I have to risk it all now. Why did it come to this? Everything was going so well. Why did it all fall apart so fast?

"Mister Volten, the Chinese government has cut all funding and support."(???)

Alas, it was only a matter of time, all support for my research dropped one by one until there's none left. With the sudden public backlash that’s been going on, such a development was inevitable.

A notorious serial killer has been caught in London and it was discovered that she was using high-grade military enhancements designed by my company. And somehow all the public blame fell on my research. Not on the negligence of the military program it was stolen from and neither on the serial killer herself.

"Our intel also suggests that they and the Russians are mounting an armed capture operation. Most likely we are their target. Also, there’s been an increase in the surveillance forces hidden near our island"(???)

Those bastards, now that the situation has become so unstable, they will jump at the first chance to steal my research. In a few days they’ll be able to invade my base and parade as international peacekeepers afterwards. With all this growing pressure I must move fast, I’ve run out of options.

"Mirida, how are preparations for Operation: C.A.T. going?"(Mister Volten)

"Everything is ready, it can launch at moment’s notice."(Mirida)

I turn around and sigh. Am I really doing this? Shouldn’t I just abandon it all and disappear? It wouldn’t be impossible. All those 'superpowers' with all their intelligence organizations wouldn't be able to track me down. I would be able to live the rest of my life peacefully without lacking anything.

No, something will be lacking.

A goal. I would live an ordinary life, unable to peruse my aspirations.

A future. I would be a shell of my former self, yearning for the past that I had lost.

Progress. I would stagnate or, even worse, I will decline, falling to what I've struggled to ascend from.

I feel my hand gently grabbed from behind. I turn around to see Mirida looking at me with worry apparent in her eyes.

"Are you sure you want to do this? We can just flee and start everything anew, continue your research somewhere else under a new name." (Mirida)

This woman! We both know such a thing is impossible. I won't be able to continue my research. Those greedy pigs won’t be tricked twice and even if they would be, those kinds of resources are bound to attract attention.

In the end I’d be forced to live a low-profile life. A life stuck in normality. I would stare at the ceiling instead of breaking it and asking myself how long until I do the same with the next one. Why would I willingly submit myself to such a thing? I'd prefer death over that lifestyle.

In the end, my plan is a huge gamble, but even the worst scenario is actually the second best option.

I look her directly into her eyes and let mine show my determination. After a few seconds, her worry begins to fade and I take advantage of that moment and kiss her lips. She's surprised at first, but then she begins to enjoy the moment. We both do.

After the moment passes and our lips part, Mirida takes a step back and tries to hide her blushing face. I will never get bored of how cute she acts when she’s teased. Even at such a moment I can’t help but admire her beautiful black eyes.

Her lively and elegant kimono that serves only to accentuate her slim figure and Asian heritage, coupled with her short black hair and bangs could easily place her in her teens. In the last 10 years her appearance only got younger, not in small part due to the enhancements she’s been getting.

"I never took you for a romantic, ...Master."(Mirida)

Her voice fading with each word, until the last one was barely audible. It’s true that we had never shared such a passionate kiss before. I fear that love would get in the way of my work so our relationship can only be described as casual or convenient.

"Guess even I can get emotional in such moments."(Mister Volten)

As much as I try to deny it, the fear of death isn’t something I can completely suppress. But, this is not the moment to show weakness. Doubts will only increase the chances of failure.

"Initiate Operation: C.A.T.!"(Mister Volten)

Requesting extra confirmation. Does host want to start Operation: Cut all ties?

As always, my trusty my A.I. chip is here to ruin the mood as if making fun of my determination.

-Yes.

A second later the metallic voice of the base's central A.I. is heard from my deck.

"Request received. Authorization: Avitus Volten-administrator. Commencing operation."(Central A.I.)

Just as the last word was spoken, I hear the evacuation alarm outside. I look at the screen on the wall as the security cameras capture the panic that spreads to all personnel as they try to leave. No one can blame them, the evacuation alarm is the highest tier on the disaster scale.

In all this panic it was easy for the security drones to pick out and eliminate the spies that have 'infiltrated' our research projects. I watch the screen for a few minutes, until everyone except for the two of us has left the island. I turn and look at Mirida.

"Sure you don't want to leave as well? You don't have to die with a madman for his ambitions."(Avitus)

"You know, I feel offended you're asking such questions at this point in time."(Mirida)

Although she was pretending to be angry, it all fell flat with that smile on her face. Well, it would be an insult to press further, so I continue by closing all communication and sealing the inner base.

Now that we’ve cut all contacts with the outside world and killed the spies keeping tabs on my movements, it won’t be long until the base will be under attack.

"Let's go then. We'll quickly go through the human enhancement labs for the latest versions, then we'll head straight to the quantum labs."

Mirida just nods silently, then we leave my office heading towards the installation sector.

Warning! Military aircrafts and ships are approaching the base. Earliest estimated arrival time: 4minute and 32seconds. The vessels are requesting a communication channel.

-Deny it. Power down all non-essential functions, including the security system. Power up pod E-21 with prototype HH-2.31 and pod E-22 with HH-1.56. Reserve all necessary power for Project: End Game and prepare for its launch in 30minutes. Redirect all remaining power into the quantum shield and isolate the main base.

By the time we arrived, the two pods were ready. I signal Mirida to enter E-22, while I enter E-21.

Inner shield is under attack. Earliest estimated breach time: 30minutes and 4seconds.

This kind of operation is meant to be done when the patient is unconscious, but I don’t have that luxury right now. I take a deep breath and order the A.I. chip to start.

High Human Enhancement Prototype package version 2.31 is not entirely stable. Operation has an 87.8% success chance. Does host wish to continue?

-Yes.

Aaargh, dammit. I’m barely able to avoid passing out from the pain, even if it’s less than half of what I should be normally be feeling, thanks to Arnold’s Pain Suppressor enhancement. I hope the best for the poor sod, he’s a smart boy, but that mouth of his will bring him trouble.

While doing my best to distract myself from the pain, 20minutes pass and the operation finishes. I feel my clothes being put back on and the pod opens. I take a step out and fall to the ground. Shit, time is of the essence here, collect yourself Avitus!

I muster all my strength and try to stand up. In a few seconds I’m able to regain control over my body, but my head is still dizzy. Why didn’t I leave the post op system powered on?

Finally on my feet, I face forward and look in the mirror. There’s a young man, barely in his twenties, with a tall and well-built stature. His well-defined and compressed muscles are only visible on his forearms, the rest hidden by his short-sleeved black shirt.

He is staring at me with his clear, light blue eyes that seem to hold the universe within. The disheveled silver hair only adds to his charm. A proud smile forms on his face. He’s at least 25 years younger than me.

Inner shield energy is running low. Earliest estimated breach time: 11minutes and 4seconds.

Now’s not the time for this nonsense. I turn to my left and look at Mirida, still sleeping in her opened pod. I couldn’t let her suffer, so I had her go through the normal procedure. I send a pulse to her A.I. chip to wake her up.

She jolts awake and opens her eyes wide, but collects herself quickly and gives me a nod to say that she’s ok. We then rush to the quantum labs, our speed easily comparable to that car from 20 years ago. We get there and enter the secret underground lab of Project: End Game.

Warning! Inner shield energy is critically low. Estimated breach time: 3minutes and 2seconds.

By the time we arrived all preparations were already finished. Here comes the moment of truth.

"Initiate Project: End Game."(Avitus)

The project is still in early development. Success chance estimated at 19.3%. Most failure scenarios result in the death of the host and the loss of the central base. Requesting extra confirmation. Does host want to start Project: End Game?

No, I don’t want to! I hate gambling. Thrice in my life have I taken a chance below 95% for something important and lowest of them was 20minutes ago! Why did it com…

"You will succeed. You always did. I am behind you to support you all the way."(Mirida)

Focus, Avitus! Such thoughts are useless now. I’ve made my resolution. I’ve made my decision and I must follow it to the end. …Thank you, Mirida.

-Yes, do it.

We put on some protection suits and entered the observation room. I lean on the central console, looking through the 5layers of triple reinforced glass. A few seconds later, the reactor powers up and a crack in reality begins to form. Pure quantum energy begins to slip out of it.

"Harness all the energy you can and recycle it to keep the crack open. Use the excess energy to reinforce the quantum shield and power up the security system. As soon as 60% of the quantum turrets and cannons are operational begin counterattacking!"(Avitus)

Hah! Who needs their resources? Who needs their help? Project: End Game, the self-sufficient infinite quantum reactor. With it a lone island in the Pacific will have a military power equal or higher than any of the 4 'superpowers'.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With so much power my research will see an exponential growth. Imagine the new heights reachable for the human race. Even spatial colonization won’t be outside our grasp anymore. Humans flying in the sky from town to town for an afternoon walk would be a common sight!

Warning! The limiters are failing. The crack cannot be stabilized. Overflow imminent.

"Close the re…"(Avitus)

Not even able to end my sentence, Mirida and I are pulled into the growing tear in reality together with all glass walls that had been separating us from the reactor. Milliseconds later I find myself floating through a something that can only be described as nothingness and everything at the same time. My suit is unable to endure in this space of pure quantum power and begins to deteriorate. I fail to keep my eyes open and my consciousness slowly fades away.

Unknown connection established directly with the host’s brain. Attempting forc… User headed towards Planet Ludon, under the System’s influence. Beginning integration.