Jawn: The previous chapter was literally the gayest thing I've ever read. Really? The two of us in the rain together?
Blah:Shuddup.
To Starfleet's Admiral Professor in charge of the Eugenics Project,
We here in the British government have just got word about your research from one of our esteemed source, and ever since, news of your project spread like wildfire amongst the other nations. In request and requirement, we ask for your approval to visit the Academy and inspect the quite successful research. We would very much prefer you yourself, Admiral, to guide us through your past and the future of Starfleet Organization. The United World Nations would like to thank you for your contributions to science and hope to receive your reply soon.
United World Nations
Admiral Professor Eugene couldn't be any more happier one particular evening. Aside from the long and tedious flight to Headquarters, The admiral expected an eventful day.
Today was the day the world's nations would gather in front of him and give their raw reactions to his research.
Eugene felt deeply honoured, having to be personally asked to give the grand tour. He knew he had to make a wonderful impression. He would be representing the Starfleet's very own Medical and Scientific sect after all.
Not only were the guest the only thing on his mind, but so were his creations. It would be the first time in two years that he would be able to examine his subjects in person rather than through screens and projections. He wanted to see how much they've improved and how much they've gained and show them off to the world.
Deep inside, the admiral knew that all would go smoothly and perfectly.
He was beyond eager to begin.
Everyone was in a buzz.
During one fine morning, the people of the Eugenics project awoke to the news of today being a very important and crucial day for everyone.
Training was rushed and breaks were skipped, only to be replaced by more rigorous training and inspections. An announcement was broadcasted throughout the halls, reaching everyone's avid ears. The world's nations top representatives would be conducting a very special analysis on the project and along with them, the professor Eugene himself would be back to introduce his research.
Voices hummed in static elation and also anxiousness, all except for one.
The one individual who still snarls at the mention of the old man and his psychotic smile. He himself had been improving, yes, with the help of many generous people as he explained his situation, but his thoughts on the very scientist who had created Khan still hasn't changed.
He doesn't trust him. He could spot the madness swirling in those crinkled eyes.
The group had been escorted back inside as soon as the the afternoon bell had sounded. Quickly and efficiently, new Starfleet uniforms were handed to each and every one of them and was told to tidy themselves up. As they laid hands on the ink-black material, silent faces of shock appeared as they felt the touch of new fabric against their skin. It's texture had a boggling fusion of silk, cotton, and feathers, but at the same time, felt tough as carbon fiber.
Starfleet always had something new up their sleeves and could never disappoint.
As the centuplicate got dressed in their new melanoid uniforms, each were then presented with a small treasure that gleamed cryptically, even in the dark.
Pinned right on their breast, the image of the Starfleet insignia generated the feeling of accomplishment and pride in each one the superhumans. They found comfort in the black coldness of the badge, giving them the confidence as they awaited their special visitors.
They finally felt complete.
The aircraft droned above Fort Baker, California where the hard to miss location of the brilliant Starfleet Headquarters resided. Behind its trail, numerous ships similar to it followed. The spectacular scene of many crafts surrounding the Academy was enough to catch the awestruck attention of the many student and faculty members unaware of the coming of very important visitors.
As the aircrafts docked, men and women adorned in suits of experience stepped out professionally with their heads held high and walked eruditely. These were the representatives of the top nations, refined and experienced. They held their composure in check as they all met in the great entrance hall of the Academy, but the expressions in their eyes exposed their truth.
Enthusiasm sparked their curious minds as they awaited for the Admiral Professor and drank in the sights of the achievements of the well renowned Starfleet Organization.
Students who roamed the campus watched conspicuously at the odd group, wondering ignorantly whether they were visiting parent or tourists, unknowing of their superior ranks.
Not a moment later, the admiral himself appeared to greet the assembly. Compared to the decorative and elaborate garbs worn that represented their nation, the professor stuck out like a single star across the night sky. Simply dressed, he was draped only in the brilliant white of a lab coat with his hands tucked neatly in the pockets. But the look of experience on his face and posture was enough to amplify his image, making some of the young representatives feel a bit more intimidated by the senior's authority.
"Welcome, honoured company, to Starfleet Academy. I, and many of the others who have worked along side me, are greatly humbled to be blessed with this magnificent opportunity." The old admiral took a bow of professionality.
"As you all know, I was personally asked to show you all the product of my research, and I was very happy to oblige. Truth be told, I too will be seeing them for the first time in a long while, so any surprise will be shared. This project has been my life ever since this organization was born, and I hope in the very bottom of my heart that you can find the appreciation and respect that I had poured into this from the very beginning."
The tour started off introducing the many scientists who helped the professor throughout the duration of theory and hypotheses. The representative's were very much surprised as they notice many young scientists partaking in such a huge project, but Eugene assured that the best and the brightest were hand picked by himself. These were the people he trusted. The next generation of Starfleet's able minds.
Soon, the moment came when the group stood in front of the large doors of the laboratories. Although small compared to the one back at London, it was still admirable enough to impress the foreign visitors.
Hands twitched with nervous thrill and smiles had to be forcibly contained. They knew it was time. Behind those walls held the future of human superiority, and all that was blocking them from feeding their intellectual interest was a man in a lab coat and the large doors behind him.
The professor turned to make an introduction.
"We have finally come to the point where the future is just beyond our reach. This room currently contains one hundred different men and women all chosen from a great division. They have spent two years of their reborn lives training and refilling their knowledge here in this prestigious Academy. I haven't seen them since. Please excuse me if I ever freeze to marvel at their improvement."
The group chuckled.
The admiral took a deep breathe. "Well now, enough chatting I suppose. Let's see our main attraction."
With the slow creak of the metal doors sliding open, a bright artificial light had flooded the room and the sight in which they beheld next was completely wondrous.
Rows and rows of black-cladded bodies stood next to each other in perfect arrangement. Stern faces marked each and every one of them and they stood with strict posture.
The nation's representatives could not believe their eyes.
The admiral, as predicted, froze in utter amazement.
One hundred people lined absolutely like the stern copies of terra cotta soldiers stood before him. He noticed the curves of strong muscle against the dark fabric that wasn't there before, and felt the air of discipline that had grew stronger the last time he had been with them.
Not only had he created superhuman beings,
He had created soldiers.
The silence drawn from shock was incredible.
"Amazing..." one uttered with a single breath.
After a few seconds of appreciation, the professor had snapped back to reality, remembering his astonished guests.
"This is truly a sight worth beholding, agreed?" he coughed. "It's a strange thing, what a few years could do to a person."
He walked up to the front. "My dear participants! Nothing truly makes me happier than seeing the great differences in you! You have my respects! Now please, at ease."
Nothing relieved the old admiral than seeing his creations respond to his military lingo with a wave of his hand. The strictness of the room soon dissipated, and the obsidian dressed men and women relaxed with a triumphant smile on their faces. They knew from the looks of their visitors that they had succeeded in making their best impressions.
The representatives and the subjects met with gracefully respect. The two groups watched each other in fascination.
"What do you call yourselves? Your improved selves, I mean?" one eager nation asked.
"Uh...well, now that I think about it, we haven't really had the opportunity to think of a name. We never really saw ourselves as no other than human." Professor Eugene, upon hearing the conversation, included himself in the gathering.
"Let's think of one right now, shall we? After all, you all are definitely unique beings deserving of a new title."
"I don't think we're worthy of such praise," a subject replied humbly. "We're just simple augments of normal people." Then it struck one of the clever agents who snapped his fingers with enthusiasm.
"Augments! A fitting name don't you think?"
The professor gave a toothy smile.
"I quite like it. A perfect description of you advanced humans. And who knows, someday in the future, maybe we'll be able to replace the term 'human' with this new title. Welcome, Augments!"
As approvable rose, only one deprecated the idea. The tall man scoffed. Like hell will he be named as so. Beside him, his short friend gave a grumbled glance, as if to behave the averse man.
"Professor," a large man spoke, hoping to gain the attention of the popular admiral. But his position was not for one to ignore. He wore a clean black suit, accessorized with chains and buttons of gold and silver. He was rather big, but the shape of his plump stomach and the roundness of his face seemed to suit him like a glove. Although seeming old and kind, the large man had a small pistol concealed behind his coat pockets. He was a paranoid one, keeping a weapon for safety with him just in case.
The admiral turned to give his best attention.
"I am one of the United Kingdom representatives, I am here to congratulate you for your wonderful achievement. These people are like a fictitious world to me, straight out of a different planet." The two shared a friendly laugh.
"Tell me my dear man, are you perhaps the representative who had sent me the invitation?"
"Indeed."
"Oh I should be grateful for you instead! This fine opportunity will lead to greater recognition of the Augments than I could do alone!"
"Don't thank me, kind admiral. One of our sources from the British Secret Service has brought up the topic of Starfleet and its Eugenics Project. He insisted that we observe and report."
"Well I thank the mystery man."
"Now tell me all about these Augments, I'd like to have a short history lesson about them. What are their abilities and traits that differ them from us?"
The admiral's eyes beamed with excitement. He was finally able to show off his best creations.
"The Augments are a spectacular experiments, the very future of the human specie, as I have said before. As their name suggests, they are advanced beings. Everything about them has been increased. They are designed to be five times stronger and twice as intelligent. Their immune system is basically resistant with enhanced senses, their heart muscles twice as strong and lung efficiency fifty percent better. I even theorize that their lifespan would be twice as long as a regular persons, but my favorite trait would have to be their amazing regenerative abilities."
The plump representative was awestruck. "A healing ability? Remarkable! This could greatly improve the world's medical advances! You are a genius my dear professor!"
"Remarkable indeed! By the time they had stepped out of their pods, the punctured skin of theirs from the needles had puckered and disappeared in a matter of seconds!"
Curious ears listened carefully at the professor's miraculous words. Gasps and praises were thrown out to him, filling his ego to the brim.
He had never felt so accomplished.
"I don't suppose you can give us a demonstration?"
Eugene, intoxicated by acclamation, impetuously agreed. He looked around for an object of harm when his eyes locked in on the small barrel of a gun poking out of the chubby man's undercoat.
"My good sir, if you would please." he asked eagerly, pointing at the small weapon. The surprised representative looked at the professor with hesitance, slowly pulling the gun out of his pockets.
"A-are you sure professor? A small cut on the arm would do, we don't need anything too brash-" The professor gave a rude snort of amusement. The paranoid representative, afraid of the man's actions, began to reluctantly hide his gun back into his coat.
"Nonsense! Many people have been wounded by gunshots all over the world! Let me demonstrate to you how this could be easily fixed with the abilities of my Augments!"
The crazed professor snatched the small pistol away from the man's thick hands, and loaded the gun. The representatives and the Augments separated, the humans quickly running behind the professor, watching with wide eyes.
The admiral professor still frenetic in his own delirium pointed the barrel to one of his unknowing subjects.
"Observe."
He aimed not with thought, but only to impress his superiors.
Smiling his eerie, wrinkled smile, he pulled the trigger and watched as one unfortunate doctor fell to his knees.