The Carrier: The Hunt Begins

Prologue

Ashford Pines, North Carolina.

Along the borderline of Virginia and North Carolina, where the two states converge in harmony, rests a quaint town known as Ashford Pines. Nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, the town exudes an undeniable charm that captivates all who pass through its borders. With its tree-lined streets and cozy neighborhoods, Ashford Pines exudes a sense of serenity and simplicity, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The air is imbued with a delicate blend of floral fragrances and whispers of the nearby forests, enticing visitors to explore the surrounding natural wonders. As the sun sets on Ashford Pines, casting a serene glow upon its quaint buildings and rustic architecture, a tranquil ambiance envelops the town, making it a haven for those seeking solace and a place to call home. In this cherished hometown of Ashford Pines, generations had witnessed the emergence of skilled newspaper editors, thriving amidst the town's bustling printing press industry during the early 1900s. The ebb and flow of farming production has shaped its landscape, with the county proudly contributing one-third of the nation's wheat and barley. Children raised in this close-knit community find their academic path leading them to Ashford Pines High, where the enduring legacy of the town was upheld by the current mayor, who too walked the same halls and remained firmly rooted in the town's heritage. Unbeknownst to the residents of this town, the Ticonderoga Corporation had set up its secretive presence within the county's boundaries, concealed deep within the encompassing forest. Originally established as a cancer research facility in the 1970s, the corporation's path took a significant turn in the late 1980s when CEO Lance Gregory recognized the immense potential of genome manipulation, culminating in the successful cloning of sheep during the 1990s. This groundbreaking achievement showcased the corporation's ability to delve into the intricate realm of molecular-level manipulation. Over the course of the past two decades, Ticonderoga Corporation has focused on developing DNA mutations as a potent biological weapon, intended for potential military utilization once perfected. However, their endeavors to attain perfection met repeated failures along the way. Beyond the facility's confines lies a realm of strangeness that remains shrouded in secrecy, accessible only to individuals possessing an exceptionally high-level clearance. Not even the President of the United States could gain entry without the requisite authorization. The chances of penetrating this elusive domain are incredibly slim. Among the myriad of unsuccessful endeavors undertaken by Ticonderoga Corporation, one notable misstep involved the use of nuclear waste, aimed at pushing DNA alteration to extraordinary new heights. In the past, Ticonderoga encountered significant problems involving the leakage of nuclear waste into the neighboring lake, which served as a water source for animals. This contamination resulted in the tragic demise of a family of deer during the 1990s and later triggered a pervasive wave of mutations among black crows in the early 2000s. Despite these concerning incidents, the company kept a tight grip on the situation, ensuring that news pertaining to their activities never reached the airwaves. Any reporters who stumbled upon unfavorable information were swiftly silenced before they could bring it to the public's attention during prime time. The traces were meticulously eradicated, leaving behind only faint echoes that scarcely reached beyond the county's borders. A hefty price was paid to keep these secrets from exposure without causing disruption in the community. Pandemonium would break out if anyone knew they had dumped nuclear waste into the environment. Stretching across vast distances, sewer pipes meandered into various sections of the forest, serving as conduits for the formation of these waste puddles—an approach favored by the company as a discreet means of waste dispersion, ensuring minimal detection of its effects. Before the reactor's existence, the wildlife flourished and was an attraction for all to witness and enjoy. Hunting the overpopulated deer was a problem of the past now. There were few animals, and it seemed like the ones around were severely sick and disoriented. The reports concerning the wildlife within Ashford Pines' Forest never found their way into the evening news, preventing people from ever raising questions about the mysterious occurrences transpiring within. The company got away with these crimes, and no one seemed to notice anything outside of their personal lives tucked away on their cell phones. For an extensive period, Ticonderoga skillfully safeguarded their operations from any leaks, ensuring that not a single piece of information escaped the confines of the facility or reached the public eye. This strategy proved effective until an unforeseen event occurred no one ever expected.