Read Project GENESIS :: STAGE ONE: Ch 1

This story starts with a war, the war that ended in a call for Union among all nations. In order to form the union and pick up the mess created by what was believed to be the final world wide conflict, three main countries of the newly established union devised a treaty to better meet each other's needs and wants. Part of the treaty, however, called for the two that started the conflict to both create weapons to give to the third, who promised to end both countries if yet another conflict began. The people saw it as a small price for peace and took the offer without any hesitation. The world, for the first time, was at least gilded in a false peace, lasting now for almost a century. But what was being kept far below that embellished surface, Achon's disturbed reality, couldn't be kept hidden forever. Away from the buzzing city and its meaningless noise, away from the life it held within itself. So far off into the dying ocean, once known as the Atlantic, that its raging waves were the only company for miles and one would be lulled to sleep by the roaring of the tired ocean. The water was the only one who knew of the secret that lived among it, until it carelessly carried the same secret to the wasted shores of Echo city. This place, this organization, known as Mission-X, was Achon's way of holding up its end of the treaty. However, there was something more going on, something far more dark and sinister, perhaps even evil. But that is not what the whole story is about, in fact it is only a tiny facet in a much greater tale, and it is up to the future generations to determine who was working in the name of Justice. Well, that is only if this peace lasts long enough for this to be resolved.

_____________*Scorpion*____________

Murmurs echoed through the poorly lit hallway as hoards of men, women, and children passed through the old building. Whether they were seeking shelter from the rain or looking to speak with the council whose makeshift court was currently located there, the Solidarity Tower was buzzing with the same news. Those brave enough to venture into the tower were usually the same people who had nowhere else to go. The council that resided in the building, called the Brotherhood, was one to be feared. It regulated most of the criminal activity in the city; feeding off of almost every criminal and gang, and giving out punishments when said gangs and criminals did not comply with their wishes. But today, the council would be meeting the one who had managed to avoid the dictation of the Brotherhood. The one person who the Brotherhood themselves feared. The conversation going on behind the closed doors leading to the Brotherhood was occupied by the same one going on outside.

"So...what you tellin' me....we, all six of us, have been out outsmarted by some..punk ass kid for TWO years?!"

"To be fair, Sixth, he had been using the others as cover. I knew we should have checked up on each member!"

"You are both acting childish! What matters now is that we've figured him out."

"Fourth Brother, you must not see how much that matters. This kid has selfishly taken, disregarding of the policy we have worked to maintain. Everything done in this city has been to benefit us, less fortunate."

"They're saying he has even killed some of our brothers. No one knows if it is true. What would the punishment for that, along with all of his other offenses be?"

"Aww bullshit. I, for one, wanna see this lil worm pay! Youse all know how hard we work and what we do when someone messes wit us!"

"They say this one is actually dangerous. They revere him as if he is the Message Man himself-"

"Do not bring a dead man into this, Second. We've seen where his sin got him. This is something completely different. We cannot let this one go, as we did with Sugita."

The council, cloaked in darkness, sat arguing and debating until the large doors to the room swung open, reveling a young man escorted by two Brotherhood guards. The man moved reluctantly, as if he were timing an attack to escape the council's punishment, but never made an actual move. An unkempt mass of white curly hair and a metal mask hid his face from the room, but his light brown skin that could be seen was distorted with few scars from prior conflicts. He was a strange sight; something about this one was different from others.

"If you are the one they call Sasori Himada, come forward, and remove the mask," Commanded the First, head of the council.

Hesitating before reaching up and taking off the mask that covered the lower half of his face, he refused to lift his head. He walked to the center of the room boldly, as if to say he had no regrets with the sins he committed against the Brotherhood. And the truth was he had none.

"You will face the council while you are being spoken to," demanded the Fourth in an attempt to faze the young man. But he stood still, not acknowledging the woman's words.

The Sixth sat confused, looking as the specimen that stood before. Though this one looked strong, the danger that was said he possessed was not at all apparent. This young man, who could be no older then nineteen, was far to striking to have had to resort to a life of crime. He was too, in a strange way, innocent looking to be the one responsible for the accused deeds.

"Hows did a young bastard like you get a menacing name like Scorpion!? You standin here, barely lookin worthy of being the lowest of criminals. How is you Scorpion?"

"You should pray," he finally spoke, his voice taking away the picture of innocence, "that you never find that one out."

The voice of the Second broke the newly made unease in the room, "Are you aware of the treachery you have committed?"

"I have no one's trust to betray. I am loyal to none."

"Do you know what you have done to this city."

"Yes."

"Do you plea forgiveness?"

"No."

"Therefore, you accept the Brotherhood's punishment for you."

"I am not under your creed-"

"Enough!" The voice of the First silenced the room once again. "This man has clearly wronged us and the city with all knowing of his actions."

"Pretty boy thoughts defiance could save his sorry ass!"

"Himada," Fifth stated in all seriousness, "you have confessed to your works. We are free to give you proper punishments for your acts."

"You. Have. Nothing. Over. Me."

His sudden words pierced the room, and gave the unease more room to grow. The council had never experienced that level of defiance.

"I beg your pa-"

"You have no authority. Hell, I don't even know why I stayed here for so long! Whatever punishment you give me will have no affect. You don't know who I am. You don't understand what I am."

They knew right then, their hearts filled with genuine terror, that they were dealing with something more. The council finally lost its power over something. And though that something was quite small, it undoubtedly held an unimaginable amount of power. They did nothing from stopping him from leaving the tower and continuing his ways in the city-they knew they couldn't. As they regrouped and prepared for the next hearing, the Second made an observation, "Third, you had no words in the hearing?"

The woman slightly shuddered, "They were right. Sugita wasn't the last one. There is always one more."

________________________