Subject Angel

[MidnaPhobia]

The TV screen flickered. On it, a grainy, black and white screen displaying the side of a street. Several black SUVs suddenly pulled up on the side of the street, blocking off the entire street. Men in black suits began spilling from the vans, guns drawn. They turned their attention to something off screen, and regular people could be seen running away in panic. The men in the black began firing at something off the screen. Something began firing in return, bullets could clearly be seen firing back at the men, who ducked out of the way quickly in fear.

One of the enemy bullets struck one of the cars and it suddenly blew up. Smoke filled the screen. In it all a dark figure could be seen walking through the smoke, more bullets flew but something seemed to be deflecting them, a strange glowing light appearing through the cloud. It stopped, and appeared to turn slightly. There was no way to depict anything about the figure, except that it appeared to be rather short. There was a moment of pause and suddenly the figure jumped and was gone. A second later the screen cut out and was replaced by static.

The flat screen was switched off and a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties stepped in front of it as the lights slowly faded back on. She was in a smart looking three piece suit, holding a clip board in her arm, her sandy blonde hair pinned up into a bun on her head. “The footage you just saw was taken from a security camera in East Campton. It shows a confrontation little over a week ago between our men and Subject Angel.” She said simply, looking up and to the man sitting in the chair in front of her.

“As you can see, Subject Angel is an extremely destructive force. It must be dealt with as soon as possible. You, are Subject 2 6 8, and it will be your mission to seek Angel out, and secure it. It is a matter of the utmost national security that it be retrieved. Now, Angel has some strange abilities, most of which we are unsure of as of yet. That is why you shall be undergoing a series of upgrades over the next few days, which will allow you to stand up to Angel. They will make you faster, stronger, your senses sharper and yourself more proficient with any kind of weapon you may find yourself needing.”

She stopped for a moment and looked up once more, studying the man before you. “You have been chosen, because you have shown fierce loyalty to the military through your service, as well as excellent marks in every field you undertake. You, are subject 2 6 8. Do you accept this mission?” She snapped the clipboard closed and looked up once more. There was a clear tone in her voice that signalled that there was no room for questions here.

[Syllanna]

Subject 268 was a name that suited him well. He stood and saluted the woman, understanding the tone of authority underwritten there. It was a tone he knew well. He was already replaying the video footage in his mind. The way the bullets were deflected and the way the men had fallen before Project Angel. It made him excited, actually, to think of being 'upgraded' to stand up to such a force. Adrenaline moved through him, sharpening his reflexes and increasing his heartbeat.

Over the next few days, he did exactly as he was told instantly and without complaint. He moved stoically through the pain when he could, and screamed when he had too. His tanned body was put through hell to come out better. The tests were endless but he did not protest. His deep green eyes took in everything so that his perfect memory could replay it later. His blessing and his curse. His pitch black hair was kept regulation short, though it grew a little over the days when he was more test subject than soldier. This was what he was meant for, he could feel it.

[MidnaPhobia]

Nearly two weeks passed, and Karen supervised them all. She felt bad, in some way, listening to 268’s screams. She didn't even know his name, which also made her feel bad. But the information was redundant, learning his name would add a level of attachment she couldn’t afford. Meanwhile, outside, Angel had been mostly inactive. There had been no reported sightings. That made it nearly a month now. She hoped that they hadn’t lost it. She personally would be punished greatly if they had. He was responding incredibly well, however, to the treatment. Already all of his abilities had doubled, most tripled and some even quadrupled. And, he still seemed very obedient. Good. That would be what he needed to take out Angel.

From an observation room to the gymnasium a girl turned and eventually descended to where 268 was training. She looked at him for a moment, her head tilted before she spoke, though no doubt he would have already heard that she was here. “You got a name?” She called. The girl in question was tall, very slender but with the build of an athlete rather than a model. She was wearing a plain gray singlet and black denim shorts. She had waist length chocolate brown hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and plain gray eyes.

[Syllanna]

Sweat was pouring down his skin, making his simple black shorts and shirt stick to him. His black hair curled uncomfortably around his ears. He really needed to ask for a haircut. He wasn't used to having it so long. The footsteps echoed from a distance and he could hear the breath escaping her lungs. He knew it was a woman by the gait she had. It was all so new. He had trouble controlling it sometimes. At night, when he heard the sounds of people awake, working, training and some doing illicit activities together, it kept him up.

He kept running, even when she called to him. His endurance was amazing now, and he never seemed to lose his wind. His long legs worked hard, pumping and straining ever onwards. He kept his hands by his side, focused. He didn't know who she was. It was unusual for him to meet someone new, but this was his normal training time. So whoever she was, either she didn't know of him or she did and this was a new test. He turned his head to take in the details of her. Her stance, her clothing, her pulse beating steadily in her throat. He spoke, just loud enough to hear. "It is impolite to ask for a name without first introducing yourself, ma'am." His southern drawl was clear in his words, though they were nothing but polite.

[MidnaPhobia]

The girl leant against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest as a small amused noise escaped her. "Abigail." She called back, noticing that he hadn't stopped running as he spoke to her. "But everyone calls me Abbey." She pushed herself off the wall casually and moved over to one of the racks that contained about a dozen basketballs. Running her fingers along the selection she eventually picked up one and began dribbling it casually as she walked around the gymnasium. Turning she shot the ball towards the hoop hanging from the far wall and watched as it swished in effortlessly.

"You've been running for a while now." She commented, moving to retrieve the ball. "Still not tired?" Even though it sounded more like a statement than a question. Like Karen she'd been watching his progress, though not nearly as informally or closely. She had no access to the data they did, rather only what she could see and hear. "I heard that they're planning on sending you out there soon. They've lost it again of course, Angel. It'll probably be your job to track it down. Then again, with your senses shouldn't be too hard. Though, I am curious as to what you plan to do once you actually find it."

[Syllanna]

His ears pricked at the name of Project Angel. Though the woman, Abigail, referred to it rather nonchalantly. That was not unusual in itself; people talked. He shouldn't acknowledge it. Gossip could teach people a lot of information they shouldn't have access to if people were not careful. Plus, he didn't have all the details yet. His superiors hadn't deemed him worthy of the mission specs as of the moment. He continued running for a minute before responding.

"My name is Mikhail. It's nice to meet you, Miss Abigail." He ran another mile, silent. "Do you intend to use the gym now? I can leave if I am bothering you."

[MidnaPhobia]

Abigail sighed softly and shook her head. Military buffs. "I'd hardly call it 'meeting' since you haven't really stopped to look at me or anything." It also appeared as if he wasn't overly the talkative type. "You're right. I just came to check you out. Might as well find out who the guy they got to replace me was." She stopped her dribbling and turned to see if that got any kind of reaction out of him. "Bet they didn't tell you that? Did they? I was supposed to be the one who they sent after Angel... But I was eventually declared 'incompatible' with the upgrade program. Bullshit. They declined me because I'm a girl. Simple as that."

Abbey scoffed angrily and stood looking at Mikhail as she did. "They probably thought I'd be too soft hearted or some shit like that. They can get fucked. Personally, I hope you shoot that bastard right through the heart." She was almost shaking in anger now, the real quality which had caused her to be declined from the upgrade program. Her uncontrollable anger, in a superhuman body was just too risky for the military. They already had one super powered rouge. They didn't need two.

[Syllanna]

He stopped running and looked at her sharply. He noted the quivering and the way her teeth gritted with anger. He wiped his face calmly and took a moment to think. Maybe they were letting them meet on purpose. He eyed Abigail. She didn't seem overly strong or fast, but then he supposed he didn't look like much either. Go figure. All the pain in the world, and he only looked messier in the end. He began to walk, to lower his heart rate, though it wasn't incredibly necessary he'd like to avoid muscle cramping tonight if possible. When he was done, he stepped in front of her so he could see her face to face.

"I'll do what I can, Miss Abigail." He said softly, only for her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must shower before the meal." He headed off and did just as he said he would, taking a hot shower as he thought over what she'd said. Maybe that meant they'd okay'd him for the mission. He swelled with pride. He'd been right. He belonged on this mission. He was one step closer to bringing down Project Angel.

[MidnaPhobia]

Another full week passed, though this one had very little actual procedures in it. Most of it was just spent testing him, clearly something had changed since the meeting with Abigail, then again, maybe the meeting and the sudden change in routine had just been purely coincidental. No one knew. Well... Karen probably knew but she certainly wasn't about to say anything. She had a lot more self control than Abigail did. Three weeks after Subject 268 had been brought in he sat in the same room he had the day he had arrived, the same footage he had watched before replaying again. Something was definitely going down.

"This is, unfortunately, the last time Subject Angel has been spotted for over a month now. The first two weeks you have spent here you were subjected to the Upgrade program, something we hope will prove effective against it. The past week you have been monitored and everything seems to have taken effectively and our scientists have determined that you are indeed ready to go out and track it down." She stepped aside and revealed a black duffle bag and a set of clothes with a strange headset atop them. "Like you now posses, Angel has an elevated temperature. Looked at through this thermal scanner it is easily visible. Unfortunately we will be of little use helping you track it down."

[Syllanna]

He eyed the duffle bag and clothing carefully. Clearly they were ready to unleash him upon the streets. He did not smile, though he was elated inside. "Just so I am perfectly clear in my understanding, ma'am, my mission is to retrieve Project Angel and bring it back here, is that correct?" He paused a moment. "And how much damage to the Project is acceptable, should I need force to subdue it?"

He stood, back perfectly straight. "And how much information relating to the Project am I going to have before I am released? Anything about the background of the Project? Or at least a description of it?"