Berlin, Germany: Bueraue of Spiritual Phenomenom Headquarters. Commander Ghana Demont's Office
"Are the preparations for the experiment complete, Hellena?" Leaning back in his seat commander Ghana Demont, the current head of The Bueraue looked upon his colonel. Commander Demont was once a soldier apart of Jamaica's military back during the Great Hollow War thirty years ago and was regarded as one of its great heroes for turning the tide of the war. It wasn't for his strategeic prowess or cool mind; he didn't have those when he was a reckless youth. It was for his absurdly monstrous power that he was able to kill off countless hoards of hollows and for his dedication for the well being of the people that he had protected. It was only when Christoph Heinz resigned as head of The Bueraue ten years ago due to his deteriating health that Demont took up the role.
Hellena nodded and firmly said, "Yes sir, the candidates should be in their chambers before we proceed with the experiment. Remember sir, there is a high chance that many of these people will die if not all of them. If you wish to stop this experiment for their sake I understand." Hellena was apart of the trio of colonels within the organization. In terms of physical and official power, they were the most powerful members of The Buereau next to their commander. However, each colonel had obtained their positions due to different reasons. In Hellena's case, it was her sheer brilliance and technological advancements along with her strength that elevated her to the rank of colonel.
"This is of their own free will. You have done all that you could do for the best possible results, but when that experiment begins it's out of our hands." He didn't even bat an eye at the thought of his own people dying. This was all for the betterment of humanity and if they died then they died serving for a great cause, that was he wanted to think. What filled his head were worries of what could go wrong for the experiment and what could happen to the candidates, but this was an opportunity that they couldn't miss. "By the way, where is Xiao? He was meant to arrive here with you."
Hellena chuckled and shrugged nonchalantly, knowing that her fellow colonel obviously was playing hookie again. He always was a free spirited young man with wanderlust so he probably was adventuring through Berlin since he arrived from the Chinese branch only yesterday. "You know how he is, sir. That boy can't stay in one place. He's probably off buying some over priced souveniers or with some local tour group. I've heard that there are some very nice groups that go around trying local cuisine."
Demont sighed and rubbed his temples. "I really should've expected him to pull something like this. Oh well, he knows what his job is. Having him come meet me was just a formality anyway." A beeping went off on his desk and the commander pressed a little red button on his desk. "What is it Helga?"
"Sir, I'm sorry. I tried to stop-" Before his aide could finish her sentence, the doube doors to his office were blown off thir hinges from a blast of reishi torrenting through the room, flickering as if were flames.
"What the fuck are you playing at, commander?!" A white haired man with a heavy german accent stormed the room with fury in his eyes. "Did you think that I wouldn't find out about Project Seraphim? How long have you hid this from me?! Why?!" He slammed his hands down on the commander's desk and glared daggers into the man.
"Perhaps it's because he knew you would throw a tantrum like this. You Quincies do have a history with Shinigami, don't you Wilhelm?" Hellena said tauntingly, knowingly pushing him further. She smirked coyly, sauntering over to him with electricity crackling around her robotic prosthetic limbs.
"Are you picking a fight with me you cyborg slag?" Cubes formed from reishi appeared around him, murderous intent radiated from his constructs.
"Enough." A pressure suddenly filled the room, greater than the combined forces of Wilhelm and Hellena. The fighting spirit of both colonels was swallowed by this vast power that radiated from their commander. His gaze was stern, lecturing them silently for their unprofessional behavior. "Wilhelm, this is for the future of mankind. I didn't tell you because I know how strong you feel about your heritage and you aren't the only one. I had carefully made sure that no Quincy would be aware of Seraphim until we received results. Was I wrong to deceive you? Yes, but I do not need a civil war on my hands, which is why I'm going to need you quell any quincies that react violently."
"But sir I-"
"That's an order, Colonel Liebert. And Colonel Amadeus, go begin the test. You are both dismissed."
"Yes sir, commander. Come along Leibert." She turned away to walk out, followed by a unsatisfied Wilhelm.
Berlin, Germany: Bueraue of Spiritual Phenomenom Headquarters. Underground Labratory
Deep beneath Germany's capital, the two colonels made their way through many check points for identification. No matter of the rank, no one can get through without proper identification lest someone sneak in and steal classified info. Of course such measures were necessary due to a rise of terrorism in the last thirty years as some saw this as a chance to obtain power, including those with spiritual powers. Even though Hollows were a threat to society and were the initial threat when The Bueraue was created, those who used their spiritual powers to raise terror and violence had become another primary focus.
"I can't believe that damn commander was able to fool me and every other quincy in this organization. Tch, the body should've been disposed from the start." Wilhelm said, never looking even in her direction.
"And what then, Wilhelm? What good is there to come from that narrow view of yours? Too many Quincies hold onto the grudges of their ancestors and Commander Heinz himself knew that it would be a problem. He was the one that told Commander Demont to keep it from-" Her eyes widen and moved her head out of the way at the last second, avoiding a palm slamming against the metal walls with enough strength to leave a hand print in it.
"Don't you dare mention that stain on my kind in front of me, Hellena." He removed his hand from the wall, his eyes filled with a quiet rage. His eyes scanned down to his gut and saw one of Hellena's blades pressed against his gut with just enough pressure to be felt, but not pierce his flesh.
Hellena sheathed her blade, her eyes met his with coldly. "Control your temper Wilhelm. Next time, I'll bury my blade in your gut. Now follow me brat. You should at least meet the ones risking their lives for Seraphim." For the rest of the encounter, nothing else was said between them.
Soon the colonels had passed through two metal sliding doors after scanning their eyes and entered the labratory where Seraphim was going to take place. The main lab was separated from mutliple chambers where the volunteers were being kept, just in case something went horribly wrong. In total there were thirty volunteers for the experiment, the ones that were considered to be most suitable to undergo this experiment. These were the ones who had the highest chance of survival due to a unique physical and spiritual aspect that made them possibly compatible with the shinigami DNA, something that Hellena made a note to follow up if they survive.
"Ah, Colonel Amadeus! We have awaited your arrival and-" One of Hellena's scientists approached her, but froze in place when he saw that Wilhelm was with her. "M-ma'am Colonel Liebert isn't-!"
"I know what's going. Now out with it!" Wilhlem barked, causing the scientist to cower in terror.
"I, um, ah...Um experiment is ready to begin at your mark. We've gone over the equipment and data over and over again to make sure that we could still do this. All that's left is you to give us the go."
"Thank you, I'll go let the volunteers know." Hellena approached a control center with many buttons and switches on it. She pressed one button and said into an intercom, ""Brave soldiers, today is the first step into defeating the hollow threat once and for all and bring balance back to the world. You will all be making history today, but I'll remind you all once more. You may die from this and I understand if you want to back out. No one will judge you if you want to leave. If you wish to no longer take part of this experiment, then I'll give you time to leave. If you wish to continue, then stay in your chamber."
There was silence at that moment, then broken by metal doors opening and people leaving with their heads low from shame. There were now less than ten people taking part in the experiment now. "For those who stayed, we will begin the experiment. Some assistants will enter your rooms to administer the the serum."
