Season-1: Echoes From Abyss
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"Chronos Null, Event Horizon, Celegis Marrow, Black Tide Consortium, The Ascended Order, Children of the Deepblack, Iron Veil—could it be any of these? These are the names of organizations uncovered over the past few years during anti-bioterror eradication operations."
Jacob spread several files across the table as he spoke.
"I don't think so. Every one of them has already been neutralized. This is a new secret organization. I believe an influential circle is backing it—one whose operations have no direct connection with the outside world. Otherwise, it couldn't have remained hidden for this long. And if Noah was telling the truth, they truly are connected to the ocean. Our cyber team worked for six hours and managed to detect high-tech structures at several oceanic points."
Rex reviewed the files once more before replying.
"I think you should focus on preparing your force. You're responsible for escorting the biochemists safely to CBRS."
"After what happened yesterday, are there still samples left for the bio-team to present at CBRS? Have you formed an investigation committee?"
"If there weren't samples, they wouldn't be going. It's critically important. And yes, the investigation committee was formed long ago. Do you think I'd sit idle until five in the morning without establishing one?"
"That's not what I meant, Commander. We still know very little about those unidentified organisms. Maybe CBRS can help us reach a breakthrough. But those creatures couldn't have simply vanished. They must have gone somewhere. They're not intelligent like humans—they're animals. By now it should've been in the news."
"Do you even watch the news, Rex?"
"Sir?"
"I don't know whether they're animals or not—but they seem far more controlled than that. They've practically disappeared. Clearly someone is controlling them at a deep level. But the real news is elsewhere. I understand you and Louis are worried about Noah. And about the new mission. And about yesterday's incident. Still, you have to stay updated with the world."
"What are you implying?"
"A new epidemic has spread across parts of the world—particularly coastal regions. The preliminary cause appears to be consumption of freshly caught sea fish. Those who consumed fish within thirteen hours of it being caught developed horrifying symptoms. They behaved like beasts—self-harm, cannibalistic tendencies, suicidal actions. Nearly a thousand were initially affected. But the most alarming part—when several infected individuals came into close proximity, they all suffered sudden death. Around four thousand fatalities have been confirmed. Several regions have been marked as 'Wastelands.' Nine hundred thirty-seven survivors are currently quarantined under CBRS supervision. An unusual parasite has been found inside their bodies—bearing similarities to the parasites discovered in Ashvale. CBRS, along with several other agencies, will be attending the meeting to discuss this. I don't understand how you missed this. Move quickly."
Rex stood silent for a moment. So much had happened in a single night. He realized he'd been disconnected from the internet all day. Taking out his phone, he saw it was dead. With no choice, he headed toward the cafeteria.
.....
Global Broadcast:
"A new terror grips the world.
The World Health Organization has officially declared this a global epidemic, concentrated mainly in coastal regions. However, this time the cause is neither virus nor bacteria—but an unknown microscopic parasite that does not spread through conventional transmission.
The International Biological Research Center reports that these parasites adapt at an extraordinary rate. Once inside a human host, they alter their structure according to environmental conditions, eventually taking control of the host body.
Most concerning—these organisms do not match any known biological classification on Earth. Though they possess DNA-like structures, their configuration is entirely different.
It is believed that consuming freshly caught sea fish triggers the infection. The parasite survives inside a host for only thirteen to fourteen hours. If unable to transfer to a new host, it becomes self-destructive.
Some agencies suggest this may be humanity's first potential extraterrestrial biological threat.
However, the WHO urges the public not to panic, but to remain cautious. Any unusual illness or behavioral change should be reported immediately to health authorities.
A 20-hour global ban has been placed on consuming any marine life.
Latest figures: approximately 4,500 dead. 589 infected survivors."
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"Be careful. Try to warn everyone. Stay safe. Bye."
"Bye."
The cafeteria buzzed beneath the news broadcast.
Some were calling home. Others whispered among themselves. Rex called Naomi as well.
On his way toward the locker section, he heard the announcement:
"Force 006 to 019 will proceed to PACIFIC POINT as Unit One.
Force 020 to 033 to INDIAN POINT as Unit Two.
Force 034 to 047 to ATLANTIC POINT as Unit Three.
Force 048 to 061 to ARCTIC POINT as Unit Four.
Force 003, 005, and 062 to 075 to SOUTHERN POINT as Unit Five.
Unit Six will consist of Force 002 and 004 at the Operating Center.
Force 001 will escort ELFEX biochemists and parasitologists to the Cappadocia Biotechnology Research Center, then join Unit One. Director Generals will remain under central command.
These are the operational directives for all Rapid Force Commandos under ELFEX for the global mission 'MISSION DEEP SILENCE.' Regular and irregular battalion protocols will be announced in forty minutes."
The mechanical female voice echoed through headquarters.
Rex moved to the field. Fifty members of Force 001 stood in formation before the black vehicles, uniforms crisp, gear secured.
"Eyes on me, soldiers."
Two parallel lines snapped into position.
"On you, Commander."
"As Commander of Force 001, I accept full responsibility for executing our assigned duties. We proceed first to the MED-Sector, retrieve our biologists, escort them securely to CBRS in Turkey, and return them safely.
Move."
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In a silent room lay a lifeless female body upon a bed.
Someone knelt beside her, holding her hand.
"Boss, Noah is dead. But before dying, he revealed nearly half the truth. ELFEX has begun mobilizing. VANTIS secret labs are compromised. What do we do?" a voice asked from the doorway.
"Since the OMENS have been activated, those labs no longer matter. Attempting to save them now would expose us. Orders from above: grant every employee there a silent death. Destroy all documents. Leave no sign anything was altered. Do not react further. They sensed the terror too early—that's not good. Move quickly."
The speaker: the man the world believed dead—Dr. Barnes.
"And Sherry?"
"Kill her."
"What?!"
"And the timid Sylvie within her. Rhonda is gone. No need to keep her as a daughter anymore. The time has come to show the true result of what she was prepared for. Tell her to create a new controlled personality—a new biological weapon: CHARLOTTE. Her time is short."
"Tell her? Who?"
"Philip."
_____________________________
Night in Cappadocia.
The biologist team had arrived at 4 p.m., meeting began at six. Now Rex stood alone on his hotel balcony, lights of hot-air balloons glowing against the dark sky.
Aran knocked.
They spoke quietly.
"This epidemic—it feels planned."
"It is. If it were natural, it wouldn't have been contained this quickly. Feels like a test. Or a signal."
"Louis said Noah mentioned 'OMEN.' Like a warning before a storm."
"You're not wrong."
Aran hesitated.
"There's a 78% probability these parasites are not Earth-origin."
"Alien?" Rex scoffed—but unease lingered.
Later, alone, Rex opened his laptop. Zone 077. His father believed something extraterrestrial had occurred on July 31, 1988. Rex never believed it.
But what if…
Neurons argued inside his mind.
Possibility.
Impossibility.
At eleven, exhaustion won.
At 1:30 a.m., he was awaken by his neuron clock.
.....
Turkish Airlines. Night flight. Destination: California.
Aran beside him.
"Sleep?"
"No. You better rest."
Everything felt normal.
Then—
A low, otherworldly rumble.
A pause.
Then a deafening roar.
The aircraft was flying over the ocean.
The sound felt impossibly close.
As if it rose from the abyss below.
Panic spread through the cabin.