The Assegai Program

By Rade Ravello

"The Assegai Program" unfolds as four military soldiers undergo a transformative experiment, merging their DNA with that of extraterrestrial beings to create meta-human capabilities. Among then is Vandar, a soldier from Demorizia, propelled by a solemn vow of vengeance against the American Government. His motivation stems from the loss of his friend Kandel, whose DNA became a pivotal element in the ambitious project. The narrative weaves together themes of science fiction, military intrigue, and personal vendettas, exploring the moral and ethical implications of manipulating human genetics. As the soldiers grapple with their newfound powers, the tension builds, promising a gripping tale of revenge, loyalty, and the consequences of tampering with the very essence of humanity. "The Assegai Program" delves into a world where the boundaries of morality blur against the backdrop of intergalactic experimentation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798369415887

Book preview

Copyright © 2024 by Rade Ravello.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/27/2024

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CONTENTS

Issue 1

Issue 2

Issue 3

Issue 4

Issue 5

Issue 6

Issue 7

Issue 8

Issue 9

ISSUE 1

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THE INFINITE GALAXY ADORNED with countless celestial bodies stretched out and looked so magnificent and cold at the same time. It was devoid of any sign of life but was full of uncountable stars, each flickering star appearing to carry within it secrets from forgotten galaxies. Just then, in the middle of this endless and empty expanse of the universe, a sudden rupture appeared, releasing a disturbing brightness that created a strange, otherworldly white glow over everything in its surrounding area. Once the glow stopped, a spaceship emerged from a rift in space. Its sleek hull gleamed with a dazzling glow. It burst from the space warp’s exhilarating energy and arrived at the Milky Way.

The spaceship’s crew came from far, trillions of light years away from planet Earth. It had traveled across different galaxies at hyper-speed and finally stopped near its destination. It continued to drift to space as the spaceship’s engines started up once more with a loud roar. Surrounded by a bright glow that strangely lit up the space, the spaceship looked from afar, like a shooting star instead. Inside the command center of the spaceship, several male aliens were operating the spacecraft.

They looked like any normal humans, the only difference being their unique blue hair and pointy ears. Two crew members were actively involved in physically operating and handling controls while one stood upright, attentively taking in their surroundings and meticulously analyzing everything with a serious expression. On board the spaceship was an unspoken silence: the crew remained calm no matter what they felt about reaching their goal. It seemed as if they were accustomed to being in such settings.

Also on board, was the Captain himself. He had strong cold features, which were enhanced further by the marks on his lower jaws that symbolized his people’s planet and the heavy-looking armor that he was wearing. Thus, despite him only sitting down, there was an unmistakable air of danger around him. On his home planet, he was admired and feared as a warrior after seizing complete charge of this vessel and accepting responsibility for everything that transpired on it.

As he intently focused on the blue planet Earth that was positioned in front of him, his intense and cold gaze made one think of a skilled bloody fighter in battle. Sitting rigidly on his chair, he turned to look at his crew members with an expression that was inscrutable and did not leave any trace of his thoughts or emotions. He then smiled slightly then turned to stare at the blue planet coldly. Prepping equipment, the voice of the second in command thundered throughout the ship as it narrowed down on the distance to the planet.

Unknown to many, he held a role more significant than just being the Captain’s right-hand person. He was an extraordinarily gifted scientist handpicked by the Captain for this very space expedition. His presence on the spaceship was proof of his exceptional skills, as on this trip no mistake was allowed from any of them. The two crew members who were physically operating and handling controls of the spaceship were doctors by profession. As long as they didn’t see any other spaceship or lurking danger coming their way, the current command system stayed in place.

As a result of that, the team couldn’t help but look down at the Earthlings as they felt they were better than Earth’s technology. As they closed in on Earth’s ozone layer, their jaws dropped and eyes widened in disbelief as if a sudden jolt of electricity had coursed through their veins leaving them momentarily stunned: they had not received any signal requesting to communicate with them. They had been to many parts of the world before and such a thing had never happened. They exchanged looks and a small part of them wished that something ordinary would happen. The planets they had visited before always launched their spaceships to stop any ship that was close to passing through their orbit.

This only meant one thing; the inhabitants of planet Earth were mediocre. Activating stealth shield, one of the crew announced as they closed in on the Earth further. Entering Earth Orbit, another crew member declared as everyone else looked at the planet coldly. On the surface, they acted like they didn’t care but a part of them couldn’t ignore the fact that maybe they wouldn’t survive this mission. Their superiority to Earth and their technology notwithstanding, they knew it was better to face demons earlier than assuming the occupants of Earth were mediocre and angels when that was far from the case.

They were now so close to Earth that they couldn’t even get a glimpse of where they had come from yet their spaceship still hadn’t detected any threat. The Captain heaved a sigh of relief at that and the tension each of the others felt kind of dissipated. They were now confident of the planet’s supposed ancient technology and felt more confident and hopeful about the mission’s high chances of success. So… This is Earth, the Captain muttered in a low voice which was also loud enough for the entire crew members to pick up.

Even though the crew waited for his orders, the Captain seemed unbothered that he hadn’t completed his sentence. Engrossed in his reverie about planet Earth, he didn’t even seem to hear the crew call him and ask him questions. The crew was aware of the Captain’s primary priority upon getting to Earth, and they had a great deal of respect for that. Silence engulfed the place as though it was a graveyard. Suddenly, out of nowhere, in a cold and thunderous voice, the captain asked, more to himself, Where are they keeping you, Kandel?

This made everyone realize that the name Kandel meant a lot to the Captain. A wide mix of emotions, including anxiety and a murderous coldness, was visible on his face. Earth was different from their home planet and other planets therefore; there was a big possibility that Kandel was a big part of the Captain’s reason for going to planet Earth. Inasmuch as the crew just couldn’t understand some things about planet Earth’s society, environment and technology due to the huge differences with their home world, they were well aware that there was another reason for their mission. Though they each could relate and understand the reason, they fully didn’t agree to it.

The second-in-command, who looked older than he appeared to be, turned to look at the Captain with a complicated expression. As a scientist, he thought it was odd that someone like the Captain, who seemed cold and thirsty for blood, had someone important to him as well. That perhaps meant that the Captain’s blood was not that cold. Nevertheless, in the scientist’s mind, there was still a big difference between how much the Captain liked Kandel and how determined and ready for war he seemed just by being there. More often than not, that thought fascinated him and more than anything else, he wished to voice the same in front of the Captain but he couldn’t because he knew his place and didn’t want to complicate things more than they already were.

Breathing in and sighing heavily, in a very firm voice that implied that he didn’t want anyone challenging him and his eyes fixed on the Captain, he said, Kandel will be found. But we have our priorities. We must make contact with one of Earth’s leaders first. He saw the Captain’s face change from a poker face to a disapproving frown then a resignation of fate. Despite his heart’s yearnings for other things, he knew he had duties as a leader and that those were more important to everyone else than his desires.

One of his biggest weaknesses, which only the second in command seemed to notice, was that balancing his desires with his responsibilities sometimes was a difficult task for him.

Yes, that’s exactly what should be done, the Captain responded as he seethed in anger. He was tightly gritting his teeth in frustration and his fists tightly clutched onto the armrests of his chair, showing just how discontented he was with the situation. For the first time, he wished he had gone for the mission alone.

The second in command sighed in relief. He understood his Captain’s struggle but didn’t want to jeopardize anything by putting personal desires over everyone else’s. In everything we do, the needs of our planet do come first, the second in command reminded everyone with utmost seriousness. In their mission, they wanted to avoid a fight as much as possible and only engage in it if necessary. Besides, they were confident that Earth was a backward planet and couldn’t do anything against them.

Bound by duty, the Captain nodded in agreement. What if Kandel has been harmed? He asked with an evil smile wide. However, his gaze was of a cold-blooded murderer. I will rain the fires of Demorizia down on this… useless planet Earth, he added as he grinned widely. Seeing what Earth has to offer delighted him since he would get what he desired regardless of who died. Upon seeing the Captain’s expression, the second in command ordered for the teleportation pods to be prepared. They would step on Earth’s soil soon without anyone else knowing.

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On Earth, life carried on as usual, with no awareness whatsoever of the extraordinary guests who had just recently arrived on their planet. In Mexico’s blazing sun, a brave motorcyclist held the handlebars of his motorbike firmly and defied gravity as he soared through the air. The scorching heat made the air wavy, and the loud engine got lost in the vast desert. The motorcycle balanced as it went over the cliff because the rider was so proficient. A dirt and debris cloud rose from a plane’s crash. Even so, the rider’s attentiveness helped him navigate the treacherous and uneven terrain.

It was like this dangerous terrain was his exciting playground, a place where he could improve his skills and satisfy his need for excitement. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the rider arrived at his destination. The moment he dismounted his motorcycle, it became immediately apparent to everyone that he was not just anyone ordinary. It appeared as though he was wearing a mask that covered his entire face, including his eyes. Under the tight yellow bodysuit with a huge fabric that covered his chest, arms, and legs, his strong figure was visible and his muscles stood out. The sword hanging from his back contributed to the spooky ambiance and upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be a Katana, a Japanese sword.

Faith stopped, his gaze focused on the middle of the desert. Not far from where he stood, there was a big storage building: the very location he had been in search of; a gathering spot for those involved in human trafficking. His mind flashed to the details of his task: Mission log. Human traffickers have set themselves up in the desert on the other side of the Rio Grande. The more he thought about the task at hand, the clearer it dawned on him that the task was very difficult.

The Rio Grande events were not held just for interaction purposes but were a way to honor Mexico’s rich culture, strong traditions, and determination. The parties represented the essence of a city, where locals and visitors could come together through music, dance, and a common love for life. Faith’s distinct features had already made him stand out. It kind of made him famous in that place and the thing about fame is that it brings one both the attention they are looking for and one they don’t want.

During the parties, usually thrown at well-known places, people drank too much as they were having a good time, which gave thieves opportunities to make money. ‘These criminals kidnap those partying from Tijuana. It’s easy enough for them to do so, given how shitfaced drunk spring breakers can get,’ he thought with a cold gaze as he looked at the warehouse.

‘They have been lucky no one has rained in on them. However, they went beyond limits this time after kidnapping the daughter of an important senator,’ he thought as he sighed.

The thought brought shivers down his spine. It wasn’t the first time human traffickers had kidnapped someone, but it was the first time the authorities had taken things seriously and that was only because one of the victims was the daughter of an influential person. He shook his head to rid those thoughts and instead focus on the issue at hand. He thought back to the scanty information he had been given about the missing girl.

Eyewitnesses claim they saw a group of men gathering around an unremarkable car that was stopped just a few meters from where the girl was taken. The faces of the men were hidden under black masks the entire time and that alone was proof of the lurking danger. Such incidents had become pretty common in that area in the recent past and the eyewitnesses feared doing anything that would put them in danger and were comfortable watching the unfortunate incident from afar. Besides, the authorities never acted on their intel, so they hadn’t thought it wise to report about the new case.

In an instant, a young woman in a bright, eye-catching outfit and high heels stumbled out of a party nearby. She looked drunk, happy and unbothered as if she didn’t know that danger could be anywhere, or maybe she was too drunk to even care. The men moved stealthily and deftly towards her, their steps as rapid and calculated as shadows. Just a few meters from her, the girl was still unaware of their presence.

In the blink of an eye, everything had happened. It was so fast and sudden that it almost didn’t feel like it had happened. Eyewitnesses had begun thinking that they were just being paranoid and that no one else would be kidnapped when it happened. The men moved as fast as lightning, with one of them covering the girl’s mouth so that her screams weren’t heard. They threw her inside the black van and it sped off.

Anger, rage and helplessness consumed every inch of the eyewitness’s body. They wanted a stop to the kidnapping but they felt helpless. They knew they also couldn’t keep turning a blind eye because one of their children could be the next victim. The criminals’ bravado is getting too much. They appear to be completely unafraid of the cops to kidnap in public since they are openly straining the boundaries of the law without hesitation,’ the residents thought angrily.

Still transfixed on the tall building in sight, Faith gritted his teeth as he thought of the criminals as shameless and conscienceless people who would do anything for money. Most humans consider human trafficking to be the world’s most heinous crime since the irreversible damage it causes to both those who are lucky to be rescued and the unlucky is awful. Both groups of people suffer long-term damage. ‘So they sent me in to clean up the mess and get civilians out before they’re sold to slavery,’ he thought as he continued looking at the warehouse with utmost seriousness. Realization dawned on him that the mission was an urgent one, so he took out his binoculars and started surveying the warehouse closer.

The warehouse looked old but no one had an idea when it was built or how long the human traffickers had been using it for their illegal business but that wasn’t important. The thought of the huge number of innocent people whose lives had turned into a tragic nightmare in that very building made Faith’s blood run cold, making him vow, at that moment, to do everything to end the use of that forsaken evil place. The warehouse was a big and imposing building. It had many floors that Faith had lost count midway. He zoomed in to try to figure out if there was a loophole he could use as an entry or exit point but none was in sight.

‘If there was one, many people would have already tried accomplishing this mission,’ he thought as he smiled bitterly. He swallowed bitter saliva as he pictured the state of the humans in that building. He was sure they were now sober and upon realizing what had happened to them, they had cried out a river. The aesthetics of this warehouse didn’t make it seem like a place for dangerous activities.

Most warehouses are known to have bare and rough walls but this one’s walls were finished with smooth concrete. It was also well furnished, making it surprisingly look high-class. It was hard to believe that this was only a temporary safe place for criminals. Walking inside it made one feel like they had found an oasis in the middle of a desert. Indoor plants grew wonderfully in the space and stood in the mostly industrial area as if nature had taken back this place.

The plants not only made the building look nice but also peaceful, which made it an even more mysterious and interesting place to be. But looks can be deceiving and stories and mysteries were waiting to be found in this strange haven. Around the warehouse, there was a scary chain-link fence with barbed wire that sparkled all around it. Anyone trying to spy into the building couldn’t see anything because of this safety feature. The extremely pointed ends of barbed wire reflect sunlight and act as a warning to anyone attempting to breach the barrier without authorization.

It was a known thing that trespassing was forbidden, and anyone who tried to do so would face harsh penalties. There were hidden security cameras that looked around the area for enhanced security. Vehicles with heavy defenses were all around it, and there was a helicopter on top. As Faith continued to survey the area, he saw a couple of armed crooks walking along the fence. Though not surprised that there were people in charge of the watchtower, Faith’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t clearly see their faces but their body language screamed of cold-blooded murderers.

‘Mmmh, interesting. Guard towers,’ Faith thought as he smirked and zoomed in on each guard. They were well-built and couldn’t easily take down anyone who dared to challenge them but they didn’t seem alert. Or maybe, it was their way of fooling anyone who thought he/she could escape their vigilance. Maybe someone else could be fooled but Faith knew better. ‘Best guards cartel money can buy. They can be tricky,’ he thought to himself and surveyed the surroundings of the warehouse further.

His gaze turned to the door that served as the entrance to the warehouse. A world of intrigue and secrets resided behind that door, hidden from casual passersby. It was an entry guarded by two fearsome individuals whose vibes gave off an obvious threat. Those who dared to come close without being invited got chills just by being around them. The guards were always scanning the area and seemed more aware of their surroundings. Experienced professionals worked better than the other local police officers. Their movement, observation, and posture reflected years of expertise.

‘Especially with their hardware,’ Faith thought to himself after taking a closer look at their equipment. They had more advanced guns and heavy clothing above their bulletproof vests. Faith found it distasteful that such strong, capable-looking people would work for criminals who used the weak for money. Choosing to get to another spot so that he could observe the other areas of the warehouse from a different angle, he decided to ignore the guards since there was no point wasting time and efforts when lives were at stake.

He found a nice spot and got down to work. Zooming in his binoculars, he realized something that made his heart sink to his stomach. He breathed in and out repeatedly before rubbing his eyes, to confirm what he had just seen. ‘This can’t be real. No way, this has to be a trap,’ he told himself repeatedly but it was real.

Surprisingly, security guards did not patrol the part of the warehouse with large windows yet it was widely visible and could not be ignored by anyone outside the warehouse. Though there weren’t any guards watching around, those who wanted to barge in had the sense that something was not right. It just couldn’t be a visible weakness in security. The large windows’ solid bars crisscrossed the glass panes, caging the people within it; human trafficking victims.

These victims waited behind these high walls. Their expression was full of fear and longing to get out of that place as soon as possible. There were those who also looked blankly from afar as if they had already given up life. ‘Captives are in the center of the compound. The whole setup is to become a meat grinder for a soldier foolish enough to try to break them out,’ Faith deduced as he gritted his teeth.

He stood up and fixed his eyes resolutely toward the direction the victims were being held hostage. He didn’t know the number of victims in the room and thought that didn’t matter, it could be a big dent in his already formulated rescue strategy. What if others were being held in a different location? He was prepared to put the plan into action at any moment.

Fortunately, I’m not an ordinary soldier, he muttered to himself as he looked at the surroundings once more with coldness and impatience. Yes, Faith was not a regular soldier and he did not require assistance from anyone. He just needed one thing—a go signal.

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On another side of the world, Air Force One, a dedicated plane for the President, was flying towards Stockholm. As it moved across worlds, there was a meeting going on among the passengers. The atmosphere therein was tense and tempers were high, an indication that the reason for travel was very important. When we get to Stockholm for the Climate Change Conference, we need to discuss the accords, a man seriously spoke while looking at the female President who was seated on a comfortable chair and staring at the monitor in front of her. She also had a hefty file full of vital documents in one hand and despite many things needing her attention, she was listening intently to her staff who were doing a presentation.

The man shifted his attention back to the screen and then took the remote and pressed the forward button. On display was a video clip of a bustling crowd in the streets. They had banners they were waving and raising in the air with all their might. Even though the audio was muted, one thing that was as clear as day was that the protesters were ready to kill if that satisfied their hunger for blood. They would not calm down until their ultimatums were met.

The President watched silently with a poker expression. Lest I forget to mention, there will be AstroTurf protesters sent by Big Oil trying to disrupt the proceedings, the man said, before once again turning to look at the President. The President’s face was etched in deep thoughts and she appeared to be in a serious meditation. Of course they will… she replied and smiled. They are welcome to try, of course.

She then stood up. She was a tall woman, and the white dress with black tailoring that she wore underneath her suit looked great on her. Her presence gave off an air of power, exactly as it was meant to. But the safety of our planet, not to mention our healthcare system, is at risk, she remarked, her tone serious and firm. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Yes, Madam President Michinoku, a female staff member said while looking at her with the utmost admiration, almost as if she was looking at her idol and trying very hard not to lose her calm. She had been very elated when she got the chance to work for the president, whose journey she had keenly watched and been inspired by. President Michinoku looked at her with a smile and said, Call me Sara, please. She then nodded slightly before moving towards the window where the beautiful view outside caught her attention. There were a few clouds near the horizon that made the clear, calm blue sky look even more stunningly beautiful.

Despite the beautiful scene, one couldn’t help but notice that the President didn’t seem to enjoy the view. She looked worried and upset and the staff exchanged worried and concerned looks. The President let out a deep sigh before speaking seriously, Our resources are very stretched. Besides, the recent global pandemics have shown us that the worldwide health system needs to be improved. Even before taking up her duties as the President, she had been well aware of the dire need for significant reforms to her nation’s healthcare system.

She was aware that her country had some of the highest healthcare costs in the world and that the significant issue had been long overlooked and devalued. Deep down she knew that the expensive healthcare system hurts those in the middle and lower economic classes.

Who would have predicted that even before they managed to significantly improve and make a big change in their healthcare system, the pandemic would interrupt everyone’s lives? "I hope the other world leaders can also