Title: Project EXODEUX (1/?)
Pairing: Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Side Pairing: CHANYEØL/BAËKHYUN
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Angst, SuperNatural!Au
Word Count: 12.4k words

Summary: Chanyeol and Baekhyun are rivals in the past, but they team up together to create superhuman clones for Project EXODEUX. Is love possible between them, too?

Notes: This is fic is a looong one! It's inspired by EXO's Lucky One, Power, and Tempo MV as well as EXO-L's comeback theories since debut up until now, combined with the EXO vs X-EXO concept and the EXODEUX Obsession Teaser. Sit back and enjoy reading! Happy Birthday, Chanyeol! Stream Obsession!

***

• Seoul, South Korea •
Year 2020

It's already the fiftieth trial for this month and Baekhyun waits with bated breath, sleep-deprived eyes squinting behind his thick-framed glasses that are sliding down his nose.

96...

97...

98...

He ignores the low and high beeping of machines reverberating around his laboratory, as he only focuses his sight at the computer apparatus in front of him finally reaching the number 100.

Configuration has completed.

The genius scientist grins and almost jumps to his feet with clenched fist, silent excitement filling his system. The lid of the machine opens and a testube arises amidst warm steam. Quickly scrambling around his unorganized table filled with data sheets, experimented chemicals and lab tools, he picks up a syringe, transferring the colorless liquid from the tube inside it.

"I hope this works, I hope this works," Baekhyun earnestly prays after rolling up the crumpled sleeve of his lab gown up to his elbow just to reveal a small portion of skin. "Please, for the love of Dmitri Mendeleev! Let it be the one!"

Eyes wide, he slowly injects the drug into his own veins, patiently anticipating for any noticeable reaction that is to show up. A victorious yet creepy smile slowly forms into his lips seconds passed as nothing happens. He didn't develop thick rashes nor swollen dots on his hands. He waits for a while just to make sure, and it is indeed a success, finding no single reddish spot unlike the last time he administered it to himself.

"GOODNESS GRACIOUS, FINALLY!!!" Baekhyun happily rejoices while he does a stupid dance, not caring if he looks ridiculous right now. He's alone in this underground laboratory anyway, nobody can see him. He can't even recall the last time he went outside to do groceries or at least have a haircut. He couldn't care less. He created the medicine and it's all that matters.

"YES! YES! YES! HAHAHAHA! OH MY GOD!" Baekhyun goes to his computer and rapidly types classified data on the keyboard, evil-laughing. "I've successfully developed the cure for this rare internal allergy disease! Hurrah! Hail Science! I really did it!"

The scientist is still guffawing when an email notification suddenly pops out of his big screen projected on the wall. He clicks on it, bottom lip caught under his teeth.

"Well, let's see if this is about my application..."

- - - - -

Subject: Admission to Project EXODEUX
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Greetings, Professor Byun Baekhyun:

We are glad to inform you that you have been chosen as one of the qualified subjects to participate on the awaited Project EXODEUX, a technologically advanced program towards the implementation of human cloning with the purpose of joining the intergalactic military.

With a vision to produce supernatural and competent clone soldiers, and a mission to serve and protect the New World, we are looking forward to collaborate with Earth's most knowledgeable humans like you.

We invite you to the Grand Symposium to be held at the Big Dome on the twenty-seventh of this month. Further details are attached herewith. See you there and best regards.

The EXOplanet Military Organization

- - - - -

"HOLY SHIT!!!!!" Baekhyun screeches in utter surprise after clamping his hanging mouth due to astonishment, reading the email. His heart is still racing and his brain is still syncing the information. "Did I... Did I really get accepted!?"

He pinches his cheek and it hurts.

"AHHHHH!!! This is real! I'm not dreaming!" he screams again on top of his lungs, rereading the most rewarding news with a wide smile on his face. "It's a good day, indeed!"

Not only this day he has successfully created the drug he's been experimenting on for over four years, but also this day, he has been accepted for the most exclusive project of history. A mere scientist like him is greatly honored to be part of Project EXODEUX, to generate a clone of himself to become a super soldier for the intergalactic military troupe.

Reality check. He doesn't have much time on his hands to get amazed and be flattered like this.

"Right! I need to prepare all the requirements!" But first and foremost, he sniffs himself and scrunches his nose in pure disgust, "Ugh, what the hell. I smell like shit."

Of all the things he can't remember among the last time he did, it has to be the day when he last took a shower. Was it two weeks ago? He doesn't have a clue.

"I need to take a bath."

-

In a normal day of a hectic hospital packed with patients and busy doctors coming around, the assigned nurse at the information desk picks up the ringing telephone.

"This is SM University Hospital Cardiosurgery Department. How may I help you?"

"Good day, is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery out at this hour?"

"Of what business do you have with him, Sir?"

"This is regarding his application for Project EXODEUX. We would like to have a word with Doctor Park Chanyeol as soon as possible."

She halts writing on her clipboard for a while, and goes straight to face her computer after hearing the name of the hospital's most renowned cardiac surgeon. She views the doctor's schedule highlighted in red, and finds out he has an ongoing operation at the moment.

"The call will be transferred right away."

The sound of the phone ringing inside the serene operating room causes no disturbance among the surgical team all dressed in light blue scrubs. At the last minute of performing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, a nurse picks up the phone and quietly listens on the other line. She approaches the surgeon in the middle who has his two hands occupied suturing the skin of a chest incision.

"Cut," Chanyeol says in a low voice muffled with his surgical mask. The assistant surgeon beside him cuts the suture with a scissor, before he proceeds stitching again the patient's wound as careful as he is.

"Excuse me, Doctor Park. This call is for you," the nurse whispers. Chanyeol looks at the anesthesiologist in front of him, receiving a silent nod as a reply.

"You can finish this up," he tells his assistant as he steps back, transferring the tools he is holding to the younger surgeon. The whole team respectfully bows at him, praising him for a job well done.

"Hello, Park Chanyeol speaking," Chanyeol says after he steps out of the OR's door while also in the process of removing his mask and gloves. He puts them inside the pocket of his uniform. "How did my application go? Did I get chosen for the project?""

Few residents and interns who meet him along the hallway, are greeting him with a short bow which he responds with a friendly smile.

"Yes. Congratulations, Doctor Park. You're now a part Project EXODEUX. We look forward to working with you."

"Thank you! I will do my best to participate in every way! This is a golden opportunity. Thank you very much," Chanyeol answers in delight, feeling over the clouds happy. He hangs up the call after being told about the Grand Symposium, so he must check his email for additional information.

"Damn, I really made it, didn't I? Haha! I didn't know I could be this new level of amazing, I must be a genius," he smugly tells himself with a wide smile plastered on his face. He remembers the dream of his younger self when he was still a milestone away to becoming a great doctor--- A dream to be part of history.

After being regarded as the best cardiac surgeon in Seoul and in South Korea in general, it is his greatest goal to be included the first-line subjects for Project EXODEUX. It is once in a lifetime privilege to undergo human cloning perfected for intergalactic military cause. He has just received a huge opportunity to create super soldiers aimed to protect the New World based on his own DNA.

"You've really got extraordinary genes, Park Chanyeol," he confidently compliments himself as he taps his own back, "Thanks Mom, for giving birth to someone precious like me. Haha!"

"Mommy, why is that doctor talking to himself?" a boy asks his mother while sparing a laughing Chanyeol a strange look. "He's weird."

"Don't mind him, sweetie. A hospital is full of crazy people."

-

With his pink carry-on luggage in tow, an excited Baekhyun finally boards the airplane heading to the business class section. Everytime the young scientist travels overseas for work, (not for vacation because, what is that, even? It doesn't exist in his vocabulary) it has become a habit of him to bite his passport inside his mouth while walking to find his seat.

"Ah! There it is."

A satisfied moan escapes his lips, taking his own personal space for the span of roughly twelve hours inside the plane. He places down his belongings before reclining comfortably on his seat. Putting his seatbelt on, he brings out his corgi plushie, hugs it with the pillow provided for him, and closes his eyes to sleep even before the plane gets ready for take off.

Last night though, while booking the earliest flight to Barcelona, Spain where the Grand Symposium will be held, he had a serious mental battle from choosing between window seat and aisle seat. Being a sleep-deprived individual who would just often doze off during long boring flights, and also a person who loves to gaze out endless white clouds, Baekhyun ended up choosing the seat close to the window. He considered the fact that he would get to have a solid surface to curl up against without making a nuisance out of the passenger he will be sitting with.

Unless he'll go to the bathroom to pee. But he'll just deal with that later. He only hopes for a nice person to vacate the aisle seat beside him. Anyone would be okay as long as it's not a grumpy old man.

"Yes, Mom. I'm boarding the plane right now. I told you I don't have to bring much clothes. No, I won't get cold, it's gonna be thirty-three point five degrees hot there, I swear to god, I have to turn off my phone soon--"

"Your boarding pass, please."

"I'm hanging up. I'll call you when I get to the hotel. Yeah, okay, love you too. Bye."

"Sir, your boarding pass?"

The flight attendant is smiling at Chanyeol as she waits for him to hand in his boarding pass. Still in an annoyed state being bugged by his nosy overprotective mother, he just awkwardly chuckles and proceeds to finding his seat. He is originally an aisle person having been gifted with long endless legs. He needs lots of space to roam around his limbs especially during long flights like this.

Arriving on his spot, he finds someone already occupying the window seat who surprisingly, looks completely knocked out sleeping as if the aircraft were his own bedroom. The sleeping passenger, who must be a guy, is cocooned inside a blanket with some of his unruly hair peeking out. He seems to be really exhausted to be already sleeping on that manner with the passengers still boarding the plane that is still parked on Incheon's ground.

"Whatever. Not my business," Chanyeol shrugs and sits down, automatically stretching his legs and leaning his back comfortably.

Standard airline pre-cautions and greetings from the pilot are announced, and the aircraft takes off peacefully. Flight attendants start asking the well-off passengers if they need anything to ensure a hassle-free flight, and Chanyeol just hopes to arrive really soon in Barcelona. He can't seem to fall asleep due to excitement, as he rereads for the twentieth time, his name written legibly on the invitation letter sent a few days ago after the call.

"They said there's a secret logo that will be scanned here to enter the venue," Chanyeol tells himself while flipping the invitation over. He doesn't find any embedded marks on the card, though. "It must only show up under black light or something."

His business is interrupted by a stewardess pushing a trolley of beverage. She asks if he wants something to drink.

"Just a glass of red wine."

"How about...?" She turns to the lump of figure beside Chanyeol. "Are you with him?"

"Ah, no. He's not with me. He's been like that ever since I got here."

"Here's your wine, Sir."

After slow hours of sipping the liquor and fidgeting with his phone here and there, Chanyeol gradually finds himself succumbing into sleep. He plugs a pair of airpods and wears his eyemask, and the moment he fully closes his eyes and drifts into complete slumber, is the time the passenger beside him twitches and wakes up.

"Ugh... Where... where am I," Baekhyun yawns and rubs his eyelids, scanning his surroundings. He realizes that he's in the plane right now. "How long have I been sleeping..."

Removing his blanket, he feels the need to pee so he cautiously stands up to go to the lavatory. There's his seatmate beside him, though. He is about to step out to leave when the sleeping passenger's long dangling legs block his pathway, as if purposely not letting him go.

"Uhm, excuse me..." Baekhyun mumbles in a soft voice, trying to wake the sleeping man from his nap, "Could you please... move your feet out of the way?"

The person doesn't answer, unable to hear him. Baekhyun tries one more time, speaking in a louder voice yet to no avail. Sighing in frustration, he plans to just hop over the other passenger's thighs to get this over with. He really needs take a piss right now; his bladder is in the verge of exploding urine.

He carefully lifts his leg up to continue walking forward, but the man's gigantic foot just had to stretch out at this exact moment, kicking the backrest of the seat in front of them. Why the heck is this man so goddamned tall?

"What the. How am I supposed to go to the toilet now," the scientist mutters under his breath, glaring at the clueless guy dozing off with his equally long arms folded against his chest as he sleeps.

Well, Baekhyun has no other choice but to hover on top of the other passenger's lap until he reaches the aisle. That would probably do, unless the man wakes up in the middle of him doing it. That would be awkward if that happens.

"Excuse me for doing this... I just need to pass through," he whispers as if to ask permission, and then he is slipping himself gracelessly over the guy's lap as lightly as possible not to wake him up. He tries his best to suppress his breathing when his face comes dangerously close to the person's face, their mouths just an inch away.

The man doesn't move, still unconscious.

"Hooh, that was close."

Baekhyun rolls over like a ninja along the aisle, making a beeline straight to the plane's lavatory. Since it is dark, nobody notices him do the action.

"Ah, that feels good," he says after relieving himself and flushing the toilet. He hurries back to his seat, doing the exact similar thing to what he did earlier. Thankfully, the man's legs are already out of the way, making it easier for him to return.

Just right in time when his stomach grumbles in hunger, the high-class meal is served carried by food carts. He is craving for steak and veggies anyway; it has been a long time since he ate real food being a shut-in person that he is.

"Is there anything else that you need, Sir?"

"Just refill my water, please."

"How about...?" The attendant pertains to the other passenger beside Baekhyun, "Could you wake your companion up for the meal?"

"Ah, no. He's not with me," Baekhyun sheepishly shakes his head in denial as he eats, "You could just leave his food there. Maybe he'll eat it when he wakes up."

"Okay."

Several uneventful hours has passed with Baekhyun typing away on his laptop, skimming and scanning the theoretical framework of his research. He still needs to accomplish the dissertation for his newly formulated drug alongside with his participation for Project EXODEUX. Good thing he backed up all his documents for offline use, he can edit and add notes for the findings and data analysis.

Chanyeol on the other hand, stirs on his sleep and fully awakens after a good nap. Removing his mask and earplugs, he smiles at the sight of food in front of him. Without bothering to mind his seatmate who must be working, he silently finishes his meal and makes a quick visit at the plane's lavatory.

He is about to recline on his own seat when he notices a toy plushie lying a foot away from the aisle. Picking it up, he scans the surroundings for any kid who might've lost it, but of course, there wouldn't be any since this is the business class section, unless he missed out a child roaming around. He just nonchalantly sits back and inspects the soft plushie in his hand.

"Uhm, excuse me. That's mine," the other passenger beside him speaks out of the blue, and without looking at him, he steals the corgi toy from his hand rudely. "Thank you." And then he's going back to his own little world, shoulders slumped while resuming his work.

Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows and pauses for a short millisecond, offering his full attention to the person occupying the window seat. Wait a minute. He gives him a once-over.

Don't tell me.

He holds the guy's shoulder and makes him face his direction so he can have a closer look at his face.

Baekhyun startles, "What are you---"

"Hah," Chanyeol lets a not-so-amused cackle as realization strikes him, shaking his head as he laughs humorlessly, "Hahahaha." He squints his eyes and confirms that yes, this guy is definitely none other than that person. "I'm right. It's you. Ah, I'm so annoyed." He runs his hand through his fringe to expose his forehead. "Now I know why I've been feeling so uncomfortable..."

"Excuse me, but I don't know who you are," Baekhyun says in defense, throwing the stranger a judgmental look. "You are being very rude." He backs away a little and pushes up his specs sliding down his nose bridge. "Now, don't bother me."

"Pffft. You don't know me?" Chanyeol sarcastically chuckles and forces Baekhyun to turn towards him so that they are facing each other in a close distance. "Here! Take a good look at my handsome face!" He just needs to emphasize it by leaning his face nearer. "Has it been, I don't know, fifteen years already? Huh? Byun?"

Hearing his surname Byun come out of this person's mouth, Baekhyun's eyes widen in utter horror as fragments of past memories flash back in his mind. He is incapable talking, preventing his jaw to drop as this unwelcomed feeling of hatred returns inside his chest.

He grits his teeth. This bastard!

"I can tell that you remember me now," Chanyeol remarks with a smirk. He is at least glad his archenemy still never forgets him. "Was it in high school graduation since the last time I saw you, though? How have you been living now?" He guffaws like a hyena it bothers the other passengers.

Baekhyun only stares daggers at him.

"Wait, let me guess. Thick messy hair... ugly glasses... unfashionable clothes... an old laptop computer... a stuffed toy," Chanyeol claps, "Ah! You're an unemployed shut-in!"

"Shut your crap, Park," Baekhyun scowls and rolls his eyes. He should've brought his electromagnetic mallet with him so he could smack this douche's airy head. "Then how would I afford this expensive seat if I was unemployed, you low-IQ-possessing imbecile!"

"D-d-did you just call me an imbecile?"

"Yeah, I did. What are you gonna do about that!?"

"Hah! For your information, I graduated summa cum laude at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine! Well of course, a feeble-minded person like you wouldn't understand."

"At least I was better than you in all aspects!"

"You couldn't even beat me!"

"Oh, so that was why the moment I transferred to your high school back in freshman year, you immediately went down to second place while I stayed first for three whole years until graduation!"

"You stole it from me using your dirty ways!"

"What did you say!?"

"You thought I wouldn't remember? The whole class won't ever forget how you went to seduce the teacher before the exa---"

Slap!

Chanyeol stops talking as he cups his slapped cheek. Baekhyun shows a mild surprise for what he did, but he doesn't regret it a single bit. Clenching his fists, he gawks furiously at the other male.

"I told you I didn't do it," he mumbles under his breath as anger rises up to him which he thought has finally disappeared, but seeing this person he loathes the most proved he is wrong, "Out of all people who would---" He halts himself before he can say something more unnecessary. "I'll forever hold a grudge towards you. You should've pretended not to know me." He turns his back away and pulls the blanket up to cover himself to end their discussion.

No words come out of Chanyeol's mouth after that. Apologizing won't be any better, and he has no plans on doing it either. Maybe he's right, even if he recognized it was him, he shouldn't have talked to him like how they've agreed fifteen years ago.

They won't be seeing each other again anyway, this is just a pure bad coincidence that must never happen again in the near future. He's here for Project EXODEUX, not to dwell back in the past.

He stays lost in thought the whole flight, self-regretting why he even picked up that damned plushie in the first place.

-

• Barcelona, Spain •
Six hours later

Finally, Baekhyun is here.

The security system of the Big Dome is equipped with superb technology, having every facility supervised with high-definition CCTV cameras projecting real-time feeds connected to the Center Hall. AI robots are also placed to assist and usher the guests to their queries and businesses.

Hundreds of SVIP's in diverse races in the scientific field--- doctors, scientists, researchers, medical experts and enthusiasts arrive simultaneously with the invitation letter in hand as Subjects for Project EXODEUX. Special agents from the top intelligence agencies all over the world are also invited; MOSSAD of Israel, SIS of United Kingdom, SVR of Russia, CIA of the United States, BND of Germany, MSS of China, and NIS of South Korea.

Before one can enter the Big Dome, all Subjects from every part of the globe must be thoroughly inspected and scanned through the EXPLORER, the full-body scanner combined with positron emission tomography and x-ray computed tomography. They should also undergo physiological biometrics; the face recognition, fingerprint scan, hand geometry, iris recognition and DNA testing.

After finishing this process, a Subject is required to be implanted with RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) Microchip behind his neck for gaining full access on his cognition and anatomy necessary for communication and transmitting data.

Baekhyun, as a young genius scientist endowed with extraordinary mental superiority which he naturally acquired since birth, is one out of hundreds of Subjects who completed first. Before coming to Barcelona, he has already calculated and hypothesized every single phase of the admission, therefore giving him an advantage of the situation. He knows this is not a competition of some sort, it's just that, competitiveness innately runs into his blood burning with passion.

Glancing around the spacious lobby, he sees a carpeted staircase in front of him heading to the upper floor. He spots a lady who must be also going to the Center Hall as him, so he clears his throat and approaches her.

"Disculpe, señorita. ¿Es este el camino correcto hacia el Hall del Centro?"

Excuse me, Miss. Is this the right way to the Center Hall?

"Sí, ¿también vas allí?"

Yes, are you going there, too?

"Sí lo soy. ¿Puedo ir contigo? "

Yes, I am. Can I come with you?

"¡Por supuesto!"

Sure!

Receiving her reply, Baekhyun trails after the lady to have himself short company until he reaches the door of the Center Hall. His mouth gapes in great awe at how astounding this oval-shaped stadium-ish amphitheater looks like in real life. Several people are also starting to come in after him while he is searching for his desk. He right away recalls to use voice recognition in finding his assigned seat.

"Zero-five-zero-six," Baekhyun speaks in the air. He hears a soft beep afterwards, then a seat from the upper center second level, automatically lights up in blue amidst the dark. He grins and claims it, seeing his name Professor Baekhyun Byun displayed on the smartdesk. Using the stylus pen, he signs his name to confirm his attendance.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so nervous and excited at the same time," he whispers to himself while turning his head around to watch the other Subjects entering the Center Hall. He is really grateful and honored to be at the same place with the Earth's most excellent people. It still feels so surreal. "I wonder if there's also Korean out there like me."

"One-one-two-seven."

Chanyeol successfully finds his seat among the hundreds of desks around the vast hall. He lets out a smirk and climbs the stairs to the upper center fourth level, while excusing his tall self passing through the other Subjects already sitting down. He reaches his destination just in time before the Center Hall shifts its security mode to System High.

As a person with Startle Disorder, (one who easily gets shocked to unexpected noise or touch) Chanyeol can't help himself cursing out a sharp ah ssibal! when a loud buzzer sound emanates from somewhere, followed by fog descending on the big platform in front.

Subjects, Welcome to the Grand Symposium for Project EXODEUX.

An automated female voice speaks while the stairs around the entire stadium glows into white. Baekhyun, who's literally on the edge of his seat can feel goosebumps creeping all over his skin. Wildly astonished, his heart races as the large screen on stage shows a surveillance recording of the intergalactic military base from the New World called EXOplanet.

In the video, there appears aurora borealis stretching on the dark sky, followed by a lunar eclipse above a black tree called the Tree of Life. Distinct glowing symbols embedded on a rock are then covered with blood, before a group of humanoid-like creatures comes out, resulting a surprised gasp from the audience.

Chanyeol has to clamp his hanging mouth shut when the screen suddenly turns black.

The monitor gradually rises up to reveal actual figures of four extraterrestrial beings standing on elevated circles, earning a flabbergasted reaction from whole crowd. Everybody is as extremely shocked, seeing real human clones for the very first time.

"Holy shit. I can't believe this," Chanyeol mutters under his breath while his eyes stay enlarged. He sees a man in his early thirties wearing a white lab coat coming up on stage. He must be the scientist supervising the project, he thinks.

"A pleasant day to everyone. My name is Professor Lay," the scientist behind the podium says into the microphone for everyone to hear, "And I am the first successful superhuman clone designed by Project EXODEUX."

Applause arises from the crowd, meanwhile Baekhyun is clapping his hands in awe.

"I was created in 2012 for the purpose of serving the New World--- the same exact reason why all of you are gathered here today. As Earth's chosen individuals in collaboration with our generated species, your DNA will be vanguards of next-generation soldier clones. These clones are scientifically equipped with superpowers created for intergalactic military exploitation. You, Subjects, will be a vessel of future heroes, a remarkable figure embarked in the history of Science."

Looking at the professor who proclaimed himself to be a clone, Baekhyun feels shivers just by hearing his voice laced with authority and power. For a military weapon, he looks innocent yet menacing at the same time.

"Here I present to you, Project EXODEUX's best creations."

Professor Lay turns to the four unearthly clones standing mighty at the center of the platform.

"Case Number 01 SUHØ, Case Number 21 CHËN, Case Number 88 KĀI, and Case Number 94 SEHŮN," he introduces respectively. The poker-faced harmless beings looking like cyborgs stand out wearing battle outfits and accessories. Each one has their own distinct characteristics starting from the hair and eye color, body built, aura, and supernatural capabilities.

"These soldier clones are named after their humans who have been pioneers of Project EXODEUX since the very beginning."

"I'm so excited to have my own clone too," Baekhyun tells himself, smiling giddily while the scientist explains each of the clone's superpowers. "I wonder what superpower my clone will possess."

"Well, as for me, I don't look like them, do I?" Professor Lay jokes, making the people inside the hall laugh.

"I know I look good-looking, but I admit that these clones are way more awesome than me. My superpower has turned dormant ever since I started devoting my existence into studying Project EXODEUX. But as the former Case Number 10, I was gifted with the power of Healing. I was sent to fight against the Red Force and to provide strength for my allies in the battlefield."

"That must be so cool," Chanyeol admires from a far. He can already visualize himself having his own clone based purely on his outstanding genes. He would choose Fire as a superpower because he thinks it suits his personality and achievement the most.

The Grand Symposium has ended on a good note. To start the first phase of the experiment, all Subjects are sent to the Red Cube, a specialized laboratory for human cloning. Apart from their own bodies implanted with microchips, Subjects should wear sleek white suits as they line up for assembly. They disperse according to their serial numbers and follow the route to the glass elevator heading underground to the Red Cube.

Baekhyun lets out a gasp of admiration as he steps foot at Negative 48, a high-tech laboratory he is assigned to. He wanders his eyes around the lab's sophisticated devices he only saw on research materials. Damn, his outdated lab back home won't even compare to this one, so he promises himself to work harder to upgrade his facilities. For a scientist, a lab is like a wife, and he is practically married to his lab so he must make it pretty in his eyes.

Arriving in front of an aluminum room, he scans his palm and retina on the biometrics, before the automated door opens for him.

Select your language.

"Uh, Korean..."

Language setting successful.

"Welcome to Negative 48."

A voice of a man startles Baekhyun from his mini reverie, turning to that someone behind him emitting a bright smile. He almost gets a heart attack at the sight of the Professor slash speaker at the Grand Symposium earlier. He nervously swallows the lump in his throat as he faces the clone, bowing politely in front of him while staying a good meter away.

"You don't have to be scared, I don't hurt humans. I'm completely harmless," Professor Lay assures, raising his hands freely in the air as he walks towards Baekhyun. He stretches his arm for a handshake "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Professor Lay."

"N-nice to meet you too, Professor. My name is Baekhyun," the young scientist mumbles, shaking the professor's hand. He feels nothing extraordinary though, it's like he's just touching a normal person's hand. "Thank you so much for having me here."

"You're welcome," Professor Lay answers. "I'm glad to be your attending scientist for Project EXODEUX. Let's work hard together."

"It's a huge honor to be under your responsibility! Please take care of me from now on," Baekhyun bows again.

"Likewise," Professor Lay imitates him as they both share a laugh. They make a short tour around the lab as they engage into a comfortable conversation.

"Uhm, can I ask a question, Professor?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Are you..." Baekhyun starts anxiously, wide curious eyes scanning the professor's body, "Are you really a clone?"

"You don't believe me?"

"No, I mean! You just, you know, you look completely normal compared to the superhuman clones you introduced at the Grand Symposium. I'm just wondering how you could be different from those creatures."

"Well. A human being is relatively similar to our species since our genes are created based on human DNA. There are just specific characteristics that distinguish us from humans, though."

"Yes? What are those traits?"

"Superclones are the best yet the most dangerous version of the Subjects. Unlike earthlings, we are developed with increased mental and physical abilities to adapt to the New World's environment. Our bodies are like cyborgs made with artificial human skin and tissues while our brains work like computers. We don't have any weakness. We don't die unless we are forced to cease to exist."

Baekhyun stops walking to face the professor, "Being immortal and having no weakness, that must be amazing."

"There is one weakness, I presume, that I still have to study further. Regarding that aspect in Project EXODEUX, I can't say I'm successful yet," Professor Lay admits.

"That weakness... May I know what it is?"

"Emotions."

"Emotions?"

"Clones lack the ability to feel emotions such as happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. We don't possess the ability to empathize, as well as experience romantic and sexual desires. To us, they're just standard concepts that we have to perceive in order to understand human behavior."

Hearing the clone explain these things to him in detail, makes Baekhyun realize that he himself is still an imperfect human that can commit mistakes. He can get irrational at times because of the thing called emotions.

"You're right, Professor. I agree with you. For us humans, emotion is an essential part of life, and it also can be our strength or weakness," Baekhyun says, "It makes up of what we are right now, and without it, we won't be any different from clones like you. It's an exceptional trait that we humans can only possess."

"Maybe that is why I haven't succeeded on it yet."

A three-dimensional holographic image appears right in front of them. Baekhyun looks up, seeing a smiling man who looks exactly like Professor Lay.

"This is my human. His name is Doctor Zhang Yixing and he's a renowned General and a great philosopher."

"He created you?"

"Yes. I owe him my life. So in return, I promised to make Project EXODEUX a progressive and successful breakthrough."

"Your goal is my goal, too! I want to create a superclone soldier that will lead Project EXODEUX to its success for the future of the next generation!"

"Your positive attitude and enthusiasm fascinate me, Baekhyun," Professor Lay says to compliment the young scientist, resulting a flustered reaction from Baekhyun.

"Th-thank you."

"No problem, let's do our best for this project."

"Okay, Professor," Baekhyun answers with a shy smile, nodding. He seems to have lost it for a while back there, so he mentally tells himself, come back to your senses, he is a clone! And a handsome and intelligent one! He's perfect! So he decides he's gonna be an avid fan from now on, like an underclassman admiring his senior.

"Ehem. Excuse me? Is this the Negative 48?"

Both individuals are interrupted by a deep voice coming from a newcomer. The once bright and blissful expression on Baekhyun's face turns immediately sour the moment he glimpses and recognizes the Subject intruding the laboratory.

"You! W-what are you doing here!?" he blurts out in confusion and slight annoyance at the sight of his eternal nemesis.

"What are you doing here!?" Chanyeol retorts back in disbelief, surprised at seeing this evil midget again. He thought the plane incident was completely over. He would never actually have thought he would be meeting him again for this project. This is a total nightmare. "Wait, don't tell me you also got chosen for Project EXODEUX!?"

"Yes, I did, idiot!" Baekhyun raises his voice, putting an angry hand over his hips, "How about you? Did you follow me here or something? Hah! It's impossible for someone with a stupid brain like yours to get in here anyway!"

"What the hell did you just say!?"

Professor Lay clears his throat, "Uh, actually, Doctor Chanyeol Park is also an important Subject for Project EXODEUX, and he will be joining us here in Negative 48 as your partner."

Chanyeol smirks, "Tch, told you---" then he yells, "WHAT!!!!?"

Baekhyun is no different, "HE WILL WHAT!!!!!!?"

Professor Lay looks alternately at them.

"You two know each other?"

"NO! / Yes!"

Chanyeol glares daggers at Baekhyun his eyes could kill, meanwhile Baekhyun clenches his jaw in hostility towards the other male.

"Seems like we're gonna be seeing each other frequently from now on so for pete's sake, let's just stop pretending we don't know each other," Chanyeol massages his throbbing temples, "Is this the right way to treat your ex?"

Baekhyun feels the need to suddenly puke as shivers run up his spine, hearing that cringe-worthy and uncomfortable word. Ex? What kind of a motherfucking lie is that even?

"Damn, it has been fifteen years and you're still holding a grudge towards me?" Chanyeol clicks his tongue smugly, crossing his arms with an eyeroll, "Don't tell me you still have lingering feelings for me after all these years?"

"Wow! What the actual fuck!? Why would I be exes with a trash like you!" Baekhyun argues furiously, "You and I didn't have a relationship to begin with! You are blinded by your fantasies, Park! It was completely one sided!"

Chanyeol can't believe he is hearing this shit. Meanwhile the clone is just listening on the side.

"Wa-wa-one sided!!!!?" he blurts out angrily. He evil-laughs at how cunning this little devil can be, "Hah! For the information of everyone, YOU fucking made the first move on me! Everybody knew in high school you did that!"

"Nonsense! I acknowledged you for just a mere rival so stop being so delusional!" Baekhyun hisses at him, "If we had a relationship, then that was pure rivalry and hatred!"

"Bitch!"

"Asshole!"

"Great. I like your passion," Professor Lay interrupts as he observes the heated argument of these two adult humans, "Now, let's get the work started."

"Ah! Yes, of course," Chanyeol chuckles and trails behind the professor like he has grown two puppy ears and a tail, "Forgive me for being rude, Professor. I was completely amazed by your symposium earlier! My name's Chanyeol by the way. Will you examine me first?"

Baekhyun slits his eyes. Leech!

To begin with, both Subjects are tied down on separate beds while their bodies are connected to wires and tubes linked into hydrostatic capsules. For the process of data gathering of their human anatomy, buccal swab and blood analysis are performed beforehand to extract segments of DNA cells and tissues. These samples will be utilized in creating the genetically identical copies of their biological entity through gene cloning technique.

Vital signs mainly temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation are monitored through dinamap machines supervised by Professor Lay's assistants. They are gender-neutral AI robots dressed as female nurses wearing red face shields.

"The process will last for an hour so you must stay conscious for the meantime," Professor Lay says after the assistants inject special blue chemicals into the Subjects' IV drip. "I think you could use this moment to resolve past grudges so all of us can work harmoniously."

Helpless, Baekhyun only watches as the professor and his assistants disappear behind the door, leaving him and Chanyeol to their own devices. Only the quiet beeping of the computers around the laboratory can be heard, and he has never felt this awkward in his entire existence.

Maybe he'll just pretend sleeping. He just hopes for an hour to quickly pass so he won't be in the same room as Chanyeol anymore. If that guy stays not talking like this, then it would be so much better.

"Hey."

Baekhyun hates it that this person just had to irk his nerves. Without bothering to avert his eyes off the aluminum ceiling, he answers him flatly.

"What."

"Not that I'm hoping for it, I'm just stating the possibility that we could die if this project went wrong," Chanyeol says, "So right now I'm giving you the chance to apologize."

Tch. He and his arrogant attitude, Baekhyun mentally says. Why would I apologize if he's the one who did me wrong?

"I'd rather die risking myself for Project EXODEUX than apologize to you."

"Didn't you hear what Professor Lay said? It's time to resolve past grudges so we can work harmoniously," Chanyeol says, turning his head to look at Baekhyun on the other side of the bed, "Come on now. Just say you're sorry and you regret everything you did fifteen years ago while I still have the willingness to forgive you."

Baekhyun sighs, "It has been so long that I don't even remember anything about it."

"You don't remember anything yet you got angry the moment you saw me?"

"All I have left for you is hatred, nothing more."

Chanyeol laughs, "So you admit you had something for me before that?"

"The audacity," Baekhyun scoffs, "Don't make a fool out of yourself. It was you who was desperate to chase after me. It was you who came and ruined my life."

Thick silence envelopes the air. Chanyeol is unable to utter a single word after that.

Maybe Baekhyun is right at some point, maybe it was really his mistake for developing unnecessary feelings in the first place.

"You speak like you didn't ruin mine. At least also act responsible for what you did to me back then," Chanyeol replies as he feels his heart clench, "You just disappeared after telling me not to talk to you again."

"Then why did you do that?"

"Did what?"

"Stop feigning innocence. You stood witness in court against me. You stated that I drugged a teacher and I slept with her to get first place."

"What--- what are you talking about? When did I---"

Chanyeol pauses as vivid memories of the past rush in his mind. He sees his younger self in court reading a witness' oath.

"I, Park Chanyeol, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth..."

He recalls Baekhyun from fifteen years ago working at the science lab.

"You can't beat me, Park! I made a special drug and it's going to be a hit!"

"I'll be the first place in the competition against you! Just watch me!"

"Hey, I'll let you follow me around so serve as my assistant your whole life when I become a scientist."

"Do you like roses, Byun? I'm just asking... You know, for scientific purposes."

"Happy Birthday to the ugliest and stupidest human being ever born. This is a birthday coupon valid for twenty four hours. What do you want?"

"You."

He remembers himself one night hiding behind the wall, witnessing a crime he shouldn't have seen.

"I didn't do it! I told you it was for my allergies!"

"Congratulations, Chanyeol. You're now the topnotcher in the whole class."

"Mom. I got accepted for medical school abroad, I'll go and brag this to Baekhyun!"

"He just got out of juvenile detention. Stay away from him."

"What are you doing here? Don't talk to me and don't ever show yourself in front of me again. I hate you to death."

"The Byuns? They migrated overseas. No one knows where they went."

"Chanyeol, I found a letter inside your old locker. Is this yours?"

"If you pass the college entrance exams, let's go out on a date.

PS. Yes, I like roses."

Chanyeol stirs from his sleep, feeling a light shake on his arm. He slowly opens his eyes and sees a strange-looking lady wearing a red face shield staring at him. It dawns on him that the experiment has just finished and he fell asleep in the middle of it.

His head is pounding for some reason. He must've been overthinking too much.

"The Subject is awake."

Glancing around the laboratory, he finds the other bed neat and empty while the apparatus are being cleared and moved away.

"Excuse me, where's the other Subject occupying that bed?"

"He left right after the procedure was done."

"Can I talk to Professor Lay?"

"The Professor is busy at the moment but he left a message for you."

A hologram appears in front of him.

Congratulations for accomplishing the first part of Project EXODEUX. The human cloning at the Red Cube will be completed within thirty days, so as for now, you Subjects can go back home and rest.

Wait for my call and let's see each other on the next location for the Grand Launch and Pilot Testing.

The projected video of the Professor shuts off. Chanyeol lets out a tired sigh, looking at the vacant bed like there's also a part inside his heart that has been left abandoned and vacated.

He just smiles wistfully, "He didn't even say goodbye before he left."

-

• Seoul, South Korea •
Three weeks later

"A technologically advanced program called Project EXODEUX aims for the implementation of human cloning. Subjects from all over the world gather at Barcelona, Spain with the purpose of joining the intergalactic military. It is a technological breakthrough..."

"Doctor Park, is something the matter?" a nurse asks.

Chanyeol blinks and pulls out from his trance, tearing his gaze away from the TV screen at the lobby.

"No. It's nothing."

Patients, guardians, nurses, doctors, and practically everyone in the hospital are watching the news, meanwhile the internet and the local media won't stop talking about it. Chanyeol admits his popularity has risen a bit ever since the news of him joining the Project EXODEUX spread like wildfire. Not that he hates the attention, he actually likes it to be honest.

"Do I have surgeries left for this day?" he asks the residents behind him who are struggling to keep up with his mile-long steps. Pushing the button, he enters the vacant elevator while the group of doctors also follow him behind.

"You finished every single surgery for today, Doctor Park. The OR has been emptied, too."

"Well, how about the scheduled follow-up check up for Mrs. Kim? Are the MRI and CT scan results already out?"

"They're gonna be released after an hour, the interns will send it to you."

"Alright. Keep up the good work."

The elevator door opens when Chanyeol reaches his floor. Alighting, the doctors do a synchronized bow at the surgeon as they wait for the lift to close.

"Right, my keys."

Chanyeol closes his office after turning off the lights and grabbing his car keys he almost forgets on top of his desk. Humming a tune under his breath, he goes back to the elevator heading down the parking lot while thinking of what to cook for dinner tonight.

After finishing the first procedure of Project EXODEUX in Barcelona, his life went back to its normal routine except for the extra attention he is receiving from patients who might've seen him on TV. Other than that, everything is at place. He's working on surgeries everyday and sometimes going out with his co-workers on the weekend.

But other times though, he admits that that other Subject crosses his mind too, whenever he's at home alone watching the news. He wonders what could be Baekhyun's whereabouts right now, his present life, his job. After being left in the laboratory like that, he has so many questions about him. It's only natural for him to get curious after seeing a classmate again he hasn't seen for fifteen years, right?

Where in Korea is he staying at? What's his profession? Did he really become a scientist?

Is he dating someone? Or is he already married?

"Fuck these thoughts," Chanyeol curses to himself, shaking his head while he drives. "Don't get too interested about him."

Right. It's clear that Baekhyun is still hostile towards him. He said it so himself, that he won't ever forget about his grudge towards him, that he'll never forgive him for what he did in the past.

Fine. If that person hates him so much then there's nothing else he can do about it. It's not like he is born to please everybody in this world anyway. He can continue living peacefully with nothing to worry about, meanwhile Baekhyun can keep on hating him as much as he wants.

"Tch! You thought you're a big deal?!" Chanyeol screams while he blows his horn furiously, "Hah! I don't need your apology! Who are you anyway!?"

Judging by how much I hate you, I think you've become my first love, Byun.

What?

I just thought of that suddenly.

Dumbass, what kind of illogical statement is that!? Hahahaha!

I take it back! Now let me borrow your notes so I can beat you this time!

In your wildest dreams!

"AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! GODDAMMIT!!!" Chanyeol yells even louder; he is going crazy suffering from secondhand embarrassment of his past naive self. "Shit! Why did I even say that!? First love, my ass!"

Moments later.

"Ughhh..." There are dark ugly circles under his eyes while he groans, taking the pillow off his face as he lies awake on his spacious bed. "Fuck. I can't sleep."

Drinking honey-lemon tea won't even help him fall asleep at two in the morning, so he gives up on the second cup and decides to just take a quick trip outside. Living alone in an expensive condo with his black poodle named Toben is somewhat lonely on his age of thirty-three, so to ease some lonesomeness, he tends to go out for a drive at dawn, just him in his car driving carefree.

He opens the window of his car and turns on the radio. He breathes and feels the humid air. This is nice. It's only just a week away and he's traveling back again for Project EXODEUX so he must enjoy his rest while it lasts.

Stop feigning innocence. You stood witness in court against me. You stated that I drugged a teacher and I slept with her to get first place.

I'll forever hold a grudge towards you. You should've pretended not to know me.

Chanyeol slows down driving, stepping on the gas pedal as he comes into a complete halt. He parks the car beside the road and grips the stirring wheel hard, leaning his forehead on his arm as he breathes. He has lost track of the location he is at, he was too immersed driving and following the wind.

Hey, Mister! Come back here! You forgot your change!

Oh, I'm sorry! Thank you!

Hearing the sound of the door chimes, Chanyeol shoots his head up and looks at the closing door of the convenience store near him. He sees the part-timer running back to the store, and a short guy wearing white hoodie walking to the opposite direction.

Going back into drive, he slowly follows the person with his car from a good distance, checking out the guy's face even in the dark.

And maybe it was fate that he is seeing Baekhyun for the third time.

They say that first time is an accident, second is a coincidence, and third is destiny. He doesn't believe on things like that but right now, he has no facts to explain the reason behind this unwelcomed smile on his lips. He's only watching as Baekhyun yawns and stretches his arms like a cat.

And for a certain odd reason, the sight makes his heart pound.

"Tch. What is he even doing at this hour."

He knows he might look like a stalker for following an unsuspecting person at dawn but to hell with that. Curiosity kills the cat, and he just wants to know where his former classmate could be living.

"Oh. So he's staying at that apartment building," he states to himself, following with his eyes Baekhyun going inside the building. He is about to drive closer when he pauses, waiting for the guy to come out again with two bowls in hand.

Baekhyun squats down beside the street and pours something from a can which must be cat food.

"There, there. Share your food, okay? Everybody can eat. Hey, you're the hyung! Let the babies eat first!"

Chanyeol doesn't know how long he has been staring at Baekhyun as the guy pets the little kittens' heads and rubs their tiny bodies while he feeds them. He is also oblivious of his own reaction, and he might get surprised of himself at how wide his smile is right now.

Baekhyun stands up and casually looks around the dark empty alley, causing Chanyeol to abruptly hide his head.

"Shit. Did he see me?"

Busy glancing around the place, Baekhyun fails to see a scattered rock on the ground in front of him, so he accidentally trips on it, earning him a cry for being so clumsy.

"Ouch, that hurts!"

Chanyeol on the other hand, is already on the edge of opening the door to help Baekhyun stand, when he suddenly realizes that Baekhyun shouldn't see him like this. He shouldn't know he has followed him to his place, and he shouldn't know he's been watching him all this time.

So he just stops himself from making any move, and quietly stays inside his car.

Waiting for Baekhyun to safely enter his apartment unit, Chanyeol finally starts the engine and drives back home wearing that new-found smile he doesn't bother to take away.

"See you in a week."

He thinks he can now sleep soundly this time.

-

• Rub' al Khali Desert, Dubai •
One week later

The temperature is scorching one hundred-seventeen degrees fahrenheit, and Baekhyun can directly feel the heat seeping through his dishdasha right into his skin. The glare of the sun is strongly burning to his face, while the wind is as hot like a sauna room. Transported by a private helicopter, he sees nothing but vast golden caramel brown sand stretching beautifully into infinity.

"Excuse me, Sir!!! Are we there yet!!!" Baekhyun yells, ears protectively covered with headphones. "I'm actually really scared right now!"

Hovering an altitude of twenty thousand feet above the ground, the pilot announces that they are two minutes away from their destination. Baekhyun spots a high-rise rotunda in the middle of the desert, surrounded by steel rectangular cubes to form a huge hexagonal landscape.

Welcome to Project EXODEUX's Military Headquarters.

The female automated voice welcomes him. Arriving inside the establishment after scanning his biometrics, the glass door opens for him while being greeted by Professor Lay's AI assistants. He is ushered to a white room to change his clothes into the same suit he wore for the first experiment.

"This laboratory looks exactly like Negative 48," he says, following the robotic ladies taking him to meet his attending scientist, "Are we in the Red Cube?"

"Yes."

He is shocked by the reply. "How is that even possible? Did it teleport itself here to the headquarters or something?" He lets out a light chuckle of his own comment he himself finds hilarious.

"Yes, that's correct."

Baekhyun just shuts up after that.

The first thing that catches his attention inside the lab, is the eight-foot cylindrical hydrostatic capsule now containing a nude body submerged in liquid. He has to step back due to overwhelming surprise, seeing the identical copy of himself right before his eyes. Stepping nearer, he leans his trembling hand against the fiber glass and looks up, having a close examination of his own superhuman clone.

It's so surreal.

"Case Number Zero Four Baëkhyun," he reads the name atop the glass, causing the linings of the capsule to glow neon white. Right then and there he witnesses the clone slowly opening its eyelids, its mouth parting to release oxygen into the water as if it's breathing.

Baekhyun feels goosebumps crawling all over his skin.

"You're here."

He turns towards the voice and bows at Professor Lay offering him a smile. Moving aside, he allows the older scientist to manage some controls on the capsule behind him, making the clone go back to sleep.

"Oh," Professor Lay points at his head.

"Yes?"

"You cut your hair."

"Ah, yes," Baekhyun sheepishly touches his nicely trimmed short hair compared to his thick grown disheveled hair the last time they meet, "I've got the time to finally do it."

"It looks good on you."

"Thank you."

Nobody since forever has complimented how he looks so it feels kind of new hearing someone (even a clone) praise his hair. It's making him blush like a teenager but whatever. It's just a simple compliment, nothing more.

"Professor! Come here real quick!"

Baekhyun follows Professor Lay as he rushes to the adjacent room, seeing there a similar hydrostatic capsule containing the other Subject's clone inside of it. He accidentally locks eyes with Chanyeol and is now ready to release his angry banter upon seeing his ugly face again, when the man only passes beside him as if he didn't exist.

Oh, what was that.

"It appears on the monitor that the amniotic fluid's temperature rose up to two point seven degrees. Is that normal, Professor?" Chanyeol asks as he busies himself checking out the devices connected to the capsule, "My clone suddenly opened its eyes. I wonder if everything's okay."

"Yes, everything is completely normal," Professor Lay briefly explains, "The clone is developing sensitivity towards external stimuli, especially now that it is undergoing telophase. Few more hours left and they are ready to be born."

"REALLY!?" both Subjects exclaim.

"Yes. Congratulations, you're now going to be Daddies! Ha-ha-ha-ha."

The way Professor Lay is guffawing sends a creepy feeling into the pit of Chanyeol's stomach. Since when did a clone learn to crack cringe jokes like that?

Meanwhile though, the person next to him seems to be loving that coy remark based on how wide his smile is.

"He got a haircut," Chanyeol states to himself, giving Baekhyun a short side-glance without actually talking to him. They haven't had a single word since he arrived. Chanyeol got to the headquarters first beating Baekhyun on that note, so he shouldn't be the one to approach him first. He just resumes his own work and stays nonchalant.

"Professor, I have a question. Please take a look at this."

He's surprisingly quiet, what's with him, Baekhyun squints his eyes skeptically at Chanyeol who's currently in the middle of supervising both of the clones' vital signs. If that person stays serious and silent the whole day, he would actually look like a decent human being.

"You're good at this, Chanyeol. What do you do for a living?" Professor Lay asks.

"Me? I work at a hospital. I'm a cardiac surgeon."

So he operates the heart.

Chanyeol catches Baekhyun staring so Baekhyun glares back, mouthing him an annoyed 'The hell is your problem.'

Chanyeol tears his gaze away and ignores him again.

What the. Baekhyun can't help cackling sarcastically to himself. So now he's declaring cold war.

Great. Good for the two of them. Now he doesn't have to force himself exchanging awkward conversations with that person. It's better if the two of them would just stay strangers like this. After what that jerk did to him in the past? He only deserves a treatment less than an animal. If only Baekhyun could just whack that asshole's head out his body and beat him to death to get his grand payback. If only he could just erase his existence in this world without shedding blood on his hands.

And if only he could forget everything including the pain Chanyeol has caused him, he has done it already.

"You're clenching it too hard," Professor Lay who appears behind Baekhyun says. He didn't even notice the professor's presence; he's too preoccupied in his own reverie that he's now ruining the process of pumping the compressor to release oxygen into the capsule.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry," Baekhyun apologizes and does it properly this time while being closely observed by the professor. "My arm slipped..."

"Right, I noticed a lot of injection marks on your arm. Could you tell me the reason behind it?"

"Oh, these?" he pulls the sleeve of his suit to reveal faded scars and scratches on his epidermis. "Well... Since I was young, I've been trying to formulate a drug to cure my internal allergies. It's a very rare disease." He laughs as if the topic is funny. "Everytime I finished creating the output medicine, I'd experiment it to myself to see if it finally works on me. That was why I got these marks."

Chanyeol may not be looking at them, but he is sincerely and quietly listening at the far corner.

"How was the cure? Have you already discovered it after all those trials?"

"Yes!" Baekhyun enthusiastically responds, his eyes shining bright with happiness. "Actually, the day I got the admission email for Project EXODEUX was also the same day I successfully created the drug. That moment was really important to me. As a scientist, I devoted all my life on that experiment, so I'm really happy that I can finally see the end of my hard work."

Professor Lay hums in agreement, nodding and offering his palm for a handshake. "Well, congratulations, Baekhyun. You did a good job."

Baekhyun stares at the hand outstretched to him before he shyly holds it, bowing timidly while shaking it and wearing a big radiant smile. Having someone whom you highly respect feels rewarding especially if that someone is also your crush.

"Thank you, Professor."

Chanyeol side-eyes the romantic situation beside him, not forgetting to secretly roll his eyes at how obvious Baekhyun looks. Just by thinking about it, it's just plain absurd that a human is crushing on a clone. Totally ridiculous.

"If there's something I can contribute to your study, just tell it to me."

"Really!? Can I do that?"

"Of course. You're an important Subject for Project EXODEUX so all I can do is help you in any way possible."

"Uhm, to the tell you the truth, Professor... I've been actually having a hard time on some parts on my dissertation so I'm just wondering if... you know, if you could have some free time to teach me..."

That is when Chanyeol shoots his head up to look (glare) at the scene.

"I'll check my schedule so I could make time for it."

"Great! Thank you!"

Feeling a heavy and dark aura being directed at him, Baekhyun turns to face Chanyeol from a distance who's now shooting him a judging glance while shaking his head helplessly.

Chanyeol purposely clicks his tongue in a loud manner, throwing Baekhyun a disgusted and insulting reaction like he has grown a severe contagious disease.

Then he noncommittally leaves after that.

"What the hell is his problem, seriously!?" Baekhyun groans in complete frustration and annoyance. "If he's got something to say then just tell it to my face!"

"Is that supposed to be directed at me?" Professor Lay innocently asks.

"Ah, no! It's not for you. It's for that jerk existing in the same room as us!"

Realizing the situation, maybe Chanyeol went a bit overboard for acting childishly in front of Baekhyun earlier and he admits he is guilty of that crime. So during recess when all Subjects are allowed to eat to their hearts content and freely roam around the facility, Chanyeol decides he's going to--- he coughs--- apologize.

Glancing all over the vast cafeteria, he sees all moving whites who are Subjects animatedly walking around the floor and peacefully eating on the tables. After putting back his empty tray of food, he goes to a vending machine and grabs something to drink.

"Ah, I think coffee will do."

Lowkey and not trying to be obvious, he goes to a corner and whispers on the air, Find Subject Zero-Five-Zero-Six.

Automatically, a series of holographic arrows like GPS appear on the floor showing the accurate distance of Baekhyun's location. With two cans of iced coffees behind his back, all he just have to do is walk straight thirty meters ahead, turn right four meters ahead, and make a flight on the stairs ten meters ahead.

There he finds Baekhyun standing alone in front of the glass window, admiring the aesthetic of the sand dunes outside the facility. He hides behind the wall and clears his throat, practicing the lines that he's gonna say.

"Hey, uh. For you. Sorry about earlier," Chanyeol awkwardly mutters to himself, "Should that be okay... I think I sound too cocky." He coughs again. "Baekhyun, I apologize for everything that has happened in the past. From now on, let's work hard together." He clenches his fist for a fighting sign and breathes. This shit is making him nervous. "I can do it."

Stepping forward with the courage he has mustered, he reveals himself and bravely walks towards Baekhyun, when someone suddenly appears first.

He pauses on his tracks and stares.

"Sorry for waiting. Here's the USB that contains background research about the dissertation you are working on. I hope this helps."

"Ah! This is too much! Thank you, Professor!!!"

"Well. Based on this action, you must be happy."

"Yes! Of course I am!"

There Chanyeol witnesses with his own two eyes how Baekhyun jumps and hugs that clone Professor out of joy.

It's feels like déjà vu.

"Ahhhh! Thank you so much, Teacher! I'll make sure my experiment works this time!"

"Baekhyun... You're now a grow-up, right? You're not supposed to act like this towards me. What if someone sees?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Do you like me?"

Chanyeol slowly retreats, feeling his heart sink into a sea full of hurt and betrayal from the past. He turns his back away as he forces those bitter memories out of his mind.

"He's doing it again," he laughs to himself in disbelief, shaking his head, "He's fucking doing it again..."

"Hey, what are you doing there?"

Chanyeol looks up to the familiar voice from his slumped position on the floor.

"Why are you sitting on the floor like that?" Baekhyun lifts an indifferent eyebrow as he gives Chanyeol a fishy once-over. "If someone sees you there---"

"But you don't care if someone sees you?"

"Huh?"

Chanyeol gets up, dusting off his pants before facing Baekhyun who's plainly confused at that sudden comment.

"Joining Project EXODEUX, you had ulterior motives, didn't you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like that clone Professor?"

Baekhyun is taken aback because of what he heard. "What?"

"Why am I even surprised. You've had this nature on you since then," Chanyeol says. "When someone shows you extra kindness and attention, you use it to your own advantage. Figures. You used to do that in the past anyway."

"What the fuck are you even---"

"Now I know why you've been sticking to that Professor like a leech. You have feelings for him."

"This is a complete misunderstanding. I don't have any ulterior motives joining this project, and if I see Professor Lay in that kind of way then it's nowhere near your business!" Baekhyun fumes, raising his voice high, "I don't even know why I had to explain things to you--- ah," he trails off and stares right into Chanyeol's eyes, "So this is about what happened fifteen years ago? You're accusing me again for something I didn't do!"

"It's not just about the past! It's about your unprofessional attitude towards that clone that gets me on my nerves!" Chanyeol yells. "What, you think he's gonna like you back? Haha, that's just plain absurd. Even thinking about how desperate you are is already making me sick!"

Baekhyun opens his mouth to say something but no voice comes out. He is trembling in anger; tears are threatening to fall from his eyes that he is only suppressing. He takes a deep breath to calm himself, before looking at Chanyeol with eyes filled with pain.

"Are you done?"

Chanyeol could've had the urge to grab his hand and stop him from leaving, to say he was sorry and to apologize for everything. But he just lets Baekhyun go as he watches his disappearing back, blaming himself again for committing a mistake he shouldn't have done. Again.

He still loves him all along it breaks his heart.

-

Several hours of preparation have passed and everything is ready for the Grand Launch. Subjects and attending scientists grouped by serial numbers are gathered altogether at the Main Arena, a vast circular ground in the middle of the desert trapped inside a huge glass dome.

To supervise the awaited moment, there are satellites installed in every corner televised on 8K high definition LED monitors. The prestigious event is also broadcasted live in the world wide web and international media for public viewing.

Heart heavy with anticipation, excitement, and maybe something else, Baekhyun searches among the busy crowd a certain tall individual who is probably sticking out like a sore thumb.

As per Professor's Lay's instruction, no matter how much he despises to be in the same breathing space as that person, he has managed to reserve a vacant seat for him. He doesn't know if he should he happy that Chanyeol purposely made it late or has decided to sit somewhere else. He's just not in the right mood to talk to him let alone see his face after that heated argument earlier.

Brushing off negative thoughts, he decides to just focus his attention to his surroundings. The loud sound of a blowhorn startles him, followed by the sudden opening of the crystal roof covering the entire arena. It reveals Dubai's vast night sky sprinkled with billions of stars scattered in the universe.

Chilly wind fills the air, and the hovering shadow of a gigantic aerostat causes everyone to look up with wide eyes. The grand entrance of the prominent Red Cube suspended on the craft one thousand feet from the ground, is truly breathtaking.

All Subjects, including Baekhyun, stand up from their seats as they anticipate the Red Cube to open its door.

"Are the clones up there!?"

"Yes! We're finally seeing the success of Project EXODEUX!"

"So there's exactly one hundred superhuman clones to be launched right now!?"

"Look! The door's opening!"

"Oh my god, they're coming!!!" Baekhyun cups his hands around his mouth as he yells, also cheering with the people excitedly, "Woooh!"

Consecutively arranged by Case Numbers, the superhuman clones one by one skydives in the air, dropping down with an altitude of fourteen thousand feet above the ground. Equipped with jetpacks and battle suits, they create a synchronized formation in the troposphere as if to defy Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Baekhyun's gaze is only fixed at the wide screen, recognizing with his own two eyes none other than his own superhuman clone flying downwards to the arena.

Words can't explain this indescribable feeling of overwhelm and pride, seeing the end-result of Project EXODEUX at first hand. It's like he's viewing a majestic version of himself; an entity that has created possible by Science with the aid of advanced metaphysical technology.

It is beyond surreal.

He is smiling yet he is crying, failing too notice the droplets of tears streaming down his cheeks as he cries. It's as though every repeated failures and sporadic success ever since he started up until now, flash back into his nostalgia.

"Why are you crying?" Professor Lay asks beside him.

Baekhyun touches his soaked cheek wet with tears. "Oh, this..." He chokes out a sob, smiling. "I'm just happy, Professor... These are tears of joy."

"Are you sure they're just tears of joy?"

Sometimes though, he thinks that Professor Lay isn't really a clone who couldn't perceive emotions. Whenever he's with the Professor, he feels a lot more humane rather than being with that Subject who's supposed to be the actual human. All Chanyeol caused him was hatred; he shouldn't have crossed paths with that person again if not only for Project EXODEUX.

"I hope this helps."

Professor Lay reaches out his hand, tapping his back gently to console him.

"I have to help with the preparations for the clones' landing so I'll leave you here. Call me if anything happens, all right?"

"Okay."

Baekhyun does a short bow as the Professor leaves in a rush. He wished he could've stayed longer though, the fireworks display is already starting. It could've been more beautiful if he had a companion beside him.

The transparent protective ball of energy surrounding the Main Arena gradually dissipates upon the hundreds of superhuman clones arrival. When the laser barriers enclosing the pathways are lifted, Subjects are instructed to enter the base to meet their identical carbon copies.

Baekhyun walks towards his clone standing mighty in front of him. He still can't grasp the reality that another Baekhyun is existing and alive right before his eyes. He studies closely the vital force's appearance. It is wearing a shiny black suit and a yellow arm band. Its beautiful yet expressionless face is lined with a thin chain across it, meanwhile its white silver hair tied in a single pigtail matches perfectly with its blue-green eye colour.

Baekhyun smiles his most radiant one, pausing a meter away from the clone.

"Hello! My name's Baekhyun, and I am your human."

"I am BAËKHYUN. You can call me CASE Number 04." The superhuman clone's ocean eyes glow as he speaks. "Nice to meet you, Master."

***

End of Part 1

(Part 2: December 04, 10PM KST.)