A/N- Literally I got so excited writing this chapter. No writer's block at all! It just flowed right out of me and I'm so proud of my results!

Countdown: 5 hours and 32 minutes

At the courthouse, I was led inside and placed in a room with a table and two chairs, no windows. No one entered the room with me, they stayed on the other end of the door, and I was left alone. The two clicks from the door shutting and locking behind me clarified my place here; no place else to go but in one of the chairs. Whoever brought me here obviously did not trust my actions.

I sat myself in the chair facing the door, sitting upright with my hands clasped in front of me on the table.

As a tactician I weighed my options carefully, seeing every outcome before it comes to fruition. Behind me, in the top left corner, a camera watched. In front of me there was door, one made with a strong alloy mix of metals. A door made from metal prison bars, for convicts of the most dangerous kind. There was one light in the room, dangling by a thin wire above the table's middle, flickering like the bulb is about to die.

If I was to die, they would've done it by now.

But they placed me in an interrogation room. It seems they have questions, and whether or not it leads to my death is still of question. Being cooperative right now until more answers come to light is what I needed to do right then.

So I sit and wait.

And wait.

I wait for the fatal redemption.

The door clicks and swings open and two figures enter. One was male, broad shouldered and dressed for business- suit and tie, slick back white hair. His wrinkled brow suggested late 50's, early 60's. The other was a female in a stark white lab coat, with a very familiar face. Codename Lie, A.K.A Nat. She smiled gratefully upon seeing my seated self when she entered the room.

I widen my shoulders and assert myself first. Basic rule of this world, unlike other worlds, is for the lower to speak first.

"What can I do for you, sir?" I ask with a stone cold voice.

It's obvious the man is the superior of the two. He entered the room first and nodded, showing me a sly grin before he sat down in the only other seat in the room. Nat took her place standing beside him, looking bored and unamused. She doesn't look me in the eye, however. That doesn't mean good, because only few out rank a scientist.

The man held out his hand, "Field Agent Koe, I'm council elder 12. But please, call me Sponsor from now on. Because that's what I'll be to you."

Hesitant, I eyed his outstretched hand. This was not good. The council is made up of 12 of my world's greatest minds, tested for their strong minds since birth and then taught the trade until adulthood and one of the current council members are deceased. They are the ones who control everything that happens, all that has happened, and all that will happen. Everything is decided by the council, because they are always right.

I take his hand in my and shake, "And what am I to you?"

"My Agent,"

"Of course," I removed my hand and leaned back, "I am nothing else."

Elder 12 chuckles, "No, not a Field Agent. My Agent. You will be nothing else. The other council members and I have constructed a sort of idea that we'd like tested. Well, more of a test to us council members as well."

Nat shifted beside the elder.

"Scientists in the labs have found a certain gene in our world's individuals. A deviant gene that can be mutated into a sort of superhuman gene." Nat interjects, adding her bit of information, "Our hypothesis is that by mutating the gene the individual will gain enhanced abilities such as enhanced strength, speed, regeneration and other unknown qualities."

"Yes, thank you, Scientist Lie. Couldn't have explained the background better," Elder 12 approved and locked eyes with me once more, "Now the scientific method should be implemented, but we must do much more than test enhanced abilities."

"Am I to be an experiment for your gene mutation?" I asked directly, "Is this my redemption?"

"Redemption? Let's talk no more of that nonsense. I'm going to propose a deal for you, no strings attached." Elder 12 replied, "And it's not just mutating a simple gene, we've known of the gene for a long time."

The Elder went quiet, allowing me to absorb the information. But what is there to absorb? I had just been lead in a full circle. This conversation had me confused, and concerned. Why couldn't I be given just the basic details and not a long explanation into scientific research. If they needed me to do something all they had to do was say it.

And so I did, "Just tell me what you want of me and I'll comply. I'm a loyal Coder ready to be of service once more."

"Field Agents," Elder 12 muttered under his breath and shook his head. "Alright, the bottom line is that each of us council members have chosen one individual to undergo the gene mutation and infiltrate a world and complete an impossible mission. Is that clear enough?"

I nodded, "Yes,"

Elder 12 waved his hand toward Nat and she steps closer to the table, handing over a clipboard to the Elder. From there he checked over the papers and then handed it across the table to me, like I'm being briefed for a mission.

"An impossible mission is just what it sounds like. Impossible. But with the mutation of this gene it is believed that impossible is probable," Elder 12 said and placed his hands on the table, "You obviously know what an Anomaly is, correct? It was your job in the past to fix them."

I nodded again, "Yes,"

Anomalies defy fate. Inhabitants who do not hold onto fate have absolute free will, and can do anything unexpected if they wish. It is crucial to monitor them from birth till death, because too much free will is dangerous and can destroy his or her world with a single action. It is the one impossibility of any world, and it was my job to fix those problems before they actually arose. Sometimes, when we were too late to fix a problem, a war would arise against the inhabitants and ours.

"We believe this gene can defy fate, just like any other Anomaly."

My head involuntarily jerked up at his words.

"Ah, refreshing. Finally something peaks your interest," Elder 12 chuckles again, "It's only a hypothesis, but a good one nonetheless."

I looked down at the clipboard in front of me and see what they mean. They've given me an introduction of the experiment they'd like to conduct.

On the paper it listed everything to go on within the experiment, and that each one of the twelve chosen are to help a fated inhabitant break fate. They are to do whatever in their power to make them defy the impossibility and become an artificial Anomaly. It also added that the experiment shall end once one individual breaks fate or all fail the mission.

"What does this mean about failing?" I ask stoically, "What's the criteria for failing?"

"I'm sorry," Nat answered nervously, "but it's death."

I was not surprised. My mistake was costly and wrong enough to warrant death. But it didn't stop the unlimited options and scenarios to race through my mind. Biting my lip uncertainly, I considered the main endpoints that could play through. The strongest variable being the other eleven people, the impossible goals given, and the two conclusions I've thought of to end the experiment. I must consider that the others have more information than I do, but not too much. The three main endings I've figured:

Endgame one is that we do try and figure impossible goals. It would be the honest way of doing things. However, the other eleven, I presume, are in the same redemption boat as I am.

Endgame two is that there will be some bad nuts and they will believe that they will be the last survivor and fight. Most likely while trying to attain an impossible goal as well to stay inconspicuous.

Endgame three is a full out brawl to death, in a way. Criminals all have criminalistics minds as they say. We hunt each other down until the last one stands. But that wouldn't really go with the experiments values, which would cancel unless-

"And, let me ask this one thought," I asked while looking at the papers, "If we all die-"

"No, we'll let the experiment go until the last one stands," Elder 12 interjected, "If you are the first one to reach the goal, or the last one to die, we will compensate you fully. Your son is aging up soon, correct?"

So endgame three is a strong one, just as the other two.

Yes, I nodded, and I heard what he was hinting about. He was telling me that if I complete the task or survive my little boy will have the best future ahead of him. I've heard of this type of corruption within the government, but all people in worlds are selfish and we are no exception. And if they would do that for my little boy, the upper officials may just let me advance in ranks, or even let me have my old position back again.

However, the other eleven probably have the same incentive as I.

That only leaves one motive for the council elders to want. They'd like to clean up loose ends, of us who have broken our world's laws. Whoever wins means they have the most loyalty to the world, and whoever loses are just ones who didn't believe enough. And the mutation of genes is risking our lives as well, before they use it on the rule-abiding people of our world. With the testing of the gene mutation than they could probably use this knowledge against Anomalies of other worlds much easier and cause less bloodshed. Yes, that's what they're thinking.

And if all goes wrong they can easily place blame on the criminals.

All we are to them are pawns.

Elder 12 must've noticed my hesitation, because he coughed loudly to gain my attention and then spoke in a cold manner.

"You don't have to do this, I assure you," He said, sounding as menacing as predator playing with his prey. "Oh, and let be give you my condolences. I heard your partner died last year, yes?"

I cringed. That man deserved to die. "Yes, he jumped on Jumper's ledge. It was a devastating loss."

"He jumped? You sure? A man in his position would never had jumped," Elder 12 mused, "And from the evidence found at the scene it could be considered that he was pushed. Or it could've been my imagination?"

"He jumped!" I shouted and stood up from my chair, "He jumped and that's the end of it!"

"Please, calm down," Nat tried to soothe. "You're acting irrational."

"No, no, she's acting perfectly fine," Elder 12 assured, waving Nat off, "Agent Kin had no enemies that we could find. And it isn't as if he would make an enemy of his partner, like abuse her till she bled silver."

Blackmail. He's blackmailing me.

It's all over. I didn't know what he was going to do if I refuse, but there is no going back to my living quarters- to my little boy- to my old life. My second mistake has been caught.

"Sir, you're insinuating murder here," Nat said, clearly shocked by his words, "That's not a favorable subject to talk about right here. This experiment is an opportunity for misguided individuals to right their wrongs, not place unfounded blame on them."

"I'm not insinuating anything, Scientist Lie," Elder assured once more, "I'm just giving out my condolences on her loss."

The Elder then looks toward me once more, a cruel gleam present in his cold, grey eyes, "What do you say, Agent Koe? You know what will happen next more or less, so would you like to participate in the experiment?"

"But, wait, sir," Nat spoke up again, a pained expression on her face, "You were certainly insinuating Field Agent Kin's death. This wasn't-"

"I'll do it," I cried out, gripping my fist so tight that all the blood stopped to flow. After taking a forced breath, I lifted my head and said once more, "I'll do it."

Whatever endgame I'll face, I'll do it

A/N- So... did you like? Suspenseful? Dramatic? Questionable?

I hope this chapter answered some of the mind boggling questions you've all had! May not have answered some, but you'll know all the answers soon enough. In time...

How about you tell me what you think? Leave a review or constructive criticize me... I'm fine with either. They really help!

Next chapter is almost written too! Like, I'm on a roll! And this chapter is definitely going to have this certain character you may or may not love...

Peace out till next time!

Laylainie