of deep concern.

“Can Epsilon really be reprogrammed to help us?” Margret thought out loud. She didn’t like the idea, nor did she like where things were going. Not only that, there was still the matter that plagued her mind from her meeting with Marcus.

Who is Rachiel?

She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. “Looks like I need to change my tactics if I want to make any progress now. With Number 5 considered for reactivation, I need to get to the heart of this shadow quickly.”

She needed to get a grasp on the situation before she could move forward. She knew she wasn’t going to get anything from the Director, but she had a hunch that there was someone here that she could get information from. In light of recent findings, it was natural for Margret to seek the source that started her concern from the beginning.

With that, Margret left her post and headed in the direction that Karen and Richard went. The look in her eyes seemed like it could part the Red Sea.

*
      
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*

[January 6th - Babel HQ - Private Quarters - Night]

Dead Eye propped his feet up on his desk as he swished around some hard candy in his mouth. The smile on the man’s face was deeply unsettling.

A low beeping sound began to resonate off to his right. With a slight groan and a hiss through his teeth, he slapped the blinking button that was the source of the annoying sound. Mere seconds later, a screen with the image of a large man appeared before Dead Eye. The man’s coarse features and scar over his left eye gave him a rigid look. His eyes were dark, seemingly devoid of life as he loomed above him. Dead Eye merely rolled his eye.

“Do you mind? I’m kind of in a good mood right now. I would rather you not spoil it.”

The man’s scarred eye twitched. “Is that any way to speak to one of the Grand Twelve?” His voice almost boomed.

Dead Eye bit down on his candy and glared up at the man. “What do you want?”

The imposing figure cleared his throat. “You were given specific orders to assist in the retrieval of the Enforcer unit. You often boast just how incredible you are. So answer me, Dead Eye; why haven’t you settled this yet?”

Dead Eye crossed his arms and smirked. “What? The great Punisher of the Grand Twelve is feeling scared over losing his favorite toy?”

The dark man scowled.
“Lambda’s existence can’t become public. No one can learn of its true purpose. You’d best learn to understand that, and start acting like it matters.” The man’s tone was fierce.

Dead Eye felt no fear. Instead, he continued to sneer. “You wound me, Simon. I’m aware of the severity of the issue.” His ears perked as he gleefully looked toward the screen. He remembered something that made his body shake with excitement.

“Tell me,” he said leaning closer to the screen. “The boy that is with Lambda is the one from
that
incident, isn’t he?”

“Tread lightly, Dead Eye. I won’t warn you again.”

Dead Eye silenced, though he was still smiling. “Well, I figured you wouldn’t say. It makes the job that much sweeter, though.”

The man’s eyes narrowed menacingly. “I don’t necessarily mind you taking an interest in the boy, but understand that if you fail to complete your job soon, another one of the High Kings may be sent to ensure a more swift conclusion to this matter.”

Dead Eye now looked coarse. “I trust the Twelve won’t be so foolish. I will handle this. I won’t let anyone interfere.”

“It would be in your best interest to advance your plans, then. I care little of what methods you use so long as Lambda is ours again, and the world is still ignorant of its existence,” Simon added.

Now Dead Eye was pleased again. “Excellent. I’m sure to have news for you soon. After all, things are progressing just how I had thought.”

“For your sake, you’d best be right.”

The screen vanished, leaving Dead Eye to snicker in the darkened room. He reached over to his arm and tapped his Com-Linker. The red device quickly expanded and began to blink.

“Time to give my little war god an update,” he giggled.

His earpiece rung. The humming sensation of the device made Dead Eye anxious as he waited for the call to be received.

With a click, a voice spoke. “You better have some answers for me, Dead Eye. I won’t be so keen to listen to your orders until I get an explanation.”

“Easy, my dear Ares. That was more of a test of loyalty, and you performed marvelously,” he hissed with a wide grin.

Ares wasn’t amused. “You have a lot of gall stringing me along like that. If it weren’t for your offer, I would hunt you down and-”

“Easy, my boy. That certainly can wait. However, if you wish for me to uphold my end of the bargain, you are going to have to listen to me
very
carefully,” he added quite powerfully.

Ares grunted begrudgingly. “Fine, what is it you need then?”

Dead Eye chuckled. “Nothing much. I just need you to bring that boy you nearly killed to me.”

“You have a location?” replied Ares sternly.

Dead Eye smiled unpleasantly. “43 Academy Drive.”

[10]

Pursuit

[January 6th - Abingdon, Virginia - 43 Academy Drive - Night]

All was dark upon Zack awakening in the physical world. He found it unnaturally quiet. Within Zack’s room, the only light was that of his large monitor. The only sound that could be heard was of a low humming noise coming from his computer and chair. His room quickly began to glow red as Lambda materialized from a much smaller pentagram that he had seen when she appeared in the Network. He was thankful that it had had minimal effects on his room.

“Log-off successful,” echoed Lambda as her arms returned to her side along with her flowing hair.

Zack felt a little entranced as he watched Lambda exhale, opening her eyes.

“Is something wrong?” Lambda inquired as she noted Zack staring at her from his chair.

Zack shook his head. “It’s nothing. We should get moving. This place is no longer safe.”

Lambda nodded her head. “Agreed.”

Zack paused for a moment. “We need to meet up outside the Network with my sister. That will have to be our first move,” he added firmly.

Lambda appeared confused. “How are you going to find her location?”

Zack was still uncertain. “I’m not entirely sure yet. However, I’m going on what Corson’s next move will most likely be. If he failed to get my sister’s location through the Network, he will obviously seek to find her location through the agency that handles all my sister’s security detail.”

Lambda followed easily. “Lambda understands. However, why wouldn’t Corson have done that in the first place?”

Zack only had a hunch. “All companies have their own private servers that are removed from the Network mainframe. Only those linked to specialized terminals within the company compounds can access its servers. In short, it is much harder for him to hack information when he has to directly access a private server of that nature.”

“Can’t you get in touch with your sister? Verbal contact would save the trouble of having to directly find her,” Lambda inquired.

Zack groaned, unsure of what to do. “Given the state we left that server, I bet she is being kept under lock and key at her agency. Simply calling her now will most likely be impossible.”