So, here's my next masterpiece: The Next Evolution, by yours truly. Sorry if this first chapter sucks, but I need to start somewhere and all my first chapters are gonna suck a lot. Please, review and comment. Please, your suggestions help make this story literally evolve!

Chapter 1

"We'll be making our descent in ten mikes. That's ten minutes to you people," our pilot told us. I was finally about to see the epicenter of all my hard work: New York Zero, the quarantined city. Finally, I was going to unravel the mystery of NYZ. First, however, I need to explain who I am and why I'm here.

My name is Desmond Lee, and I'm a grad student working with a Gentek team to find a cure for the Mercer virus. We were so close to the zenith of our efforts, but all the test subjects had died after receiving the anti-virus. We hoped that getting a sample of Infected blood would stabilize the anti-virus and wipe out the plague.

The city slowly rose out of the water, towering several hundred feet above the water. Skyscrapers, reaching to the clouds, buildings, covered in posters and graffiti. The place looked…too clean. "Sir, I thought we were going to the Red Zone. We need the genetic sample from an Infected," I pressed, hoping for a decent reason.

"The RZ is off-limits. The area has been locked down due to an Infected riot. The Green Zone is the only place we can get your team right now. It'll take three more weeks to clear you for the Yellow Zone. Sorry, but there are limits to even Blackwatch's reach."

"Fine. Just get us on the ground and let us go. Our research can only be as important as the morons of Blackwatch think it is. Sincerely, I hope you get attacked by the Infected," my partner, Jace, complained. He tends to be more hostile when our research is delayed by even a minute.

"Hey, I'm just doing my job. If it wasn't for our need of new eggheads, you wouldn't even be here."

That sparked my interest. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"We've been losing eggheads for weeks now. They're being hunted and killed by James Heller."

"Who?"

The pilot seemed amused by that. "Heller's an escaped Infected! He broke out of a Gentek research facility about a month ago. He's been destroying our work, killing our soldiers, and stealing the scientists. We believe he's working for Mercer, but we have no solid evidence of that. If you see him, run for your life and hope he doesn't kill you. May I add, I hope Heller finds you, Jace." Great advice, coming from a Blackwatch grunt.

"Watch where you're going, dumb-shit. We might actually crash!" Jace retorted.

"Jace, can you just shut the hell up for once in your life? You keep running your frickin' mouth, and we'll never get the Infected cultures! Just play nice with Blackwatch," I told him. He just turned away and looked out the window. I asked, "Pilot, why is our transfer to the Yellow Zone delayed so long?"

That got more amusement from our faceless driver. "Listen here, boy. The Heller problem has us short-handed, so unless you're joining Blackwatch, I suggest keeping your mouth shut and letting us do what we have to. Just be happy you're even here right now. Speaking of which, I need to get clearance to land." He turned off the comm. Channel and transmitted a pointless codename and request to his HQ. I felt the chopper descend, and undid the straps despite the various warnings posted inside. Before the wheels even touched, I unlocked the safety catch and forced the door open. I jumped out and landed on my feet, right in front of three other pilots. They pulled their sidearms out, but they quickly realized who I was and put them back. Behind me, the chopper made contact and I barely heard my partner jump out.

"What the hell is wrong with you!? That little stunt could've killed you! Not to mention the uproar you created. You know what, just go. Check in with Central; I need to assure the pilot that you're not Infected," Jace screamed. God, all I wanted was to get moving and try to get my hands on an Infected. The rest of the afternoon, the two of us were briefed, given the lecture about the escaped Heller, and made sure we were sent out with a field op as fast as possible.

That was not worth it, as the body we examined was too mutilated to produce enough DNA for our new cure. We tried two other sites, but neither yielded any results.

"God, what a waste. The GZ is too clean. We need better conditions if we're going to get anywhere," Jace moaned. Only one day into this, and he was already pissed.

"Head back to the base. I'm going to take a walk. Maybe I'll find some Infected along the way," I ordered. He stormed off, muttering under his breath. I headed the other way, moving to the center of the city. In reality, I was letting him leave so he would cool down. He can get volatile when he's mad. Also, I've been hearing about these new kinds of Infected that can actually control the virus, in a way. If we could find one on the streets, surely the samples would eradicate Mercer's for good.

I scoured the entire east side of the area, with no luck. The light was starting to fade, so I turned back towards the safety of the base. Suddenly, I caught something out of the corner of my eye. I was intrigued, so I started walking towards the object. I entered a dead-end alley, which was barely lit. Using the many shadows, I moved along the wall, making little noise. As I approached the end, I began to hear moaning. It sounded like the Infected, so I grabbed my Blackwatch sidearm, flicking the safety off and chambering a round.

As it happened, I was right: Infected everywhere. The only strange thing was the Blackwatch soldier standing in the center of the group.

"Hey! Are you okay?" I yelled out, not caring if the Infected attacked. None of them moved.

"Who are you and why are you here?" the soldier responded. I was confused.

"I'm a Gentek researcher. Now, come over here. They're going to-"

"Kill me? No, these...imperfect forms are useful to me and my master. Why would I let them disband and die?" That set off every alarm I had.

"What are you-wait, you're Infected?"

The soldier just laughed. "Infected? No. I am above these pathetic things. I am Evolved." So this is what the rumors meant.

"Please, let me help them. All I need is a blood sample so I can start creating a cure for Mercer's."

The soldier considered for a moment, then jumped 20 feet into the air and slammed me to the ground. As I struggled to break free, I noticed that he had spawned new arms with blades at the ends. "Why cure it, when you can harness it? Use it for your own goals?" With that, he picked me up like I was weightless. He reverted his left arm and punched me in the chest. "Now, you will become a martyr for me!" He set me down and just stood there, waiting for something to happen.

"What the hell? You're sparing me?" I inquired, trying to contain my laughter. Whatever he did, it failed.

"Why aren't you exploding? Ah, why do I care? You'll be dead soon," he sighed, jumping away after he spoke. The Infected followed after him, which was good for me. I turned the safety of my pistol back on and holstered it, walking back to the lab. What I failed to notice as I left was a patch of skin on my chest, roiling like a nest of snakes.