Decimation: The Age of Terror: Decimation, #1

By Alexios Salvador

The first book in the "Decimation" Series.
An accident at a laboratory occurs, the Elite group called the Power of Powers have no choice but to reveal their secret to the public, Project Tripod, an experiment that was focused on creating the most powerful army of soldiers in the world, uncontested by anything else humanity had ever seen. The lead scientist was killed, and their secret weapon has now broken loose into society, and it's extremely dangerous.
Unfortunately for them, they went too far in their pursuit for world domination when they created a hybrid creature that is mixed between the most superior DNA of an animal, greatest advanced robotics, and hyper improved technologically implanted qualities. Their new creation was far too powerful, far too destructive and insanely evil that it could not be controlled. These hybrids unexpectedly developed a conscious will of their own. They have also unprecedently grown their own unique abilities and powers by expanding to their natural habitat, which make them even more destructive.
They are hyperintelligent, indestructible, uncontrollable, unbeatable, and unstoppable.
Even worse, they want to be the superior species on earth and destroy all humans that stand in their path!
Who is behind this and what is their goal? Are the hybrid super soldiers able to be controlled? Will humanity find a way to destroy them? If not, what will become of the world and humanity?
In this thrilling science fiction story written by Alexios Salvador, explore the consequences that immoral and uncapped progression of warfare can have on the world.
In this book series, humanity has created a weapon that is way too powerful, extremely destructive, and impossible to control, one with its own will and consciousness, a weapon with a deep hatred for humans. A weapon that wants to eat them for dinner and leave no room for dessert.
The decimation has begun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexios Salvador
• Release date: Jul 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223212331

Book preview

THE DECIMATION

THE AGE OF TERROR

Alexios Salvador

All rights reserved.

No one is permitted to reproduce or transmit any part of this book through any means or form, be it electronic or mechanical. No one also has the right to store the information herein in a retrieval system, neither do they have the right to photocopy, record copies, scan parts of this document, etc., without the proper written permission of the publisher or author.

Copyright © (2022)

                          Alexios Salvador

Pizza Publishing

PO Box 5027 Reservoir VIC 3073

ABN 20 662 173 257

www.pizzapublishing.com.au

ISBN-13: 978-0-6456129-8-1

Disclaimer

All the information in this book is to be used for informational and educational purposes only. The author will not account in any way for any results that stem from the use of the contents herein. While conscious and creative attempts have been made to ensure that all information provided herein is as accurate and useful as possible, the author is not legally bound to be responsible for any damage caused by the accuracy as well as the use/misuse of this information.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexios Salvador is a middle-grade fantasy author. Alexios got his first brush with wisdom and warfare among the folklore and remnants of ancient fortresses while growing up in Athens, Greece, and nurtured his interest in mythology and story-telling ever since. He has always had a fascination with science, robots, and adventure.

Alexios draws a lot of inspiration from his routine of watching cartoons every Saturday morning. His books feature magic, vivid worlds, and heart-pounding adventures.

Alexios is an avid fan of the Collingwood Magpies, motorsports and frequently attends music festivals. He now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his beloved pet Xbox.

A person sitting on a bench Description automatically generated with low confidence

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE2

THE INCEPTION OF DOOM2

CHAPTER TWO6

FIRE IN THE HOLE!6

CHAPTER THREE6

GATE OF HELL6

CHAPTER FOUR8

THE HUNT8

CHAPTER FIVE

SAVE OUR SOUL!

CHAPTER SIX

WHITE HOUSE DOWN

CHAPTER SEVEN49

ALL HOPE IS LOST!49

PROLOGUE

FRANKFURT LABORATORY COMPLEX, ANIMAL RESEARCH

MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A

(Glass shatters)

(Picks up phone and dials)

Vaughn, are you there? It’s Richard. I can’t find Hex and her puppies; the whole cages are cleared out. There has been an explosion at the laboratory. Get through to protocol, now!

************************

A FEW DAYS EARLIER…

We ought to have pulled this through before now. So, what exactly is causing the delay? said a voice with a livid tone.

Deputy, hear me out; there have been a lot of conspiracy theories about our genetic methods and approach. Our team had to sort this out with the press. The people are beginning to question the integrity of the facility, replied a shaky scientist with a terrified look.

And where is Dr. Bernard? He ought to be here by now. Get him here right away! the Deputy barked.

(Dr. Bernard walks in)

With a stern voice, the Deputy blurted, This project is taking longer than anticipated. The more time we waste, the angrier the cabinet gets. We are putting a lot into this, and nothing is forthcoming. Dr. Bernard, talk to me; what's the progress level?

Dr. Bernard, with a gloomy and hopeless look, sighed and replied, There has been a constant and anomalous spike in the hormonal level of the test subjects. Our deductions are being faulted at each phase of the experiments, and we are working on a balance. I’m afraid we need more time to ...

We don't have that! I can see you are not fit for all these duties. I'm putting a stop to all this. Terminate Project Tripod at once! the Deputy replied in a fit of rage and stormed out of the lab.

Perturbed and disoriented, Dr. Bernard paced up and down the lab, murmuring to himself, This can’t be happening; I have dedicated my whole life to this research! They can’t take this from me; my liaison with MechTech isn’t going to waste. I’m definitely bringing this genetic wonder to reality!

************************

DR. BERNARD QUARTERS, LAB ROOM AX

(Machine beeping) Warning!!! Zibucillin level approaching 90%!

(Snakes hissing, cats meowing)

The configuration is right; the merge can be done! a panicked scientist stares miserably at the large screen in front of him, cross-checking test results.

(Machine 1) Subject merged, initiating cool-down phase.

(Alarm beeping) Reaction unidentified…subject unstable.

(Chamber explodes)

CHAPTER ONE

THE INCEPTION OF DOOM

PRESENT-DAY

(Reporter on TV)

"It's not a bright day this morning. Last night recorded the explosion of the popular Frankfurt Animal Research Laboratory; there has just now been a statement release made by the Head of Operations, Kennedy Finn. According to him, the explosion had happened as a result of the spillage from one of the supply chemical tankers used in the facility for animal testing.

One of its research scientists, Dr. Bernard McClurkin, has just been found dead at the explosion scene, torn to pieces, along with a few others hosting fatal injuries. The police are seen arriving at the facility, as well as the emergency units, for further investigation. We hope to hear from them soon."

And the White House…. (Reporter's voice fades)

Oh my God, a voice outside the TV exclaimed.

Dr. Bernard was my supervisor for the genetics program I just concluded, she added.

I was hoping to pay him a visit soon, she said as a tear dropped down her cheek.

Lauretta, you need to calm down, a calming voice spoke.

I'm pretty sure there's an explanation for all of this, he said as he patted her back.

************************

FRANKFURT LABORATORY

CRIME SCENE

No one can find out about what really happened here, not even the police, the Deputy shouted.

I will come up with an explanation for his cause of death and body state, sir, a voice interrupted.

You need not worry, he added.

Don’t tell me that! Might I remind you that Project Tripod is now out there roaming the streets; we have to get them back or else….

(Officer walks in)

(Shakes hand with the doctor)

(Deputy picks up a call and walks away)

Doctor? asked the officer.

Joe, the doctor replied.

Alright, Doctor Joe, I’m Detective Sunflower, and I have a search warrant here with me, but I’m not ready to go through all that drama now, so let’s just cut to the chase.

What exactly happened here? the detective asked.

Dr. Joe replied, We’ve told the press this already, this was caused by the chemical spill, and for Dr. Bernard, the chemicals were responsible for that. You see, these chemicals tend to have a disintegration effect when exposed to the human skin in high amounts. Unfortunately, Dr. Bernard had to be the recipient of that; that’s why his body is that way.

Hmm, a smooth tongue you have doctor, luckily for you, I’m not so knowledgeable on these things, but I will still do my job, he said, handing over the search warrant to the doctor.

Boys, I want a thorough search of this floor building; whatever you can find connecting to Dr Bernard’s death, let’s have it here, he ordered.

(Detective looks around, faces the doctor)

Now tell me, Dr. Joe, I noticed these glass pods over here have an animal tag on them except for those particular ones on the side; would you mind explaining that?

In a scared tone, Dr. Joe replied, Yeah, about those……

Wait! interrupted the detective, I’d suggest you choose your next words smartly now; I lied about my knowledge in science, just so you know, my cousin is a radiologist, he smiled.

(Dr. Joe brings out a pen and writes something on paper)

(Hands it over to the detective and winks at him)

Alright, boys, I think we are done here; let’s move, he said with a commanding tone.

************************

7:59 pm

(Detective picks up phone and dials number)

(Line ringing)

Hello Doctor, I’m at Crescent Park; where are you?

Can you see the ice cream stand just opposite you? There is a stairway right beside it; walk down and turn right, the voice-over answered.

(Detective hangs up and walks towards the stand)

This better not be a joke, he murmured as he walked down the stairs.

(Dr. Joe dressed in rags)

I know you’re surprised to see me like this, but it’s important to appear this way because my life is on the line here, he said with a shaky tone.

(Dips hand at the back of his briefcase and brings out a red file with an inscription that reads PROJECT TRIPOD)

(Stares at it before handing it over to the detective)

Your suspicion isn’t false, Dr. Bernard’s death wasn’t ordinary, and the people behind this project are not people you want to mess with; they are the Power of Powers, the ones standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid, and they are watching us, he spoke with fear.

I’m giving this to you because the burden is heavier than I can carry; what escaped from that lab is enough to bring the whole human race to the ground.

I’ll assist you the way I can, but nobody else can know about this unless you’re ready to lose your life, Dr. Joe added.

Thank you, Doctor, for trusting me, said the detective as he walked away.

************************

9:45 pm

(Switches on lamp and opens file)

(Flips pages and reads)

(Phone rings, picks up but no response)

(Switches on TV)

(Reporter on TV)

Yet another night has passed, and we are still saddened by the recent explosion at Frankfurt Lab, one of its doctors had just committed suicide, he was found earlier tonight in the bathroom of a hotel room hanging from a rope.

(Switches off TV)

They killed him, the so-called Power of Powers.

(Picks up the file and dials the number on the back page)

************************

POWER BUILDING

(Detective walks down to the reception)

Good evening, sir, how can I help you? asked the receptionist at the front desk.

I’m here to see the Deputy; I have an appointment with him. Detective Sunflower is the name, he replied.

He’s been expecting you, 4th floor, room G2 white door, she pointed towards the stairs.

Alright, thanks, replied the detective as he walked towards the stairs.

(Approaches a white door)

(Knocks and opens door)

As he walked in, he saw a panel of elite men seated at a round table.

A loud voice from the panel spoke, Welcome, Detective Sunflower.

It was the Deputy, clothed in a grey suit and white tie with a very weird-looking ring worn on his left-hand index finger.

Firstly, coming in through that door is a rare opportunity, so I suggest you watch yourself from here on, the Deputy said while caressing the knob on his ring.

I’m sure you know all about Project Tripod already. Well, maybe just the theory, yet to see the theatrics, but that’s something you don’t want to see, he spoke in a warning tone.

(Secretary barges in)

Deputy, you need to see this, she said as she switched on the TV.

(Reporter on TV)

We are broadcasting live with the Chief of Staff of the United States just right after video footage was leaked online of the explosion at Frankfurt Animal Research Facility; as we can all see in the footage, there appears to be a figure very big, though blurry, there’s been a lot of interpretations from several sources, but the truth is still unclear as to what is shown in that video.

Chief of Staff, what do you have to say to this? Is the United States government aware of any happenings at this facility? Because these are not images of the normal-sized animals we all know and love.

(Deputy picks up remote angrily and turns off the TV)

Well, it looks like the meeting is no longer necessary; we have a bigger problem now, he said with a frowned look.

************************

THE WHITE HOUSE

OVAL OFFICE, U.S.A

How can I be the most powerful man in the world when I can’t even account for an operation going on right under my nose, and now you’re telling me I signed its approval, when and how? President Jasper said with a confused expression written all over his face.

Mr. President, over the years we’ve been at war with the Chinese, there was a need for an upgrade, hence the biological approach. Fine, you weren’t aware of the full details, but the deed has been done, Mr. President; it’s now a matter of national security, a member of the cabinet spoke.

(Scoffs) How preposterous! Have I become so soft to you all that you think I can’t handle this, huh? the President exclaimed.

A voice replied, Mr. President….

Enough! the President interrupted, Now that we have this problem on the loose, what is the way forward?

Mr. President, we have one of the leading scientists in charge waiting to debrief you in the conference room, a cabinet member responded.

(President gets up, and the cabinet follows him closely behind)

************************

THE WHITE HOUSE

CONFERENCE ROOM

"Mr. President, I’m Dr. Gayla, biological scientist, and geneticist, also a close colleague