Code X: Human Upgrade- Episode 5 – Shadows of Control

By- AK

RECAPE-

Zayel and the other upgraded teens face a series of difficult challenges, including puzzles, memory tests, and physical coordination tasks. They must work together to complete these tasks before a countdown timer runs out.

During the tests, Zayel notices his memories starting to fade, and Kai admits she is forgetting small but important things too. Node explains that memory loss is a side effect of the upgrades needed to unlock their full potential.

As the episode ends, the teens are told their training has only just begun, and they prepare for what’s next—facing a fight for their minds and identities.

EP-5 BEGGINING-

The group was led down narrow hallways, deeper into the secret Code X facility. The walls hummed softly with unseen machines, and the air smelled cool and sterile. Zayel’s mind was still racing from the tests and the warning messages.

Kai walked beside him, her expression serious. “They’re watching us. Not just here, but everywhere.”

Zayel glanced around nervously. “Who is ‘they’?”

“The people who control Code X. The ones running the program. I think they know more than they tell us.”

They reached a large glass room filled with monitors showing live feeds of other students in the program. Some were in quiet rooms like theirs, others walking through strange hallways or undergoing different tests.

Zayel felt a chill. “Are we just experiments to them?”

Kai shrugged. “Maybe. But some of us have to fight back.”

Just then, the voice of the woman in the grey suit came over a speaker.

“Candidates, your progress is impressive. But there is a challenge ahead that will test not only your mind but your will.”

Zayel swallowed hard.

The door to the room slid open, and a new figure stepped inside—a man in a black suit with sharp eyes and a cold smile.

“Welcome,” he said. “I’m Dr. Varin, lead scientist on the Code X project.”

Zayel felt a cold shiver. Dr. Varin’s gaze seemed to look right through him.

“We’ve been watching your progress,” Varin continued. “Your upgrades show great promise. But the human mind is complicated. Emotional stability and loyalty are vital.”

Zayel clenched his fists.

Varin continued, “The next phase requires you to prove your control over your new abilities and your mind. You will be tested against each other. Only the strongest will advance.”

The teens exchanged worried looks.

Kai whispered, “This isn’t about teamwork anymore.”

Zayel nodded slowly. “It’s a competition.”

The monitors in the room shifted to display profiles of each candidate. Their strengths, weaknesses, and statistics filled the screen.

Zayel’s profile blinked—his skills improving, but with notes about “memory instability” and “emotional suppression.”

Node spoke softly in Zayel’s mind, “Stay focused. Remember who you are.”

The door opened again, revealing a large training arena filled with holographic obstacles and targets.

“You will enter the arena one by one,” Dr. Varin explained. “Perform tasks that demonstrate your cognitive and physical upgrades.”

Zayel swallowed and stepped forward.

Inside the arena, lights shifted and changed. Holograms appeared: puzzles to solve, objects to catch, patterns to follow. The challenges were fast, complex, and tiring.

Zayel’s mind worked faster than ever. He solved puzzles in seconds and dodged virtual obstacles with ease.

But then, a new challenge appeared—one that tested more than skill.

A holographic image of his mother appeared.

Her voice was soft, familiar.

“Zayel, come home. We miss you.”

Zayel froze.

His heart ached. Memories of home rushed back—but they felt distant, like they were slipping away.

Node whispered urgently, “Ignore the emotional input. Focus on the test.”

But Zayel’s mind was torn. He wanted to reach out, to hold onto those memories, but they faded like smoke.

Tears welled in his eyes.

The hologram disappeared.

A voice echoed through the arena.

“Emotional attachments weaken your performance. Detach yourself.”

Zayel clenched his fists, fighting the cold emptiness growing inside.

When he left the arena, he was quiet.

Kai approached. “It’s happening to all of us.”

Zayel nodded slowly. “They want us to lose who we are.”

Later, in their rooms, the teens talked quietly.

Kai said, “We need to find a way to control this program—before it controls us.”

Zayel looked at her with new resolve.

“We’ll find a way. Together.”

But deep in the control room, hidden cameras watched.

Dr. Varin smiled.

“The upgrades are working. Soon, they will be perfect soldiers.”