Prologue

2033 (A.D.)

President Rufer sat at the large computer screen waiting for the call to connect to his old friend. The room was cold as it was underground and the budget cuts caused the heating systems to malfunction often. The entire facility was chiseled into the rock and many walls were simply just rock and sentiment, only certain areas and floors were paneled with metal.

Workers were in all parts of the room, stationed at panels full of buttons and examining documents, but all of them waited to see what the EU had to say about the project. The sound of the video call connecting rang through the room, Rufer then sat up to greet his old friend's face starting to appear on screen. He had a small smile across, but his eyes showed mixtures of fear and anger.

"Good to see you finally Hector, I need to talk to you more than ever after these past events that trouble our two nations" Rufer said immediately.

"Nation? You have created an empire these past few years, forcing Canada, Mexico, and all the way down to South America to join you just for their resources." Hectors' entire face was now angry.

"We saved those countries before their government collapsed," Rufer replied defensively, "That economic crisis back in '27 almost caused all of central America to go into anarchy."

"Even if you were trying to help them, your military takeover cannot be justified," Hector started to calm down, he put on his glasses and started to read the documents in his hand. "I'm sorry old friend, but the EU refuses to help you in this imminent war, you may have won in the Pacific nuclear crisis, but don't let that convince you that you can take on the Commies."

Rufer was torn apart by these news, he thought for sure that the EU would assist them if war was to happen. But he had to make sure that they were still in with the project. "I need to know if you are still on board with project ani.. "

"Let me stop you there, first of all I am going through with only phases 1 through 3, your final hopes for this operation will not bring peace, weapons of mass destruction will only bring more death for your war, but never the less I have chosen my scientist...," a look of regret started to show on Hector. " … And thanks for Dr. Hines, the genetic scientist that we try to look for are a very few here in Britain."

"No worries, we couldn't use all of our selections due to budget cuts" Rufer seemed a bit happy that he could help the EU, especially after everything that has happened. "I hope that you will return the package because of your choice not to go through with phase 4" Rufer reached for his bottle of water and took a sip while Hector was trying to figure out how to answer.

"I regret to say but we will be keeping the stone here, just in case we decide to initiate phase 4," Hector then reached for his handkerchief on the desk and wiped his forehead, with a sigh he then continued. "I'm beginning operations in 2034 and I will have no part in your project."

The two of them started to talk about the designs, their weaknesses and abilities along with the scientist in charge of the operations. Someone then called Hector's name in the complex, Hector then stood up on the screen, "I will be right back, I have some business to attend to." Rufer sat in silence thinking about the creatures in action how this was the newest achievement be humanity, he was quite happy with himself. The president then turned around to go get another bottle of water, but he jumped when he saw everyone in the room looking at him with blank stares, some had mouths open.

Rufer knew that they were all frightened by the conversation about the project, "Everyone calm down, this is the solution we need, this is the breakthrough that Dr. Samson worked so very hard on," Rufer decided to leave out the last detail for morale reasons. Rufer then turned around to see on screen that Hector walked back into his office.

"Sorry about that Rufer, someone need my passcode," Hector sat in his chair and then started to dip a tea bag into his cup of water on the desk. " I'm afraid I can't chat much longer, I have a meeting in an hour and I have to get ready for them." He then took a long sip of his tea and leaned back in his chair.

Rufer then responded, "Well, I don't want to get in your way so I will be leaving now, just remember, phase 4 can save us all, and even one day even allow to reach the stars." Rufer knew that the EU space program was desperately trying to get an space station with artificial gravity, so he tried to convince Hector one last time.

Hector then gave him a look that told Rufer to stop trying to convince him. "Rufer I respect you, but you cannot convince me for I have made up my mind, and I will not go through with phase 4 no matter what!" Rufer just sat there waiting for Hector to say something else. Hector then sighed and said "If they escape or not listen to orders while having this power, there will be no stopping them, but if they are without this power, then they are stoppable, I refuse to put the world in that type of danger."

"I respect will respect your decision, I suppose this is goodbye for a while then." Rufer felt disappointment over both Hector and himself.

"Goodbye Rufer, good luck to you, and godspeed" Hector then pressed the red button on his keyboard and the large screen went blank. Rufer turned around again to see that the whole room was still looking at him, but with faces of remorse and some had anger.

Just then a man in military uniform walked in through the door, "Mr. President, Marine one is ready for you now." The medium sized officer then walked over to the desk to start retrieving paperwork. Rufer started to walk to the door and gave one last look at the room, then continued through the door into the cave like hallway.

The elevator was waiting for him with multiple officers inside, Rufer stepped in and the mesh gate slowly closed. The officer right next to the gate pulled the lever and the rickety elevator started to ascend through the shaft. Rufer was handed a file about one of the dragons and he started to read the info on it, the design had 2 long spikes by the ears and had smaller spikes going down it's spine, the tongue was forked and and the tail was normal unlike that other design.

"Why are you giving me this now?" Rufer said to to the officer who gave it to him, "This was already approved by both me and the secretary of defense." Rufer was already frustrated enough with foreign issues.

The officer then answered with trembling in his voice, "This is the design that has been chosen for project fate, it needs your approval for it to continue." Rufer stared at him as project fate completely slipped his mind with his conversation with Hector. The elevator came to complete hult and the gate opened into the main lobby of the facility, and everyone walked out.

"I give permission to go forward with project fate," Rufer said cautiously to the skinny officer, "Just don't make it a priority."

Everyone walked out of the lobby and onto the small airfield. The humidity of costa rica is almost unbearable, but everyone still ran to Marine One, which was parked not to far away with its rotors spinning. The president was first on board, slowly everyone boarded and the helicopter started to rise off the ground and headed north.

The Secretary of Defense was sitting across from Ruther, he tugged on the president's shirt to get his attention. "I'm glad that you able to get out early, your scientist don't like waiting." The buff guy had a large smile across his face because of how everything has gone perfectly so far.

Ruther was still worried about what Hector said, that he would refuse to put the world in danger, The Secretary tugged at his shirt again, "Don't worry Mr. President, everything is going to change." Ruther thought about that statement while the Helicopter flew to the airfield where Air Force one was parked. Ruther stared at the intense rainforest below, and then towards the sky. He felt regret in his stomach, but this was the only step to take. But would everything work out, there was no going back now, not after everything that has been done for this. Would everything change, would it be for the best, or for the worst.