Doctor Hawk's POV

 

The pungent odor of mold assaulted Doctor Hawk's senses as he navigated through the maze of towering crates. Their decaying forms loomed over him, casting elongated shadows that danced with eerie silence. Despite the cloth shrouding his face, his piercing emerald eyes glinted with determination as he pressed forward. The air was thick with anticipation, each breath laden with the burden of the unknown. In his firm grip, a metallic box whispered secrets, its weight a potent reminder of the mysteries it safeguarded.

 

Emerging from the shadows was Choi, his partner, stout and resolute, cradling a rifle that wordlessly reassured Doctor Hawk.

 

With unwavering purpose, he and Choi coiled through the endless labyrinth, the angular shadows swallowing their figures. Each step echoed through the cavernous expanse, drawing them deeper into the heart of the sprawling labyrinth.

 

Silent camaraderie spoke volumes between them as they reached a terminal, securing the door behind them with practiced efficiency. Another corridor stretched before them, seemingly endless, as Choi surged ahead.

 

"How much farther?" Doctor Hawk whispered.

 

"The vault's just beyond the east terminal," Choi murmured, his gaze darting about.

 

Clutched in Doctor Hawk's gloved hand, the metallic box creaked, as if sharing the secrets of its mysterious contents.

 

"Any trouble getting back?" Doctor Hawk asked.

 

Choi remained silent, his expression stern, as he dashed forward. The overhead ceiling windows intermittently illuminated their faces, casting alternating shadows and light upon them as they navigated through the warehouse at a brisk pace.

 

Doctor Hawk's heart pounded relentlessly, its rhythm echoing in his ears as he clutched the metallic box tighter. Arriving at their destination, an imposing titanium door standing like an impregnable vault, provided some relief from his tension.

 

Finally, we're here. I was half expecting those things would surprise us before getting here, he thought, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

 

The area was slightly better lit, with faint LED bulbs illuminating the space before the vault. Doctor Hawk's gaze caught sight of a dark stain blossoming on Choi's sleeve, a subtle yet concerning revelation.

 

"You're bleeding," Doctor Hawk remarked grimly.

 

Choi dismissed it with a shake of his head. "A small price for what we're after," Choi replied, rubbing his shoulder with a wince.

 

A subtle nod was all that passed between them before Choi turned to breach the terminal door.

 

Tossing a key to Choi, Doctor Hawk took a moment to steady himself, dusting off his attire. Choi approached the gate, inserting the key to reveal a digital keypad beside the massive titanium barrier. The glow of the keypad etched deep lines on his weathered face as Doctor Hawk impatiently tapped his boot. Turning to face Doctor Hawk, eyes brimming with anticipation, Choi gestured him over.

 

In a swift motion, Doctor Hawk dashed to the door, deftly inputting a ten-digit code. A tense silence enveloped them before a distinct clicking sound pierced through, and a retinal scanner materialized. Lowering his mask, he leaned in, and a red light scanned his iris. The door unlocked as a synthesized female voice greeted him, "Welcome, Doctor Hawk."

 

Beyond the bolted door awaited the culmination of their perilous journey—the vault. Doctor Hawk's penetrating gaze fixated on the impenetrable titanium barrier. What long-buried secrets did it harbor?

 

As the vault door ground opened, a cool breeze surrounded them. Stepping inside, Doctor Hawk cast aside his mask, releasing a heavy sigh filled with the promise of revelation. His muscles tensed against an involuntary shiver, uncertain whether it stemmed from the chill air or the trepidation of what awaited them.

 

"You see, Choi, I told you we'd make it," Doctor Hawk declared, pride gleaming in his eyes.

 

Choi met Doctor Hawk's enthusiasm with a stoic gaze. With his rifle in one hand, he reached out without a glance and slammed a red button on the wall. The titanium door began to roll aside, sealing them inside the white sterile room with a pressurized hiss.

 

Breaking the silence, Choi's baritone voice resonated, "I swear my lifespan shortens every time we're out together. Truly, Doc, you have no sense of caution."

 

Doctor Hawk's chuckle echoed through the desolate expanse, a mixture of anticipation and wry amusement. "It's only when I'm with you that I can be reckless."

 

Choi's eyes narrowed, silently rebuking Doctor Hawk's jest before he pushed back his hood with a sharp motion.

 

Doctor Hawk's gaze lingered on Choi, silently acknowledging his unwavering loyalty and formidable skill. With a nod, he placed the metal box on a hospital cart, trusting in Choi's reliability.

 

They discarded their cloaks, revealing military training uniforms underneath. Stepping beyond a second set of glass doors, they each retrieved a fresh set of clothes from a waiting tray. Choi swiftly adjusted his shirt, securing a rifle to his back with practiced efficiency. Turning to Doctor Hawk, he spoke in a weary tone, "So, Doc, that was the last thing you needed, right? This nightmare can finally be over."

 

Hearing the weariness in Choi's voice, Doctor Hawk let out a chuckle while donning a white lab coat.

 

"Oh, Choi, over? For us, this nightmare will never be over..."

 

He glanced at Choi, offering a pessimistic smile. "At least, not until we’re both dead."

 

Choi's demeanor shifted momentarily, his eyes flashing with a cold intensity before both he and Doctor Hawk succumbed to a shared, humorless laughter. Briefly engaging with each other, before their expressions turned reticent as he urged the cart deeper into the corridor.

 

Their footsteps reverberated ominously through the cavernous, abandoned corridor, the steady rhythm propelling them inexorably into the unknown. After threading through a labyrinth of shadowy passages for what seemed an eternity, they veered left and arrived at a weathered elevator door - a rusty portal plunging into the subterranean depths.

 

As the groaning elevator carriage shuddered to a halt and its doors parted with a metallic screech, an intense tableau greeted them: two armed guards clad in body armor, weapons instantly leveled at the new arrivals.

 

"Halt!" one barked, his voice echoing sharply off the concrete walls.

 

Doctor Hawk and Choi froze, hands instinctively raised in surrender. But as the guards peered closer through the dim emergency lighting, recognition flashed across their grim faces beneath matted sweat and grime. Their rifles lowered fractionally.

 

"Doctor Hawk! Sgt. Choi! We weren't expecting you back so soon," the same guard exclaimed, shoulders visibly relaxing. "Please, come in quickly."

 

Wordlessly, Doctor Hawk studied the haggard sentries, his penetrating gaze missing nothing - the darkly stained fatigues, the hollowed eyes rimmed with fatigue, the white-knuckled grip on their firearms. He saw the acute relief that washed over them upon identifying friendly personnel, their tacit acknowledgment of how futile shouting "halt" would be if true hostiles had breached this far.

 

"Appreciate the hard work, boys," Doctor Hawk mocked derisively as they brushed past, his sardonic tone making it clear he considered their security theater unnecessary. If enemies had infiltrated to this point, bellowing challenges would be pointless bravado before they were cut down. The team vanished deeper into the catacombs, the echoing thud of the closing elevator door ushering in the subterranean silence once more.

 

The soldiers remained stoic; eyes fixed unseeing ahead, jaws clenched against the sting of Hawk's contempt.

 

A few paces from the elevator, they entered the sanctuary of the main laboratory. Choi leaned in; his voice lowered to a conspiratorial murmur. "We really should repair those exterior cameras. The guards react rather...depressingly whenever the elevator arrives unannounced."

 

Doctor Hawk's lips quirked in a thin, knowing smile. "It's far too late for that now, my friend. Besides, having sentries was always a formality at best. If those...things ever figured out our location, no amount of armed bravado would forestall the inevitable." His eyes bored into Choi's meaningfully. "You understand that better than anyone."

 

As they ventured deeper into the subterranean sanctum, they passed a knot of disheveled scientists, each utterly absorbed in their arcane labors. Doctor Hawk couldn't help but admire their unswerving dedication as they strode past rows of humming computers and inscrutable machinery. But his gaze was inexorably drawn to the lab's pulsing core - an adult-sized incubation pod, its sleek obsidian surface entwined in a labyrinthine web of tubes circulating exotic fluids.

 

Satisfied with the setup, Hawk began methodically prepping the equipment from a battered utility cart.

 

"Father!" A voice suddenly called out, shattering the heavy silence.

 

Doctor Hawk turned, and his face instantly lit up, like the sun emerging from behind clouds.

 

A small boy, dressed in a hospital gown, sprinted toward him, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You came back!" he exclaimed, a blend of disbelief and joy evident in his voice.

 

Doctor Hawk knelt down, his hand tenderly caressing the boy's head. "Was there ever any doubt?"

 

The boy's grin widened, but within his eyes, there was more than just happiness. There was trust.

 

Doctor Hawk held the boy's gaze, and his smile softened into a look of profound compassion.

 

"Listen, William. I know I just got back, but time is short. We need to continue with our work, Ok?"

 

The boy's smile faded, and he shivered, the innocence of childhood colliding with harsh reality.

 

"No… please… Father, no more. It hurts!" William's voice quivered, and his eyes brimmed with tears.

 

Doctor Hawk sighed deeply, his eyes brimming with empathy, yet burdened with the weight of responsibility. Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, he turned away momentarily. It was then he noticed the other scientists and Choi had also ceased their tasks. Earlier, upon entering the lab, none had spared a glance, absorbed in their work. But now, as the innocent cries of this small child echoed, Doctor Hawk could discern the realization of the torment they had subjected him to in their eyes, mirroring the anguish he felt himself.

 

Steeling himself, he recalled the sacrifices made for this moment. Turning to William, he offered a soothing, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it won't hurt this time. And remember, this is the last time."

 

"Promise?" William's voice held hope and vulnerability, a plea for assurance.

 

"Absolutely, I promise. Have I ever lied to you? You will be asleep for the whole thing, and when you wake up, the System will be with you. Do you remember the System?"

 

The room fell into hushed anticipation as Doctor Hawk and William shared their tender moment. William nodded in affirmation.

 

Doctor Hawk then stood up and turned to a female doctor who was nearby.

 

"Doctor Waters, can you help him prep for the merger?"

 

Doctor Waters nodded in agreement.

 

Although her dusky skin and toned figure usually made her appealing, at that moment, the bags under her brown, soulless eyes transuded a sense of horror and dejection.

 

Seems like she's feeling the fatigue, mused Doctor Hawk, glancing around at the other scientists. All of them… they're barely hanging on, being kept up through sheer willpower, he added, noting the determination in their eyes.

 

Doctor Hawk watched as Doctor Waters stretched her hand out toward his son. "Come now, William, let's get you changed," she said.

 

Without a moment's hesitation, William clasped her hand firmly, hastening to follow her into a brightly lit chamber. She directed him to position himself at the center of a circular metallic platform before instructing him to shed his gown. Obliging, he revealed his flawless, pale skin beneath the fabric. Stepping toward a touchscreen panel on the wall, she deftly inputted commands.

 

In mere seconds, towering glass walls ascended from the platform's center, enclosing William within. The machine swiftly disinfected him before the walls seamlessly receded into the floor once more. Adjacent to the panel, Doctor Waters retrieved an airtight plastic bag, passing it to William. Breaking the seal, he extracted a sleek black compression suit, swiftly donning it. Together, they made their way back to the laboratory where Doctor Waters assisted him in climbing into the incubation pod from earlier, which was intricately connected to a multitude of machines.

 

Once William had settled, Doctor Hawk approached and whispered, "William, a lot of time will have passed when you wake up, but you won't be alone. The system will guide you on your mission. Trust the system."

 

"Wait, what do you mean? You won't be leaving me alone again, will you, father?" he asked anxiously.

 

Doctor Hawk simply smiled at him.

 

"Everything humanity has ever learned and accomplished will become part of you now. Our hopes and dreams lie within you. We will never perish for as long as you continue to live."

 

His painful last words hurt him dearly and with shaking hands, Doctor Hawk tenderly placed a breathing mask on William while lovingly gazing into his eyes.

 

William's gaze lifted to meet his father's; confusion etched into every line of his young face. "Father, I don't..." his words trailing off until he succumbed to unconsciousness.

 

Certain that his son was in the grips of a deep slumber, Doctor Hawk turned to Doctor Jenkins, his voice edged with urgency, "load the commands."

 

Doctor Jenkins deftly inputted a sequence of keystrokes into the computer. Doctor Hawk and Doctor Waters stepped back from the incubation pod, creating space for Doctor Jenkins to monitor the progress. Within moments, a specialized ballistic glass, fortified with metallic rings, sealed off the entire pod. A blueish jelly-like substance poured into the capsule, completely submerging William. Gradually, the material lifted and positioned him precisely within the pod, ensuring no inadvertent movement would occur.

 

Doctor Hawk's gaze remained fixed on William's unblemished, peaceful face. A deep pang of emotion gripped his heart as he watched his son, tears threatening to blur his vision.

 

"It's like looking into a mirror," he muttered, his voice lost amid the commotion. The uncanny resemblance between them never ceased to astonish him. William's blond hair, with its slight waves, chiseled jaw, high cheekbones, and pointed nose - all features that seemed like they had been borrowed from Doctor Hawk's own face.

 

Father, he mused wryly remembering William’s final words to him, Doctor Hawk knew he would never hear his son’s voice again. What right do I have to call myself your father? Since your conception, you've always been my project. I never truly wanted to care about you. I had never thought that I wanted children for most of my life. However, watching you grow these past few years has changed me. During this time that we spent together, you somehow became my everything. I'm proud of you, my son. Tears welled up in his eyes, unspoken words hanging in the air.

 

"We're ready, sir," Doctor Jenkins informed, pulling Doctor Hawk from his deep reverie. The words sliced through the heavy air.

 

Doctor Jenkins, focused and determined, entered another flurry of codes into his computer. Wires, each tipped with a large syringe, extended toward the pod with an eerie grace.

 

Desperately trying to extend the fleeting seconds, Doctor Hawk turned to the chief engineer. "Dan, have you successfully installed the core I brought back?"

 

The engineer's response was filled with unwavering confidence. "We're all set and ready to launch," he affirmed.

 

Doctor Jenkins, his voice laced with tension, "Doctor Hawk, we need to start."

 

Doctor Hawk clenched his fist and bit his lip, his reluctance evident. "Go ahead," he conceded.

 

Doctor Jenkins initiated the procedure, and the elongated syringes pierced William's body. The majority of the wires penetrated the back of his head and spinal cord, Doctor Hawk had to hold back a wince at the sight. His heart quickened.

 

"Excellent," muttered Doctor Hawk, his gaze locking onto a select few of his colleagues. "Get ready to transport the subject to the ship as soon as the merger is complete," he added.

 

Dan's voice pierced the room with a grave warning. "Those things will come for us the second we start the dark matter generators, so be prepared! Don’t hesitate!"

 

The scientists worked with feverish intensity, as though they sensed that everything they had worked for over the years was about to be completed.

 

Doctor Hawk felt a complex mix of pride and loss at that moment. He listened to Dan muttering to himself, "I still can't figure out how they can track dark matter and yet can't detect any of our communications."

 

He had pondered this question in the past, but before he could muse on it further, Choi walked up to him from behind and abruptly asked, "What's this procedure for, Doc? Super strength? Super speed?"

 

Doctor Hawk glanced at Choi, his eyes revealing the depth of their mission. "No, we've already completed all of the physical enhancements to his body. His cells were modified when he was first conceived, and the nanobots attached to every cell of his body further amplified them a thousand times more. We've augmented his strength and speed, enhanced his senses, increased his learning ability, and he can even use echolocation. However, those are still just minor things that we've achieved with him," he answered, keeping his eyes trained on William.

 

This answer appeared to have confounded Choi. "What else is there? Doesn't that already make him the perfect super soldier?"

 

"Super soldier…?" paused Doctor Hawk. "Do you think that's all William is?" he added, wrenching his focus away from his son.

 

"Well, I know he is a natural-born and not just some lab experiment, but I guess the essence of being human is not something utterly special under these circumstances. In fact, if anything..." Choi trailed off, his eyes steely.

 

"You think him being human is a weakness?" Doctor Hawk looked inquisitively at Choi's bewildered face.

 

"I think our current state answered that question better than I ever could. We humans are rather meek in the natural order of things. But if William is as capable as you say he is, with an army of him maybe..."

 

Doctor Hawk interrupted him, "an army? Surely you jest, my friend," he paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in. "Do you think we have the time and resources to make more like him?" Another pause ensued, emphasizing his point. "Didn't you hear Dan earlier? When he said that those things would be coming here as soon as we started this procedure?"

 

Choi remained silent before firing back, "what's the point of giving him all these abilities if he's not going to fight?"

 

Doctor Hawk shook his head, a wry smile playing at the corner of his lips. Choi, the battle-hardened soldier, approached situations from a warrior's perspective rather than that of a visionary. Nonetheless, Doctor Hawk had often contemplated the necessity of guarding William so meticulously. Now, in this critical moment, it was time to share the truth.

 

"Self-preservation, my friend," Doctor Hawk began, his voice weighed with the gravity of their situation. "William is not just our hope; he's our sole prospect for survival." The words hung in the air, the weight of their world resting on the shoulders of a young boy.

 

Choi's eyes widened as he absorbed the enormity of it all. "All of this," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with deep concern. "To burden such a small child with so much... Can he even survive long enough to—"

 

Doctor Hawk interrupted, knowing what Choi was about to say. "As I said, he's not merely strong or fast." His gaze locked onto Choi's. "He's immune to all known diseases and poisons. He doesn't require food or sleep. After his mid-twenties, his aging process will slow to a crawl, and his ability to recover from injuries is nothing short of miraculous. You understand what that means, right?"

 

Choi looked down, a hint of awe in his eyes. "Doesn't that make him... immortal?"

 

Doctor Hawk's smile was tinged with both pride and concern. "Almost," he admitted.

 

Choi appeared stunned by the revelation, but Doctor Hawk sensed his thought process and added, "Yet… he's still just a child. This procedure will merge him with a fully sentient artificial intelligence, a guiding companion. It possesses knowledge of our world—technology, medicine, art, ethics, history, and more. It holds not just information but our hopes and dreams, all that makes us human."

 

Choi's concern lingered in the air like an unspoken truth. "Giving so much knowledge to an artificial intelligence, isn't that dangerous?"

 

Doctor Hawk's response was both confident and reassuring. "Don't worry," he emphasized, his voice steady and unwavering. "We've implemented safeguards to shield against corruption, and we've added extra safety measures. Moreover, William will have full control over it. Despite his enhancements, we've nurtured him as a human being." Doctor Hawk's conviction was palpable, radiating a sense of trust in their mission and in his extraordinary son.

 

Suddenly, an earsplitting explosion rocked the underground facility, sending everyone sprawling to their knees. The cacophony of chaos echoed through the underground facility. But Doctor Hawk swiftly regained his composure, and as he saw the dedicated scientists, driven by their collective purpose, rise to their feet and return to their frantic work, a nervous smile tugged at his lips.

 

"It appears our uninvited guests have arrived ahead of schedule," he remarked, brushing away a single bead of sweat that had formed on his brow.

 

Without a moment's pause, Choi declared his resolve, "I'll help the guards stall for time," and without delay, he surged towards the soldiers stationed by the elevator. His swift action to support the guards revealed his innate protective instincts.

 

Doctor Hawk watched him go, though he knew it was a futile gesture. Instead, he turned his anxious gaze to Doctor Jenkins. "How much longer?"

 

"Twenty-three more seconds!" Doctor Jenkins's voice, strained by the chaos around them, pierced through the turmoil.

 

Doctor Hawk's fear surged as multiple explosions rumbled through the labyrinthine structures above. Time seemed to stretch agonizingly, each second an eternity, as he stood vigil, his unwavering gaze locked onto William.

 

Then, like a lifeline in a tempest, came the words they had all been waiting for. "Done!" Dr. Jenkins rasped, his face glistening with sweat.

 

"Quick disconnect the pod and transport it to the ship!" barked Doctor Hawk.

 

Three scientists swiftly began disconnecting wires from the pod. Doctor Hawk, with sleeves rolled up, joined them, each acutely aware of the immense weight they carried—bearing responsibility and the potential for salvation.

 

In synchronized motion, they maneuvered the sturdy cart carrying their precious cargo, every push akin to a stride toward destiny. Doctor Hawk and the others relentlessly thrust the pod amidst flickering lights and intense tremors shaking the underground.

 

They hastened through the intricate labyrinth of the laboratory, traversing a narrow corridor that led to a colossal spaceship, an imposing presence standing two hundred feet tall. Its design bore a striking resemblance to a NASA space orbiter, yet it radiated an otherworldly allure. Unlike the clinical white of NASA's spacecraft, this one was sheathed in sleek black, intermittently bathed in an ethereal greenish aura, like a celestial timepiece. Its most remarkable feature, in stark contrast to NASA's conventions, was the twin rocket-shaped cylinders that emitted a beguiling blackish-purple luminescence from their bases, akin to a swarm of fireflies. Doctor Hawk couldn't help but feel a surge of relief as he gazed upon these twin cylinders, each exhaling tendrils of inky smoke from either side of the vessel.

 

"James, let's pray that core you brought in works. The moment this ship takes off, they'll attack it with everything they've got," Dan's voice carried a tone of unease. They hurriedly pushed the cart onto the ship, urgency fueling their movements.

 

Doctor Hawk responded with a confident grin. "I have complete faith in it. I only wish I could see their faces when they realize we've turned their own weapon against them—it'll give them pause, even if just for a moment. And that's all our warp drive needs to slip into hyperspace."

 

Dan nodded in agreement, wheeling the cart into the ship's bridge. Once aboard, they swiftly located where to connect the pod. Despite the distant echoes of explosions, the four of them worked methodically, their audible breaths underscoring the urgency of the moment as they lifted the pod and attached several wires.

 

"Computer, initiate the launch sequence once we exit!" Dan's command was resolute.

 

The ship's computer blinked to life, emitting a brief series of beeps. All four of them disembarked rapidly as Dan guided the cart away, tossing it aside just outside.

 

Suppressing the urge to steal one last glance at the ship, and by extension, William, Doctor Hawk and the others hurried back towards the corridor. Meanwhile, the ship's engines roared to life, its thunderous sounds reverberating through the facility.

 

In no time, Doctor Hawk and his companions reached the prearranged safe zone, bracing themselves for the impending shockwaves generated by the spaceship's takeoff. Exhausted, they all inhaled and exhaled heavily, then turned to gaze through a reinforced window. Moments later, the ship obliterated the roof and blazed skyward. Reactions spanned the gamut from teary-eyed exhaustion to joy to disbelieving laughter.

 

Doctor Hawk, still breathing hard from their sprint, could barely see the takeoff through the sweat and tears dripping down his face. Bent over with one eye squeezed shut, he struggled to witness and comprehend the fact that the ship, and Earth's last hope along with it, really had achieved the impossible and broken gravity's bounds.

 

"I wish we could have gone with him." One of the scientists couldn't help but mutter.

 

Dan turned to him, his expression stern. "Don't be stupid. Our bodies can't withstand hyperspeed."

 

Doctor Hawk ignored them, his attention drawn to the void left by the departing ship. His contemplative expression betrayed a sense of sadness. My little William, he thought ruefully, I wish you could have known your mother. Our connection was borne of necessity, not affection. We were mere participants in an experiment, linked by biology rather than emotion. But she... she was a remarkable woman. She loved you long before you drew your first breath. It took me time to embrace that love, but now, at least, I share something with her: the love for you. With a heavy heart, he whispered to himself, "Farewell, my son."

 

Reaching five hundred feet, the ship became ensnared in a storm of enemy fire, its hull reverberating with the relentless assault. Despite the onslaught, it pressed onward toward the celestial expanse, each attack a futile endeavor to impede its flight.

 

True to Doctor Hawk's foresight, the ship remained unscathed, shielded by a luminous green force field that momentarily halted the assailants. Yet, as the vessel approached the brink of Earth's atmosphere, a piercing crimson laser beam lanced out, causing Doctor Hawk's heart to constrict with concern for his son's safety.

 

Although the beam inflicted partial damage, it proved futile against the momentum already generated by the warp drive, prompting a sigh of relief from Doctor Hawk.

 

As the attackers unleashed another, more intense beam, it was too late as the brief delay afforded the ship the opportunity to enter hyperspace.

 

Moments later, it vanished into the unknown, leaving Doctor Hawk and the other scientists staring at the lingering aura left by the closing warp gate.