A/N: Thanks again to my reviewers: Sean, Miss Kayl, Anna Bade, alfheim, and KoraDee – you are all so sweet blushing
And thanks to all the Lurkers (which I'm sad to say I'm one of) who continue to read this very weird story, still freaks me out for writing. Congratulations to those who guessed what my very vague references were to - you're characters will appear in this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 – Debriefing
The general walked into the room of lieutenants, who stood at attention by their chairs.
"Be seated, we have a lot to go through today."
The soldiers sat. They were some of the best from both the marines and the air force. Hand picked by their CO's for this assignment.
"All right, gentlemen, let's get started. You have been chosen to participate in the Full Moon project. This is a top secret program that was first instigated five years ago, and decommissioned after only two years because it was too successful. The information I'm about to debrief you on is known only to a handful of people in the world."
The general clicked a thin metal pen and the slide screen picture was focused on the wall. The picture was that of a sixty-year-old man, which thinning hair, wearing a laboratory coat.
"This is Dr. Hathaway, creator of Project Full Moon and director of the project. He is a doctor of sociology and anthropology and before the project was employed by the military to understand how third world countries would react to various military scenarios."
"Five years ago, the doctor petitioned for his own research facility and was granted approval. His theory was that people with mental disorders could be trained to become assassins and soldiers."
The picture flashed, showing the headshots of seven individuals, all appeared to be in their teens.
"These are the first seven test subjects – codenamed Jammie, Aliana, D.K.G., Bob, Maria, Phillip and Lambert. These seven passed numerous physical tests before being indoctrinated into the project, and were chosen from thirty-five other candidates. After a year study, they were removed from their mental wards from across the country and placed in our Los Angeles research facility."
"All test subjects suffered from mental disorders that caused them to lose touch with reality – paranoia, schizophrenia, schizoid, and others. Dr. Hathaway used their distortion to mould their minds. Instead of trying to convince them their reality wasn't 'real', he encouraged their delusions and while doing so, changed the shape of their delusions for his own purpose."
"Dr. Hathaway attempted to adjust their minds to perform as an animals, specifically that of a wolf. He concluded that he could produce soldiers that would be able to operate for long periods of time without human contact or aid but would remain true to their mission no matter the ethical or moral issues."
The scene changed, to one of the test subjects performing martial arts.
"The technique worked perfectly. All seven subjects exhibited behaviour similar to a wolf's, and as an unexpected result they regained the ability to grasp reality. However, it was now filtered through a new perspective. Their observations of their environment and other people were that of a wolf, versus that of a human. Encouraged by the results, Dr. Hathaway conscripted the other twenty-eight candidates."
The light flashed and now the pictures of seven soldiers appeared on the screen,
"These are your predecessors. They were each in charge of group of five subjects, and their mission was to train them to work alone as assassins and together for missions. In hindsight, it's unsurprising that the subjects developed a pack mentality."
A new image appeared of one of the subjects, their throat torn. Another subject, having died in similar ways, replaced the image.
"The several packs viewed the research facility as their 'territory', and considered all the other groups rivals. We had seven fatalities before we were able to isolate the problem. At that point, we kept the groups separated to specific areas of the base, to prevent a recurrence."
"The only problem with the program was that the groups did not want to separate for individual missions. In fact, when taken away from their packs, the members relapsed to their earlier mental states. Dr. Hathaway then recruited five more candidates to be trained alone and solely for individual missions."
The screen changed again, showing the image of a man in his forties with hair just beginning to grey.
"This is Colonel Jack O'Neill, second-in-command of the first Full Moon project. He was in charge of the military aspects of the project. He personally took charge of training the five individual subjects, and because of that their skills far succeeded any other subject."
An image of a young blond girl replaced that of the Colonel.
"Especially this one; Buffy Anne Summers was admitted with schizophrenia but had the greatest grasp of reality before indoctrination than any other subject. She far exceeded physical expectations and mastered the various military techniques quickly."
The door opened, and a figure stood in the hallway. As he approached the lit screen, the soldiers recognized him as Dr. Hathaway. The general turned to the soldiers and said, "Dr. Hathaway will finish the debriefing."
"The premise of the project was to create soldiers that acted completely on instinct but still maintained their mental capacities. All efforts to indoctrinate trained soldiers failed – except with soldiers who had been tortured or imprisoned by the enemy. It was then concluded that for the programming to work, the mind of the subject must already be able to accept data that it previously knew as erroneous."
"Instead of reducing the patients to their basic instinctual levels, we imprinted the behaviour of an animal who acts based on their instincts. The wolf was chosen for its intelligence and for its instincts regarding defence and offence."
"As you know, the process worked perfectly. A little too perfectly, since the subjects followed their instinct and proceeded to create packs and fight for territory. Even the subjects conscripted for individual missions, somehow created their own pack."
"However, since the subjects are not operating completely on a instinctive level, they also formed a their own culture. The original seven subjects were placed in one of each of the seven original groups. Because of their extra training, they were the stronger and naturally became the leaders. We observed that they referred to themselves as the One, probably as a result as having one soldier as their superior and trainer."
"The most intriguing result occurred when the solo training subjects formed their pack. Stronger than the others, they referred to themselves as the First, with their leader – Buffy Summers – as the First One. They then systematically proved their domination to the other packs. The First One then hurt any subject that attempted to injure the member of another pack too seriously. The rival pack mentality and jostling for position remained, but the games were no longer deadly. In fact, because of her actions the several packs began to view themselves as part of a larger pack with Ms. Summers as the One."
"However, the subjects began to view all military and science personnel as rival packs or enemies. Our efforts to train the subjects to view anyone other than their packmates as the enemy backfired, as the instructors lost control over the subjects. It was only due to the control Colonel O'Neill had over the First that the subjects didn't riot and try to take over the facility."
"Unfortunately, that didn't prevent them from escaping. Three years ago, thirty-two subjects escaped, possibly with the help of Colonel O'Neill though it has never been proven. The only subject to be found was Buffy Summers, who had a memory block placed within her mind. Despite efforts to break it, the block remained and foiled any attempts at re-programming. She was released under surveillance but during the last three years she hasn't been contacted by any of the packs, nor has she shown any indications of remembering."
"That is until two weeks ago."
"Last month, I received confirmation for the revival of Project Full Moon, as well as the resources to track down the former subjects. Most likely as a result of this, the packs have been confirmed to have congregated to Sunnydale, California where Ms. Summers is currently residing. We also have unconfirmed reports that Colonel O'Neill has also arrived."
"I want you to spend the next few weeks preparing yourself to deal with four highly trained individuals who will resort to anything to regain their freedom. You will find packages containing information on each of the members of your group, as well as detail explanations on their previous behaviour and speculation on how they have developed."
The general cleared his throat and barked, "Dismissed!"
The soldiers left the room, leaving the two men in charge of the project alone.
"Don't you think two weeks is a little optimistic, Hathaway? After all, it has taken us three years to find them in the first place," the general commented.
"Don't worry, General. By now I'm sure Jack O'Neill has contacted Ms. Summers and broken the memory block, and after we capture her the other packs will stop at nothing to rescue her even if it means their own incarceration."
"Capturing her won't be as easy as you seem to think. With the memory block gone, the First One could take on twenty of our best men without breaking a sweat."
Hathaway's complacent grin sent shivers down General Craig's spine.
"As her doctor, and because of the papers her parents signed, I can have her re-committed at anytime."
"For her own safety, of course."
TBC
A/N: Challenge! Can any of you guess the double meaning behind the name of the project? If at least five people get it right ill update two chapters at once! (anything for more reviews – I've become addicted)
To find out what else is going on in my twisted little mind REVIEW!