The Deep Underground

Universe Hopping
The Beginning: The Deep
by Heidi Cautrell

Aaron Waldgrave strode toward the obsidian doors to his office at the end of a spartan hallway. His black wing tips were silent on the blue carpet as his athletic strides ate up the distance.  In his manicured hands were several files and a coffee cup.  The anticipation of his next project rolled off him as he strode through the doors which opened automatically.

As the doors parted, a young woman in a chair next to them smoothly rose to her feet and took the files that Waldgrave handed to her.  He didn’t recognize her, but the single bar code on her right hand meant she’d been cleared for level one security, so he spared her no more than a brief glance.  She placed the files into a slot on a nearby desk. The file shredder took them from there, silently destroying the polymer sheets.

Waldgrave strode toward his desk, glancing out the windows as he went.  The view from Waldgrave’s floor to ceiling office windows was breathtaking.  Buildings, much like the one he looked out from, soared into the bright blue sky.  A glimpse of a crystal clear lake and further beyond, a mountain dotted with lush trees could be seen between buildings.  Despite the beauty, he spared it only a few seconds more than the new secretary.

Waldgrave sat in his black leather chair, pulling it in line with the glass-top desk he’d had handcrafted from the finest silicone sand.  Coffee cup now placed in a holder, his hands hovered over the smooth surface before him. The movement was enough to bring up a 4D display.  Various projects represented by symbols hung above his desk, the amber light from the objects cast his features in a warm glow.

From a family of blue-bloods, Waldgrave possessed all the right physical features. A slim, angular nose, smooth, clean-shaven cheeks and a wide chin with just the hint of a cleft.  His hazel eyes, blond hair and tanned skin finished the complete package.  And yet Aaron took only the required amount of time to ensure his appearance remained impeccable.  The rest of his energy was focused on his research.

As Head of the Genetics Council, it was Waldgrave’s privilege and desire to keep on top of all the latest genetic research.  Under his leadership the Genetics Council had, in the past twenty-five years, made leaps forward with their research, including cracking DNA codes that would allow them to slow and even stop aging at the cellular level. The council had also succeeded in improving an individuals DNA after they were born with a series of genetically modified viruses that would rebuild and reform DNA within a matter of days.  There were hundreds more improvements Waldgrave had made over the years.

With a flick of one finger, he selected one of the amber symbols on his desk.  The symbol, a short spiral of DNA, flashed as it cleared the desktop of all other symbols.  Then the DNA began unraveling, revealing a series of data files.  Selecting the first file, Waldgrave waited as it opened to reveal the features of his first candidate.  It would require travel to procure the subject, but the need for test subjects outweighed his dislike of leaving the City.

Waldgrave snapped his fingers as he read the details on the subject.  A door in the obsidian wall of his office slid open without a sound and admitted three men.  Each was dressed in black combat fatigues and flack jackets.  They had pistols holstered at their shoulders and rifles slung on their backs.  Sunglasses covered their eyes and were connected to their heads with small jacks that resided behind their ears.  Once in front of Waldgrave’s desk the men stood at attention.

“Enforcer Walters, are your men ready?” Waldgrave kept his gaze on the data as he spoke.

“Sir, yes, sir!  Myself and two others shall be accompanying you on your trip, sir.  All have been debriefed, sir.” Enforcer Walters kept his rigid stance, his mouth the only visible movement on his body.  The other two Enforcers, elite police for the Genetics Council, mimicked their leader in silence.

The new secretary across the room shifted her legs around in her chair.  The Enforcer on Waldgrave’s left twitched, his right hand whipped to the pistol at his left shoulder.

“Jackson! Stand down!” Walters’ voice was like a whip crack.  Jackson let go of his gun, standing rigidly at attention once again.  Walters turned and glared down at the other Enforcer from his six foot four height.  Along with the several inch advantage over Jackson, Walters carried at least an extra twenty pounds of muscle.

“Sir, my apologies, sir. Usually the women are better trained, sir.”  Jackson stared at the window behind Waldgrave as he spoke.

“Jackson, how many times do I have to reprimand you for this stupidity?  The girl’s new or didn’t you notice her lack of the second bar code?” Walters sneered. “So help me if you step out of line one more time, I will liquidate you myself. Is that clear, private?”  Walters didn’t shout, he didn’t have to. He gave Jackson a mental push that sent the smaller man to his knees with a faint groan.  All color faded from his features, even his hair faded from brown to gray for a moment.

“Walters, that’s enough.” Waldgrave finally looked at the men.  He flicked a finger and the two were instantly back to attention.

“Sorry, sir. Won’t happen again, sir.” Walters jerked his head once.

The girl remained rigidly in place. A faint look of relief on her face was quickly masked by a placid demeanor.  Waldgrave didn’t spare her a thought.  He shifted and his gaze landed on the yet to be named Enforcer before him.  “Name?”

“Smith, sir.”  The soldier didn’t break his stance, his mouth hardly moved, though his clear baritone rang through the office.

Several long moments passed as Waldgrave regarded the enforcer.  When he spoke, the words were quiet and measured. “You’ve been holding out on us, Smith.  You have the power to teleport.”

To Smith’s credit he didn’t move a muscle.  Walters’ jaw clenched, but otherwise he didn’t move either.  Waldgrave continued to stare.  The time that passed was only a few seconds, but they were weighted with uncertainty.  Finally, he allowed a small smile to appear on his perfectly formed lips.  “It’s good that Walters chose you then, Smith.  You will be the one to take us to our destinations.  We leave in one hour.  Be ready to teleport yourself and four others. Walters, you’ll need to bring gear for a female.”

Eyes back on his files, Waldgrave flicked his finger again. “Dismissed.”

As quickly as they entered they filed out, their boots muffled by the thick carpet.  The young secretary continued to sit rigidly in place. Waldgrave flicked a finger at her. “Approach, young lady.”

As the girl rose and drew near, Waldgrave stood fluidly.  “State your name.”

Once she stopped directly in front of his desk, she said softly, “Jenna Evans.”

Waldgrave reached out and encircled Jenna’s bare wrist with his thumb and forefinger.  The girl’s doe eyes widened briefly before they closed.  She jerked, her whole body seemed to grow rigid as her muscles and even her bones flexed and contorted.  He continued to hold her in place while he turned his attention to the other files on his desktop.

As he read and researched, the girl continued to jump and shudder in place, her eyes rolled back into her head to show the bloodshot whites.  Once he was certain his work was complete within the girl, he released her.  She slumped to her knees, her sleek black hair made a curtain around her face. She panted heavily.

Waldgrave stared at the girl’s bowed head for a moment as he planted mental suggestions to go along with the changes he made to her body.  “Now, stand and tell me your name again.”

When she rose, her coloring began to shift.  Her brown eyes transitioned to electric blue, her pupils slitted like a cat’s eyes.  Her pale skin and dark hair slowly changed as well; ice and electric blue respectively.  The girl frowned briefly as Waldgrave’s command sunk in then she said in a soft voice, “Ada Kaze.”

A smile of pure satisfaction briefly curved Waldgrave’s lips.  “Perfect.”

The door in the side of his office chimed.

“Enter,” commanded Waldgrave, his gaze still on his latest achievement.  In walked the Enforcers, this time with packs and an extra set of gear.

Waldgraves eyes glinted in anticipation. “And so it begins.”

(Author’s Note:  This post is the beginning of a Universe Hopping story that will span several different webserials.  For full details go here.  The next installment is from 314 Crescent Manor. Enjoy!)