Prologue

Screams echoed through the halls of a seemingly abandoned research facility, each full of agonizing pain.  Doctors and scientists gathered round, watching as an experimental serum began to morph and change the test subject.  They were unaffected by the girl’s screaming, her pleas for help, and cries for an end to her torture.

It was too late, what was once an ordinary child was now the start of the ‘perfect soldier‘.  The head of the department just grinned at the fallen tears, knowing all his time and effort was going to pay off.  How she hated him, hated that smile, hated being alive just to endure this Hell.

All at once the pain seemed to fade, shocking her and the scientists.  Something told her that this wasn’t supposed to happen.  Whispers started amongst the watchers, who were obviously displeased with the result, all eyes were redirected towards the subject.  

The room grew quiet as the head scientist walked forth, kneeling beside the girl with dark hair.  He lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye,” Gentlemen, this was merely phase one of the procedure, I just wanted to demonstrate that the serum has been perfected.  As we apply more and more to this young girl, she will, in time, become to the perfect soldier we’ve so struggled to create.”  The girl jerked her face from his grasp, he just chuckled and rose to his feet. “She will have powers we could only dream of possessing!  Our nation will raise above all others, and she will help forge this new path…our path, gentlemen.”

At that those gathered cheered, clapping and nodding in approval.  They patted each other on the back, congratulating one another on a job well done.

I hate you…I hate you all…

“Men, take our young soldier back to her cell, she is no longer required here until morning.” The man smiled and watched as the burly guards grabbed hold of the girl, escorting her from the room.

A certain level of fear overcame the test subject, but an odd confidence also surged through her.  One moment her hatred towards the men and woman who thought of her as only a lab rat grew, the next a man was doubled over screaming out in pure pain.  He was clutching his head, crying out as something began to scramble his every though, ripping away his memories.  The last thing the girl remembered before passing out was blood flying everywhere, and the man’s head no longer anywhere to be seen.

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A smile graced the lips of the young brunette, her ice blue eyes sparkling as her new commander approached.  That smile was the beginning of a long recovery process.  She held out her hand, greeting her boss warmly, in turn earning her an equally nice reception.

“So you’re The Forgotten, I’ve been hearing from my superiors that we’d be receiving a new recruit.” The commander smiled, pushing aside a few strands of blonde hair, and gestured for the other woman to follow to a parked vehicle. “ I’m just glad that I don’t have to teach you English, I’ve had problems with the others, to say the least.”

“I’m glad I’m not required to learn another language, ma’am.” The Forgotten clasped her hands behind her back, enjoying the fresh air and clear sky. “ Not to be rude but I was expecting someone a little more…intimidating, not a fellow female soldier.”

The blonde grinned,” I think we’re going to get along just fine, I’m The Joy, it’s a pleasure.”

“A pleasure as well ma’am.”

Joy paused mid-step, glancing back at her new comrade,” I’m already aware of your talents, but please…try not to mindlessly say your name around the other Cobras’, I don’t want to have to continuously explain who you are and why you’re there.  You do understand where I‘m coming from when I say that, right?”

The Forgotten couldn’t keep from laughing, she knew well and good where her superior was coming from,” Naturally, ma’am.”