// ζ ─── ＺＥＴＡ .

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

The year is 2429. it has been two years since the nuclear warfare of WWIII practically wiped
out every major country on earth, the radioactive debris quickly spreading to the corners that
remained untouched by fire. Sixteen months ago, the few that remained began a project to
create a haven in the one place on earth the radioactivity would not touch. This location lies
in the heart of South America, where a high-tech shelter has been erected. The minds behind
this plan knew what had to be done since day one: they must sacrifice themselves and others
to the radioactivity for the sake of their species. With limited means of transportation, only
young adults with genetics most likely to survive will be sent to this haven with hopes that
they will reproduce and continue on where the others could not.



In one refugee camp in the barren desert of Las Vegas, Nevada, this project has remained
top secret from the fear of the uproar the civilians' knowledge would create. Nothing must
jeopardize the mission. Seven young adults have been chosen from this particular group,
chosen to leave behind everything they've known for two years without a word. Chosen to
disappear from the face of the earth and asked to continue life. Chosen to bear the
responsibility of the human race.
Seven.
Zeta.



Salutations mortals, this is your captain speaking. Just wanted to pop in a few little factoids
in this space right here because leaving it blank would drive me absolutely coocoo for coco
puffs ya feel? Anyhoo, this is a spin-off of an old project of mine called Iota Beta. In that
version, they were at a point in time where the nuclear waste was wearing off rather than
just beginning. In that one, the human race survived in domes underwater, caves underground,
and colonies on the moon. ... That was literally the only interesting part, once they got on the
surface it kinda crashed and burned. So let's hope that doesn't happen with this one, eh? I have
another story on here called Swindle, which is basically the opposite end of the spectrum genre
wise, being about pirates in the eighteenth century and all. You can find extra scenes for both
stories and my fantasy mutant one, Shadows of Mysterium, in my 100 one-shot challenge. So...
That's about it. Peace out brobamas.

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

Ｃ_._____Ｈ__.____Ａ___.___Ｐ____.__Ｔ____.__Ｅ___.___Ｒ_._____Ｓ

chapter alpha
chapter beta
chapter gamma
interlude
chapter delta
chapter epsilon


Ｃ___._Ｈ__.__Ａ__.__Ｒ.____Ａ__.__Ｃ__.__Ｔ__.__Ｅ__.__Ｒ_.___Ｓ

.
.
.
ＡＬＰＨＡ
Ezekiel Bradley Lewis
twenty-one years
paired with cascade
.
.
.
.
.
.
ＢＥＴＡ
Azure Cruxe Hubble
twenty-two years
paired with margrette
.
.
.
.
.
.
ＢＥＴＡ
Vincent Oliver Fellowes
twenty years
paired with arvia.
.
.
.
.
.
ＧＡＭＭＡ
Electra Galaxy Weeks
twenty-four years
no partner

.
.
.
ＡＬＰＨＡ
Cascade Gail Glendower
twenty-three years
paired with ezekiel.
.
.
.
.
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ＢＥＴＡ
Margrette Jeane Clermont
twenty-one years
paired with azure
.
.
.
.
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ＢＥＴＡ
Arvia Nyneve Brimlad
nineteen years
paired with vincent
.
.
.
.
.
.
ＯＭＥＧＡ
Gretchen Rosemary Lewis
fourteen years
sister of ezekiel

Ｓ____Ｅ____Ｃ____Ｏ____Ｎ____Ｄ____Ａ____Ｒ____Ｉ____Ｅ____Ｓ

ζ ─ Kay Porter // female // twenty-two // england // paired with eli // alpha
ζ ─ Eli Helix // male // twenty-three // england // paired with kay // alpha
ζ ─ Fawn Johnson // female // twenty-one // england // paired with khoda // beta
ζ ─ Khoda Scriven // male // nineteen // england // paired with fawn // beta
ζ ─ Lou Nguyen // female // twenty-one // canada // paired with taber // alpha
ζ ─ Taber Maxwell // male // twenty-two // canada // paired with lou // alpha
ζ ─ Branna Alvarez // female // twenty // canada // paired with gage // beta
ζ ─ Gage Hollens // male // twenty-three // canada // paired with branna // beta
ζ ─ Amelia Reese // female // twenty-two // new zealand // paired with shane // beta
ζ ─ Shane Dawson // male // twenty-one // new zealand // paired with amelia // beta
ζ ─ Opal Valentine // female // eighteen // australia // paired with felix // beta
ζ ─ Felix Stanza // male // twenty // australia // paired with opal // beta
ζ ─ Natalie O'Day // female // twenty-three // ireland // paired with kelan // beta
ζ ─ Kelan Cormac // male // twenty-two // ireland // paired with natalie // beta
ζ ─ Honey Dawn // female // twenty-three // scotland // paired with mason // alpha
ζ ─ Mason MacDonald // male // twenty-four // scotland // paired with honey // alpha

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

_________________________________________________________________________________

It had been an average day in the refugee camp. Or at least, as average as things could be after a nuclear strike. Ironic, really, that the desert of southern Nevada was the last haven in the vicinity. The day was hot and dry, but people somehow managed to struggle on for the years following the strikes. Though it was inevitable that the radioactive debris would reach them sooner or later.

And suddenly, the average sweltering day took an unexpected turn as seven names were spoken over the intercom.

“Attention. If your name follows this announcement, report to the camp headquarters immediately. Ezekiel Lewis, Arvia Brimlad, Azure Hubble, Margrette Clermont, Vincent Fellowes, Cascade Glendower, Electra Weeks.”

Each had been confused yet compliant, and had arrived in a timely manner, sent into an interrogation room one after the other. The conversations were as followed:

“State your name for the record.”

“Ezekiel Lewis.”

Now, Ezekiel was a very collected person and he sat straight with his hands folded neatly upon the table, though anxiety gnawed at him and he forced himself not to fidget.

“Can you confirm that you have no family history of physical or mental disease.”

“... Yes,” he answered cautiously, narrowing his hazel eyes. “Listen, if this is about some kind of relocation, you’re wasting your time. I have to get back to my sister.”

“Would you mind describing how your parents died?”

Ezekiel tensed and shifted, his sharply featured face hardening. “Of course, officer,” he said flatly, resentment lacing his voice. “My father died in a mine collapse and my mother from grief. Anything else?”

“Your sister’s parents were both Shaemus and Rose Lewis as well.”

“Yes,” he spat bitterly. Ezekiel’s sister, Gretchen, was only fourteen and they had no one else. She was his responsibility and he was beginning to feel as though he’d swallowed a stone. “Is that all?” The officer across from him simply nodded and he stood, exiting the room only to be directed to another.

--

“State your name.”

“Avria Nyneve Brimlad- but you can call me Arvie,” the blonde said with a cheery, oblivious smile, her silvery blue eyes sparkling. “It’s nice to meet you, officer. Lovely day, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Can you confirm that your family has no history of physical or… Mental illness?”

Arvie nodded vigorously before taking a breath and pinching her brows together. “Well, I do have synesthesia, but I wouldn’t exactly describe it as an illness,” she pointed out. “More like a… Creative advantage.”

“Would you care to elaborate on your condition?”

“Of course!” She said with a wave of her hand. “I can see the colors of sounds, is all.” Her smile grew as she leaned across the table, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Your voice is dark green, in case you wanted to know. The echoes are a rather lovely pattern as well,” she added dreamily, looking around.

“Right, well… Continuing on. Your father was of a high government position.”

“Indeed he was! Well, is- was? I don’t know, is the government still a thing after a nuclear strike happens?” She mused out loud.

“... That would be all, Miss Brimlad.”

Arvie popped out of her chair and smoothed her dress. “Alright! Have a nice day, officer!”

--

“Name.”

“A-Azure… Cruxe Hubble… I’m sorry, did you want my middle name? Probably should have asked. … Cruxe with an E, by the way.” The thin boy was a wreck of anxiety, pushing up his glasses over his wide blue-green eyes.

“Can you confirm that your family has no history of physical or mental illness?”

“Yes,” he said hastily, nodding then shakily brushing the thick, dark hair out of his eyes when it fell forward. “Though, I’d be the first to admit my vision isn’t pristine- I- I don’t know if that counts or not.”

“... May I ask what brought you into the care of your aunt, Luna Gimmel?”

Azure glanced around with a sigh, wringing his hands together. “My parents died when I was young. It had nothing to do with their health though,” he added, his demeanor falling considerably as his mind wandered elsewhere.

“Is it true you are already closely acquainted with Miss Margrette Clermont?”

Azure jumped slightly, jarred from his daze. When the question registered, he narrowed his eyes slightly. “Isn’t that question rather… Personal? What is this for, anyway?”

“I’ll take that as a yes. And might I say that your IQ is practically off the charts.”

“Yes, well…” he said, clearing his throat, “I’m sure that’s the only accomplishment you’ll find on me, so how much longer is this going to take?”

--

The moment Azure left, he was directed to another small room. When he opened the heavy door with a creak, the first thing he saw was five others sitting in chairs around the edges of the room. They were silent, for the most part, though Margrette was turned towards Ezekiel, his hand on her shoulder as he seemed to be murmuring words of comfort. The two had gone to school together since they were small, though they had only grown to be friends since they were put in the camp, gravitating towards those who were familiar.

Margrette looked up the instant Azure walked in the door, her blonde hair messily pulled back and her brown eyes wide with worry as she stood and rushed towards him, immediately wrapping him in an embrace which he returned. “I’ve been so worried,” she whispered in a rasping voice.

“Worried about what?” He laughed. He looked down, but she refused to meet his eye. “Maggie, look at me.” She hesitated before obeying and he met her with a smile. “I’m fine.” He paused and looked her over. “Are you?”

She looked away and shook her head, letting out a shaky breath. “I just want to know what’s going on. Why are we here-” She was interrupted with a jolt as the door was shoved open, falling shut for the last time.

“That’s an excellent question, princess, and I’m sure we’re all wondering.”

The words were Electra’s, the tattooed, pierced, black-haired, green-eyed woman walked in and sat heavily in one of the chairs. “Though I’m sure if anyone could figure it out, it’s your brainiac boy toy.”

A groan sounded from the other side of the room as Cascade rolled her head and eyes back. “Can you keep your snake tongue in your mouth for two seconds?”

“Am I wrong, Cassy?” Electra scoffed, looking sharply over at the girl with she short blonde curls. “They sure as hell haven’t told me a damn thing and I’m sure none of you are the exception.” When she didn’t reply, she turned her green gaze back to Azure. “So what do you figure?” She asked bitterly, leaning back and crossing her legs. “Tell us why we’re here, boy genius.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to make a sharp retort, but Azure stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, silencing her before glancing around. “Well…” He began nervously, “We all have a similar age in common. Assuming they asked the same questions, they are interested in our genetics.”

“If they’re interested in our genetics, why isn’t my twin brother here too?” Cassy countered.

“Please,” Electra groaned. “I could survive a ten story fall if I landed on your brother. Are you honestly surprised that he wasn’t called here for his genetics?”

Cassy clenched her jaw, her face growing red with anger. “Listen you vile, twisted, sadistic-”

“Cassy, please,” Arvie said quietly, pulling her slowly rising friend back down into her seat.

Cassy glanced at her and sighed, plopping back down and crossing her arms bitterly. She glanced to the person on the other side of Arvie, the dark haired, green-eyed boy with glasses, scribbling madly onto a small paper pad. “Are you writing this down?” She snapped accusingly.

He stopped looked up with wide eyes. “I’m only… Studying behavior.”

Cassy raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you some behavior to study-”

“Cassy, please,” Arvie insisted, her voice remaining calm and she pulled her down a second time. “You can’t blame Vincent for having a curious mind,” she insisted quietly.

“Did the theory that we’re being used for our genetics seem concerning to anyone else?” Ezekiel asked in disbelief.

Suddenly, a voice over the room’s intercom silenced each of them.

“I am sure you’re all wondering why you’re here.”

“Hell yeah we are!” Electra shouted, looking up at the speaker in the wall in which the voice escaped. It paused before continuing.

“Each of you has been carefully selected to be a part of a mission of the greatest importance. The radioactivity has been spreading closer to camps around the country, leaving less than one hundred left with that number rapidly decreasing.”

The faces of each of them fell into utter despair, a gasp escaping Maggie as her hand flew to her mouth.

“The only place in the world that will not be affected by this war is a rural place in South America. Each camp with the means will be sending young adults with the best chances of survival and reproduction to this haven to ensure the survival of our species. You have been chosen. You will not return to camp. This plan can by no means be exposed. You have thirty minutes.”

Silence.

“Everyone heard that, right?” Cassy said shakily, her voice rough.

“If we were deaf we wouldn’t be here,” Electra pointed out. “And they’ve lost their damn minds if they think I’m reproducing with any of you.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if Tristan were here,” Cassy spat.

“Watch your mouth,” Electra growled threateningly.

“Now you don’t have a choice but to get over your dead fiancee. How long has it been now? Two years?”

“That’s it,” Electra spat, pushing herself out of her chair.

Vincent threw his notebook down and stood up to stand in her way. “Come on, fighting won’t help.”

“He’s right,” Arvie insisted, exchanging a daring glance with Electra.

The green eyed woman broke her sights and turned after a moment with a breathless laugh, sauntering back to her chair. She glanced over at Azure and Maggie. “You two should be thrilled,” she sneered. “Seeing as you already have a head start.” Once she sat, she looked up to see them both staring at her with puzzled expressions. “Oh, I’m sorry, was it a secret?”

Confused as to what she was referring to, but deciding to brush it off, Maggie turned to her distressed friend. “Ezekiel,” she said suddenly, deciding to ignore the remark and looking to her friend. “Why isn’t Gretchen here?” She asked quietly, concern in her voice.

Ezekiel had been staring blankly at the floor with his elbows resting on his knees and his shaking hands clasped together. “She has a heart murmur,” he answered flatly. “dammit,” he barked, striking the empty chair beside him with his fist before hastily standing and running his hands through his hair.

Cassy quickly stood and rushed over, a concerned hand touching his shoulder. Vincent sat heavily beside Arvie once more, Azure wrapping his arms around Maggie as she squeezed her eyes shut and leaned against his chest.

Electra gazed around the room in disgust. “You’re already pairing up like the pathetic lab rats they want you to be,” she spat. Suddenly, she stood with a jerk and walked briskly towards the door. “I, for one, would rather die than live in whatever desolate hellhole they’re about to send us to and be expected to screw anyone they thought was worthy.”

She swung the heavy door open, and though she slammed it behind her again, she didn’t go far. Stopping abruptly, Electra caught her breath and slumped against the wall. Reaching down into her shirt, she pulled out the diamond ring on a chain that hung there always. A clouded, distant stare overcame her green eyes as her mind traveled to some place far away.

_________________________________________________________________________________

◄ l a s t

n e x t ►

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

Ｆ Ｏ Ｒ ...... Ｐ Ｏ Ｓ Ｔ Ｉ Ｎ Ｇ

[Asherwy]

It's interesting how these very different personalities interact with one another, I'm excited to see the character development later on. Electra's character seems especially conflicting, though it seemed a bit sudden when she began crying at the end, maybe slow down a little when she was taking out her ring. Other than that, I loved it ;3

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

Thank you! c:
And yeah, I might change the end so it's a little less dramatic of a swing.
At the time I was just thinking she was rushing out because she was about to cry and didn't wan't anyone to see.
-shrug- I dunno lol
It WAS originally for the 100 one-shot challenge too so i was tryina end it xD

[Asherwy]

Ah, I see now. I thought she was rushing out in anger because Cassy was going on about Tristan, but then the anger turned into sadness as she recalled him. I just thought that it was harder for her to cry so it seemed bit like, 'woah.'
Maybe like A tear rolled off her cheek, followed by another until they flowed relentlessly from her eyes. Reaching down her shirt, she pulled out a diamond ring that always hung around her neck, gazing upon it through blurred vision as she slowly sank down to the floor.
I'm definitely not as good a writer as you, but I think that mellowed it down a little maybe?
nevermind just ignore me i don't know any better please forgive

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

Lol no don't worry about it I'm open to suggestions! c:
I'll take it into consideration!
I might just change it to her zoning out or staring at the ring blankly though -shrug-

[peachy keen-]

THIS IS EPICCC <33
now i can say that i was one of the first ones to discover this. cx

[ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s]

@bliss Hehe I'm glad you like it! <3

I think I'll start writing the next chapter now x]