9 The First Step

Somewhere in space, on a top-secret ship, wandering through the stars. A man wearing a lavish suit was enjoying a pricey wine, made from the special vines grown on Tera Nova. Savoring every sip he took, his face expressed displeasure when his communication device flashed. Seeing the name of his caller on the screen, he pressed answer.

'' Commander Landon, what may I help you with today. I hope you aren't calling for another upgrade. I don't believe your body can take any more experiments. ''

'' Mr. Rineback, I appreciate your concern for my health, but that is not the reason of my call today. I believe I have found a newly emerged subject of project GoWSS. Care explaining that matter to me? '' Landon said, a look of discontent on his face.

'' Commander, your distrust in me hurts my feelings. You know very well Phoenix Co. put an end to that ridiculous project years ago. No offence. ''

'' None taken. Then how is it that I have with me a man with blood patterns matching my own. ''

'' Well I would like to know too, Commander. As I just said, that project was put to a stop as soon as your brethren started going rogue on humanity. Few of you are left and the creation of new super soldiers is practically impossible. ''

'' Listen Ezekiel, I know you're just a business man. But you carved your way to the top of that darn company and you should know when one of your projects is still being used. Now you better get your ass back on Tera Nova, before I hunt you down myself to get answers. ''

'' No need to be so rash Commander. I'll head back right away. Where should I come see this subject of yours. ''

'' I'm keeping him in New Alcatraz super max. He is being kept under sedation. You better hurry, I don't know how long this will be effective on one of my kind. ''

'' I understand. I'm on my way. '' Hanging up, Ezekiel let out a scream of rage and threw his wine glass across his quarters.

Now you all may remember the name Ezekiel Rineback from Henry's past. Well it is indeed the same man. The Eternity project had been a success and was now a common practice for the wealthy and powerful from human society. Ezekiel had climbed up the ranks in Phoenix Co. and become one the main chairmen in the company. Therefor his access to such methods of preservation was limitless.

Now Ezekiel, being a self-centered man, refused to get bossed around by this military brute. Calling the Phoenix Co. HQ, he ordered one of his personally employed scientists to go in his place to the prison.

'' Isaac, I'm counting on you to report anything unusual on that 'man'. And don't write a report for the company. Call me as soon as you're done and give me your report verbally. ''

'' Yes Mr. Rineback. I will call you back shortly. ''

Reclining back in his chair, Ezekiel sighed. What kind of trouble had come to haunt him this time. Again this troublesome project, biting him in the ass. He sweared at his predecessors for being so dumb as to think a complete man machine was achievable with their limited technology. He hoped the man was a fluke, as he had no wish to be back under military scrutiny.

Back on Tera Nova, Commander Landon was eyeing the blood results he had gotten from his prisoner. Henry Calvert, his biggest problem as of now. The blood tests clearly pointed out nanites and traces of Tamarain blood within the man. There were few other scenarios in which that made sense. The only logical conclusion was that he was a GoWSS subject just like him.

He kept in mind that Henry might be one of the GoWSS deserters, but he looked too sane to be one. Or maybe he was a test subject of the Tamarains to have a hybrid spy, able to hide within human ranks. If that was the case, then it was a failed experiment. Simple blood tests pointed him out and the human military did frequent blood works to keep the army clean of spies.

On the other side of the mirror, Henry was beginning to wake and he felt a confusion as to what happened. He remembered fleeing after incapacitating his 2 guards. Then a sonic boom and a sharp pain to the back of his head. With his focus coming back, he could now see he was tied down in a chair in some dark room, with only furniture a metal table and chair in front of him.

He understood what had happened. Something or someone had managed to knock him out. And he was now back to being a prisoner, in what he assumed was the interrogation room inside the prison he had seen. Hearing a door open behind him, he looked at the mirror in front to see who had entered. It was none other than Commander Landon.

'' Morning sunshine. '' said Landon, in a mocking tone.

'' Well good morning to you too Joseph. May I call you Joseph. Ahh what ever, I'll do it anyway. '' answered Henry, a touch of cockiness in his voice. He didn't want to let see that he was terrified, so as the saying goes, fake it till you make it.

'' Ohh but you can. I have not a care in the world what you call me. For now, what I'm concerned about, is your true identity. ''

Sitting down across the table to Henry, Landon leaned on the table and brought his hands together. He looked Henry coldly in the eyes and confronted him.

'' Are you one of the rogue GoWSS subjects. '' Landon asked, going straight to the point.

'' Do I look like a mass murderer to you Joseph? '' Henry said, with a neutral tone this time.

'' Well Henry, I did find you on a blown battlefield, 9 bodies lying around you. So tell me, what should I think. ''

'' You're a big man Joseph. I don't need to tell you what to think. What I will tell you though, is that I've never killed for anything else than self-defence and survival. Now would you mind untying me? I don't believe I am any threat to you. ''

'' What leads you to that conclusion Henry. '' asked Landon, leaning back into the chair.

'' Well, my guess is, you ARE one of the GoWSS subjects, one of the sane ones I will add, and that you are the reason I am tied in this chair. Am I right? ''

'' Your guess is as good as any. '' saying that, Landon pulled out a small tablet from his pocket and tapped it.

'' What are you doing? '' Henry asked starting to feel slightly panicked.

'' I stopped the interrogation room cameras Henry. '' Landon answered, a smile drawn across his face.

'' Why? Do you intend to kill me? Like your soldiers did? ''

'' Relax Henry. I will do no such thing. What I will say next is classified for the highest levels of the military only. I needed to cut off unwanted eyes and ears. ''

'' What is it that you want from me Joseph. '' nervously asked Henry.

'' First, let me untie you. ''

Landon got up and unfastened the straps holding Henry into the chair. Feeling free again, Henry was tempted to take a crack at the Commander, but his curiosity had been pricked, and he wanted to know that classified information Landon had. Knowledge is power after all, Henry thought. So he stayed put in the chair.

'' Good. You staying in the chair proves me that you are no rogue super soldier. Now you were right. I am indeed one of the few remaining GoWSS subjects. And I assume you are too. Correct me if I'm wrong.

'' You are wrong. ''

'' Ohh? What are you then? '' Landon asked, a look of surprise rising on his face.

'' I'm not a GoWSS subject. This body is though. '' Simply answered Henry, stretching his numb body.

'' Care to be more precise Mr. Calvert? I'm not following you here. ''

'' It's simple Joseph, prove to me that you are trustworthy, and I'll tell you everything there is to say. '' Henry said, nonchalantly.

'' Trust is not something you can give out so fast Henry. Here, let me tell you what I can do for you, if your explanation is up to my expectation. You can decide your own future after that. Deal? ''

'' Sounds reasonable Joseph. So what exactly CAN you do for me. '' asked Henry, his business instinct kicking in.

'' I can spare you from jail, to start. And if what you tell me, suits my assessment of the situation, I can offer you a place in the military and a safety status, clearing you of the mandatory blood works done for regulation. But that is only if what you tell me satisfies me. ''

'' I could care less for being one of your lackeys Landon. I need some liberty. I have goals of my own I need to prioritize. '' Said Henry sternly, trying to negotiate.

'' Listen now Calvert. There is no way you are getting out of here alive without a military affiliation. That's off the table. But if you don't want to be a soldier, fine. I can arrange for you to become a special agent. You'll get the freedom you want, but you'll have to answer when called for missions. And the training to become a special agent is 'quite' taxing on the mind and body, to say the least. Do you even have what it takes? '' Landon said, understanding what Henry was trying to do. If he wanted negotiations, then so be it, but he wouldn't concede fully either.

'' Give me all you got. If that's what it takes to be free, then I'll have it your way. But you have to understand, I have a limited life span. You understand that, don't you? ''

'' I do Henry, and I will have measures taken to extend your lifespan by the amount needed for you to complete the training. But after that, you're on your own. You'll have to earn your keep. keep in mind though, that is only if you satisfy my criteria for you to leave here at all. '' Landon said in authoritarian tone.

'' Fine by me. In that case let's get to it. ''

Henry then started recounting his story to Commander Landon, omitting only his original name. He did not want Landon to dig in too deep in his background. After a good half hour of talking, Commander Landon finally had the gist of Henry's situation. He now understood why the man had been able to fight so many trained soldiers without dying. He also knew that, with training, Henry could become a force worth having on his side. So he made some calls.

He led henry out of the interrogation room and took him to a secure room in the prison.

'' Stay here a while Henry. I have matters to attend to before we leave. ''

'' Does that mean I'll be free to go? '' Henry asked, hope in his voice.

'' We shall go about it as we discussed earlier. I will start making arrangements for your transfer to the special agent training facility. I will also ensure you get transfusions of Tamarain blood, so you don't exhaust your own lifespan during your 6 month training. ''

'' Woah. Wait a minute. 6 months? What kind of training is that? '' asked Henry, slightly thrown off by the amount of time needed.

'' 6 months is nothing Mr. Calvert. The normal duration of that training program is 3 years. But your circumstances will permit you to get it done in only 1/6th of the time. Consider yourself lucky. Now, I must go, someone is waiting for me in my office to discuss your matter, and I must now slide this under the metaphorical rug for now. I'll come back later to bring you to the training facility. ''

Leaving Henry, Commander Landon walked to his office. Getting there, he saw a man waiting for him outside, but not the one he was expecting.

'' Where is Ezekiel? '' He coldly asked the man.

'' Hello Commander Landon. My name is Isaac Campbell, I work directly under Mr. Rineback. He could unfortunately not come to meet you himself, as he had an urgent matter to take care of. I'm here in his place, but know that I am just as reliable. Now, where is the subject you have discussed about with Mr. Rineback? ''

" Well, go back to Ezekiel and tell him the matter is over. The man resisted and we had to put him down. His help is no longer required. "

" Should you not let me take a look at his body anyway. I will need to report my findings to Mr. Rineback after all. "

" No. Your business here is done. The man was already taken care of by the military. Goodbye Mr. Campbell. " said Landon coldly, before turning his back to the man and entering his office and closing the door behind.

Now, poor Isaac had to contact his boss and tell him he had nothing to report. He hoped Mr. Rineback wouldn't crucify him for that. Inside his office, the Commander waited for the scientist to leave, before walking back to the chamber he had left Henry in.

" Come Henry. " Landon said, opening the door to the room.

" Already done? That was quick. Who were you talking to, Joseph? "

" That's none of your concern. Now let's go. We have some ground to cover to get you to the training facility. "

And without further chit-chat, they left the prison behind in a hovering humvy. They traveled for about 2 hours before reaching their destination. Getting off the vehicle, Landon stopped and said a few words to Henry.

" I will not be accompanying you inside. The people in charge have already been brought up to speed. No questions will be asked. I hope you don't disappoint me Henry. I have high hopes for you. "

" Thank you Joseph. I will try to repay all the help you are giving me, someday. "

And so, with this goodbye, Henry started his 6 month training, which he would later recall as 6 months in hell.