Augment Zero

***Augment Zero*** is the first installment into the *Augment* series.

The TITAN corporation controls the world with propaganda and fear, so a secret rebel force called the Renegades rises up to stop their evil influence. The Renegades must be prepared to make tough decisions and face tough times, but they will overcome any obstacles in their way and fight for what is right in order to save the world.

The series as a whole focuses on various groups' conquest for world domination. It's got superhumans, it's got cybernetics, it's got futurism. Traumatized characters. Themes around trauma and mental health. Overall, I want this to be a game, but if it has to be adapted into a comic or animation, I guess I'm okay with that too.

Without further ado, I'll do my damnedest to summarize the plot.

## Synopsis

### Setting and Geography

>
> > Humanity's evolution is on the horizon. We can save ourselves from extinction. Asterium is the key. Our research at TITAN is the key.
> >
> > —Dr. Ramses Ashtar.
>
>

*Augment Zero* takes place on an alternate version of Earth. This world is still named Earth, however it is just as often referred to as Atlas.

In this alternate world, humanity is headed towards its own extinction due to negligence, sickness, famine and poor distribution of wealth and resources, but is "saved" by the advent of life-altering cybernetics like augment implants and specific medications. Almost all their products are crafted with a mysterious element that gave some people superhuman powers, such as ESP, super strength and/or agility and/or speed, telekinesis, regeneration on oneself or others, and so on.

This first installment focuses on a continent known as the historical continent of Atlantis, named only because it was home to one of the most powerful civilizations in ancient history, the Empire of Atlantis. The continent now consists of four separate nations. In order from largest to smallest, they are: The Laurent, Arcadia, Eusebes and Machimos. The story takes place in the north central region of the Laurent in a province named Adonis. The province consists of the major port city of Halcyon and the Laurentian capital, Patagon. Halcyon is also known as the entertainment capitol of the world, housing the famous Bayhart Arena, founded by the Bayhart family and sold to the Glasco family's athletic entertainment company.

The nation of the Laurent is a strong world power that has effectively influenced and propagandized its imperialistic interests around the world. As the world's population looks to a solution for their quick approaching demise, the Laurentians appear as saviors to the human race. Thing is, the Laurent as a nation is inherently corrupt and profit driven, as well as power hungry.

### TITAN corporation

TITAN corporation works closely with the Laurentian government, having many tendrils in the government itself. The conglomerate that has a few subsidiaries, relevant are TITAN ORACLE and TITAN HYPERION. TITAN Headquarters are located in Patagon, Laurent, but there are many research facilities bought out by TITAN, namely Northgate Institute.

TITAN ORACLE is the medical research and bioengineering branch of TITAN, and TITAN HYPERION is the technical engineering and robotics division of TITAN that works closely with the government. To the public, TITAN ORACLE is innovative and life-saving, producing implants and cyborg parts for the populations sickest members. TITAN ORACLE is seen as revolutionary in advancing human life. However, there is a sinister motif underlying the brand loyalty TITAN's customers have towards the company.

TITAN wants control and to dominate the market of medicine and human evolution, as well as build an army of the future using the population as tools for propaganda to keep generating wealth and political, economic power for the company. Thing is, the world at large is buying into Laurentian propaganda.

Most people believe in this propaganda because it has a strong aspect of hope in it. In this alternate earth, humanity is driving itself towards extinction, so humanity needs to buy itself a bail out. Enhancing the population will obviously fix the problems of the world, ahaha.

But yes. This all started when a mysterious substance was discovered while mining in another country far from Laurentia. The Laurentians quickly took control of that country's government and seized control of that mysterious element. TITAN, a small research group at the time, investigated the mysterious element and dubbed it Asterium.

Asterium was quickly researched and a way to make implants, cybernetic limbs and organs and even augment people was found. The mechanical parts would be powered by Asterium indefinitely, as the Asterium has a long half life. The effects of the Asterium were not at all dangerous to humans, simply granting them with powers to do things they couldn't do before. Some people, however, struggled to harness these powers as they would overwhelm weaker bodies.

100 years would go by until TITAN found a way to help the ill people of the population. This was an incredible advancement in their medical technology and they made an industry out of it. Unfortunately, the Laurentian government had imperialistic pursuits to attend to, so a branch of TITAN designed to create weapons for the Laurent military was created. Soon, TITAN would become an insidious organization that would begin using its products to aid the warmongering, imperialistic Laurentians in their conquest for the world.

TITAN ORACLE has a dedicated team of scientists who research Asterium diligently and run trials and tests to find ways to improve the implants and medications. Their base of operations are held at the Northgate Institute.

## *The Augment Project*

The most sinister, secretive exploit of the TITAN's operations is the horrific abuse inflicted on anyone inducted into the Augment Project.

It was Dr. Ramses Ashtar's idea to create the super-soldier program known as the Augment Project. The Augment Project has nine units: Unit Nine are the weakest and Unit One are the strongest. None of the nine trials of this experiment produced the results Ashtar was looking for, so he sought to push the limits with Augment Unit One. 50 children from the ages of 11 to 14 were brought into experimentation, all with illnesses without a cure and promised by Dr. Ashtar to come out with extended lifespans. Little did they any of the parents know, Ashtar would keep the children during their rehabilitation and train them. These children became the augments of Unit One, the most powerful unit of augments Ashtar created thus far.

Problematically, many died following the procedure and some did not make it through rehabilitation. Any surviving children quickly made for their escape, which Dr. Ashtar called the Exodus. Most of the escaped children of the experiments would return to their families, but some were not so fortunate.

The seven years that followed proved frustrating for Dr. Ashtar as his facility was investigated by the Laurentian government after hearing of the death and displacement of so many children. The blame was shifted squarely onto Dr. Hector Firegold, a colleague of Dr. Ashtar's with whom he worked closely and declared a close friend. After throwing Dr. Firegold under the bus, Dr. Ashtar walked free, not yet answering to his crimes.

## Characters

*Main Article: Augment Zero Characters*

The characters can be separated into groups of people.

### Renegades

The Renegades are a decentralized group of anonymous activists working to take down Dr. Ramses Ashtar.

* Gray is the codename of the groups leader. Gray maintains a network of hackers and members across the nation of the Laurent and surrounding territories. They are a runaway