Beneath the bright, morning sun: Screams and wails explode throughout the docks.

?: “Heelp! Help m—Augh!”

??: “Let us go! You can't jus—AAaaah!!!”

???: “HEY!! LEAVE HER ALONE!! WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTH- AAH!”

---

What was once a peaceful sight instantly became an eerie production: starring two hundred drugged humans groggily attempting to escape a damaged freight container.

In the front of them all lay a man covered in weak flames. Behind him are a plump middle-aged woman and her adult daughter with a fierce stare – all three donning an impressive set of matching scorches. The young man attempting to shield everyone tries to create a wall flames on the floor below, hoping to lay a field of unpassable fire to the ground, but his thin barrier only earns him a laugh from their attackers.

Security #1: “I don't know how you broke the crate OR woke up from your peaceful dreams, but I suggest you come quietly and stop causing a ruckus. You all signed up for the experimental tests as subjects to undergo experimentation in order to escape your death sentences. Nobody is coming to save you if you misbehave.”

Security #2: “Haha, let 'em try! With the Professor's improved weapons and the drugs weakening their 'powers', these slum rats and unwanted folk'll make awesome targets.”

?: “Death sentence? Umm, excuse me. Kind sir? I-I don't recall my family or I ever-”

No sooner did the old man stand up to approach the guards did he feel an extremely cold sensation completely overcome his body, originating from his scalp. He only had enough time to fix his gaze on a distraught little boy, unfortunate to begin witnessing his grandfather's impending death.

Time seemed to have slowed for the two, with the youth's disbelieving countenance welling up tears...while the Elder's forming a last-minute smile in a pathetically vain attempt to pacify his grandchild's budding despair.

Such a display lasted only a second before the old man's head exploded – startling those nearby and in agreement with him.

Security #2: “Does it sound like I give any shits about your pleas for mercy, you shitty old man?...Oh, wait. Ahaha, I forgot that he can't actually hear anymore! Ah~ that was quite the stress-reliever.”

???: “You...You BASTARD! He was only explaining himself! You didn't have to kill him! Why have you kidnapped us anyways?! You mentioned 'death sentences' but there's no way those children could have a death sentence in today's age! Stop lying and tell us the truth already!”

However no-one stepped forward to voice their support this time. That previous display seemed to have struck most of them silent. Eventually, The security guard responsible for the old prisoner's death raised his metallic gun once again, exuding a light blue glow from it.

Without warning: he again shot at the crowd all the while, wearing a cocky countenance. The blaster's blue energy quickly shot to the next speaker: the young man who wielded weakened flames, but before touching his skin, a girl with a hoodie and dull, lifeless eyes spit her cigarette out and started to blow a bubble.

This bubble grew larger and denser until she spat it towards the young man who was already trying to outrun the unsuspected assault. With speed faster than the murder weapon, this ordinary bubble managed to capture that strange energy, then discharge it everywhere after popping.

Security #1: “That's enough with the killing Felgore. Any more deaths and Mr. Watts won't be happy. When he's not happy...WE aren't happy, understood? You know how he likes having a full count.”

Security #2(Felgore): “Man, I got it, I got it! It's just these damned failures are always repeating the same things even though I SAID no more talking! Can't they use their brains for once?!”

In a matter of moments, the scene began to calm. Faced with overwhelming technological force and an increasing number of guards, the 199 humans, weakened and barely managing to keep themselves awake can only follow along quietly.

---

Meanwhile, Noel, perched atop a roof to examine his next route, ran into a problem.

{Darn it, no-one's allowed inside and they have some...weird energy barrier protecting the entire central area! Should I risk taking some of them out? No, that's too dangerous. Father didn't give me anything special to use on this mission, so I'm guessing he wants to see me complete it with my own strength and wits. If he gets somehow alerted and escapes my grasp, then I'll fail...}

Just as Noel was about to give into temptation and rush at a hapless guard, he saw a sliver of hope; far in the distance.

A large group of people were being protected as they marched close to the barrier!

{That's perfect! With so many of them around me, I'll never be discovered! Besides, by the way they're being guarded, they must be critically important!! Ehehe!}

...So, unbeknownst to anyone, a 10 year old boy disappeared from his rooftop viewpoint and blended in with the crowd of test subjects.

---

Barrier Watchman #1: “Halt! Show identification and bring forth your transaction list of the next batch of 'volunteers'.”

Security Guard #1: “Here. Also, we have the list, but Mr. Watts only asked for a randomized group of unwanted or uncared for participants with absolutely no background. Naturally, we haven't cared enough to inquire any names since most were living in abandoned cities or closed off tunnels. Just a collection of rejects this time around.”

Barrier Watchwoman #2: “Mm. That's fine. Boss Watts already informed us just a few moments ago, that today, his “life’s mission” would be completed. Today or tomorrow, anyway. The poor over-worker sounded so happy. He's been frowning for the longest time, so it really improved the moods of those near him.”

Security Guard #2: “HUH? If it's finished...Then, WHY have we been risking ourselves doing this stupid work?! What about all the test subjects?!...Mam.”

Barrier Watchman #3: “Hmph! You complete the job that you're being PAID to do. Surely you don't wish to end up as one of them? Going though the tests as an experimental subject, a disposable reject in everyone else's eyes?”

Security guard #2: “....No, sir. S-Sorry for misspeaking, sir.”

Barrier Watchman #3: “Good. That's a much better attitude to have. Maybe once this project concludes, Boss Watts will have a reward for you all.”

Security guard #2: “That sounds mighty tempting sir! However, if these guys aren't needed....then what do we do with all of them.. Aren't there over a few thousand or so still in the 'apartment complex'?”

Barrier Watchwoman #2: “Well, naturally, we'll dispose of them. Nobody will miss a group of forgotten failures anyhow. Not even over ten thousand of them.”

Noel: “...”

Noel, who is secretly listening in from the crowd since, unlike the rest, his body wasn't drugged, begins to feel innumerable sweat drops sliding down his back.

{This wasn't part of the plan! Those, whack-jobs want to just...kill all these people? Along with the..umm, did they say around 10,000? Yeah, the other ten thousand?!

What is that guy Professor Watts thinking?! No wonder somebody commissioned my Father for this man's head AND to uncover his lab's secrets. He's willing to sacrifice TEN THOUSAND people because they're worthless. How utterly disgusting.

Despicable...

...It's my...job to kill him. Yet, after hearing this...like before, I don't feel as bad, not when I think about hunting this guy down. Maybe it's because he plans on murdering so many people? Maybe he deserves it?

.

.

well, in any case I'll just prevent it.}

????: “Waaaaah! Waaahh! G-*Sniff*-Grandpa...Grandpa!!! Come *Sniff* Come back! Please *Sniff*!”

Victim #43(Plump mother): “Aww, there baby, please don't cry If you make a scene, the bad guys will come back.”

Victim #24: “Boy, shut up already! It's been nearly half an hour since you started bawlin' an' I can't stand it!”

Victim #41(Fierce-eyed daughter): “Leave him alone! He lost his grandfather and literally watched his head explode. What sane child can stand such a sight!”

Victim #24: “That boy over there with the suit an' tie! Obviously he ain't blubbering like this wimp!”

Noel: “...”

Victim #41(Fierce-eyed daughter): “THAT BOY must have been one of the stragglers who woke up late! Besides that, he ALSO happens to look a lot, oh I dunno, OLDER! So YOU stop making a scene!”

???: “Alright enough, if we don't stand together we'll most likely die. Try to remember what happened at the docks.”

Victim #24: “Who died an' made YOU leader?!”

???: “I don't care about being leader. I just don't want any more casualties. Also kid, please stop crying. I managed to cut a strip of your grandfather's Jacket off by burning the rest around a sleeve. Sorry I couldn't save the whole blood-soaked thing, but at least you can use it as a scarf or something. Try to remember the good times, until we get outta here and report those criminals to heroes. Can you manage that?”

Traumatized Boy: “*Sniff* *Sniff* O-Okay...”

{...Judging by their conversations, it seems there was an old man with that kid. I mean, I'm a kid too, but he clearly wasn't raised like I was. That tough looking girl sporting a hoodie appears to be the second strongest behind the self-appointed leader. I'm not sure about that mysteriously well-groomed long haired...person. He defenitely feels...either strong or just mysterious.

As for the rest…

…

They're not speaking up, so I'll assume they're all weak. Those first two appear to be formulating some kind of plan, but such a thing is obviously out of their league.}

Watchman #1: “Okay! Everything checks out alright. Now we just need to take a head-count for confirmation that ALL 200 'volunteers' have arrived for transport.”

The very instant those words were heard, Security guard #2 started sweating bullets.

Why would they need to do a head-count? Didn't they just finish saying that they would dispose of all these test subjects? What happens, then, if one is missing? Could 'disposing them' be a lie? Will I get punished?

He thought.

Nevertheless, such thoughts were completely useless. The moment Watchwoman #2 came forward, taking out a metallic handheld device resembling a Lidar Gun in the process, a scan quickly took place over the large group: returning with a very loud beep.

Watchwoman #2: “Yeah, everything checks out perfect. 200 civilians ready for transport. You may proceed.”

Security Guards 1 & 2: “...Huh?”

The ones most dumbfounded were in fact, the only two that knew exactly what the number should really check out to. Did the old man crawl back from the grave, ready to seek revenge? Surely not. Such a thought would only send even greater chills down their backs, so much so that their spines would most likely freeze outright.

Security Guard #2: “Perhaps...”

Security Guard #1: “...We'll just assume they brought along a defective product and continue. Had I known they'd be checking for exact numbers today, I wouldn't have let you kill him. Regardless, let's go on through.”

Security Guard #2: “Still, it just doesn't make sense.”

Security Guard #1: “The 200th number? I know. Hence, why we're claiming it's a faulty product they've got with 'em.”

Security Guard #2: “No, not that. Well, yes, that too, but no! I mean, why did they want an exact number when...when they JUST said they'd be getting rid of all the kidnapped test subjects? Why does it matter if we get rid of-”

Security Guard #1: “Felgore, don't any further. You know what happens to those who question Professor Watts. I don't wish to be dragged down with you.”

Security Guard #2(Felgore): “....I was just wonderin' is all...”

---