Day 3

  In a secret government base dedicated to clandestine operations, General Travis O’Conor was leading a research project that had been funded for over ten years. The goal? To create soldiers with extraordinary abilities. For this, people were kidnapped and used as test subjects.

  For years, the experiments failed. But that day, the lead scientist called the general over, his expression noticeably different.

  "General, we have finally achieved what you were hoping for," said the doctor, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "The ability generator is working. It grants powers, although still randomly. With just a few more days of work, we'll be able to assign specific abilities to each soldier."

  A satisfied smile slowly spread across the general’s face.

  "At last... the United States will have the most powerful army in history."

  Immediately, he demanded a demonstration to present to his superiors. The doctor introduced a test subject, registered as 2024. The generator had granted him the ability to emit neural waves capable of invading minds and causing intense headaches.

  "Ha— This is ridiculous," the general interrupted, not even letting the doctor finish explaining. "If it doesn't impress me, it certainly won't impress my superiors. Kill this subject and prepare another one."

  As soldiers dragged 2024 away, the general’s gaze fell on a strange vial resting on the lab table.

  "And what’s this?" he asked, intrigued.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Research from another scientist," the doctor replied. "A mind control gas. Supposedly, it would allow a person to be controlled without realizing it."

  "‘Supposedly’?" the general questioned. "What does this gas actually do?"

  "The best we’ve managed so far is to leave the subject completely unconscious... guided only by an insatiable hunger," the doctor explained. Then he added, "The last test subject is being taken to the execution room right now."

  "Like a zombie?" the general asked, intrigued.

  "Exactly. Like a zombie," the doctor answered in a dark tone.

  While subject 2024 was being escorted alongside other failed prisoners, he struggled desperately to break free. He tried to invade the minds of the guards, but his powers had little effect. In a final, desperate move, he targeted the mind of the zombie test subject.

  To his surprise, he not only accessed the creature’s mind — he controlled it, planting intentions and goals inside the empty consciousness. Without hesitation, he ordered the zombie to attack the guards, freeing himself and the other prisoners.

  Consumed by hatred and a thirst for revenge, 2024 had an idea: to create more zombies under his control. A private army. A tool of destruction against those who had shattered his life and the lives of countless innocents.

  He raced toward the main laboratory, where all research — including the ability generator — was stored.

  The alarm blared across the base.

  Guards swarmed the area. The lab turned into a battlefield: bullets tearing through the air, prisoners falling, total chaos erupting. Only four prisoners survived the bloodbath.

  The controlled zombie proved highly resistant to bullets — stronger and faster than any normal human. Amid the chaos, a guard accidentally fired several rounds into the generator.

  The machine overloaded.

  A massive shockwave swept through the base, followed by bursts of crackling energy that expanded outward for twelve kilometers. That explosion would change the destiny of everyone: guards, zombies, prisoners, and anyone caught near the base — all were altered forever, receiving extraordinary abilities without even knowing.

  In the midst of the devastation, 2024 seized the research documents on the mind control gas. Improvising a mask, he used the last of the gas on fallen guards, transforming them into loyal servants. With new allies and a clear mission, he freed the other prisoners and made them a promise:

  "We will have our revenge."

  They fled the destroyed facility.

  Outside, the scene was apocalyptic. The highway nearby was in complete collapse: overturned vehicles, screaming civilians, fires raging. It was the perfect battlefield to begin anew.

  Using the remaining gas, 2024 infected a few people on the road and commanded his zombies to attack the others. His goal was simple: expand his army.

  What followed was pure carnage. Screams tore through the air. Terror gripped every soul. People scattered in every direction. Just moments before, that highway had been an ordinary day in the lives of

  ordinary people.

  Now, it was the beginning of the end.