Project Apex

"Identity is the prison we make for ourselves." ~ Chuck Palahniuk (Invisible Monsters)

A man and a woman in lab coats walked through the sterile corridors of the facility, the rhythmic echo of their footsteps reverberated against the cold, metal walls.

Woman: "So, Dr. Stevens, I'm eager to learn more about Project Apex. What exactly is its purpose?"

Dr. Stevens: "Project Apex is our most ambitious undertaking yet. Its goal is to push the boundaries of human potential by creating individuals who represent the epitome of intellect, skill, and capability. We're talking about the top 0.1% of human excellence—the geniuses among geniuses."

The woman nodded, her interest piqued as they approached a set of reinforced doors guarded by security personnel.

Woman: "And these individuals? Are they yielding results?"

Dr. Stevens: "Yes, they are. Follow me."

With a swipe of his access card, Dr. Stevens unlocked the doors, revealing a spacious chamber filled with rows of glass enclosures. Inside each enclosure, children could be seen engaged in various activities, from solving complex puzzles to conducting scientific experiments.

Dr. Stevens: "These are our subjects, carefully selected from across the globe for their exceptional potential. Through rigorous training, education, and genetic enhancements, we aim to mold them into the ultimate human beings—unrivaled in their fields of expertise."

The woman peered through the glass, her gaze lingering on the young faces illuminated by the soft glow of the overhead lights.

Woman: "It's...remarkable. But also...unsettling. Are we playing with fire here, Dr. Stevens? What if something goes wrong?"

Dr. Stevens: "Rest assured, everything is under control. We have stringent protocols in place to ensure the safety and success of the project. And besides, the potential benefits far outweigh any potential risks. Imagine a world where the brightest minds collaborate to solve humanity's greatest challenges. That's the vision of Project Apex."

As the woman absorbed Dr. Stevens' words, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. But amidst her doubts, there was also a flicker of curiosity—a curiosity that compelled her to delve deeper into the mysteries of Project Apex, and the extraordinary children who called it home.

Dr. Stevens led the woman through the rows of glass enclosures, explaining the intricacies of the experiment with a sense of pride in his voice.

Dr. Stevens: "Each child here is classified according to our ranking system, from Human to Unknown, based on their level of development and potential. We've identified eleven stages of progress, denoted by letters from F to Z in ascending order."

He paused, gesturing towards the first set of enclosures where the children of Rank B were engaged in various activities.

Dr. Stevens: "At the lower end of the spectrum, we have the Human ranks—F, E, D, and so on. These children possess above-average capabilities but are still within the realm of human potential. By the time they reach Rank A, they rival professional athletes in physical ability."

The woman's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the children in Rank A, their youthful energy and athleticism on full display.

Dr. Stevens continued, leading her deeper into the facility.

Dr. Stevens: "Moving up the ladder, we have the Elite Human rank, denoted by the letter S. These individuals possess skills and abilities that rival even the most seasoned elite soldiers."

They reached the section of the facility where the children of Rank S were housed, their demeanor and posture reflecting a level of discipline and focus beyond their years.

Dr. Stevens: "But it doesn't stop there. Beyond the Elite Human rank lies the realm of Monsters—individuals whose capabilities surpass even our wildest expectations. Rank S+ represents the supposed limit of human potential."

The woman glanced at the small group of children in Rank S+, awe and apprehension mingling in her expression.

Dr. Stevens: "And finally, we have the Unknown—the pinnacle of our experiment. Only one child has ever reached this rank, denoted by the letter Z. They possess abilities that defy explanation, representing the ultimate expression of human potential."

As they walked among the enclosures, Dr. Stevens pointed out the varying numbers of children in each rank, highlighting the distribution across the spectrum of development.

Dr. Stevens: "We currently have at least 25 children in Rank B, 17 in Rank A, 5 in Rank S, 3 in Rank S+, and 1 in Rank Z. The average age of the children in our program is fifteen, although some outliers may be slightly younger or older."

The woman listened intently, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had just learned. As they continued their tour of the facility, she couldn't shake the feeling of awe and trepidation that accompanied the knowledge of what lay beyond the glass enclosures—children who held the keys to unlocking the mysteries of human potential.

The woman's curiosity burned brighter as she listened to Dr. Stevens' explanation of the subjects. "The Unknown",

She couldn't help but wonder about the limitations, if any, of such a remarkable individual.

Woman: "Dr. Stevens, can you elaborate on the limitations of the 'Unknown' subject? What sets them apart from the rest of the participants in the project?"

Dr. Stevens paused, his expression momentarily thoughtful before he responded.

Dr. Stevens: "Subject Zero... is unlike any other participant in our program. Their abilities defy conventional understanding, transcending the boundaries of human potential as we know it. As for limitations, well, let's just say they have yet to encounter a challenge they cannot overcome."

The woman's fascination grew, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she had to witness the abilities of Subject Zero firsthand, to understand the true extent of their power.

Woman: "I would like to meet Subject Zero, to witness their abilities for myself."

Dr. Stevens hesitated, his gaze lingering on the woman with a mixture of caution and concern.

Dr. Stevens: "I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment. Subject Zero's status is... not ordinary, as you understand. However, I would be happy to arrange a meeting with one of our participants from the Elite Human rank—someone whose abilities are impressive in their own right."

The woman reluctantly nodded, understanding the implications of Dr. Stevens' words. While she longed to meet Number Zero, she knew she had to respect the protocols and procedures of the project.

Woman: "Very well, Dr. Stevens. I trust your judgment. Please arrange a meeting with a participant from the Elite Human rank."

With that, Dr. Stevens led the woman towards the section of the facility where the children of Rank S were housed, eager to showcase the extraordinary abilities of one of their most promising participants.

They both approached the Rank S section.

There, the children were seen having a Chess tournament. As the woman watched the intense chess tournament unfold before her, she couldn't help but marvel at the sheer skill and strategy displayed by the children of Rank S. Their moves were calculated and precise, each one demonstrating a level of mastery that surpassed even the most seasoned professionals invited from all corners of the globe.

One by one, the children defeated their opponents with ease, their faces betraying no hint of emotion as they moved their pieces across the board with unwavering confidence.

Dr. Stevens stood by the woman's side, his expression a mix of pride and satisfaction as he witnessed the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

Dr. Stevens: "Impressive, isn't it? These children possess an innate talent for the game that far exceeds anything we could have imagined."

The woman nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on the final match between the two remaining participants. The tension in the air was palpable as they squared off against each other, their minds working at lightning speed to anticipate their opponent's next move.

In the end, it was a hard-fought battle that ended in a draw, leaving both players with a sense of accomplishment and respect for each other's abilities.

As the tournament came to a close, the woman felt a stirring of excitement deep within her. Despite her years of experience and expertise in the game of chess, she had never witnessed such raw talent and determination in one place.

Woman: "Dr. Stevens, may I make a request?"

Dr. Stevens turned to her, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

Dr. Stevens: "Of course. What is it?"

The woman hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice steady with determination.

Woman: "I would like to participate in the next chess tournament alongside the children of Rank S. I believe I can offer them a worthy challenge. I have a rating of 2950 after all"

Dr. Stevens regarded her with surprise, then a smile spread across his face.

Dr. Stevens: "Very well. Consider it arranged. I have no doubt that your presence will add an exciting dimension to the next competition."

With that,She approached the children, a sense of anticipation coursing through her veins. As she spoke with them, she couldn't shake the feeling that they had anticipated her request all along. David Tan, the best in Rank S, agreed to her proposition with a confident smile.

The chessboard was set, the pieces poised for battle. The woman made the first move, her fingers hovering over the pawn in front of her king. With a sense of determination, she pushed it forward, initiating the game with a traditional opening.

1. e4 (Woman's move, pawn to e4)

David responded swiftly, his hand moving with precision as he mirrored her move.

1. ... e5 (David's move, pawn to e5)

The woman furrowed her brow slightly, surprised by the familiarity of David's opening move. But she remained composed, determined to stay one step ahead.

2. Nf3 (Woman's move, knight to f3)

David wasted no time in responding, his own knight leaping into action to challenge her piece.

2. ... Nc6 (David's move, knight to c6)

The "Ruy Lopez" opening, also known as the Spanish Opening

As the game progressed, the woman found herself increasingly impressed by David's skill and strategy. His moves were calculated and precise, each one executed with the precision of a well-oiled machine.

After ten moves, the woman's initial surprise had evolved into a grudging admiration for her opponent's talent. But she refused to let her guard down, knowing that the game was far from over.

David glanced up at her with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

David: "Surprised, Ms.? It seems you might have underestimated me a bit too much."

The woman nodded, a hint of respect creeping into her expression.

Woman: "Indeed, David. But I assure you, I won't make that mistake again."

As the game between the woman and David Tan continued, the tension in the air thickened with each move. Both players were locked in a fierce battle of wits, their minds racing to outmaneuver and outthink their opponent.

After a while, the woman emerged victorious against David. It was a close one but her experience in the field prevailed. Acknowledging her skill, she wondered about the capabilities of Rank Z, intrigued by the impressive display of Rank S.

Woman: 'If Rank S is this magnificent,I wonder how Rank Z will be'