Previously:

-Are you sure, Kurosaki? Just ten minutes ago you seemed to be wary of the whole undertaking.- Kisuke asked him in confirmation.

-I am!- Ichigo stated with more conviction than he'd shown previously. -I am the head of this pack and I want to make sure that no harm comes to them by you or those "things". Because I'm going to make sure I'm around to kick anyone's ass who dares to even try.- He declared in a serious voice, while giving a dangerous grin.

(Emphesos, three weeks after the seperation.)

-Zeus command come in!- A short haired blond soldier shouted in his communit. -Zeus command come in!- He tried again but the response was only static. -If anyone can read me we have civilians at the Agora Junktion. I repeat we have civilians in Agora Junktion, need evac on the double; Dominion forces are coming at us left and right and…- A large blast that hit the building a few meters next to him, interrupted his transmission. Dust and smoke covered him and his cover and the wave made him fall to the ground.

He stood up slowly coughing from the thick dust while continuing in trying to reach command.

-Zeus command…- He started.

-Kira!- A female soldier ran in. -Its no use, Zeus command was wiped out just an hour ago, no one left there.-

-Impossible! Then how we can get the civs out, those leadheads are coming in close.- He pointed at the rubble that was created by the exploded shell.

-There is an evac at the Promotion. If we hurry we can get there before comms shut down entirely.- The female soldier suggested.

-Should we risk it, Momo?- Kira asked, unsure of what to decide.

-If we don't then they'll mow us down. Come on!- Momo urged with a wave of her hand.

The two, along with the remaining troops rallied the civilians to move out to the designated evac point. The people were on the verge of panic and despair, what little trust they had in the military was quickly fading with each shell that hit the ground around them.

-Promotion is just up ahead people, just a little bit further…- A soldier encouraged as he ran up a barricade of rubble but was cut off when he was suddenly cut in half. His comrades and the civillians with them shocked at his sudden death.

-What the?!- Kira steadied his weapon at the strange figure that appeared on top of the rubble.

-Hostile!- The female soldier next to him shouted then opened fire.

-Wait!- He tried to order her but was too late, the enemy jumped down and directly landed on her crushing her under it's weight.

-Trash.- The lone figure stated before launching itself at the group.

-How long will it take for you to finish?- Jushiro asked the two researchers.

-Not long, two maybe three days at best.- Kisuke answered.

-We would work better if you would just get the hell out.- Kurotsuchi said not looking at him while he was checking through data.

-They are my men.- Jushiro pointed out annoyed. -I won't allow you to conduct experiments that I know nothing about while they are still in those tanks!- Jushiro stated with much conviction.

-Don't worry Jushiro.- Kisuke put a hand on his shoulder. -The reports are accurate and we have nothing to hide, but I have to admit they took this much better than I was expecting.- Kisuke examined the lifesigns of one of the containers.

-Though we finished the augmentation process inside their bodies we still need at least a day to run tests to make sure their bodies won't reject the implants.- He stated as he picked up a datapad from the table and looked it through.

-That won't be necessary.- Mayuri said matter of factly. -Due to the genetic sample they gave us before there is no chance that their system will reject any of our implants.- He then looked inside the human sized pod and began to mutter. -It seems the artifical hormones have done their job.-

-What hormones?- Jushiro asked unable to mask his wariness.

-Nothing particularly dangerous.- Kisuke calmed him down. -You see, this is a new augmentation process and it is still an experimental project. When we first installed the implants a lot of tissue was damaged...- he looked up and saw Jushiro about to protest. -...not a lot!- Kisuke exclaimed to cut him off. -but enough. Also for the lack of space I had to add a minimal amout of growth hormones, created from their genetic codes to ensure that once we finish, there would be no more damage.- He finished, noticing Jushiro calm just a bit.

-Doctor Urahara's method however had a side-effect, almost similar to the minor mutations of the former Hollow units.- Kurotsuchi added.

-Which means?- Jushiro asked, tensing up once again.

-Nothing as bad as it sounds. Think of it as a second puberty or something very similar. Not to mention these men of yours are fairly young to be Spec Ops. To get into the best of the best they must have gone through a lot to achieve their rank, am I right?- Urahara asked trying to calm the commander by shifting topics slightly.

-They did surprise me as well when they enrolled here.- He agreed with a small smile. -So when can we get them out of here?- Jushiro asked, temporarily forgetting his anxiety.

-Like I said earlier. Two to three days at best. But seeing how much progress they made, I think we can get them out by tomorrow, but be aware that they will be unconcious.- Kisuke flipped a screen over to check each individuals vitals again.

-The restart of mental activity will also take another day, not to mention the test we must run before deployment.- Mayuri added.

-Carry on then, I hope you both know what you are doing.- Jushiro warned as he made his way out of the labs.

(A few hours later)

-The augmentations seem functional in the respiratory system and in their spines, I guess we will…-

-Don't make guesses doctor.- Kurotsuchi exclaimed. -Some petty data is insignificant compared to the health of the subjects.- He then continued. -If they die while still in process my pride will shatter into thousands of pieces.-

-Still afraid that the Board will send you back to Rapture* station?- Kisuke turned to his partner, and watched as Mayuri unsuccessfully tried not to flinch.

-Not at all.- He declared a bit too loudly. He cleared his throat nervously as he continued. -That shithole is probably the best place for the likes of me to work, I am just worried that they'll send me to the wards rather than the asylum.-

-Sometimes I wonder how you got your degree and qualification to work for the department.- Kisuke wondered out loud knowing the other man would not be offended.

-It is actually quite easy.- He said with ease. -No matter how organized or big the U.A. and the Board is there are times when they become desperate.- He looked up from his work with his signature creepy grin. -Despair is what gives the lone geniuses like me the chance to rise and shine, allowing us to work and research witout limits. I must confess… some scientists exist to find or create perfection in the infinit void. I on the other hand depise that quest for such a disgusting thing.-

-Oh…and why is that?- Kisuke asked while he callibrated some of the genetic codes into the system. -I mean, everybody wants perfection, to create something ultimate that no one can match…-

-That is the problem!- The strange doctor exclaimed with disgust. -Then what? What will happen if you or me find that ultimate thing in the broad tangle of science? Nothing…absolutely nothing. Once perfection is achieved there is no point in continuing, no point of working, no point in asking, no point and reason to exist. -He listed the things and the outcomes. -That is why I consider perfection taboo in my line of work…-

-Really?- Kisuke asked intrigued. Mayuri scoffed.

-My entire existence is to do what I am best at. And what I am best at is science and without that I would have no reason to exist any longer.- He explained plainly. -Just look at them.- He turned to the tanks. -That team's existence is war… all soldiers' existence is to fight in wars and die on the front lines. Without wars and conflicts having a military is pointless, trillions would become useless in mere months.-

-So you care about others employment then, do you?- Kisuke asked amused by Mayuri's rant.

-No… I just simply care about myself. If that were to happen chaos would come and where chaos is, destruction is sure to follow, and destruction would cause another pointless distraction to interrupt me in my work!- Mayuri huffed.

- So what do you think? Will they really survive this or will they end up another casualty?- Kisuke asked changing the subject of their conversation.

- For me it does not matter if they survive or not, if they do then I'll get data from their performance, if they die then I'll salvage what has left of them then start working on new ones. It does not matter to me, and you?-

-I agree with you as a scientist, but as a person I pray that they will not end up like the Hollow units.- Kisuke stated with a grim look.

(Two days later)

Kisuke was sitting at his desk still busy with his research for the project; he calculated that tomorrow they'd reach the final stage of augmentation. It was a relief for him to see that the data and the scans hadn't indicated any mutation. He admitted that this project seemed to be much cleaner than the last one and he may have hope for them.

While he was looking through the incoming diagnostics he noticed a stray datapad next to his monitors. Out of curiosity he activated it and realized was the personal records of Kurosaki's team. Kisuke raised a brow seeing that regardless of the members' young age almost all of them served through some tight combat and their service records were near impeccable.

As the stream of data flashed through his eyes he couldn't help but stop at Hime's medical files, he opened the record and inspected the assessments, her physical conditions were normal and not unusual but he then caught a note on her mental conditioning.

-Five months mandatory shore leave, U.A. military officer Maj. W. Gilberts, justification: critical shell-shock/PTSD, uncontrolled hysteric behavior and seizures.- He read it to himself. He found it surprising that a young woman like her was forced off from the front for shell-shock.

Shell-shock and PTSD is almost common among soldiers in this era, since the Board continuously funds and supports their own expansionist focus; the conflicts that can't be solved by diplomacy are usually dealt with the military.

-I wonder…- He closed her files and looked back at her service records, after a few clicks he found the list of names and locations. One specific location made him frown… Rex Cardinal.

-What are these? - Jushiro asked as he inspected four sealed crates being unloaded from a shuttle that had landed a few hours ago.

-Experimental weaponry… made and shipped just for us- Kisuke exclaimed proudly as the last metal crate was loaded off the ramp of the vessel.

-And what does "experimental" mean this time? - He questioned raising a brow at the incoming crates.

-Armor… specifically tailored to your team for when they wake up.- He started to walk in with him. -They are compatible with the augmentations they have been implanted with.-

-Such gear must have cost a fortune.- Jushiro stated in awe.

-Our project is not funded by the military budget. Do not worry about bills… by the way the recent reports on Emphesos are troubling.-

-I know… entire units killed… what's more by Hollow units. - Jushiro answered the grief he felt clear in his tone.

-You mean new Hollow units… I saw the records from the orbital survey teams. Whoever it is using Hollow, they decided to create new ones.-

-But that one looked human… do you think… - Jushiro asked with wide eyes.

-A rogue unit has showed up. - Kisuke stopped in his steps as he confirmed Jushiro's suspicions. -I checked on the two we know about and luckily they are still on our side.-

-Yes, I dispatched a re-installment order for those two…-

-Unnecessary… we stripped them of most of their implants when the project was shut down. But they can provide a useful link to this all… I recommend once we wake the team we should send them to investigate on the matter.-

-Why not to Emphesos?- Jushiro asked curiously.

-We are too late for that… the culprits who released the Hollow units have left the scene, along with our mystery man in white.- Kisuke said grimly.

-Then where should we begin? The High General and the Board will expect results soon I suppose. You both have stalled for a month now and we still don't have any solid lead on the matter.-

-Worry not my friend, I have contacts and I managed to dig up some useful intel while the team is being augmentated, once…- Kisuke explained when his PI* beeped up. -Sorry, a moment please. -He excused himself and activated the holographic interface on his wrist.

-Doctor?- A femine voice asked and soon an image of a tall young woman appeared on the screen.- Am I interrupting something?- She asked as she saw the commander.

-Not at all, Miss Kotetsu. Go ahead.- Kisuke assured her that she wasn't bothering.

-Thank you… your partner Prof. Kurotsuchi asked First-hand Medical Officer Unohana to help him with the draining… he said that your… subjects are ready to be brought out of their comatose state. – She explained.

-So soon?- Jushiro asked in surprise.

-Well…we ran tests and scans and they indicated that their bodies didn't reject any of the implants and augmentations… the professor even stated that they have adapted to them quite well so now is a good time to bring them out.- Kisuke explained before turning back to his 'messenger'.

-Thank you for telling us, dear. Escort them to medbay. We'll be there shortly.- Kisuke thanked her while she gave a small bow before logging off.

(Medbay, an hour and a half later.)

He tried to open his eyes but even the slightest light made his eyes burn. He then tried to sit up but his arms felt stiff and his muscles ached with every move he tried to force out. His body was half limp and his mind was groggy. Dizziness overcame his senses and he felt he is going to throw up anytime now.

-Life signs stable… patient is now conscious. - He heard someone talking but he could not make out who it was at the moment. He then tried to open his eyes once more but they were shut when light hit them.

-Turn off those lights… his retina needs to adjust. - The same voice ordered then he could hear the lights were turned off one by one.

-Alright… you can open them anytime now. - The voice encouraged him gently.

Uruyu complied with the voice and now it was much easier to regain his vision in the dark. He soon saw that he was in one of the many patient's rooms in the medbay and who was talking to him was First-hand Medical Officer Unohana who was standing at the far side of his bed smiling warmly at him.

-Doctor… I…- His voice cracked as he felt his throat was sore from not using it for a few days.

-Don't try to talk yet… or at least not too much.- She said and she saw he was trying to sit up a bit so she helped him with it.

-You were kept in a coma for a month… I must say if it wasn't for the implants you wouldn't be able to even move a finger.-

-Where… Kurosaki and the others? - He managed to cough out.

-They are also in medbay regaining their senses. You were the first one so I came to you… I suggest you wear these for a while.- She handed him his glasses.

- My… glasses? - Uruyu asked as he took them from the medical officer.

-If you don't mind I modified the lenses, your eye implants are still fresh, so they have to adjust to the lights… don't worry it is only temporary. - She assured him with another smile.

-Thank you.- He said as he took his glasses from her hands.

(Medbay, room 451-D)

-I see another one has regained consciousness.- Unohana stepped in and she looked both surprised and glad that her second patient was alive and well. – And I see you can move much better than your partner next door.

Unlike Uruyu, Chad managed to fully sit up in his bed but he still felt dizzy and a bit sore after being brought out from the coma. He didn't feel different but he knew he had a few new things inside of his body.

-The numbness and the nausea will pass in an hour or two… Doctor Unohana said they had a lot of work on your implants… radical but fortunately they comply without any complication.- Unohana explained to him as she walked over to a monitor and looked at the stream of data.

-Very nice… you are quick to recover.- She remarked as Chad got out of his bed and made a try at standing. His limbs were still adjusting to the new joints he received during augmentation but he managed to stand up and make a few steps towards a mirror.

-My shoulders…- He started but then clutched his left one in pain.

-Don't worry… the pain is only temporary. It will go away once you start doing some minor exercises.-

He nodded silently as he turned towards his medical officer who led him back to his bed.

(Medbay, room 453-D)

It was like waking from another of her nightmares, she felt limp and worn out, she was frightened when her arms didn't move at her first three tries but she then remembered what had caused it.

The air felt so thin to her, she needed to take a few big breaths to feel a bit calm but still, she felt like breathing thin mountain air. Apart from that Hime felt the mother of all nausea, the urge to throw up was aching and even with all her willpower it was hard to hold back. Her inside was hurting like someone cut open her entire front and tore up her organs from heart to stomach.

-Are you troubled dear?- First-hand Medical Officer Unohana walked in and saw that her patient had an uncomfortably tired expression.

-It… It is hard to breath.- She said between wheezes.

-I see…- She walked closer and sat beside her bed. -Try some breathing exercises, first breathe in…- She instructed and Orihime followed.

Hime took a huge breath, but she then cringed forward and started coughing hard, her lungs were burning. Unohana rested one of her hands on her back while she was coughing viciously, after a few moments she managed to calm down and stopped. As Hime moved her hands away her eyes widened in shock to see blood on them.

-Doctor?!- She looked at the medical officer in shock.

-Let me see.- She activated her PMI and started to scan though her records. -I knew they let you out too soon!- She muttered to herself.

-Too soon? - Hime asked the doctor in surprise.

-Sorry, allow me to explain… unlike your partners you went through biological enhancement mostly then mechanical. Doctor Urahara and Prof. Kurotsuchi experimented with new bioengineering technology.- She stopped to let the new information sink in with Hime. -I was against it for the most part, but I must tell you what they've done is fascinating.-

-What did they do?- She asked in fear, half of her not wanting to hear the answer.

-I wouldn't be afraid; it is not something severe or horrid. It will take time, but your system will adjust to them without any complications.- She gently took both of Hime's trembling hands to calm her down.

(Medbay, room 454-D)

The senses were all upside down, sounds were nothing more then faint whispers of grey and black. The smells were nonexistent, his memories were shambled, he was standing on a battlefield littered by his killed comrades. The next was of his family celebrating his sisters' second birthday and finally he was standing in front of a body of a small boy around 12, his first victim.

He wanted to get up, to scream out loud for anybody, smoke and dust was all he felt and panic. Ten were killed by them, close quarter combat, a door being kicked in… Hell unleashed in the next two seconds. Hearing a magazine being slid into a weapon he turns around then pulls the trigger without thinking. Too many pictures, so much he wanted to forget… wanted them to fade back to the deepest, darkest parts of his mind, but no, they were here reminding him of the life he chose over another.

His eyes shot open, cold sweat rolling down his brows and temples, pain… huge pain in his chest, limbs and in his joints. Hard to breath, everything is a blur, lights are so bright almost blinding him… a voice calls out… Kurosaki, Kurosaki …. Unfamiliar though, where is he now he wondered.

-He's trying to regain his senses.- Unohana explained to Ukitake who just walked in to inspect his subordinate.

-He seems to be in shock… anything to add, Kisuke?- He turned to the blond researcher who examined a long chart on his PI.

-Brain activity is good just a bit scrambled; joints and limbs intact and soon his system will adjust to the enhancements. All in all, the team has been successfully augmented and the first half of Project: S.O.U.L is a 100% success.- Kisuke answered with a huge grin.

A little explanation for the mentioned terms:

*Rapture station - Initially was ment to be a colony, established and funded by private investors, but eventually failed to be sustained in the long run. For this reason a decade later after it's founding Rapture was privatized by the Council of the U.U.A and was sonverted into a prison facility and a mental hospital. Today, the "wards" refered to the prison part of Rapture is in anarchy, where the dangerous personels and terrorist are being held in life sentence.

*PI - Persoanl Interface, the most common device within U.A space for communication both short and long distance. It is usually a kept on the wrist but more radical enplacements are know through out space such as a head inplant. It contains a small holographic projector and very sensitive "touch screen" sensor, the memory matrix in a common PI can hold a minimum 5 TB of data.

*PMI - Personal Medical Interface, only used by personels in the medical occupation such as hospitals, clinics and military medical centers. It1s design is similar to its commercial version, however it has built in nano scaners and a virtual medical advisors to help doctors and other medics in their work. In the military they are designed to automaticly connect to the patients power armor or implants to draw up a quick medical assessment and to advise sufficient medical treatment.

I hope you liked this chapter, I am sorry it wasn't that actiony but I tend to start the real operations in the future chapters, so don't worry. Also I would like to point out that all references I made in this chapter are not my own and they belong to their rightfull ownres.

I also want to thank LoVe23 to help me write the dialogs and make the story more alive, she has done an amazing job in my opinion so check out her account as well.

Please review and favorite if you liked it and sorry for any grammar and spelling issues. If you have questions about the plot or the AU just PM me but soon I'll release some interludes to understand more about the lore.

Other than that have a nice day. :)