The Prologues

Prologue 3

In today's world, you can never have too many brave souls out there protecting the value of society and the precious lives surrounding each of us. You are ranked in the highest tier for what you do and it would truly be an honor to have you join our organization to continue protecting the peace. People like you are needed everywhere around the world and by joining out organization, you'll be sent to where you're needed most, and that is the heart of our government.

The young redheaded woman reread the letter as she stood in front of the building that the same letter had told her to go to. As she began her walk to the front desk, she started reciting the rest of the letter in her head.

People fear the future, but with kindhearted people who can only do the best, such as yourself, you'll prove to everyone around you that there is nothing to fear.

She stopped at the front desk, an older woman glared up from her screen to greet her. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Alyssa Kowalska. I got a letter a few days ago asking me to come to this building." She put the piece of paper on the woman's desk, allowing her to scan it over.

The older woman put the paper back down and looked at the screen once more. "Alright, what is your profession?"

"Medical studies." Alyssa picked the paper back up and folded it, putting it back into her pocket.

She put her finger to her screen and seemed to be scrolling for something. "Yes, I've got your name here. I'm going to need you to empty your pockets and leave any personal belongings down here with me, you'll be able to get them back when you leave."

Alyssa hesitated before slipping her hand into her pocket and pulling her belongings out. "What is the point of that, if I may ask? I understand the value of privacy, but there are always forms that can be filled out."

"You'll think very differently after your meeting." Alyssa put the letter on the woman's desk once more before the woman slid it back over the top of the desk. "That's the only thing you're allowed to keep."

She took the letter back in her hands before remaining in place. "Where do I go?'

"The fourth floor, someone will be waiting for you outside the elevator." The woman pointed to the elevator before returning to her previous task.

Alyssa scanned the building as she made her way to the elevator. It was surprisingly empty for a government building. The aura that surrounded the area was a particularly dark one that made Alyssa fear the meeting coming up.

The elevator didn't make the feeling any better. Nobody was on the elevator, which would have normally been a good thing, but this only made Alyssa worry about the credibility of this place even more. She stopped at the fourth floor, a man in a suit standing right outside the door. "Alyssa Kowalska?" She nodded in response. "Follow me to your meeting."

"Do you know why I'm here?" The man led her out of the elevator and into a hallway that had a few people in it, going from room to room.

"I do not. I'm only here to get you to your destination." The man responded, sounding about as disinterested as he could be.

She had gone back to scanning her surroundings, noting the negative aura had followed her upstairs. The few people wandering the halls seemed lost, like they had no idea where they were, but they were dressed in an attire similar to the man.

They stopped in front of a door that the man opened, allowing her to enter. "Good luck." He muttered under his breath as she walked in. "Gentlemen, this is Alyssa Kowalska, the medic you called for."

A man who had sat at one end of the table stood up and greeted Alyssa with a smile. "Thank you, sir, that'll be all. Ms. Kowalska, take a seat." He motioned to the other end of the table where an empty seat remained. As Alyssa walked to the seat across the table, she exchanged many glances with the people sitting in the seats around her. "Now, I'm sure you know why you're here."

"Yes, the letter did a good enough job of explaining that." She took her seat and looked around one last time before fixing her gaze on the man across the table.

"I can only hope so. Now, I know you're confused and I want to explain some things to you, so please take note of all I'm about to say." He paused, waiting until he knew he had her full attention. "I'm sure you understand how important cyber security is to a big organization, such as our own. There have been outside sources working on breaking down our security, and we can only assume that it's for no good reason."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"As we prepare a team to track whoever's doing it and put a stop to it, we need someone like you who can care for a human life." She could tell he was making a lengthy observation on her as he spoke. "You put yourself through school for a good cause, and I would like to know one thing before either of us commits to having you work with our team."

"Sir, with all due respect, I never said I would work for your team." She froze as the companions gave her glances as if she had just messed up horribly. "But I'm keeping an open mind about it. What is the question?"

"What is your earliest memory?"

The question made Alyssa stop. She began tapping her fingers on the table as she thought back, then cleared her throat as she prepared to answer. "My mother. She was a kind woman, probably with the greatest heart anyone could have, if you ask me."

He nodded slightly, obviously taking mental note of the answer. "Alright. That's a good enough answer. I chose you to work for us because you're a very smart woman. We've had our eyes on you for some time now and you haven't let us down."

The man stood up and began walking around the table, making his way toward Alyssa. "What exactly is the lookout for this team that you're putting together?"

"It'll likely be a much stronger team than the people attacking us, even stronger than some of our allies." He stopped pacing when he ended up next to Alyssa. She felt a strong pinch on the back of her neck that made her jump. "Now, for one last question."

"Yes?"

"What is your earliest memory?" He backed away from Alyssa as she remained looking forward.

There was a slight twitch that made her shake for a moment before she rubbed her hands together, both of them freezing. "I have none, sir."

"Very good." He began walking back to his seat. "You'll remain in this building whenever you're on hours unless you're instructed to go anywhere. You will not leave alone and you will not trust anybody on the outside. When you're off the clock, you'll reside in the apartments across the street. They've heavily guarded and nobody is allowed in, so your safety should be guaranteed. You will not tell anybody of what happens in this building and if word reaches any superior that you spilled even a little detail, you'll be punished accordingly."

"I understand."

"Welcome to the Onyx Organization, Alyssa Kowalska."

End of the Prologues.