Meanwhile,
Suki encountered a few facility members confused by the warning. Reaching the surface level, she noticed many employees were skeptical, assuming it was just a drill. Some had already evacuated, but others remained, monitoring the power plant's functionality. Since everything appeared operational, they dismissed the warning as something meant only for confidential personnel. While the higher-ups had left, several workers stayed behind.
Suki approached them, urging them to evacuate immediately. Just then, a supervisor arrived, seeking answers about the communication blackout and AI malfunction.
"Hey, I'm David Smith, Lead Experimental Ethics Supervisor (LEES)."
(Smirks) "Of all people, you stayed? That's ironic."
"Sorry, what do you mean?"
"I'm SHADE, a special operative under Board Member protection."
(Nods) "Oh, a higher-up. How may I assist you?"
"Weren't you informed about the evacuation?"
(Confused) "Evacuation? Our communications were disabled hours ago. Only radios were working."
"For your information, Protocol Eclipse has been initiated."
(Shocked) "Oh God... that's bad..."
(Tense) "Leave the facility immediately. Inform as many people as possible."
"I'll try, but without network access, it's a mess to contact everyone here."
"Why are people still working despite the comms blackout?"
"We're on a tight schedule. We're forced to work, no matter what. You higher-ups have no idea what kind of shit show happens here."
"Whatever. You need to get out of here now. I'll barricade the bridge once the operatives arrive. They're already on their way."
(Scoffs) "Operatives, huh? Just like last time. Let's hope it stays contained."
(Narrow eyes) "You've faced a similar situation?"
(Sighs) "Yeah. It was the worst. Back then, I was just a subordinate."
"Worst in what sense?"
(Pauses) "Monsters. That's all I can say."
"What?"
(Busy) "I have to go. It's already late, and most will evacuate soon. I don't like the night shift after what happened then. I'll inform them to cancel it."
"Hand me a radio."
(Nods) "Sure. Thank you for your service, and good luck."
Suki took the radio and quickly reviewed the map before heading back to the admin room to check on Cassandra. However, when she arrived, Cassandra was gone.
She searched the room but found nothing except a search history related to herself. Cassandra's disappearance made no sense, there was nowhere she could have gone, as all the surrounding sectors were already submerged. Now, the operatives were back to square one—missing the VIP and still lacking critical intel on the situation.
As Suki stood there, the air conditioning vent hummed softly, the cold breeze thickening the air with a sense of mystery.
Outside, the aircraft finally arrived at SGI.
Welcome to the Syveron Geothermal Institute.
"It's fucking cold out here," Orion muttered, rubbing his arms.
"You gotta be prepared, pal," Brooks said while scanning the helipad area.
"Something feels off...," Levi added, a hint of confusion in his voice.
They watched as crowds of people left in their vehicles and Syveron transport ships. Some were frustrated by the sudden disaster warning, while others were relieved to leave before the facility went into full lockdown. The institute was located on remote Devon Island, making it difficult to evacuate. Most members had to leave at the end of their shift, but classified personnel stayed in the Syveron Apartments, provided as part of their service and security clearance.
"So, how many people might be stuck inside?" Brooks asked.
"More than a thousand, it started during rush hour, after all," Levi replied. He glanced around, uneasy. "We need to get this operation done ASAP."
"Guys, put your masks on. Right now," Orion ordered, sensing something was wrong.
The facility's interior was sleek and minimalistic, with white and blue walls, a wide hall, a receptionist desk in the center, and reinforced glass panels insulating the building from the harsh climate. As they stepped inside, a strange sensation washed over them—an eerie discomfort that faded only after they put on their masks.
"Is the air contaminated?" Levi asked, scanning the hallway. "Man, this is not good. That means no one's aware of it."
"How did you even notice that weird smell? It felt fine to me," Brooks asked Orion, confused. "I didn't feel shit until I put the mask on."
"My senses are superior to yours, perks of being better than you," Orion smirked. "And these gas masks don't do shit." He dropped the mask, hooking it to his belt.
"Lucky for you, immune to everything," Levi muttered.
"Bruh."
Just then, a faint chattering sound echoed through the hallway. They immediately tensed, weapons ready. Moving cautiously, they rounded the corner, only to find nothing. A faint static noise buzzed from the office hallway as Brooks picked up his radio.
-
"Hello? Mic check. Is anyone there? Hello?"
"Hello, This is Brooks, Rescue Operative. Are you safe?"
"Brooks, Brooks Carter!?"
"Who is this, Suki?"
"Yeah, good to hear a familiar voice. It's Suki! But first, Verify yourselves."
"Can't do as the communication is compromised," Levi muttered.
"Still... say the word Levi."
"Oh God not again, Love is war," Levi replied, embarrassed.
"But ego doesn't, well had to make sure it's you guys." Suki answered, completing their verification phrase.
Levi sighed in relief. "Thank God you're safe! We're in the..." He glanced at his surroundings. "Office Sector-3."
"The VIP is missing, and the Biomedical Facility is completely submerged in a strange, lava-like liquid with abnormal effects on anything it touches."
"First, we need to get the VIP to safety. Do you have a gas mask nearby? The ventilation is contaminated."
"What?..." The radio crackled with interference.
Suddenly, the connection cut off.
"Battery's dead. Great." Suki sighed, shoving the radio aside.
As she turned to leave, a knocking sound echoed through the hallway. She froze, took out her gun. The sound was faint at first, then grew louder, urgent—desperate. It came from a sealed door nearby. Suki cautiously approached, her pulse quickening. The knocking intensified. It was relentless, frantic. The kind of knock that could belong to a dying person begging for rescue or something far worse. A predator playing with its prey. Suki froze, eyes fixated on the door as the eerie pounding echoed through the silence.
Project Axolotl was a classified biological research experiment authorized by Syveron Industrial with direct approval from both the CEO and the Head of the CIA. The goal was to develop an enhancer that granted subjects superior vitality and strength along with specialized supernatural abilities tailored to their unique capabilities.
Nine individuals were subjected to the experiment, three classified and six successful candidates who were now Syveron's elite operatives under the codename Axolotl. To maintain control, each operative had a chip implanted in their body. Any sign of disobedience, and they would be terminated.
"Oh, so we can kill them... Good stuff."
Cassandra smirked, her eyes glinting with malice as she read through the classified files in a hidden executive panic room, accessible only to top officials in case of terrorist attacks or worse.
She leaned back, watching the surveillance feeds flicker. The operatives were trying to reunite, pushing forward with their mission.
"That bitch better be dead."
Warning! Power shortage... Power down in 10, 9, 8...
"Oh nah, not this again. Reminds me of that spooky mansion," Brooks muttered as they walked down the hallway toward the elevator. They halted as their objective shifted due to the sudden announcement.
"Looks like we need to fix this. Any intel on the AI...?" Levi asked while Orion flexed his powerful bone-flesh claws, the tension in the air thickening as the surroundings darkened.
"Well, let's fucking get into action!" Orion declared enthusiastically.
"We're not here to fight, but to rescue," Brooks reminded him, pushing Orion's claws down.
The lights flickered out. A dim glow from emergency radium lines illuminated the sector, casting eerie shadows. At the same time, multiple sealed doors unlocked hopefully not the ones leading to classified areas.
As they switched on their flashlights, Orion playfully crossed his claws in front of them, making Brooks flinch.
Levi chuckled. "Really...?"
Then BANG!
A sudden gunshot echoed through the corridor. They exchanged glances before quickly forming up and sprinting toward the source of the noise. The further they went, the dimmer the lighting became.
"Cease fire! We are Rescue Team Operatives Axolotl!" Levi called out.
"Sorry, sorry...!" A panicked worker stood with his hands raised, a gun dangling from his fingers as he repeated the phrase anxiously.
"Status report, Scout. One survivor verified for extraction," Levi confirmed.
"Wait!" Orion stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a shadowy figure behind the worker. A dead body lay slumped on the ground.
Suddenly, the worker grabbed his gun and fired...
BANG!
The bullet went inside Brooks, the man turned his aim toward Levi's back.
Brooks grabbed the worker's wrist and pulled the gun. "You got a problem, kid?" he growled, pressing his own weapon against the man's forehead, agitated.
"I no, I didn't mean to, I'm sorry!" the worker stammered.
Brooks scowled and knocked him out with a swift strike to the head. Orion quickly cuffed him, marking him as a murderer before leaving him behind.
They bagged the dead scientist's body and resumed their mission. Wasting no time, they headed to the facility's power system to begin the reboot process.
Upon reaching the lower levels, they stopped in their tracks.
The scientists were already dead.
But there were no gunshot wounds. Instead, their faces were grotesquely swollen, with thick blue liquid oozing from their eyes, ears, and mouths. This liquid is similar to the submerged liquid in the confidential site.
Brooks took a sample for further analysis, carefully avoiding any contact with the harmful chemical. He placed it in his capsule bag and proceeded to the Observation Sector.
Beep... beep... beep.
Blinking lights flickered in the rustic atmosphere, thick with dust-covered documents, scattered files, and complex calculations detailing the power plant's functions. A control panel stood in the room, lined with mini screens, blinking lights, levers, and switches.
As Brooks examined a small letter detailing voltage control, stabilizers, and other technical aspects, he navigated to the power level interface. Rebooting the system required a specific sequence of steps. To activate the heavy-duty generator, they needed command keys from both facility commanders— a security measure designed to prevent power misuse.
Levi received this information through the comms from the main advisor and operative, Alina. As she relayed the details, the team began searching for the keys. Among the scattered belongings of the commanders, they found an item linked to a middle-aged man, a distinctive blue-eyed American with a square face and deep wrinkles.
Levi attempted to verify his identity using the micro body cams embedded in all operatives' gear. These devices not only assisted in guiding missions but also contained crucial information in case an operative died or went rogue.
"Redacted," a voice suddenly echoed through the speaker in an unusual rhythm.
"That information is redacted, so stop trying to find him," an unknown man warned.
"Who are you?" Brooks said with confusion as Levi inserted a drive inside the panel.
"Leave him alone! Stop this nightmare!" he shouted, agitated.
The situation grew more complicated as a strange blue liquid began leaking from the vents.
"Wait, what's this blue, gluey mess...!?" Orion exclaimed as he noticed the substance.
As soon as he touched the liquid, something felt off. The strange substance spread toward Orion's feet. The moment it touched him, he shivered, gripping his leg as the liquid seemed to be absorbing his flesh. Panicking, he yanked his leg away, but the damage was already done, it had reached up to his ankle, forcing him to cut his leg off.
"The fuck is this!?" Orion gasped, struggling to hold his breath through the immense pain. "It felt like... I had to remove it... fuck, I can't even explain it...!"
"Bro, take it easy! Your leg is important. Can you regenerate it?" Levi asked, trying to calm him.
"No, I need meat for it," Orion groaned.
"Well, the canteen must have plenty of leftovers since it was sealed off during the lockdown. Hopefully, that'll work. Brooks, take him to the canteen."
"Got it. I'll help him out. But what about you?"
"There's a power failure. I think the main power just cut off!"
Security cameras, formerly active, suddenly went dark. The unknown person watching the operatives had lost their visual.
"Levi, all the cameras are offline. The location is pinned in your view," Alina informed him. "I've analyzed the power outage, and it seems the emergency vents have opened, which is why that unknown liquid has spread to the upper premises. You need to activate the backup power by finding the commander—the one who holds the key, according to voice recognition data."
Levi glanced at his smartwatch, which projected a holographic map in landscape mode, pinpointing the commander's last known location.
"Okay, let's split up and regroup here once the objectives are complete. Brooks, get Orion's leg recovered and rescue anyone you find along the way. Be careful. I'll retrieve the key and capture the commander for further questioning. Understood?"
"In unison: Yes."
"Be careful on your way," Brooks added.
Levi nodded before Brooks hoisted Orion's arm over his shoulder and headed toward the canteen. Meanwhile, Levi prepared to move forward.
As they left the room, the control panel remained active, with the drive Levi had connected blinking as it collected data and transmitted it to Alina.