In a dark room, lit by only a faint, pale, white light stood shadowy figures, surrounding a wide, circular table that seemed to have a black surface depicting the world, glowing with a pale white lighted continents that were unusually morphed and twisted, almost as if it were depicting another planet's surface and not Earth's. Around this table, stood the silhouettes that seemed to be waiting on something… Or, maybe, someone…
And after a complete minute of ominous silence, it seemed that said person had arrived, making a total of six shadows present.
As this shadow walked, the other shadows followed its movements, as if attentive like subordinates would a leader. Eventually the shadow took their place at the polar cap of the circular table. Facing the other 6 shadows.
"Attendance?' the shadow inquired.
"All five heads are present and accounted for," said one of the shadows. They had a feminine voice — Both of them did.
"Well, then, let us begin," continued the head shadow. "How many made it out?"
"Far too many," replied a male voice from one of the shadows; his was a gruff, direct voice belonging to that of a man. "Well, more than we had initially anticipated."
"How many did we lose?" the head shadow asked. "What are the statistical results over that which was evident?"
"A little over 50% died during the first phase, Lead Head," a second masculine voice uttered. "As for the expected outcome, we had initially thought we'd lose more in the first phase alone, but I suppose the more the merrier. It just means we have more subjects to test on I guess."
"We estimate half of the survivors won't make it past Phase Two, but we are hoping for at least a handful to survive, as there are key subjects from Phase One, as you know, that are nearing phenomenal results."
"True," the Lead Head Shadow's voice murmured, slightly distracted, as if deep in thought with a head somewhere else. "Austin's group has proven resourceful, while Austin himself is one to watch for, his group isn't a negative experience to observe either. Nevertheless, we must remain neutral. Who knows, maybe our other subject groups may prove useful in the coming trials, too."
"So, are we a go then?" asked the final shadow, a male by the sound of his masculine voice, much too deep to be female. "For the second phase? Are we approved?"
"The board has approved us the green light," the lead shadow nodded. "It's time we begin Phase Two of the Labyrinth Trials."
"The children — I mean, subjects have already suffered so much…," one of the voices murmured, causing a silence to temporarily s[read amongst the shadows. "Is what we are doing ethical? Is it truly necessary?"
"While your concerns are of a deep heart, Head #3, we must persevere. We mustn't lose our aim, because, in our case, failure is not a viable option. If we fail, the human race as a whole will die. We cannot afford to be morally-centered or 'ethical,' when looking for a cure. There must be sacrifices to be made to achieve what we must achieve," the lead head spoke. "We're running out of time; We have to find a cure, even if it means greater sacrifices must be made. We made a pact, afterall — We must adhere to it. We must be strong and precise, or we'll lose more than what we have already lost. Understand?"
"Yes, you are correct, Lead Head," voiced #3.
"Well, then," said the Lead shadow. "It is time we officially begin Phase Two of Operation: Labyrinth Trials, codenamed: 'Gelid Expanse.'"
Though only the silhouette could be seen of these beings. At the words spoken. A shine of teeth could be seen from all five shadow heads — They were smiling.
END OF BOOK ONE