Incandescent light created a soft luminous glow throughout the long stretch of halls, tiled in white linoleum and encompassed by sleek metallic walls. Silence hung heavily here, only off put by the sounds of footsteps reverberating softly off of the walls. Not even the soft hum of electricity was present, It felt as if this space hung between the balance of reality, and warped space, as if it were peculiar to exist at all. Jon straightened his uniform nervously, feeling hot even though precise intervals of vents kept him cool with gentle breezes, too soft to even ruffle his meticulously combed hair. He adjusting his clothing again, fretting over his appearance. Though, admittedly, he wasn't sure how he was supposed to look on a morning such as this. That hadn't kept him from ironing his clothes however, twice, or polishing his boots, also twice. In fact, he had spent most of his night free with his owns thoughts, finding purpose in preparing himself for a summons that may not come as soon as he had wished.

Thankfully, it had. A messenger had arrived in the early gray of the coming dawn, sweat laden upon his brow with the urgency of the information he held. A tightly sealed envelope, pressed with a wax seal and wrapped in red string was thrust into his hands. The messenger, dressed in the maroon robes of the Motum Messengers, was quick to leave. The emblem pressed onto the shoulder of his clothes took only a moment to fade as the man hurried onto his next delivery. Jon held the letter in his hands, the smooth vanilla paper felt like a lead weight in his hands. The potential for everything he had ever wanted rested with whatever was inside this envelope. His hopes, his dreams, his yearning to be a better soldier, to change the corruption and greed. In a way, his life rested between the perfectly creased folds of this tiny, insignificant thing, his fate resting within the ink pressed into its pages.

He had barely taken a third breath before his hands tore away the wrapping, leaving him only with the folded paper hidden within. He wasted no time, flipping open it's pages, the blank wax seal laying on the ground, the string slowly drifting away upon a phantom breeze. A wide smile spread on Jon's face as he read the two lines repeatedly, standing on his porch in nothing but a t-shirt and briefs. A time, and a set of coordinates. Nothing else. There was no way to confirm this was the message he was supposed to receive, but on the other hand, he didn't need to have it confirmed.

It took him a handful of minutes to throw on his normal uniform and lock his apartment. He walked briskly, avoiding running only because the heat was already setting upon the land and he didn't want to arrive disheveled. He found resisting the urge to run towards his destination difficult. His mind was racing, and the deep breathes he forced himself to take did little to soothe him.

Now, after racing across the desert in a pristine Humvee colored to blend with the sand, Jon found himself deep within a facility set against the base of Mount Nike. A scientist walked beside him, a rather pretty one at that. Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked, at a pace that could match any soldier's. She was the walking stereotype of science; constantly adjusting her glasses, a clipboard thick with papers clutched to her chest, a pen in her ear, and her hair in a tight, midnight black bun. Jon found all of that rather attractive, probably due to his upbringing. But he wasn't about to try any moves on her, he probably didn't even have high enough clearance to date her.

[color=greenyellow]”Stop fussing, we're almost there.”[/color] She said sternly, looking up at Jon. She was quite a bit shorter than he was, but the glare focusing on him through her glasses more than made up for it. She had that very obvious no-nonsense demeanor about her. Jon chose not to reply to her, instead he nodded, firmly letting his hands rest at his sides as the progressed further into the complex. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever as he passed door after door, like metal guardians silently watching him progress down the gleaming path of fate. He was excited, yet, he was also incredibly nervous. Not just because of the presence of such prestigious military personnel, or a location he had not the slightest clue existed. He was more worried about life, and death. It was very possible that he could die tonight, even though he has no desire to do so. But to live, would mean an incredible step for science, and for the wings.

Truth be told, this wasn't all originally his idea. He had heard something about the White Coats doing experiments on Immortals, all under the book of course. He had taken a great risk talking to the general, but you can't win if you don't play. He had put two and two together after hearing the rumors, that and with the report he had read on the A.R.K Terminals, well, you can't win if you don't play. And Jon loved winning.

His thoughts were interrupted as he and the scientist stopped before a pair of large metal doors. Above them a camera hummed as it dropped it's mechanical gaze downwards, until it was pointed at them. A moment later and a loud buzz and the doors opened. Jon noticed a plate off to the side as he was walking in; “Observation Deck C”. 'This place must be huge,' he thought to himself as he crossed the threshold.

[color=Indianred]”Ah, Jonathan, come sit,”[/color] General Paxton Bradley announced as he settled down into a leather chair with thick cushions. A column of thick smoke drifted upwards from his darkened silhouette, and the glint of a ornate glass filled with amber liquid made it evident he was drinking.

[color=cyan]”General, Sir,”[/color] Jonathan saluted briefly, before joining the General in an adjacent chair. A second glass sat near him, already filled. Next to the glass sat an open package of cigarettes, accompanied by a lighter. Jon smiled to himself, his worries melting away some, as he picked up the glass and took a sip.

[color=Indianred]”You're in for a real treat Jon, The Brains have been working on this for some time,”[/color] The General spoke through a thick cloud of smoke, settling back into his chair. Before the two of them a large section was replaced with what looked to be extremely thick glass, covered from the other side by linked metal plates. Other than the two chairs, and the small table between them, nothing else existed within the room than a terminal stand set off towards the right.

[color=springgreen]”I believe I can explain that better.”[/color] A voice spoke from behind Jon, causing him to pause from lightning the cigarette in his mouth to turn and look at the newcomer. A tall man, with a pointed nose and a sharp look about him walked across the room towards the terminal. The man brushed a hand through his chaotic, raven black hair, glancing towards Jon.

[color=springgreen]”You should first see what we're about to put into you,”[/color] The man stated, quite pointedly without any real emotion in his voice.

His fingers flashed across the terminal's keyboard, entering a series of commands and passwords. Jon sat back, awaiting the show as he took a long drag of calming, nicotine laced smoke into his lungs. He exhaled, turning towards the General.

[color=cyan]”Excuse me General Bradley Sir, yesterday you mentioned something about my brother?”[/color] Jon asked, just remembering the thought himself. Though now, he was quite curious what his brother had to do with all of this.

[color=orangered]”I think I may be of help here,”[/color] A familiar voice spoke as the doors buzzed open once again. The squeaking wheels of a metal gurney also accompanied the newest arrival. Jon didn't need to get up to identify him, however, he did anyways. A wide smile spread across his face, and a warmth filled his heart, [color=cyan]”Grayson... it has been some time,”[/color] Jon said, forcing himself to maintain a neutral composure.

[color=Indianred]”Don't be such a Stiff Jon, I promise not to look.”[/color] Paxton chimed in, chuckling to himself.

At that Jon let his wall down, emotion taking over. He ran over and swept his little brother up in a large hug. The squealing, laughing teen fought back playfully.

[color=orangered]”Hey! Put me down you brute!”[/color] Grayson teased as he laughed mirthfully. Jon did set him down, but his hands remained on his shoulders as he looked Grayson in the eyes, studying him.

[color=cyan]”Look how you've grown! You're starting to look just like Dad,”[/color] He said, laughing and ruffling his younger brother's hair.

[color=orangered]”If I live to get that old, please, just kill me,”[/color] Grayson responded, sending them both into fits of laughter.

The tall, dark haired scientists cleared his throat, obviously impatient for things to move along.

[color=greenyellow]”I believe Doctor Nevvo would like to move things along,”[/color] The woman who had accompanied Jon into the room said.

[color=springgreen]”Thank you Doctor Adison. Grayson? If you don't mind.”[/color] Nevvo said, quirking an eyebrow as he gestured to the metal gurney Grayson had wheeled in. Jon took his first good look at the metal cart, composed of four wheels, a push bar, and two shelves. On either shelf similar black cases rested, made from thickened metal and secured by a keypad lock.

Grayson cleared his throat, adjusting his lab coat before beginning, [color=orangered]“In Accordance to project Kyrios, my team and I have developed the equipment you'll be using upon successful completion of the symbioses process.”[/color] Jon barely had time to actually process the words before Grayson continued.

[color=orangered]”The developed armor has already been tested, and will be displayed later. However, here I have two examples of the weaponry that will be provided.”[/color] Grayson said, sounding very formal as he punched in the code to unlock the first case. He flipped the lid back, revealing a padded interior housing an array of gadgetry. Among them an assortment of metallic canisters, each with a pull pin.

[color=orangered]”Here we have, Incendiary, Concussive, and Fragmentation Grenades,”[/color] He gestured to each one in turn, [color=orangered]”This here however, is an explosive putty.”[/color]

Grayson opened a protective satchel casing, revealing a cream colored putty. He scooped some of it up, rolling it into a ball. [color=orangered]”This is C-5 explosive putty, it needs a spark or an open flame to ignite, no amount of kinetic force can set it off,”[/color] He proved his last statement by throwing the ball at the wall behind him. It made a loud 'SPLCH” as it stuck to the wall, losing its round shape. Jon stuck a finger in the putty curiously. It had a consistency like firm toothpaste.
[color=orangered]”These are the ignition devices, you have timed;”[/color] He gestured to a black cylinder, with chrome colored claw feet and a dial on the top,[color=orangered]”These timers can be set up to one hour.”[/color] He gesture to the next set of cylinders, only slightly different, [color=orangered]”These have an antenna instead of a dial. They ignite when the signal from your armor's wrist piece is received. These metal claws here, are designed to bind with the putty after a few seconds, to ensure firm placement. Also remember, if all else fails, an open spark or flame will also ignite the putty, as I stated earlier.”[/color] Grayson took a breath, his cheeks slightly flushed. Jon smiled and nodded towards him comfortingly, trying to make it obvious that he felt Grayson was doing a good job.

Doctor Nevvo however, seemed less pleased as he cleared his throat once more. Grayson snapped the first case closed, and swapped it with the second case from the undercarriage. [color=orangered]”This,”[/color] He began, punching in a different code to open this case, [color=orangered]”Is a modified Scar-H combat rifle. It comes equipped with variable zoom and optic range finder, burst and single shot, laser dot, mounted flashlight, and features low recoil with high precision. It utilizes forty-five round magazines, firing standard 7.62x51mm rounds.”[/color]

Jon eyed the rifle longingly. It was beautiful. It was perhaps, the most beautiful gun he had ever laid his eyes upon. [color=Cyan]”Fancy Gun, and a vigilante revolver?”[/color] He queried, motioning towards the long barreled revolver also set within the case.

[color=orangered]”Yes, a present from Mom and Dad.”[/color] Grayson replied.

[color=springgreen]”Yes, yes, that's all very sweet, but there is a lot to do. Your seat, Jon.”[/color] Doctor Nevvo spoke, irritation heavy in his voice. Apparently he was used to the fast paced lifestyle of science and intrigue, something Jon had been familiar with in his earlier years as a child. He winked at Grayson, shaking his hand, [color=cyan]”Thank you, Doctor Grayson,”[/color] causing the teen to go red in his face as Jon turned to take his seat once more.

A puff of air let out as Jon planted himself once more in his seat. The cigarette he had been holding had burned out without him noticing. That was of no matter, as Jon simply took another.

[color=greenyellow]”Doctor Nevvo and I,”[/color] Doctor Adison began,[color=greenyellow]”Have been leading the team in Hollow research. More specifically, we've finally been able to find out what makes the Immortals so.. unique. They're not gifted warriors, or magicians. They have a symbiotic relationship with a variant strain of the Sickness. It attaches to the heart, and replicates itself onto the red blood cells, unlike the sickness, which doesn't even go near the red blood cells until the very end stage.[/color]

Doctor Adison walked towards the glass, still covered by the protective metal screen, [color=greenyellow]”An Immortal does not use the power, rather he thinks about using it and the Spark creates the phenomena in accordance with the neural patterns that the host is emitting. Prolonged use increases the heart rate, which increases the blood flow, which increases the need for the Spark to replicate itself on the higher rate of cells passing through the heart. Blood circulates throughout the body in about one minute, so from this we concur that the Spark's replications only survive that long. Or, there are speculations that use of the power actually kills the replications, which would result in the need for a faster circulation and replication, putting more strain on the heart. Prolonged use results in heart failure, killing both the host and the spark, normally.”[/color]

She motions towards Doctor Nevvo, who inputs the final command into the terminal. The metal screen squeals loudly as it is pulled back into the ceiling, revealing a room practically glowing fluorescent white. Nothing exists but a stretcher, bolted to the floor, and a door. On the stretcher a man fights his restraints, cursing and yelling excessively. Doctor Adison nods towards Doctor Nevvo once more, this time muting the noise coming from within the chamber.

[color=greenyellow]”We've learned that the Spark is contracted by the host, but really develops dependently based on extreme conditions. A host with the spark who finds themselves drowning, may develop an affinity for water, adapting to it as the Spark allows. Here, we have the test subject, and here,”[/color] She paused. Doctor Nevvo, taking the cue, inputs another series of commands.

From the ceiling a thick glass barrier descends around the patient, his eyes wide with fear. [color=cyan]”What is that?”[/color] Jon asks, leaning forward in his chair, peering through a recently formed cloud of smoke.

[color=greenyellow]”That is a protective barrier, much like the one separating us from the other room,”[/color] Doctor Adison held up a hand, cutting off Jon before he could even ask his half formed question, [color=greenyellow]”Just watch.”[/color]

Another series of taps from the terminal, resulting in the farthest wall of the containment room to shift. A sliver of a line parts down the direct center of it, pulling the two halves apart slowly. The revealed room is pitch black, so dark that the luminescent white lights of the patient's room barely penetrates the darkness. A loud whir resounds throughout the observation deck. Jon leans a little closer curiously, watching the back end of the hidden room come closer.

[color=cyan]”Is that wall moving closer?”[/color] Jon asks, ashing his cigarette on the floor, as the General had been doing.

[color=springgreen]”Mmn, Yes. It's pushing the spark out of it's hiding place. It really prefers the darkness.”[/color] Nevvo confirmed.

[color=cyan]”The spark?..”[/color] Jon let the question hang, his curiosity firmly grabbed as the wall moved closer. It almost seemed as if there was a darker patch of.. well, darkness. He squinted, trying to make out the shape. He leaned a little closer, his breath frozen as he stared at the slightly wiggling mass.

An ear shattering screech tore through the room, causing its occupants to cry out in pain, excluding Doctor Adison and Doctor Nevvo, who seemed prepared for such a thing, merely grimacing as the horrible sound echoed through the rooms. The wall came flush and the wiggling black mass flashed across the room, smashing into the viewing window violently with an audible bang. Jon stared at it open mouthed, it's wispy form seemed almost ethereal. In fact, it looked almost, human.

[color=springgreen]”What you're looking at, is the mature form of the Spark, without its symbiotic state,”[/color] Doctor Nevvo said, walking up towards the glass. The smokey black creature pounded relentlessly on the glass, as if focused on Doctor Nevvo himself. Each strike was accompanied by a loud bang, and every time Jon's heart jumped a little bit.

[color=indianred]”My God Nevvo, you said progress, but this is astounding,”[/color] General Bradley exclaimed, breaking his silence.

[color=springgreen]”Quite,”[/color] Nevvo replied. [color=springgreen]”The Spark needs a symbiotic relationship with us to grow and mature, but once achieved, is unable to separate itself. However, we achieved this using a thermonuclear gene splicer.”[/color]

The Spark flashed across the containment room once more, throwing itself against the glass barrier between those watching it, and itself, or rather, the barrier separating it and Nevvo. It stopped suddenly, it's form shifting in the blink of an eye as it noticed the patient, who had all but been silent with fear. It screamed once more, crossing the distance faster than Jon's eyes could follow.

[color=greenyellow]”The Spark has a need, an attraction, to rejoin with its host. This desire is atomic, and cannot be resisted by either party should they come into close proximity. Without another host the Spark will die, it's image becoming less clear, like an unstable video signal, until it fades away entirely. We have removed the original host, which is why the Spark has such a violent nature, all it wants is to rejoin, to live. However, it can bond with a new host, but only under extreme conditions. These conditions do not need to be met for it to rejoin with its previous host, and the phenomena associated between them will be... rekindled.”[/color]

Doctor Adison let her fingers trail across the glass, an almost motherly look upon her face. [color=greenyellow]”We're unable to discern what the phenomena has to do with the symbiotic relationship. But, apart, neither the Spark nor the prior Host can utilize the phenomena. If a new host, and the Spark, are both placed under an extreme condition in close proximity, they will bond, and form a new phenomena. Watch.”[/color]

Jon's eyes widened as the glass barrier rose once more into the ceiling, leaving the restrained man vulnerable. The Spark stopped, its body seeming to quiver at the new state of affairs. It waited. [color=springgreen]”This Spark has been split, and bonded three times previous. We have no inclinations that this should not yield the same result. However, the Spark is almost ethereal, it has the consistency of smoke, and the room must remain air tight.”[/color]

The observation deck was silent as everybody watched. The only audible noises were that of their breath, and the loud tap of Nevvo entering a command into the terminal. A second later and the containment room filled with roiling waves of fire. The speakers were obviously muted as the man screamed in pain. Jon watched as the fire burned away the man's skin, watched as the man clawed at his own eyes. The restraints burnt away and the man fell to the floor, rolling in agony. The Spark however, seemed entirely unaffected, as it walked closer to the man. It sighed loudly, its airy voice transmitting through the soundless speakers, as it dissolved into trails of smoke which entered into the burning man's body.

[color=cyan]”How can we hear it?”[/color] Jon asked, only slightly disturbed by the sight before him. Watching a man burnt alive wasn't so different from watching one being torn to pieces by a hollow.

[color=greenyellow]”We're not sure, it's.. [i]voice[/i].. transmits across electrical frequencies, even if the speaker is broken,”[/color] Doctor Adison revealed, utterly fascinated by the scene before her.

Eventually the man stopped spasming, at which point Jon presumed he had died. He sat back in his chair, taking a long drag from a freshly lit cigarette. He shot a quick glance towards Grayson, who seemed to be doing his best to steel himself from his emotions. Though, the teen still looked sick to his stomach. [color=orangered]”Excuse me,”[/color] Grayson murmured, wheeling the cart away as he exited the room, sparking a chuckle from the General.

[color=indianred]”He’s still young, I bet you’re proud of him,”[/color] Paxton commented through a slate gray cloud forming around his head.

[color=cyan]”I am,”[/color] Jon agreed, watching the scene with a quiet resolve. The man had finally stopped moving. That, however, only lasted a moment. Jon felt himself compelled to lean closer once more as the body began moving.

[color=indianred]”Hm,”[/color] The General added, a finger tapping against his chin as he curiously watched the scene unfold.

[color=springgreen]”As you can see,”[/color] Doctor Nevvo started, explaining what was happening,[color=springgreen]”We’ve put the Spark in an extreme environment, with an available host. Though not preferable to the Spark, from what we’ve observed, its intelligence allows it to comprehend the situation its in. We’re not sure how intelligent these things actually are.”[/color] 

As Nevvo spoke, the man stood up. His skin was cracked like hot, molten earth, and his eyes actually admitted small flames. He laughed hysterically, obviously the trauma of what had just happened still left him in a state of shock. Nevvo tapped his fingers across the terminal, killing the inferno filling the observation room. Despite that, the test subject still remained ablaze. He seemed to realize what was happening as he stuck a blackened palm towards the viewing windown. A jet of fire expelled from his hand, blasting against the clear glass surface of the window, though it left no visible marks.

[color=greenyellow]”Don’t worry,”[/color] Doctor Adison said through a smile as she replaced Nevvo at the terminal,[color=greenyellow]”We’re perfectly safe”[/color]

Nevvo crossed the cold white floor to the window, a pattern of intrigue working across his face. [color=springgreen]”It’s definitely learning..”[/color] He murmured, his chin resting in his hand, the adjacent elbow held in a relaxed posture by the opposite hand.

[color=cyan]”What was that?”[/color] Jon asked, unable to make out clearly what Nevvo was mumbling.

Doctor Nevvo looked up, a twitch of irritation pulling at his eyes as Jon pulled him from his thoughts,[color=springgreen]”What? Oh, No, Nothing.”[/color]

Jon’s curiosity was turned away from Nevvo as a metal fence rose up from the very edges of the floor. He also noted that the medical gurney the subject had been strapped to was gone. The man stopped what he was doing, watching the fence as it came closed to him. The subject threw his head back, howling with ferocity as he attacked the fence will all he had.

[color=springgreen]”It seems this subject is rejecting the Spark..”[/color] Nevvo mused quietly to himself. Jon didn’t bother asking him what this meant, his attention was focused on the metal fence that was now pressed tightly against the man to the point where he could no longer move his limbs without touching it.

[color=greenyellow]”Now, using a combination of electromagnetic pulses to trigger a key sequence of neural events, and our thermonuclear splicer..”[/color] Addison commented, letting the last end of her sentence trail off as she focused on the terminal. The door leading into the room opened, and a figure in a white hazmat suit entered. The subject snarled, a wave of firing smashing against the fence.

[color=indianred]”An electrostatic barrier, clever,”[/color] The General mused. Jon had no idea General Bradley had any scientific inclination whatsoever, but he was thankful for the explanation. Even if he didn’t truly understand it. The hazmat person pressed a small, metallic looking through the fence. Jon’s trained eye noticed the dart it fired into the subject, if only briefly. It took mere seconds for the subject to slump against the fence, unconscious. The hazmat scientist produced a set of diodes, sticking them to the unconscious subject’s cranium. Both of the diodes had long wires, with the hazmat scientist clipped to the fence.

[color=greenyellow]”Using electricity channeled through the fence we can stimulate the subject with a high powered current. The diodes will allow us to direct bursts of electricity to mimic a neural pattern needed for separation,”[/color] Doctor Addison said. She pressed a key and the fence lit up with a fizzle of blue energy. The subject didn’t stay unconscious for long as his eyes flew open, his body frozen with the current passing throughout his body.

[color=springgreen]”There’s something more to this Spark we’ve been unable to figure out. It responds to a neural pattern that is closely associated with those one exhibits while sleeping, or meditating. When the conscious is in a relaxed, or dormant state,”[/color] Nevvo said. Jon wasn’t quite sure if he was explaining for his sake, or if Nevvo was simply talking to himself.

Before Jon had a chance to look away from Nevvo and impossibly bright flash blinded his sight. 

[color=greenyellow]”Splice complete,”[/color] Addison reported.

Jon blinked rapidly, willing away the black spots dancing about in his vision. As focused back on the observation room, which looked once more as it did when he had first arrived, but without the restraints and gurney. Which no longer seemed to be needed, as the subject’s corpse was currently sprawled out on the floor. Huddled against one side of the room was the Spark, once more in it’s ghostly form. The back wall cracked open, revealing the dark room. Jon barely saw the Spark moved as it flashed across the distance and into the reclusive darkness.

[color=indianred]”I am highly impressed, and as soon as we are done here you’re funding is going to be approved for the next year,”[/color] General Bradley said, clapping a very soft and slow rhythm. 

[color=greenyellow]”Thank you General Bradley, Sir, You don’t know what this means to us,”[/color] Doctor Adison said breathlessly, showing the first real emotion Jon had seen since meeting her.

[color=indianred]”That may be true. but I know what this means to me,”[/color] The General said, wearing a sly grin.

[color=greenyellow]”Of course sir, we’re already working on a way for the process to be less fatal,”[/color] Adison admitted, excitement evident in her voice. Apparently funding was a big deal to her.

[color=indianred]”Nevermind that. I want you to devote more focus on replicating different phenomena. I understand at the moment you have this fire and ice theme going on?”[/color] He asked.

[color=springgreen]”Mmnh, Yes. We can create the same environment using cryofreeze. It’s danger is exponentially more than that of the fire, as the latter is a much slower process. Though, with careful calculation-”[/color]

[color=cyan]”And a stroke of luck?”[/color] Jon interrupted.

Doctor Nevvo shot him a glare that could possibly kill a small mammal, [color=springgreen]”We’re scientists Jon, we don’t believe in luck,” He spat venomously.[/color] 

[color=indianred]”Good. Sign the Wraiths up for Cryo, the application of such a thing is of far higher value,”[/color] The General ordered.

[color=greenyellow]”Yes sir.”[/color]
[color=springgreen]”As you wish.”[/color]

The two scientists spoke almost in unison as they nodded. A second later they exited the room with urgency in their strides. Jon figured there was some preparation to be done, he doubted they were going to use a room like the one he had spent the last few hours observing. A cold feeling was set in his stomach, but he had learned to ignore his fear a long time ago, especially when excitement and adrenaline were pouring through his veins.

[color=indianred]”Scared Jon?”[/color] The General asked, looking at him.

[color=cyan]”No Sir. Excited,”[/color] Jon replied.

[color=indianred]”Good, that’s what I like to hear soldier.”[/color]