DARKER THAN BLACK

Beginnings

Each story has a beginning and an ending. This one is no different. But where is it that all these events began? What action started this tale? That, is what you're about to find out.

Chapter 1:

The chilling cold of February

Hong Kong was always a blooming city. Ever full of people, who are constantly busy. The sounds of the streets were loud, caused by the traffic, and some other things. One of those was a television shop. The news that was broadcasted could only be heard by people with good ears. And even they didn't pay much attention to it. It was about something they didn't care about. It was interesting four years ago. Nobody cared about it now.

'The appearance of the gates four years ago, terrified the whole human race. But after studying it all this time, do we know anything more about it? About the false sky, that's above us? The United Nations ensured us, that the gates pose no threat to mankind, but how much can they be trusted? Jeremy Hoang has some shocking info for us tonight. Let's hear it from him.'

'Thank you Lee. Well as the saying goes: what happens in the gate, stays in the gate. If I would have worked with Pandora this news would have never reached the public's ears. I'm about to tell you, the reason, why NASA has become such a pathetic shell of what it used to be. It's because they couldn't go to space anymore. You heard me, ever since the fake sky appeared; no ship has ever passed the stratosphere. It's as if the earth has been trapped in a bubble…'

'This is shocking indeed… I don't know what to say to you. Did anyone try to explain this phenomenon over at NASA, or…

The small kid watching the broadcast no longer paid attention to what was said. He was staring at a woman who was walking by. Her eyes that were similar to amber and his long, blonde hair amazed the child. He thought she was beautiful, but her expression was cold, something that scared the boy. He watched as the lady walked into the tall building at the end of the street. The giant monstrosity didn't fit into the picture, seeing that it was almost twice as tall as the other ones in the vicinity. The woman walked right to the elevator, not caring about security. Security didn't seem to notice her either. She got in, and got out 27 storeys above. She headed straight to the fifth office on the right. At the door she bumped into a tall man with blue eyes, blonde hair and a shining white suit.

'Oh, sorry February, I wasn't paying attention. It's nice to see you by the way. Here for another mission?'

'I am. Now, could you let me in?'

'Of course, but you should drop that cold attitude of yours. It doesn't fit a beautiful girl like you.'

'That's enough Jack. I would like to talk with February face to face, if you don't mind.'

'Sure. Then I'll be on my way now.'

The man called Jack left. February entered the office. She was left alone with the person who the office belonged to. His name was Decade. He was in charge of MI6's operations in Eastern Asia.

'Close the door please.'

As February turned around she took a look at the room. Everything is in order as it was, when she last came here. Even the whiskey on the desk was half-empty, like last time.

'So what's the mission?' she asked.

'It's something only you can do.' He opened a drawer and took out a thick notebook. He handed it to his agent.

'Take it.'

'What's in it?'

'Everything we've uncovered about the contractors since the appearance of the gate.' answered the man.

'And what am I supposed to do with it? Hand it to the CIA?'

'Ha! So even contractors have some sense of humor… No, those pages are far too valuable for that. They contain training methods, theories how to amplify the powers, and a lot more.'

'You still haven't told me what you want me to do with it.'

'Today, contractors are the strongest weapons in our arsenal. They are the perfect soldiers, always rational, gifted with superhuman powers; they can decide the outcome of a war. The side which has more of you wins. Take a look inside.'

The pages contain names, with a specific location next to each one. She finally realizes what decade wants her to do.

'You want me to travel back in time and give the notes to the MI6 in the past.'

'Exactly. We do not know how or why, but the transformation into a contractor is inevitable. We cannot influence it in any possible way. If we manage to acquire all the contractors in the book, or even half of them, the MI6 will be the strongest agency in the world.'

'Did the Syndicate make you so desperate?'

Decade didn't answer instantly. But then he looked at the woman and replied in a shallow tone.

'The orders came from the top. They didn't say it out loud, but it's quite evident. The Syndicate is becoming a threat. They are only a thorn in our side, but the agency is paranoid. We can't see them; they are always hiding in the shadows, so we don't have any clear data on them. But even though we have no reason to believe that their strength even comes close to ours, upstairs keeps biting their nails. And now they came up with this idea. The Syndicate is powerful because they were the first to realize the true potential of contractors. If this works out, then MI6 should have nothing to worry about.'

'How far back exactly?'

'Two years. We don't want you to completely alter the past. Just give the book to me. At that time you were already working for us, and I've been working here since the gate appeared. After that you travel back here right away. That's all.'

'You want me to go now, or what?'

'Go outside first. It would be strange if you appeared in front of me, just like that. Good luck.'

February take a good look at the face of his boss. Calm with no expression. Just like a contractor's. At first he tried to treat her as a human. Smile on her, wish her good luck. But he quickly learned that contractors weren't like humans. She never shown any emotion towards him, always remaining as cold as ice.

When she walked out of the building, the kid was still there. He watched as the blonde lady walked into an alley. The boy watched in awe, as the woman started to glow, then suddenly disappeared.