--
The glow of the holographic screen cast faint blue light across the darkened study. Alexi Steele sat alone, her fingers gliding over the interface, decrypting yet another file from her late father’s archives. Most had been mundane—financial reports, board minutes, and Council correspondence. But this one felt different. The label stood out: Project Genesis.
Her eyes narrowed as the screen loaded fragmentary data. The words “classified” and “experimental” appeared repeatedly, alongside grainy images of what looked like lab-grown humans in containment pods. Her stomach tightened.
She leaned closer, her pulse quickening. One name kept appearing in her father’s notes: Delta-13. Her father had written only one line beside it before the file abruptly ended: "Too dangerous to let them succeed."
“Genesis…” she whispered to herself. “What the hell were you involved in, Dad?”
The files were encrypted at a level beyond anything Alexi had ever seen, even for her father’s standards. Whatever this was, he’d gone to great lengths to protect it. Yet the fragmentary data wasn’t enough—she needed more.
Alexi glanced toward the elevator at the far side of the room, where a seamless panel concealed her greatest technological asset. “Let’s see what you can dig up, Wednesday.”
---
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Cloud 9 – Secret R&D Lab
The hidden facility beneath Alexi’s penthouse was a stark contrast to the sleek opulence above. Humming softly with energy, it was a playground of cutting-edge tech. At the center of it all stood Wednesday, encased in a cylindrical chamber of glass and steel, her glowing core pulsating like a heartbeat.
Alexi approached the console, her fingers hovering over the interface. “Wednesday, wake up.”
The AI activated immediately, its voice filling the room. “Good evening, Alexi. How may I assist you?”
“I need information on something called Project Genesis. It was buried in my father’s private files.”
A pause. Then, Wednesday replied, “Accessing.”
Lines of code and holographic fragments filled the air, a kaleidoscope of data spinning in front of Alexi. “Project Genesis,” the AI intoned. “A classified initiative focused on the genetic enhancement of human subjects. Initiated five years ago. Primary objective: creation of superior beings for covert operations.”
Alexi’s stomach dropped as more images surfaced—rows of containment pods, surgical schematics, and a single name repeated across multiple reports: Delta-13.
“What is Delta-13?” Alexi demanded.
“Designation: Subject Zero. Delta-13 is the only known successful prototype of the Genesis project. Enhanced strength, agility, and cognitive abilities. Current status: escaped containment three weeks ago.”
“Escaped?” Alexi’s voice sharpened. “How is that even possible?”
Wednesday hesitated. “Unknown. Delta-13’s escape coincides with the termination of Dr. Richard Steele. Correlation is likely.”
Alexi’s breath caught. “You’re saying my father’s death is tied to this project?”
“Affirmative. Dr. Steele flagged Project Genesis as a threat and attempted to shut it down. This action appears to have led to his elimination.”
Her fingers curled into fists. The confirmation was like a dagger to the heart. She had always suspected her father’s death wasn’t an accident, but now she had proof. And this “Delta-13” was the key to understanding it all.
“Who’s behind Genesis?” she asked, her voice cold.
“Data restricted,” Wednesday replied. “Further access requires higher clearance.”
Alexi let out a slow, measured breath. “Fine. Then give me a location on Delta-13.”
Wednesday’s core glowed brighter as it processed. “Locating… estimated time unknown. Delta-13 is actively evading detection.”
“Of course he is,” Alexi muttered under her breath. She turned away from the console, her mind racing. Whoever had created Genesis, whoever had killed her father, was powerful enough to bury this project—and they weren’t going to stop now.
“Find him, Wednesday,” Alexi said, her voice low. “And let me know the second you do.”
---
