Rouge Chapter 1.

Her name was unclear to her, but she knew it vaguely. It was like a dream, focusing and fading all the time. When she couldn’t quite remember though, she felt cold and alone. She felt as if she no longer existed. She felt like an empty shell, with no meaning and no reason. Yet her mind was still perfectly alive, perhaps more alive than ever. Her body felt alive as well. She felt powerful, charged, and ready to take on any physical contest. It was a different feeling to how she remembered it last, very different. No longer was she the weak girl that cowered under the fists. No longer did she feel the fear of him ripping her clothing away as he called her a slut and a bitch. No longer did she feel the pain, the sorrow, the hate of when he raped her. But all that is the past. She didn’t care. She was someone new now. She wouldn’t scream anymore, and crying is out of her league. She was empty and soulless now, no trace of any true emotions. No knowledge of why or how this strangeness has happened to her. Not even a true purpose she can rely on.1

Laginas Island: - North East of Anguilla Island: - Caribbean Island Chain2

Seras Agency: - Branch Cerberus: - Sigma Facility3

31st December: - Year 2008: - 23.52 GMT -4.04

The chopper flew towards the patch of twinkling lights in the distance, through the silent night and over the black wavering ocean. Under cover of darkness, the helicopter had left from Dreamland (or what most people now call Area 51) to deliver an important personnel with an equally important package to the restricted area of Laginas Island, a ‘Cerberus’ branch facility of the Seras Agency.5

The AW Grand helicopter was a luxury vehicle, rarely used by the air force, let alone as a black operations air transport. However, this one had been outfitted especially for this trip to the tiny Caribbean island. The outer paintwork was black and the windscreens were tinted. Countermeasure systems had been installed and special gyrostabilisers had been fitted to make the craft more silent and to give additional stability during flight, for this delivery was far too important to lose. The black sky above was clear of clouds tonight, displaying the wondrous lights of the heavens and a full moon that hung above the horizon, casting a shimmering silver reflection on the ocean surface. The only sign of life in this darkness was the mass of lights upon a small island which the chopper drew nearer and nearer to. The island was so small; it might as well be just a very, very large rock. Yet as the craft descended, a whole complex took shape atop the small mass of land. A large helipad was there, jutting out over the cliff face like a shelf, the lights flashing red to guide the chopper down.6

Inside the compartment of the Grand, three men sat silently. Two of them were crisp and hard looking, black suits and ties encasing faultless white shirts. Each had an earpiece in their right ears and they were obviously government agents of some sort. They sat with their backs to the cockpit and were watching the ocean below them through the dark tinted glass. The other individual sat opposite to the two agents, wearing a more casual business suit with a blue striped tie. A small name tag at his chest showed his name to be only ‘Mister Alexson’. The man’s grey eyes were shadowed by his low brow and the dry, rusty lips seemed to be quite a contrast to the short black hair. This man also had a suitcase resting upon his lap and the glow of the cabin lights reflected off the metallic casing and made the man’s grey eyes twinkle. He moved his hands to wipe his eyes and an emblem became visible upon the silver metal of the case, a coiled serpent in a circle, adorned by a pair of angelic wings.7

“We have arrived at destination, Cerberus Sigma.” The male voice of the pilot spoke from the cockpit area. The inside of the AW Grand was surprisingly quiet for a helicopter. “Time is twelve oh five. Prepare for landing procedures.”8

The three men clipped themselves into the leather seats with the safety belts. The two agents seemed slightly relieved that this long flight was finally over, but the other man, mister Alexson seemed annoyed. His tired looking eyes were watching the lights of the island complex outside as they descended. He swallowed and gently patted the metal case. This night was far from over. He was here on important business and he wouldn’t be seeing mainland for a week, and the same went for the two agents although their job was effectively over. This delivery that he was about to make was of uttermost importance and was highly confidential. He was in some sense a very important person. The agents only had to make sure that he made it back alive, no questions asked.9

The chopper finished its descent, landing upon the helipad with a thump, the hollow beats of the rotors echoing into the night and across the ocean. The gust that the propellers blew up from the ground made dust and ocean spray fly. The red lights upon the helipad continued to twinkle, and a man and a woman, both dressed smartly as if they worked in a bank, came out from the compound entrance to welcome the arrivals. As the entrance closed, another insignia was printed upon the sliding doors. Another pair of angel wings, sandwiching a circle this time with a snarling wolf’s head in it.10

The passenger door on the side of the chopper opened, and one of the agents stepped out, keeping his jacket closed with one hand and taking the offered metal suitcase from mister Alexson with the other. The man himself then followed suit and stepped from the chopper cabin, nodding to the agent and taking the case back. The third agent then exited and all three men walked towards the two greeters, ducking slightly to stay stable from the updraft of the helicopter which blew their blazers up into a flutter.11

The woman was dressed in an office jacket and skirt and wore glasses. She looked like a good stereotypical example of an office lady. Her blonde hair, which was tied back in a ponytail, was flapping madly behind her head. Her dark blue eyes were squinting slightly from the chopper’s gust and she hurried forward to shake the hand of the newly arrived VIP. She had to shout in order to make herself heard over the thumps of the helicopter engine.12

“Good evening! Welcome to Cerberus Sigma! My name’s Julia Ingras! I’m the senior research director here.” She shook the businessman’s hand excitedly but cringed when he crushed hers in his unnecessarily strong grip. “This here is Michael Dunham. He’s a research coordinator and your guide for the week. Please, follow me!”13

They let each other go to the woman’s relief and began walking towards the entrance with the one called Michael in the lead. Mister Alexson followed Julia and the two agents tagged along behind. The helicopter budged and began to lift off from the landing pad. Mister Alexson spared one quick look behind him. There goes the only transport out of this island. From now on, the game would be put into motion. Changes will be coming soon whether everyone wanted them or not. Mister Alexson could only ponder upon the knowledge. He’s got a long week ahead of him.14

+++++15

The door to Julia’s apartment slid open and the woman herself stepped in, hearing the door slide shut after her. She closed her eyes and sighed as she leaned back on the metallic entrance. She had just finished giving the newcomer a brief tour of their facility here on Laginas Island and not a single moment of it did the feeling of annoyance ever leave her. It was that black haired man. She didn’t like him, not one bit. If anything, she could despise him. He obviously had a problem with her, or maybe just against women in general. Not once did he talk to her in a respectable manner and she was a senior member of staff here! Maybe because she was at the age of twenty eight? Perhaps he looked down upon all those who were younger than him? Julia knew that she was quite special in her position, being the senior research director here at a Cerberus branch facility of the Seras agency at such a young age, but that just goes to prove that she was more than capable of handling hard work. What was that man’s problem? Sure, he was one of the most important members on the board of directors for the agency, but they would be nothing without the effort and labour that comes from the lower downs like her.16

Julia shook her head and pulled the band out of her hair, letting the strands wash down her back. She took off her smart jacket and threw it onto her bed. She didn’t even bother to click on the lights. A preference for darkness at this time of night wasn’t unusual, she thought. Besides, that great big moon outside provided enough twilight through the window for her to see where she was going. She could do with a shower, finally. The time was two in the morning and she still had to get up early tomorrow. Her working hours here on the island were just bizarre sometimes. She needed her rest like everyone else. But, who was she to complain. Comfort was certainly guaranteed here.17

Here on the island, everything that could be seen of the complex from the air was a few offices, the foyer and the accommodations. The actual labs and research zones were underground, or inside the island to be more exact. Every member of staff here had their own apartment, though they weren’t exactly apartments. More like a comfortably sized study bedrooms, each equipped with an en suite. Julia was lucky enough to be on the side of the facility, therefore granting her a window. It would drive her crazy to be living in one of these ‘apartments’ without a port to the outside world. Julia needed her comfort zones. The apartments reminded her of the residential halls that you find on university campuses, each corridor with a certain number of these living quarters. The main room has a bed, a bedside cabinet, a wardrobe, some shelves on the walls, and a desk complete with office chair and computer (which currently had the Cerberus branch emblem rotating in the middle of the screen as the screensaver, those angel wings and the encircled wolf’s head). The en suite bathrooms had a box shower, a sink, and a toilet. Julia had brought a lot of her own stuff along when she had moved here to begin her work. A large, full body mirror, colourful desk lamps, a furry rug, and small ceramic ornaments were just a few. She couldn’t live in a place without colour or life. She’d rather live outside otherwise.18

Julia kicked off her pumps and slumped into the bathroom, flicking the light on. The sudden glare made her curse as she narrowed her eyes. The bathroom wasn’t big, but it didn’t have to be. Julia closed the door and stripped herself of her garments, stepping into the box naked and clicking on the shower. The hot water that rained down on her was like heaven. Julia hung her head under the spray for a while with her eyes closed, enjoying the liquid warmth that ran down her whole body. She rubbed her aching legs and massaged her breasts, rolling her head around to release some of the tension that had built up in her muscles. Warmth and pleasure rushed through her veins and Julia welcomed it with her soul.19

Sometimes, she didn’t know why she agreed to work here on this facility in the middle of nowhere. At the time, the promotion to senior research director had seemed like a very good incentive, and plus, the Cerberus branch had some of the most top secret and highly valued facilities in the Seras agency. Julia, being naïve, had thought this all sounded like a good adventure. Yet, she never anticipated the stress or the physical and mental requirements. Her work made her feel highly uncomfortable sometimes, especially with the female subject of theirs that they were working on right now. It made Julia feel guilty. Was what she was doing really well? Was it acceptable? She always told herself that her job was for global protection, that she was doing her part in building a better future. Yet, she could never forget that agitating voice in her head that told her she was a horrid person, that she was bad for ruining an innocent life, that she was evil. Julia hated her own guts sometimes. Why did she even join up with this agency in the first place? The pay was very good, but was it worth the stress, loss of freedom, and the self-loathing? Julia shook her head and ran her hands backwards through her wet hair. And to add to the annoyance factor, she was the youngest female member of staff here on the island. That was bad enough, but there were just over one hundred and fifty people here on the island, of which only thirty something were female. Julia was one of them and therefore, coupled with her above average looks, attracted a lot of unwanted attention from most of the men. Like the majority of the staff here, Julia was single, but that didn’t mean she was looking, work was enough to keep her busy. Staff members were allowed to travel to the mainland on very rare and special occasions, which meant they were all effectively stuck here. Julia had been at the facility for nearly eight months now, she had missed Christmas. That was far too long and unacceptable. She had built up good relationships with the vast majority of the staff members here, but not a single one meant anything more than a good friend. It’s just been too long and she could really do with some sex. She was sure that a lot of the men would be more than happy to volunteer, but being stuck on an island wouldn’t turn Julia into a slut. She’d rather keep to herself for now.20

The hot water continued to smooth along her back and Julia let out an exasperated sigh as she rubbed her fingers between her thighs. She could do with letting off a bit of steam. Tomorrow would likely be another long day. She had to meet the facility chief too to discuss some things about their current subject and Julia was always nervous when facing the big cheese here. She was still young and disliked one on one meetings. Julia moaned as she rubbed herself harder, feeling heat and pleasure rush through her body, flushing out the annoyance and tension of the day. At least she could let herself go when she most needed it. For some strange reason, the chief’s face filled her mind and under normal circumstances, would have freaked her out, but Julia continued anyway. It was simply pleasant and that was all that mattered.21

+++++22

And at that moment, the big cheese himself was walking down a wide, white lit corridor with the newly arrived VIP. They had had a brief discussion about the week ahead and had exchanged the important package earlier, after Doctor Julia Ingras had left. 23

“So how far behind of schedule are you?” Mister Alexson said with a side glance towards the chief of operations, who was dressed smartly in a grey suit. His emerald eyes settled on the chief’s dark grey ones and seemed to radiate caution. Mister Alexson was average in height at more or less five foot nine, but the chief of operations was taller, at perhaps five ten. Yet, despite the advantage in size the chief had over mister Alexson, there was a strange tension between the two. It was as if the chief understood a mysterious aggression that mister Alexson had, and was keen not to get too close.24

“I assure you, we’re perfectly on track. Doctor Ingras must have filled you in on our current situation.” The chief said with a perfectly smooth and calm tone. He knew that the man walking beside him was of higher position than himself within the agency, indeed of the highest position, but he wasn’t one to be intimidated.25

“That girl guide?” The VIP gave a hollow laugh. “Lucas, I still don’t understand why you selected that schoolgirl to be on your board of senior members of staff, let alone the director of research.”26

The chief, or Lucas, stayed calm, his face expressionless as he listened without question to the other’s complaints. The man reached and brushed his dark brown hair back, never shifting his eye away from the path in front of him. He had no intention of meeting the VIP’s eye.27

“I believe you understand that being the chief of operations for a Cerberus branch facility is not an easy task. I also have faith and trust in your decisions. However, I fail to see the advantage of having the young and attractive one being one of your most important. Judgement like such may be the reason for a lack of progress.”28

Lucas cleared his throat but the spiteful tone of the man was getting to him. He did not appreciate others talking to him in this manner, even if they were of higher rank than him. Also, he believed Julia Ingras to be fully capable of doing her job to the best of her abilities, and wasn’t in the mood to hear another criticize the young woman. “Doctor Ingras is more than capable of doing her part for the agency. She may be young, but I assure you mister Alexson, she has intellect equal to the best members of the agency.”29

The VIP, mister Alexson, nodded yet seemed unconvinced. “I hear what you say. But the problem still stands. We on the executive board see your progress as failing to reach the deadline. You understand that we need them all to be operational and ready for service at the designated time, don’t you?”30

Lucas nodded silently. He understood fully and knew that without any interference, they could make the deadline just fine. “I assure you, Mister Alexson, the board’s deadline will be met.”31

The two men stopped. The corridor had come to an end, marked by the large metal blast doors that stood before them. Mister Alexson looked over the grey surface of the hefty barriers, his face fully lit up as he tilted his head. Lucas went to the side and placed his palm upon a scanning device. He then tapped in a code and a dull vibration shook the floor, along with a low rumble. The blast doors were opening.32

“And as you will see, mister Alexson, our subject is near completion.” Lucas said as he and the other man stepped past the threshold of the metal barriers and into a massive laboratory, lit by thick neon tubes upon the metallic ceiling. They were on a balcony that ran around half the room. Mister Alexson followed Lucas to the edge and looked down from the banisters. Below them was the lab, filled with rows of computer terminals, blocks of supercomputers, webs of interweaving wires, tables and chairs, and all sorts of technology and equipment. There was a low buzzing sound in the air and there were lights all over the places, some flickering in a beat, some phasing on and off, some glowing constantly. “There is absolutely nothing to worry about. The board should place more trust within my Cerberus program.”33

Mister Alexson swept his gaze over everything, following the mass as wires upon the floor which all led eventually to one point of the room. “So there she is.” 34

In the centre of the grand laboratory stood a tall transparent tank, much like a majorly oversized test tube. It had wires running out in all directions from its thick base and was filled with a transparent bluish liquid, and among it all, floated a single female figure. 35

“Shall we?” Lucas asked, looking back at mister Alexson, who promptly followed him around the balcony and down the stairs, their boots tapping out a dull metallic beat as they descended. The lab seemed smaller from the base level, what with the clutter, and the duo picked their way through the network of technology blocks, stepping over certain tentacles of thick wiring, eventually coming to a stop in front of the tank.36

The glass was thick and the whole thing stood twice as tall as a human. The liquid inside had an almost luminescent quality to it, making the naked female figure floating in it seem angelic. It was an Japanese girl in her late teens and she had wired pads stuck all over her smooth, pale skin. There was also long wired needles stuck into the back of her neck, her shoulders, her arms and her thighs. An oxygen mask of some sort covered her mouth and nose, letting out a trickle of bubbles at a regular interval, showing that the girl was definitely alive. Mister Alexson stared at the slender figure as she floated lifelessly in the tank, her long black hair wavering around her head like an explosion of shadow.37

Lucas stepped up beside Mister Alexson as the man gazed into the contraption with a raised eyebrow. “Wake up, Seraphin.” Lucas said, perhaps louder than necessary.38

To the surprise of mister Alexson, the girl stirred. Her body twitched slightly and the girl slowly opened her almond shaped eyes and looked down at both men, her brown irises seemed to blaze with suspicion. Mister Alexson stared transfixed. The girl was pretty; however, she looked cold and distant. Her eyes seemed aggressive yet they were devoid of any humane radiance. It was strange to say the least. Not quite what he was expecting, since he had never actually seen any of the Cerberus projects up close before.39

Lucas seemed amused at mister Alexson’s surprised expression. The man may be a top dog of this whole agency, but he didn’t work in a Cerberus facility, and therefore rarely interacted with the actual work that the agency’s staff did. “Mister Alexson, allow me to introduce Seraphin Machiko.”40