California, 2019. Battery City, home of Better Living Industries, draculoids and the couple hundred thousand survivors of the destruction 2012 bought. In the center of this stood the headquarters of Better Living Industries, or BL/ind for short, the company that rebuilt the world. And deep inside this building a young woman walked with a stride that could only be described as certain.
This young woman did not glance around her at the white hall as she walked, nor did her walk slow or falter at any point. Her gaze stayed ahead, eyes hard with a look beyond her years. This woman was a BL/ind employee. Not a high one, but not a low one either. She was high enough to not be pumped full of drugs on a daily basis, at least. She was also high enough for this mission. A mission that could change BL/ind's extermination program forever and possibly get rid of their most irritating enemy.
The hall ended abruptly with a steel door and without hesitating, the woman pushed through. The door opened into a small, clinical office, one that might belong to a therapist or lawyer. Not very friendly, but efficient. The woman strode in and halted in front of a desk, bowing in respect to the man who sat at it. The man was short and pudgy, with wrinkled Asian skin, a balding head of thin, white hair and small glassy eyes, magnified by the spectacles he wore.
"Doctor Kyoshi" The woman greeted. The man nodded
"Yes, yes, I know who I am."
"I've come with news from the hospital regarding your latest project."
"Oh really? Well, what is it?"
"We have found an appropriate subject. However, her situation is critical and they need your answer immediately."
The Doctor stood up and walked to one side of the office, head bowed in thought. The woman turned, her gaze following him. There was a moment of silence, with the only sounds being the two employees' breathing and the steady drone of traffic outside. Finally, Doctor Kyoshi spoke again
"Immediately, you say?"
"Yes. Her condition is...severe, to say the least. There is very little time."
Doctor Kyoshi nodded, falling into silence again. The traffic droned on dully outside.
"How suitable is she for the role?"
"Nearly perfect."
He looked up "Nearly?"
"The will be some...kinks. But we should be able to straighten them out."
The Doctor considered this. The air was heavy with the pressure of the moment.
"Alright" The Doctor agreed. He turned sharply and suddenly, his decision made.
"Alright?"
"Yes. Alright. This subject, I choose her. If she is as perfect as you say, I will not regret this decision. Correct?"
"Oh yes. Of course, sir."
"Good. Now go tell the surgeons."
Nodding, she turned and exited the office. However, the moment she did, Doctor Kyoshi pulled out a pager-like device and quickly sent a message. It was short, simple and went directly to a crack team of draculoids. The slightest of smiles traced the Doctor's withered lips as he put the device away and sat down again.
In the life of a BL/ind employee, many things are unknown. For example, the young woman did not know that the day after she visited Doctor Kyoshi, she would mysteriously disappear. Nor did the Doctor know that the decision he made that day would start a chain of events that would effect not only BL/ind, but the very enemy they were fighting against as well.
Project S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W had only just begun.