NOTES: Considering 's rules regarding what is allowed and what not, parts of the story will be cut. They'll be available fully on my Tumblr or on my AO3 account.
However, there will be various "heavy" themes present, such as various types of abuse. They won't be as explicit as the uncut work, but they still won't be sugarcoated. Please be mindful of this!
As a last note for now, this fanfiction has been written for everyone that has already played the first Deus Ex and wants "more" - you can still read even if you didn't play the original game, obviously, but it's basically meant to be an "expansion" of the original plot plus a new character, without (hopefully) altering the canon too much. There might be grammatical errors as English isn't my first language and I didn't have anyone to beta-read it.
[China, Hong Kong - Versalife]
"Your appointment to FEMA should be finalized within the week. I've already discussed the matter with the Senator"
"I take it he was agreeable?"
"He didn't really have a choice"
Page looked at the colossal hand-shaped statue holding the world map next to himself and the man he was talking to: he couldn't help but think that soon the Globe would have been in *his* hands, too.
"The augmentation project?"
"Among other things - but I must admit that I've been somewhat disappointed with the performance of the primary unit"
"The secondary unit should be online soon. He's currently undergoing preparations and should be operational within six months, just like the tertiary unit, which just returned from his training in China and is currently under my watch. My people will continue to report on their progresses. If necessary, the primary will be terminated"
"Mhm..."
The CEO of Versalife raised one of his eyebrows, with an entertained expression on his face.
"The tertiary unit is under your watch? Understandable I guess, considering he's kind of your clone..."
Not satisfied with his colleague's indifference, he insisted.
"You even gave him a nice flat to live in. You really like the boy, don't you, mhm?"
"That has nothing to do with it. You know I have to keep an image to the public, just like you. I'm a philanthropist, remember?"
Replied the soon-to-be director of FEMA, irritated.
"Oh, I see. I would understand it though. You were so desperate when we divorced"
Page gave him that sly little grin of his that he always used when he wanted to mock someone: he perfectly knew which buttons to press to make someone suffer.
Now, Walton knew how much of an egoistical asshole his ex-husband was. But that didn't stop him from admiring how he managed to get from being the son of some poor Irish farmers to powerful American CEO. He even knew his real surname (Ó Flannagáin) before he changed it to the more American "Page".
He knew how Robert grew spoiled, how he never wanted any kind of relationship besides "friends with benefits" - he was too important to give his heart to someone but himself.
He knew Page was still using him, but somehow, he still felt something for his ex-husband.
"We've had to endure much, you and I" - started the CEO, decided to have the last words - "But soon there will be order again, a new age. Aquinas spoke of the mythical City on the Hill. Soon that city will be a reality, and we will be crowned its kings. Or better than kings... Gods!"
[USA, Liberty Island, some days after]
JC was pretty hyped that day: finally, his training to enter Unatco was going to be finalized! Passed that last "exam", and he'd get in - he'd become a real agent! Paul, his brother, accompanied him at the training facility that morning and was now waiting with him in the main hall.
"So this is your big day, JC! Are you sure you are ready?" - said Paul, giving a little nudge to his younger brother.
"I guess there's only one way to find out"
"Meanwhile that we wait for them to call us, you should try to socialize a bit you know? I heard we will have a teammate"
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. New guy, just like you! Seems he's not there yet, though"
Reyes, best friend of both the Dentons, was present as well: as a doctor, it was his job to check out their health conditions before starting the exam. Today, though, he was also there to give some moral support the younger of the siblings.
"Finally, uh?" - Reyes had a big smile on his lips, all for JC.
"Yeah... Can't believe it"
"Have you met anyone of the team yet?" - asked the doctor
"Only Gunther and Anna. When do you think the others will arrive?"
"Hopefully soon, so we can be done quickly. I'm always nervous when big names are involved..."
"Big names...?"
Paul didn't even have the time to complete his sentence before the door they came from opened, and they could clearly see some distinguishable men among the people entering: now JC understood what Reyes meant with "big names", as he could recognize Bob Page, the famous CEO of Versalife.
Behind him, a tall, menacing guy he didn't know: his face was covered of what seemed to be bioelectronic augs and a piercing stare. The man took a cigar out of a pocket of his black and silver leather trench coat.
Next to him, another person JC didn't recognize, even if he was sure it was another rookie. They did look a bit familiar, their traits were androgynous, neither masculine or feminine. Next to the man in the coat, the new recruit looked particularly petite, even if their skin-tight suit and the body armor over the chest clearly defined their muscles underneath.
"Hey" - JC awkwardly waved his hand at the group. He would often try to hide it, but he was fairly shy in social situations.
The androgynous person seemed to suddenly light up: they gave a look to the guy next to themself, that patted their shoulder lightly in approval, and the young one rushed towards the Dentons.
"Hello!"
"Hi"
"I'm JI Ending" - JC felt his hand being shaken suddenly - "Or Judas for short, if you prefer!"
That voice... He was a young man.
Judas was shorter than him, so he had to look down to see his bright blue eyes.
"JC! Do you remember me? We went to the same school in Switzerland!"
"I think I do... It's been so long, I guess"
"We were in almost all the same classes! Oh man I am SO excited to work with you!"
"I see it, Judas"
JC couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something off about JI.
They were interrupted by the "wired" guy that, once again, putted his hand over Judas' shoulder.
"Come on, Judas... Won't you waste all your energies now, won't you?" - said the man, lighting up his cigar. His voice didn't sound angry: it was calm and reassuring.
"No mr. Simons... I apologize, sir!"
"Take it easy. I am sure you will perform as well as you did the other times"
"Thank you for the trust, sir!" - replied JI, his cheek now of a delicate shade of pink, at attention.
JC took a more accurate look to both his new teammate and "mr. Simons": they had a similar haircut, a black streak of hair in the middle, except that where the Official was bald and augmented the young one had shorter honey blonde hair.
They shared some common facial traits too, such as the nose and the head shape, except that Judas' traits were more delicate.
"Get ready, you're the first to go, Judas. You two" - Simons gave a look to both Paul and JC - "Come along"
JC observed his teammate rush to Reyes' clinic, almost unable to stand still as he was being examined.
"Well, that's some enthusiasm, isn't it? I want to see you just like that, lil bro!" - said Paul, reassuring JC by messing his hairs.
Notes nr.2: I am sorry if this first chapter is a bit "meh" - I am not really good with starting stories, I am much better focusing on later aspects.
Since my descriptive skills aren't the best thing ever, you can check out what JI Ending looks like on my Tumblr (Doctor-Angelicus) - link is on my profile and on the left of the page you will find a link with the character tag. :)
It also has some side-trivia for anyone interested. ^^