"Better get moving!"
Levi says while collecting the Floor Data to his watch.
Brooks and Orion moved through the room and realized they were still inside the Energon Institute. To reach the Medicus Facility, they needed to cross the connecting bridge ahead. The facility was eerily empty, filled with a low, unsettling hum as they walked through the sterile ceramic-metal hallway, where green, capillary-like vines crept along the walls.
Approaching the breach, a dim light glowed faintly behind the translucent wall, a silent testament to the operational automated lighting system.
They attempted to access the sealed door. Brooks had a toolkit capable of bypassing it. Inside was a yellow caution jack with a star-shaped key, designed to fit a large keyhole embedded in the sealed wall. The other end of the tool featured a sharp wedge used to pry it open.
While Brooks worked on unlocking the door, Levi began collecting data using the holo-scanner attached to his suit belt.
[Map provided in comments.]
(Vacuum door opening sound)
"We have to go through Level 2 to access the Research Database and proceed to the next sector."
As they entered the Exhibitions Zone, they ascended a wide staircase leading to the grand floral park. There, in the distance, they spotted a male scientist with a grotesquely disfigured face, staggering toward them. He was calling for help in a surreal, high-pitched voice, his vocal cords seemingly tearing apart.
"Help... Help..."
Before he could get any closer, he was suddenly sliced in half, it happened in an instant. Standing in front of it was a Robota, originally designed to be a self-aware robotic waitress. Now, despite having similar human-like faces, their vision sensors were scratched out, as if done deliberately for some unknown reason. Its mechanical joints pulsed with eerie blue veins, and its body was sheathed in a partially torn silicone layer. Its arms had transformed into long, razor-sharp blades, and red-blue synthetic blood dripped onto the floor as it began to walk forward with the unsettling grace of a polite servant.
Meanwhile, inside the Syveron Research Facility, Scouter moved swiftly through the corporate hall, bypassing several suited employees and lab-coated staff using his Card ID. He entered a lift just as another person entered.
"Alina, what's the status?"
"They're inside the facility, searching for Suki and retrieving the data."
"I don't think that will be enough..."
"What do you mean? Killing a monster that's basically a god in its own void? We definitely need help and we also have limited context regarding the subject. We need more data to be prepared."
"I know. That's exactly what I'm about to get."
LEVEL 33
"Let me do the talking. Understood?"
(Alina nods.)
Two armed guards stood menacingly, surveying the area in the sleek, metallic hallway. As Scouter and Alina proceeded down the narrow corridor, a vertical glass scanner mounted along the hallway activated, analyzing them as they approached the door to the Board Members' Office.
"Access granted. Welcome, Scouter and Alina Vasile."
The guards stood, allowing them in. Inside was a large hallway with a central seating and presentation area. Toward the back was another room labeled Director of Intelligence. Scouter walked inside.
She sifted through the files, filled with cryptic manuscripts, her malice-filled eyes analyzing every detail. She wore a formal outfit in contrasting white and red.
"I'm busy, Scouter. Later!" she said sharply.
"Ma'am, this is urgent," Scouter replied.
"Clearance level needed. Meet me personally after the mission is accomplished. And remember, don't disappoint me."
A notification ringtone chimed.
Alina checked her phone and left the room. Scouter followed, walking with a folder in hand. He made his way toward the headquarters sector, passing through the silver metallic hallway lined with wooden benches. There, Alina sat, talking on the phone with a calm but slightly annoyed demeanor.
—
Hello?
Hey Alina, are you alright? I heard about the SGI outbreak. You're not assigned there, right?
I'm alright, Mom. I'm just overseeing the mission.
Oh, then it's fine.
How's Dad...?
He's alright, but I don't want to talk about it.
Yeah, of course, must be busy bashing his ex...
Alina!
How's Rose?
She's prepping for her GMAT.
Take care of her at least. I'll be cutting the call now.
And yeah, I might not be able to come tonight...
—
Putting her hand to her head, frustrated, Alina made her way to the headquarters sector. She found Scouter waiting by her desk. As she approached, he informed her that she had received approval to access any confidential information regarding the SGI and Project Axolotl files. He also reminded her that further mission details must be provided to him as soon as possible.
After getting the heads-up, Alina went through the files, hoping she could establish contact with the team inside the abnormal facility. Her desk was cluttered with papers and hard drives, but two photo frames stood neatly among the chaos, offering a glimpse into her personal life:
One frame held a family picture of her with her father, mother, and younger sister, Rose. The other displayed a group photo of six operatives dressed in black tactical outfits, holding glasses of champagne. Orion, who had taken the photo, was smiling brightly in the background. Orion and Levi stood together, raising their glasses, while Suki stood beside them, holding her cup quietly, content yet reserved. Alina and Ivan stood close, raising their glasses with joy. Behind them, a cozy cottage was visible, surrounded by heavy snowfall under the soft light of an early evening.
The operatives spread out across the wide staircase leading down from the entrance of the Exhibition Hall. Following their plan, they sprinted toward the hall's exit. Sensing their presence, the Robota units dashed forward, blades extended, ready to slice them apart. Brooks attempted to block the attack with his staff but was struck on the right side by another blade. He managed to deflect the blow but lost grip of his weapon. As he tried to summon the staff back using his abilities, the Robota's superior speed knocked it away, and it lunged forward to stab him.
On the other side, Orion attempted to take down a Robota, but another unit charged directly at him. Levi shot one Robota away and made a break for the exit gate. However, upon realizing his teammates were in trouble, he turned back. What he saw shocked him, one of the Robota was about to slice his head. He quickly used his gun to deflect the strike and grabbed Robota's neck.
Then, something strange occurred. Although the Robota were not biological beings, Levi's touch somehow began to infect it. This was unexpected, suggesting that VXD-4 had the ability to alter matter—transforming even non-organic forms into something susceptible to infection or possibly something more dangerous.
Levi's ability normally only works on living beings, which raised a deeper concern: the mechanical Robota's composition may have been altered due to the dimensional shifts. With this realization, Levi used his power to destroy the Robota's head. As he did, another Robota's head exploded as soon as he shot a bullet at it. Brooks and Orion noticed the remaining Robota slowly becoming infected through the vines crawling along their frames. They quickly destroyed them before the infection could fully take hold. As Brooks finished them off, he remarked,
"Well, this place reminded me of a picnic with my family..."
Orion glanced up at the dome overhead, which displayed a vivid artificial sky and a glowing sun. It looked so realistic, it was hard to believe they were more than fifty feet underground, possibly even deeper. The area was filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and soft grass, creating the atmosphere of a full-fledged park. Cafés and an open theater bordered an Event Auditorium, all within a climate-controlled zone designed to mimic a breezy, peaceful autumn day. The entire space was open and expansive, with benches lining the paths and soft lamp posts set to simulate nighttime. However, due to a malfunction, it remained stuck in a perpetual morning.
"This place still fascinates me," Orion said. "The artificial sun feels as bright as the real thing with this breeze. Should we take a break here, Levi?"
"Yeah... we should..." Levi replied, just before losing his balance.
Brooks caught him mid-fall.
"Yo! Get a hold of yourself."
"I guess I overdid it with my... skills," Levi muttered.
Brooks helped him stay steady while Orion opened the door to the Event Auditorium—Verdelume Auditorium. The structure was shaped like a smooth white egg, cracked open at the top to let natural-looking light filter in. Inside, the scene was grim: bodies lay scattered, blood mingling with shallow pools of water suspended in the air due to the facility's superficial underwater environment. The atmosphere was warped and heavy, clearly the aftermath of a Robota attack.
Brooks propped Levi against a nearby desk while Orion stood guard, scanning the area. He pulled out a Health Serum and injected it into the designated port on Levi's arm, integrated into his suit. Moments later, Orion returned and silently signaled: someone was nearby.
Both operatives armed themselves and moved deeper into the auditorium. Levi mounted his gun on the desk, keeping his sights locked on the entrance.
Orion used his ability to create a fleshed-out replica of his hand—complete with an eye embedded in the palm and deployed it as a tracking bot. With its eyes closed, Orion controlled the hand remotely. Brooks stood guard beside him, aware that Orion was vulnerable during this process.
The Verdelume Auditorium was built for immersive experiences, its cushioned seats arranged in a curved formation, divided into eight sections by walking paths. The walls had a wooden finish, adorned with tropical-themed artificial plants, while radium lights beneath the seats created a halo effect in the dimly lit hall.
As Orion's hand explored the area in search of potential threats, it came across a trail of half-eaten chocolate wrappers scattered near the stage. It followed the trail to the guest entrance room and reached out to grasp the handle then suddenly, the vision cut to black.
Orion returned to awareness, confused.
"Found anything?" Brooks asked.
"Lost visuals. There's definitely someone in there."
"Hostile?"
"Maybe. Stay sharp."
"3... 2... 1..." Brooks signals as they proceed.
The two operatives breached the room, scanning every corner as they moved toward the stage. Then, soft music began playing through the auditorium's speakers: Starry Night (Piano) by Jordan Critz.
Something was off.
Brooks whispered, "Hand?"
"What the... (whispers) behind us," Orion muttered.
Slowly, they turned around. Somehow, they hadn't noticed the presence behind them.
"Mister White Hair, is this yours?" a soft voice asked.
Standing there was a Japanese boy, maybe ten years old, dressed in a white-and-blue sailor-striped T-shirt, white shorts, and orange crocs. He clutched a black plastic bag tightly. In his other hand, he held Orion's artificial hand, which wriggled vigorously as if trying to escape. Yet the boy seemed completely calm, unaffected by the uncanny scene. His blue eyes were filled with innocence as he slowly walked up and handed the bag over.
To break the tension, Brooks said, "Thank you." What's your name?"
"Mochi."
"Hey Mochi, did you come here with your family?"
"No, I'm alone," he replied, shaking his head.
"Well then, where do you live?"
"I don't talk to strangers."
"Oh, such a wise kid. You can trust us," Brooks reassured.
"Yes, we're police," Orion added. Then he pulled Brooks aside and whispered, "Something's wrong. That kid, he doesn't seem normal."
"What the heck? He's just a lost kid, Orion. Chill out."
They turned back—but the boy had vanished.
Levi called, "Guys, I found a kid."
(pause)
"Does he have blue eyes?"
"Yeah, he's asking for chocolate. Can you bring some if you find any?"
Sharing a confused glance, they retrieved a few chocolate bars from a vending machine and headed to the receptionist's room. There, Levi and Mochi were already mid-conversation.
"Well, we've got another survivor," Levi explained. "He came here with his family, but they left with Marie, one of the SGI's confidential scientists. They got separated during the lockdown."
"What about infection risk?" Brooks asked.
"He seems immune," Orion replied. "Anyway, we need rest. It's..." (checks watch) "0100. Let's camp."
Brooks deployed four rods, each with hardened tri-stands, placing them in a square formation along one of the auditorium's corridors. With multiple exits nearby, it was an ideal safe zone. After laying a few traps at the main entry points, Levi tapped his watch, the rods activated and projected a tent-like energy shield, pushing the VXD-4 liquid out. Inside, workers could safely remove their suits.
They ate, rested, and took turns keeping watch. As Brooks handed Mochi a chocolate bar, he smiled.
"How's the chocolate, Mochi?"
"Very good."
"Good. But don't eat too much, you'll get cavities."
"No problem. I brush every day."
"You're a good kid. My daughter's around your age. She'd be happy to play with you."
"I'm not interested."
"Huh?"
"I want to play with my friends. I want to play Gojira-kun."
"Okay... once we get out of here, we'll play Gojira-kun together."
(He stops eating, eyes wide with joy)
"Really?!"
"Yeah, why not."
"Yay!" (He starts eating again, smaller bites this time.)
As Mochi drifted off to sleep, Brooks sat awake—thinking about his family, his comrades, and the crushing responsibility he bore, not just for them, but for the world. He couldn't let this destruction reach the surface.
The night passed. Soon, they would descend to the next floor.
What mysteries awaited them there? What new horrors would they face?
—
Silence swept out from the breeze,
The soul now caged, denied its ease.
Loved ones lost along the shore.
Only memories remain to adore.
Rain fell through the subtle darkness.
Dark, reflective eyes opened in the middle of a busy, rushing street.
Suki awoke and staggered to her feet, just as a speeding truck barreled toward her...